Indirect effects of COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in Pakistan.
East Mediterr Health J
; 28(4): 258-265, 2022 Apr 28.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35545906
ABSTRACT
Background:
COVID-19 is having many impacts on health, economy and social life; some due to the indirect effects of closure of health facilities to curb the spread. Closures were implemented in Pakistan from March 2020, affecting provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) services.Aims:
To appraise the effects of containment and lockdown policies on RMNCH service utilization in order to develop an early response to avoid the catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on RMNCH in Pakistan.Methods:
Routine monitoring data were analysed for indicators utilization of RMNCH care. The analysis was based on Period 1 (January-May 2020, first wave of COVID-19); Period 2 (June-September 2020, declining number of cases of COVID-19); and Period 3 (October-December 2020, second wave of COVID-19). We also compared data from May and December 2020 with corresponding months in 2019, to ascertain whether changes were due to COVID-19.Results:
Reduced utilization was noted for all RMNCH indicators during Periods 1 and 3. There was a greater decline in service utilization during the first wave, and the highest reduction (~82%) was among children aged < 5 years, who were treated for pneumonia. The number of caesarean sections dropped by 57%, followed by institutional deliveries and first postnatal visit (37% each). Service utilization increased from June to September, but the second wave of COVID-19 led to another decrease.Conclusion:
To reinstate routine services, priority actions and key areas include continued provision of family planning services along with uninterrupted immunization campaigns and routine maternal and child services.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Serviços de Saúde da Criança
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Serviços de Saúde Reprodutiva
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COVID-19
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Serviços de Saúde Materna
Limite:
Child
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Female
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Humans
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Newborn
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Pregnancy
País como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article