Impact evaluation of the free maternal healthcare policy on the risk of neonatal and infant deaths in four sub-Saharan African countries: A quasi-experimental design with propensity score Kernel matching and difference in differences analysis
Objective Despite the huge financial investment in the free maternal healthcare policy (FMHCP) by the Governments of Ghana and Burkina Faso, no study has quantified the impact of FMHCP on the relative reduction in neonatal and infant mortality rates using a more rigorous matching procedure with the difference in differences (DID) analysis. This study used […]
Does knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy predict birth preparedness? A critique of the evidence from women admitted with pregnancy complications
Background: Improved knowledge of obstetric danger signs, birth preparedness practices, and readiness for emergency complications are among the strategies aimed at both enhancing utilization of maternal health services and increasing access to skilled care during childbirth, particularly for women with obstetric complications. It is unclear whether knowledge of danger signs translates into improved birth preparedness […]
Neonatal mortality in HIV-exposed infants born to women receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda
As human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women gain access to combination antiretroviral therapy throughout sub-Saharan Africa, a growing number of infants are being born HIV-exposed but uninfected. Data about neonatal mortality and the impact of premature delivery, in this population are limited. We describe the 28-day mortality outcomes in a cohort of HIV-exposed infants who had […]
‘And then you can decide’ – antenatal foetal diagnosis decision making in South Africa
Background: Decision making is integral to genetic counselling and the premise is that autonomous decisions emerge if patients are provided with information in a non-directive manner. The pivotal activity in antenatal diagnosis counselling with at-risk pregnant women is decision making regarding invasive procedures. This process is not well understood in multicultural settings. Objective: This study […]
Caesarean section among referred and self-referred birthing women: A cohort study from a tertiary hospital, northeastern Tanzania
Background: The inequity in emergency obstetric care access in Tanzania is unsatisfactory. Despite an existing national obstetric referral system, many birthing women bypass referring facilities and go directly to higher-level care centres. We wanted to compare Caesarean section (CS) rates among women formally referred to a tertiary care centre versus self-referred women, and to assess […]
Postpartum obesity and weight gain among human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected women in South Africa
In South Africa, up to 40% of pregnant women are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 30–45% are obese. However, little is known about the dual burden of HIV and obesity in the postpartum period. In a cohort of HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town, South Africa, we examined […]
Perinatal distress and depression in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) australian women: The role of psychosocial and obstetric factors
Perinatal distress and depression can have significant impacts on both the mother and baby. The present study investigated psychosocial and obstetric factors associated with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian women in Sydney, New South Wales. The study used retrospectively linked maternal and child health data from two Local […]
Impact of newly constructed primary healthcare centres on antenatal care attendance, facility delivery and all-cause mortality: Quasi-experimental evidence from Taabo health and demographic surveillance system, Côte d’Ivoire
Objectives Access to quality care remains limited, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. Although better health outcomes for families living in close proximity to healthcare facilities have been documented in cross-sectional studies, evidence on the extent to which additional health facilities can contribute to improved population health remains scanty. We aimed to estimate the causal […]
Are morbidity and mortality estimates from randomized controlled trials externally valid? A comparison of outcomes among infants enrolled into an RCT or a cohort study in Botswana
Background: The external validity of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) refers to the extent to which the results of the RCT apply to the relevant, non-trial population and is impacted by its eligibility criteria, its organization, and its delivery of the intervention. Here, we compared the outcomes of mortality and hospitalization between an RCT and […]
Evaluating health service coverage in Ghana’s Volta Region using a modified Tanahashi model
Background: The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals have reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to maternal, newborn, and child health, with further investments in achieving quality essential service coverage and financial protection for all. Objective: Using a modified version of the 1978 Tanahashi model as an analytical framework for measuring and assessing health service coverage, […]
