Survival of infants born to HIV-positive mothers, by feeding modality, in Rakai, Uganda
Background: Data comparing survival of formula-fed to breast-fed infants in programmatic settings are limited. We compared mortality and HIV-free of breast and formula-fed infants born to HIV-positive mothers in a program in rural, Rakai District Uganda. Methodology/Principal Findings: One hundred eighty two infants born to HIV-positive mothers were followed at one, six and twelve months […]
Study protocol training for life: A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial about emergency obstetric simulation-based training in a low-income country
Background: Globally perinatal and maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high. There is increasing evidence that simulation-based training in obstetric emergencies is associated with improvement in clinical outcomes. However, the results are not entirely consistent. The need for continued research in a wide variety of clinical settings to establish what works, where and why was recommended. […]
Prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factor at birth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A generalized linear mixed model
Background Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major determinants of perinatal survival, infant morbidity, and mortality, as well as the risk of developmental disabilities and illnesses in future lives. Though studies were conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight, most of the studies were at a single center […]
A qualitative study on barriers to utilisation of institutional delivery services in Moroto and Napak districts, Uganda: Implications for programming
Background: Skilled attendance at delivery is critical in prevention of maternal deaths. However, many women in low- and middle-income countries still deliver without skilled assistance. This study was carried out to identify perceived barriers to utilisation of institutional delivery in two districts in Karamoja, Uganda.Methods: Data were collected through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) with 887 […]
Shedding light on quality of care: A study protocol for a randomized trial evaluating the impact of the Solar Suitcase in rural health facilities on maternal and newborn care quality in Uganda
Background: Continued progress in reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in low-income countries requires a renewed focus on quality of delivery care. Reliable electricity and lighting is a cornerstone of a well-equipped health system, but most primary maternity care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa are either not connected to the electrical grid or suffer frequent […]
Factors affecting utilization of health facilities for labour and childbirth: A case study from rural Uganda
Background: Since 2000 considerable attention has been placed on maternal health outcomes as the 5th Millennium Goal. In Uganda, only 65% of births are delivered by a skilled birth attendant, contributing to the 435 women that die in every 100,000 births from unattended complications. Factors that impact a women’s decision on where to deliver include […]
Moderate and severe household food insecurity predicts stunting and severe stunting among Rwanda children aged 6–59 months residing in Gicumbi district
Household food insecurity (HFI) plays an important role in child malnutrition in many low-income countries. We determined the association between HFI and stunting and severe stunting among Rwandan children from the Gicumbi district, aged 6–59 months using a cross-sectional study of 2,222 children. HFI factor was calculated by summing all seven HFI (access) frequency questions and […]
The role and attributes of social networks in the provision of support to women after stillbirth: experiences from Uganda
Introduction: Communities exert stigma on mothers after stillbirth despite their potential to offer social support to the grieving family. Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviors are socially reinforced rendering a social network approach vital in understanding support dynamics which when utilized can improve community response to mothers experiencing stillbirth. However, the form and direction of social support for […]
Effect of Village Health Team home visits and mobile phone consultations on maternal and newborn care practices in Masindi and Kiryandongo, Uganda: A community-intervention trial
Introduction: The World Health Organisation recommends home visits conducted by Community Health Workers (in Uganda known as Village Health Teams-VHTs) in order to improve maternal and newborn health. This study measured the effect of home visits combined with mobile phone consultations on maternal and newborn care practices. Method: In a community intervention trial design 16 […]
Access to sexual and reproductive health commodities in East and Southern Africa: A cross-country comparison of availability, affordability and stock-outs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
Background: Access to sexual and reproductive health services continues to be a public health concern in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia: use of modern contraceptives is low, and unmet family planning needs and maternal mortality remain high. This study is an assessment of the availability, affordability and stock-outs of essential sexual and reproductive health commodities […]
