Prevalence and factors associated with preterm birth in a rural district hospital, Rwanda
Introduction: globally, the leading cause of neonatal mortality is preterm birth which may hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 target. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with preterm delivery at Kabutare hospital, Rwanda. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2020. Mothers were interviewed using a standard […]
Determinants of neonatal mortality in rural Northern Ethiopia: A population based nested case control study
Introduction: In low income and middle income countries, neonatal mortality remains high despite the gradual reduction in under five mortality. Newborn death contributes for about 38% of all under five deaths. This study has identified the magnitude and independent predictors of neonatal mortality in rural Ethiopia. Methods: This population based nested case control study was […]
Health information and health-seeking behaviour in Yemen: Perspectives of health leaders, midwives and mothers in two rural areas of Yemen
Background: Humanitarian crises can lead to the rapid change in the health needs of women and newborns, which may give rise to a complex situation that would require various interventions as solutions. This study aimed to examine the health education and promotion patterns, health-seeking behaviour of mothers, and barriers to the use of maternal health […]
Predictors of facility-based delivery utilization in central Ethiopia: A case-control study
Background Improving access to maternal health services has been a priority for the health sector in lowincome countries; the utilization of facility delivery services has remained low. Although Ethiopia provides free maternal health services in all public health facilities utilization of services has not been as expected. Objective This study examined predictors of facility delivery […]
Reflections on Digital Maternal and Child Health Support for Mothers and Community Health Workers in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Introduction: Digital health support using mobile and digital technologies, such as MomConnect and WhatsApp, is providing opportunities to improve maternal and child healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, the perspective of health service providers, pregnant women, and mothers as recipients of digital health support is under-researched in rural areas. Material and Methods: An exploratory-descriptive […]
Place-specific factors associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in Southern Mozambique: A retrospective cohort study
Objectives To identify and measure the place-specific determinants that are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the southern region of Mozambique. Design Retrospective cohort study. Choice of variables informed by literature and Delphi consensus. Setting Study conducted during the baseline phase of a community level intervention for pre-eclampsia that was led by community […]
Can community health officer-midwives effectively integrate skilled birth attendance in the community-based health planning and services program in rural Ghana?
Background: The burden of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa is very high. In Ghana maternal mortality ratio was 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013. Skilled birth attendance has been shown to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, yet in 2010 only 68 percent of mothers in Ghana gave birth with the assistance of skilled […]
Prenatal care and uptake of HIV testing among pregnant women in Gambia: A cross-sectional study
Background: Improving the coverage of antenatal care is regarded as an important strategy to reduce the risks of maternal and child mortality in low income settings like Gambia. Nonetheless, a large number of countries in Africa, including Gambia, are struggling to attain an optimum level of healthcare utilization among pregnant women. The role of socioeconomic […]
New paradigm old thinking: The case for emergency obstetric care in the prevention of maternal mortality in Nigeria
Background: The continuing burden of maternal mortality, especially in developing countries has prompted a shift in paradigm from the traditional risk assessment approach to the provision of access to emergency obstetric care services for all women who are pregnant. This study assessed the knowledge of maternity unit operatives at the primary and secondary levels of […]
Local problems; Local solutions: An innovative approach to investigating and addressing causes of maternal deaths in Zambia’s Copperbelt
Background: Maternal mortality in developing countries is high and international targets for reduction are unlikely to be met. Zambia’s maternal mortality ratio was 591 per 100,000 live births according to survey data (2007) while routinely collected data captured only about 10% of these deaths. In one district in Zambia medical staff reviewed deaths occurring in […]
