Emergency hysterectomy in a tertiary care hospital: Indications, surgical outcomes and challenges: A 2year retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study

Introduction: emergency hysterectomy (EH) remains a life-saving procedure in cases of lifethreatening obstetric hemorrhage and other gynaecological emergencies. We aim to determine the indications, surgical outcomes and challenges of EH in our tertiary centre. Methods: an ethically approved retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study on all EHs performed at a tertiary hospital during the period of 1st […]

Factors associated with culture proven neonatal sepsis in the Ho municipality 2016

Introduction: Neonatal Sepsis (NNS) is a public health problem which causes death or disability unless appropriate antibiotic treatment is given promptly. Globally, sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates despite recent progress in health care delivery. We assessed the factors associated with culture proven sepsis among neonates in the Ho Municipality, […]

Prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive utilization among rural lactating mothers: Findings from the primary health care project in two northwest Ethiopian districts

Background: Contraceptive utilization is a guarantee to avert unwanted pregnancies. In Ethiopia however, more than half of the rural women have shorter birth intervals. Consequently, 17 and 8% of the births have been either mistimed (wanted at later date) or unwanted, respectively. Therefore, this study investigated modern contraceptive utilization and its predictors among rural lactating […]

Reaching the unreached: effectiveness and satisfaction with community-directed distribution of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for preventing malaria in pregnancy in rural South-East, Nigeria

Background: Innovative community strategies to increase intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) coverage is advocated particularly in rural areas, where health infrastructure is weakest and malaria transmission highest. This study involved proof-of-concept implementation research to determine satisfaction with and effectiveness of community-directed distribution of IPTp-SP on uptake among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: […]

Epidemiology of paediatric injuries in Rwanda using a prospective trauma registry

BACKGROUND: Child survival initiatives historically prioritized efforts to reduce child morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases and maternal conditions. Little attention has been devoted to paediatric injuries in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the demographics and outcomes of paediatric injury in a sub-Saharan African country in an effort to improve prevention and treatment. […]

Access to integrated community case management of childhood illnesses services in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of caregivers

Background: In 2010, Ethiopia began scaling up the integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illness strategy throughout the country allowing health extension workers (HEWs) to treat children in rural health posts. After 2 years of iCCM scale up, utilization of HEWs remains low. Little is known about factors related to the use of health […]

A Challenging Knowledge Gap: Estimating Modes of HIV Acquisition Among Adolescents Entering HIV Care During Adolescence

Characterizing HIV acquisition modes among adolescents with HIV (AHIV) enrolling in care during adolescence is a challenging gap that impacts differential interventions. We explored whether primary data collection with targeted questionnaires may address this gap and improve understanding of risk factors and perceptions about adolescents’ HIV acquisition, in Kenyan AHIV entering care at ≥10 years, […]

Assessing policy dialogues and the role of context: Liberian case study before and during the Ebola outbreak

Background: In the last decade participatory approaches have gained prominence in policy-making, becoming the focus of good policy-making processes. Policy dialogue is recognised as an important aspect of policy-making among several interactive and innovative policy-making models applied in different contexts and sectors. Recently there has been emphasis on the quality of policy dialogue in terms […]

Mortality level and predictors in a rural Ethiopian population: Community based longitudinal study

Background: Over the last fifty years the world has seen enormous decline in mortality rates. However, in low-income countries, where vital registration systems are absent, mortality statistics are not easily available. The recent economic growth of Ethiopia and the parallel large scale healthcare investments make investigating mortality figures worthwhile. Methods: Longitudinal health and demographic surveillance […]