The importance of public health, poverty reduction programs and women’s empowerment in the reduction of child stunting in rural areas of Moramanga and Morondava, Madagascar

Background: Malnutrition accounts for 45% of mortality in children under five years old, despite a global mobilization against chronic malnutrition. In Madagascar, the most recent data show that the prevalence of stunting in children under five years old is still around 47.4%. This study aimed to identify the determinants of stunting in children in rural […]

Determinants of Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Uptake among Women Delivering in Public Hospitals of South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019: An Unmatched Case-Control Study

Introduction. Integrated use of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices with delivery service during the immediate postpartum period is ideal for both women and health-care providers. However, utilization of intrauterine contraceptive devices during the postpartum period was rare and in Ethiopia, with information regarding uptake of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices limited. Objective. Identify determinants of postpartum intrauterine […]

Identifying risk factors of anemia among women of reproductive age in Rwanda – A cross-sectional study using secondary data from the Rwanda demographic and health survey 2014/2015

Background: Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) continues to be among the major public health problems in many developing countries, including Rwanda, where it increased in prevalence between the 2015 and 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) reports. A thorough understanding of its risk factors is necessary to design better interventions. However, to […]

Factors associated with the utilisation of skilled delivery services in Papua New Guinea: Evidence from the 2016-2018 Demographic and Health Survey

Background: We sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the use of skilled assistance during delivery in Papua New Guinea. Methods: We analysed nationally representative data from 5210 women in Papua New Guinea using the 2016-2018 Demographic and Health survey. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at p

Malnutrition and the disproportional burden on the poor: The case of Ghana

Background. Malnutrition is a major public health and development concern in the developing world and in poor communities within these regions. Understanding the nature and determinants of socioeconomic inequality in malnutrition is essential in contemplating the health of populations in developing countries and in targeting resources appropriately to raise the health of the poor and […]

Pregnant women’s hepatitis B vaccination coverage in Nigeria: a national pilot cross-sectional study

Objective: To determine the hepatitis B vaccination coverage, full-dose (⩾3) coverage and the associated factors affecting uptake among pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal care in six tertiary hospitals across all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Pregnant women who consented to the study completed screening questions about their […]

Malaria prevention practices and delivery outcome: A cross sectional study of pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital in northeastern Nigeria

Background: Malaria in pregnancy remains a public health problem in Nigeria. It causes maternal anaemia and adversely affects birth outcome leading to low birth weight, abortions and still births. Nigeria has made great strides in addressing the prevention and control of malaria in pregnancy. However, recent demographic survey shows wide disparities in malaria control activities […]

Food insufficiency is associated with lack of sustained viral suppression among HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding ugandan women

Food insecurity is associated with poor virologic outcomes, but this has not been studied during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We assessed sustained viral suppression from 8 weeks on antiretroviral therapy to 48 weeks postpartum among 171 pregnant and breastfeeding Ugandan women; 74.9% experienced food insufficiency. In multivariable analysis, food insufficiency [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.38, 95% […]

Determinants and Outcome of Safe Second Trimester Medical Abortion at Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia

Background. Although the vast majority of abortions are performed in the first trimester, still 10-15% of terminations of pregnancies have taken place in the second trimester globally. As compared to first trimester, second trimester abortions disproportionately contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality especially in low-income countries where access to safe second trimester abortion is limited. […]

Aflatoxin exposure in pregnant women of mixed status of human immunodeficiency virus infection and rate of gestational weight gain: a Ugandan cohort study

Objectives: To examine the association between aflatoxin (AF) exposure during pregnancy and rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) in a sample of pregnant women of mixed HIV status in Gulu, northern Uganda. Methods: 403 pregnant women were included (133 HIV-infected on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 270 HIV-uninfected). Women’s weight, height and socio-demographic characteristics were collected at […]