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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Post-conflict maternal health in Tigray, Ethiopia: Low service utilization, infrastructure damage, and midwifery workforce gaps
1
Karolinska Institute, women's and children's health, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
2
karolinska institute, women's and childrens health, stolckholm, Sweden
3
Karoliniska Institute, women's and children's health, stolckholm, Sweden
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A161
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Since November 2020, the conflict in Tigray has led to widespread displacement and the collapse of healthcare, causing maternal mortality to rise to about 840 deaths per 100,000 live births—nearly five times the pre-war level of 186. Service utilization has significantly declined, with antenatal care at 36.5%, skilled delivery at 47.1%, and postnatal care within 24 hours at just 15.0%.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the status of maternal healthcare services and identify post-conflict challenges in midwifery and service delivery in Tigray, Ethiopia.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods approach was employed in December 2024 using a WHO-aligned Hamlin standard checklist to assess maternal health care service and semi-structured Focus Group Interviews (FGI) with purposively selected midwives and local stakeholders to explore service delivery challenges. Descriptive and reflexive data analysis was conducted.
RESULTS:
Facility readiness: Maternal health care in the woreda is at 43.7%, from that 24.3% accounts for facility accessibility and readiness and 19.4% accounts for maternal health care service readiness. FGI Insights: Midwives reported critical workforce shortages due to displacement, increased workload, and limited supplies. They also mentioned challenges with referral systems and lack of psychosocial support, negatively affecting motivation and service delivery.
CONCLUSIONS:
Facility readiness: Maternal health care in the woreda is at 43.7%, from that 24.3% accounts for facility accessibility and readiness and 19.4% accounts for maternal health care service readiness. FGI Insights: Midwives reported critical workforce shortages due to displacement, increased workload, and limited supplies. They also mentioned challenges with referral systems and lack of psychosocial support, negatively affecting motivation and service delivery.
KEY MESSAGE:
Maternal services in Tigray are severely impaired post-conflict, with issues in facility readiness, service utilization, and midwife capacity. Recovery should prioritize resource rebuilding and tailored support for midwives to restore sustainable maternal healthcare. Policy - strategy (including three-minute presentation competition)
Since November 2020, the conflict in Tigray has led to widespread displacement and the collapse of healthcare, causing maternal mortality to rise to about 840 deaths per 100,000 live births—nearly five times the pre-war level of 186. Service utilization has significantly declined, with antenatal care at 36.5%, skilled delivery at 47.1%, and postnatal care within 24 hours at just 15.0%.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the status of maternal healthcare services and identify post-conflict challenges in midwifery and service delivery in Tigray, Ethiopia.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods approach was employed in December 2024 using a WHO-aligned Hamlin standard checklist to assess maternal health care service and semi-structured Focus Group Interviews (FGI) with purposively selected midwives and local stakeholders to explore service delivery challenges. Descriptive and reflexive data analysis was conducted.
RESULTS:
Facility readiness: Maternal health care in the woreda is at 43.7%, from that 24.3% accounts for facility accessibility and readiness and 19.4% accounts for maternal health care service readiness. FGI Insights: Midwives reported critical workforce shortages due to displacement, increased workload, and limited supplies. They also mentioned challenges with referral systems and lack of psychosocial support, negatively affecting motivation and service delivery.
CONCLUSIONS:
Facility readiness: Maternal health care in the woreda is at 43.7%, from that 24.3% accounts for facility accessibility and readiness and 19.4% accounts for maternal health care service readiness. FGI Insights: Midwives reported critical workforce shortages due to displacement, increased workload, and limited supplies. They also mentioned challenges with referral systems and lack of psychosocial support, negatively affecting motivation and service delivery.
KEY MESSAGE:
Maternal services in Tigray are severely impaired post-conflict, with issues in facility readiness, service utilization, and midwife capacity. Recovery should prioritize resource rebuilding and tailored support for midwives to restore sustainable maternal healthcare. Policy - strategy (including three-minute presentation competition)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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