Analyzing delay in referral of pregnant women and children under five years old during the COVID-19 pandemic: Fars Province, Iran

Abstract

The researchers assessed the delay in referral of pregnant women and children under five years old during the COVID-19 pandemic that they require regular healthcare. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 in Fars, Iran. A total of 591 households with pregnant women and children under five years old were recruited, then having delay and the number of their delays in regular visits during the COVID-19 outbreak was asked. A total of 153 children under five years old (51.7%) and 93 pregnant women (31.5%) reported delays in referral. In children, higher age and referral to the family physician and private clinic, and in pregnant women, higher gestational age and pregnancy rank and having health problems (e.g., preeclampsia in the current pregnancy) significantly enhanced the number of delays. Due to the vulnerability of these groups, it is necessary to consider active care for them as a priority at the primary care level.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to appreciate all families for their participation and also the deputy for health of Shiraz University of Medical (SUMS) for its kind cooperation. Finally, we appreciate all efforts of health centers’ staffs that helped us to collect data.

Conflict of interest

The author declare no conflict of interest related to this study and its publication.

Additional information

Funding

We also would like to respect financial support of research deputy of SUMS with grant number 21826.