Health system strengthening using a Maximizing Engagement for Readiness and Impact (MERI) Approach: A community case study
Introduction: Health system strengthening initiatives in low and middle-income countries are commonly hampered by limited implementation readiness. The Maximizing Engagement for Readiness and Impact (MERI) Approach uses a system “readiness” theory of change to address implementation obstacles. MERI is documented based on field experiences, incorporating best practices, and lessons learned from two decades of maternal, […]
The value of confirmatory testing in early infant HIV diagnosis programmes in South Africa: A cost-effectiveness analysis
Background: The specificity of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) used for early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV infection is
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in the South Coast and Busia regions of Kenya
Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years in Kenya. Within the context of planning for a vaccine to be used alongside existing malaria control methods, this study explores sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals who are responsible for or influence decisions on childhood vaccination at […]
Examining the influence of family physician supply on district health system performance in South Africa: An ecological analysis of key health indicators
Background: The supply of appropriate health workers is a key building block in the World Health Organization’s model of effective health systems. Primary care teams are stronger if they contain doctors with postgraduate training in family medicine. The contribution of such family physicians to the performance of primary care systems has not been evaluated in […]
Compassionate and respectful maternity care during facility based child birth and women’s intent to use maternity service in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Background: Compassionate and respectful maternity care is one of the most important facilitating factors to increase access to skilled maternity care. Disrespect and abuse is a violation of human rights and is the main hindering factor preventing skilled birth utilization versus other more commonly recognized deterrents such as financial and geographical obstacles. Methods: Institution based […]
Increasing proportion of HIV-infected pregnant Zambian women attending antenatal care are already on antiretroviral therapy (2010-2015)
Introduction: Accurate estimates of coverage of prevention of mother-to-child (PMTCT) services among HIV-infected pregnant women are vital for monitoring progress toward HIV elimination targets. The achievement of high coverage and uptake of services along the PMTCT cascade is crucial for national and international mother-to child transmission (MTCT) elimination goals. In eastern and southern Africa, MTCT […]
Predictors of Women’s Satisfaction with Hospital-Based Intrapartum Care in Asmara Public Hospitals, Eritrea
Background. Exploring patient satisfaction contributes to provide quality maternity care, but there is paucity of epidemiologic data in Eritrea. Objectives. To determine the predictors of women’s satisfaction with intrapartum care in Asmara public maternity hospitals in Eritrea. Methods. A cross-sectional study among 771 mothers who gave birth in three public Hospitals. Chi-square tests were done […]
Nutritional and socio-economic factors associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection in children from Equatorial Guinea: Results from a nationally representative survey
Background. Malaria has traditionally been a major endemic disease in Equatorial Guinea. Although parasitaemia prevalence on the insular region has been substantially reduced by vector control in the past few years, the prevalence in the mainland remains over 50% in children younger than five years. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk […]
Prevalence of child malnutrition in agro-pastoral households in Afar regional State of ethiopia
Based on data generated from 180 randomly selected households with children age under five years old in Aysaita district of Afar region of Ethiopia, this study explored prevalence of malnutrition and scrutinized household characteristics, maternal characteristics, specifics of the child and economic variables associated with child malnutrition. The height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ), weight-for-height Z-scores (WHZ) and […]
Factors affecting access to information on routine immunization among mothers of under 5 children in Kaduna state Nigeria, 2015
Introduction: immunization is one of the most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death. A substantial number of children worldwide do not complete immunization schedules because neither health services nor conventional communication mechanisms regularly reach their communities. Knowledge and perception of mothers/caregivers regarding VPDs influence demand and utilization of immunization services. We examined […]
