Implications of COVID-19 Lockdown on Child Preparedness among Rwandan Families

Abstract

The world is currently facing the fatal viral pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), earlier named 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Every country of the world keeps responding to the challenges posed by covid-19 in all aspects of human endeavour with high demand and burden on health care. The report of the first case in Rwanda on 14th March 2020 was accompanied by actions to drive control measures by the government of Rwanda importantly to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those measures included education on personal preventive behaviours, social distancing and restricting the movement of people locally, nationally and internationally resulting to lockdown that allowed only essential services. Lockdown has particularly affected Rwandan families with pregnant mothers in the context of childbirth preparation in different aspects. This review paper articulates the possible various dimensions of influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on birth preparedness by families and the possible maternal and neonatal health adverse outcomes that may be associated. This is with the intention of helping health care providers and other stakeholders anticipate, track and prepare for appropriate mitigation to reduce maternal-neonatal morbidity and mortality.