Maternal and newborn care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: re-contextualising the community midwifery model. Hum Resour Health 2020 Oct 07;18(1):75
Date
10/09/2020Pubmed ID
33028347Pubmed Central ID
PMC7539267DOI
10.1186/s12960-020-00518-3Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85092323888 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 36 CitationsAbstract
Peripartum deaths remain significantly high in low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted essential services, which could lead to an increase in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, the lockdowns, curfews, and increased risk for contracting COVID-19 may affect how women access health facilities. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that requires a community-centred response, not just hospital-based interventions. In this prolonged health crisis, pregnant women deserve a safe and humanised birth that prioritises the physical and emotional safety of the mother and the baby. There is an urgent need for innovative strategies to prevent the deterioration of maternal and child outcomes in an already strained health system. We propose strengthening community-based midwifery to avoid unnecessary movements, decrease the burden on hospitals, and minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection among women and their newborns.
Author List
Kimani RW, Maina R, Shumba C, Shaibu SAuthor
Constance S. Shumba PhD Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Betacoronavirus
Coronavirus Infections
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Infant
Infant Care
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
Kenya
Maternal Health Services
Midwifery
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral
Pregnancy
