Incidence of postpartum and neonatal illnesses and utilization of healthcare services in rural communities in southern Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study
Although improving postpartum and neonatal health is a key element of the Ethiopian health extension program, the burdens of postpartum and neonatal illnesses and healthcare-seeking in rural communities in Ethiopia are poorly characterized. Therefore, we aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors for these illnesses and measure the utilization of healthcare services. We conducted […]
Policy-maker attitudes to the ageing of the HIV cohort in Botswana
Background: The roll out of antiretroviral therapy in Botswana, as in many countries with near universal access to treatment, has transformed HIV into a complex yet manageable chronic condition and has led to the emergence of a population aging with HIV. Although there has been some realization of this development at international level, no clear […]
Lower extremity amputations (LEAs) in a tertiary hospital in Togo: a retrospective analysis of clinical, biological, radiological, and therapeutic aspects
Background: We analysed the clinical, biological, radiological profiles, and therapeutic patterns of the patients who underwent a surgical lower extremity amputation (LEA) in Togo from 2010 to 2020. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical files of adult patients who underwent an LEA at a single centre (Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital) from 1st January 2010 to 31st […]
Serum magnesium and calcium in preeclampsia: A comparative study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Background: A large percentage (16% of maternal mortality in developed countries, compared to 9% in developing countries), is due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The etiology of preeclampsia remains unknown, with poorly understood pathophysiology. Magnesium and calcium play an important role in vascular smooth muscle function and therefore a possible role in the development of […]
Mortality among 5-17 year old children in Kenya
Introduction: Global mortality trends have changed over time and are expected to continue changing with a reduction in communicable diseases and an increase of non-communicable disease. Increased survival of children beyond five years may change mortality patterns for these children. There are few studies in Africa that explore the causes of mortality in children over […]
Perception towards preeclampsia and perceived barriers to early health-seeking among pregnant women in selected Hospitals of South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Background Preeclampsia is one of the top maternal morbidity and mortality that disproportionately affects pregnant women in low and middle-income countries where access and quality of health services are limited. People in different areas perceive preeclampsia differently which directly or indirectly affects the timing and place of heath seeking. Positive perception about perceived causes, perceived […]
How equitable is social franchising? Case studies of three maternal healthcare franchises in Uganda and India
Substantial investments have been made in clinical social franchising to improve quality of care of private facilities in low- and middle-income countries but concerns have emerged that the benefits fail to reach poorer groups. We assessed the distribution of franchise utilization and content of care by socio-economic status (SES) in three maternal healthcare social franchises […]
Long-term trends in seasonality of mortality in urban Madagascar: the role of the epidemiological transition
Background: Seasonal patterns of mortality have been identified in Sub-Saharan Africa but their changes over time are not well documented. Objective: Based on death notification data from Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, this study assesses seasonal patterns of all-cause and cause-specific mortality by age groups and evaluates how these patterns changed over the period […]
Progress in adolescent health and wellbeing: tracking 12 headline indicators for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016
Background: Rapid demographic, epidemiological, and nutritional transitons have brought a pressing need to track progress in adolescent health. Here, we present country-level estimates of 12 headline indicators from the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, from 1990 to 2016. Methods: Indicators included those of health outcomes (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs] due to communicable, maternal, and […]
Nitric oxide and pre-eclampsia: A comparative study in Ghana
BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Though common, the aetiology of preeclampsia has remained unknown with several inconclusive theories surrounding the disease. Recent studies have implicated vascular endothelial dysfunction and possibly nitric oxide in preeclampsia. AIM: To compare plasma nitric oxide levels in pre-eclampsia and healthy […]
