How is dietary diversity related to haematological status of preschool children in Ghana?
Background: The role of dietary diversity on blood biomarkers may be significant, but the evidence is limited. Objective: This study assessed the association between dietary diversity and haematological status of children aged 6-59 months controlling for various known confounders. Design: The analysis in this study is based on the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health survey […]
Community-Based Improvements to Increase Identification of Pregnant Women and Promote Linkages to Antenatal and HIV Care in Mozambique
A Community Health System Strengthening model, which mobilizes communities by applying quality improvement, was used in 39 communities around 3 health centers in Gaza Province, Mozambique, to increase identification of pregnant women and support them to attend antenatal care (ANC). This article describes the process and results. Community group representatives formed a community improvement team […]
Sowing the seeds of transformative practice to actualize women’s rights to respectful maternity care: Reflections from Kenya using the consolidated framework for implementation research
Background: Despite years of growing concern about poor provider attitudes and women experiencing mistreatment during facility based childbirth, there are limited interventions that specifically focus on addressing these issues. The Heshima project is an evidence-based participatory implementation research study conducted in 13 facilities in Kenya. It engaged a range of community, facility, and policy stakeholders […]
Evaluation of Focused Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations by Health Care Personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia
Prior studies have suggested that obstetrical (OB) ultrasound in low- and middle-income countries has aided in detection of high-risk conditions, which in turn could improve OB management. We are participating in a cluster-randomized clinical trial of OB ultrasound, which is designed to assess the effect of basic OB ultrasound on maternal mortality, fetal mortality, neonatal […]
Food security and nutritional outcomes among urban poor orphans in Nairobi, Kenya
The study examines the relationship between orphanhood status and nutritional status and food security among children living in the rapidly growing and uniquely vulnerable slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and June 2007 among children aged 6-14 years, living in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. Anthropometric measurements were taken using […]
Influences on willingness to use vaginal or oral HIV PrEP during pregnancy and breastfeeding in Africa: the multisite MAMMA study
Introduction: Women in sub-Saharan Africa spend a substantial portion of their reproductive lives pregnant and/or breastfeeding (P/BF), yet they have limited options to prevent HIV during these maternal stages. In preparation for phase 3b prevention trials in P/BF women, we explored attitudes about using a vaginal ring or oral pills for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), perceptions […]
Individual and community-level determinants of Iron-Folic Acid Intake for the recommended period among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis
Background: Iron-folic acid (IFA) intake for the recommended period during pregnancy reduces the risk of anemia and congenital anomalies. However, IFA intake for the recommended period is still very low in low-income countries including Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess both individual-and community-level determinants of IFA intake for the recommended period […]
Causes of death and predictors of childhood mortality in Rwanda: A matched case-control study using verbal social autopsy
Background: Rwanda has dramatically reduced child mortality, but the causes and sociodemographic drivers for mortality are poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study of all children who died before 5 years of age in eastern Rwanda between 1st March 2013 and 28th February 2014 to identify causes and risk factors for death. We […]
Depression and its psychosocial risk factors in pregnant Kenyan adolescents: A cross-sectional study in a community health Centre of Nairobi
Background: Adolescent pregnancies within urban resource-deprived settlements predispose young girls to adverse mental health and psychosocial adversities, notably depression. Depression in sub-Saharan Africa is a leading contributor to years lived with disability (YLD). The study’s objective was to determine the prevalence of depression and related psychosocial risks among pregnant adolescents reporting at a maternal and […]
Partial vaccination and associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in eastern Ethiopia
Background: Vaccine prevents about 2–3 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. However, immunization coverage in Ethiopia is lower than the herd immunity level required to prevent the spread of all vaccine-preventable diseases. Thus, this study aimed to assess the partial immunization and associated factors among 12–23-month-old children in Eastern Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional […]
