Maternal Healthcare in Migrants: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Maternal and child health journal Vol. 17; no. 8; pp. 1346 - 1354
• Main Authors: Almeida, Lígia Moreira, Caldas, José, Ayres-de-Campos, Diogo, Salcedo-Barrientos, Dora, Dias, Sónia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.10.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Childrens health; Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology; Emigrants and Immigrants - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gynecology; Health Behavior; Health care; Health Literacy; Health risks; Health services; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Immigrants; Maternal & child health; Maternal and Child Health; Maternal health services; Maternal Health Services - utilization; Maternal Mortality - ethnology; Medical care; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Migration; Notes from the Field; Pediatrics; Population Economics; Postpartum period; Postpartum Period - ethnology; Postpartum Period - psychology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Public Health; Quality management; Quality of Health Care; Reproductive health; Social aspects; Sociology; Systematic review; Transients and Migrants - psychology; Transients and Migrants - statistics & numerical data; Utilization; Womens health; Portugal; Maternal and child health; Migrants; Access, Utilization and quality of care
• ISSN: 1092-7875; 1573-6628
• DOI: 10.1007/s10995-012-1149-x

Pregnancy is a period of increased vulnerability for migrant women, and access to healthcare, use and quality of care provided during this period are important aspects to characterize the support provided to this population. A systematic review of the scientific literature contained in the MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases was carried out, searching for population based studies published between 1990 and 2012 and reporting on maternal healthcare in immigrant populations. A total of 854 articles were retrieved and 30 publications met the inclusion criteria, being included in the final evaluation. The majority of studies point to a higher health risk profile in immigrants, with an increased incidence of co-morbidity in some populations, reduced access to health facilities particularly in illegal immigrants, poor communication between women and caregivers, a lower rate of obstetrical interventions, a higher incidence of stillbirth and early neonatal death, an increased risk of maternal death, and a higher incidence of postpartum depression. Incidences vary widely among different population groups. Some migrant populations are at a higher risk of serious complications during pregnancy, for reasons that include reduced access and use of healthcare facilities, as well as less optimal care, resulting in a higher incidence of adverse outcomes. Tackling these problems and achieving equality of care for all is a challenging aim for public healthcare services.