Effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Africa: A scoping review

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKatangolo-Nakashwa, Ndasilohenda
dc.contributor.authorShilunga, Anna
dc.contributor.authorMahoto, Sylvia
dc.contributor.authorHaufiku, Desderius
dc.contributor.authorAlfeus, Anna
dc.contributor.authorIita, Hermine
dc.contributor.authorNamidi, Mateus
dc.contributor.authorMitonga, Honore Kabwebwe
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-05T07:46:38Z
dc.date.available2026-02-05T07:46:38Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionThis review aims to provide a complete assessment of the methodologies and scope of research in the field of MWHs by synthesizing the existing body of material
dc.description.abstractThere is a strong correlation between the African continent's high maternal mortality rates and the lack of access to birthing facilities. Maternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) offer pregnant women in remote areas a secure place to stay near the time of delivery. This scoping review aimed to systematically analyse the use, implementation, and effectiveness of MWHs in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Africa. We systematically searched electronic databases and resources, analysing 30 articles from 2010 to 2023 using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's 6-stage approach. For transparency, we adhered to the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses framework for scoping reviews. MWHs were linked with lower perinatal mortality and increased facility-based deliveries (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.29) in 30 studies, the majority of which were conducted in East Africa (relative risk, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05–0.76). They offer clean settings, which mitigate the danger of infection. However, they are constrained by socio-cultural obstacles and a localised impact that lacks community integration, resulting in poor utilisation (10%– 50%). The successful reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality in Africa is contingent upon the elimination of barriers to proactive utilization prior to labor and the integration of MWHs with health systems. It is essential to adjust to local settings, such as those in Namibia, in order to achieve a more extensive influence
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.35500/jghs.2025.7.e18
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11070/4200
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJournal of Global Health Science
dc.subjectMaternity waiting homes
dc.subjectMaternal health services
dc.subjectChild health services
dc.subjectAfrica South of the Sahara
dc.subjectReview
dc.subjectNamibia
dc.subjectUniversity of
dc.titleEffectiveness of maternity waiting homes in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Africa: A scoping review
dc.typeArticle
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Nakashwa_effectiveness_2025.pdf
Size:
1.27 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.62 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Research Articles (DPBS)