Triple return on investment: The cost and impact of 13 interventions that could prevent stillbirths and save the lives of mothers and babies in South Africa
Background: The time of labor, birth and the first days of life are the most vulnerable period for mothers and children. Despite significant global advocacy, there is insufficient understanding of the investment required to save additional lives. In particular, stillbirths have been neglected. Over 20 000 stillbirths are recorded annually in South Africa, many of […]
Maternal HIV infection associated with small-for-gestational age infants but not preterm births: Evidence from rural South Africa
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is prevalent in many countries where small-for-gestational age (SGA) and premature delivery are also common. However, the associations between maternal HIV, preterm delivery and SGA infants remain unclear. We estimate the prevalence of SGA and preterm (
Determinants of postnatal care utilization in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta and multilevel analysis of data from 36 sub-Saharan countries
Introduction: Globally, over 65% of maternal deaths occur during the first 42 days of postpartum while the same proportion of neonatal deaths occur during the first 7 days of life. In sab- Saharan Africa, 4.7 million mothers, newborns, and children die on annual basis. As to our knowledge, there is no study on postnatal care […]
A longitudinal analysis of the completeness of maternal HIV testing, including repeat testing in Cape Town, South Africa
Introduction: The virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV cannot be achieved without complete maternal HIV testing. The World Health Organization recommends that women in high HIV prevalent settings repeat HIV testing in the third trimester, and at delivery or directly thereafter. The Western Cape Province (South Africa) prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) guidelines recommend […]
The influence of HIV status on prenatal genetic diagnosis choices
Background. At-risk women of advanced maternal age (AMA) can choose to have second-trimester invasive testing for a prenatal genetic diagnosis on the fetus. Being HIV-positive can complicate the decision-making process. Objective. To document HIV status and prenatal genetic diagnosis choices in women of AMA attending genetic clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa, for counselling on the […]
Protocol for the PLAY Study: A randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve infant development by encouraging maternal self-efficacy using behavioural feedback
Introduction The early infant caregiving environment is crucial in the formation of parent-child relationships, neurobehavioural development and thus child outcomes. This protocol describes the Play Love And You (PLAY) Study, a phase 1 trial of an intervention designed to promote infant development through encouraging maternal self-efficacy using behavioural feedback, and supportive interventions. Methods and analysis […]
Emerging Early Actions to Bend the Curve in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Nutrition Transition
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is the last region to undergo a nutrition transition and can still avoid its adverse health outcomes. Objective: The article explores emerging responses to €bend the curve€ in sub-Saharan Africa’s nutrition transition to steer public health outcomes onto a healthier trajectory. Methods: Early responses in 3 countries at different stages of food […]
The dimensionality of disclosure of HIV status amongst post-partum women in Cape Town, South Africa
Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners and others has been presented as positive health behaviour and is widely encouraged by antiretroviral treatment (ART) programmes, providers and policies. However, disclosure is also highly contextual and its positive effects are not universal. We explore the dimensions of disclosure amongst post-partum women who initiated ART during pregnancy […]
Access to safe abortion: Building choices for women living with HIV and AIDS
In many areas of the world where HIV prevalence is high, rates of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion have also been shown to be high. Of all pregnancies worldwide in 2008, 41% were reported as unintended or unplanned, and approximately 50% of these ended in abortion. Of the estimated 21.6 million unsafe abortions occurring worldwide […]
Impact of HIV and antiretroviral drug exposure on lung growth and function over 2 years in an African Birth Cohort
Objective:To assess the impact of HIV and antiretroviral exposure without infection on lung growth and function over the first 2 years of life.Design:Prospective observational study of an African birth cohort, Drakenstein Child Health Study.Method:Infants enrolled antenatally had lung function measured at 6 weeks, 1 and 2 years. HIV-infected women received antiretroviral therapy (ART) as per […]