Longitudinal Assessment of Prenatal, Perinatal, and Early-Life Aflatoxin B1Exposure in 828 Mother-Child Dyads from Bangladesh and Malawi

Background: In utero or early-life exposure to aflatoxin, which contaminates staple crops in disadvantaged settings, may compromise pregnancy and infant outcomes, but investigations into the extent, persistence, and determinants of aflatoxin exposure at these life stages have lacked longitudinal data collection and broad geographic representation. Objectives: Aflatoxin exposure and selected determinants thereof were characterized in […]

Effect of umbilical cord milking versus delayed cord clamping on preterm neonates in Kenya: A randomized controlled trial

Background Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is a placental to new-born transfusion strategy recommended by obstetric and gynaecological societies. Though not widely adopted, umbilical cord milking (UCM) may achieve faster transfusion when DCC cannot be performed such as when a neonate requires resuscitation. Methods Pragmatic, two-arm, randomized clinical trial in which consenting women in spontaneous labour […]

Impact of inter-partner HIV disclosure patterns in Malawi’s PMTCT program: A mixed-method study

Background Evidence suggests that disclosure of HIV status between partners may influence prevention of maternal-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) outcomes. We report partner disclosure in relation to maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and adherence, and MTCT among postpartum HIV-infected Malawian women. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted as part of a nationally representative longitudinal […]

Socio-cultural factors, gender roles and religious ideologies contributing to Caesarian-section refusal in Nigeria

Abstract Background: The death of women from pregnancy-related causes is a serious challenge that international development initiatives, including the Millennium Development Goals, have been trying to redress for decades. The majority of these pregnancy-related deaths occur in developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The provision of Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC), including Caesarean section (CS) has […]

Determinants of men’s involvement in maternity care in dodoma region, central Tanzania

Background. Men’s involvement in maternity care is recognized as a key strategy in improving maternal health and accelerating reduction of maternal mortality. This study investigated the factors determining men’s involvement in maternity care in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania. Methods. This cross-sectional survey used multistage sampling in four districts of Dodoma Region to select 966 married […]

Emergency transportation interventions for reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND: Transportation interventions seek to decrease delay in reaching a health facility for emergency obstetric care and are, thus, believed to contribute to reductions in such adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes as maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is limited empirical evidence to support this hypothesis. The […]

Effect of health facility linkage with community using postnatal card on postnatal home visit coverage and newborn care practices in rural Ethiopia: A controlled quasi-experimental study design

Background Postnatal home visit has the potential to improve maternal and newborn health, but it remains as a missed opportunity in many low-and middle-income countries. This study examines the effect of health extension worker administered postnatal card combined with health facility strengthening intervention on postnatal home visit coverage, newborn care practices, and knowledge of newborn […]

A Risk Prediction Model for the Assessment and Triage of Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Low-Resourced Settings: The miniPIERS (Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk) Multi-country Prospective Cohort Study

Background:Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia are leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). We developed the miniPIERS risk prediction model to provide a simple, evidence-based tool to identify pregnant women in LMICs at increased risk of death or major hypertensive-related complications.Methods and Findings:From 1 July 2008 to 31 March 2012, in […]

Maximizing adherence and retention for women living with HIV and their infants in Kenya (MOTIVATE! study): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Successful completion and retention throughout the multi-step cascade of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) remains difficult to achieve. The Mother and Infant Visit Adherence and Treatment Engagement study aims to evaluate the effect of mobile text messaging, community-based mentor mothers (cMMs), or both on increasing antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, retention in HIV care, […]

Determinants of incomplete vaccination among children 12-23 months in Nigeria: An analysis of a national sample

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and the determinants of incomplete childhood vaccination in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The data for this study was the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis techniques using Stata statistical software (version 13) were used in analyzing the data of 5,384 children aged […]