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

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  • Rana Dahab

    (Formerly London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Dikaios Sakellariou

    (School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 0AB, UK)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Rana Dahab & Dikaios Sakellariou, 2020. "Barriers to Accessing Maternal Care in Low Income Countries in Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4292-:d:372150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thaddeus, Sereen & Maine, Deborah, 1994. "Too far to walk: Maternal mortality in context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1091-1110, April.
    2. Pablo Gottret & George Schieber, 2006. "Health Financing Revisited : A Practitioner's Guide," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 7094, December.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    2. Mónica Pinilla-Roncancio, 2023. "Multidimensional Measures and the Extra Costs of Disability: How Are They Related?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Yinghua Xie & Dong Lang & Shuna Lin & Fangfei Chen & Xiaodong Sang & Peng Gu & Ruijun Wu & Zhifei Li & Xuan Zhu & Lu Ji, 2021. "Mapping Maternal Health in the New Media Environment: A Scientometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Miatta A. Buxton & Noemi Meraz-Cruz & Brisa N. Sanchez & Betsy Foxman & Marisol Castillo-Castrejon & Marie S. O’Neill & Felipe Vadillo-Ortega, 2021. "Timing of Cervico-Vaginal Cytokine Collection during Pregnancy and Preterm Birth: A Comparative Analysis in the PRINCESA Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Alem Desta Wuneh & Afework Mulugeta Bezabih & Yemisrach Behailu Okwaraji & Lars Åke Persson & Araya Abrha Medhanyie, 2022. "Wealth and Education Inequities in Maternal and Child Health Services Utilization in Rural Ethiopia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Olzhas Zhamantayev & Gaukhar Kayupova & Karina Nukeshtayeva & Nurbek Yerdessov & Zhanerke Bolatova & Anar Turmukhambetova, 2023. "COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the Maternal Mortality in Kazakhstan and Comparison with the Countries in Central Asia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    7. Alem Desta Wuneh & Afework Mulugeta Bezabih & Lars Åke Persson & Yemisrach Behailu Okwaraji & Araya Abrha Medhanyie, 2022. "“If I Was Educated, I Would Call the Ambulance and Give Birth at the Health Facility”—A Qualitative Exploratory Study of Inequities in the Utilization of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services i," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.

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