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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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01-12-2020 | Research article

Maternal multimorbidity during pregnancy and after childbirth in women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review

Authors: Mary McCauley, Shamsa Zafar, Nynke van den Broek

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

For every maternal death, 20 to 30 women are estimated to have morbidities related to pregnancy or childbirth. Much of this burden of disease is in women in low- and middle-income countries. Maternal multimorbidity can include physical, psychological and social ill-health. Limited data exist about the associations between these morbidities. In order to address all health needs that women may have when attending for maternity care, it is important to be able to identify all types of morbidities and understand how each morbidity influences other aspects of women’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Methods

We systematically reviewed published literature in English, describing measurement of two or more types of maternal morbidity and/or associations between morbidities during pregnancy or after childbirth for women in low- and middle-income countries. CINAHL plus, Global Health, Medline and Web of Science databases were searched from 2007 to 2018. Outcomes were descriptions, occurrence of all maternal morbidities and associations between these morbidities. Narrative analysis was conducted.

Results

Included were 38 papers reporting about 36 studies (71,229 women; 60,911 during pregnancy and 10,318 after childbirth in 17 countries). Most studies (26/36) were cross-sectional surveys. Self-reported physical ill-health was documented in 26 studies, but no standardised data collection tools were used. In total, physical morbidities were included in 28 studies, psychological morbidities in 32 studies and social morbidities in 27 studies with three studies assessing associations between all three types of morbidity and 30 studies assessing associations between two types of morbidity. In four studies, clinical examination and/or basic laboratory investigations were also conducted. Associations between physical and psychological morbidities were reported in four studies and between psychological and social morbidities in six. Domestic violence increased risks of physical ill-health in two studies.

Conclusions

There is a lack of standardised, comprehensive and routine measurements and tools to assess the burden of maternal multimorbidity in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Emerging data suggest significant associations between the different types of morbidity.

Systematic review registration number

PROSPERO CRD42018079526.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Maternal multimorbidity during pregnancy and after childbirth in women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review
Authors: Mary McCauley
Shamsa Zafar
Nynke van den Broek
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03303-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Maternal multimorbidity during pregnancy and after childbirth in women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Systematic review registration number

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Systematic review registration number

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