Achieving comprehensive childhood immunization: An analysis of obstacles and opportunities in The Gambia
Introduction Immunization is a vital component in the drive to decrease global childhood mortality, yet challenges remain in ensuring wide coverage of immunization and full immunization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed immunization coverage and the determinants of immunization in a semi-rural area in The Gambia.Methods Data were drawn from the Farafenni […]
Assessment of utilization of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling as an intervention for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and associated factors among pregnant women in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia
Background: Detection of maternal HIV infection early in pregnancy is critical for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Most efforts have focused on VCT as the primary means of encouraging people to become aware of their HIV status. However, its uptake is low in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Provider-initiated HIV […]
Impact of the integration of water treatment and handwashing incentives with antenatal services on hygiene practices of pregnant women in Malawi
Access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene are important for reducing morbidity and mortality from diarrhea. We surveyed 330 pregnant women who participated in an antenatal clinic-based intervention in Malawi that promoted water treatment and hygiene through distribution of water storage containers, sodium hypochlorite water treatment solution, soap, and educational messages. Program participants were […]
Newborn Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Identifies Low-Birth Weight and Vulnerable Infants: A Secondary Analysis
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) infants are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Identification of LBW may not occur in settings where access to reliable scales is limited. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) may be an accessible, low-cost measure to identify LBW and vulnerable infants. Objectives: We explored the validity of newborn MUAC in identifying […]
A qualitative focus group study concerning perceptions and experiences of Nigerian mothers on stillbirths
Objective: To explore the experiences and perceptions of stillbirth among mothers from a tertiary medical centre in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Design: Qualitative, interpretative. Setting: Tertiary healthcare facility, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano, Northern Nigeria. Sample: Mothers who had given birth to a liveborn baby at the MMSH in the prior 6 months (n = 31). […]
Free contraception and behavioural nudges in the postpartum period: Evidence from a randomised control trial in Nairobi, Kenya
Background Short birth intervals are a major risk factor for poor maternal and newborn outcomes. Utilisation of modern contraceptive methods during the postpartum period can reduce risky birth intervals but contraceptive coverage during this critical period remains low. Methods We conducted a randomised controlled experiment to test whether vouchers for free contraception, provided with and […]
Does hospital variation in intrapartum-related perinatal mortality among caesarean births reflect differences in quality of care? Cross-sectional study in 21 hospitals in Burkina Faso
Objectives To examine hospital variation in crude and risk-adjusted rates of intrapartum-related perinatal mortality among caesarean births. Design Secondary analysis of data from the DECIDE (DECIsion for caesarean DElivery) cluster randomised trial postintervention phase. Setting 21 district and regional hospitals in Burkina Faso. Participants All 5134 women giving birth by caesarean section in a 6-month […]
Resilience in maternal and child nutrition outcomes in a refugee-hosting community in Cameroon: A quasi-experimental study
Refugees may be perceived as a burden to their host communities, and nutrition insecurity is a critical area of contention. We explored the relationship between refugee presence and a host community’s resilience in nutrition outcomes in Cameroon. We also tested an analytical framework for evaluating community resilience during shocks. We used data from repeated cross-sectional […]
Malaria indicator survey 2009, South Sudan: Baseline results at household level
Background: South Sudan has borne the brunt of years of chronic warfare and probably has the highest malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. This nationally representative survey aimed to provide data on malaria indicators at household level across the country. Methods. In 2009, data […]
Multidimensional poverty in rural mozambique: A new metric for evaluating public health interventions
Background: Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and unidimensional measurements have proven inadequate to the challenge of assessing its dynamics. Dynamics between poverty and public health intervention is among the most difficult yet important problems faced in development. We sought to demonstrate how multidimensional poverty measures can be utilized in the evaluation of public health interventions; […]
