Household food insecurity, maternal nutrition, environmental risks and infants’ health outcomes: Protocol of the IMPALA birth cohort study in Uganda
Introduction In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), food insecurity and undernutrition disproportionately affect women of reproductive age, infants and young children. The disease burden from undernutrition in these vulnerable sections of societies remains a major concern in LMICs. Biomass fuel use for cooking is also common in LMICs. Empirical evidence from high-income countries indicates that […]
Severe maternal outcomes in eastern Ethiopia: Application of the adapted maternal near miss tool
Background With the reduction of maternal mortality, maternal near miss (MNM) has been used as a complementary indicator of maternal health. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of MNM in eastern Ethiopia using an adapted sub-Saharan Africa MNM tool and compare its applicability with the original WHO MNM tool. Methods We […]
Impact of the community healthcare plan and the free maternity services programme on maternal and child healthcare utilisation in rural Kenya: A dairy farmer population-based study
Background: Access to and utilisation of quality maternal and child healthcare services is generally recognized as the best way to reduce maternal and child mortality. Objectives: We evaluated whether the introduction of a voluntary family health insurance programme, combined with quality improvement of healthcare facilities [The Community Health Plan (TCHP)], and the introduction of free […]
Ethnicity as a cultural factor influencing complete vaccination among children aged 12-23 months in Nigeria
Achieving complete vaccination for children has been challenging in Nigeria. Yet, addressing Nigeria’s completeness of vaccination requires ethno-cultural diversity consideration rather than nationally population based. This study explored patterns and determinants of complete vaccination among children of Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba, the predominant ethnicities in Nigeria. The study used a cross-sectional data involving 3980 children […]
Pregnant adolescents and nurses perspectives on accessibility and utilization of maternal and child health information in Ohangwena Region, Namibia
Background: Adolescent reproductive health is still a challenge in Low and Middle Income Come Countries (LMICs). However, the reasons for the inability of most pregnant adolescent girls to access and utilize maternal and child health information (MCHI) are not well-documented. This is despite the policy guidelines promoting the provision of this necessary information to pregnant […]
Bayesian Analysis of Trends in Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services in Pakistan during 2006-2018
Objectives. This study is aimed at investigating the time trends and disparities in access to maternal healthcare in Pakistan using Bayesian models. Study Design. A longitudinal study from 2006 to 2018. Methods. The detailed analysis is based on the data from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) conducted during 2006-2018. We have proposed Bayesian logistic […]
Association between type of birth attendants and neonatal mortality: Evidence from a National survey
Background: Although Lesotho has one of the highest childhood mortality levels in Southern Africa, there has been limited research on the link between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality in Lesotho. This study examined the relationship between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in Lesotho Methods: […]
“Passing through difficult times”: Perceptions of perinatal depression and treatment needs in Malawi – A qualitative study to inform the development of a culturally sensitive intervention
Purpose This study was conducted to explore the perceptions of perinatal women and key maternal care health workers about perinatal depression and the health service needs required to inform development of a culturally sensitive and acceptable psychosocial intervention. Methods This qualitative study used a descriptive exploratory design; it is the first phase of a larger […]
A qualitative study of community elders’ perceptions about the underutilization of formal maternal care and maternal death in rural Nigeria
Background: Underutilization of formal maternal care services and accredited health attendants is a major contributor to the high maternal mortality rates in rural communities in Nigeria. Perceptions of a poor quality of care and inaccessible services in health facilities strongly influence the low use of formal maternal care services. There is therefore a need to […]
Can people-centered community-oriented interventions improve skilled birth attendance? Evidence from a quasi-experimental study in rural communities of Cambodia, Kenya, and Zambia
Background: Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to […]
