Said, Muna, Osayande, Itohan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4730-0659, Badejo, Okikiolu and Banke-Thomas, Aduragbemi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4449-0131 (2025) Maternal and perinatal outcomes of Somali migrant women in comparison to host populations in the Global North: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology, 11 (14). ISSN 2054-958X (Online) (doi:10.1186/s40748-025-00210-1)

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Abstract

Background
The enduring conflict in Somalia has precipitated significant humanitarian crises, including severely weakened health systems and poor health indicators. The situation has led to almost two million Somalis living abroad, often as refugees or asylum seekers in more high-resource settings in the Global North. To understand outcomes of care of pregnant women and their babies in host countries, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesise existing evidence on adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among Somali migrant women compared to host populations.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, using tailored keyword combinations. No language or date restrictions were applied, and the search concluded on June 30, 2024. Following data extraction and quality assurance using the STROBE Checklist, we conducted a meta-analysis for outcomes with sufficient data, using a random-effects model to account for heterogeneity across populations. Subgroup analyses were conducted by host country, with heterogeneity assessed using I 2 and τ 2 statistics. Potential publication bias was evaluated through Egger’s test and funnel plots. The results provide pooled estimates of maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Results
Across all databases, 116 articles were retrieved, with 17 meeting the eligibility criteria. From these articles, pregnancy-related data from 1978 to 2018 on 55,119 Somali migrant women and 5,190,459 women from the host population was extracted. Somali migrant women, compared to host populations, had significantly increased odds of emergency caesarean section (CS) (pooled OR 2.54, 95%CI: 2.22–2.86), non-progressing/induced labour (pooled OR 1.25, 95%CI: 1.19–1.31). Their babies had higher odds of small for gestational age (SGA) (pooled OR 2.03, 95%CI: 1.89–2.17), neonatal morbidity (pooled OR 1.51, 95%CI: 1.40–1.61), and neonatal mortality (pooled OR 1.39, 95%CI: 1.25–1.54). Conversely, Somali migrant women had lower odds of assisted instrumental delivery (OR 0.72, 95%CI: 0.66–0.78), post-partum depression (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.63), preterm birth (OR 0.92, 95%CI: 0.88–0.96), and low birth weight (OR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.80–0.94) compared to host populations.
Conclusion
Significant disparities in maternal and perinatal outcomes between Somali migrant women and host populations exist. Though more research is needed, available evidence points to the need for more culturally aware obstetric services that address the specific needs of Somali migrant women.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Pregnancy outcomes Perinatal Maternal Somali Migration Meta-analysis
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2025 10:31
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/50639

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