IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PERINATAL CARE AND OUTCOMES: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

Abstract Background Perinatal mortality remains a global challenge. This challenge may be worsened by the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health. Objectives Examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic onperinatal care and outcomes in the Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana. Methods Ahospital-based retrospective study was conducted in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We compared antenatal care attendance, total deliveries, cesarean sections, and perinatal mortality before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March1, 2020to February 28, 2021). Interrupted time series analyses was performed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal care and outcomes at TTH. Results A total number of 35,350 antenatal visits and 16,786 deliveries were registered at TTH from March 2019toFebruary 2021. Antenatal care, early neonatal death, and emergency cesareansection showed a rapid decline after the onset of the pandemic, with a progressive recovery over the following months. The total number of deliveries and fresh stillbirths showed astepchangewith amarkeddecrease during the pandemic, while the macerated stillbirths showed a pulse change, a temporary marked decrease with a quick recovery over time. Conclusion TheCOVID-19pandemichadanegative impactonperinatal care andoutcomes in our facility. Pregnancy monitoring through antenatal care should be encouraged and continued even ascountries tackle the pandemic.