ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025
Health providers' perspectives on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-epidemic measures on maternal health services in Nairobi, Kenya: a qualitative study.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed.
- From pandemic to progress: maternal health resilience in the post COVID-19 era in Tamil Nadu, India.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Perspective of parents on healthcare for children during COVID-19 in India: A qualitative inquiry.Bioinformation · 2026Article
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4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe first case of COVID-19 in Kenya was confirmed in March 2020; the Kenyan government swiftly introduced measures to curb transmission, some of which negatively impacted maternal health services. Most research on the effects of COVID-19 on maternal health is from the perspectives of pregnant women and mothers. Our study explores health providers' perspectives on the effect of COVID-19 on maternal health services in Nairobi, Kenya.
methodsFrom February to May 2023, we conducted key informant interviews with 39 health providers in Nairobi County, Kenya. Study participants included medical doctors/officers, clinical officers, nurses, and community health assistants. Thematic inductive and deductive analysis were used to analyze the data; coding was done using NVIVO.
resultsThe interviewed health providers confirmed that COVID-19 prevention and infection control measures had negatively affected maternal health services. The measures led to the temporary closure of health facilities because there was a shortage of health providers due to their deployment in isolation centers and quarantine, and some contracted COVID-19, restricted access to maternal health services, and delayed service delivery due to social distancing. Health providers stated that they faced numerous challenges, including fear of and contracting COVID-19, being overworked as they were short-staffed, limited resources, stigma from the community as they were considered infectious, and psychological distress. In addition, health providers said that the Kenyan government addressed some challenges by providing personal protective equipment, prioritizing health providers for vaccination, facilitating their movement, and providing temporary tax relief.
conclusionOur findings highlight the negative effect of COVID-19 on maternal health services in Kenya. Future pandemic preparedness should entail proper planning, staffing, training, psychosocial support, and staff motivation through the provision of risk allowance and health insurance. In addition, funds should be set aside for purchasing medical supplies, equipment, and vaccines, building isolation centres, and other contingencies.
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