Lessons learnt from enrolment and follow up of pregnant women and their infants in clinical trials in South Africa, a low-middle income country
Introduction: Infectious causes are a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in neonates and young infants. Immunization of pregnant women to protect the mother and/or her infant is gaining momentum due to the benefits of this strategy demonstrated in numerous implemented strategies (Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative) and clinical trials.Reluctance by regulators, participants and […]
Assessment of mobile health technology for maternal and child health services in rural Upper West Region of Ghana
Objectives: This study assessed the perspectives of women and health workers on the feasibility of using mobile health technology (mHealth) for the provision of maternal and child health services in rural settings of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Study design: The study used a mixed-design approach of quantitative and qualitative methods. Methods: Interviewer-administered questionnaires, […]
The impact of targeted subsidies for facility-based delivery on access to care and equity Evidence from a population-based study in rural Burkina Faso
We conducted the first population-based impact assessment of a financing policy introduced in Burkina Faso in 2007 on women’s access to delivery services. The policy offers an 80 per cent subsidy for facility-based delivery. We collected information on delivery in five repeated cross-sectional surveys carried out from 2006 to 2010 on a representative sample of […]
An exploratory study of the policy process and early implementation of the free NHIS coverage for pregnant women in Ghana
Background: Pregnant women were offered free access to health care through National Health Insurance (NHIS) membership in Ghana in 2008, in the latest phase of policy reforms to ensure universal access to maternal health care. During the same year, free membership was made available to all children (under-18). This article presents an exploratory qualitative analysis […]
Reproductive health for refugees by refugees in Guinea III: Maternal health
Background: Maternal mortality can be particularly high in conflict and chronic emergency settings, partly due to inaccessible maternal care. This paper examines associations of refugee-led health education, formal education, age, and parity on maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices among reproductive-age women in refugee camps in Guinea. Methods. Data comes from a 1999 cross-sectional survey of […]
Unintended pregnancies and the use of maternal health services in southwestern Ethiopia
Background: The benefits of maternal health care to maternal and neonatal health outcomes have been well documented. Antenatal care attendance, institutional delivery and skilled attendance at delivery all help to improve maternal and neonatal health. However, use of maternal health services is still very low in developing countries with high maternal mortality including Ethiopia. This […]
The quality of free antenatal and delivery services in Northern Sierra Leone
Background: The number of maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa continues to be overwhelmingly high. In West Africa, Sierra Leone leads the list, with the highest maternal mortality ratio. In 2010, financial barriers were removed as an incentive for more women to use available antenatal, delivery and postnatal services. Few published studies have examined the quality […]
Lived experiences of women who developed uterine rupture following severe obstructed labor in Mulago hospital, Uganda
Background: Maternal mortality is a major public health challenge in Uganda. Whereas uterine rupture remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, there is limited research into what happens to women who survive such severe obstetric complications. Understanding their experiences might delineate strategies to support survivors. Methods. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach […]
Maternal and perinatal outcomes among maternity waiting home users and non-users in rural Rwanda
Most maternal and perinatal deaths could be prevented through timely access to skilled birth attendants. Women should access appropriate obstetric care during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium. Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) permit access to emergency obstetric care when labor starts. This study compared maternal and perinatal outcomes among MWH users and nonusers through a retrospective cohort […]
Innovations in maternal and child health: Case studies from Uganda
Background: Nearly 300 children and 20 mothers die from preventable causes daily, in Uganda. Communities often identify and introduce pragmatic and lasting solutions to such challenging health problems. However, little is known of these solutions beyond their immediate surroundings. If local and pragmatic innovations were scaled-up, they could contribute to better health outcomes for larger […]
