PREventing Maternal and Neonatal Deaths (PREMAND): A study protocol for examining social and cultural factors contributing to infant and maternal deaths and near-misses in rural northern Ghana
Plain English Summary: The Preventing Maternal And Neonatal Deaths (PREMAND) project works to understand the social and cultural factors that may contribute to the deaths and near-misses (people who almost die but end up surviving) of mothers and babies in four districts in Northern Ghana. Examples of these factors include such thing as treating a […]
Responding to the challenge of Adolescent Perinatal Depression (RAPiD): Protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid trial of psychosocial intervention in primary maternal care
Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a pressing public health issue globally, and particularly in low and middle-income countries. Depression occurring in the perinatal period is common among women and more so among adolescent mothers. Effective treatments for the condition have been demonstrated in adults but the needs of adolescents are often unique, making such treatments unlikely […]
The feasibility of community level interventions for pre-eclampsia in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed-methods design
Background: Globally, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are major contributors to maternal and perinatal mortality; of which the vast majority of deaths occur in less developed countries. In addition, a disproportionate number of morbidities and mortalities occur due to delayed access to health services. The Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) Trial aims to task-shift to community […]
Food insecurity, but not HIV-infection status, is associated with adverse changes in body composition during lactation in Ugandan women of mixed HIV status
Background: Body composition is an important indicator of nutritional status and health. How body composition changes during 12 mo of breastfeeding in HIV-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is unknown. Objective: We assessed whether HIVor food insecurity was associated with adverse postpartum body-composition changes in Ugandan women. Design: A cohort of 246 women [36.5% of […]
Association of maternal KIR gene content polymorphisms with reduction in perinatal transmission of HIV-1
The role of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in the transmission of HIV-1 has not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the association of KIR gene content polymorphisms with perinatal HIV-1 transmission. The KIR gene family comprising 16 genes was genotyped in 313 HIV-1 positive Kenyan mothers paired with their infants. Gene content polymorphisms were […]
Perceptions about the cultural practices of male partners during postpartum care in rural Tanzania: A qualitative study
Background: Men play an important role in maternal health. The postpartum period is a critical stage, yet there is a scarcity of research that explores men’s involvement during this stage. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore male partners’ perceptions of the cultural practices during postpartum care in rural Tanzania. Methods: Fourteen focus […]
Validity of self-reported use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp): A cross-sectional study
Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a major health problem that can cause maternal anaemia, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and intra-uterine stunting. The WHO recommends use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) in endemic areas. Towards monitoring and assessing IPTp coverage in the population, the Roll Back Malaria […]
Risk factors for low birth weight in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) continues to be the primary cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study was undertaken to identify the predictors of LBW in Nigeria. Design: The data for this study was extracted from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Population Commission. Several questionnaires were used […]
Maternal depression and child psychopathology among Attendees at a Child Neuropsychiatric Clinic in Abeokuta, Nigeria: A cross sectional study
Background: Children with recognized, diagnosable mental and neurological disorders are in addition prone to emotional and behavioral problems which transcend their specific diagnostic labels. In accessing care, these children are almost invariably accompanied by caregivers (usually mothers) who may also have mental health problems, notably depression. The relationship between child and maternal psychopathology has however […]
Trends and determinants of an acceptable antenatal care coverage in Ethiopia, evidence from 2005-2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey; Multivariate decomposition analysis
Background: an acceptable antenatal care (ANC4+) is defined as attending at least four antenatal care visit, received at least one dose of tetanus toxoid (TT) injections and consumed 100 iron-folic acids (IFA) tablets/syrup during the last pregnancy. Since maternal health care service utilization continues to be an essential indicator for monitoring the improvements of maternal […]
