Methodological considerations in implementing the WHO Global Survey for Monitoring Maternal and Perinatal Health
Objective: To set up a global system for monitoring maternal and perinatal health in 54 countries worldwide. Methods: The WHO Global Survey for Monitoring Maternal and Perinatal Health was implemented through a network of health institutions, selected using a stratified multistage cluster sampling design. Focused information on maternal and perinatal health was abstracted from hospital […]
Maternal education and childbirth care in Uganda
Background Globally, over 500,000 females die of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth each year, and of these, over 99% of deaths occur in developing countries such as Uganda. Utilisation of modern and professional care during delivery is important in lowering maternal mortality. This paper sets out to investigate the factors associated with the utilisation […]
Individualizing the WHO HIV and infant feeding guidelines: Optimal breastfeeding duration to maximize infant HIV-free survival
OBJECTIVES:: To determine how infant feeding recommendations can maximize HIV-free survival (HFS) among HIV-exposed, uninfected African infants, balancing risks of breast milk-Associated HIV infection with setting-specific risks of illness and death associated with replacement feeding. DESIGN:: Validated mathematical model of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants, with published data from Africa. METHODS:: We projected 24-month HFS using combinations […]
Undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in pastoral communities of Afar Regional State, northeast Ethiopia
Background: Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriages and foetal deaths, pre-term delivery, and maternal mortality. However, limited studies have been conducted in Ethiopia that may not represent the problem among pregnant women in pastoral communities like the Afar region. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant […]
Identifying geographical inequalities of maternal care utilization in Ethiopia: a Spatio-temporal analysis from 2005 to 2019
Introduction: Inequalities in maternal care utilization pose a significant threat to maternal health programs. This study aimed to describe and explain the spatial variation in maternal care utilization among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Accordingly, this study focuses on identifying hotspots of underutilization and mapping maternal care utilization, as well as identifying predictors of spatial clustering […]
Reproductive health outcomes: Insights from experts and verbal autopsies
BACKGROUND: Reproductive health outcomes are a measure of maternal and neonatal health. South Africa’s state of maternal health is of particular concern because of the two Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets for monitoring maternal health, namely MDG 5a, to reduce the maternal mortality rate by three-quarters, and MDG 5b, to achieve universal access to reproductive […]
Online Data Collection in Developing Nations: An Investigation into Sample Bias in a Sample of South African University Students
The utility of online methods of data collection has led to the rapid adoption of Internet-based surveys for social sciences research. Given the potential problems of noncoverage and nonresponse when making use of this data collection method, the present study aimed to investigate differences between an online and a paper-based sample drawn from the same […]
Dynamics and constraints of early infant diagnosis of HIV infection in rural Kenya
A cohort design was used to determine uptake and drop out of 213 HIV-exposed infants eligible for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV. To explore service providers and care givers knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the EID process, observations and in-depth interviews were conducted. 145 (68%) infants enrolled after 2 months of age. 139 (65%) […]
Wealth status, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and Ante Natal Care (ANC) are determinants for low birth weight in Kersa, Ethiopia
Background: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is one of the major risk factor for death in early life. However, little is known about predictors of LBW in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the incidence and determinants of LBW in a rural population of Ethiopia. Methods: An observational cohort study on […]
Maternal tobacco and alcohol use in relation to child malnutrition in gauteng, south africa: A retrospective analysis
Tobacco and alcohol use among mothers is associated with numerous adverse consequences for affected offspring, including poor growth and development. This study determined the association between maternal tobacco and alcohol use, and malnutrition, among infants aged ≤ 12 months (n = 300), in selected health facilities situated in Gauteng, South Africa. Data on alcohol and […]
