Effect of a community health worker delivered health, nutrition and responsive stimulation package and conditional cash transfers on child development and growth in rural Tanzania: Protocol for a cluster-randomized trial

Background: Child health, nutrition, and responsive stimulation interventions have been developed to improve child survival, growth and development outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, research on integrated implementation approaches to deliver and promote uptake of these interventions is needed, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods/design: We will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a supply-side […]

Influencing factors for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage and early detection of childbearing women at risk in Northern Province of Rwanda: beneficiary and health worker perspectives

Background: Reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is a major global health priority. However, much remains unknown regarding factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among childbearing women in the Rwandan context. The aim of this study is to explore the influencing factors for prevention of PPH and early detection of childbearing women at risk as […]

A cluster randomised controlled trial of the community effectiveness of two interventions in rural Malawi to improve health care and to reduce maternal, newborn and infant mortality

Background: The UN Millennium Development Goals call for substantial reductions in maternal and child mortality, to be achieved through reductions in morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, delivery, postpartum and early childhood. The MaiMwana Project aims to test community-based interventions that tackle maternal and child health problems through increasing awareness and local action.Methods/Design: This study uses […]

The Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomised trials in Mozambique, Pakistan, and India: an individual participant-level meta-analysis

Background: To overcome the three delays in triage, transport and treatment that underlie adverse pregnancy outcomes, we aimed to reduce all-cause adverse outcomes with community-level interventions targeting women with pregnancy hypertension in three low-income countries. Methods: In this individual participant-level meta-analysis, we de-identified and pooled data from the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomised […]

“we have either obsolete knowledge, obsolete equipment or obsolete skills”: Policy-makers and clinical managers’ views on maternal health delivery in rural Nigeria

Objective The objective of this paper is to explore policy-makers and clinical managers’ views on maternal health service delivery in rural Nigeria. Design This is a qualitative study using key informant interviews. Participants’ responses were audio recorded and reflective field notes supplemented the transcripts. Data were further analysed with a deductive approach whereby themes were […]

Association between maternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes in Arba Minch zuria, and Gacho Baba district, southern Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study

Background: Globally, delayed childbearing to the advanced age is a growing option. It is an emerging public health issue in developing countries. Currently, adverse perinatal outcomes significantly increased. A few studies showed the effect of advanced maternal age on adverse perinatal outcomes. However, most used secondary data or chart reviews, and this increases the risk […]

An assessment of hospital maternal health services in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Access to and delivery of comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services are often weak in low and middle-income countries affecting maternal and infant health outcomes. There are no studies on resources for maternal healthcare in the Northern region of Ghana. This knowledge is vital for health service planning and mobilising funding to […]

Disrespect and abuse during focused antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women who visited public health facilities in Awsi Rasu of Afar Region Northeast Ethiopia

Objectives: Maternal disrespect and abuse are the top significant barriers to the use of maternal health services. However, poor attention has been given to the hospitality and suitability of care provided to women in the facilities where they have been moved to utilize health services. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of maternal […]

Maternal dietary practices, dietary diversity, and nutrient composition of diets of lactating mothers in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Background Optimal nutrition during lactation is essential for the well-being of the mother and the infant. Studies have shown that access to nutrient-rich foods during lactation is critical as minimal stores of nutrients can have adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, composition, and nutrient adequacy of diets of lactating mothers in Southwest […]

Key learnings from an outcome and embedded process evaluation of a direct to beneficiary mobile health intervention among marginalised women in rural Bihar, India

Introduction Mobile Vaani was implemented as a pilot programme across six blocks of Nalanda district in Bihar state, India to increase knowledge of rural women who were members of self-help groups on proper nutrition for pregnant or lactating mothers and infants, family planning and diarrhoea management. Conveners of self-help group meetings, community mobilisers, introduced women […]