Reducing maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa through emergency obstetric care
The highest rates of maternal and infant mortality have been recorded continuously in Sub-Saharan Africa because pregnant women in this region have difficulty receiving expert emergency obstetric care due to the delay in seeking appropriate medical help, delay in getting to an appropriate health facility, and delay in receiving expert medical help after reaching the […]
Evolution of assisted deliveries at primary healthcare centres in an unstable security context in Mali
Introduction In Mali, healthcare systems are severely affected by conflict. However, several studies suggest a lack of knowledge about its impact on maternal healthcare. Frequent and repeated attacks increase insecurity, limit access to maternal care, and thus represent a barrier to accessing care. The objective of this study is to understand how assisted deliveries are […]
Client education experiences and expectations of women at the first level of maternal and child care in Kaduna state, Nigeria
Purpose: to explore the client education experiences of women at first level maternal and child health-care facilities in Kaduna State Nigeria. The lack of access to appropriate information to assist women in making decisions about their health and utilize available services is recognized as a major contributory factor to the unabated high maternal and child […]
Women’s experiences in accessing maternal and child health services during the period of the armed conflict in the north of mali
Background: During the year 2012 armed conflict in the northern regions of Mali, health care services were no longer able to run in the normal way and women’s access to health services became a critical issue in those regions. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the women’s experiences in accessing maternal and […]
Predictors of health facility childbirth among unmarried and married youth in Uganda
Background Uganda has a high maternal mortality rate combined with poor use of health facilities at childbirth among youth. Improved use of maternal health services by the youth would help reduce maternal deaths in the country. Predictors of use of health facilities at childbirth among unmarried compared to married youth aged 15–24 years in Uganda […]
The economic burden of maternal mortality on households: Evidence from three sub-counties in rural western Kenya
Background: This study explores the consequences of a maternal death to households in rural Western Kenya focusing particularly on the immediate financial and economic impacts. Methods: Between September 2011 and March 2013 all households in the study area with a maternal death were surveyed. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics of the deceased woman; […]
An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa
Africa has the highest rates of maternal deaths globally which have been linked to poorly functioning health care systems. The pandemic revealed already known weaknesses in the health systems in Africa, such as workforce shortages, lack of equipment and resources. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature on the impact of […]
Maternal overweight and obesity and the risk of caesarean birth in Malawi
Background: Overweight and obese women are at risk of pregnancy and delivery complications. This study investigates the trend and association between maternal overweight and obesity on caesarean births in Malawi. Methods: We utilised cross-sectional population-based Demographic Health Surveys (DHSs) data collected from mothers aged 18-49 years in 2004/05, 2010, and 2015/16 in Malawi. The outcome […]
The effects of completion of continuum of care in maternal health services on adverse birth outcomes in Northwestern Ethiopia: a prospective follow-up study
Background: Globally, around 4 million babies die within the first month of birth annually with more than 3 million stillbirths. Of them, 99% of newborn deaths and 98% of stillbirths occur in developing countries. Despite giving priority to maternal health services, adverse birth outcomes are still major public health problems in the study area. Hence, […]
Strengthening and monitoring health system’s capacity to improve availability, utilization and quality of emergency obstetric care in northern Nigeria
Background Quality improvement in emergency obstetric care (EmOC) is a critical and cost-effective suite of interventions for the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of quality improvement interventions following a baseline assessment in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Methods This was a prospective before and after study […]
