Strengthening and monitoring health system's capacity to improve availability, utilization and quality of emergency obstetric care in northern Nigeria.

Background: Quality improvement in emergency obstetric care (EmOC) is a critical and cost-effective suite of interventions for the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of quality improvement interventions following a baseline assessment in Bauchi state, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a prospective before and after study between June 2012, and April 2015 in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Monitoring maternal and newborn health outcomes in Bauchi State, Nigeria: an evaluation of a standards-based quality improvement intervention.

Objective: This study assessed the correlation between compliance with set performance standards and maternal and neonatal deaths in health facilities.

Design: Baseline and three annual follow-up assessments were conducted, and each was followed by a quality improvement initiative using the Standards Based Management and Recognition (SBM-R) approach.

Setting: Twenty-three secondary health facilities of Bauchi state, Nigeria.

Countdown to 2015: Tracking Maternal and Child Health Intervention Targets Using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling in Bauchi State Nigeria.

Background: Improving maternal and child health remains a top priority in Nigeria's Bauchi State in the northeastern region where the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) are as high as 1540 per 100,000 live births and 78 per 1,000 live births respectively. In this study, we used the framework of the continuum of maternal and child care to evaluate the impact of interventions in Bauchi State focused on improved maternal and child health, and to ascertain progress towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

Methods: At baseline (2012) and then at follow-up (2013), we randomly sampled 340 households from 19 random locations in each of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Bauchi State in Northern Nigeria, using the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) technique.

Factors influencing the use of magnesium sulphate in pre-eclampsia/eclampsia management in health facilities in Northern Nigeria: a mixed methods study.

Background: Eclampsia remains a major cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. We examined facilitators and barriers to the use of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in the management of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) in health facilities in Bauchi and Sokoto States in Nigeria.

Methods: Data were collected from 80 health facilities using a cross-sectional, mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) design.

Availability, utilization, and quality of emergency obstetric care services in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Objective: To report the availability, utilization, and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Methods: Between June and July 2012, a cross-sectional survey of health facilities was conducted. Data on the performance of EmOC services between June 2011 and May 2012 were obtained from records of 20 general hospitals and 39 primary healthcare centers providing delivery services.

Prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among pregnant women in Zaria, Nigeria.

Rubella is a vaccine-preventable viral infection which in pregnancy can lead to foetal wastage and congenital malformations. A rubella IgG serosurvey of 430 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic was conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria between 1 May 2007 and 29 February 2008. Questionnaires were also used to assess their level of awareness and pregnancy outcomes noted.