Barriers to Accessing Maternal Care in Low Income Countries in Africa: A Systematic Review

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 17; no. 12; p. 4292
• Main Authors: Dahab, Rana, Sakellariou, Dikaios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 16.06.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Data collection; Health facilities; Low income groups; Maternal & child health; Maternal mortality; Medical personnel; Prenatal care; Review; Socioeconomic factors; Subject heading schemes; Systematic review; Transportation services; Womens health; South Sudan; Togo; Sub-Saharan Africa; Ethiopia; Africa; Sudan
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124292

The new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to 2030 aim to reduce maternal mortality and provide equitable access to maternal healthcare. Compromised access to maternal health facilities in low-income countries, and specifically in Africa, contribute to the increased prevalence of maternal mortality. We conducted a systematic review to investigate access barriers to maternal health in low-income countries in Africa since 2015, from the perspective of both community members and health providers. The findings show that the most important barriers to maternal health are transportation barriers to health facilities, economic factors, and cultural beliefs, in addition to lack of family support and poor quality of care. Further research is required to guide policymakers towards firm multi-sectoral action to ensure appropriate and equitable access to maternal health in line with the SDGs to 2030.