Uterine rupture in a teaching hospital in Mbarara, western Uganda, unmatched case-control study
Background: Uterine rupture is one of the most devastating complications of labour that exposes the mother and foetus to grave danger hence contributing to the high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Uganda. Every year, 6000 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, uterine rupture accounts for about 8% of all maternal […]
Midwives’ challenges in the management of postpartum haemorrhage at rural PHC facilities of Limpopo province, South Africa: An explorative study
Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the causes of the rise in maternal mortality. Midwives’ experiences related to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) management remain unexplored, especially in Limpopo. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by midwives in the management of women with PPH. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted to explore the […]
Determinants of the continuum of maternal healthcare services in northwest Ethiopia: Findings from the primary health care project
Background. The maternity continuum of care is the continuity of maternal healthcare services that a woman uses, which includes antenatal care (ANC 4+), skill birth attendant (SBA), and postnatal care (PNC) within 48 hours of delivery. It is one of the essential strategies for reducing maternal and newborn mortality. This study aimed to assess the […]
Maternal mortality in Kassala State – Eastern Sudan: Community-based study using Reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS)
Background: The maternal mortality ratio in Sudan was estimated at 750/100,000 live births. Sudan was one of eleven countries that are responsible for 65% of global maternal deaths according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) estimate. Maternal mortality in Kassala State was high in national demographic surveys. This study was conducted to investigate the […]
Factors influencing access of pregnant women and their infants to their local healthcare system: A prospective, multi-centre, observational study
Background: The successful implementation of maternal vaccination relies on results of clinical trials, considering the prenatal and postnatal attendance at selected healthcare institutions. This study evaluated factors influencing maternal/infant access to healthcare facilities to identify potential barriers to participation in future clinical trials on maternal vaccination. Methods: In this prospective, multi-centre, observational study, pregnant women […]
The effectiveness of a behavioral science and design intervention for family savings on use of maternal health services and male involvement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Background: Lack of financial preparedness for pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes during childbirth. Behavioral science interventions have been shown to influence savings behavior. Financial savings interventions can be adapted for the purpose of encouraging individuals to save towards maternal healthcare costs. This article describes a protocol to assess the effectiveness of an intervention formulated […]
Men’s participation in maternal and child health care in Western Uganda: Perspectives from the community
Background: Participation of men in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is crucial for the reduction of infant and maternal mortality. Men may be influential in making health care decisions that may affect their female partner’s access to health care services, but also as individuals, whose health status has a significant impact on the health of […]
Why Muslim women in Northern Ghana do not use skilled maternal healthcare services at health facilities: A qualitative study Healthcare availability and accessibility
Background: Muslim women are one sub-population in Ghana among whom the rate of skilled maternal health services accessibility and utilisation is very low. However, there are no studies in Ghana that explore the maternity needs and care experiences of Muslim women, and why they do not utilise maternal healthcare services at health facilities. The purpose […]
Barriers to uptake of antenatal maternal screening tests in Senegal
Background Evidence exists that selective antenatal maternal screening tests contribute to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. However, data are lacking on coverage with the complete set of recommended tests. The study aimed to identify barriers to uptake of the complete set of tests recommended by the Ministry of Health in Senegal. Methods Data […]
Utilization of Kenya’s free maternal health services among women living in Kibera slums: A cross-sectional study
Introduction: This study was aimed at determining factors affecting utilization of public health facilities by pregnant Kenyan women living in Kibera slums, Nairobi since the implementation of the Free Maternal Service (FMS) Program in 2013. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done on 396 women who delivered between 2014 and 2015. Interview questions addressed socio-demographic […]
