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 impact-ed 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 con-duct 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.