Comparative Analysis of Effect of SARS NCOV 2 on Selected Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes in Migori County

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effect of the pandemic on selected maternal/neonatal outcomes in Migori County.

Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study where selected maternal/neonatal indicators for similar periods of the financial years 2019 and 2020 were considered. Sampling method was census as all data pertaining to maternal-neonatal outcomes were considered. The data on maternal/neonatal outcomes were extracted from DHIS (District Health Information System) and analyzed with SPSS IBM Version 20 software. This was then presented using tables and frequency graphs.

Findings: There was a significant variation (p < 0.001) county neonatal deaths which increased from 31 to 55 as a result of Covid -19 outbreak. Maternal deaths also significantly increased from 4 to 14 (p < 0.01); and 4th ANC visits significantly increased from 7101 to 7754 (p < 0.001). On the contrary, referral-ins significantly reduced from 507 to 403 (p < 0.001) following the outbreak.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study aims to redirect policy formulation in Low /middle income countries which are ill prepared to handle epidemics and pandemics leading to unnoticed neglect of other health needs especially maternal/neonatal child health.