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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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    2. Herwansyah Herwansyah & Katarzyna Czabanowska & Stavroula Kalaitzi & Peter Schröder-Bäck, 2022. "Exploring the Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics on the Utilization of Maternal Health Services: A Study on Community Health Centers Setting in Province of Jambi, Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
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    5. 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.
    6. 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.
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    8. 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.

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