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• Research Papers

  Phase 3 evaluation of an innovative simple molecular test for the diagnosis of malaria in different endemic and health settings in sub- Saharan Africa (DIAGMAL)

  Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are widely used for malaria diagnosis but face limitations such as false positives from persistent HRP2 antigens, false negatives due to hrp2 gene deletions, and low sensitivity. While microscopy remains the gold standard, it requires skilled personnel and equipment. To address these challenges, a new direct-on-blood mini PCR-NALFIA test has been developed, offering higher sensitivity and accuracy with minimal infrastructure, making it suitable for low-resource settings.   Read More

• Research Papers

  The Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence and Unintended Pregnancy: Eastern Sub Saharan African Countries’ Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

  This study analyzed the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and unintended pregnancy among ever-married or cohabiting women in six Eastern Sub-Saharan African countries using DHS data. It found that 38% of pregnancies were unintended, with significantly higher rates among women who experienced any IPV (45%) and sexual violence (55%). After adjusting for confounders, women exposed to sexual violence had an 80% higher risk of unintended pregnancy. Other risk factors included having more than five children, living in rural areas, and facing financial barriers to healthcare. The st

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  Opportunities to Integrate Primary Health Care Digital Innovations in Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Kenya

  This baseline study, conducted in three rural counties in Kenya (Kisii, Kajiado, and Migori), assessed opportunities for integrating digital innovations into Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services within Primary Health Care (PHC) settings. Despite high skilled birth attendance, the study found discontinuity in antenatal and postnatal care, with only 46.8% of mothers attending at least one ANC visit. Barriers included limited facility access, poor staff attitudes, and cultural practices, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half of the women lacked knowledge on perinatal care,

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  Effect of WASH/MNCH Integrated interventions on skilled birth attendance and incidence of neonatal Sepsis in Amuru District, Uganda; A quasi-experimental study

  This quasi-experimental study assessed the impact of integrated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and MNCH (Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health) interventions on skilled birth attendance and neonatal sepsis in Uganda’s Amuru district. Interventions included health worker training, outreach services, WASH facility construction, and community education. Results showed a significant increase in skilled birth attendance from 41.4% to 63.0% and a non-significant reduction in neonatal sepsis from 0.6% to 0.2%. There were also notable improvements in household sanitation, hygiene practi

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  Six-Months Retention on Treatment and Attrition Risk Factors among People Living with HIV in Kibera Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

  This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of non-cash incentives (like free football T-shirts or Kiondos) and psychosocial support on early retention in HIV treatment among newly diagnosed patients in Kibera, Nairobi. Conducted across three health centers, the study found no significant difference in six-month retention between the intervention group (94%) and the control group (91%) (aRR: 1.03; p = 0.24). Overall retention was high at 93%, but attrition was more likely among divorced or single individuals, those with longer travel times to clinics, lower body weight, and those

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  Availability of comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care in developing regions in Ethiopia: lessons learned from the USAID transform health activity

  This study assessed the availability and impact of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) signal functions in 15 public hospitals across four developing regions in Ethiopia. Initially, only six hospitals provided all nine signal functions, with cesarean sections and blood transfusions among the least available. Following the introduction of a clinical mentorship program in ten hospitals, availability of CEmONC services improved significantly, with a 7.25% increase in cesarean sections and a 96.67% reduction in referrals for blood transfusions and obstetric complications.

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  Effect of USAID-funded obstetric ultrasound service interventions on maternal and perinatal health outcomes at primary healthcare facilities in Ethiopia: a propensity score matching analysis

  This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of introducing portable obstetric ultrasound services on maternal and perinatal health outcomes in primary health centers across four regions in Ethiopia. Using data from 1,568 mothers over two years, the study found that while the number of women completing four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits slightly declined, there were significant improvements in institutional deliveries, postnatal care, and referrals during ANC, along with a notable reduction in perinatal deaths. These findings suggest that integrating obstetric ultrasound at the p

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  Empowering Communities against Harmful Social Practices through Integrated Water Hygiene and Sanitation and Alternative Rites of Passage Model in Kajiado County, Kenya

  This project in Kajiado County tested the effectiveness of an Integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Model aimed at reducing harmful practices against young girls. Unlike previous efforts that addressed WASH and SRHR separately, this integrated approach recognized that meeting urgent community needs—like access to clean water and sanitation—can create a trust-building platform for engaging communities in discussions around SRHR issues. The model showed promise in promoting positive behavior change, including reductions in fema

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