Access to and use of preventive intermittent treatment for Malaria during pregnancy: A qualitative study in the Chókwè district, Southern Mozambique
Background Malaria remains a significant health problem in Mozambique, particularly in the case of pregnant women and children less than five years old. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) is recommended for preventing malaria in pregnancy (MiP). Despite the widespread use and cost-effectiveness of IPTp-SP, coverage remains low. In this study, we explored factors limiting […]
Philani Plus (+): A Mentor Mother Community Health Worker Home Visiting Program to Improve Maternal and Infants’ Outcomes
Pregnant mothers in South African townships face multiple health risks for themselves and their babies. Existing clinic-based services face barriers to access, utilization, and human resource capacities. Home visiting by community health workers (CHW) can mitigate such barriers. The Philani Plus (+) Intervention Program builds upon the original Philani CHW home-visiting intervention program for maternal […]
Factors influencing uptake of HIV care and treatment among children in South Africa-A qualitative study of caregivers and clinic staff
Despite antiretroviral therapy rollout in South Africa, fewer children than expected are accessing HIV care services. Our objectives were to describe barriers and facilitators of uptake of HIV care among children. Our study involved six private-sector clinics which provide HIV care free-of-charge in and around Gauteng province, South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted in July […]
Pregnant in a foreign city: A qualitative analysis of diet and nutrition for cross-border migrant women in Cape Town, South Africa
How do migrant women navigate their food environment during pregnancy? Foods are imbued with new meanings in a new place, and in low-and-middle-income countries including South Africa, a changing food environment leaves the poor, including many migrants, vulnerable to malnutrition. Thus, one of the ways economic and social vulnerability may be experienced and reproduced is […]
Maternal and Infant Outcomes among Pregnant Women Treated for Multidrug/Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa
Background: Data on safety and efficacy of second-line tuberculosis drugs in pregnant women and their infants are severely limited due to exclusion from clinical trials and expanded access programs. Methods: Pregnant women starting treatment for multidrug/rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR)-tuberculosis at King Dinuzulu Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017, were included. […]
Impact of antenatal antiretroviral drug exposure on the growth of children who are HIV-exposed uninfected: the national South African Prevention of Mother to Child Evaluation cohort study
Background: The relationship between in-utero antiretroviral (ARV) drug exposure and child growth needs further study as current data provide mixed messages. We compared postnatal growth in the first 18-months of life between children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (CHEU) with fetal exposure to ARV drugs (prophylaxis or triple-drug therapy (ART)) and CHEU not exposed to ARVs. […]
Effectiveness of a large-scale, sustained and comprehensive community health worker program in improving population health: the experience of an urban health district in South Africa
Introduction: South Africa is an upper middle-income country with wide wealth inequality. It faces a quadruple burden of disease and poor health outcomes, with access to appropriate and adequate health care a challenge for millions of South Africans. The introduction of large-scale, comprehensive community health worker (CHW) programs in the country, within the context of […]
Improving survival rates of newborn infants in South Africa
Background: The number, rates and causes of early neonatal deaths in South Africa were not known. Neither had modifiable factors associated with these deaths been previously documented. An audit of live born infants who died in the first week of life in the public service could help in planning strategies to reduce the early neonatal […]
In utero exposure to aluminium and other neurotoxic elements in urban coastal south african women at delivery: An emerging concern
Aluminium (Al) is a non-essential neurotoxicant and there is limited information regarding exposure to Al in utero. This study sought to evaluate the in utero exposure to Al in urban South African women, its effects on birth outcomes and possible synergistic effects between Al, essential and neurotoxic elements such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and […]
Father involvement, maternal depression and child nutritional outcomes in Soweto, South Africa
Father involvement in South Africa is low, despite evidence that it can improve maternal and child health and wellbeing. Within a larger randomised controlled trial, we assessed whether father involvement during and after pregnancy increased birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding through improved maternal mental health. At 6-week postnatal, mothers completed questionnaires on birth, feeding practices, […]