Prevalence and associated factors of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: A cross-sectional study
Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants Under-5 children. Primary outcome Common childhood illnesses. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 33 sub-Saharan African countries. We used the Kids […]
Virological profile of pregnant HIV positive women with high levels of CD4 count in low income settings: Can viral load help as eligibility criteria for maternal triple ARV prophylaxis (WHO 2010 option B)?
Introduction: The objective of the study was to determine HIV-1 RNA load profile during pregnancy and assess the eligibility for the maternal triple antiretroviral prophylaxis. It was an observational cohort of pregnant HIV positive women ignorant of antiretroviral therapy with CD4 cell count of > 350/mm3 Methods: Routine CD4 cell count assessment in HIV positive […]
Quality of oxytocin ampoules available in health care facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An exploratory study in five provinces
Background Oxytocin injection is the first line therapy for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality. Currently access to high quality oxytocin in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is compromised by variable manufacturing quality and the requirement for cold chain supply and storage to prevent product deterioration. Previous […]
Understanding the implementation of maternity waiting homes in low- and middle-income countries: A qualitative thematic synthesis
Background: Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are accommodations located near a health facility where women can stay towards the end of pregnancy and/or after birth to enable timely access to essential childbirth care or care for complications. Although MWHs have been implemented for over four decades, different operational models exist. This secondary thematic +analysis explores factors […]
Incentives to yield to Obstetric Referrals in deprived areas of Amansie West district in the Ashanti Region, Ghana
Background: Obstetric referrals, otherwise known as maternal referrals constitute an eminent component of emergency care, and key to ensuring safe delivery and reducing maternal and child mortalities. The efficiency of Obstetric referral systems is however marred by the lack of accessible transportation and socio-economic disparities in access to healthcare. This study evaluated the role of […]
Predictors of the use of interventions to prevent malaria in pregnancy in Cameroon
Background: Malaria in pregnancy is common in sub-Saharan Africa where it contributes to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Use of insecticide-treated bed nets and intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine during pregnancy are effective but underutilized interventions to prevent infection. Factors associated with bed net ownership and usage, and use of prophylaxis among recently pregnant women in […]
Health, life and rights: A discourse analysis of a hybrid abortion regime in Tanzania
Background: Unsafe abortion continues to be a major hazard for maternal health in Sub-Saharan Africa, where abortion remains highly controversial and access to safe abortion services is unequally distributed. Although national abortion laws are central in indicating women’s potential for accessing safe abortion services, the character of an abortion law may alone say little about […]
Understanding the mechanisms through which women’s group community participatory intervention improved maternal health outcomes in rural Malawi: Was the use of contraceptives the pathway?
Background: Women’s group intervention is a community based initiative through which rural women form groups, meet regularly to discuss maternal health issues affecting them, and come up with locally available solutions. This intervention has been associated with reduced maternal and neonatal mortality in limited resource settings. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which women’s groups influence maternal […]
Cost to households in treating maternal complications in northern Ghana: A cross sectional study
Background: The cost of treating maternal complications has serious economic consequences to households and can hinder the utilization of maternal health care services at the health facilities. This study estimated the cost of maternal complications to women and their households in the Kassena-Nankana district of northern Ghana. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study between […]
Effects of implementing free maternity service policy in Kenya: An interrupted time series analysis
Background: Maternal and perinatal mortality is a major public health concern across the globe and more so in low and middle-income countries. In Kenya, more than 6000 maternal deaths, and 35,000 stillbirths occur each year. The Government of Kenya abolished user fee for maternity care under the Free Maternity Service policy, in June of 2013 […]
