Could ultrasound midwifery training increase antenatal detection of congenital anomalies in Ghana?
Background As part of World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 updated antenatal care (ANC) guidelines routine ultrasonography is recommended, including to detect congenital anomalies. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) developed an in-service midwifery ultrasound training course in 2017, which includes fetal anomaly detection. Training rollout has been very limited. We sought to determine proportions of anomalies […]
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Maternal Group B Streptococcus Colonization in Madagascar and Senegal
Maternal group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization is a major risk factor for neonatal GBS infection. However, data on GBS are scarce in low- and middle-income countries. Using sociodemographic data and vaginal swabs collected from an international cohort of mothers and newborns, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of GBS colonization among pregnant women in […]
Effects of improved complementary feeding and improved water, sanitation and hygiene on early child development among HIV-exposed children: Substudy of a cluster randomised trial in rural Zimbabwe
Introduction HIV-exposed uninfected children may be at risk of poor neurodevelopment. We aimed to test the impact of improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on early child development (ECD) outcomes. Methods Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy was a cluster randomised 2×2 factorial trial in rural Zimbabwe ClinicalTrials.gov […]
Dietary diversity and anthropometric status of mother–child pairs from enset (False banana) staple areas: A panel evidence from southern Ethiopia
Background: A sizable cross-sectional studies demonstrated a low dietary diversity in Southern Ethiopia. However, its seasonal trend has not been well studied in areas where nutrient-poor enset (false banana (Ensete ventricosum)) foods are major staple. Moreover, there is scarcity of information on seasonal nature of anthropometric status of mother–child pairs (MCP) from the same areas […]
Cultural factors contributing to maternal mortality rate in rural villages of limpopo province, south africa
Introduction: The understanding of the link between cultural affairs and maternal health is critical to save the lives of women. The South African maternal mortality rate (MMR) target for 2015 was 38/100,000 live births. In 2017, South Africa had 1,222 maternal deaths. The purpose was to determine the perceived cultural factors contributing to MMR in […]
COVID-19 Preventive Practices, Psychological Distress, and Reported Barriers to Healthcare Access during the Pandemic among Adult Community Members in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Phone Survey
The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious negative health and economic impacts in sub-Saharan Africa. Continuous monitoring of these impacts is crucial to formulate interventions to minimize the consequences of COVID-19. This study surveyed 2,829 adults in urban and rural sites among five sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana. Participants completed a […]
Prevalence of institutional delivery and its correlates amongst women of reproductive age in Mozambique: A cross-sectional analysis
Background: The healthcare system in Mozambique is striving to reduce the high maternal and child mortality rates and stay on par with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1). A key strategy to curb maternal and child mortality is to promote the use of professional childbirth services proven to be highly effective in averting maternal deaths. […]
Trends and Determinants of Underweight among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia: Data from EDHS
Background and Aims. Malnutrition among under-five children is one of the major causes of death in low-income countries. Accordingly, health sectors in developing countries are providing renewed attention to the status of children’s nutrition. This study sought to explore the trends and identify the determinants of underweight Ethiopian under-five children across time. Methods. The data […]
A review of -multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in a neonatal unit in Johannesburg, South Africa
Background: Multi-drug resistant organisms are an increasingly important cause of neonatal sepsis. Aim: This study aimed to review neonatal sepsis caused by multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE) in neonates in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: This was a cross sectional retrospective review of MDRE in neonates admitted to a tertiary neonatal unit between 1 January 2013 and […]
Magnitude of home delivery and associated factors among child bearing age mothers in Sherkole District, Benishangul Gumuz regional state-Western-Ethiopia
Background: The World Health Organization estimates that globally only 43% of women have access to skilled care during deliveries and the rest are exposed to unskilled delivery service. A recent Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey report stated that maternal death was 412 per 100,000 in 2016.This still indicates that maternal health remains a major public […]
