Improving maternal health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: The merits and demerits of person-centred maternity care

Abstract

Background: The traditional approach to maternity care, commonly practiced in developing countries such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), has been discovered to be primarily focused on the clinical health of the mother and the foetus. However, this has only had a minimal effect on maternal and infant mortality rates in SSA. Hence, there is a need for a holistic approach: Person-Centred Maternity Care (PCMC). PCMC is a novel approach that has recorded better maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries due to its holistic focus on maternal health. Therefore, this article seeks to identify the merits and the demerits of PCMC over the traditional approach to maternity care.

Methodology: Using databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL, twenty-five articles were reviewed to identify the merits and demerits of the implementation of PCMC in countries within Sub-Saharan Africa, using Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria as case studies.

Results: Findings revealed benefits such as increased knowledge about pregnancy, improved relationship, birth preparedness, enhanced relationship with health team members and low incidence of complications. Inadequate resources, poor communication and non-proximity to health centres were identified as the barriers.

Conclusion: Maternity care must be person-centred, quality-based and outcome-focused. Considering the merits and barriers identified, its adoption in other developing countries where it is non-existent will be easier to achieve reduced maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates.