Determinants of maternal near miss among women in public hospital maternity wards in Northern Ethiopia: A facility based case-control study
Background: In Ethiopia, 20,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. For every woman that dies, 20 more experience injury, infection, disease, or disability. “Maternal near miss” (MNM), defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a woman who nearly dies, but survives a complication during pregnancy, childbirth or within […]
Socio-economic inequalities in intimate partner violence justification among women in Ghana: analysis of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data
BACKGROUND: One of the key reasons for the high prevalence of intimate partner violence among women is the justification of intimate partner violence. Socio-economic status of women plays a key role in intimate partner violence justification. This study investigated the socio-economic inequalities in the justification of intimate partner violence among Ghanaian women. METHODS: Data from […]
A population-based study of effect of multiple birth on infant mortality in Nigeria
Background: Multi-foetal pregnancies and multiple births including twins and higher order multiples births such as triplets and quadruplets are high-risk pregnancy and birth. These high-risk groups contribute to the higher rate of childhood mortality especially during early period of life. Methods: We examined the relationship between multiple births and infant mortality using univariable and multivariable […]
Mental health experiences of mothers in Jos, Nigeria: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Objectives: There is an increasing mental health disease burden in mothers with infants and young children, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Children of distressed mothers suffer early-life exposure from the effects of maternal distress which contributes to the risk of physical and mental health problems in their childhood and beyond. This […]
Disparities in mothers’ healthcare seeking behavior for common childhood morbidities in Ethiopia: based on nationally representative data
Background: Childhood morbidities such as diarrhea and pneumonia are the leading causes of death in Ethiopia. Appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior of mothers for common childhood illnesses could prevent a significant number of these early deaths; however, little nation-wide research has been conducted in Ethiopia to assess mothers’ healthcare-seeking behavior for their under five children. Methods: The […]
Health facility or home delivery? Factors influencing the choice of delivery place among mothers living in rural communities of Eritrea
Background: In Eritrea, despite high antenatal care (ANC) use, utilization of health facilities for child birth is still low and with marked variations between urban and rural areas. Understanding the reasons behind the poor use of these services in a rural setting is important to design targeted strategies and address the challenge contextually. This study […]
Second Dose Measles Vaccination Utilization and Associated Factors in Jabitehnan District, Northwest Ethiopia
Background: Herd immunity against measles is essential to interrupt measles transmission, and this can only be attained by reaching at least 95% coverage for each of the 2 doses of measles vaccine provided in infancy and early childhood age group. It is important to provide everyone with 2 doses of the measles vaccine in order […]
Men’s perspectives on male participation in antenatal care with their pregnant wives: A case of a military hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
Background: Male partner participation in antenatal care (ANC) is important and contributes to better maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. Studies have been conducted to explore male participation in ANC and barriers to participation. However, these studies have been conducted in the general population and not the military settings, which are gendered institutions. This study aimed […]
Socioeconomic factors associated with anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Namibia
Background: Anaemia remains a public health concern, and the its prevalence varies between countries as well as between age, sex and levels of poverty. This study aims at examining the association between socio-demographic factors and anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Namibia. Methods: Data was extracted from the 2013 Namibian Demographic Health Survey. The […]
Towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: The impact of a rapid results initiative in nyanza province, Kenya
Many HIV-positive pregnant women and infants are still not receiving optimal services, preventing the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and improving maternal child health overall. A Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) approach was utilized to address key challenges in delivery of prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) services including highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) uptake for women […]