Challenges in Accessing Maternal and Child Health Services During COVID-19 and the Potential Role of Social Networking Technologies
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Digital Health
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic causes new challenges to women and their babies who still need to access postnatal
care amidst the crisis. The novel application of social network technologies (SNTs) could potentially enhance access to
healthcare during this difficult time. This study describes the challenges experienced in accessing maternal and child health services by women with limited or no education during this COVID-19 pandemic and discusses the potential of SNTs to support maternal and child health amidst this crisis. We administered surveys to women who had recently given birth in a rural setting and interviewed a purposively selected subset to ascertain their experiences of accessing maternal and child health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis involved descriptive analysis of quantitative data using STATA 13 to describe study participants’ characteristics, and content analysis of qualitative data to derive categories describing maternal health challenges. Among 50 women, the median age was 28 years (interquartile range 24–34), 42 (84%) completed upper primary
education. Access to the health facility was constrained by transport challenges, fear of contracting COVID-19, and delays at
the facility. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, 42 (84%) women missed facility visits, 46 (92%) experienced financial distress, 43
(86%) had food insecurity, and 44 (88%) felt stressed. SNTs can facilitate remote and timely access to health services
and information, and enable virtual social connections and support. SNTs have the potential to mitigate the challenges faced in accessing maternal and child health services amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, social networking technologies, social media, maternal health
Citation
Musiimenta, A., Tumuhimbise, W., Atukunda, E. C., Ayebaza, S., Kobutungi, P., Mugaba, A. T., ... & Haberer, J. E. (2022). Challenges in accessing maternal and child health services during COVID-19 and the potential role of social networking technologies. Digital Health, 8, 20552076221086769.DOI: 10.1177/20552076221086769