Addressing the huge poor–rich gap of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care: A first step to achieving universal maternal health coverage in Tanzania
Introduction Despite skilled attendance during childbirth has been linked with the reduction of maternal deaths, equality in accessing this safe childbirth care is highly needed to achieving universal maternal health coverage. However, little information is available regarding the extent of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care in Tanzania. This study was performed to assess the […]
Factors associated with women’s autonomy regarding maternal and child health care utilization in Bale Zone: A community based cross-sectional study
Background: Women’s autonomy in health-care decision is a prerequisite for improvements in maternal and child health. Little is known about women’s autonomy and its influencing factors on maternal and child health care in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess women’s autonomy and identify associated factors in Southeast Ethiopia.Method: A community based cross-sectional study […]
Detection and initial management of gestational diabetes through primary health care services in Morocco: An effectiveness-implementation trial
Background Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) testing and management in Morocco is associated with delays resulting in late commencement of treatment. To reduce delays and to increase access of women to GDM care, a country-adapted intervention targeting primary health care providers was designed to test the hypothesis that detection and initial management of GDM at the […]
Experiences of a dedicated Heart and Maternal Health Service providing multidisciplinary care to pregnant women with cardiac disease in a tertiary centre in Namibia
Objectives: First, to describe the implementation process, benefits and challenges of a multidisciplinary service for pregnant women with cardiac disease in Namibia. Second, to assess pregnancy outcomes in this population. Methods: In a tertiary hospital in Namibia, a multidisciplinary service was implemented by staff of obstetric and cardiology departments and included preconception counselling, provision of […]
An assessment of out of pocket payments in public sector health facilities under the free maternal healthcare policy in Ghana
Background: The free maternal healthcare policy was introduced in Ghana in 2008 under the national health insurance scheme as a social intervention to improve access to maternal health services. This study investigated the prevalence of out of pocket (OOP) payment among pregnant women with valid national health insurance who sought skilled delivery services at public […]
An analysis of the quality of maternity services in Nampula, Mozambique: implementation research
Introduction: the quality of maternity services is an essential factor in reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, which remains extremely high in Africa. In Mozambique, maternal mortality rate is 451.6 deaths per 100,000 live births (2017). The reasons for this are complex, but one important factor to reduce this burden is to provide effective […]
Prevalence and determinants of the place of delivery among reproductive age women in sub–Saharan Africa
Introduction Maternal mortality is an issue of global public health concern with over 300,000 women dying globally each year. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these deaths mainly occur around childbirth and the first 24hours after delivery. The place of delivery is, therefore, important in reducing maternal deaths and accelerating progress towards attaining the 2030 sustainable development […]
Needs and barriers of teen mothers in rural Eastern Uganda: Stakeholders’ perceptions regarding maternal/child nutrition and health
For adolescent mothers in rural Eastern Uganda, nutrition and health may be compromised by many factors. Identifying individual and environmental needs and barriers at local levels is important to inform community-based interventions. This qualitative study used interviews based on constructs from social cognitive theory. 101 adolescent mothers, family members, health-related personnel and community workers in […]
Prodromal symptoms, health care seeking in response to symptoms and associated factors in eclamptic patients
Background: Eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Maternal catastrophe is made worse in developing countries by the high incidence coupled with delayed presentation of patients and health facility constraints in effective management of eclampsia and its complications. Methods: A prospective study of all 93 eclamptic women admitted to a general […]
Acceptability of evidence-based neonatal care practices in rural Uganda – Implications for programming
Background: Although evidence-based interventions to reach the Millennium Development Goals for Maternal and Neonatal mortality reduction exist, they have not yet been operationalised and scaled up in Sub-Saharan African cultural and health systems. A key concern is whether these internationally recommended practices are acceptable and will be demanded by the target community. We explored the […]
