Developing and implementing a novel mentorship model (4+ 1) for maternal, newborn and child health in Rwanda
Background: There are a number of factors that may contribute to high mortality and morbidity of women and newborns in low-income countries. These include a shortage of competent health care providers (HCP) and a lack of sufficient continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities. Strengthening the skills and building the capacity of HCP involved in the provision […]
The impact of maternal diet fortification with lipid-based nutrient supplements on postpartum depression in rural Malawi: a randomised-controlled trial
Perinatal depression is highly prevalent in low-and-middle-income countries and has been linked to poor child health. Suboptimal maternal nutrition may be a risk factor for perinatal depression. In this randomised-controlled trial conducted in rural Malawi, we set out to test the hypothesis that women taking a fatty acid-rich lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) would have fewer […]
Tubaramure, a Food-Assisted Integrated Health and Nutrition Program, Reduces Child Wasting in Burundi: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial
Background: Little is known about the impact of food-assisted maternal and child health programs (FA-MCHN) on child wasting. Objectives: We assessed the impact of Tubaramure, a FA-MCHN program in Burundi, on child (0 to 24 months) wasting and the differential impacts by socio-economic characteristics and age. The program targeted women and their children during the […]
Understanding the influence of the MomConnect programme on antenatal and postnatal care service utilisation in two South African provinces: A realist evaluation protocol
Introduction Timely antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) attendance decrease maternal and child mortality by improving maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. Mobile health or mHealth has been identified as an effective way of improving the uptake of MCH services. The MomConnect programme is an mHealth initiative launched by the National Department of Health […]
Midwife-performed checklist and ultrasound to identify obstetric conditions at labour triage in Uganda: A quasi-experimental study
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a midwife-performed checklist and limited obstetric ultrasound on sensitivity and positive predictive value for a composite outcome comprising multiple gestation, placenta praevia, oligohydramnios, preterm birth, malpresentation, abnormal foetal heart rate. Design: Quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study. Setting: Maternity unit at a district hospital in […]
Facility-Based Delivery during the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in Rural Liberia: Analysis from a Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Household Survey
Background: The Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic has threatened access to basic health services through facility closures, resource diversion, and decreased demand due to community fear and distrust. While modeling studies have attempted to estimate the impact of these disruptions, no studies have yet utilized population-based survey data. Methods and Findings: We conducted a two-stage, […]
Sustainable Survival for adolescents living with HIV: Do SDG-aligned provisions reduce potential mortality risk
Introduction: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a groundbreaking global development agenda to protect the most vulnerable. Adolescents living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience extreme health vulnerabilities, but we know little about the impacts of SDG-aligned provisions on their health. This study tests associations of provisions aligned with five SDGs with potential […]
Strengths and limitations of computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) for nutrition data collection in rural Kenya
Despite progress in fighting undernutrition, Africa has the highest rates of undernutrition globally, exacerbated by drought and conflict. Mobile phones are emerging as a tool for rapid, cost effective data collection at scale in Africa, as mobile phone subscriptions and phone ownership increase at the highest rates globally. To assess the feasibility and biases of […]
Correlates of diarrhoea among children below the age of 5 years in Sudan
Background: The Millennium Development Goals recognise child health and survival as an important socio-development issue. Objective: To determine the correlates of diarrhoea among children aged below 5 years in north Sudan. Methods: We conducted secondary data analysis of the Sudan Multiple Cluster Indicators Survey II. Results: Altogether, 23,295 children were included in the survey. Half […]
Malaria profile and socioeconomic predictors among under-five children: an analysis of 11 sub-Saharan African countries
Background: African region accounts for 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths with under-five children accounting for 80% of all deaths in the region. This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of malaria prevalence and provide evidence on the socioeconomic profile of malaria infection among under-five children in 11 SSA countries. Methods: This […]
