Early outcomes of preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital, a prospective study
Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the commonest complication preterm neonates suffer and accounts for a significant morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Addressing RDS is therefore crucial in reducing the under 5 mortality in LMICs. This study aimed at describing early outcomes (death/survival) of preterm neonates with RDS […]
Determinants of attending antenatal care at least four times in rural Ghana: analysis of a cross-sectional survey
Background: Improving maternal health is a global challenge. In Ghana, maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural areas. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance is known to improve maternal health. However, few studies have updated current knowledge regarding determinants of ANC attendance. Objective: This study examined factors associated with ANC attendance in predominantly rural […]
Factors associated with risk of malaria infection among pregnant women in lagos, nigeria
Background: Pregnant women living in an area of stable malaria transmission such as Lagos, Nigeria, have been identified as being at an increased risk of the effects of malaria infection. In this area, most of the infections are asymptomatic which means they are overlooked and untreated much to the detriment of the mother and her […]
Home delivery practice and its predictors in South Ethiopia
Background Institutional delivery is one of the key interventions to reduce maternal death. It ensures safe birth, reduces both actual and potential complications, and decreases maternal and newborn death. However, a significant proportion of deliveries in developing countries like Ethiopia are home deliveries and are not attended by skilled birth attendants. We investigated the prevalence […]
Initiation of traditional birth attendants and their traditional and spiritual practices during pregnancy and childbirth in Ghana
Background: Prior to the advent of modern obstetric services, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have rendered services to pregnant women and women in labour for a long time. Although it is anticipated that women in contemporary societies will give birth in hospitals and clinics, some women still patronize the services of TBAs. The study therefore sought […]
Prevalence and determinants of incomplete or not at all vaccination among children aged 12-36 months in Dabat and Gondar districts, northwest of Ethiopia: Findings from the primary health care project
Objective Ethiopia is one of the Africa’s signatory countries for implementation of the primary healthcare strategy including immunisation. In Ethiopia, however, 16% of child death is due to vaccine-preventable disease. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of incomplete or not at all vaccination among children aged 12-36 months in Dabat and […]
Community based screening for sickle haemoglobin among pregnant women in Benue State, Nigeria: I-Care-to-Know, a Healthy Beginning Initiative
Background: Haemoglobin genotype screening at prenatal care offers women an opportunity to be aware of their genotype, receive education on sickle cell disease (SCD) and may increase maternal demand for SCD newborn screening. In developed countries, most pregnant women who access prenatal care and deliver at the hospital receive haemoglobin genotype screening. In settings with […]
Maternal CD4+ cell count decline after interruption of antiretroviral prophylaxis for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Background: We evaluated maternal CD4+ cell count (CD4+) decline after PMTCT prophylaxis in a multi-country HIV care program. Methods: Analysis was restricted to antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive, HIV-infected pregnant women with CD4+ ≥250 cells/mm3 at enrollment. Single-dose nevirapine (sd-NVP) or short-course antiretroviral prophylaxis (sc-ARVp) with zidovudine (AZT) or AZT + lamivudine (3TC) was initiated in 11 […]
Undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women at the public hospitals of Bench-Sheko and Kaffa zone, southwest Ethiopia
Background: Undernutrition in pregnant women, expressed as low mid-upper arm circumference, is responsible for maternal mortality and morbidity, adverse birth outcomes, subsequent childhood malnutrition, and mortality. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of maternal undernutrition and associated factors during pregnancy in public hospitals in the Bench-Sheko and Kaffa […]
Increasing access to care for sick newborns: Evidence from the Ghana Newhints cluster-randomised controlled trial
Objectives To evaluate the impact of Newhints community-based surveillance volunteer (CBSV) assessments and referrals on access to care for sick newborns and on existing inequities in access. Design We evaluated a prospective cohort nested within the Newhints cluster-randomised controlled trial. Setting Community-based intervention involving more than 750 000, predominantly rural, population in seven contiguous districts […]
