A scoping review protocol: Mapping the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes in a fragile, low-income country.

AIM

The aim of this scoping review is to map the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes and determine the cultural and contextual factors influencing maternal health in Myanmar, a low-income, fragile setting.

DESIGN

Eligible studies identified will include maternal health-related policies, policy documents and research. All types of health-related policies aimed at targeting population health and well-being influencing maternal mortality and morbidity will be considered.

METHODS

This scoping review has been developed using the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. The database search will include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the grey literature. Documents published in English and Burmese in the past 10 years will be included. Numerical data will be extracted and summarized in diagrammatic form, and a descriptive format will be used to present narrative accounts. Funding approval was granted by the Economic and Social Research Council in January 2020. This protocol was registered with OSF registries (Open-ended Registration) on 30 March 2021.

DISCUSSION

Little is known about which strategies work best as there is less evidence related to health policy and contextual factors in which maternal health care is delivered in fragile, low-income settings. Understanding the context of maternal health is key to the planning and implementation of effective maternal health services designed to address women's needs.

IMPACT

This review will map the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes in Myanmar and will underpin future large-scale research in other low-income and fragile settings. The results of this scoping review will provide recommendations for developing and improving practice and education for nurses and midwives working in resource-restricted contexts.