Infant gut microbiota characteristics generally do not modify effects of lipid-based nutrient supplementation on growth or inflammation: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in Malawi
An unhealthy gut microbial community may act as a barrier to improvement in growth and health outcomes in response to nutritional interventions. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the infant microbiota modified the effects of a randomized controlled trial of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) in Malawi on growth and inflammation at 12 […]
Understanding home delivery in a context of user fee reduction: A cross-sectional mixed methods study in rural Burkina Faso
Background: Several African countries have recently reduced/removed user fees for maternal care, producing considerable increases in the utilization of delivery services. Still, across settings, a conspicuous number of women continue to deliver at home. This study explores reasons for home delivery in rural Burkina Faso, where a successful user fee reduction policy is in place […]
Effect of a community health worker delivered health, nutrition and responsive stimulation package and conditional cash transfers on child development and growth in rural Tanzania: Protocol for a cluster-randomized trial
Background: Child health, nutrition, and responsive stimulation interventions have been developed to improve child survival, growth and development outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, research on integrated implementation approaches to deliver and promote uptake of these interventions is needed, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods/design: We will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a supply-side […]
Influencing factors for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage and early detection of childbearing women at risk in Northern Province of Rwanda: beneficiary and health worker perspectives
Background: Reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is a major global health priority. However, much remains unknown regarding factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among childbearing women in the Rwandan context. The aim of this study is to explore the influencing factors for prevention of PPH and early detection of childbearing women at risk as […]
“we have either obsolete knowledge, obsolete equipment or obsolete skills”: Policy-makers and clinical managers’ views on maternal health delivery in rural Nigeria
Objective The objective of this paper is to explore policy-makers and clinical managers’ views on maternal health service delivery in rural Nigeria. Design This is a qualitative study using key informant interviews. Participants’ responses were audio recorded and reflective field notes supplemented the transcripts. Data were further analysed with a deductive approach whereby themes were […]
Postnatal care utilisation among women in rural Ghana: analysis of 2014 Ghana demographic and health survey
Background: Maternal mortality is high in Ghana, averaging 310 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017. This is partly due to inadequate postnatal care especially among rural communities. Ghana can avert the high maternal deaths if women meet the World Health Organisation’s recommended early postnatal care check-up. Despite the association between geographical location and […]
An assessment of hospital maternal health services in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey
Background: Access to and delivery of comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services are often weak in low and middle-income countries affecting maternal and infant health outcomes. There are no studies on resources for maternal healthcare in the Northern region of Ghana. This knowledge is vital for health service planning and mobilising funding to […]
Disrespect and abuse during focused antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women who visited public health facilities in Awsi Rasu of Afar Region Northeast Ethiopia
Objectives: Maternal disrespect and abuse are the top significant barriers to the use of maternal health services. However, poor attention has been given to the hospitality and suitability of care provided to women in the facilities where they have been moved to utilize health services. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of maternal […]
Maternal dietary practices, dietary diversity, and nutrient composition of diets of lactating mothers in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Background Optimal nutrition during lactation is essential for the well-being of the mother and the infant. Studies have shown that access to nutrient-rich foods during lactation is critical as minimal stores of nutrients can have adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, composition, and nutrient adequacy of diets of lactating mothers in Southwest […]
Key learnings from an outcome and embedded process evaluation of a direct to beneficiary mobile health intervention among marginalised women in rural Bihar, India
Introduction Mobile Vaani was implemented as a pilot programme across six blocks of Nalanda district in Bihar state, India to increase knowledge of rural women who were members of self-help groups on proper nutrition for pregnant or lactating mothers and infants, family planning and diarrhoea management. Conveners of self-help group meetings, community mobilisers, introduced women […]
