A multilevel analysis of prevalence and factors associated with female child marriage in Nigeria using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data
Background: Globally, there has been a decline in female child marriage (FCM) from 1 in 4 girls married a decade ago to approximately 1 in 5 currently. However, this decline is not homogenous because some regions are still experiencing a high prevalence of FCM. As such, the United Nations reiterated the need for concentrated efforts […]
Distribution and quality of emergency obstetric care service delivery in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: It is time to improve regulatory mechanisms
Background: The Demographic and Health Survey 2013-14 indicated that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is still challenged by high maternal and neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the availability, quality and equity of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in the DRC. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1,568 health facilities selected […]
Narratives of women presenting with abortion complications in Southwestern Nigeria: A qualitative study
Unsafe abortion continues to impact negatively on women’s health in countries with restrictive abortion laws. It remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. Paradoxically, modern contraceptive prevalence remains low and the unmet need for contraception continues to mirror unwanted pregnancy rates in many countries within sub- Saharan Africa. This qualitative study […]
Capacity building for cancer prevention and early detection in the Ugandan primary healthcare facilities: Working toward reducing the unmet needs of cancer control services
Background: In 2018, approximately 60,000 Ugandans were estimated to be suffering from cancer. It was also reported that only 5% of cancer patients access cancer care and 77% present with late-stage cancer coupled with low level of cancer health literacy in the population despite a wide coverage of primary healthcare facilities in Uganda. We aimed […]
Missed Tuberculosis Investigations and Associated Factors in Patients with Symptoms Indicative of Tuberculosis at Public Health Institutions in Northwest Ethiopia: The Application of a Negative Binomial Model
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top health problems in Ethiopia, and over one-third of estimated TB cases remain undetected. This study examined the magnitude and factors of missed opportunities for TB investigation at public health facilities in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 adult patients with TB symptoms […]
Identifying factors associated with the uptake of prevention of mother to child HIV transmission programme in Tigray region, Ethiopia: A multilevel modeling approach
Background: Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) remains a challenge in low and middle-income countries. Determinants of utilization occur – and often interact – at both individual and community levels, but most studies do not address how determinants interact across levels. Multilevel models allow for the importance of both groups and individuals in […]
Essential newborn care practices for healthy newborns at a district hospital in Pemba, Tanzania: a cross-sectional observational study utilizing video recordings
Background: High-quality essential newborn care (ENC) can improve newborn health and reduce preventable newborn mortality. The World Health Organization recommends specific ENC interventions. Video recordings have potential as a tool for assessment of clinical care also in low and middle-income countries. Objective: To use video observations of healthy newborns to describe ENC practices in a […]
Promotion of early and exclusive breastfeeding in neonatal care units in rural Rwanda: a pre- and post-intervention study
Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding after birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months improves child survival, nutrition and health outcomes. However, only 42% of newborns worldwide are breastfed within the first hour of life. Small and sick newborns are at greater risk of not receiving breastmilk and often require additional support for feeding. […]
Postpartum depressive symptoms in the context of high social adversity and reproductive health threats: A population-based study
Background: Postpartum depression is an important but neglected public health issue in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms and associated factors in a rural Ethiopian setting characterized by high social adversity and reproductive health threats. We hypothesized that infant gender preference would be associated with […]
Factors associated with female genital mutilation in Burkina Faso and its policy implications
Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) usually undertaken between the ages of 1-9 years and is widely practised in some part of Africa and by migrants from African countries in other parts of the world. Laws prohibit FGM in almost every country. FGM can cause immediate complications (pain, bleeding and infection) and delayed complications (sexual, obstetric, […]
