Fetal outcome in severe maternal morbidity: Too many stillbirths
Objective. We determined the stillbirth rates among singleton births in Gambian hospitals. Contribution of severe obstetric complications was given special attention. Design. A multi-center retrospective review. Setting. Three obstetric referral hospitals. Sample. Fetal outcomes in 826 women with severe maternal morbidity out of 3,280 singleton deliveries. Methods. All women with severe maternal morbidity reported in […]
Maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes in women with pre-eclampsia cared for at facility-level in South Africa: A prospective cohort study
Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contribute to 14% of all maternal deaths, the majority of which occur in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of the study was to describe the maternal and perinatal clinical outcomes of women with pre-eclampsia living in middle- and low-income countries. Methods The study was a prospective observational study of […]
Social and cultural barriers to husbands’ involvement in maternal health in rural Gambia
Introduction: While many studies have documented a number of socio-cultural barriers to male involvement in maternal health, in The Gambia very little information is known about the social and cultural practices that characterized male involvement in maternal health. This study aims to explore some of the underlying social and cultural factors affecting husbands’ involvement in […]
Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt
Background: Evidence suggests that Egypt, a country in North Africa, has a significant number of children at serious risk of excess body weight. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on overweight and obesity among children under 5 years in the country. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five […]
Integrating noncommunicable disease prevention into maternal and child health programs: Can it be done and what will it take?
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, these diseases have not been adequately addressed by health systems, especially in low-resource countries. Similarly, there is no equitable allocation of global resources for health commensurate with the burden of diseases occasioned by NCDs. This has resulted in poor access to care for women, […]
Barriers to access and utilization of emergency obstetric care at health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa-a systematic review protocol
Background: Nearly 15% of all pregnancies end in fatal perinatal obstetric complications including bleeding, infections, hypertension, obstructed labor, and complications of abortion. Between 1990 and 2015, an estimated 10.7 million women died due to obstetric complications. Almost all of these deaths (99%) happened in developing countries, and 66% of maternal deaths were attributed to sub-Saharan […]
Quality of antenatal care predicts retention in skilled birth attendance: A multilevel analysis of 28 African countries
Background: An effective continuum of maternal care ensures that mothers receive essential health packages from pre-pregnancy to delivery, and postnatally, reducing the risk of maternal death. However, across Africa, coverage of skilled birth attendance is lower than coverage for antenatal care, indicating mothers are not retained in the continuum between antenatal care and delivery. This […]
The Collateral Damage of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Health Care in Sub-Saharan Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe at an unprecedented pace. The first COVID-19 case arrived in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on February 28, 2020, and there are over 600 000 cases spread across the continent [1]. The World Health Organisation has predicted up to a quarter of a billion infections on the continent [2]. […]
What factors are associated with maternal undernutrition in eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia? Evidence for nutritional well-being of lactating mothers
Background: Maternal undernutrition is a pervasive health problem among Ethiopian mothers. This study aims at identifying the level of maternal undernutrition and its associated factors in Kilte Awaleo-Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (KA-HDSS), Tigray region, Ethiopia. Methods: Nutritional status of 2260 lactating mothers was evaluated using the mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). Data from the vital events […]
Predictors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months, Zimbabwe
Objective: Stunted children have an increased risk of diminished cognitive development, diabetes, degenerative and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Numerous modifiable factors decrease the risk of stunting in children. This study aimed to assess the role of the individual, household, and social factors on stunting in Zimbabwean children. Design: A 1:2 unmatched case-control study Setting: […]
