About this Research Topic
This Research Topic is the first volume of "Maternal Health in Conflict Settings". Please see the second volume here.
Armed conflict has been shown to have a gendered effect on population health. Women living in conflict or post-conflict settings are particularly vulnerable to experiencing sexual violence, poor reproductive health, unwanted pregnancy, and adverse maternal health outcomes. Maternal morbidity and mortality during a conflict are exacerbated by limited access to maternal health services due to safety, financial and geographical restrictions, as well as the collapse of the health system.
Literature in the area of maternal health and conflict has been limited and has predominantly focused on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health [SRH] and antenatal care [ANC] services.
The goal of the theme issue is to highlight areas of research that have been less well studied but are critical to building the body of literature on maternal health and conflict. Local maternal health data are essential in guiding the development and implementation of programs and services. There is a dearth of reliable data on rates of maternal mortality and morbidity as well as their causes both at the facility and community levels. While efforts have focused on increasing access to health services, having access to a health facility does not guarantee that a woman will receive high-quality maternal health services or have positive health outcomes. There is a lack of studies assessing the quality of care that women receive in conflict settings. Studies focusing on the voices and experiences of women is also essential for understanding the quality of care received. Although studies are reporting on the challenges and unmet needs of SRH and ANC services, little is known about the postpartum care of women. Studies outside of conflict settings show that one-third of maternal complications and death occur in the postpartum period. As such, to address the continuum of maternal health, we need an understanding of the challenges during the postpartum period.
This Research Topic is interested in high-quality original research from humanitarian contexts across all geographical regions. Studies can be from active or protracted conflict settings as well from areas near conflict zones. While we welcome research articles on access and utilization of health services, we encourage articles that address maternal health from within one or more of these cross-cutting priority areas:
1. Measurement of maternal morbidity and mortality
2. Quality of care including women's experiences of care
3. Postpartum care
We welcome Original Research and both qualitative and quantitative Systematic Reviews.
Armed conflict has been shown to have a gendered effect on population health. Women living in conflict or post-conflict settings are particularly vulnerable to experiencing sexual violence, poor reproductive health, unwanted pregnancy, and adverse maternal health outcomes. Maternal morbidity and mortality during a conflict are exacerbated by limited access to maternal health services due to safety, financial and geographical restrictions, as well as the collapse of the health system.
Literature in the area of maternal health and conflict has been limited and has predominantly focused on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health [SRH] and antenatal care [ANC] services.
The goal of the theme issue is to highlight areas of research that have been less well studied but are critical to building the body of literature on maternal health and conflict. Local maternal health data are essential in guiding the development and implementation of programs and services. There is a dearth of reliable data on rates of maternal mortality and morbidity as well as their causes both at the facility and community levels. While efforts have focused on increasing access to health services, having access to a health facility does not guarantee that a woman will receive high-quality maternal health services or have positive health outcomes. There is a lack of studies assessing the quality of care that women receive in conflict settings. Studies focusing on the voices and experiences of women is also essential for understanding the quality of care received. Although studies are reporting on the challenges and unmet needs of SRH and ANC services, little is known about the postpartum care of women. Studies outside of conflict settings show that one-third of maternal complications and death occur in the postpartum period. As such, to address the continuum of maternal health, we need an understanding of the challenges during the postpartum period.
This Research Topic is interested in high-quality original research from humanitarian contexts across all geographical regions. Studies can be from active or protracted conflict settings as well from areas near conflict zones. While we welcome research articles on access and utilization of health services, we encourage articles that address maternal health from within one or more of these cross-cutting priority areas:
1. Measurement of maternal morbidity and mortality
2. Quality of care including women's experiences of care
3. Postpartum care
We welcome Original Research and both qualitative and quantitative Systematic Reviews.
Keywords: Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis, War, Maternal Mortality, Maternal Morbidity, Quality of Care
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
