The predictors of different measures of dietary diversity among one-year-olds in South Africa

Objectives: A study was undertaken to compare a range of dietary diversity indicators and their predictors among one-year-olds. Design: Multivariate regression analysis was employed, where dietary diversity indicators are the outcome variables and the main predictor variables are access to resources and maternal education. Three different dietary diversity indicators are analysed: a count of food […]

‘She needs permission’: A qualitative study to examine barriers and enablers to accessing maternal and reproductive health services among women and their communities in rural Tanzania

The objective of this study was to examine the factors which serve as barriers and enablers to accessing maternal and reproductive health services among women in rural Tanzania. A qualitative study, utilizing focus group discussions (FGDs), was conducted in three districts. An interview guide was developed that focused on individual or community-based factors affecting women’s […]

Structural, programmatic, and sociocultural intersectionality of gender influencing access-uptake of reproductive, maternal, and child health services in developing regions of Ethiopia: A qualitative study

Background Gender remains a critical social factor in reproductive, maternal, and child health and family planning (RMNCH/FP) care. However, its intersectionality with other social determinants of the RMNCH remains poorly documented. This study aimed to explore the influence of gender intersectionality on the access uptake of RMNCH/FP in Developing Regional States (DRS) in Ethiopia. Methods […]

“We have a lot of home deliveries” A qualitative study on the impact of COVID-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastleigh, Kenya

Background: Little is known about how pregnant refugee women, and the frontline health care workers who serve them, are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of health, and health service access. Women refugees are classified as a vulnerable group with regard to pregnancy outcomes and access to maternal care, and may be disproportionally at […]

Beyond the numbers of maternal near-miss in Rwanda – a qualitative study on women’s perspectives on access and experiences of care in early and late stage of pregnancy

Background: Rwanda has made remarkable progress in decreasing the number of maternal deaths, yet women still face morbidities and mortalities during pregnancy. We explored care-seeking and experiences of maternity care among women who suffered a near-miss event during either the early or late stage of pregnancy, and identified potential health system limitations or barriers to […]

Improving maternal healthcare utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa through micro-finance

Purpose: This paper aims to examine links between women’s access to micro-finance and how they use maternal healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach: The authors use theoretical and empirical literature to propose a framework to sustain and improve women’s access to maternal healthcare services through micro-financing. Findings: It is found that improved access to […]

Barriers to Access of Maternity Care in Kenya: A Social Perspective

Objective: In response to high maternal mortality rates, the global community has rallied to improve the state of maternal health worldwide. However, progress towards the fifth Millennium Development Goal, “Improve Maternal Health,” has been disappointingly slow. There is a pressing need to address the factors that contribute to maternal mortality, one of which is access […]

Assessing the impact of geographical access to health facilities on maternal healthcare utilization: Evidence from the Burkina Faso demographic and health survey 2010

Background: Improving maternal and child health (MCH) remains a serious challenge for many developing countries. Geographical accessibility from a residence to the nearest health facility is suspected to be an important obstacle hampering the use of appropriate services for MCH especially in Sub-Sharan African countries. In Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in the Sahel region […]

Access and utilisation of reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health services among women who inject drugs in coastal Kenya: Findings from a qualitative study

Introduction: The Kenyan government has committed to increasing access to comprehensive reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) services. However, inequalities still exist. Women who inject drugs are an important sub-population for public health interventions, yet their RMNCH needs have largely been overlooked. Additionally, there is a lack of research to inform RMNCH interventions for […]

Unlocking community capabilities for improving maternal and newborn health: participatory action research to improve birth preparedness, health facility access, and newborn care in rural Uganda

Background: Community capacities and resources must be harnessed to complement supply side initiatives addressing high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Uganda. This paper reflects on gains, challenges and lessons learnt from working with communities to improve maternal and newborn health in rural Uganda. Methods: A participatory action research project was supported from 2012 to […]