Residence and young women’s comprehensive HIV knowledge in Ethiopia
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global health problem. The epidemic is very serious in sub-Saharan Africa with approximately 70% of the global cases. The disease particularly affects youth, accounting for half of the new HIV infections yearly. Inadequate knowledge may contribute to the high rates among youth. Hence, the main aim of […]
Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Treatment and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Sao Tome and Principe: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a public health problem in developing countries such as Sao Tome and Principe (STP) although the pregnancy burden of IPIs is unknown in this endemic country. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IPIs, prescribed anthelmintics, and associated factors among pregnant women admitted to […]
Process Evaluation of Facility Delivery Services in Northwest Ethiopia: In the Case of Public Health Centers
Background: Even if giving birth at health facility is vital for both the mothers and their newborns, the coverage of institutional delivery in Ethiopia is very low (50%). In that regard, several studies have shown the possible factors of low delivery service uptake from the patients’ side, but evidences on delivery services at the health […]
Community views on short birth interval in Northern Uganda: a participatory grounded theory
Background: Short birth interval is associated with adverse perinatal, maternal, and infant outcomes, although evidence on actionable factors underlying short birth interval remains limited. We explored women and community views on short birth intervals to inform potential solutions to promote a culturally safe child spacing in Northern Uganda. Methods: Gendered fuzzy cognitive mapping sessions (n […]
Development of a phone survey tool to measure respectful maternity care during pregnancy and childbirth in India: Study protocol
Background: Respectful maternity care (RMC) is a key barometer of the underlying quality of care women receive during pregnancy and childbirth. Efforts to measure RMC have largely been qualitative, although validated quantitative tools are emerging. Available tools have been limited to the measurement of RMC during childbirth and confined to observational and face-to-face survey modes. […]
Protocol for the trial to establish a causal linkage between mycotoxin exposure and child stunting: A cluster randomized trial
Background: The number of stunted children has fallen globally but continues to increase in Africa. Stunting is estimated to contribute to 14-17% of child deaths under 5 years of age and is a risk factor for poor cognitive and motor development and educational outcomes. Inadequate dietary intake and disease are thought to be the immediate […]
Proactive community case management and child survival: Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Introduction Community health workers (CHWs) – shown to improve access to care and reduce maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality – are re-emerging as a key strategy to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, recent evaluations of national programmes for CHW-led integrated community case management (iCCM) of common childhood illnesses have not found […]
Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Women’s Perspectives on Male Involvement in Antenatal Care, Labour, and Childbirth
Background. Evidence suggests that in patriarchal societies such as Ghana, access to and survival of maternal and child healthcare services require the active involvement of men. However, interventions to promote men’s involvement in maternal and child health care are less likely to succeed if the views and concerns of women are not considered. This study […]
Implementation of a new program of gestational diabetes screening and management in Morocco: A qualitative exploration of health workers’ perceptions
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk for a future type 2 diabetes mellitus in women and their children. As linkage between maternal health and non-communicable diseases, antenatal care plays a key role in the primary and secondary prevention of GDM associated adverse outcomes. While implementing a locally adapted GDM screening […]
From Insecurity to Health Service Delivery: Pathways and System Response Strategies in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
The provinces of North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have experienced insecurity since the 1990s. Without any solution to the conflict in sight, health actors have adapted their interventions to maintain some level of health service provision. We reflect on the health system resilience in the Kivu provinces in […]
