Analysis of cesarean section rates using Robson ten group classification system in a tertiary teaching hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Background: Cesarean section (CS) is an important indicator of access to, and quality of maternal health services. The World Health Organization recommends the Robson ten group classification system as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing CS rates at all levels. This study aimed to assess the rate of CS and perform an analysis […]
Under-five mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: secondary analyses of survey and conflict data by province
Objective To compare coverage of key child health policy indicators across provinces and to explore their association with under-five mortality and level of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods We made a secondary analysis of nationally representative data from 1380 health facilities and 20 792 households in 2017–2018. We analysed provincial-level data […]
Addressing the migrant gap: maternal healthcare perspectives on utilising prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programming in South Africa. In 2020, it was estimated that there were 4 million cross-border migrants in South Africa, some of whom are women living with HIV (WLWH), who are highly mobile and located within peripheral and urban areas of Johannesburg. […]
Why give birth in health facility? Users’ and providers’ accounts of poor quality of birth care in Tanzania
Background: In Tanzania, half of all pregnant women access a health facility for delivery. The proportion receiving skilled care at birth is even lower. In order to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, the government has set out to increase health facility deliveries by skilled care. The aim of this study was to describe the weaknesses […]
Influence of gestational weight gain on baby’s birth weight in Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia: a follow-up study
BACKGROUND: Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator of fetal well-being during pregnancy. Inadequate or excessive GWG could have undesirable effects on birth weight. However, information regarding the influence of GWG on birth weight is lacking from the Ethiopian setting. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the influence of GWG and other maternal-related factors […]
The impact of depression at preconception on pregnancy planning and unmet need for contraception in the first postpartum year: a cohort study from rural Malawi
Background: The impact of depression on women’s use of contraception and degree of pregnancy planning in low-income settings has been poorly researched. Our study aims to explore if symptoms of depression at preconception are associated with unplanned pregnancy and nonuse of contraception at the point of conception and in the postpartum period. Methods: Population-based cohort […]
Partograph utilization as a decision-making tool and associated factors among obstetric care providers in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Globally, a total of 13.6 million women have died due to maternal causes from 1990 to 2015. Majority of these deaths occurred in resource-limited countries. Among the causes of these deaths, obstructed and prolonged labor covers the highest percentage, which could be prevented by cost-effective and affordable health interventions like partograph use. Therefore, this […]
Overweight and obesity among women: Analysis of demographic and health survey data from 32 Sub-Saharan African Countries
Background: Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many chronic diseases globally. However, the extent of the problem in low-income countries like Sub-Saharan Africa is unclear. We assessed the magnitude and disparity of both phenomena by place of residence, level of education and wealth quintile using cross-sectional data from 32 countries. Methods: Demographic and Health […]
Multiple sexual partners and condom use among 10 – 19 year-olds in four districts in Tanzania: What do we learn?
Abstract. Background: Although some studies in Tanzania have addressed the question of sexuality and STIs among adolescents, mostly those aged 15 – 19 years, evidence on how multiple sexual partners influence condom use among 10 – 19 year-olds is limited. This study attempts to bridge this gap by testing a hypothesis that sexual relationships with […]
Group B Streptococcus Colonization among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Tertiary Hospital in Rural Southwestern Uganda
Objectives. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with group B streptococcal anogenital colonization among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, a tertiary hospital. Methods. Cross-sectional study where 309 pregnant women ≥ thirty-five weeks of gestation attending antenatal clinic were consecutively recruited between January and March 2015. Anovaginal […]
