Community mobilization to reduce postpartum hemorrhage in home births in northern Nigeria
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the importance of community mobilization in the uptake of a health intervention, namely, community-based distribution of misoprostol to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Community mobilization to increase access to misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage prevention was implemented in northwestern Nigeria in 2009. Theories of community participation and the current near-epidemic […]
Factors associated with inadequate prenatal care service utilization in Ethiopia according to the WHO recommended standard guidelines
Background: Adequate maternal health care could prevent 54% of maternal deaths in low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, the maternal mortality rate was reduced from 817 to 412 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2016. Thus, the current study focuses on the adequacy of prenatal care (PNC) services rather than the mere prenatal […]
Stakeholders perceptions regarding implementing maternal and newborn health care programs in Rwanda
Background: While maternal and newborn deaths has been decreasing since 2008 in Rwanda, there is room for improvement to meet its sustainable development goals. The maternal and newborn health care program needs to be monitored to ensure its effective implementation. This study therefore aimed to explore stakeholder’s perceptions of the Rwandan maternal and newborn health […]
Patterns and trends of contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Nigeria: Evidence from cross-sectional studies
Background: The benefits of universal access to voluntary contraception have been widely documented in terms of maternal and newborn survival, women’s empowerment, and human capital. Given population dynamics, the choices and opportunities adolescents have in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health information and services could significantly affect the burden of diseases and nations’ […]
Addressing the huge poor–rich gap of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care: A first step to achieving universal maternal health coverage in Tanzania
Introduction Despite skilled attendance during childbirth has been linked with the reduction of maternal deaths, equality in accessing this safe childbirth care is highly needed to achieving universal maternal health coverage. However, little information is available regarding the extent of inequalities in accessing safe childbirth care in Tanzania. This study was performed to assess the […]
Detection and initial management of gestational diabetes through primary health care services in Morocco: An effectiveness-implementation trial
Background Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) testing and management in Morocco is associated with delays resulting in late commencement of treatment. To reduce delays and to increase access of women to GDM care, a country-adapted intervention targeting primary health care providers was designed to test the hypothesis that detection and initial management of GDM at the […]
Experiences of a dedicated Heart and Maternal Health Service providing multidisciplinary care to pregnant women with cardiac disease in a tertiary centre in Namibia
Objectives: First, to describe the implementation process, benefits and challenges of a multidisciplinary service for pregnant women with cardiac disease in Namibia. Second, to assess pregnancy outcomes in this population. Methods: In a tertiary hospital in Namibia, a multidisciplinary service was implemented by staff of obstetric and cardiology departments and included preconception counselling, provision of […]
An assessment of out of pocket payments in public sector health facilities under the free maternal healthcare policy in Ghana
Background: The free maternal healthcare policy was introduced in Ghana in 2008 under the national health insurance scheme as a social intervention to improve access to maternal health services. This study investigated the prevalence of out of pocket (OOP) payment among pregnant women with valid national health insurance who sought skilled delivery services at public […]
An analysis of the quality of maternity services in Nampula, Mozambique: implementation research
Introduction: the quality of maternity services is an essential factor in reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, which remains extremely high in Africa. In Mozambique, maternal mortality rate is 451.6 deaths per 100,000 live births (2017). The reasons for this are complex, but one important factor to reduce this burden is to provide effective […]
Prevalence and determinants of the place of delivery among reproductive age women in sub–Saharan Africa
Introduction Maternal mortality is an issue of global public health concern with over 300,000 women dying globally each year. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these deaths mainly occur around childbirth and the first 24hours after delivery. The place of delivery is, therefore, important in reducing maternal deaths and accelerating progress towards attaining the 2030 sustainable development […]
