Associations of Enteric Protein Loss, Vaccine Response, Micronutrient Deficiency, and Maternal Depressive Symptoms with Deviance in Childhood Linear Growth: Results from a Multicountry Birth Cohort Study
We identified the determinants of positive (children who had a birth weight, 2.5 kg and/or maternal height, 145 cm but were nonstunted at 24 months of age) and negative (children who had a birth weight $ 2.5 kg and maternal height $ 145 cm but were stunted at 24 months of age) deviance in childhood […]
Trends in burden and risk factors associated with childhood stunting in Rwanda from 2000 to 2015: Policy and program implications
Background: Rwanda has made substantial economic progress over the past two decades. However, evidence suggests that malnutrition among children remains high in spite of this progress. This study aims to examine trends and potential risk factors associated with childhood stunting from 2000 to 2015 in Rwanda. Methods: Data for this study come from the 2000 […]
Individual-level and community-level factors associated with eight or more antenatal care contacts in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 36 sub-Saharan African countries
Objective To reduce maternal mortality, the WHO has been introducing several antenatal care (ANC) measures. Pregnancy-related preventable morbidity and mortality, on the other hand, remain alarmingly high. This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and the factors associated with eight or more ANC visits in sub-Saharan Africa. Design A population-based, cross-sectional investigation was conducted. […]
Factors associated with inadequate prenatal care service utilization in Ethiopia according to the WHO recommended standard guidelines
Background: Adequate maternal health care could prevent 54% of maternal deaths in low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, the maternal mortality rate was reduced from 817 to 412 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2016. Thus, the current study focuses on the adequacy of prenatal care (PNC) services rather than the mere prenatal […]
Patterns and trends of contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Nigeria: Evidence from cross-sectional studies
Background: The benefits of universal access to voluntary contraception have been widely documented in terms of maternal and newborn survival, women’s empowerment, and human capital. Given population dynamics, the choices and opportunities adolescents have in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health information and services could significantly affect the burden of diseases and nations’ […]
Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women’s capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda
Background: Community participatory interventions mobilizing women of childbearing age are an effective strategy to promote maternal and child health. In 2017, we implemented this strategy in Gulu Northern Uganda. This study explored the perceived impact of this approach on women’s capability. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study based on three data collection methods: 14 in-depth […]
Addressing the huge poor–rich gap of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care: A first step to achieving universal maternal health coverage in Tanzania
Introduction Despite skilled attendance during childbirth has been linked with the reduction of maternal deaths, equality in accessing this safe childbirth care is highly needed to achieving universal maternal health coverage. However, little information is available regarding the extent of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care in Tanzania. This study was performed to assess the […]
‘If he sees it with his own eyes, he will understand’: How gender informed the content and delivery of a maternal nutrition intervention in Burkina Faso
A growing body of literature urges policymakers, practitioners and scientists to consider gender in the design and evaluation of health interventions. We report findings from formative research to develop and refine an mHealth maternal nutrition intervention in Nouna, Burkina Faso, one of the world’s most resource-poor settings. Gender was not an initial research focus, but […]
Health care providers’ knowledge of clinical protocols for postpartum hemorrhage care in Kenya: a cross-sectional study
Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal death worldwide despite its often-preventable nature. Understanding health care providers’ knowledge of clinical protocols is imperative for improving quality of care and reducing mortality. This is especially pertinent in referral and teaching hospitals that train nursing and medical students and interns in addition to managing […]
Drivers of food consumption among overweight mother-child dyads in Malawi
To address the increase in overweight and obesity among mothers and children in sub- Saharan Africa, an understanding of the factors that drive their food consumption is needed. We hypothesized food consumption in Malawi is driven by a combination of factors, including season, food accessibility (area of residence, convenience of purchasing food, female autonomy), food […]
