Food insecurity, drug resistance and nondisclosure are associated with virologic nonsuppression among HIV pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment

We determined social and behavioral factors associated with virologic non-suppression among pregnant women receiving Option B+ antiretroviral treatment (ART). Baseline data was used from women in Mobile WAChX trial from 6 public maternal child health (MCH) clinics in Kenya. Virologic non-suppression was defined as HIV viral load (VL) ≥1000 copies/ml. Antiretroviral resistance testing was performed […]

Community awareness about risk factors, presentation and prevention and obstetric fistula in Nabitovu village, Iganga district, Uganda

Background: Obstetric fistula is a worldwide problem that is devastating for women in developing countries. The cardinal cause of obstetric fistula is prolonged obstructed labour and delay in seeking emergency obstetric care. Awareness about obstetric fistula is still low in developing countries. The objective was to assess the awareness about risk factors of obstetric fistulae […]

A population based survey in Ethiopia using questionnaire as proxy to estimate obstetric fistula prevalence: Results from demographic and health survey

Background: Obstetric Fistula (OF) remains a major public health problem in areas where unattended obstructed labor is common and maternal mortality is high. Obstetric Fistula was able to be prevented, treated and eradicated in high-income countries; however, it still affects many women in low-income countries. To our knowledge, only few studies have described the prevalence […]

Predictors of measles vaccination coverage among children 6–59 months of age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Measles is a significant contributor to child mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite routine immunization programs and supplementary immunization activities (SIA). Further, national immunization coverage levels may hide disparities among certain groups of children, making effective measles control even more challenging. This study describes measles vaccination coverage and reporting methods […]

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Extremely Low Birth Weight Survivors in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: Improved survival in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) in Sub-Saharan Africa has raised the question whether these survivors have an increased chance of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objectives: To describe neurodevelopmental outcomes of ELBWI in a neonatal unit in South Africa. Methods: This was a prospective follow-up study. All ELBWI who survived to discharge […]

Factors influencing uptake of contraceptive implants in the immediate postpartum period among HIV infected and uninfected women at two Kenyan District Hospitals

Background: Family planning is a cost effective strategy for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and reduction of maternal/infant morbidity and mortality. Contraceptive implants are a safe, effective, long term and reversible family planning method whose use remains low in Kenya. We therefore set out to determine and compare the uptake, and factors […]

How does poverty affect children’s nutritional status in Nairobi slums? A qualitative study of the root causes of undernutrition

Objective Children in slums are at high risk of undernutrition, which has long-term negative consequences on their physical growth and cognitive development. Severe undernutrition can lead to the child’s death. The present paper aimed to understand the causes of undernutrition in children as perceived by various groups of community members in Nairobi slums, Kenya. Design […]

Subclinical Iodine Deficiency among Pregnant Women in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study

Background. Iodine deficiency in pregnancy is a worldwide problem. This study aimed to assess prevalence and predictors of subclinical iodine deficiency among pregnant women in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted on 435 pregnant women existing in ten randomly selected rural kebeles (kebele is the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia). […]

Determinants of attending antenatal care at least four times in rural Ghana: analysis of a cross-sectional survey

Background: Improving maternal health is a global challenge. In Ghana, maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural areas. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance is known to improve maternal health. However, few studies have updated current knowledge regarding determinants of ANC attendance. Objective: This study examined factors associated with ANC attendance in predominantly rural […]

Ancillary benefits of antenatal ultrasound: An association between the introduction of a low-cost ultrasound program and an increase in the numbers of women receiving recommended antenatal treatments

Background: In June of 2010, an antenatal ultrasound program was introduced to perform basic screening examinations at a health care clinic in rural Uganda. The impact of the program on the existing antenatal care infrastructure including the proportion and number of women receiving recommended antenatal care at clinic visits was unknown. The aim of this […]