Determinants of maternal death in a pastoralist area of borena zone, oromia region, Ethiopia: Unmatched case-control study
Background. Globally, more than 830 maternal deaths happen daily, and nearly, all of these occur in developing countries. Similarly, in Ethiopia, maternal mortality is still very high. Studies done in pastoralist women are almost few. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the determinant factors of maternal death in the pastoralist area of […]
Developing a community driven sustainable model of maternity waiting homes for rural Zambia
Background maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are residential dwellings located near health facilities where women in the late stages of pregnancy stay to await childbirth and receive immediate postpartum services. These shelters help overcome distance and transportation barriers that prevent women from receiving timely skilled obstetric care. Objective the purpose of this study was to explore […]
Child vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: Increasing coverage addresses inequalities
Background: Vaccines have substantially contributed to reducing morbidity and mortality among children, but inequality in coverage continues to persist. In this study, we aimed to examine inequalities in child vaccination coverage in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We analysed Demographic and Health Survey data in 25 sub-Saharan African countries. We defined full vaccination coverage as a child […]
Health insurance and maternal, newborn services utilisation and under-five mortality
Background: Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced in 2005 as a demand side intervention to remove financial barriers to accessing health services. After almost a decade of implementation, this study aims to investigate the association of NHIS membership with antenatal visits (ANC), postnatal visits (PNC) and under-five mortality, using data from the most […]
Describing objectively measured physical activity levels, patterns, and correlates in a cross sectional sample of infants and toddlers from South Africa
Background: Physical activity is considered to have health benefits across the lifespan but levels, patterns, and correlates have not been well described in infants and toddlers under the age of two years. Methods: This study aimed to describe objectively and subjectively measured physical activity in a group of South African infants aged 3- to 24-months […]
Factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy for their health in Senegal
Introduction: In Senegal, the issue of access to maternal, reproductive and sexual health services remains a health priority. Although there have been many health interventions, women’s access to health services remains limited due to women’s limited autonomy in making decisions about their health. Purpose of research: The objective of this study was to study the […]
Applying the model of diffusion of innovations to understand facilitators for the implementation of maternal and neonatal health programmes in rural Uganda
In Uganda, more than 336 out of every 100,000 women die annually during childbirth. Pregnant women, particularly in rural areas, often lack the financial resources and means to access health facilities in a timely manner for quality antenatal, delivery, and post-natal services. For nearly the past decade, the Makerere University School of Public Health researchers, […]
Intimate partner violence and utilization of maternal health care services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background: Despite its prominence, intimate partner violence (IPV) against women has received little attention in Ethiopia. And as many of sub-Saharan African countries, maternal health care services utilization remains poor. Full access and utilization of maternal health care services is a key to significant reduction in maternal and child mortality, and eliminate new HIV infection […]
RED for PMTCT: An adaptation of immunization’s Reaching Every District approach increases coverage, access, and utilization of PMTCT care in Bondo District, Kenya
Gaps exist in coverage, early access, and utilization of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in Kenya. The Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, led by Jhpiego, piloted an adaptation of immunization’s Reaching Every District (RED) approach in Bondo District as a way of improving PMTCT care. Routine district-level monthly summary service delivery […]
Determinants of institutional childbirth service utilisation among women of childbearing age in urban and rural areas of Tsegedie district, Ethiopia
Background: despite receiving greater attention, optimal maternal health remains a challenge in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Evidence from various studies shows that skilled attendance during childbirth is among the key strategies to reduce maternal mortality. However, in Ethiopia, the use of institutional childbirth services is very low. In Ethiopia, studies dealing with factors affecting […]
