Maternal and child health (MCH) has been a global priority for many decades and is an essential public health service. Ensuring seamless delivery is vital for desirable MCH outcomes. This systematic review outlined the challenges in accessing and continuing MCH services during public health emergencies—pandemics and disasters. A comprehensive search approach was built based on keywords and MeSH terms relevant to ‘MCH services’ and ‘pandemics/disasters’. The online repositories Medline, CINAHL, Psyc INFO, and Epistemonikos were searched for studies. We included twenty studies—seven were on the Ebola outbreak, two on the Zika virus, five related to COVID-19, five on disasters, and one related to conflict situations. The findings indicate the potential impact of emergencies on MCH services. Low utilization and access to services have been described as common challenges. The unavailability of personal safety equipment and fear of infection were primary factors that affected service delivery. The available evidence, though limited, indicates the significant effect of disasters and pandemics on MCH. However, more primary in-depth studies are needed to understand better the overall impact of emergencies, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, on MCH. Our synthesis offers valuable insights to policymakers on ensuring the uninterrupted provision of MCH services during an emergency.

(1) Background: Despite ample research, the factors, specific causes, and pathways associated with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) remain elusive. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to explore the potential etiologies for the development of CKDu globally. (2) Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO on the specific causes and pathophysiology related to CKDu from inception until April 2021. Study selection, data extraction of included articles, and quality appraisal were assessed. The narrative approach was used to summarize and comprehend the findings. (3) Results: Our study included 25 studies, considering 38,351 participants. Twelve studies were case–control, ten were cross-sectional, and three were cohort designs. All articles were from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The findings suggest 12 factors are associated with CKDu. Most studies (n = 8) identified farming and water sources as the factors related to CKDu, with heavy metal toxicity coming in second (n = 7). (4) Conclusion: The systematic review reported various factors associated with CKDu, from which most studies reported farming, water sources, and heavy metal poisoning. Considering the findings, the study recommends future strategies and public health initiatives to prevent the epidemiological/environmental factors contributing to CKDu.

Community health workers (CHW) faced increased challenges in delivering maternal and child health services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to routine services, they were also engaged in pandemic management. In view of a dearth of evidence, the current study explores the challenges faced by CHWs while rendering maternal and child health services. A qualitative study through in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) in six districts of Odisha was conducted from February to April 2021. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. Personal-level challenges, like lack of family support, stress, and fear of contracting COVID-19; facility-level challenges, like transportation problems and inadequate personal protective measures; and community-level challenges, like stigma, resistance, and lack of community support were major hindrances in provisioning routine MCH services. Prevailing myths and misconceptions concerning COVID-19 were factors behind stigma and resistance. Sharing experiences with family, practicing yoga and pranayam, engaging ambulance bikes, financial assistance to mothers, counseling people, and involving community leaders were some effective strategies to address these challenges. Development and implementation of appropriate strategy guidelines for addressing the challenges of frontline warriors will improve their work performance and achieve uninterrupted MCH services during pandemics or similar health emergencies.