Male involvement in utilization of emergency obstetric care and averting of deaths for maternal near misses in Rakai district in Central Uganda

Although studies have assessed male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness, little is known about their involvement after the onset of maternal near miss complications. This information is important in developing appropriate strategies for male involvement in accessing emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in order to reduce Uganda’s high maternal mortality ratio. The study examined […]

Trends and antecedents of inequalities in maternal healthcare coverage in four African countries

Using data between 2003 and 2016, this paper assesses the degree and evolution of socio-economic inequalities in maternal health outcomes in four African countries. The study measures the trends of socio-economic inequalities in maternal healthcare and assesses the sources of socio-economic inequalities in maternal health through a decomposition approach. We find cross-country differences in the […]

Determinants of access to health care among women in East African countries: A multilevel analysis of recent demographic and health surveys from 2008 to 2017

Background: Access to essential health care is one of the major factors associated with maternal mortality. In developing countries, improving women’s access to health care has significantly reduced maternal death. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of access to health care among women in East African countries based on 2008 to 2017 Demographic […]

Women’s land rights and maternal healthcare in southwestern uganda: Exploring the implications of women’s decision-making regarding sale and use of land on access to maternal healthcare

Most traditional land tenure practices among developing economies are opposed to protecting and promoting women‘s land ownership rights. In Uganda, land tenure practices are largely customary and patriarchal in nature, in most communities women‘s land tenure security is dependent on marriage. This paper builds a body of evidence on how gender biased land tenure negatively […]

“We have a lot of home deliveries” A qualitative study on the impact of COVID-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastleigh, Kenya

Background: Little is known about how pregnant refugee women, and the frontline health care workers who serve them, are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of health, and health service access. Women refugees are classified as a vulnerable group with regard to pregnancy outcomes and access to maternal care, and may be disproportionally at […]

Improving access to maternal health services among rural hard-to-reach fishing communities in Uganda, the role of community health workers

Objectives: To explore whether community health worker household-based maternal health visits improve antenatal care and skilled birth attendance among hard-to-reach fishing villages on Lake Victoria, Uganda. Methods: This quasi-experimental 18-month prospective study involved 486 consenting women aged 15–49 years, who were pregnant or had a pregnancy outcome in the past 6 months, from 6 island […]

The impact of access to health facilities on maternal care use, travel patterns, and health status: Evidence from longitudinal data from Uganda

This paper investigates whether new health facilities affect maternal care use, maternal/child health, and travel patterns to facilities. Community- and mother-level fixed effects models are applied to decade-long panel data from Uganda. The results show that the openings of large facilities increase delivery at formal facilities, while new clinics increase regular antenatal care usage. The […]

Incremental cost of increasing access to maternal health care services: Perspectives from a demand and supply side intervention in Eastern Uganda

Introduction: High maternal and infant mortality continue to be major challenges to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals for many low and middle-income countries. There is now evidence that voucher initiatives can increase access to maternal health services. However, a dearth of knowledge exists on the cost implications of voucher schemes. This paper estimates […]

Unlocking community capabilities for improving maternal and newborn health: participatory action research to improve birth preparedness, health facility access, and newborn care in rural Uganda

Background: Community capacities and resources must be harnessed to complement supply side initiatives addressing high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Uganda. This paper reflects on gains, challenges and lessons learnt from working with communities to improve maternal and newborn health in rural Uganda. Methods: A participatory action research project was supported from 2012 to […]

Characteristics of community savings groups in rural Eastern Uganda: Opportunities for improving access to maternal health services

Background: Rural populations in Uganda have limited access to formal financial Institutions, but a growing majority belong to saving groups. These saving groups could have the potential to improve household income and access to health services. Objective: To understand organizational characteristics, benefits and challenges, of savings groups in rural Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional […]