A BSTRACT Maternal and infant health are strongly influenced by the quality of antenatal and postnatal care (PNC). Access to high-quality healthcare services is essential for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Family medicine-led antenatal and PNC programs are increasingly recognized as promising models for improving maternal health outcomes, enhancing patient satisfaction, and promoting healthcare utilization. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of family medicine-led antenatal and PNC programs in Saudi Arabia. This review systematically evaluated studies published between 2009 and 2025, with a particular focus on the impact of family medicine-led care initiatives on maternal health outcomes in Saudi Arabia. A total of seven studies were included, comprising cross-sectional studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies were selected based on their focus on family medicine-led antenatal and PNC, maternal satisfaction, and barriers to healthcare utilization. The findings highlight several major barriers to the effective utilization of antenatal and PNC, including geographic accessibility, maternal education level, lack of awareness, and logistical challenges such as childcare and transportation. Family medicine-led care programs are effective in promoting the earlier initiation of antenatal care (ANC), increasing postpartum care utilization, and enhancing maternal self-efficacy through structured education. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that individualized, community-based care and flexible service delivery models can significantly help overcome these barriers, thereby improving patient engagement and satisfaction. Family medicine-led antenatal and PNC programs are highly effective in improving maternal health outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Through structured education and individualized support, these initiatives enhance maternal self-efficacy, promote earlier initiation of care, and increase PNC utilization. The integration of organized education and continuous support within family medicine models may substantially improve patient satisfaction and long-term health engagement, thereby contributing to better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Alhinti et al. (Wed,) studied this question.