The Ripple Effect: Climate Change, Maternal Mental Health and Perinatal Outcomes among Low Resource Households in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61518/ijpw-174Keywords:
Climate Change, Maternal Mental Health, Perinatal Outcomes, Low-Resource HouseholdsAbstract
Climate change is creating new social and health challenges across the world and pregnant women in such environments may encounter stressors that influence both maternal wellbeing and birth outcomes. This study, however, examines the ripple effect of climate-related stress, maternal mental health, and perinatal outcomes among women living in low-resource households. This study adopted a systematic review design with narrative synthesis of literature from databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and institutional reports The review excluded studies unrelated to maternal health, climate vulnerability, or psychological wellbeing during pregnancy. The initial database and institutional search generated 96 records. Removal of duplicate studies reduced the number to 75. Title and abstract screening excluded 32 articles. Forty-three full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, while 11 studies were excluded. Thirty-two peer-reviewed studies and institutional reports satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the final thematic review. Evidence from public health and maternal health literature suggests that prolonged stress during pregnancy can affect physiological processes that influence fetal development. Further findings explore the possible association between climate-related maternal stress and adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Finally, the discussion reviews coping strategies already used in low-resource communities and considers potential interventions. The study concluded that climate change is no longer only an environmental concern; with increasing direct consequences for family wellbeing and maternal health. It is therefore recommended that social workers should include appropriate psychosocial support services and the promotion of community-based support systems for expectant mothers.
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