The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare systems in Africa: A scoping review of preparedness, impact and response
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems in both developed and developing nations alike. Africa has one of the weakest health systems globally, but there is limited evidence on how the region is prepared for, impacted by and responded to the pandemic. Methods We conducted a scoping review of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL to search […]
Determinants of Poor Sleep Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Women Attending Antenatal Care Services at the Health Facilities of Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia: An Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Women’s ability to get sleep can be affected by pregnancy-related hormonal changes or other external stressful situations like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the proportion of poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic and its determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services. Methods: […]
Knowledge and practice of mothers towards sunshine exposure of their children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Early morning sunlight exposure for infants is a good practice to prevent rickets and alleviate the problem of vitamin D deficiency. Rickets is a major public health problem in many countries especially in developing country including Ethiopia. As mothers are frontline person for their children who should know and practice about sunlight exposure, this […]
Global, regional, and national age-sex specifc mortality for 264 causes of death, 1980-2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
Background: Monitoring levels and trends in premature mortality is crucial to understanding how societies can address prominent sources of early death. The Global Burden of Disease 2016 Study (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of cause-specifc mortality for 264 causes in 195 locations from 1980 to 2016. This assessment includes evaluation of the expected epidemiological […]
Enablers of sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Insights from capacity development projects implemented in 13 countries in Africa and Asia
Background: The global community has committed to achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, but how to do it remains a challenge in many low-income countries. Capacity development is listed as a means of implementation for Agenda 2030. Although it has been a major element in international development cooperation, including […]
Mobile phone intervention reduces perinatal mortality in zanzibar: Secondary outcomes of a cluster randomized controlled trial
Background: Mobile phones are increasingly used in health systems in developing countries and innovative technical solutions have great potential to overcome barriers of access to reproductive and child health care. However, despite widespread support for the use of mobile health technologies, evidence for its role in health care is sparse. Objective: We aimed to evaluate […]
Health care seeking in modern urban LMIC settings: evidence from Lusaka, Zambia
Background: In an effort to improve population health, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have expanded access to public primary care facilities and removed user fees for services in these facilities. However, a growing literature suggests that many patients bypass nearby primary care facilities to seek care at more distant or higher-level facilities. Patients in […]
Socio-cultural factors favoring home delivery in Afar pastoral community, northeast Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study
Background: Despite expanding the number of health facilities, Ethiopia has still the highest home delivery services utilization. Health care service utilization varies between regions within the country. This study explored the socio-cultural factors influencing health facility delivery in a pastoralist region of Afar, Ethiopia. Methods: An explorative qualitative study was conducted in October-December 2015. A […]
Assessment of country implementation of the WHO global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections (2016-2021)
Background In 2016, WHO launched the Global Health Sector Strategy on STIs, 2016–2021 (GHSS) to provide guidance and benchmarks for country achievement by 2020 and four global targets for achievement by 2030. Methods A country survey jointly developed by experienced technical personnel at WHO Headquarters (HQ) and WHO regional offices was reviewed and distributed by […]
Is parity a cause of tooth loss? Perceptions of northern Nigerian Hausa women
Background Reproduction affects the general health of women, especially when parity is high. The relationship between parity and oral health is not as clear, although it is a widespread customary belief that pregnancy results in tooth loss. Parity has been associated with tooth loss in some populations, but not in others. It is important to […]
