A Framework for Protecting Pregnant Women in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

Deepa Dongarwar; Veronica B Ajewole; Kiydra Harris; Emmanuella Oduguwa; Theresa U Ofili; Collins Onyenaka; Sade Arnold; Jorhn Broussard; Joan Ishioye; Jasmine Marshal; Jamila Mayoya; Danchau Le; Mouch Fadel; Omonike A Olaleye; Hamisu M Salihu

doi:10.21106/ijma.419

A Framework for Protecting Pregnant Women in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

Int J MCH AIDS. 2021;10(1):109-112. doi: 10.21106/ijma.419. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Authors

Deepa Dongarwar¹, Veronica B Ajewole^{2

3

4}, Kiydra Harris^{2

3

5}, Emmanuella Oduguwa¹, Theresa U Ofili⁶, Collins Onyenaka³, Sade Arnold³, Jorhn Broussard³, Joan Ishioye³, Jasmine Marshal³, Jamila Mayoya³, Danchau Le³, Mouch Fadel³, Omonike A Olaleye^{2

3}, Hamisu M Salihu^{1

3

7}

Affiliations

¹ Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training, and Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
² College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA.
³ Maternal and Child Health Student Training Program, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA.
⁴ Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
⁵ Harris Health System, Houston, TX, USA.
⁶ Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
⁷ Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, highlighted and compounded problems while posing new challenges for the pregnant population. Although individual organizations have provided disparate information, guidance, and updates on managing the pregnant population during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to develop a collective model that highlights all the best practices needed to protect the pregnant population during the pandemic. To establish a standard for ensuring safety during the pandemic, we present a framework that describes best practices for the management of the pregnant population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnant women; framework; maternal and child health; professional associations; program design and implementation; special considerations.