Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services and Strategies for Effective Service Implementation in Ethiopia

Binyam Tilahun; Adane Nigusie; Meseret Zelalem; Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen

doi:10.2147/JMDH.S390750

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services and Strategies for Effective Service Implementation in Ethiopia

J Multidiscip Healthc. 2022 Dec 6:15:2781-2795. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S390750. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Binyam Tilahun¹, Adane Nigusie², Meseret Zelalem³, Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
² Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
³ Maternal, Child and Nutrition Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ Health System Strengthening Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global burden to the Health sector of developing countries. However, the effect of COVID-19 on maternal and child health services is scarce and no evidence was documented in the Ethiopian context. Hence, this particular study aimed to examine the effect of the pAndemic and to identify effective strategies in Ethiopia.

Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied. For the qualitative, 74 study participants were considered. Study participants were selected purposively and interview guide was used to collect data. Finally audio records were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed thematically. For the quantitative, data were extracted from the DHIS2 reports to assess the trend over time.

Results: The qualitative findings indicated that the pandemic affected the MNCH services to be inaccessible and low quality. The trend analysis also showed that the COVID-19 has disrupted MNCH services particularly in the first two months Of the pandemic. Health workers also faced a scarcity of personal protective equipment, work overload and shortage Of resources during the pandemic. As a cope up strategy, the Health system at all levels has established a COVID-19 task force supported by a working guideline. There is also a media prevention program, establishment of quarantine at home, resource mobilization, active surveillance, availing extra ambulances and strong follow-up.

Conclusion: Multiple interventions applied to curb the pandemic have lowered MNCH service utilization. The low commitment of health workers, resources shortage and movement restrictions had a an impact on the uptake of MCH services. There should be a balance in resource utilization to COVID and other essential Health services and the government should avail the necessary supplies during the COVID era. Regionally tailored adaptive interventions are also required to improve MNCH service uptake. Extensive media advocacy and HEWs active involvement for community mobilization are also recommended.

Keywords: COVID-19; Ethiopia; MCH; maternal and child health services; pandemic.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization. The Alliance is supported through both core funding as well as project specific designated funds. The full list of Alliance donors is available here: https://www.who.int/alliance-hpsr/partners/en/. This work also received funding support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.