A scoping review of adverse birth outcomes in women from rural and urban areas

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Aims: The place of residence influences the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes, and understanding disparities in adverse birth outcomes between rural and urban areas is crucial for designing targeted interventions and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Methods: A scoping review using five databases, including the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science, was conducted to evaluate the association between the place of residence (rural and urban areas) and adverse birth outcomes.

Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Nine adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, perinatal death, stillbirth, neonatal death, large for gestational age, cesarean section, and miscarriage) were reported to have higher rates in rural versus urban communities.

Conclusions: Inadequate access to antenatal care services and limited healthcare facilities were identified as potential factors contributing to the higher likelihood of adverse birth outcomes in rural areas. Targeted interventions tailored to the specific challenges faced by rural communities should be implemented to ensure equitable access to healthcare services and optimal maternal and neonatal health.