Impact of maternity waiting homes on facility delivery among remote households in Zambia: Protocol for a quasiexperimental, mixed-methods study
Introduction Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) aim to improve access to facility delivery in rural areas. However, there is limited rigorous evidence of their effectiveness. Using formative research, we developed an MWH intervention model with three components: infrastructure, management and linkage to services. This protocol describes a study to measure the impact of the MWH model […]
Magnitude and associated factors of disrespect and abusive care among laboring mothers at public health facilities in Borena District, South Wollo, Ethiopia
Background Recent studies have indicated that disrespectful/abusive/coercive service by skilled care providers in health facilities that results in actual or perceived poor quality of care is directly and indirectly associated with adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. According to the 2016 Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey, only 26% of births were attended by qualified clinicians, with […]
A qualitative study to explore dietary knowledge, beliefs, and practices among pregnant women in a rural health zone in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Background: A nutritious and healthy diet during pregnancy is essential for the health of both mother and baby. Inadequate dietary intake during pregnancy contributes to maternal malnutrition and can have lifelong effects on the health of the child. Maternal malnutrition is common in many low-income countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kwango province, […]
Prevalence of Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in a Public General Hospital, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study Design
Background. Undernutrition is a global health problem, particularly in pregnant women. Despite the limited studies performed in different parts of Ethiopia, the information about the prevalence of undernutrition of pregnant women in the current study area is not documented. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors in pregnant women. […]
Users’ perspectives on the quality of family planning services in Mozambique: a case study
Introduction: user satisfaction assessment has been increasingly important in ensuring health care quality and guidance in the health sector. Africa is the region in the world with the lowest prevalence of contraception use. Universal access to family planning has one of the highest rates of benefits for cost among strategic options for development. Family planning […]
Effect of postpartum depression on exclusive breast-feeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mood disorder that affects behavioural, physical and mental health of women and newborn after childbirth. Although a wide range of research have been conducted on maternal and infant health outcomes, the effect of postpartum depression on exclusive breastfeeding practices remains ambiguous, and needs addressing. The aim of this […]
Assessment of Midwife Knowledge, Practice, and Associated Factors towards Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor at Governmental Health Institutions in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia, 2018
Introduction. Globally, postpartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, and it accounts for more than 25% of all maternal deaths. The majority of death due to postpartum hemorrhage is caused by uterine atony. Routine and correct usage of active management of the third stage of labor decreases the occurrence of […]
Providers adherence to essential contents of antenatal care services increases birth weight in Bahir Dar City Administration, north West Ethiopia: A prospective follow up study
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the most important factors affecting child morbidity and mortality worldwide. Antenatal care (ANC) is an opportunity for reaching pregnant women with a number of interventions that may be vital to their health and well-being of their infants. However, data on the link between ANC quality and LBW […]
Neonatal mortality and associated factors in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional population-based study
Background: The neonatal period is the most critical time of human life for diseases. Neonatal morbidity and mortality are significant contributors to under-five morbidity and mortality in a low-income country like Ethiopia. Women are one of the key actors for the improvement of maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. However, there’s no evidence on the […]
Immunization status of children aged 12-23 months in Jonglei State, South Sudan: a cross-sectional epidemiologic study
Introduction: the immunization program focuses on reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. The purpose of the study was to determine the state of immunization coverage of children aged 12-23 months in Jonglei State, South Sudan, and to identify the factors that contribute to the low immunization coverage. Methods: a cross-sectional epidemiologic study […]
