ArticleBMJ open2023
Utilisation of services along the continuum of maternal healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lubumbashi, DRC: findings from a cross-sectional household survey of women.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The continuum of care for maternal health in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- From pandemic to progress: maternal health resilience in the post COVID-19 era in Tamil Nadu, India.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Utilization of Antenatal Care and Skilled Birth Delivery Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024Article
- Impact of Ebola and COVID-19 on maternal, neonatal, and child health care among populations affected by conflicts: a scoping review exploring demand and supply-side barriers and solutions.Conflict and health · 2024Article
- Article
- An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2023Review
- Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Births, Vaginal Deliveries, Cesarian Sections, and Maternal Mortality in a Brazilian Metropolitan Area: A Time-Series Cohort Study.International journal of women's health · 2023Article
- Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on provision and use of maternal health services in Allada, southern Benin: a local health system perspective.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe continuum of maternal care along antenatal (ANC), intrapartum and postnatal care (PNC) is fundamental for protecting women's and newborns' health. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the provision and use of these essential services globally. This study examines maternal healthcare utilisation along the continuum during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
designThis is a cross-sectional study using data collected on a survey of 599 households in Lubumbashi, DRC, using stratified random sampling.
participantsWe included 604 women (15-49 years) who were pregnant between March 2020 and May 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES: A structured interview involved questions on sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes regarding COVID-19 and maternal service use and cost. Complete continuum of care was defined as receiving ANC 4+ consultations, skilled birth attendance and at least one PNC check for both mother and newborn. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression.
resultsOne-third (36%) of women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic completed the continuum of maternal healthcare. Factors significantly associated with completing the continuum included higher education (aOR=2.6; p<0.001) and positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccination (aOR=1.9; p=0.04). Reasons for not seeking maternal care included lack of money and avoiding COVID-19 vaccination.
conclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal healthcare seeking behaviours were shaped by vaccine hesitancy and care unaffordability in Lubumbashi. Addressing the high cost of maternal healthcare and vaccine hesitancy appear essential to improve access to maternal healthcare.
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