Perceptions and predictors of respectful maternity care in Malawi: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis
Objective: Access to high-quality, respectful care is a basic human right. A lack of respectful care during childbirth is associated with poor outcomes and can negatively influence care-seeking and maternal mental health. We aimed to describe how women perceive their experience of maternity care in Malawi. Methods: We implemented a cross-sectional survey of women (n […]
The Amagugu Intervention: A Conceptual Framework for Increasing HIV Disclosure and Parent-Led Communication about Health among HIV-Infected Parents with HIV-Uninfected Primary School-Aged Children
Advances in access to HIV prevention and treatment have reduced vertical transmission of HIV, with most children born to HIV-infected parents being HIV-uninfected themselves. A major challenge that HIV-infected parents face is disclosure of their HIV status to their predominantly HIV-uninfected children. Their children enter middle childhood and early adolescence facing many challenges associated with […]
Assessing predictors of delayed antenatal care visits in Rwanda: A secondary analysis of Rwanda demographic and health survey 2010
Background: Early initiation of antenatal care (ANC) can reduce common maternal complications and maternal and perinatal mortality. Though Rwanda demonstrated a remarkable decline in maternal mortality and 98% of Rwandan women receive antenatal care from a skilled provider, only 38% of women have an ANC visit in their first three months of pregnancy. This study […]
The influence of maternal migration on child vaccination in Kenya: An inverse probability of treatment-weighted analysis
Objectives: Kenya has substantially improved child mortality between 1990 and 2019, with under-5 mortality decreasing from 104 to 43 deaths per 1000 live births. However, only two-thirds of Kenyan children receive all recommended vaccines by 1 year, making it essential to identify undervaccinated subpopulations. Internal migrants are a potentially vulnerable group at risk of decreased […]
Maternal morbidity measurement tool pilot: Study protocol
Background: While it is estimated that for every maternal death, 20-30 women suffer morbidity, these estimates are not based on standardized methods and measures. Lack of an agreed-upon definition, identification criteria, standardized assessment tools, and indicators has limited valid, routine, and comparable measurements of maternal morbidity. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened the Maternal Morbidity […]
Developing a community driven sustainable model of maternity waiting homes for rural Zambia
Background maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are residential dwellings located near health facilities where women in the late stages of pregnancy stay to await childbirth and receive immediate postpartum services. These shelters help overcome distance and transportation barriers that prevent women from receiving timely skilled obstetric care. Objective the purpose of this study was to explore […]
Child vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: Increasing coverage addresses inequalities
Background: Vaccines have substantially contributed to reducing morbidity and mortality among children, but inequality in coverage continues to persist. In this study, we aimed to examine inequalities in child vaccination coverage in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We analysed Demographic and Health Survey data in 25 sub-Saharan African countries. We defined full vaccination coverage as a child […]
International child health: 10 Years of democracy in South Africa; the challenges facing children today
Decades of discriminatory apartheid policies resulted in marked racial disparity in children’s health in South Africa. In 1994, the country’s first democratically elected government prioritised maternal and child health. Ten years of democracy have yielded varied success for child health and well-being. Although excellent policies now exist, there has been less success in transforming these […]
Infant-parent psychotherapy at primary care level: Establishment of a service
Background. Access to infant and child psychiatric care in South Africa is limited. With focus on maternal and infant mental health, early identification and management of developmental, behavioural and psychosocial parent-child problems can be initiated. Objectives. To establish a mental health service for children aged 0 – 3 years, for delivery of infant-parent psychotherapy in […]
Emergency obstetrical care in Benin referral hospitals: ‘Near miss’ patients’ views
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate emergency obstetric care and the perceptions and expectations of women who experienced ‘near miss’ events to improve maternal health in Benin. METHODS: Qualitative survey in seven hospitals at the three referral levels of the health pyramid from July to October 2003. We used two methods: 557 women with near miss events were […]
