The direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health services in Africa: a scoping review

Abstract

\n IntroductionThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to disrupt the availability and utilization of routine and emergency health care services, with differing impacts in jurisdictions across the world. In this scoping review, we set out to synthesize documentation of the direct and indirect effect of the pandemic, and national responses to it, on maternal and child health (MNCH) in Africa.MethodsA scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of the most significant impacts identified up to February 2021. Our search included peer reviewed literature, working papers and news articles with the intent to capture evolving and novel updates on the topic. Narrative descriptions were written about thematic areas for which the authors extracted the most evidence.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five articles were identified through our literature search and 17 were deemed appropriate for analysis. We identified three overarching themes: delayed care, disruption in service provision and utilization and mitigation strategies or recommendation.DiscussionAvailable literature suggests widespread service cutbacks amid a mosaic of mitigation strategies. Our results show that minor consideration was given to preserving health service access for mothers and children, especially in historically underserved areas. Lack of emergency preparedness and infrastructural constraints prevented useful approaches such as telemedicine from being meaningfully utilized.ConclusionsOur scoping review shows that limited research has been published on this topic. Reviewed literature illuminates the continuing need and prioritization for maternity services, immunization, and reproductive health services, which have not been prioritized during the pandemic, yet are necessary to shield the continent’s most vulnerable population segments from the shocks of current and future global health emergencies.