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Research Papers
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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Research Papers
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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Research Papers
Opportunities and Lessons Learnt from conducting Research Ethics Training to Staff at a Health Non-Governmental Organization
This paper highlights the outcomes and lessons from a 5-week research ethics training conducted for staff at a health NGO in Kenya, addressing the gap in bioethics knowledge among NGO personnel despite growing involvement in research. The training, held at Amref Kenya Country Office, used interactive and experiential learning methods such as case discussions, video clips, and presentations. Most participants were female project officers with over five years of experience. Video clips were especially effective in illustrating the real-world impact of ethical and unethical research. The s
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Research Papers
Enablers and Barriers to Chlorhexidine Use in Umbilical Cord Care: Voices of Care Givers and Healthcare Providers in Selected Counties in Kenya
This mixed-methods study explored barriers and enablers to the use of Chlorhexidine (CHX) for umbilical cord care in Kwale, Vihiga, and Machakos counties in Kenya. Among 582 surveyed caregivers, only 1.3% had used CHX, with most relying on alternatives like methylated spirits, salty water, herbal extracts, and even harmful substances like cow dung and soil. While health workers were fully aware of CHX, only 38.7% of caregivers had heard of it. Key enablers of CHX use included faster healing, ease of use, hospital infection control, and influence from decision-makers, while barriers i
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Research Papers
Policy Guidelines to Mitigate the Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic towards the Reproductive Healthcare System in Kenya
This study explored Kenya’s COVID-19 policy response and its effects on reproductive health services. It found that leadership, collaboration, and political influence were central to decision-making. The study recommends context-specific health strategies, improved emergency preparedness, and regular policy updates. It also highlights the need for deeper analysis of how health policies evolve over time. Read More >>>
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Research Papers
Does Voluntary Family Planning Contribute to Food Security? Evidence from Ethiopia
This study investigated the impact of voluntary family planning (FP) use on household food security among 737 women of reproductive age in selected districts of Ethiopia. Using hierarchical logistic regression, the study found that 78.2% of participants were using FP, while 55.2% of households experienced food insecurity. Women who had used FP for less than 21 months were significantly less likely to live in food-secure households compared to those with longer FP use. Additionally, households with positive adaptive behaviors were three times more likely to be food secure, and women influenced
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Research Papers
Structural, programmatic, and sociocultural intersectionality of gender influencing access-uptake of reproductive, maternal, and child health services in developing regions of Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Gender remains a critical social factor in reproductive, maternal, and child health and family planning (RMNCH/FP) care. However, its intersectionality with other social determinants of the RMNCH remains poorly documented. This study aimed to explore the influence of gender intersectionality on the access uptake of RMNCH/FP in Developing Regional States (DRS) in Ethiopia. Read More >>>
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Research Papers
Factors related to women’s use of health insurance cover in Navakholo, Kakamega County, Kenya: sub-county level results based on community household register
This study focuses on evaluating the use of health insurance among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) in Navakholo sub-county, Kakamega County, within the context of Kenya’s push for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Despite UHC being a national priority, only 19.5% of Kenyans are enrolled in any health insurance scheme. Since 2016, the iPUSH programme, implemented by Amref Health Africa and PharmAccess Foundation, has aimed to improve access to healthcare and insurance uptake in this region. The study seeks to understand the extent a
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