Prompt access to effective malaria treatment among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis of national household survey data
Background: Scaling up diagnostic testing and treatment is a key strategy to reduce the burden of malaria. Delays in accessing treatment can have fatal consequences; however, few studies have systematically assessed these delays among children under five years of age in malaria-endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa. This study identifies predictors of prompt treatment with first-line […]
Maternal and neonatal mortality in south-west ethiopia: Estimates and socio-economic inequality
Introduction: Ethiopia has achieved the fourth Millennium Development Goal by reducing under 5 mortality. Nevertheless, there are challenges in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate maternal and neonatal mortality and the socio-economic inequalities of these mortalities in rural south-west Ethiopia. Methods: We visited and enumerated all households but […]
Intimate partner violence and growth outcomes through infancy: A longitudinal investigation of multiple mediators in a South African birth cohort
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been linked to poor fetal and infant growth. However, factors underlying this relationship are not well understood, particularly in the postnatal time period. In a South African cohort, we investigated (1) associations between IPV in pregnancy and growth at birth as well as postnatal IPV and child growth at 12 […]
Maternal nutritional status, decision-making autonomy and the nutritional status of adolescent girls: a cross-sectional analysis in the Mion District of Ghana
A mother’s nutritional status and participation in household decision-making, a proxy for empowerment, are known determinants of improved nutrition and health outcomes for infants and young children; however, little is known about the association among adolescents. We examined the association between maternal nutritional status, decision-making autonomy and adolescent girls’ nutritional status. We analysed data of […]
Breastfeeding education and support to improve early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices and infant growth: A cluster randomized controlled trial from a rural ethiopian setting
Although peer-led education and support may improve breastfeeding practices, there is a paucity of evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions in the Ethiopian context. We designed a cluster-randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a breastfeeding education and support intervention (BFESI) on infant growth, early initiation (EI), and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices. We randomly […]
Survival and health of children who are HIV-exposed uninfected: study protocol for the CHERISH (Children HIV-Exposed Uninfected – Research to Inform Survival and Health) dynamic, prospective, maternal-child cohort study
INTRODUCTION: CHERISH is designed to establish a long-term sustainable system for measurement of in utero and postnatal exposures and outcomes in children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed to compare survival, hospitalisation, growth and neurodevelopment in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: During 2022-2025, the CHERISH dynamic cohort is prospectively enrolling pregnant […]
Exploring underutilization of skilled maternal healthcare in rural Edo, Nigeria: A qualitative study
Introduction Existing studies have acknowledged the underutilization of skilled maternal healthcare services among women in rural Nigeria. Consequently, women in rural areas face a disproportionate risk of poor health outcomes including maternal morbidity and mortality. Addressing the challenge of non-use of skilled maternal healthcare in rural areas necessitates the involvement of multi-stakeholders across different sectors […]
An analysis of Liberia’s 2007 national health policy: lessons for health systems strengthening and chronic disease care in poor, post-conflict countries
Background: Globally, chronic diseases are responsible for an enormous burden of deaths, disability, and economic loss, yet little is known about the optimal health sector response to chronic diseases in poor, post-conflict countries. Liberia’s experience in strengthening health systems and health financing overall, and addressing HIV/AIDS and mental health in particular, provides a relevant case […]
Maternal and newborn health priority setting partnership in rural Uganda in association with the James Lind Alliance: A study protocol
Background: Maternal and newborn deaths and ill health are relatively common in low income countries, but can adequately be addressed through locally, collaboratively designed, and responsive research. This has the potential to enable the affected women, their families and health workers themselves to explore ‘why maternal and newborn adverse outcomes continue to occur. The objectives […]
Predictors of acute undernutrition among children aged 6 to 36 months in east rural Ethiopia: A community based nested case – control study
Background: Child undernutrition is one of the major public health problems in the developing countries having a devastating effect on the lives of many children under five years of age. However, its causes are multitude and not uniformly understood enough across the various parts of the world and that a thorough understanding of these causes […]
