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Pregnancy and childbirth in low and middle income countries

This section considers studies regarding all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth in the developing world.

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  1. Studies on medication-related problems (MRPs) among pregnant women are scarce, despite the potential consequences for both mother and child. This study aimed to describe the prevalence, clinical significance, ...

    Authors: Seid Mussa Ahmed, Johanne Sundby, Yesuf Ahmed Aragaw and Hedvig Nordeng

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:737

    Content type: Research article

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  2. Engaging community health workers in a formalised death review process through verbal and social autopsy has been utilised in different settings to estimate the burden and causes of mortality, where civil regi...

    Authors: Jude Igumbor, Olatunji Adetokunboh, Jocelyn Muller, Edna N. Bosire, Ademola Ajuwon, Rene Phetlhu, Marjorie Mbule, Agnes Ronan, Fiona Burtt, Esca Scheepers and Kathrin Schmitz

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:736

    Content type: Research article

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  3. Studies on uptake of first dose of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) are lacking, despite it being a predictor of subsequent doses. This study aimed at assessing the determinants of uptake ...

    Authors: Ahmed Dahiru Balami, Salmiah Md. Said, Nor Afiah Mohd. Zulkefli, Norsa’adah Bachok and Bala Audu

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:726

    Content type: Research article

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  4. Although under-5 mortality has decreased in the last two decades, neonatal mortality remains a global health challenge. Despite achieving notable progress, Ethiopia has still one of the highest neonatal mortal...

    Authors: Francesco Cavallin, Teresa Bonasia, Desalegn Abebe Yimer, Fabio Manenti, Giovanni Putoto and Daniele Trevisanuto

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:722

    Content type: Research article

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  5. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has been related to vitamin D binding protein (GC) gene polymorphism, demographics and lifestyle factors in different populations. However, previous studies only focused on demographic ...

    Authors: Siew-Siew Lee, King-Hwa Ling, Maiza Tusimin, Raman Subramaniam, Kartini Farah Rahim and Su-Peng Loh

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:714

    Content type: Research article

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  6. Delays in accessing skilled delivery services are a major contributor to high maternal mortality in resource-limited settings. In 2015, the government of The Gambia initiated a results-based financing interven...

    Authors: Laura Ferguson, Rifat Hasan, Chantelle Boudreaux, Hannah Thomas, Mariama Jallow and Günther Fink

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:712

    Content type: Research article

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  7. Poor women in hard-to-reach areas are least likely to receive healthcare and thus carry the burden of maternal and perinatal mortality from complications of childbirth. This study evaluated the effect of an en...

    Authors: Duncan N. Shikuku, Geofrey Tanui, Mercy Wabomba, Dennis Wanjala, Josephine Friday, Taphroze Peru, Evelyne Atamba and Kenneth Sisimwo

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:708

    Content type: Research article

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  8. Maternal undernutrition is highly prevalent in underdeveloped countries. Hence, this study was intended to determine the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant women visiting ANC cl...

    Authors: Mohammed Muze, Mubarek Yesse, Shemsu Kedir and Abdilmejid Mustefa

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:707

    Content type: Research article

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  9. Adolescent pregnancy is a public health concern in Malawi as it is associated with high risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Almost 29% of adolescent women aged 15–19 years are already mothers and adolescent f...

    Authors: Lucy Ida Kululanga, Alice Kadango, Gaily Lungu, Diana Jere, Matthews Ngwale and Lily Caroline Kumbani

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:699

    Content type: Research article

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  10. To identify risk factors associated with a composite adverse maternal outcomes in women undergoing intrapartum cesarean birth.

    Authors: Margo S. Harrison, Ana Pilar Betrán, Krithika Suresh, Joshua P. Vogel, Robert L. Goldenberg and A. Metin Gülmezoglu

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:687

    Content type: Research article

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  11. Adequate antenatal care (ANC) services are key for early identification of pregnancy related risk factors and maintaining women’s health during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the influence of ANC provid...

    Authors: G. K. Baldewsingh, B. C. Jubitana, E. D. van Eer, A. Shankar, A. D. Hindori-Mohangoo, H. H. Covert, L. Shi, M. Y. Lichtveld and C. W. R. Zijlmans

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:683

    Content type: Research article

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  12. sub-Saharan African Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries (sSA LLMICs) have the highest burden of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in the world. Timely and appropriate maternal referral to a suit...

    Authors: Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, Carolyne Njue, Nguyen Toan Tran and Angela Dawson

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:682

    Content type: Research article

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  14. In developing countries, abortion is often unsafe and a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality accounting for about 8% (4.7–13.2%) of maternal mortality worldwide. Internationally, safe abortion...

    Authors: Mihretu Molla Enyew

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:676

    Content type: Research article

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  15. Fear of childbirth is one of the life challenges the women encounter during pregnancy. It is an important source of distress for the women and their families and also increases the odds of obstetric complicati...

    Authors: Tiruset Gelaw, Teklemariam Gultie Ketema, Kassaw Beyene, Mekdes Kondale Gurara and Gebresilasea Gendisha Ukke

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:672

    Content type: Research article

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  16. The recent use of antenatal care (ANC) has steadily improved in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), but postnatal care (PNC) has been widely underutilized. Most maternal and newborn deaths occur during th...

    Authors: Medge D. Owen, Elizabeth Colburn, Cecilia Tetteh and Emmanuel K. Srofenyoh

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:664

    Content type: Research article

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  17. More than one third of the neonatal deaths at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Debre Tabor General Hospital (DTGH) are attributable to birth asphyxia. Most of these neonates are referred from the materni...

    Authors: Wubet Alebachew Bayih, Getachew Yideg Yitbarek, Yared Asmare Aynalem, Biruk Beletew Abate, Aragaw Tesfaw, Metadel Yibeltal Ayalew, Demeke Mesfin Belay, Habtamu Shimelis Hailemeskel and Abebaw Yeshambel Alemu

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:653

    Content type: Research article

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  18. For every maternal death, 20 to 30 women are estimated to have morbidities related to pregnancy or childbirth. Much of this burden of disease is in women in low- and middle-income countries. Maternal multimorb...

    Authors: Mary McCauley, Shamsa Zafar and Nynke van den Broek

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:637

    Content type: Research article

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  19. Delayed health-seeking continues to contribute to preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in low resource countries. Some of the strategies to avoid the delay include early preparation for the birth and detec...

    Authors: James Orwa, Samwel Maina Gatimu, Michaela Mantel, Stanley Luchters, Michael A. Mugerwa, Sharon Brownie, Leonard Subi, Secilia Mrema, Lucy Nyaga, Grace Edwards, Loveluck Mwasha, Kahabi Isangula, Edna Selestine, Sofia Jadavji, Rachel Pell, Columba Mbekenga…

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:636

    Content type: Research article

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  20. The diagnosis of hyperglycaemia in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is challenging. Blood glucose levels obtained during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may not reflect home glycaemic profiles. We compare OGTT resu...

    Authors: J. M. Milln, E. Walugembe, S. Ssentayi, H. Nkabura, A. G. Jones and M. J. Nyirenda

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:635

    Content type: Research article

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  21. Having a birth attendant with midwifery skills during childbirth is an effective intervention to reduce maternal and early neonatal morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, many women in Ethiopia still deliver a...

    Authors: Biruhtesfa Bekele Shiferaw and Lebitsi Maud Modiba

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:633

    Content type: Research article

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  22. Maternal death related to obstetric complications remains a great challenge in developing countries. Since these complications are not consistently predictable, it is important to plan different preventive app...

    Authors: Teshale Abosie Ananche and Legesse Tadesse Wodajo

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:631

    Content type: Research article

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  23. Low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth (PB) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify maternal demographic and antenatal factors associat...

    Authors: Prakash M. Jeena, Kareshma Asharam, Aweke A. Mitku, Pragalathan Naidoo and Rajen N. Naidoo

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:628

    Content type: Research article

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  25. Adolescent pregnancy and motherhood has been a controversial and much disputed subject within the field of public health. Early childbearing is not only characterized as a physical body experience but also emb...

    Authors: Desiree Govender, Saloshni Naidoo and Myra Taylor

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:620

    Content type: Research article

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  26. Pre-existing maternal cardiac disease is a significant contributor to adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. In 2015–2017, our team conducted the first community-based study of maternal rheumatic hear...

    Authors: Sonia Voleti, Emmy Okello, Meghna Murali, Rachel Sarnacki, Albert Majwala, Renny Ssembatya, Olivia Bakka, Henriator Namisanvu, Angela Njeri, Alphonsus Matovu, Kristen DeStigter, Craig Sable and Andrea Beaton

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:611

    Content type: Research article

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  27. Evidence suggests appearance of socioeconomic gradient in the probability of low birth weight (LBW). Such evidence, however, is scanty in Ethiopia. The study aimed to examine the prevalence of and socioeconomi...

    Authors: Gebretsadik Shibre and Mulugeta Tamire

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:608

    Content type: Research article

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  28. Pregnancy tests can be used for the early diagnosis of fetal problems and can prevent abnormal birth in pregnancies. Yet, testing preferences among Chinese women are poorly investigated.

    Authors: Liangzhi Wu, Yanxin Wu, Shiqian Zou, Cong Sun, Junyu Chen, Xueyan Li, Zihang Lin, Lizhi Guan, Qing Zeng, Sihan Zhao, Jingtong Liang, Rui Chen, Zhiwen Hu, Kingyan Au, Daipeng Xie, Xiaomin Xiao…

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:604

    Content type: Research article

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  29. This study aims to explore the stories of three women from Zanzibar, Tanzania, who survived life-threatening obstetric complications. Their narratives will increase understanding of the individual and communit...

    Authors: Tanneke Herklots, Suhaila Salum Yussuf, Khairat Said Mbarouk, Molly O’Meara, Emma Carson, Sebastiaan Beschoor Plug, Fleur van Acht, Pleun Terpstra, Deja Prebevšek, Arie Franx, Tarek Meguid and Benoit Jacod

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:594

    Content type: Research article

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  30. Stillbirth is an adverse pregnancy outcome of public health importance causing considerable psychosocial burden on parents and their family. Studies on stillbirth are scarce in southern Ethiopia. An assessment...

    Authors: Sintayehu Mengesha and Mesay Hailu Dangisso

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:591

    Content type: Research article

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  31. Globally, delayed childbearing to the advanced age is a growing option. It is an emerging public health issue in developing countries. Currently, adverse perinatal outcomes significantly increased. A few studi...

    Authors: Abera Mersha, Gistane Ayele, Tilahun Worku, Zerihun Zerdo, Shitaye Shibiru, Agegnehu Bante and Tamiru Chonka

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:590

    Content type: Research article

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  32. Newborns delivered in healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries are at an increased risk of healthcare associated infections. Facility–based studies have focused primarily on healthcare worker ...

    Authors: Yolisa Nalule, Helen Buxton, Erin Flynn, Olutunde Oluyinka, Stephen Sara, Oliver Cumming and Robert Dreibelbis

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:589

    Content type: Research article

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  33. Reducing maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) remain an important public health issue in Egypt. The three delays model distinguished three phases of delay to be associated with maternal mortality: 1) first phase d...

    Authors: Mo’men M. Mohammed, Saad El Gelany, Ahmed Rida Eladwy, Essam Ibrahium Ali, Mohamed T. Gadelrab, Emad M. Ibrahim, Eissa M. Khalifa, Ahmed K. Abdelhakium, Hashem Fares, Ayman M. Yousef, Heba Hassan, Khaled Goma, Mahmoud H. Ibrahim, Alaa Gamal, Mohamed Khairy, Ahmed Shaban…

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:585

    Content type: Research article

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  34. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is a competency-based educational method for an evidence-based protocol to manage birth asphyxia in low resource settings. HBB has been shown to improve health worker skills and ne...

    Authors: Jacqueline Umunyana, Felix Sayinzoga, Jim Ricca, Rachel Favero, Marcel Manariyo, Assumpta Kayinamura, Edwin Tayebwa, Neena Khadka, Yordanos Molla and Young-Mi Kim

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:583

    Content type: Research article

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  35. The worldwide incidence of birth by Caesarean Section (CS) is rising. Many births after a previous CS are by repeat surgery, either by an elective CS or after a failed trial of labour. Adhesion formation is as...

    Authors: R. Mooij, I. H. Mwampagatwa, J. van Dillen and J. Stekelenburg

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:582

    Content type: Research article

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  36. Determining anthropometric measures that indicate different fat deposits can be useful to predict metabolic risk and set specific treatment goals, reducing negative consequences for maternal and fetal health. ...

    Authors: Daniela Cortés Kretzer, Salete Matos, Lisia Von Diemen, José Antônio de Azevedo Magalhães, Alice Carvalhal Schöffel, Marcelo Zubaran Goldani, Alexandre da Silva Rocha and Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:576

    Content type: Research article

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  37. In order to provide appropriate and adequate care to women who have experienced termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomalies, the health needs of this group should be assessed. Considering the lack of infor...

    Authors: Bahareh Kamranpour, Mahnaz Noroozi and Masoud Bahrami

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:573

    Content type: Research article

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  38. Despite reaching Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) is still high in Rwanda. Most deaths occur after transfer of patients with obstetric complications from district hospital...

    Authors: Eugene Tuyishime, Honorine Ingabire, Jean Paul Mvukiyehe, Marcel Durieux and Theogene Twagirumugabe

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:568

    Content type: Research article

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  39. High maternal mortality ratios remain a critical public health concern in Ghana. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR), which is a component of focused antenatal care, is a safe motherhood stra...

    Authors: Cynthia Klobodu, Brandy-Joe Milliron, Kofi Agyabeng, Patricia Akweongo and Augustine Adomah-Afari

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:566

    Content type: Research article

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  40. Maternal, infant and neonatal mortality rates are high in Bangladesh. Certain childbearing practices and poor utilisation of antenatal care services make Bangladeshi women more vulnerable to experience poor he...

    Authors: Sumaiya Abedin and Dharma Arunachalam

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:555

    Content type: Research article

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  41. Three-quarters of pregnancy terminations in Africa are carried out in unsafe conditions. Unsafe abortion is the leading cause of maternal mortality among 15–24 year-old women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Greater und...

    Authors: Franklin I. Onukwugha, Monica A. Magadi, Ahmed M. Sarki and Lesley Smith

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:550

    Content type: Research article

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  42. Nausea and vomiting are experienced by a majority of pregnant women worldwide. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding their impact on birth outcomes and few studies have examined this rela...

    Authors: Amanda Regodón Wallin, James M Tielsch, Subarna K Khatry, Luke C Mullany, Janet A Englund, Helen Chu, Steven C LeClerq and Joanne Katz

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:545

    Content type: Research article

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  43. Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims at reducing global neonatal mortality to at least 12 per 1000 livebirths, under-five mortality to at least 25 per 1000 livebirths and maternal mortality ratio to less than 7...

    Authors: Robert Kaba Alhassan, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Evelyn Korkor Ansah, Margaret Gyapong, Anthony Ashinyo, Mary Eyram Ashinyo, Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Edem Akorli-Adzimah and Edith Ekpor

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:543

    Content type: Research article

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  44. Despite recent improvements in child survival, neonatal mortality continues to decline at a slower rate and now represents 47% of under-five deaths globally. The World Health Organization developed core indica...

    Authors: Emily Bryce, Luke C. Mullany, Subarna K. Khatry, James M. Tielsch, Steven C. LeClerq and Joanne Katz

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:540

    Content type: Research article

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  45. Factors associated with low birth weight at term (TLBW), a proxy for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), are not well-elucidated in socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This study aimed to identify th...

    Authors: Ila R. Falcão, Rita de Cássia Ribeiro-Silva, Marcia F. de Almeida, Rosemeire L. Fiaccone, Aline dos S. Rocha, Naiá Ortelan, Natanael J. Silva, Enny S. Paixao, Maria Yury Ichihara, Laura C. Rodrigues and Mauricio L. Barreto

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:536

    Content type: Research article

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  46. Nigeria is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, with one of the highest neonatal mortality rates and the second highest number of neonatal deaths in the world. There is broad international consensus on w...

    Authors: Jamie Perin, Alain K. Koffi, Henry D. Kalter, Joseph Monehin, Adeyinka Adewemimo, John Quinley and Robert E. Black

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:534

    Content type: Research article

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  47. Accurately estimating gestational age is essential to the provision of time-sensitive maternal and neonatal interventions, including lifesaving measures for imminent preterm birth and trimester-specific health...

    Authors: K. Scott, S. Gupta, E. Williams, M. Arthur, U. V. Somayajulu and L. Noguchi

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:529

    Content type: Research article

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  48. Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal h...

    Authors: Anbrasi Edward, Aparna Krishnan, Grace Ettyang, Younghee Jung, Henry B. Perry, Annette E. Ghee and Jane Chege

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:514

    Content type: Research article

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  49. Good quality antenatal care visits are crucial to reduce maternal mortality and improve overall maternal and neonatal health outcomes. A previous study on antenatal care visits analyzed the nationally represen...

    Authors: Mukesh Adhikari, Binaya Chalise, Bihungum Bista, Achyut Raj Pandey and Dipak Prasad Upadhyaya

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:513

    Content type: Research article

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  50. In India, preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains one of the foremost challenge in community health. Countrywide MTCT of HIV is estimated to be > 10,000 an...

    Authors: Mihir Bhatta, Nalok Dutta, Srijita Nandi, Shanta Dutta and Malay Kumar Saha

    Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020 20:509

    Content type: Research article

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