Municipal initiatives in supporting postpartum women: A systematic review
Abstract
The postpartum period entails physical, emotional and social changes, and municipalities are well placed to provide support. We conducted a systematic review of municipal initiatives for postpartum women by searching PubMed and Web of Science (10 January-8 February 2024). Of 147 records, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Reported actions clustered around: prevention of postpartum depression (routine screening, counselling, referral-often via home visits); targeted programs for vulnerable groups; measures to improve accessibility (transport vouchers, e-health/teleconsultation); social protection/insurance; multi-actor collaborations; and home-visiting schemes. Across settings, municipal engagement was associated with earlier detection of depressive symptoms, increased use of maternal services, longer exclusive breastfeeding, and gains in maternal empowerment. Evidence favors integrated approaches that combine health and social support and prioritize equity. Local governments should expand home visits, embed screening and referral in essential services, address transport and insurance barriers, and partner with community and NGO actors to tailor support to context.
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