Effect of 12-month intervention with lipid-based nutrient supplement on the physical activity of Malawian toddlers: A randomised, controlled trial

Physical activity is beneficial for children’s well-being. The effect of dietary supplementation on children’s physical activity in food-insecure areas remains little studied. We examined the effects of a lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) on children’s objectively measured physical activity in a randomised, controlled, outcome-assessor-blinded trial. Mothers of the children received one capsule daily of Fe-folic acid […]

Maternal mental health priorities, help-seeking behaviors, and resources in post-conflict settings: A qualitative study in eastern Uganda

Background: Limited knowledge exists to inform the selection and introduction of locally relevant, feasible, and effective mental health interventions in diverse socio-cultural contexts and health systems. We examined stakeholders’ perspectives on mental health-related priorities, help-seeking behaviors, and existing resources to guide the development of a maternal mental health component for integration into non-specialized care in […]

Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among children aged 6-59 months in Cameroon: A multistage, stratified cluster sampling nationwide survey

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children ( 2) and obesity (BMI for age > 3). Regression analyses were performed to investigate risk factors of overweight/obesity. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 8% (1.7% for obesity […]

Food Insecurity and Maternal Diet Influence Human Milk Composition between the Infant’s Birth and 6 Months after Birth in Central-Africa

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, evidence is scarce on how the mother’s undernourishment status at delivery and maternal dietary factors influence human milk (HM) composition during the first 6 months of life in regions with high food insecurity. […]

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a quality improvement intervention to support integration of maternal, child and HIV care in primary health care facilities in South Africa

Background: Despite policies and guidelines recommending integration of health services in South Africa, provision of maternal and child health services remains fragmented. This study evaluated a rapid, scaleable, quality improvement (QI) intervention to improve integration of maternal and child health and HIV services at a primary health level, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: A three-month […]

What factors are associated with pre-pregnancy nutritional status? Baseline analysis of the KITE cohort: A prospective study in northern Ethiopia

Objective To assess a broad range of factors associated with pre-pregnancy nutritional status, a key step towards improving maternal and child health outcomes, in Ethiopia. Design A baseline data analysis of a population-based prospective study. Setting Kilite-Awlaelo Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, eastern zone of Tigray regional state, northern Ethiopia. Participants We used weight measurements […]

Women empowerment and skilled birth attendance in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicountry analysis

Introduction In 2017, the highest global maternal deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The WHO advocates that maternal deaths can be mitigated with the assistance of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) at childbirth. Women empowerment is also acknowledged as an enabling factor to women’s functionality and healthcare utilisation including use of SBAs’ services. Consequently, this study […]

Investigating the early-life determinants of illness in Africa: The Drakenstein Child Health Study

Respiratory disease is the predominant cause of illness in children globally. We describe a unique multidisciplinary South African birth cohort, the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), to investigate the incidence, risk factors, aetiology and long-term impact of early lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) on child health. Pregnant women from a poor, peri-urban community with high […]

Differentials in prevalence and correlates on uptake of tetanus toxoid and intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine during pregnancy: A community-based cross-sectional study in The Gambia

Objectives: The study examined the differentials in prevalence and correlates on the uptake of tetanus toxoid and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria among pregnant women in The Gambia. Methods: The 2018 data from The Gambia Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey were analyzed. Data from 6143 women of reproductive age who have given birth were extracted for […]

Strategies for helping families prepare for birth: Experiences from eastern central Uganda

Background: Promotion of birth preparedness and raising awareness of potential complications is one of the main strategies to enhance the timely utilisation of skilled care at birth and overcome barriers to accessing care during emergencies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with birth preparedness in three districts of eastern central Uganda. Design: This […]