Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.’s Post

A research article on one of the components of my first project at icddr,b has been published in the Journal of Global Health. This was a large cohort study that incorporated a mixed-method approach and explored the decision-making dynamics for maternal health. Both the urban and rural contexts of Bangladesh have been observed in this study. One of our main recommendations to the Government of Bangladesh is "establishing or transforming existing facilities to one-stop healthcare facilities for maternal healthcare across the country." I hope our findings and recommendations will instigate a change in the health administration and policies of Bangladesh. https://lnkd.in/gkRiZBZb

Maternal and neonatal deaths continue to pose significant public health challenges globally. In 2020, low-to-middle-income countries accounted for over 95% of all maternal deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region most severely impacted, accounting for 70% of global maternal deaths in 2020. Most of the maternal deaths and about a third of child deaths occur in the postnatal period. These unnecessary deaths can be avoided if postpartum women have adequate knowledge about postnatal care (PNC). This literature review’s aim was to determine the factors that influence PNC knowledge among postpartum women in SSA. The methodology of this literature review was loosely guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. Peer-reviewed articles describing determinants of PNC knowledge among postpartum women in SSA published in English between 2013 and 2023 were searched using several search engines. All the twenty-five articles used in this literature review reported on quantitative cross-sectional studies. The results of this review are in the article below. Tafadzwa. A Dzinamarira, PhD, Perseverance Moyo, Dr Grant Murewanhema, Leaders of Africa https://lnkd.in/egVqzK7j

Kenya Screens Millions for Diabetes and Maternal Health, Refers Thousands for Care, Says PS Public Health In a concerted effort to enhance public health outcomes, the Ministry of Health, led by Public Health Secretary Mary Muthoni, has successfully conducted extensive screening programs across Kenya. According to recent data shared by the ministry, 3.85 million individuals have undergone screening for diabetes. Out of these, 70,002 individuals have been referred to health facilities for further testing and management, underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention in managing this chronic condition effectively. Simultaneously, the ministry has prioritized maternal health through targeted initiatives. A total of 151,000 pregnant women have been identified through proactive outreach efforts. Of these, 59,800 women have been referred to health facilities for comprehensive antenatal care services. This initiative aims not only to ensure the well-being of expectant mothers but also to promote healthy pregnancies and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates across the country. Secretary Mary Muthoni emphasized the ministry's commitment to improving health outcomes by leveraging proactive screening strategies and ensuring access to essential healthcare services for all Kenyan citizens. The ongoing efforts reflect a holistic approach to public health, focusing on prevention, early detection, and timely management to enhance the overall quality of life for individuals and families nationwide. https://lnkd.in/dfv9CS9b

#DailyNewsUpdates FOR decades, Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) has been among the top health priorities of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania. Yet, maternal mortality ratio in Tanzania remains relatively high with approximately 238 deaths per 100,000 live births (2020), which is beyond the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 target less than 70 per 100,000 births. Similarly, infant mortality rate in Tanzania remains to be 34.1 per 1,000 births, whereas SDG 3 target requires neonatal mortality to at least be as low as 12 per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality to be at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. Statistical values show that although there has been great improvement in Tanzania over the past years, there is still a long way to go. It is not surprising to see the proposed proportion of the governmental budget for the 2023/24 fiscal year dedicated to RMNCAH in Tanzania. Minister for Health, Hon Ummy Mwalimu has proposed to strengthen the implementation of vaccination interventions for children by allocating Sh114.3 billion, strengthening health care delivery through provision of medical equipment, medicines and safe blood by allocating Sh205 billion, and strengthening RMNCAH services specifically to reduce maternal and infant deaths by allocating Sh16.2 billion.

The annual Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) report was released yesterday by Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand, which covers the years 2006-2021. The ethnic disparities are stubborn: “inequities across ethnic groups continue in perinatal related mortality outcomes. Women and birthing people of Indian ethnicity continue to have the highest rate, with 14.41 mortalities per 1000 births” (page 30). https://lnkd.in/gAajU_9c https://lnkd.in/g-m8ridx

https://lnkd.in/g5m5JseM     Article title: An analysis of the practices of caesarean section in sub-Saharan Africa: A summary of the literature   Author(s): Michel Dikete*, Yves Coppieters, Philippe Trigaux, Yvon Englert, Philippe Simon and W Zhang   Journal: Archives of Community Medicine and Public Health   Journal ISSN: 2455-5479   Abstract: Introduction: Ensuring access to quality caesarean sections (CS) is a challenge for the next millennium and a sustainable development goal to reduce maternal and infant mortality. A CS involves risks and complications and should therefore be performed in an approved way and not used excessively. The WHO recommends that the CS rate should not exceed 10–15%. Approximately 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where efforts to reduce maternal deaths are still low. This review of the literature aims to provide a summary of CS practices in sub-Saharan Africa and the consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality.   Material and Method: The data was collected following the selection criteria on the NCBI’s PubMed.   Result: Across the four main themes selected for this summary, the frequency of CS varies from 2 to 51%. Indications for caesarean CS are mainly dystocia, foetal distress, scarred uterus, breech presentation, antenatal haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Maternal risks related to CS are surgical site infections, obstetric fistulae, anaesthetic complications, pulmonary embolism, postpartum haemorrhage, haemostatic hysterectomy and maternal death, and the perinatal risks related to CS are respiratory distress, prematurity and perinatal death.   Conclusion: In the current working conditions, the risks incurred by the mother and the foetus during a CS are significantly greater than during a vaginal delivery. CS is not yet a factor in reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, working conditions at referral centre level, transfer conditions, and improve the training of health staff should be improved.   #CaesareanSection #SubSaharanAfrica #Indications #Morbidity #Mortality #Addiction #SubstanceAbuse #CommunityBehavioralHealth #Biostatistics #HealthServices #CommunityAcquiredPneumonia #CommunityDwelling #Peertechz #CommunityHealth #CommunityHealthAwareness #CommunityHealthCampaigns #CommunityHealthHazards #CommunityHealthNeeds #CommunityHealthPromotion #CommunityHealthServices #CommunityHealthSurveys #CommunityHealthcare #CommunityIntervention #CommunityMentalHealth #CommunityNursing #CommunityPharmacy #CommunityTreatmentAndManagement #EnvironmentalHealth #PeertechzPublications #Epidemics #Endemics #Epidemiology #GlobalAwareness #HealthEconomics #InsuranceMedicine #OccupationalSafetyAndHealth #PublicHealthDentistry #PublicHealthEmergency #PublicHealthInterventions #PublicHealthSurveillance #PublicPolicy #SanitationAndHealth

Despite having achieved some progress, Nigeria still faces high maternal mortality and neonatal death rates. Data-driven decision-making and informed programming on maternal and infant deaths, such as through maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) initiatives that investigate and prevent deaths, is therefore crucial, as our Regional Director Dr. Ufuoma Festus Omo-Obi highlighted during the recent close-out event of our 12-year Evidence for Action (E4A) - MamaYE programme in Nigeria (“Delivering universal health coverage through localisation: Building resilient grassroot coalition and acountability mechanisms for stronger health systems in Nigeria and Africa").

LAUNCHING OF THE LAGOS STATE EVERY NEWBORN ACTION PLAN(LASENAP) DOCUMENT TODAY The strategy of Lagos state is to accelerate progress towards achieving the vision to end preventable newborn deaths and still births. The action plan is aimed at fast tracking progress and scaling up evidence based and cost effective intervention and gives priority to newborn health to address common causes of childhood mortality. Lagos state aims to reduce neonatal mortality rate from 35 to 15 per 1000 live birth according to SDG3.2 in 2028. Prioritizing the health and lives of newborn and children is the State aim.This tool will ensure positive turn in the health of the newborn and give them better lives which is important for achieving universal coverage. Lagos state has a high percentage of preventable neonatal mortality cases (2nd highest in the country at 35 per 1000 live birth).The goal is to ensure that no child dies from preventable causes.

Financial barriers, information gaps, and a low-risk profile are associated with lower utilization of maternal health services (antenatal care and skilled birth attendance). Poor quality of care undermines the full realization of benefits from antenatal care. Interventions such as demand-side financing and maternal and child health programs could improve utilization. Our paper in PLOS ONE. Shahzad Ali Khan

What are the gaps in antenatal care Bangladeshi mothers face, and how can the country's health systems close them? A new publication from the Abt Global team answers these questions in more in PLOS Global Public Health. #GlobalHealth #HealthResearch