A multilevel analysis of determinants of PMTCT service utilisation among women during the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period in Ethiopia
Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the largest source of HIV infection in children below the age of 15 years, and more than 90% of pediatric HIV are infected through mother to child transmission. Without treatment, one-half of those infected children will die before the age of 2 years. Despite this, there is limited evidence on […]
Prevalence and determinants of unintended childbirth in Ethiopia
Background: Ethiopia’s population policy specifically aims to reduce TFR from 7.7 to 4.0 and to increasecontraceptive use from 4.0% to 44.0% between 1990 and 2015. In 2011, the use of contraceptive methodsincreased seven-fold from 4.0% to 27%; and the TFR declined by 38% to 4.8. The use of modern contraceptives is,however, much higher in the […]
Predictors of pregnancy termination among young women in ghana: Empirical evidence from the 2014 demographic and health survey data
Pregnancy termination remains a delicate and contentious reproductive health issue because of a variety of political, economic, religious, and social reasons. The present study examined the associations between demographic and socio-economic factors and pregnancy termination among young Ghanaian women. This study used data from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey of Ghana. A sample size […]
Barriers to Contraceptive Uptake among Women of Reproductive Age in a Semi-Urban Community of Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria
BACKGROUND: Globally, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) persist as a significant threat to women’s reproductive health. In Nigeria, despite huge resources committed to family planning programs by stakeholders, contraceptive use has been very low. This study aimed at unraveling the barriers to the use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age (15-49 […]
Diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria at delivery: Comparison of blood film preparation methods and of blood films with histology
We compared peripheral and placental blood films (made by different techniques) with placental histology for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnancy. Samples from 464 women were examined, of whom 124 (26.7%) had active P. falciparum infection and 148 (31.9%) had past infection. Placental histology was more sensitive (91%) than peripheral blood film (47%) or […]
Strategies for integrating primary health services in low- and middle-income countries at the point of delivery
Background: In some low- and middle-income countries, separate vertical programmes deliver specific life-saving interventions but can fragment services. Strategies to integrate services aim to bring together inputs, organisation, and delivery of particular functions to increase efficiency and people’s access. We examined the evidence on the effectiveness of integration strategies at the point of delivery (sometimes […]
Protocol of an open, three-arm, individually randomized trial assessing the effect of delivering sexual and reproductive health information to young people (aged 13-24) in Kenya and Peru via mobile phones: Adolescent/youth reproductive mobile access and delivery initiative for love and life outcomes (ARMADILLO) study stage 2
Background: Young people face special challenges to accessing needed sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and support. With high penetration and access, mobile phones provide a new channel for reaching young people, but there is little evidence around the impact of digital interventions on improving health outcomes. The Adolescent/Youth Reproductive Mobile Access and Delivery Initiative […]
Effect of the Uganda Newborn Study on care-seeking and care practices: A cluster-randomised controlled trial
Background: Care for women and babies before, during, and after the time of birth is a sensitive measure of the functionality of any health system. Engaging communities in preventing newborn deaths is a promising strategy to achieve further progress in child survival in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To assess the effect of a home visit strategy […]
Determinants of comprehensive knowledge on mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention among childbearing women in Rwanda: insights from the 2020 Rwandan Demographic and Health Survey
Background: Maternal knowledge on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and its prevention has been identified to enhance maternal testing and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. Examining prevalence and associated factors on MTCT and its prevention among women provides empirical evidence for design and implementation of health strategies aimed at increasing MTCT knowledge and its elimination. This […]
Prevalence of Obstetric Danger Signs during Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Mothers in Shashemene Rural District, South Ethiopia
Introduction. Obstetric danger signs are those signs that a pregnant woman will see or those symptoms that she will feel which indicate that something is going wrong with her or with the pregnancy. Evidence on the prevalence of obstetric danger signs and contributing factors were crucial in designing programs in the global target of reducing […]
