Changes in care-seeking for common childhood illnesses in the context of Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) program implementation in Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia
Background Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) is a strategy for promoting access of under-served populations to lifesaving treatments through extending case management of common childhood illnesses to trained frontline health workers. In Ethiopia iCCM is provided by health extension workers (HEWs) deployed at health posts. We evaluated the association between the implementation of iCCM program […]
Protocol for a feasibility randomised control trial for continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes at first-level hospitals in rural Malawi
Introduction The majority of people living with type 1 diabetes (PLWT1D) struggle to access high-quality care in low-income countries (LICs), and lack access to technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), that are considered standard of care in high resource settings. To our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature describing the feasibility or effectiveness […]
Women’s empowerment, intrahousehold influences, and health system design on modern contraceptive use in rural Mali: a multilevel analysis of cross-sectional survey data
Background: Persistent challenges in meeting reproductive health and family planning goals underscore the value in determining what factors can be leveraged to facilitate modern contraceptive use, especially in poor access settings. In Mali, where only 15% of reproductive-aged women use modern contraception, understanding how women’s realities and health system design influence contraceptive use helps to […]
Correlates of HIV detection among breastfeeding postpartum Kenyan women eligible under Option B+
Background The Option B+ strategy streamlines delivery of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) to pregnant women, but concerns remain about ART treatment adherence and long term outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of a cohort of HIV-positive, postpartum breastfeeding women receiving ART via Option B+ in Nairobi, Kenya. The primary outcome was virologic failure in […]
Availability of drugs and medical supplies for emergency obstetric care: Experience of health facility managers in a rural District of Tanzania
Background: Provision of quality emergency obstetric care relies upon the presence of skilled health attendants working in an environment where drugs and medical supplies are available when needed and in adequate quantity and of assured quality. This study aimed to describe the experience of rural health facility managers in ensuring the timely availability of drugs […]
The human resource implications of improving financial risk protection for mothers and newborns in Zimbabwe
Background: A paradigm shift in global health policy on user fees has been evident in the last decade with a growing consensus that user fees undermine equitable access to essential health care in many low and middle income countries. Changes to fees have major implications for human resources for health (HRH), though the linkages are […]
Suicide attempts and behavioral correlates among a nationally representative sample of school-attending adolescents in the Republic of Malawi
Background: Suicide is among the top causes of adolescent mortality worldwide. While correlates of suicidal behavior are better understood and delineated in upper-income countries, epidemiologic knowledge of suicidal behavior in low-income countries remains scant, particularly in the African continent. The present study sought to add to the epidemiologic literature on suicidal behavior in Africa by […]
Menstrual pattern, sexual behaviors, and contraceptive use among postpartum women in Nairobi Urban Slums
Postpartum months provide a challenging period for poor women. This study examined patterns of menstrual resumption, sexual behaviors and contraceptive use among urban poor postpartum women. Women were eligible for this study if they had a birth after the period September 2006 and were residents of two Nairobi slums of Korogocho and Viwandani. The two […]
Maternal Time Use Drives Suboptimal Complementary Feeding Practices in the El Niño-Affected Eastern Ethiopia Community
Ethiopia is affected by recurrent drought and food-insecurity crises, including El Niño. El Niño started in mid-2014, worsened in 2015, and continued in 2016, leading to a widespread food-insecurity emergency resulting in a surge in the rate of acute malnutrition in infants due to suboptimal feeding practices. This study explored how El Niño influenced complementary […]
Incidence and determinants of stillbirth among women who gave birth in jimma university specialized hospital, Ethiopia
Introduction: Worldwide approximately 2.7 million are stillborn, more than 98% of these occur in developing countries. To address the problem, incidence and determinants of stillbirth must be understood. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess incidence and determinants of stillbirth among women who gave birth in Jimma University specialized hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional […]