Authors: Ursula Gazeley, Marvine Caren Ochieng, Onesmus Wanje, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Nathan Barreh, Alice Mnyazi Kombo, Mwanajuma Bakari, Grace Maitha, Sergio A. Silverio, Marleen Temmerman, Laura Magee, Peter von Dadelszen, Veronique Filippi, The PRECISE Network
In sub-Saharan Africa, severe maternal morbidity poses a significant health burden, particularly as maternal mortality rates decline. This study, part of the PRECISE research in Kilifi, Kenya, explored women’s long-term recovery experiences beyond the standard 42-day postpartum period. Twenty women were interviewed, including those who experienced near-miss events, life-threatening conditions, or no severe morbidity. The study identified three phases of recovery: “loss,” “transition,” and “adaptation to a new normal,” highlighting challenges in health understanding, identity, relationships, and adjusting to physical, psycho-social, and economic changes. The findings underscore the need for extended postpartum care beyond 42 days, emphasizing the role of community health workers in improving maternal healthcare provision at the primary level.
Link: Postpartum recovery after severe maternal morbidity in Kilifi, Kenya: A Grounded Theory of recovery trajectories beyond 42 days
Resource Topic: Maternal healthcare, Postpartum Health
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2024
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Kenya
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes