Background Maternal health is a critically neglected issue in Africa and a major public health concern. However, healthcare providers are vital in delivering maternal healthcare across the continent. A clearer understanding of their challenges and opportunities, and how these factors impact healthcare delivery, is needed. This review aims to conduct a meta-synthesis of existing qualitative literature on the barriers and facilitators in providing maternal healthcare. Method Three databases—CINALH (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (PUBMED), and AJOL—were searched from 2010 to 2025. The review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and the quality assessment of the included studies was independently conducted by three reviewers. The quotes from each study were synthesised using the thematic synthesis approach. Results Nineteen articles from five countries across four regions in Africa were included. Three main themes emerged guided by the adaptive resilience framework: 1) Structural constraints; 2) Provider burden and moral distress; 3) Adaptive coping and negotiation strategies. Conclusion The synthesis revealed that effective service delivery is hindered by inadequate human resources, limited essential supplies, and infrastructural gaps. Nonetheless, respect and workplace support are recognised as key motivators. To improve service provision and sustainability, capacity building, essential supplies, efficient logistics, and positive workplace cultures are vital.
Senkyire et al. (Mon,) studied this question.