Determinants of fertility in rural Ethiopia: The case of Butajira Demographic Surveillance System (DSS)
Background: Fertility is high in rural Ethiopia. Women in the reproductive age group differed in various characteristics including access to food and encounter to drought which requisite the assessment of determinants of fertility. Methods. Reproductive age women were recruited from a DSS, the Butajira DSS database. A DHS maternity history questionnaire was administered on 9996 […]
A retrospective study of the health profile of neonates of mothers with anemia in pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension in Lagos, Nigeria
Our study assessed the health profile of neonates in relation to anemia in pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). This was a retrospective study where a systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1046 case records of pregnant women registered for ante-natal care at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, between […]
The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women (15–49 years) in Lesotho: a descriptive analysis
Background: Hypertensive disorders are among the leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity across all regions and have a major impact on health care costs. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and its associated socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women of the reproductive ages in Lesotho. Methods: The study used the Lesotho Demographic and Health […]
Influence of Neonatal Resuscitation Training on Practice of Community Health Extension Workers in Managing Asphyxiated Newborns in Rural Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Birth asphyxia is a global health burden, and effective neonatal resuscitation could reduce the burden of deaths. Providing a suitable newborn resuscitation care will depend on the availability of an effective skilled health worker, who is competent in neonatal resuscitation. The study explores and assesses the effect of neonatal resuscitation training and retention of knowledge […]
Does facility birth reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Brong Ahafo, Ghana? A secondary analysis using data on 119 244 pregnancies from two cluster-randomised controlled trials
Background: Maternal and perinatal mortality are still unacceptably high in many countries despite steep increases in facility birth. The evidence that childbirth in facilities reduces mortality is weak, mainly because of the scarcity of robust study designs and data. We aimed to assess this link by quantifying the influence of major determinants of facility birth […]
Mlearning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A mixed-methods feasibility and pilot cluster randomized trial using the safe delivery app
Methods: Eight BEmONC facilities in central DRC were randomized to either an mLearning intervention or to standard practice (control). Maternal and newborn health workers in intervention facilities (n=64) were trained on the use of smartphones and the French version of the SDA. The SDA is an evidence-based BEmONC training resource with visual guidance using animated […]
Implementation of a referral and expert advice call Center for Maternal and Newborn Care in the resource constrained health system context of the Greater Accra region of Ghana
Background: Referral and clinical decision-making support are important for reducing delays in reaching and receiving appropriate and quality care. This paper presents analysis of the use of a pilot referral and decision making support call center for mothers and newborns in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, and challenges encountered in implementing such an intervention. […]
Risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage in the Northern Province of Rwanda: A case control study
Background Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a major global burden contributing to high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Assessment of PPH risk factors should be undertaken during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods for timely prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality associated with PPH. The aim of this study is to investigate and model risk factors for […]
The impact of a direct to beneficiary mobile communication program on reproductive and child health outcomes: A randomised controlled trial in India
Background Direct-to-beneficiary communication mobile programmes are among the few examples of digital health programmes to have scaled widely in low-resource settings. Yet, evidence on their impact at scale is limited. This study aims to assess whether exposure to mobile health information calls during pregnancy and postpartum improved infant feeding and family planning practices. Methods We […]
Negotiating social norms, the legacy of vertical health initiatives and contradicting health policies: a qualitative study of health professionals’ perceptions and attitudes of providing adolescent sexual and reproductive health care in Arusha and Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
Background: Adolescents in Tanzania are at risk of many health problems attributed to limited access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. Health professionals are a crucial part of service delivery, and their perspective on providing care is important in understanding the barriers that hamper access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents. Better […]
