Types, effects, and acceptability of community-based interventions for stillbirth prevention in Central, East, Southern, and West Africa

This study aimed to assess community-based interventions for preventing stillbirths in Central, East, Southern, and West Africa. We reviewed 34 studies from 18 countries, identifying four types of interventions. The odds of stillbirth did not significantly differ between intervention and control groups, but interventions involving both community and health facilities were effective. The study quality varied, with most being rated fair. Acceptability of interventions was generally high, but some important aspects like ethical considerations and intervention burden were underexplored for women receiving the interventions. The findings suggest that community-based interventions alone may not substantially reduce stillbirths in Central, East, Southern, and West Africa, emphasising the importance of strengthening health facilities and understanding women’s perspectives for maximum impact.