Incidence of induced abortion and post-Abortion care in Tanzania
Background Tanzania has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, and unsafe abortion is one of its leading causes. Yet little is known about its incidence. Objectives To provide the first ever estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion in Tanzania, at the national level and for each of the 8 geopolitical […]
Reducing barriers to postabortion contraception: The role of expanding coverage of postabortion care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Background: In Tanzania, limited access to postabortion care (PAC) contributes to high rates of maternal mortality. To address the issue, Pathfinder International and the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC) introduced and expanded coverage of PAC in 64 public health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: During a 30-month […]
Progress in adolescent health and wellbeing: tracking 12 headline indicators for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016
Background: Rapid demographic, epidemiological, and nutritional transitons have brought a pressing need to track progress in adolescent health. Here, we present country-level estimates of 12 headline indicators from the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, from 1990 to 2016. Methods: Indicators included those of health outcomes (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs] due to communicable, maternal, and […]
Women’s perspectives on the measures that need to be taken to increase the use of health-care facility delivery service among slums women, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Background: Global strategies to target high maternal mortality ratios are focused on providing skilled attendance at delivery along with access to emergency obstetric care. Research that examines strategies to increase facility-based skilled birth attendance among slum residents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is limited. Objective: The study aimed to explore women’s perspectives on the measures that […]
Nitric oxide and pre-eclampsia: A comparative study in Ghana
BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Though common, the aetiology of preeclampsia has remained unknown with several inconclusive theories surrounding the disease. Recent studies have implicated vascular endothelial dysfunction and possibly nitric oxide in preeclampsia. AIM: To compare plasma nitric oxide levels in pre-eclampsia and healthy […]
Analysis of socioeconomic differences in the quality of antenatal services in low and middle-income countries (LMICs)
The desired results of increasing access and availability of antenatal care (ANC) services may not be realized if the quality of care offered is not adequate. We analyzed the content/ quality of antenatal care to determine whether there are socioeconomic (education and wealth) inequalities in the services provided in 59 low and middle income countries […]
Factors influencing the uptake of family planning services in the Talensi district, Ghana
Introduction: usage of family planning services in developing countries have been found to avert unintended pregnancies, reduce maternal and child mortality, however, it’s usage still remains low. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the decision of women in fertility age to go for family planning services. This was a […]
Why are babies born before arrival at health facilities in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa? A qualitative study
Introduction: Babies born before arrival at a health facility have a higher risk of neonatal death and their mothers a higher risk of maternal death compared with those born in-facility. The study explored the reasons for mothers giving birth before arrival (BBA) at health facilities and their experiences of BBA. Methods: A qualitative research design […]
Unmet need for family planning among married women in Zambia: lessons from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey
Background: Unmet need for family planning among married women is still a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, one in every five married women had an unmet need for family planning in 2018. Unmet need for family planning has the potential to increase the number of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. These factors […]
A comparative study of adult and adolescent maternal care continuum following community-oriented interventions in Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya, and Zambia
Background The coverage for reproductive care continuum is a growing concern for communities in lowincome economies. Adolescents (15-19 years) are often at higher odds of maternal morbidity and mortality due to other underlying factors including biological immaturity, social, and economic differences. The aim of the study was to examine a) differences in care-seeking and continuum […]
