Challenges in accessing maternal and child health services during COVID-19 and the potential role of social networking technologies
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic causes new challenges to women and their babies who still need to access postnatal care amidst the crisis. The novel application of social network technologies (SNTs) could potentially enhance access to healthcare during this difficult time. Objectives: This study describes the challenges experienced in accessing maternal and child health services by […]
Trends and causes of socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare in Ghana, 2003–2014
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the trends of socioeconomic-related inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana between 2003 and 2014 and examine the causes of inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: Data are drawn from three rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey collected in 2003, 2008 and […]
Factors associated with the use of maternity services in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria
The maternal mortality ratio and other maternal health indicators are worse for developing countries than for the developed world due to improved access to quality care during pregnancy and especially at delivery in the industrialized world. This study was carried out to identify the factors which influenced choice of place of delivery by pregnant women […]
Inequities in utilization of maternal health interventions in Namibia: Implications for progress towards MDG 5 targets
Background. Inequities in the utilization of maternal health services impede progress towards the MDG 5 target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015. In Namibia, despite increasing investments in the health sector, the maternal mortality ratio has increased from 271 per 100,000 live births in the period 1991-2000 to […]
Ethnic disparities in utilisation of maternal health care services in Ghana: Evidence from the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey
Objective. Disparities in utilisation of maternal health care remain a challenge to attainment of the maternal health-related Millennium Development Goals. The objective of this descriptive study was to examine disparities in utilisation of maternal health care among ethnic groups in Ghana.Design. Data from the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey were analysed for disparities in antenatal […]
A qualitative study of the maternal health information-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Mpwapwa district, Tanzania
Background: Active engagement in seeking maternal health information among women of reproductive age is vital in promoting positive health-seeking behaviour and improving maternal health outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to explore maternal health information-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in a rural Tanzania. Methods: Using a qualitative research approach, the study held eight focus […]
Men’s perception of barriers to women’s use and access of skilled pregnancy care in rural Nigeria: A qualitative study
Background: Greater paternal engagement is positively associated with improved access to and utilization of maternal services. Despite evidence that male involvement increased uptake of maternal and child services, studies show that few men are participating in MNCH programs. Community leaders have long been engaged in public health promotion in rural settings and have been shown […]
Maternal health care in five sub-Saharan African countries
This paper examines inequalities in access to maternal health care services and identifies demographic and socio-economic factors associated with poor maternal health outcomes using data from five Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Ghana (2003), Kenya (2003), Nigeria (2003), Uganda (2000-2001) and Zambia (2001-2002). The six maternal health care indicators show that rural women are […]
Exploring the feasibility of eHealth solutions to decrease delays in maternal healthcare in remote communities of Ghana
Background: Despite the introduction of the Millennium Development Goal to reduce maternal deaths from 400 to 100 per 100,000 live births, the proportion of maternal deaths is still much higher in most developing countries like Ghana. Various interventions have been implemented in Ghana that focus on increasing skilled maternal care. These are especially needed in […]
Male involvement in utilization of emergency obstetric care and averting of deaths for maternal near misses in Rakai district in Central Uganda
Although studies have assessed male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness, little is known about their involvement after the onset of maternal near miss complications. This information is important in developing appropriate strategies for male involvement in accessing emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in order to reduce Uganda’s high maternal mortality ratio. The study examined […]
