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Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India

Author

Listed:
  • Saurabh Sharma

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Sumit Aggarwal

    (Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Ragini Kulkarni

    (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400012, India)

  • Dinesh Kumar

    (National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur 482003, India)

  • Bijaya Kumar Mishra

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Gaurav Raj Dwivedi

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • K. Rekha Devi

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Dibrugarh 751023, India)

  • Raja Sriswan Mamidi

    (National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India)

  • Khangembam Jitenkumar Singh

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Lucky Singh

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Damodar Sahu

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Tulsi Adhikari

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Saritha Nair

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Anil Kumar

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Atul Juneja

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Anshita Sharma

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

  • Shahina Begum

    (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400012, India)

  • Suchitra Surve

    (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400012, India)

  • Ranjan Kumar Prusty

    (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400012, India)

  • Surendra Kumar

    (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai 400012, India)

  • J. J. Babu Geddam

    (National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India)

  • Gargi Meur

    (National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India)

  • Mahesh Kumar Mummadi

    (National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India)

  • Uma Kailash

    (National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India)

  • Subrata Kumar Palo

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Srikanta Kanungo

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Jaya Singh Kshatri

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Ajit Kumar Behera

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Swagatika Swain

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 786001, India)

  • Rajeev Singh

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • Kamran Zaman

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • Hirawati Deval

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • Ashok Kumar Pandey

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • Abu Sarkar

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Dibrugarh 751023, India)

  • Rajni Kant

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur 273013, India)

  • Kanwar Narain

    (Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Dibrugarh 751023, India)

  • Luigi D’Aquino

    (UNICEF, India Country Office, New Delhi 110003, India)

  • Asheber Gaym

    (UNICEF, India Country Office, New Delhi 110003, India)

  • Vivek Virendra Singh

    (UNICEF, India Country Office, New Delhi 110003, India)

  • M. Vishnu Vardhana Rao

    (National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. Results: More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. Conclusions/Recommendations: A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Saurabh Sharma & Sumit Aggarwal & Ragini Kulkarni & Dinesh Kumar & Bijaya Kumar Mishra & Gaurav Raj Dwivedi & K. Rekha Devi & Raja Sriswan Mamidi & Khangembam Jitenkumar Singh & Lucky Singh & Damodar , 2023. "Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1538-:d:1035868
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