Effects of short birth interval on neonatal, infant and under-five child mortality in Ethiopia: A nationally representative observational study using inverse probability of treatment weighting
Objective To assess the effect of short birth interval (SBI) on neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Design A nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Setting This study used data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Participants A total of 8448 women who had at least two live births during the 5 years preceding […]
Childhood undernutrition in three disadvantaged East African Districts: A multinomial analysis
Background: Undernutrition is an important public health indicator for monitoring nutritional status and survival. In spite of its importance, undernutrition is a significant problem health problem in many East African communities. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with childhood undernutrition in three disadvantaged East African Districts. Methods: We examined data for […]
Effectiveness of a Lay Counselor-Led Combination Intervention for Retention of Mothers and Infants in HIV Care: A Randomized Trial in Kenya
Background:Retention of mothers and infants across the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) continuum remains challenging. We assessed the effectiveness of a lay worker administered combination intervention compared with the standard of care (SOC) on mother-infant attrition.Methods:HIV-positive pregnant women starting antenatal care at 10 facilities in western Kenya were randomized using simple randomization to receive […]
Impact of a bottom-up community engagement intervention on maternal and child health services utilization in Ghana: A cluster randomised trial
Background: Ghana is among African countries not likely to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) three (3) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 per 100,000 live births by the year 2030 if maternal and child health services utilization are not improved. Community engagement in health is therefore advocated to help address this challenge. This […]
Major causes of death in preterm infants in selected hospitals in Ethiopia (SIP): a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study
Background: Neonatal deaths now account for 47% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years globally. More than a third of newborn deaths are due to preterm birth complications, which is the leading cause of death. Understanding the causes and factors contributing to neonatal deaths is needed to identify interventions that will reduce mortality. […]
Predictors of differences in health services utilization for children in Nigerian communities
Health service utilization is an important component of child health promotion. Evidence shows that two-thirds of child deaths in low and middle income countries could be prevented if current interventions were adequately utilized. Aim of this study was to identify determinants of variation in health services utilization for children in communities in Nigeria. Multivariable negative […]
Effects of continuity of maternal health services on immediate newborn care practices, Northwestern Ethiopia: multilevel and propensity score matching (PSM) modeling
Background: Despite priority being given to maternal and child health programs in Ethiopia, the reduction of neonatal mortality rate is stagnant, which is more than double the national target. Immediate newborn care and continuity of maternal health services are comprehensive, wide-ranging, and core strategies to overcome neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, the evidence of immediate […]
Dietary cyanogen exposure and early child neurodevelopment: An observational study from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Background Dietary cyanogen exposure from ingesting bitter (toxic) cassava as a main source of food in sub-Saharan Africa is related to neurological impairments in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored possible association with early child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods We undertook a cross-sectional neurodevelopmental assessment of 12–48 month-old children using the Mullen Scale of Early Learning (MSEL) and […]
Provision of essential evidence-based interventions during facility-based childbirth: Cross-sectional observations of births in northeast Nigeria
Objectives To measure the provision of evidence-based preventive and promotive interventions to women, and subsequently their newborns, during childbirth in a high-mortality setting. Design and participants Cross-sectional observations of care provided to women, and their newborns during the intrapartum and immediate postpartum period using a standardised checklist capturing healthcare worker behaviours regarding lifesaving and respectful […]
Factors associated with maternity waiting home use among women in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: A multilevel cross-sectional analysis
Objective To identify individual-, household- and community-level factors associated with maternity waiting home (MWH) use in Ethiopia. Design Cross-sectional analysis of baseline household survey data from an ongoing cluster-randomised controlled trial using multilevel analyses. Setting Twenty-four rural primary care facility catchment areas in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Participants 3784 women who had a pregnancy outcome (live […]
