Evaluation of the impact of the voucher and accreditation approach on improving reproductive behaviors and RH status: Bangladesh
Background: Cost of delivering reproductive health services to low-income populations will always require total or partial subsidization by the government and/or development partners. Broadly termed “Demand-Side Financing” or “Output-Based Aid”, includes a range of interventions that channel government or donor subsidies to the service user rather than the service provider. Initial findings from the few […]
An early infant HIV risk score for targeted HIV testing at birth
BACKGROUND: Early HIV testing is needed for treatment success in young infants, but universal testing is expensive. In this study, we examined the feasibility of early infant HIV risk scores for targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and early HIV diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort of newborns exposed to HIV was enrolled and PCR tested […]
Factors influencing antenatal care attendance for Bakiga and Indigenous Batwa women in Kanungu District, Southwestern Uganda
Introduction: The number of maternal deaths remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. Effective antenatal care (ANC) reduces maternal morbidity and mortality; therefore, provision of improved antenatal care services has been prioritised across sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, research is limited on the ANC experiences of Indigenous women in sub-Saharan Africa. This study characterised ANC attendance patterns at a […]
Spatial variation of child stunting and maternal malnutrition after controlling for known risk factors in a drought-prone rural community in Southern Ethiopia
Background: Globally, understanding spatial analysis of malnutrition is increasingly recognized. However, our knowledge on spatial clustering of malnutrition after controlling for known risk factors of malnutrition such as wealth status, food insecurity, altitude and maternal characteristics is limited from Ethiopia. Previous studies from southern Ethiopia have shown seasonal patterns of malnutrition, yet they did not […]
Household Poverty-Wealth and Decision-Making Autonomy as Predictors of Reproductive and Maternal Health Services Utilization among Rural Women in Nigeria: Evidence from a National Survey
Background: Adequate reproductive and maternal healthcare services utilization are significant in reducing maternal deaths, however, the prevalence rate of contraceptive use remains low, with inadequate maternal health services utilization among rural women in Nigeria. This study examined the influence of household poverty-wealth and decision-making autonomy on reproductive and maternal health services utilization among rural women […]
Characteristics of pica behavior among mothers around lake victoria, Kenya: A cross-sectional study
Background: Pica, the craving and purposeful consumption of nonfoods, is poorly understood. We described the prevalence of pica among women on Mfangano Island, Kenya, and examined sociodemographic and health correlates. Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 299 pregnant or postpartum women in 2012. We used a 24-h recall to assess pica, defined as consumption of earth […]
The effect of a clinical decision-making mHealth support system on maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in Ghana: Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Background: Mobile health (mHealth) presents one of the potential solutions to maximize health worker impact and efficiency in an effort to reach the Sustainable Development Goals 3.1 and 3.2, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries. Poor-quality clinical decision-making is known to be associated with poor pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study aims to assess the effect […]
Maternal exposure to intimate partner violence and uptake of maternal healthcare services in Ethiopia: Evidence from a national survey
Background Women exposed to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) often do not utilize maternal health care optimally both because of stigma and other social problems. The current study aims to explore an association between maternal healthcare seeking and violence exposure among Ethiopian women and to assess if educational attainment and wealth status moderate this association. Methods […]
Home gardens focusing on the production of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables increase the serum retinol concentrations of 2-5-y-old children in South Africa
Background: Production of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables at the household level may provide economically deprived households with direct access to provitamin A-rich foods. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether the dietary intake of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables and the serum retinol concentrations of children improve with a home-gardening program. […]
Operational issues and barriers to implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hiv (PMTCT) interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over the past 10 years substantial progress has been made in the implementation of prevention of mother-tochild transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In spite of this, new pediatric infections remain unacceptably high, contributing the majority (>90%) of the estimated 390,000 infections globally in 2010; and yet prolonged breastfeeding remains the norm […]
