Conceptualizing factors impacting nutrition services coverage of treatment for acute malnutrition in children – An application of the Three Delays Model in Niger
Objective: The Three Delays Model is a conceptual model traditionally used to understand contributing factors of maternal mortality. It posits that most barriers to health services utilization occur in relation to one of three delays: Delay 1: delayed decision to seek care; Delay 2: delayed arrival at health facility; Delay 3: delayed provision of adequate […]
Perception and socio-cultural barriers to the acceptance of caesarean delivery in a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, South East Nigeria
Objectives: Globally, caesarean section (CS) has immensely contributed to improved obstetric outcome in circumstances where vaginal delivery is not feasible. However, in some low-income countries, there is aversion to the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and socio-cultural barriers to the acceptance of CS. Materials and Methods: A […]
Neonatal tetanus immunity in Nigeria: The effect of HIV infection on serum levels and transplacental transfer of antibodies
Background. Tetanus toxoid immunisation of pregnant mother has remained the most effective strategy in eliminating neonatal tetanus. Impaired production and/or transplacental transfer of antibodies may affect the effectiveness of this strategy. We studied the effect of maternal HIV infection on serum levels and transplacental transfer of anti-tetanus antibodies. Methods. A total of 162 mother-baby paired […]
Exposure to oil pollution and maternal outcomes: The Niger Delta prospective cohort study
Background Maternal exposure to oil pollution is an important public health concern. However, there is a dearth of literature on the effects of maternal exposure to oil pollution on maternal outcomes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study was therefore designed to determine the effect of maternal exposure to oil pollution on maternal […]
Crude childhood vaccination coverage in West Africa: Trends and predictors of completeness [version 1; Referees: 1 approved, 3 approved with reservations]
Background: Africa has the lowest childhood vaccination coverage worldwide. If the full benefits of childhood vaccination programmes are to be enjoyed in sub-Saharan Africa, all countries need to improve on vaccine delivery to achieve and sustain high coverage. In this paper, we review trends in vaccination coverage, dropouts between vaccine doses and explored the country-specific […]
Determinants of dietary practices during pregnancy: A longitudinal qualitative study in Niger
Undernutrition is associated with maternal morbidity and poor pregnancy outcomes. This qualitative study seeks to understand the multilevel factors influencing maternal dietary practices in Niger, including the impact of pregnancy illnesses on diet. Criterion-based, purposive sampling was used to select pregnant women and household members from 24 villages in a rural district of the Maradi […]
Individual- and Neighborhood-Level Factors of Measles Vaccination Coverage in Niamey, Niger: A Multilevel Analysis
Vaccination is a proven equitable intervention if people take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated. Niger is a low-income country in West Africa, with a 76% measles 1 vaccination coverage rate in 2016. This study was conducted to identify individual- and neighborhood-level factors that could improve measles 1 vaccination coverage in Niamey, the capital. […]
Design and implementation of a health systems strengthening approach to improve health and nutrition of pregnant women and newborns in Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, and Senegal
Maternal and neonatal mortality are unacceptably high in developing countries. Essential nutrition interventions contribute to reducing this mortality burden, although nutrition is poorly integrated into health systems. Universal health coverage is an essential prerequisite to decreasing mortality indices. However, provision and utilization of nutrition and health services for pregnant women and their newborns are poor […]
Factors influencing the selection of delivery with no one present in northern Nigeria: Implications for policy and programs
This paper examines the effects of demographic, socioeconomic, and women’s autonomy factors on the utilization of delivery assistance in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from the Nigeria 2008 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression procedures were conducted. The study revealed that delivery with no one present and with unskilled attendance […]
Exclusive breastfeeding rates and associated factors in 13 “economic community of West African states” (ECOWAS) countries
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has important protective effects on child survival and also increases the growth and development of infants. This paper examined EBF rates and associated factors in 13 “Economic Community of West African States” (ECOWAS) countries. A weighted sample of 19,735 infants from the recent Demographic and Health Survey dataset in ECOWAS countries for […]