Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior for Neonatal Danger Signs and Associated Factors Among Post-Partum Mothers in Southeast Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Early health care seeking could save neonates’ lives and have a significant role in decreasing neonatal death, while delayed health care seeking has many contributions to neonatal mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess maternal health-seeking behavior for neonatal danger signs and associated factors among postpartum mothers in Southeast Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was […]
Rapid replacement by non-vaccine pneumococcal serotypes may mitigate the impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on nasopharyngeal bacterial ecology
There is growing concern that interventions that alter microbial ecology can adversely affect health. We characterised the impact of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on pneumococcal carriage and the bacterial component of the nasopharyngeal microbiome during infancy. Newborns were recruited into three groups as follows: Group1 (n = 33) was the control group and […]
In Utero ART Exposure and Birth and Early Growth Outcomes among HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants Attending Immunization Services: Results from National PMTCT Surveillance, South Africa
Background: Despite the recognized benefit of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for preventing and treating HIV, some studies have reported adverse birth outcomes with in utero ART exposure. We evaluated the effect of infant in utero HIV and ART exposure on preterm delivery (PTD), low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and underweight for age […]
Inequality in fertility rate among adolescents: evidence from Timor-Leste demographic and health surveys 2009–2016
Background: Despite a decline in global adolescent birth rate, many countries in South East Asia still experience a slower pace decline in adolescent birth rates. Timor-Leste is one of the countries in the region with the highest adolescent birth rate and huge disparities between socio-economic subgroups. Hence, this study assessed the magnitude and trends in […]
Effects of parenting classes and economic strengthening for caregivers on the cognition of HIV-exposed infants: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial in rural Zimbabwe
Introduction HIV-exposed children show signs of developmental delay. We assessed the impact of a pragmatic multicomponent intervention for caregivers of HIV-exposed children aged 0-2 years in Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a cluster-randomised trial from 2016 to 2018. Clusters were catchments surrounding clinics, allocated (1:1) to either National HIV guidelines standard of care or standard care […]
The association of gut microbiota characteristics in Malawian infants with growth and inflammation
We tested the hypotheses that a more mature or diverse gut microbiota will be positively associated with infant growth and inversely associated with inflammation. We characterized gut microbiota from the stool samples of Malawian infants at 6 mo (n = 527), 12 mo (n = 632) and 18 mo (n = 629) of age. Microbiota […]
Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Aleta Wondo District, Southern Ethiopia
Background. Dietary diversity (DD) is among the core infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators. However, in many developing countries, meeting the minimum standards of DD is challenging and information concerning its determinants is limited. Objective. To assess the level and predictors of DD among children aged 6-23 months in rural communities of Aleta Wondo […]
Impact of the free healthcare initiative on wealth-related inequity in the utilization of maternal & child health services in Sierra Leone
Background: As a result of financial barriers to the utilization of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, the Government of Sierra Leone launched the Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) in 2010. This study aimed to examine the impact of the FHCI on wealth related inequity in the utilization of three MCH services. Methods: We analysed […]
“midwives do not appreciate pregnant women who come to the maternity with torn and dirty clothing”: Institutional delivery and postnatal care in Torit County, South Sudan: A mixed method study
Background: South Sudan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, at 789 deaths per 100,000 live births. The majority of these deaths are due to complications during labor and delivery. Institutional delivery under the care of skilled attendants is a proven, effective intervention to avert some deaths. The aim was to […]
Implementation and evaluation of nonclinical interventions for appropriate use of cesarean section in low- And middle-income countries: Protocol for a multisite hybrid effectiveness-implementation type III trial
Background: While cesarean sections (CSs) are a life-saving intervention, an increasing number are performed without medical reasons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unnecessary CS diverts scarce resources and thereby reduces access to healthcare for women in need. Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and Vietnam are committed to reducing unnecessary CS, but many individual and organizational […]