A rapid assessment of the availability and use of obstetric care in nigerian healthcare facilities
Background: As part of efforts to reduce maternal deaths in Nigeria, pregnant women are being encouraged to give birth in healthcare facilities. However, little is known about whether or not available healthcare facilities can cope with an increasing demand for obstetric care. We thus carried out this survey as a rapid and tactical assessment of […]
Indirect effects of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in South Africa
Background: The unfinished burden of poor maternal and child health contributes to the quadruple burden of disease in South Africa with the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic yet to be fully documented. Objective: To investigate the indirect effects of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in different geographical regions and relative wealth […]
Prevalence and factors associated with caesarean section in Rwanda: a trend analysis of Rwanda demographic and health survey 2000 to 2019–20
Background: Caesarean section (CS) is an important medical intervention for reducing the risk of poor perinatal outcomes. However, CS trends in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continue to increase yet maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity remain high. Rwanda, like many other countries in SSA, has shown an increasing trend in the use of CS. This study […]
Mother and newborn survival according to point of entry and type of human resources in a maternal referral system in Kayes (Mali)
Background: Since 2001, a referral system has been operating in Kayes (Mali) to reduce maternal and perinatal deaths. Normal deliveries are managed in community health centers (CHC). Complicated cases are referred to a district health center (DHC) or the regional hospital (RH). Women with obstetric emergencies can directly access the DHC and the RH. Objective. […]
Understanding Women’s Choices: How Women’s Perceptions of Quality of Care Influences Place of Delivery in a Rural Sub-County in Kenya. A Qualitative Study
Background: Maternal mortality is still unacceptably high in Kenya. The Kenyan Government introduced a free maternity service to overcome financial barriers to access. This policy led to a substantial increase in women’s delivery options. This increase in coverage might have led to a reduction in quality of care. This study explores women’s perceptions of quality […]
Use of and barriers to maternal health services in southeast Chad: Results of a population-based survey 2019
Objectives Chad reports the second highest maternal mortality worldwide. We conducted a survey in Sila region in southeast Chad to estimate the use of maternal health services (MHS) and to identify barriers to access MHS. Design Retrospective cross-sectional, population-based survey using two-stage cluster sampling methodology. The survey consisted of two strata, Koukou Angarana and Goz […]
Socio-demographic determinants of skilled birth attendant at delivery in rural southern Ghana
Background: Maternal mortality is the subject of the United Nations’ fifth Millennium Development Goal, which is to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters from 1990 to 2015. The giant strides made by western countries in dropping of their maternal mortality ratio were due to the recognition given to skilled attendants at delivery. In […]
Growth pattern in Ethiopian infants – the impact of exposure to maternal HIV infection in relation to socio-economic factors
Background: Infants exposed to maternal HIV infection who remain HIV-uninfected (HIV-exposed/uninfected; HIV-EU) may be at increased risk of growth retardation, which could be due both to directly HIV-related effects and to socio-economic factors overrepresented among HIV-positive women. Objective: To investigate growth development at 9-12 months of age in HIV-EU infants participating in prevention of mother-to-child […]
Characteristics and birth outcomes of pregnant adolescents compared to older women: An analysis of individual level data from 140,000 mothers from 20 RCTs
Background: Adolescence is a critical period of maturation when nutrient needs are high, especially among adolescents entering pregnancy. Using individual-level data from 140,000 participants, we examined socioeconomic, nutrition, and pregnancy and birth outcomes for adolescent mothers (10–19 years) compared to older mothers in low and middle-income countries. Methods: This study was conducted between March 16, […]
Learning from changes concurrent with implementing a complex and dynamic intervention to improve urban maternal and perinatal health in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2011-2019
Introduction Rapid urbanisation in Dar es Salaam, the main commercial hub in Tanzania, has resulted in congested health facilities, poor quality care, and unacceptably high facility-based maternal and perinatal mortality. Using a participatory approach, the Dar es Salaam regional government in partnership with a non-governmental organisation, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania, implemented a complex, […]
