Introduction and integration of PrEP and sexual and reproductive health services for young people: Health provider perspectives from South Africa
South Africa has one of the largest HIV epidemics in the world, with particularly high prevalence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Oral PrEP was introduced in the public sector in 2016 in a phased manner. Given the important role played by health providers, research was undertaken to understand their experiences of and attitudes […]
Influences on participant reporting in the World Health Organisation drugs exposure pregnancy registry; A qualitative study
Background: The World Health Organisation has designed a pregnancy registry to investigate the effect of maternal drug use on pregnancy outcomes in resource-limited settings. In this sentinel surveillance system, detailed health and drug use data are prospectively collected from the first antenatal clinic visit until delivery. Over and above other clinical records, the registry relies […]
Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected adults in Cross River State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Introduction: improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly increased the survival and quality of life of HIV-infected persons. Strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial if viral suppression must remain optimal. We assessed predictors of adherence to ART among adult patients in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted […]
Determinants of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) utilization in a rural town in Western Nigeria
Background: Malaria infection in pregnancy is a major risk factor for maternal and child death, and substantially increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birthweight. The aim of this study therefore is to assess the prevalence and determinants of Intermittent preventive treatment of Malaria [IPTp] utilization by pregnant women in a rural town in […]
High iron levels are associated with increased malaria risk in infants during the first year of life in Benin
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of children in low-income countries are anemic. Therefore, iron supplements are recommended byWHOin areas with high anemia rates. However, some studies have set into question the benefits of iron supplementation in malaria-endemic regions. In Benin, a west African country with high prevalence of anemia and malaria, no […]
NEWHINTS cluster randomised trial to evaluate the impact on neonatal mortality in rural Ghana of routine home visits to provide a package of essential newborn care interventions in the third trimester of pregnancy and the first week of life: Trial protocol
Background: Tackling neonatal mortality is essential for the achievement of the child survival millennium development goal. There are just under 4 million neonatal deaths, accounting for 38% of the 10.8 million deaths among children younger than 5 years of age taking place each year; 99% of these occur in low- and middle-income countries where a […]
Procedures to select digital sensing technologies for passive data collection with children and their caregivers: Qualitative cultural assessment in South Africa and Nepal
Background: Populations in low-resource settings with high childhood morbidity and mortality increasingly are being selected as beneficiaries for interventions using passive sensing data collection through digital technologies. However, these populations often have limited familiarity with the processes and implications of passive data collection. Therefore, methods are needed to identify cultural norms and family preferences influencing […]
Maternal supplementation with small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements compared with multiple micronutrients, but not with iron and folic acid, reduces the prevalence of low gestational weight gain in semi-urban Ghana: A randomized controlled trial
Background: It is unclear whether maternal supplementation with small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs; 118 kcal/d) affects maternal weight. Objective: We compared several secondary anthropometric measures between 3 groups of women in the iLiNS (International Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements)-DYAD trial in Ghana. Methods: Women (n = 1320; < 20 wk of gestation) were randomly assigned to receive […]
Small-quantity, lipid-based nutrient supplements provided to women during pregnancy and 6 mo postpartum and to their infants from 6 mo of age increase the mean attained length of 18-mo-old children in semi-urban Ghana: A randomized controlled trial
Background: Childhood stunting usually begins in utero and continues after birth; therefore, its reduction must involve actions across different stages of early life. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of small-quantity, lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) provided during pregnancy, lactation, and infancy on attained size by 18 mo of age. Design: In this partially double-blind, individually randomized […]
Millennium development health metrics: Where do Africa’s children and women of childbearing age live?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have prompted an expansion in approaches to deriving health metrics to measure progress toward their achievement. Accurate measurements should take into account the high degrees of spatial heterogeneity in health risks across countries, and this has prompted the development of sophisticated cartographic techniques for mapping and modeling risks. Conversion of […]
