In low-and middle-income countries, is delivery in high-quality obstetric facilities geographically feasible?
Delivery in a health facility is a key strategy for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, yet increasing use of facilities has not consistently translated into reduced mortality in low- and middle-income countries. In such countries, many deliveries occur at primary care facilities, where the quality of care is poor. We modeled the geographic feasibility of […]
Women’s mass media exposure and maternal health awareness in Ota, Nigeria
Maternal health has been an issue of priority to nations across the globe for years now. This study sought to: identify the sources of maternal health awareness; examine means of obtaining maternal health information; determine the frequency of mass media exposure; and analyse the influence of mass media exposure on maternal health awareness among the […]
Threats to maternal and child well-being in rural communities in Ngamiland, Botswana
The authors’ main objective of the study was to explore threats to maternal and child well-being in two nonriparian and two riparian communities in the east and west of the Okavango River Basin in Ngamiland District, Botswana. Primary data were collected from a simple random sample of 60 households. Data on women’s access to human, […]
“I cannot say no when a pregnant woman needs my support to get to the health centre”: Involvement of community health workers in Rwanda’s maternal health
Background: In Rwanda, maternal community health workers (M-CHWs) are involved in the country’s overall health system. In maternal health, their role includes the provision of preventive and promotional health services at the community level. They provide services such as health education on maternal health wellbeing, advice and information on access and timely utilization of health […]
Determining factors associated with the prevalence of knowledge, attitude, and practice in seeking skilled maternal healthcare services among women in a remote area of Gesha district
Background: Skilled health care is essential for the mother’s and newborn’s health and well-being during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. This study aimed to analyze women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices while requesting competent assistance for maternity healthcare in Gesha District, Southwest Region of Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from September […]
Measures adopted by indigent mothers in Kilifi County to tackle maternal health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Many sub-Saharan African countries have experienced various challenges that threaten the quality of health services offered to the population. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to healthcare services in many countries as they grappled with implementing measures to curb its spread. The consequences of COVID-19 have been catastrophic for maternal and newborn health. There is a […]
Perceived quality of and access to care among poor urban women in Kenya and their utilization of delivery care: Harnessing the potential of private clinics?
This paper uses data from a maternal health study carried out in 2006 in two slums of Nairobi, Kenya, to: describe perceptions of access to and quality of care among women living in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya; quantify the effects of women’s perceived quality of, and access to, care on the utilization of delivery […]
Maternal near-misses at a provincial hospital in Papua New Guinea: A prospective observational study
Background: Maternal near-miss indices are World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised indicators that may improve our understanding of factors associated with maternal morbidity and mortality. In Papua New Guinea (PNG) where maternal mortality is among the highest in the world, only one study has documented near-miss indices in a tertiary-level hospital, but none from provincial hospitals […]
The impact of the Ethiopian health extension program and health development army on maternal mortality: A synthetic control approach
The Ethiopian government has implemented nationwide strategies to improve access to basic health services and enhance health outcomes. The Health Extension Program (HEP) launched in 2003, expanded basic health infrastructure and local human resources. In 2011, the government introduced the Health Development Army (HDA). HDA is a women-centered community movement inspired by military structures and […]
Insights from birthing experiences of fistula survivors in North-central Nigeria: Interplay of structural violence
Obstetric Fistula is an abnormal opening between the vagina and rectum resulting from prolonged and obstructed labour. Studies indicate that delays in accessing maternal care and home birth contribute to the development of fistula. Survivors are usually women of low socioeconomic status residing in rural locations. This study explores the birthing experiences of 15 fistula […]
