Magnitude of self-reported intimate partner violence against pregnant women in Ghana's northern region and its association with low birth weight.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) rates are high in the northern region of Ghana, as is tolerance for intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the relationship between the two incidents has not been established. This study assessed the magnitude of IPV against pregnant women and its association with LBW in the northern region of Ghana.

Access to basic sanitation facilities reduces the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age in sub-saharan Africa.

Background: The prevalence (≈ 30%) of anaemia among women of reproductive age in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a significant concern. Additionally, less than half of households in the region have access to basic sanitation facilities, raising questions about the potential role of poor sanitation in increasing anaemia prevalence. To address this, we examined the relationship between access to basic sanitation facilities and the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age in SSA.

Prevalence and factors associated with the intention to use contraception among women of reproductive age who are not already using a contraceptive method in Liberia: findings from a secondary analysis of the 2019-2020 Liberia Demographic Health Survey.

Objective: Contraception constitutes a vital aspect of sexual and reproductive healthcare. However, the high prevalence of non-use has become a great public health concern globally. This study examined the intention to use contraceptives and its associated factors among women of reproductive age who were not using any method in Liberia.

Temporal trend analysis of the HIV/AIDS burden before and after the implementation of antiretroviral therapy at the population level from 1990 to 2020 in Ghana.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has helped reduce the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the majority of countries. Its contribution to the HIV/AIDS burden in Ghana is still understudied. This study examined HIV/AIDS trends in Ghana before (1990-2004) and after (2004-2020) the implementation and expansion of ART.

Compliance with the World Health Organization's 2016 prenatal care contact recommendation reduces the incidence rate of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women in northern Ghana.

Background: Children born with adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) have a greater risk of mortality, stunting, and poor cognitive development. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended at least eight antenatal care (ANC) contacts before delivery for a healthy mother and baby. We examined the association between compliance with this recommendation and the risk of ABOs, such as low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB), in the Tamale Metropolitan Area of the northern region of Ghana.

Risk of adverse newborn outcomes among women who experienced physical and psychological intimate partner abuse during pregnancy in Ghana's northern region.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common worldwide. However, the health effects of exposure to IPV during pregnancy are significantly more severe. We investigated the relationship between exposure to IPV during pregnancy and the risk of preterm and low birthweight births among women in Ghana's northern region.

A descriptive analysis of the coverage of newborn care services among women who delivered in health facilities in 17 sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has seen an increase in facility-based births over the years. However, the region has the world's highest newborn mortality rate (42% in 2019). Quality care around the time of birth can avert these deaths.

Assessing the association between an early and recommended number of focused antenatal care visits and the number of prenatal care content received before delivery in Ethiopia.

Background: Early and frequent antenatal care (ANC) has been linked to better pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed whether having at least four ANC contacts was associated with increased prenatal care content if the first visit was started in the first trimester in Ethiopia.

Methods: Data from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey on 2894 women aged 15-49 who received ANC during their last pregnancy were analyzed.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives utilization and its determinants among married Yemeni women of childbearing age who no longer want children.

Some contraceptive methods, such as long-acting and permanent methods, are more effective than others in preventing conception and are key predictors of fertility in a community. This study aimed to determine which factors were linked to married women of childbearing age who no longer desired children using long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in Yemen. We used a population-based secondary dataset from Yemen's National Health and Demographic Survey (YNHDS), conducted in 2013.

Association between exposure to intimate partner violence and the nutritional status of women and children in Nigeria.

Background: Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) epitomizes a greater proportion of the violence experienced by women, with more than a third of women (41.3%) in sub-Saharan Africa reporting IPV during their lifetime. This study examined the association between exposure to IPV and the nutritional status of women and their children in Nigeria.