Impact of a maternal and newborn health results-based financing intervention (RBF4MNH) on stillbirth: a cross-sectional comparison in four districts in Malawi
Background: Malawi implemented a Results Based Financing (RBF) model for Maternal and Newborn Health, “RBF4MNH” at public hospitals in four Districts, with the aim of improving health outcomes. We used this context to seek evidence for the impact of this intervention on rates of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth, taking women’s risk factors into account. Methods: […]
Estimates of Treatable Deaths Within the First 20 Years of Life from Scaling Up Surgical Care at First-Level Hospitals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Background: Surgical care is an important, yet often neglected component of child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examines the potential impact of scaling up surgical care at first-level hospitals in LMICs within the first 20 years of life. Methods: Epidemiological data from the global burden of disease 2019 Study and a counterfactual […]
Use of mobile phone consultations during home visits by Community Health Workers for maternal and newborn care: Community experiences from Masindi and Kiryandongo districts, Uganda Global health.
Background: Home visits by Community Health Workers [In Uganda Community Health Workers are given the collective term of Village Health Teams (VHTs). Hereafter referred to as VHTs] is recommended to improve maternal and newborn care. We investigated perceived maternal and newborn benefits of home visits made by VHTs, combined with mobile phone consultations with professional […]
Emerging Early Actions to Bend the Curve in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Nutrition Transition
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is the last region to undergo a nutrition transition and can still avoid its adverse health outcomes. Objective: The article explores emerging responses to €bend the curve€ in sub-Saharan Africa’s nutrition transition to steer public health outcomes onto a healthier trajectory. Methods: Early responses in 3 countries at different stages of food […]
Perception and socio-cultural barriers to the acceptance of caesarean delivery in a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, South East Nigeria
Objectives: Globally, caesarean section (CS) has immensely contributed to improved obstetric outcome in circumstances where vaginal delivery is not feasible. However, in some low-income countries, there is aversion to the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and socio-cultural barriers to the acceptance of CS. Materials and Methods: A […]
Ending pediatric AIDS and achieving a generation born HIV-free
In the 30 years of the AIDS pandemic, the devastating effects of HIV on infants and young children have often been overlooked and neglected. However, the ability to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), or vertical transmission, has been one of the most significant prevention success stories in the global AIDS response. New HIV infections […]
Geospatial distribution and determinants of child mortality in rural western Kenya 2002-2005
Objective: To describe local geospatial variation and geospatial risk factors for child mortality in rural western Kenya. Methods: We calculated under-5 mortality rates (U5MR) in 217 villages in a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area in western Kenya from 1 May 2002 through 31 December 2005. U5MRs by village were mapped. Geographical positioning system […]
Conceptualizing factors impacting nutrition services coverage of treatment for acute malnutrition in children – An application of the Three Delays Model in Niger
Objective: The Three Delays Model is a conceptual model traditionally used to understand contributing factors of maternal mortality. It posits that most barriers to health services utilization occur in relation to one of three delays: Delay 1: delayed decision to seek care; Delay 2: delayed arrival at health facility; Delay 3: delayed provision of adequate […]
Promoting dietary diversity to improve child growth in less-resourced rural settings in Uganda
Background: Analyses of global trends indicate that childhood undernutrition is more prevalent in rural areas, and also that maternal education and decision-making power are among the key factors significantly associated with child growth. Methods: The present study comprised a controlled longitudinal study aiming to assess the effectiveness of nutrition education with respect to improving growth […]
Examining inequalities in access to delivery by caesarean section in Nigeria
Background Maternal deaths are far too common in Nigeria, and this is in part due to lack of access to lifesaving emergency obstetric care, especially among women in the poorest strata in Nigeria. Data on the extent of inequality in access to such lifesaving intervention could convince policymakers in developing an appropriate intervention. This study […]
