Initiating a participatory action research process in the Agincourt health and socio- demographic surveillance site
Background Despite progressive health policy, disease burdens in South Africa remain patterned by deeply entrenched social inequalities. Accounting for the relationships between context, health and risk can provide important information for equitable service delivery. The aims of the research were to initiate a participatory research process with communities in a low income setting and produce […]
The impact of integrated nutrition-sensitive interventions on nutrition and health of children and women in rural Tanzania: Study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial
Background: Nutrition-sensitive interventions such as homestead production of diverse, nutrient-rich foods, coupled with behavior change communication, may have positive effects on the nutritional status and health of rural households engaged in agriculture, particularly among women and young children. Engagement of agriculture and health extension workers in these communities may be an effective way of delivering […]
Individual level and community level factors affecting exclusive breast feeding among infants under-six months in Ethiopia using multilevel analysis
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the safest and healthiest option of feeding among infants in the first 6 months throughout the world. Thus, promotion of EBF is essential to prevent complex infant health problems even at the adulthood level. But majority of previous studies focused on individual level determinants of EBF by using basic regression […]
Spatial and hierarchical Bayesian analysis to identify factors associated with caesarean delivery use in Ethiopia: Evidence from national population and health facility data
Background Caesarean section has a significant role in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. A linked analysis of population and health facility data is valuable to map and identify caesarean section use and associated factors. This study aimed to identify geographic variation and associated factors of caesarean delivery in Ethiopia. Method Linked data analysis of the […]
The Financial Costs of Mass Media Interventions Used for Improving Breastfeeding Practices in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Vietnam
Breastfeeding is essential for child survival but globally less than fifty percent of infants receive adequate breastfeeding. Gaps in breastfeeding knowledge and misinformation are widespread. Mass media aims to motivate mothers and families, encourage care-seeking, improve social norms, and counteract misleading advertising. However, the costs and coverage of mass media are not well documented. Our […]
First malaria infections in a cohort of infants in Benin: Biological, environmental and genetic determinants. Description of the study site, population methods and preliminary results
Objectives: Malaria infection of the placenta during pregnancy was found to be associated with infant susceptibility to malaria. Other factors such as the intensity of malaria transmission and the nutritional status of the child might also play a role, which has not been adequately taken into account in previous studies. The aim of this study […]
The uptake of WHO-recommended birth preparedness and complication readiness messages during pregnancy and its determinants among Ethiopian women: A multilevel mixed-effect analyses of 2016 demographic health survey
Background Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a package of interventions recommended by the World Health Organization to improve maternal and newborn health and it is provided and implemented through a focused antenatal care program. This study aimed at assessing the uptake of birth preparedness and complication readiness messages, and compliance with each key […]
Exploring the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under-six months in Ethiopia using multilevel analysis
Introduction Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the safest and healthiest option of feeding among infants in the first 6 months throughout the world. Thus, the promotion of EBF is essential to prevent complex infant health problems even at the adulthood level. But the majority of previous studies focused on individual- level determinants of EBF by using […]
Does a complex intervention targeting communities, health facilities and district health managers increase the utilisation of community-based child health services? A before and after study in intervention and comparison areas of Ethiopia
INTRODUCTION: Ethiopia successfully reduced mortality in children below 5 years of age during the past few decades, but the utilisation of child health services was still low. Optimising the Health Extension Programme was a 2-year intervention in 26 districts, focusing on community engagement, capacity strengthening of primary care workers and reinforcement of district accountability of child […]
Prevalence and determinants of gestational weight gain among pregnant women in Niger
Low gestational weight gain (GWG) and low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of low GWG and low MUAC among pregnant women in rural Zinder, Niger. A community-based survey was conducted among 1,384 pregnant women in the catchment areas of 18 integrated health […]
