Perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in three maternal and neonatal referral hospitals in Guinea in 2020: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected access to essential healthcare services. This study aimed to explore healthcare providers' perceptions and experiences of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in three referral maternal and neonatal hospitals in Guinea. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study between June and December 2020 in two maternities and one neonatology referral ward in Conakry and Mamou. Participants were purposively recruited to capture diversity of professional cadres, seniority, and gender. Four rounds of in-depth interviews (46 in-depth interviews with 18 respondents) were conducted in each study site, using a semi-structured interview guide that was iteratively adapted. We used both deductive and inductive approaches and an iterative process for content analysis. RESULTS: We identified four themes and related sub-themes presented according to whether they were common or specific to the study sites, namely: 1) coping strategies & care reorganization, which include reducing staffing levels, maintaining essential healthcare services, suspension of staff daily meetings, insertion of a new information system for providers, and co-management with COVID-19 treatment center for caesarean section cases among women who tested positive for COVID-19; 2) healthcare providers' behavior adaptations during the response, including infection prevention and control measures on the wards and how COVID-19-related information influenced providers' daily work; 3) difficulties encountered by providers, in particular unavailability of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of financial motivation, and difficulties reducing crowding in the wards; 4) providers perceptions of healthcare service use, for instance their fear during COVID-19 response and perceived increase in severity of complications received and COVID-19 cases among providers and parents of newborns. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights needed to be considered to improve the preparedness and response of healthcare facilities and care providers to future health emergencies in similar contexts.

Obstetric referrals, complications and health outcomes in maternity wards of large hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study of six hospitals in Guinea, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic affected provision and use of maternal health services. This study describes changes in obstetric complications, referrals, stillbirths and maternal deaths during the first year of the pandemic and elucidates pathways to these changes. DESIGN: Prospective observational mixed-methods study, combining monthly routine data (March 2019-February 2021) and qualitative data from prospective semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed separately, triangulated during synthesis and presented along three country-specific pandemic periods: first wave, slow period and second wave. SETTING: Six referral maternities in four sub-Saharan African countries: Guinea, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. PARTICIPANTS: 22 skilled health personnel (SHP) working in the maternity wards of various cadres and seniority levels. RESULTS: Percentages of obstetric complications were constant in four of the six hospitals. The percentage of obstetric referrals received was stable in Guinea and increased at various times in other hospitals. SHP reported unpredictability in the number of referrals due to changing referral networks. All six hospitals registered a slight increase in stillbirths during the study period, the highest increase (by 30%-40%) was observed in Uganda. Four hospitals registered increases in facility maternal mortality ratio; the highest increase was in Guinea (by 158%), which had a relatively mild COVID-19 epidemic. These increases were not due to mortality among women with COVID-19. The main pathways leading to these trends were delayed care utilisation and disruptions in accessing care, including sub-optimal referral linkages and health service closures. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal and perinatal survival was negatively affected in referral hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa during COVID-19. Routine data systems in referral hospitals must be fully used as they hold potential in informing adaptations of maternal care services. If combined with information on women's and care providers' needs, this can contribute to ensuring continuation of essential care provision during emergency.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and neonatal health services in three referral hospitals in Guinea: an interrupted time-series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited evidence on the COVID-19 health-related effect from front-line health provision settings. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine maternal and neonatal health services in three referral hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational study using aggregate monthly maternal and neonatal health services routine data for two years (March 2019-February 2021) in three referral hospitals including two maternities: Hôpital National Ignace Deen (HNID) in Conakry and Hôpital Regional de Mamou (HRM) in Mamou and one neonatology ward: Institut de Nutrition et de Santé de l'Enfant (INSE) in Conakry. We compared indicators of health service utilisation, provision and health outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods. An interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) was performed to assess the relationship between changes in maternal and neonatal health indicators and COVID-19 through cross-correlation. RESULTS: During COVID-19, the mean monthly number (MMN) of deliveries decreased significantly in HNID (p = 0.039) and slightly increased in HRM. In the two maternities, the change in the MMN of deliveries were significantly associated with COVID-19. The ITSA confirmed the association between the increase in the MMN of deliveries and COVID-19 in HRM (bootstrapped F-value = 1.46, 95%CI [0.036-8.047], p < 0.01). We observed an increasing trend in obstetric complications in HNID, while the trend declined in HRM. The MMN of maternal deaths increased significantly (p = 0.011) in HNID, while it slightly increased in HRM. In INSE, the MMN of neonatal admissions significantly declined (p < 0.001) and this decline was associated with COVID-19. The MMN of neonatal deaths significantly decreased (p = 0.009) in INSE and this decrease was related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The pandemic negatively affected the maternal and neonatal care provision, health service utilisation and health outcomes in two referral hospitals located in Conakry, the COVID-19 most-affected region.

A mixed-methods study of maternal health care utilisation in six referral hospitals in four sub-Saharan African countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: In sub-Saharan Africa, referral hospitals are important sources of key maternal health services, especially during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study prospectively assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health service utilisation in six large referral hospitals in Guinea, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda during the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: Mixed-methods design combining three data sources: (1) quantitative data based on routine antenatal, childbirth and postnatal care data collected March 2019-February 2021, (2) qualitative data from recurring rounds of semi-structured interviews conducted July 2020-February 2021 with 22 maternity skilled heath personnel exploring their perceptions of service utilisation and (3) timeline data of COVID-19 epidemiology, global, national and hospital-level events. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed separately, framed based on the timeline analysis and triangulated when reporting. RESULTS: Three periods including a first wave, slow period and second wave were identified. Maternal health service utilisation was lower during the pandemic compared with the prepandemic year in all but one selected referral hospital. During the pandemic, service utilisation was particularly lower during the waves and higher or stable during the slow period. Fear of being infected in hospitals, lack of transportation, and even when available, high cost of transportation and service closures were key reasons affecting utilisation during the waves. However, community perception that the pandemic was over or insinuation by Government of the same appeared to stabilise use of referral hospitals for childbirth. CONCLUSION: Utilisation of maternal health services across the continuum of care varied through the different periods and across countries. In crisis situations such as COVID-19, restrictions and service closures need to be implemented with consideration given to alternative options for women to access and use services. Information on measures put in place for safe hospital use should be communicated to women.

'We are not going to shut down, because we cannot postpone pregnancy': a mixed-methods study of the provision of maternal healthcare in six referral maternity wards in four sub-Saharan African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Referral hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa are located in crowded urban areas, which were often epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper prospectively assesses how maternal healthcare was provided in six referral hospitals in Guinea, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Mixed-methods design using three data sources: (1) qualitative data from repeated rounds of semi-structured interviews conducted between July 2020 and February 2021 with 22 maternity skilled heath personnel (SHP) on perceptions of care provision; (2) quantitative monthly routine data on caesarean section and labour induction from March 2019 to February 2021; and (3) timeline data of COVID-19 epidemiology, national and hospital-level events. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed separately, framed based on timeline analysis, and triangulated during reporting. RESULTS: We identified three periods: first wave, slow period and second wave. The first wave was challenging for SHP given little knowledge about COVID-19, lack of infection prevention and control training, and difficulties reaching workplace. Challenges that persisted beyond the first wave were shortage of personal protective equipment and no rapid testing for women suspected with COVID-19. We noted no change in the proportion of caesarean sections during the pandemic, and a small increase in the proportion of labour inductions. All hospitals arranged isolation areas for women suspected/confirmed with COVID-19 and three hospitals provided care to women with suspected/confirmed COVID-19. Breastfeeding was not discouraged and newborns were not separated from mothers confirmed with COVID-19. Care provision was maintained through dedication of SHP, support from hospital management and remote communication between SHP. CONCLUSION: Routine maternal care provision was maintained in referral hospitals, despite first wave challenges. Referral hospitals and SHP contributed to guideline development for pregnant women suspected/confirmed with COVID-19. Maternity SHP, women and pregnancy must always be included in priority setting when responding to health system shocks, including outbreaks.

Neonatal and postneonatal tetanus at a referral hospital in Kamsar, Guinea: a retrospective audit of paediatric records (2014-2018).

BACKGROUND: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. In 2018, all of Guinea was considered to be at risk of the disease and the country is currently in the elimination phase. METHODS: A 5-y audit (1 January 2014-31 December 2018) of all admissions to the neonatal and general paediatric units of Kamsar Hospital (Western Guinea) was undertaken to identify cases of neonatal tetanus (NNT) and postneonatal tetanus (PNNT). RESULTS: There were 5670 admissions during the study period, of which 39 (0.7%) were due to tetanus (22 NNT and 17 PNNT). Among NNT patients, the bacterial entry site was the umbilical cord (n=20) or wound following circumcision (n=2). For PNNT, the entry site was surface wound (n=12), limb fracture (n=1) or could not be established (n=4). A majority of the patients (36/39, 92.3%) were born to unvaccinated mothers or those who received suboptimal vaccination during pregnancy. Overall, 21 (53.8%) children died within 7 d of admission with a higher mortality observed among neonates (16/22, 72.7%) compared with postneonates (5/17, 29.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Tetanus was a rare cause of admission at Kamsar Hospital with a very high case fatality rate. The disease primarily occurred among children born to mothers who were unvaccinated/inadequately vaccinated during pregnancy.

Mortalité maternelle chez les adolescentes au service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique de l'Hôpital National Ignace Deen / Maternal mortality among adolescents in the Gynecology-Obstetrics department of Ignace Deen National Hospital

Introduction. L'objectif de cette étude était de contribuer à l'étude de la mortalité maternelle chez les adolescentes. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude retro-prospective descriptive et analytique cas témoin, d'une durée de trois ans. La collecte rétrospective avait porté sur deux (2) ans allant du 1er Janvier 2018 au 31 Décembre 2019 et celle prospective sur un (1) an allant du 1er Janvier 2020 au 31 Décembre 2020. Résultats. Durant la période d'étude nous avons enregistré 38 cas de décès maternels sur 16175 naissances vivantes soit un ratio de 235 décès pour 100000 naissances vivantes. Le décès concerne l'adolescente de 18-19 ans (65,8%), mariée (63,2%), non scolarisé (42,1%), et nullipare (65,8%). La majorité des adolescentes avait effectué 1-3 CPN (44,7%), et provenait d'une maternité périphérique (84,2%) et avait accouché par voie basse (78,4%). Le moyen de transport le plus utilisé était le transport en commun (63,2%). La cause de décès était dominée par l'hémorragie (44,7%). Le post-partum a été la période la plus pourvoyeuse de décès (52,6%). Conclusion. La mortalité maternelle constitue un problème de santé majeure dans notre pays, sa réduction nécessite la mobilisation de tous les acteurs de la société et implique une bonne éducation pour la santé, l'amélioration de la qualité du suivi prénatal et celle des soins obstétricaux d'urgence.

Introduction. The objective of this study was to contribute to the study of adolescent maternal mortality. Methods. This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical case-control study, lasting three years. The retrospective data collection covered two (2) years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 and the prospective one over one (1) year from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Results. During the study period we recorded 38 cases of maternal deaths out of 16,175 live births, ie a ratio of 235 deaths per 100,000 live births. The death concerns an adolescent girl aged 18-19 (65.8%), married (63.2%), out of school (42.1%), and nulliparous (65.8%). The majority of adolescent girls had performed 1-3 ANC (44.7%), and had come from a peripheral maternity hospital (84.2%) and had given birth vaginally (78.4%). The most used mode of transportation was public transit (63.2%) The cause of death was dominated by hemorrhage (44.7%). The postpartum period was the most significant period of death (52.6%). Conclusion: Maternal mortality is a major health problem in our country, its reduction requires the mobilization of all actors in society and involves good health education, improving the quality of prenatal care and that of obstetric care emergency

[Sexual intercourse among students in Matoto, Conakry, Guinea]. / Rapports sexuels chez les élèves de la commune de Matoto à Conakry en Guinée.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors associated with sexual practices among adolescent students in Matoto, Conakry. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of students aged 10-19 years attending colleges and high schools in Matoto, Conakry over a period of 3 months (1 March -31 May 2018). RESULTS: Out of 500 students surveyed, 226 (162 girls and 64 boys; 45.2%) reported having sexual intercourse. Condom was used by 16.4% of students and contraceptives by 35.4%. The rate of sexually transmitted infections was 23.5%. Among girls who had sexual intercourse, 32.1% had had at least one unintended pregnancy ending in clandestine abortion in 30.8% of cases. The factor associated with sexual practices among adolescents was night life (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Sexual intercourse is frequent among adolescent students in Matoto. Condom and contraceptives are little used. In our study, night life was the principal factor associated with sexual practice.

Maternal mortality risk indicators: Case-control study at a referral hospital in Guinea.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe intrapartum and postpartum exposures possibly associated with the risk of in-hospital maternal mortality in Guinea. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected in the Western Sub-Saharan Africa setting at the university hospital in Conakry, Guinea, during 2016-2017. Case-control study design was applied. The cases comprised all intrapartum and postpartum maternal deaths recorded during the study period. The controls were selected by random sampling from patients discharged alive following hospitalization due to vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was defined as a quotient of the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to generate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI). RESULTS: A total of 10,208 live births and 144 maternal deaths were recorded. The MMR was at 1411 per 100,000 live births. The main causes of maternal death included postpartum hemorrhage (56 %), retroplacental hematoma (10 %), and eclampsia (9%). The ORs of maternal death were significantly elevated in case of transfer from another hospital (OR 24.60, 95 %CI 11.32-53.46), misoprostol-induced labor (OR 4.26, 95 %CI 2.51-7.91), non-use of partogram (OR 3.70, 95 %CI 1.31-5.20), duration of labor ≥24 h (OR 2.87, 95 %CI 1.35-5.29), and positive history of cesarean section (OR 2.54, 95 %CI 1.12-6.19). CONCLUSION: To stop preventable maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, continued efforts are needed to provide perinatal monitoring, to reorganize the obstetric reference system, and to decrease the number of avoidable cesarean sections. Furthermore, the internal supervision of misoprostol doses used for labor induction should be a priority.