Multilevel analysis of individual and contextual factors associated with polio non-vaccination in africa: Further analyses to enhance policy and opportunity to save more lives
Background: Africa was certified polio-free in 2020 and to maintain the polio-free status, African countries need to attain and maintain optimal routine polio vaccination coverage. One indicator for optimal polio vaccination coverage is the prevalence of children who have received no polio vaccination through routine services. The objective of the study was to examine the […]
Access to sexual and reproductive health commodities in East and Southern Africa: A cross-country comparison of availability, affordability and stock-outs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
Background: Access to sexual and reproductive health services continues to be a public health concern in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia: use of modern contraceptives is low, and unmet family planning needs and maternal mortality remain high. This study is an assessment of the availability, affordability and stock-outs of essential sexual and reproductive health commodities […]
Surgical patients travel longer distances than non-surgical patients to receive care at a rural hospital in mozambique
Background: Surgical care is increasingly recognised as an important component of global health delivery. However, there are still major gaps in knowledge related to access to surgical care in low-income countries. In this study, we compare distances travelled by surgical patients with patients seeking other medical services at a first-level hospital in rural Mozambique. Methods: […]
Prevalence and Determinants of Rural-Urban Utilization of Skilled Delivery Services in Northern Ghana
Background. There are wide differences in the uptake of skilled delivery services between urban and rural women in the northern region of Ghana. This study assessed the rural-urban differences in the prevalence of and factors associated with uptake of skilled delivery in the northern region of Ghana. Methods. The study population comprised postpartum women who […]
The University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (UZ-CHS) BIRTH COHORT study: Rationale, design and methods
Background: Commencing lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately following HIV diagnosis (Option B+), has greatly improved maternal-infant health. Thus, large and increasing numbers of HIV-infected women are on ART during pregnancy, a situation concurrently increasing numbers of HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) infants. Compared to their HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) counterparts, HEU infants show higher rates of adverse birth outcomes, mortality, […]
Childhood vaccination in informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kenya: Who gets vaccinated?
Background: Recent trends in global vaccination coverage have shown increases with most countries reaching 90% DTP3 coverage in 2008, although pockets of undervaccination continue to persist in parts of sub-Saharan Africa particularly in the urban slums. The objectives of this study were to determine the vaccination status of children aged between 12-23 months living in […]
Esophageal cancer awareness in Bomet district, Kenya
Background: Esophageal cancer is the most common malignancy in Western Kenya and patients present with advanced disease. Objective: To determine baseline level of knowledge of esophageal cancer in Bomet District in order to develop targeted and effective educational classes. Methods: A questionnaire with twelve questions testing knowledge about esophageal cancer and eight questions aimed at […]
Determinants of nutritional status among pregnant women in East Shoa zone, Central Ethiopia
Background: Undernutrition is an insufficient intake of energy and nutrients to meet an individual’s needs to maintain good health. Undernutrition during pregnancy severely affects the health of mothers and her baby. Globally it contributes directly or indirectly to 3.5 million maternal deaths annually. This study aimed to determine the level of undernutrition and identify factors […]
Female migrants, family members and community socio-demographic characteristics influence facility delivery in Rufiji, Tanzania
Background: Health professionals and public health experts in maternal and newborn health encourage women to deliver at health facilities in an effort to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. In the existing literature, there is scant information on how migration, family members and community influence facility delivery. This study addresses this knowledge gap using 10 years of […]
Early initiation of antenatal care and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health centres in Bahir Dar Zuria zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with, early initiation of antenatal care (ANC) follow-up among pregnant women attending ANC services at Bahir Dar Zuria zone public health centres (HCs), Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. DESIGN: An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 December 2020 to 1 March 2021. A […]
