If we build it, will they come? Results of a quasi-experimental study assessing the impact of maternity waiting homes on facility-based childbirth and maternity care in Zambia.

Introduction: Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) aim to increase access to maternity and emergency obstetric care by allowing women to stay near a health centre before delivery. An improved MWH model was developed with community input and included infrastructure, policies and linkages to health centres. We hypothesised this MWH model would increase health facility delivery among remote-living women in Zambia.

Out-of-Pocket Expenditures for Delivery for Maternity Waiting Home Users and Non-users in Rural Zambia.

Background: Utilizing maternity waiting homes (MWHs) is a strategy to improve access to skilled obstetric care in rural Zambia. However, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses remain a barrier for many women. We assessed delivery-related expenditure for women who used MWHs and those who did not who delivered at a rural health facility.

Alterations in Vascular Function Associated With the Use of Combustible and Electronic Cigarettes.

Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been proposed as a potential harm reduction tool for combustible cigarette smokers. The majority of adult e-cigarette users continue to smoke combustible cigarettes and are considered dual users. The vascular impact of e-cigarettes remains incompletely defined.

The effects of maternity waiting homes on the health workforce and maternal health service delivery in rural Zambia: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are a potential strategy to address low facility delivery rates resulting from access-associated barriers in resource-limited settings. Within a cluster-randomized controlled trial testing a community-generated MWH model in rural Zambia, we qualitatively assessed how MWHs affect the health workforce and maternal health service delivery at their associated rural health centers.

Methods: Four rounds of in-depth interviews with district health staff (n = 21) and health center staff (n = 73) were conducted at intervention and control sites over 24 months.

Quality and utilization patterns of maternity waiting homes at referral facilities in rural Zambia: A mixed-methods multiple case analysis of intervention and standard of care sites.

Introduction: Maternity waiting homes, defined as residential lodging near a health facility, are recommended by the WHO. An improved MWH model, responsive to community standards for functionality and comfort, was implemented at two purposively selected health facilities in rural Zambia providing comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services (intervention MWHs), and compared to three existing standard-of-care MWHs (comparison MWHs) at other CEmONC sites in the same districts.

Methods: We used a mixed-methods time-series design for this analysis.

Out-of-pocket expenditure for home and facility-based delivery among rural women in Zambia: a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Out-of-pocket expenses associated with facility-based deliveries are a well-known barrier to health care access. However, there is extremely limited contemporary information on delivery-related household out-of-pocket expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa. We assess the financial burden of delivery for the most remote Zambian women and compare differences between delivery locations (primary health center, hospital, or home).

The role of flavors in vaping initiation and satisfaction among U.S. adults.

Background: The prevalence of electronic cigarette use has grown over the past decade, with some users reportedly initiating e-cigarette use primarily due to flavors. This study examined the role of flavors in initiation among adult e-cigarette users, as well as the association of flavors with satisfaction and perceived addiction to vaping.

Methods: The analysis sample consisted of 1492 current e-cigarette users aged 18 or older, drawn from an online quantitative survey conducted in 2016.

Building financial management capacity for community ownership of development initiatives in rural Zambia.

Background: Building financial management capacity is increasingly important in low- and middle-income countries to help communities take ownership of development activities. Yet, many community members lack financial knowledge and skills.

Methods: We designed and conducted financial management trainings for 83 members from 10 community groups in rural Zambia.

Maternity Waiting Home Use by HIV-positive Pregnant Women in Zambia: Opportunity for Improved Prevention of Maternal to Child Transmission of HIV.

Background: Maternity waiting homes (MWHs), defined as residential lodging near health facilities, are an intervention to improve access to maternal care recommended by the World Health Organization. Little is known about utilization of MWHs by HIV-positive women. This paper describes: 1) maternal awareness and utilization of MWHs in rural Zambia among HIV-positive women, and 2) health outcomes for HIV-positive women and their infants with regards to utilization of MWHs.