[Economic hardship and fallout on households of the management of hydrocephalus in Benin].

Objectives: The socioeconomic profile of households and families of children attending hospital for hydrocephalus were documented and analysed. Main costs related to diagnosis and care were reviewed. The emotional fallout and social well-being of families were also analysed.

A cost-effectiveness study of caesarean-section deliveries by clinical officers, general practitioners and obstetricians in Burkina Faso.

Background: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative training strategies for increasing access to emergency obstetric care in Burkina Faso.

Methods: Case extraction forms were used to record data on 2305 caesarean sections performed in 2004 and 2005 in hospitals in six out of the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso. Main effectiveness outcomes were mothers' and newborns' case fatality rates.

The tip of the iceberg: evidence of seasonality in institutional maternal mortality and implications for health resources management in Burkina Faso.

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate seasonal patterns of institutional maternal deaths and complications, and to test for an association with malaria seasons, rainfall, and household income.

Methods: A systematic case review of hospital records in the Boucle du Mouhoun health region (Burkina Faso) was conducted over a 2-year period. A statistical smoothing procedure (T4253H) and Freedman's test were used to investigate seasonality and association with malaria, rainfall or household income variations.

Costing universal access of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Benin.

The study aimed to estimate costs of provision and access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in order to assist in planning and resource allocation regarding scaling up and sustainable access to HAART in Benin. A prospective study was carried out to collect data on costs of provision of care at the Outpatient Treatment Centre (OTC) of the National University hospital in Cotonou, Benin and on costs borne by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families in accessing care. We used an Excel model, a macro costing approach and WHO guidelines for costing health services.

Towards an understanding of barriers to condom use in rural Benin using the Health Belief Model: a cross sectional survey.

Background: HIV/AIDS is the most dramatic epidemic of the century that has claimed over two decade more than 3 million deaths. Sub Saharan Africa is heavily affected and accounts for nearly 70% of all cases. Despite awareness campaigns, prevention measures and more recently promotion of anti viral regimens, the prevalence of cases and deaths is still rising and the prevalence of systematic condom use remains low, especially in rural areas.