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. 2020 Jan 1;12(1):69-71.
doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihz039.

Utilization of maternity waiting homes: before, during, and after the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Bong County, Liberia

Joseph E Perosky  1 , Karina Z McLean  2 , Alphonso Kofa  3 , Aloysius Nyanplu  3 , Michelle L Munro-Kramer  4 , Jody R Lori  2
Affiliations

Utilization of maternity waiting homes: before, during, and after the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Bong County, Liberia

Joseph E Perosky et al. Int Health. .

Abstract

Background: Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are used to increase the number of women delivering at health care facilities. The first MWHs in Liberia were opened in 2012, prior to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.

Methods: Longitudinal data were collected from registries on MWH use, antenatal care, postnatal care and facility deliveries from 2012 to 2016 to assess MWH utilization.

Results: All indicators examined declined during the EVD outbreak, but within 6 months of the cessation of the outbreak they returned to pre-EVD levels.

Conclusions: Findings suggest MWH utilization remained stable after international funding ceased and EV affected the region.

Keywords: Ebola virus disease; Liberia; maternity waiting homes.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
There was a decrease in the number of women staying at MWHs, deliveries taking place in a facility and ANC visits during the EVD outbreak in Bong County, Liberia compared with pre-outbreak levels. Subsequently there was an increase in MWH stays, facility deliveries, ANC visits and PNC visits post-Ebola compared with during the outbreak. PNC visits post-Ebola have increased beyond pre-Ebola levels.
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