Impact of COVID-19 on the antenatal care services utilization in the region of Guelmim Oued Noun, Morocco

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted access to healthcare facilities across the world, but there is little evidence of how the pandemic influences the use of essential healthcare in the world.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal indicators in the region of Guelmim Oued Noun, Morocco.

Methods: The aggregated data was delivered by regional health authorities covering the period from January 2017 to December 2020. The interrupted time series was mobilized to conduct statistical analysis.

Results: The descriptive results revealed a steady decline after the COVID-19 pandemic in antenatal indicators. The results of the regression model showed a negative impact of the pandemic on the antenatal recruitment rate (β2=-16.14; P<0.01), recruitment rate of women in antenatal visits during the 1st quarter of pregnancy (β2=- 2.09; P<0.01), antenatal visit completion rate (β2=-18.10; P>0.05), and average number of visits/pregnancies (β2=-15.65, P<0,05).

Conclusion: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal rates was significant for almost all the indicators studied. Future studies should focus on the impact of the pandemic on postnatal and immunization services on a national scale.