The Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative in Ghana faces several challenges in delivering maternal and child nutrition services in rural Northern Ghana. This study, conducted in April 2019, involved interviews with the municipal nutrition officer and Community Health Officers (CHOs) from eleven CHPS zones to identify bottlenecks and strategies for … [Read more...] about Improving maternal and child nutrition services in community based health planning and services zones in the Jirapa municipality of northern Ghana-challenges and strategies the perspective of community health officers
Maternal and Child Health
On the Front Line: Investing in community health workers to improve health and nutrition
Community health workers are essential in reaching isolated and deprived communities. They ensure children get vaccinated, help parents understand the importance of immunization, and support pregnant women and new mothers with nutrition. These frontline workers, mostly women, also strengthen health systems to better handle future pandemics and disasters.This UNICEF brief … [Read more...] about On the Front Line: Investing in community health workers to improve health and nutrition
Evaluation of an obstetric and neonatal care upskilling program for community health workers in Papua New Guinea
This study evaluated a training program for community health workers (CHWs) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) aimed at improving maternal and newborn care in rural areas. In Eastern Highlands Province, CHWs showed significant increases in knowledge and skills after training, leading to improved confidence and referral practices. In Simbu Province, the number of facility births doubled … [Read more...] about Evaluation of an obstetric and neonatal care upskilling program for community health workers in Papua New Guinea
Understanding the uptake and determinants of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in East Africa: Mixed methods systematic review and meta-analysis
This review examines the uptake and determinants of key Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in East Africa. Analyzing 52 studies, it found that while maternal HIV testing and ART initiation rates were relatively high, uptake of infant ARV prophylaxis and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) were lower. Factors influencing PMTCT service uptake included place of … [Read more...] about Understanding the uptake and determinants of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in East Africa: Mixed methods systematic review and meta-analysis
“… He’s not beating me”-Socio-cultural construction of intimate partner violence and traditional birth attendants: implications for maternal & child health in rural communities in Hohoe, Ghana
This study examines nursing mothers' experiences of financial support from their partners and the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in rural Ghana. Through interviews and focus groups, participants discussed the lack of support from partners for housekeeping and finances. Interestingly, nursing mothers did not perceive this lack of support as abuse but as a hindrance … [Read more...] about “… He’s not beating me”-Socio-cultural construction of intimate partner violence and traditional birth attendants: implications for maternal & child health in rural communities in Hohoe, Ghana