Predicting neurodevelopmental risk in children born to mothers living with HIV in Kenya: protocol for a prospective cohort study (Tabiri Study)
Introduction For the growing number of children with in utero and postpartum exposure to HIV and/or antiretrovirals, it is unclear which exposures or risk factors play a significant role in predicting worse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This protocol describes a prospective longitudinal cohort study of infants born to mothers living with HIV and those born to mothers […]
Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Background: Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work […]
Breastfeeding and child survival from 0 to 5 years in Côte d’Ivoire
Background: One of the main objectives of health policy-makers is to promote children’s growth, development, and survival. The current research evaluates the impact of breastfeeding on infant survival and highlights the major socio-economic determinants of child survival from 0 to 5 years old in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: This study uses Probit estimation to evaluate the […]
MOSAIC (MOthers’ AdvocateS In the Community) for pregnant women and mothers of children under 5 with experience of intimate partner violence: A pilot randomized trial study protocol
Background Pregnancy and motherhood increase the risk for long-term exposure to physical, psychological and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV; sexual or physical violence by current or former partners). Pregnant women and mothers with children under 5 who have experienced IPV exhibit poor physical and mental health and obstetric outcomes. Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) […]
Pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain: a prospective study in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia
Background: In low-income countries, the high prevalence of pre-pregnancy undernutrition remains a challenge for the future health of women and their offspring. On top of good nutrition, adequate gestational weight gain has been recognized as an essential prerequisite for optimal maternal and child health outcomes. However, good-quality data on factors influencing gestational weight gain is […]
Household food insecurity and physically demanding work during pregnancy are risk factors for low birth weight in north Shewa zone public hospitals, Central Ethiopia, 2021: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Background: Despite numerous efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health medical services, over 20 million babies are born with low birth weights each year globally. However, factors related to low birth weight like physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and food insecurity have not been explored well in Ethiopia. Thus, […]
Epidemiology of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system in children in Enugu, Nigeria: A retrospective study
Background: Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss. Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken. Relevant clinical data of identified cases […]
Development of a district mental healthcare plan in Uganda
Background Evidence is needed for the integration of mental health into primary care advocated by the national health sector strategic investment plan in Uganda. Aims To describe the processes of developing a district mental healthcare plan (MHCP) in rural Uganda that facilitates integration of mental health into primary care. Method Mixed methods using a situational […]
Understanding accelerators to improve SDG-related outcomes for adolescents—An investigation into the nature and quantum of additive effects of protective factors to guide policy making
Recent evidence has shown support for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) accelerator concept, which highlights the need to identify interventions or programmatic areas that can affect multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs) at once to boost their achievement. These data have also clearly shown enhanced effects when interventions are used in combination, above and beyond […]
Adequacy of antenatal care services utilisation and its effect on anaemia in pregnancy
Anaemia in pregnancy remains a critical public health concern in many countries including Ghana and it poses severe consequences in the short to long-term for women and their unborn babies. Although antenatal care (ANC) is largely provided for pregnant women, the extent its utilisation protects against anaemia in pregnancy remains largely understudied. The study assessed […]
