Breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy among mothers with infant and young child in rural Ethiopia

Background Breastfeeding has several benefits for both mothers and their children. Despite strong evidence in support of the practice, its prevalence has remained low worldwide, particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy among mothers with index infants and young children in the rural community of Southwest Ethiopia. […]

Coverage of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) influences delivery outcomes among women with obstetric referrals at the district level in Ghana

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the coverage of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and its relationship with delivery outcomes among obstetric referral cases at the district level of healthcare. Methods: An implementation research within three districts of the Greater Accra region was conducted from May 2017 to February […]

Unraveling PBF effects beyond impact evaluation: Results from a qualitative study in Cameroon

Introduction Performance-based financing (PBF) has acquired increased prominence as a means of reforming health system purchasing structures in low-income and middle-income countries. A number of impact evaluations have noted that PBF often produces mixed and heterogeneous effects. Still, little systematic effort has been channelled towards understanding what causes such heterogeneity, including looking more closely at […]

Exploring the acceptability of option b plus among hiv-positive nigerian women engaged and not engaged in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hiv cascade: A qualitative study

The acceptability of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive women in high-burden Nigeria, is not well-known. We explored readiness of users and providers of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services to accept lifelong ART-before Option B plus was implemented in Nigeria. We conducted 142 key informant interviews among 100 PMTCT users (25 pregnant-newly-diagnosed, […]

Prescription of antibacterial drugs for HIV-exposed, uninfected infants, Malawi, 2004–2010

Antimicrobial drug resistance is a serious health hazard driven by overuse. Administration of antimicrobial drugs to HIV-exposed, uninfected infants, a population that is growing and at high risk for infection, is poorly studied. We therefore analyzed factors associated with antibacterial drug administration to HIV-exposed, uninfected infants during their first year of life. Our study population […]

Low detectable postpartum viral load is associated with HIV transmission in Malawi’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme

Introduction: In 2011, Malawi implemented “Option B+,” a test-and-treat strategy for the prevention of maternal to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT); however limited data on viral load (VL) suppression exist. We describe VL suppression in HIV-infected women at four to twenty-six weeks postpartum, factors associated with VL suppression and the impact of VL suppression levels […]

Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding After Birth: Retention of knowledge, skills, and confidence nine months after obstetric simulation-based training

Background: It is important to know the decay of knowledge, skills, and confidence over time to provide evidence-based guidance on timing of follow-up training. Studies addressing retention of simulation-based education reveal mixed results. The aim of this study was to measure the level of knowledge, skills, and confidence before, immediately after, and nine months after […]

The effectiveness and perception of the use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy programme in Offinso district of ashanti region, Ghana

Background: Malaria in pregnant women has been shown to be associated with low birth weight, stillbirth and mortality in newborns. The WHO has adopted the use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to control malaria, a disease which worsens the plight of pregnant women leading to low birth weight, stillbirths and increased neonatal mortality. The present study assessed […]

Mothers’ experience of disrespect and abuse during maternity care in northern Ethiopia

Background: The provision of respectful and satisfactory maternity care is essential for promoting timely care-seeking behaviour, and ultimately ensuring the health and well-being of mothers and their babies. Disrespectful and abusive care has been recognized as one of the barriers to seeking timely maternity health services. However, the issue has not been adequately researched in […]

Survival analysis of the association between antenatal care attendance and neonatal mortality in 57 low- And middle-income countries

Background: Neonatal mortality is unacceptably high in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In these countries, where access to emergency obstetric services is limited, antenatal care (ANC) utilization offers improved maternal health and birth outcomes. However, evidence for this is scanty and mixed. We explored the association between attendance for ANC and survival of neonates […]