Women’s access to health care: The legal framework
The Millennium Development Goals set ambitious targets for women’s health, including reductions in maternal and child mortality and combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. The law, which historically has often obstructed women’s access to the health care they require, has a dynamic potential to ensure women’s access that is being progressively realized. This paper identifies three […]
Factors associated with skilled attendance at delivery in Uganda: Results from a national health facility survey
Uganda has high maternal mortality ratio of 435/100,000 live births. In order to address this, Uganda has developed a strategy and has prioritized skilled attendance at delivery as a key intervention. Methods: A survey covering 54 districts and 553 health facilities was conducted to determine availability and access to essential maternity care and health system […]
Protein restriction in pregnant- and lactating rats-induced oxidative stress and hypohomocysteinaemia in their offspring
Hyperhomocyteinaemia has been associated with pathological and stressful conditions and considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Maternal protein restriction during late pregnancy and postnatal period is a stressful state to their offspring which is associated with disruption of various physiological processes. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of […]
Prevalence of maternal near miss and community-based risk factors in Central Uganda
Objective To examine the prevalence of maternal near-miss (MNM) and its associated risk factors in a community setting in Central Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional research design employing multi-stage sampling collected data from women aged 15–49 years in Rakai, Uganda, who had been pregnant in the 3 years preceding the survey, conducted between August 10 and December […]
Barriers to obstetric care among maternal near-misses
Background. There are several factors in the healthcare system that may influence a woman’s ability to access appropriate obstetric care. Objective. To determine the delays/barriers in providing obstetric care to women who classified as a maternal near-miss. Methods. This was a descriptive observational study at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Pretoria, […]
Personal accounts of ‘near-miss’ maternal mortalities in Kampala, Uganda
Objective: To explore the socio-economic determinants of maternal mortality in Uganda through interviews with women who had ‘near-misses’. Design: Observational study using qualitative research methods. Setting: The postnatal and gynaecology wards of a large government hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Sample: Thirty women who had narrowly avoided maternal deaths with diagnoses of obstructed labour (7), severe […]
Extended family’s and women’s roles in safeguarding orphans’ education in AIDS-afflicted rural Zimbabwe
The extended family forms the basis for orphan care and education in sub-Saharan Africa. Initial absence followed by emergence of differentials in primary school enrolment between orphans and non-orphans have been attributed to the strength and subsequent HIV/AIDS-induced breakdown of extended family orphan care arrangements. Yet, few attempts have been made to describe how these […]
Reduced maternal mortality in Tunisia and voluntary commitment to gender-related concerns
Objective: To estimate the number and causes of maternal deaths in Tunisia from 1999 to 2007, and compare the results with the last report (1993-1994). Methods: Data on all deaths of women of reproductive age in the public (1999-2007) and private (2006 only) health sectors were collected and assessed for whether the death was due […]
The Experience of Ghana in Implementing a User Fee Exemption Policy to Provide Free Delivery Care
In resource-poor countries, the high cost of user fees for deliveries limits access to skilled attendance, and contributes to maternal and neonatal mortality and the impoverishment of vulnerable households. A growing number of countries are experimenting with different approaches to tackling financial barriers to maternal health care. This paper describes an innovative scheme introduced in […]
Community member and policy maker priorities in improving maternal health in rural Tanzania
Objective: To determine community member and policy maker priorities in improving maternal health in rural Tanzania. Methods: The present participatory action research project was conducted in Rorya District, Mara Region, Tanzania, between November 20 and 25, 2015. A convenience sample of four community and one policy maker discussion groups were held to identify factors impacting […]
