Cultural perceptions influencing obstetric complications among women in Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria
Background: Maternal mortality remains a public health challenge despite the global progress made toward its reduction. Cultural beliefs and traditional practices contribute to delays and poor access to maternal health services. This study examined cultural perceptions influencing obstetric complications among women who delivered at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun-Wada, Kaduna. Methodology: The study was a […]
The impact of national health promotion policy on stillbirth and maternal mortality in South Africa
Objectives: In 2015, the South African government implemented the national health promotion policy (NHPP), intending to reduce stillbirth and maternal mortality. This study was designed to quantify the impact of the NHPP on stillbirth and maternal mortality in both the South African population and immigrant citizens. Study design: This was a panel analysis using secondary […]
When things fall apart: local responses to the reintroduction of user-fees for maternal health services in rural Malawi
Despite the strong global focus on improving maternal health during past decades, there is still a long way to go to ensure equitable access to services and quality of care for women and girls around the world. To understand widely acknowledged inequities and policy-to-practice gaps in maternal health, we must critically analyse the workings of […]
Mothers’ education and childhood mortality in Ghana
The significant extent to which maternal education affects child health has been advanced in several sociodemographic-medical literature, but not much has been done in analysing the spatial dimension of the problem; and also using graphic and linear regression models of representation. In Ghana, very little has been done to relate the two variables and offer […]
Maternal near-miss and death incidences – Frequencies, causes and the referral chain in Somaliland: A pilot study using the WHO near-miss approach
Background Somaliland is a self-declared country with a population of 3.5 million. Most of its population reside in rural areas. The objective of this pilot near-miss study was to monitor the frequency and causes of maternal near-miss and deaths and the referral chain for women to access Skilled Birth Attendants (SBA). Method: A facility-based study […]
The HIV paradox: Perinatal mortality is lower in HIV-positive mothers—A field case–control study in Ethiopia
Objective: Sub-Saharan African countries have the highest perinatal mortality rates. Although HIV is a risk factor for perinatal death, antioretroviral therapy (ART) programs have been associated with better outcomes. We aimed to investigate how maternal HIV affects perinatal mortality. Methods: The authors performed a nested case–control study at Saint Luke Hospital, Wolisso, Ethiopia. Data on […]
Barriers to acceptance of post-partum family planning among women in Montserrado County, Liberia
Background: Maternal mortality in Liberia is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Post-partum family planning (PPFP) can reduce the risk of maternal mortality by preventing unwanted and closely spaced pregnancies. Yet, the uptake of PPFP is low in Liberia. Objective: We investigated the barriers to acceptance of PPFP use among women in Montserrado County, […]
Geographic information system-based evaluation of spatial accessibility to maternal health facilities in Siaya County, Kenya
Maternal mortality is a major problem in middle-income and low-income countries, and the availability and accessibility of healthcare facilities offering safe delivery is important in averting maternal deaths. Siaya County, in Kenya, has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country—far more than the national average. This study aimed to evaluate geographic access […]
ICTs and maternal healthcare utilization. Evidence from Ghana
Purpose – Traditionally, the role of technology on health services has been argued from the supply side. The purpose of this paper is to use a demand side perspective to examine the effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the use of maternal health services in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Study used data from the […]
Access to skilled attendant at birth and the coverage of the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine across 14 West African countries – An equity analysis
Background: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a critical public health goal that continues to elude many countries of the global south. As countries strive for its attainment, it is important to track progress in various subregions of the world to understand current levels and mechanisms of progress for shared learning. Our aim was to compare […]
