The impact of training non-physician clinicians in Malawi on maternal and perinatal mortality: a cluster randomised controlled evaluation of the enhancing training and appropriate technologies for mothers and babies in Africa (ETATMBA) project
Background: Maternal mortality in much of sub-Saharan Africa is very high whereas there has been a steady decline in over the past 60 years in Europe. Perinatal mortality is 12 times higher than maternal mortality accounting for about 7 million neonatal deaths; many of these in sub-Saharan countries. Many of these deaths are preventable. Countries, […]
Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network: A protocol for a multi-site prospective cohort study to identify modifiable risk factors for mortality among acutely ill children in Africa and Asia
Introduction Children admitted to hospitals in resource-poor settings remain at risk of both inpatient and post-discharge mortality. While known risk factors such as young age and nutritional status can identify children at risk, they do not provide clear mechanistic targets for intervention. The Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) cohort study aims to characterise the […]
Pediatric HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Emerging issues and way forward
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest burden of pediatric HIV in the world. Global target has been set for eradication of pediatric HIV by 2015 but there are still so many complex issues facing HIV infected and affected children in the sub-continent. Objective: To review the current and emerging challenges facing pediatric HIV care in […]
Determinants of Anemia among women in Uganda: Further analysis of the Uganda demographic and health surveys
Background: Anemia is a public health problem in many developing countries. It affects a sizable proportion of women of reproductive age. Anemia increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases, and can lead to poor fetal outcomes, and low productivity. This study examined the trends and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive […]
Reorganisation of primary care services during covid-19 in the western cape, south africa: Perspectives of primary care nurses
Background: Primary care nurses play a pivotal role in the response to disasters and pandemics. The coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required preventative, diagnostic, and curative measures for persons presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 by healthcare providers, whilst continuing other essential services. We aimed to investigate the reorganisation of primary care services during COVID-19 from […]
Health outcomes and cost impact of the new WHO 2013 Guidelines on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zambia
Background: Countries are currently progressing towards the elimination of new paediatric HIV infections by 2015. WHO published new consolidated guidelines in June 2013, which now recommend either ‘Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for women living with HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding (Option B)’ or ‘Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV […]
Mental health financing challenges, opportunities and strategies in low- And middle-income countries: Findings from the Emerald project
BackgroundCurrent coverage of mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is very limited, not only in terms of access to services but also in terms of financial protection of individuals in need of care and treatment.AimsTo identify the challenges, opportunities and strategies for more equitable and sustainable mental health financing in six sub-Saharan African and […]
Why some women who attend focused antenatal care fail to deliver in health facilities: A qualitative study of women’s perspectives from slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore why some women who attend focused antenatal care (FANC) fail to deliver in health facilities from slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Setting Public health facilities (three health centres and one district hospital). Study design A qualitative exploratory and descriptive research design was used. Study participants Study […]
Adding content to contacts: Measurement of high quality contacts for maternal and newborn health in Ethiopia, North East Nigeria, and Uttar Pradesh, India
Families in high mortality settings need regular contact with high quality services, but existing population-based measurements of contacts do not reflect quality. To address this, in 2012, we designed linked household and frontline worker surveys for Gombe State, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Uttar Pradesh, India. Using reported frequency and content of contacts, we present a method […]
The Impact of an mHealth Voice Message Service (mMitra) on Infant Care Knowledge, and Practices Among Low-Income Women in India: Findings from a Pseudo-Randomized Controlled Trial
Objectives mHealth interventions for MNCH have been shown to improve uptake of antenatal and neonatal services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, little systematic analysis is available about their impact on infant health outcomes, such as reducing low birth weight or malnutrition among children under the age of five. The objective of this study […]
