Effects of the 2014 Ebola outbreak on antenatal care and delivery outcomes in Liberia: a nationwide analysis
Access to antenatal care, deliveries and their outcomes before, during and after the ebola outbreak
Abstract
Setting
All health facilities, public and private, in Liberia, West Africa.
Objectives
To determine access to antenatal care (ANC), deliveries and their outcomes before, during and after the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak.
Design
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study.
Conclusion
The Liberian health system was considerably weakened during the Ebola outbreak and had difficulties providing basic maternal health services. In the light of the major reporting gaps during the Ebola period, and the reduced use of health facilities for maternal care, these findings highlight the need for measures to avoid such disruptions during future outbreaks.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Shannon FQ, Horace-Kwemi E, Najjemba R, Owiti P, Edwards J, Shringarpure K, Bhat P, Kateh FN. Effects of the 2014 Ebola outbreak on antenatal care and delivery outcomes in Liberia: a nationwide analysis. Public Health Action. 2017;7(1):88–93.