Exploring spatial variations and determinants of dietary diversity among children in ethiopia: Spatial and multilevel analysis using edhs (2011–2016)
Introduction: Dietary diversity has a significant impact on children’s nutritional health. For developing and implementing interventions, it is critical to understand the regional distribution of dietary diversity and underlying factors. However, the application of spatial techni-ques in dietary studies has not been well documented. The study’s goal was to look into the regional variances and […]
Institutional mistrust and child vaccination coverage in Africa
Despite considerable improvements in vaccination coverage over the last decade, half of the world’s unvaccinated and undervaccinated children are located in Africa. The role of institutional trust in explaining vaccination gaps has been highlighted in several qualitative reports but so far has only been quantified in a small number of high-income countries. We matched information […]
Case review of perinatal deaths at hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda: Perinatal audit with application of a three-delays analysis
Background: Perinatal audit and the three-delays model are increasingly being employed to analyse barriers to perinatal health, at both community and facility level. Using these approaches, our aim was to assess factors that could contribute to perinatal mortality and potentially avoidable deaths at Rwandan hospitals. Methods: Perinatal audits were carried out at two main urban […]
Distance, difference in altitude and socioeconomic determinants of utilisation of maternal and child health services in Ethiopia: A geographic and multilevel modelling analysis
Objective We assessed whether geographic distance and difference in altitude between home to health facility and household socioeconomic status were associated with utilisation of maternal and child health services in rural Ethiopia. Design Household and health facility surveys were conducted from December 2018 to February 2019. Setting Forty-six districts in the Ethiopian regions: Amhara, Oromia, […]
Absence of association between cord specific antibody levels and severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in early infants: A case control study from coastal Kenya
Background: The target group for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease prevention is infants under 6 months of age. Vaccine boosting of antibody titres in pregnant mothers could protect these young infants from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated disease. Quantifying protective levels of RSV-specific maternal antibody at birth would inform vaccine development. Methods: A […]
Introduction of the Ellavi uterine balloon tamponade into the Kenyan and Ghanaian maternal healthcare package for improved postpartum haemorrhage management: An implementation research study
Objectives Use of intrauterine balloon tamponades for refractory postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) management has triggered recent debate since effectiveness studies have yielded conflicting results. Implementation research is needed to identify factors influencing successful integration into maternal healthcare packages. The Ellavi uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) (Ellavi) is a new low-cost, preassembled device for treating refractory PPH. Design […]
Characteristics of maternity waiting homes and the women who use them: Findings from a baseline cross-sectional household survey among SMGL-supported districts in Zambia
Objective Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) have been identified as one solution to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality by bringing women living in hard-to-reach areas closer to a hospital or health center that provides emergency obstetric care. The objective of this study was to obtain data on current MWH characteristics and the women who use them […]
Did a quality improvement intervention improve quality of maternal health care? Implementation evaluation from a cluster-randomized controlled study
Objective: To test the success of a maternal healthcare quality improvement intervention in actually improving quality. Design: Cluster-randomized controlled study with implementation evaluation; we randomized 12 primary care facilities to receive a quality improvement intervention, while 12 facilities served as controls. Setting: Four districts in rural Tanzania. Participants: Health facilities (24), providers (70 at baseline; […]
Trends and Determinants of Full Immunisation among Children Aged 12–23 Months: Analysis of Pooled Data from Mozambican Household Surveys between 1997 and 2015
The 1974 Expanded Program on Immunisation has saved millions of children worldwide by promoting full immunisation coverage (FIC). However, forty years later, many sub-Saharan African countries remain well below its target of 90% FIC. This study analysed the level, trends and determinants of FIC in 4322 Mozambican children aged 12–23 months from pooled data from […]
Risk factors for Group B Streptococcus colonisation and disease in Gambian women and their infants
Objectives: To determine risk factors for GBS colonisation in Gambian mothers and in their infants from birth to day 60-89 of age. Methods: Swabs and breastmilk from mothers/infant pairs were collected and cultured on selective agar. Negative samples were analysed for GBS DNA via real-time PCR. Positive isolates were serotyped using multiplex PCR and gel-agarose […]
