Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mother and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa – a review

Alabi, Quadri K.; Oyedeji, Ayobami S.; Kayode, Olariike Oyindasola; Kajewole-Alabi, Deborah Ifeoluwa

doi:10.1038/s41390-023-02651-w

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to pose substantial challenges to maternal health, particularly in Africa. Although detailed data are forthcoming, early indications suggest that the pandemic has significantly impacted maternal and child healthcare [ 118 ]. The limited availability of skilled health professionals and medical equipment, service disruptions, and an increased reluctance among women to use available healthcare facilities contribute to this impact [ 119 , 120 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends, Projections, and Regional Disparities of Maternal Mortality in Africa (1990–2030): An ARIMA Forecasting Approach

Onambele,

Guillen-Aguinaga,

Guillen-Aguinaga

et al. 2023

Epidemiologia

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With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (2015–2030) focused on the reduction in maternal mortality, monitoring and forecasting maternal mortality rates (MMRs) in regions like Africa is crucial for health strategy planning by policymakers, international organizations, and NGOs. We collected maternal mortality rates per 100,000 births from the World Bank database between 1990 and 2015. Joinpoint regression was applied to assess trends, and the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was used on 1990–2015 data to forecast the MMRs for the next 15 years. We also used the Holt method and the machine-learning Prophet Forecasting Model. The study found a decline in MMRs in Africa with an average annual percentage change (APC) of −2.6% (95% CI −2.7; −2.5). North Africa reported the lowest MMR, while East Africa experienced the sharpest decline. The region-specific ARIMA models predict that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in 2030 will vary across regions, ranging from 161 deaths per 100,000 births in North Africa to 302 deaths per 100,000 births in Central Africa, averaging 182 per 100,000 births for the continent. Despite the observed decreasing trend in maternal mortality rate (MMR), the MMR in Africa remains relatively high. The results indicate that MMR in Africa will continue to decrease by 2030. However, no region of Africa will likely reach the SDG target.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends, Projections, and Regional Disparities of Maternal Mortality in Africa (1990–2030): An ARIMA Forecasting Approach

Onambele,

Guillen-Aguinaga,

Guillen-Aguinaga

et al. 2023

Epidemiologia

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“…Concerns were also expressed in the case of intrauterine spreading [87], as the impact of COVID-19 became more evident in reproductive healthcare. In over 115 evaluated countries, including almost 50 African nations, maternal and child mortality rates increased monthly by 38.4% and 44%, respectively [88]. Nowadays, since COVID-19 does not pose a deadly threat to the world anymore, efforts should be made to evaluate Africa's response to viral infectivity, teaching lessons for future outbreaks and promoting policies to leverage healthcare.…”

Section: The Transmissibility Of Sars-cov-2 and The Difficulty Of App...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing Inequality in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: A Snapshot from Clinical Symptoms to Vaccine Distribution

Pêgo,

Lima,

Gozzelino

2024

COVID

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On 30 January 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of global concern. COVID-19 became pandemic on 11 March 2020, and spread unprecedently. No country was prepared to face its impact. Major fears started to be expressed for Africa, where dramatic consequences were expected, due to the weakness of health systems. In this review, we related major concerns, at that time but still present, regarding the limited resources in terms of qualified physicians and researchers, as well as the scarce funds to purchase essential medical equipment and improve hospital infrastructures. The difficulties to provide proper care became an undeniable mark of inequality, highlighting the need to empower local capacity and raise preparedness against infection outbreaks. The transmissibility of genetic variants affecting African nations, the immunopathology underlying comorbidities, sequelae, and pre-existing conditions, often related to changes in iron metabolism and enhancing COVID-19 severity, were described. The obstacles in adopting standardized prevention measures were highlighted, along with testing capacity biases and inequity of healthcare access and vaccine distribution. By providing a better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, we draw attention to the need for collaborative efforts to leverage the quality of healthcare and research in this continent.

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide by disrupting essential health services and exacerbating existing health inequities [ 1 , 2 ]. Among the most vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic are pregnant women and children, who rely on routine maternal and child health (MCH) services for safe childbirth, antenatal care, immunization, and early childhood development [ 3 , 4 ]. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India, where maternal and child mortality rates remain high, the pandemic threatens to reverse decades of progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services: A Comprehensive Analysis of Government Initiatives in Northern India

Jain,

Prajapati,

Bisen

2024

Cureus

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Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services globally, with particular challenges observed in maternal and child health (MCH) care. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on MCH services in northern India, focusing on key government programs. Methods: Data were collected from four major MCH programs in India: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), and the Universal Immunization Program (UIP). The study compared MCH service utilization and outcomes during the pandemic period (March-September 2020) with the same period in 2019. Results: Preliminary findings indicated a significant reduction in the utilization of MCH services during the pandemic, with a decrease observed in institutional deliveries, antenatal care visits, and immunization coverage. For instance, institutional deliveries declined by 30% compared with the previous year, with a similar decrease observed in antenatal care visits. Immunization coverage also decreased by approximately 25%, indicating a substantial decline in preventive care services. Challenges in accessing essential treatments for sick infants have also been reported, with a 40% decrease in the utilization of free treatment services under the JSSK program. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted MCH services in northern India, highlighting the vulnerability of these essential health programs during public health emergencies. Addressing the challenges identified in this study is crucial to ensuring the continuity and resilience of MCH services in similar settings.

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mother and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa – a review

Cited by 9 publications

References 57 publications

Trends, Projections, and Regional Disparities of Maternal Mortality in Africa (1990–2030): An ARIMA Forecasting Approach

Trends, Projections, and Regional Disparities of Maternal Mortality in Africa (1990–2030): An ARIMA Forecasting Approach

Addressing Inequality in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: A Snapshot from Clinical Symptoms to Vaccine Distribution

Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services: A Comprehensive Analysis of Government Initiatives in Northern India

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