Maternal exposure to intimate partner violence and uptake of maternal healthcare services in Ethiopia: Evidence from a national survey
Background Women exposed to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) often do not utilize maternal health care optimally both because of stigma and other social problems. The current study aims to explore an association between maternal healthcare seeking and violence exposure among Ethiopian women and to assess if educational attainment and wealth status moderate this association. Methods […]
Women’s experiences in accessing maternal and child health services during the period of the armed conflict in the north of mali
Background: During the year 2012 armed conflict in the northern regions of Mali, health care services were no longer able to run in the normal way and women’s access to health services became a critical issue in those regions. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the women’s experiences in accessing maternal and […]
The economic burden of maternal mortality on households: Evidence from three sub-counties in rural western Kenya
Background: This study explores the consequences of a maternal death to households in rural Western Kenya focusing particularly on the immediate financial and economic impacts. Methods: Between September 2011 and March 2013 all households in the study area with a maternal death were surveyed. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics of the deceased woman; […]
Maternal health literacy, utilisation of maternal healthcare services and pregnancy outcomes among newly delivered mothers: A cross-sectional study in Nigeria
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess and determine associations between maternal health literacy (MHL) levels, utilisation of maternal healthcare services and pregnancy outcomes among newly delivered mothers. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: In total, 185 newly delivered mothers were selected from two health facilities using a purposive sampling technique. Data were […]
Community-physician-based versus hospital-based antenatal care: A comparison of patient satisfaction
Background: Strategies to meet the healthcare needs of pregnant women are made available throughout antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal periods. These strategies are aimed at reducing perinatal and maternal mortality amongst women who access and utilize healthcare at an early stage. Late visits with irregular antenatal attendance result in failure to adequately use antenatal interventions. Objectives: […]
Early diagnosis is critical to ensure good outcomes in HIV-infected children: Outlining barriers to care
HIV-infected children require early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to ensure good outcomes. The aim was to investigate missed opportunities in childhood HIV diagnosis leading to delayed ART initiation. Baseline data were reviewed of all children aged
Identifying geographical inequalities of maternal care utilization in Ethiopia: a Spatio-temporal analysis from 2005 to 2019
Introduction: Inequalities in maternal care utilization pose a significant threat to maternal health programs. This study aimed to describe and explain the spatial variation in maternal care utilization among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Accordingly, this study focuses on identifying hotspots of underutilization and mapping maternal care utilization, as well as identifying predictors of spatial clustering […]
Dynamics and constraints of early infant diagnosis of HIV infection in rural Kenya
A cohort design was used to determine uptake and drop out of 213 HIV-exposed infants eligible for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV. To explore service providers and care givers knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the EID process, observations and in-depth interviews were conducted. 145 (68%) infants enrolled after 2 months of age. 139 (65%) […]
Child health services during a COVID-19 outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Background. Current evidence indicates that children are relatively spared from direct COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, but that the indirect effects of the pandemic pose significant risks to their health and wellbeing. Objectives. To assess the impact of the local COVID-19 outbreak on routine child health services. Methods. The District Health Information System data set for […]
Barriers and enablers to young people accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: A scoping review
Background The number of young people utilising sexual and reproductive health services in Pacific Island Countries and Territories remains poor despite the availability and the existence of the fundamental rights to access these services. Adolescents and youth need accurate information and timely access to contraceptives to prevent adverse consequences associated with unintended pregnancies, abortion, childbirth […]
