Compliance to prenatal iron and folic acid supplement use in relation to low birth weight in lilongwe, Malawi
Prenatal iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements are offered free to all pregnant women in Malawi to reduce maternal anemia and improve birth outcomes. We investigated the association between self-reported compliance to IFA intake and risk of low birth weight (LBW). Pregnant women who attended Bwaila Maternity Wing of Lilongwe District Hospital for delivery were […]
Development of caesarean section prediction models: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study in two sub-Saharan African countries
Background: Caesarean section is recommended in situations in which vaginal birth presents a greater likelihood of adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes than normal. However, it is associated with a higher risk of complications, especially when performed without a clear medical indication. Since labour attendants have no standardised clinical method to assist in this decision, statistical […]
Trend and associated factors of cesarean section rate in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2000 2019 Ethiopia demographic and health survey data
The world health organization considers cesarean section (CS) prevalence of less than 5% suggests an unmet need. On the other hand, a prevalence of more than 15% may pose to risk to mother and child, however, access to CS in a resource-limited country like Ethiopia was much lower than the aforementioned level, Therefore, this was […]
Social stratification, diet diversity and malnutrition among preschoolers: A survey of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
In Sub-Saharan Africa, being overweight in childhood is rapidly rising while stunting is still remaining at unacceptable levels. A key contributor to this double burden of malnutrition is dietary changes associated with nutrition transition. Although the importance of socio-economic drivers is known, there is limited knowledge about their stratification and relative importance to diet and […]
Individual and institutional determinants of caesarean section in referral hospitals in Senegal and Mali: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey
Background: Two years after implementing the free-CS policy, we assessed the non-financial factors associated with caesarean section (CS) in women managed by referral hospitals in Senegal and Mali.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey nested in a cluster trial (QUARITE trial) in 41 referral hospitals in Senegal and Mali (10/01/2007-10/01/2008). Data were collected regarding women’s characteristics […]
Open-labelled randomised controlled trial of 12 hours versus 24 hours modified Pritchard regimen in the management of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia in Ghana (MOPEP Study): Study protocol
Introduction Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy continue to be a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Magnesium sulfate therapy is the standard of care for seizure prophylaxis and treatment for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia respectively, despite wide disparities in dosing regimens and routes of administration. This study compares the clinical efficacy of magnesium sulfate […]
Improving detection and initial management of gestational diabetes through the primary level of care in Morocco: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Background: Morocco is facing a growing prevalence of diabetes and according to latest figures of the World Health Organization, already 12.4% of the population are affected. A similar prevalence has been reported for gestational diabetes (GDM) and although it is not yet high on the national agenda, immediate and long-term complications threaten the health of […]
Does knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy predict birth preparedness? A critique of the evidence from women admitted with pregnancy complications
Background: Improved knowledge of obstetric danger signs, birth preparedness practices, and readiness for emergency complications are among the strategies aimed at both enhancing utilization of maternal health services and increasing access to skilled care during childbirth, particularly for women with obstetric complications. It is unclear whether knowledge of danger signs translates into improved birth preparedness […]
Postpartum obesity and weight gain among human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected women in South Africa
In South Africa, up to 40% of pregnant women are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 30–45% are obese. However, little is known about the dual burden of HIV and obesity in the postpartum period. In a cohort of HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town, South Africa, we examined […]
Perinatal distress and depression in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) australian women: The role of psychosocial and obstetric factors
Perinatal distress and depression can have significant impacts on both the mother and baby. The present study investigated psychosocial and obstetric factors associated with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian women in Sydney, New South Wales. The study used retrospectively linked maternal and child health data from two Local […]
