ABSTRACT
Background: It is well documented that the utilization of maternal healthcare services during pregnancy and childbirth plays a significant role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Disruptions in maternal healthcare services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been reported. However, there is a paucity of literature from rural areas, as most of the previous studies are either record-based or conducted in tertiary care centers. This study aimed to determine the proportion of women who received the recommended maternal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic and to study various factors associated with the utilization of services. Material and Methods: In this community-based study, we assessed the utilization of maternal healthcare services among 520 women residing in the Ballabgarh Block of District Faridabad, Haryana, whose antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal period coincided with the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Domiciliary visits were made, and women were interviewed retrospectively regarding maternal healthcare services utilized by them. The antenatal care (ANC) cards were reviewed, and details were corroborated. Results: Full ANC was received by 15.3% of women, and 45% of women had less than four antenatal visits. 30.9% of participants had cesarean delivery. The proportion of cesarean delivery in private facilities was significantly higher than in government facilities [Odds Ratio (OR) (95% Confidence intervals (CI)) =10.04 (5.87-17.19); P < 0.001]. In multivariate logistic regression, gravidity was negatively associated with full ANC [OR (95% CI) =0.43 (0.25-0.74); P = 0.002]. Conclusion: Fewer women received the recommended maternal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed assessment of health systems and factors affecting routine healthcare services, during the pandemic, can help improve the readiness and response in the future.
ABSTRACT
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on health services around the world. Many hospitals and clinics were overwhelmed by the influx of patients, leading to delays and disruptions in care. The fear of contracting the virus also led to a decrease in the number of people seeking medical care, even for urgent or life-threatening conditions. Various studies have reported a decrease in overall utilization of maternal health services. However, it remains vital to find the reasons for reduced utilization along with the experiences of the women as well as healthcare workers during the pandemic. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the facilitators and barriers to maternal healthcare services utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods It was a qualitative study conducted in a rural area of Haryana, India. Twelve in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with health workers and four focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with pregnant women. Textual analysis was done for both IDIs as well as FGDs. Qualitative analysis was done manually. Results The identified themes were complete cessation of services, no outpatient department (OPD) services for many months, no antenatal care (ANC) services for two months, disruption of supply of medicines, unavailability of drugs, fear of getting COVID-19 infection, mandatory COVID-19 negative report for admission in hospital, and increased referral from government health facilities during the pandemic and lockdown. Conclusion Maternal healthcare services suffered during COVID-19 for various reasons including the closure of health facilities, limited supply of stocks, or fear of the disease among pregnant women. This evidence can be used to prepare as well as manage healthcare services in future.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge for the public health system, as all the health facilities and manpower were diverted for the delivery of COVID-19-related services. This affected the provision of routine health services, including maternal healthcare services. There is a paucity of data from rural and primary healthcare settings, as the earlier studies were either modelling-based or from tertiary care centres. Materials and Methods: This record-based study was conducted in 12 subcentres in the district Faridabad of Haryana. Data of pregnant women registered during 1 April to 30 September in the years 2017-2020 were retrieved. The utilization of maternal healthcare services among women registered during 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020 was compared with those registered in the same period during the preceding 3 years (2017-2019). Results: There was a significant decline in utilization of maternal healthcare services. Services like minimum four antenatal visits declined from 67.8% to 48.3% (P < 0.0001), at least 100 iron-folic acid tablets (45.4-20.9%; P < 0.001), and examination at each visit (90.8-72.3%; P < 0.001). The proportion of pregnant women who received full antenatal care decreased from 26.0% to 10.7% (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in delivery in private health facilities (40.9-49.9%) and delivery by caesarean section (21.6-27.3%; P = 0.002). Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on utilization of maternal healthcare services. Effective planning and coordination between different levels of government health facilities and primary care providers, including family physicians, can ensure uninterrupted provision of essential services during similar emergencies in future.
