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

Rana Dahab and Dikaios Sakellariou
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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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-17

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.

Keywords: access to maternal care; low-income countries; maternal mortality; maternal health; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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