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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
19 articles
Newest firstBackground Machine learning (ML) has growing potential to support early identification of high-risk pregnancies in resource-constrained settings. However, most studies focus on model development and predictive performance, with less attention to the health-system processes required to generate ML-ready data and translate risk information into clinical action. The Mlinde Mama Project in Tanzania combined Group Ante…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundGhana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 and the Free Maternal Healthcare Policy (FMHCP) in 2008 to remove financial barriers and promote universal health coverage. Despite these landmark policies, socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare utilisation may persist. This study quantifies socioeconomic inequalities in antenatal care (ANC) receipt and place of delivery and…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundNigeria accounts for a significant share of global maternal mortality, and HIV remains a public health threat. Gombe State in northeastern Nigeria contends with profound barriers to healthcare access. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based intervention using trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) to improve early identification of pregnancy and linkage to Antenatal Care (ANC) and HI…
Open article record in new tab ↗ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of congenital HIV infection at the Neonatal Centre of Excellence Unit (NCOE), Children Division of the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH), and to analyze the characteristics of neonates who tested positive and negative for HIV PCR. Subject and methodsThis study is a pilot investigation that analyzed retrospective cross-sectional data from 757 mother-ne…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundHealth inequalities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often reflect compounding social disadvantages. Intersectionality theory emphasizes that multiple axes of disadvantage can interact to shape health experiences in ways not captured by single-factor analyses (Crenshaw, 1989, 1991). Understanding how poverty and low education combine to affect maternal and reproductive health is essential for…
BackgroundRural districts in Sierra Leone struggle with timely and complete maternal-child health service use. CommCare, a mobile health (mHealth) platform deployed through partnerships with government and NGOs, supports tracking, reminders, and follow-up. MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study at Falaba CHC (Sulima Chiefdom) assessed CommCares effects on (i) timeliness and frequency of ANC, (ii) PNC follow-u…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundBy 2016, the World Health organization (WHO) recommended increasing antenatal care (ANC) contacts from four to a minimum of eight contacts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. While barriers to the previously focused ANC model were well documented, facilitators and barriers to this new recommendation are limited. This systematic review synthesized available evidence from low- and middle-incom…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential maternal health services in low-resource settings, with uncertain impacts on antenatal care (ANC) utilization and delivery. ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on ANC service utilization in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, Northern Ghana, focusing on access barriers, healthcare provider experiences, and the feasibility of alternative delivery models. DesignF…
Open article record in new tab ↗The capacity of health systems to provide quality care for pregnant adolescents remains underexplored. This study examined the quality of care and adverse delivery outcomes (mistreatment and obstetric complications) among pregnant adolescents in Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa using data from the MNH eCohort longitudinal survey. This study followed 3,051 pregnant women from their first antenatal care (ANC) visit…
Introduction/ObjectivesThis study assesses the impact of natural disasters on the inequality of quality ANC utilization. MethodsThis study uses data from the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey and monthly hazard reports from NIRAPAD. Inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization were measured using the Health Opportunity Index, and contributions of socioeconomic factors were decomposed using Shaple…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundThe Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region will face future public health emergencies due to pandemics, natural disasters, migration, economic crisis or other unforeseen events. These events disrupt healthcare service coverage with consequences for morbidity, mortality and economic productivity. This study aimed to estimate the health and economic cost of potential future health system shocks, as a…
BackgroundWomens empowerment is a key determinant of maternal healthcare utilization, influencing antenatal care (ANC) quality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While ANC is crucial for maternal and neonatal health outcomes, disparities persist in service uptake and quality in Ghana. This study examines the association between womens empowerment, measured using the Survey-based Womens emPowERment (SWPER…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundThis study evaluated the resilience and outcomes of maternal health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in two health facilities in eastern Sierra Leone. Its aims to describe the use of maternal healthcare services and maternal and neonatal outcomes in these two facilities before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThe study involved analysis of routine programme data (March 2019 to Februa…
ObjectiveAntenatal care (ANC) involves monitoring pregnant women to ensure the health of both mother and fetus. This study aimed to assess the timing of the initial ANC visit and its determining factors among Ethiopian pregnant women. Material and MethodsThe analysis used data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), focusing on women aged 15-49 who had a live birth within five years prior to…
Open article record in new tab ↗IntroductionOne of the most important strategies to lower mother and newborn fatalities worldwide is providing quality Antenatal care (ANC). The utilization of quality ANC by women of reproductive age and associated factors remains unclear in many developing countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the utilization of quality ANC in Kenya. MethodsWe analyzed Secon…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundUnderstanding implementation fidelity, or adherence to the intervention-as-intended, is essential to interpreting the results of evaluations. In this paper, we propose a longitudinal, explanatory approach to implementation fidelity through a realist evaluation lens. We apply this approach to a mixed-method assessment of implementation fidelity to an electronic decision support system intervention to impr…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundPakistan carries a heavy burden of maternal and child health vulnerabilities. Maternal health can be prevented with culturally specific interventions and womens enhanced access to healthcare facilities, yet women in rural areas in Pakistan are deprived of such interventions. In this study, we assessed the prevalent knowledge and practices of antenatal care and the impact of low- income and gender inequal…
Open article record in new tab ↗Ghana has made significant strides in maternal healthcare under the National Health Insurance Scheme, but more effort is required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 target of <70 deaths/100,000 live births from the current 308 deaths/100,000. This study sought to investigate knowledge about ANC, ANC attendance, knowledge about malaria and IPTp among pregnant women, visiting a government Hospital in Ma…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundThe healthcare industry is paying attention to pregnancy and Antenatal care (ANC) for mothers. Thus, the presented study aimed at exploring the trend and identifying the barrier for ANC utilization of mothers in Ethiopia. Data mining is a field of big data science used to discover patterns and knowledge from big data.\n\nMethodsAll EDHS datasets from 2000 to 2016 were used for this study. The pooled cros…
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