Evidence of a double burden of malnutrition in urban poor settings in Nairobi, Kenya
Background: Many low-and middle-income countries are undergoing a nutrition transition associated with rapid social and economic transitions. We explore the coexistence of over and undernutrition at the neighborhood and household level, in an urban poor setting in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: Data were collected in 2010 on a cohort of children aged under five years born […]
Why do women deliver at home? Multilevel modeling of Ethiopian national demographic and health survey data
Background: Despite of the existing intensive efforts to improve maternal health in Ethiopia, the proportion of birth delivered at home remains high and is still the top priority among the national health threats. Objective: The study aimed to examine effects of individual women and community-level factors of women’s decision on place of delivery in Ethiopia. […]
Impact of the Safe Childbirth Checklist on health worker childbirth practices in Luapula province of Zambia: A pre-post study
Background: A strong evidence base exists regarding routine and emergency services that can effectively prevent or reduce maternal and new-born mortality. However, even when skilled providers care for women in labour, many of the recommended services are not provided, despite being available. Barriers to the provision of appropriate childbirth services may include lack of availability […]
Latent class analysis of the social determinants of health-seeking behaviour for delivery among pregnant women in Malawi
Introduction In the era of Sustainable Development Goals, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality is a priority. With one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, Malawi has a significant opportunity for improvement. One effort to improve maternal outcomes involves increasing access to high-quality health facilities for delivery. This study aimed to determine the […]
Promoting Caregiver Early Childhood Development Behaviors through Social and Behavioral Change Communication Program in Tanzania
Objectives: Stunting remains a prevalent issue in Tanzania. The consequences of stunting include reduced height, greater susceptibility to disease, and diminished cognitive ability throughout the lifespan. Lack of psychosocial stimulation is associated with increased stunting, particularly in terms of its cognitive impact. The Addressing Stunting in Tanzania Early (ASTUTE) program was a large social and […]
Perceptions and experiences of maternity care workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State, Nigeria; a qualitative study
Background: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic challenges provision and access to essential maternity care in low-resilience health systems. The aim of this study was to explore maternity healthcare workers’ experiences of, and perceptions about providing maternity care during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: This qualitative study conducted individual, remote, semi-structured interviews […]
Population attributable risk of key modifiable risk factors associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria
Background: Non-exclusive breastfeeding (non-EBF) is a risk factor for many of the 2300 under-five deaths occurring daily in Nigeria – a developing country with approximately 40 million children. This study aimed to quantify and compare the attributable burden of key modifiable risk factors associated with non-EBF in Nigeria to inform strategic policy responses and initiatives. […]
Child stunting and associated risk factors in selected food-insecure areas in Rwanda: an analytical cross-sectional study
Introduction: stunting rates among the under-five children are generally high in Rwanda. They are unexpectedly lower than the national average stunting rate in some districts where poverty rates are the highest in the country. This study aimed to ascertain the key factors that protect children from stunting in these poorest areas, where stunting rates are […]
Association between malaria infection and early childhood development mediated by anemia in rural Kenya
Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, with most cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Children in this age group in Africa are at greatest risk worldwide for developmental deficits. There are research gaps in quantifying the risks of mild malaria cases, understanding the pathways linking malaria […]
Health system governance following devolution: Comparing experiences of decentralisation in Kenya and Indonesia
Introduction Devolution reforms in Indonesia and Kenya have brought extensive changes to governance structures and mechanisms for financing and delivering healthcare. Community health approaches can contribute towards attaining many of devolution’s objectives, including community participation, responsiveness, accountability and improved equity. We set out to examine governance in two countries at different stages in the devolution […]
