Factors influencing implementation of point-of-care tests for maternal and newborn screening and diagnosis in low-resource settings: a systematic review

This review synthesizes evidence on factors influencing the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of POC tests within maternal-child health programmes in low-resourced settings. Key facilitators of implementation included rapid turnaround time, portability, ease of use, perceived clinical benefit, supportive policy environments, and compatibility with existing workflows. Task-shifting, bundled testing, and integration with routine maternal-child health services supported sustainability. However, common barriers included weak supply chains, vertical funding, limited political will, training gaps, workforce shortages, and fragmented programme delivery. Sociocultural barriers, such as stigma and limited decision-making power among pregnant women, also constrained uptake.