Index by author

With training and supportive supervision, male and female Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Nigeria safely and effectively provided contraceptive implants, and virtually all clients said they were satisfied. Most CHEWs achieved competency after 5 client insertions. However, the CHEWs provided only an average of 4 insertions per health facility per month. Realizing the true potential of providing implants calls for a context with dedicated providers and robust outreach.

Whether institutions or extended families are better suited to care for orphans depends on the specific circumstances. Reported rates of traumatic experiences among orphans and vulnerable children are high in both institutions and extended families; improving the quality of care for such children should be the paramount priority in all settings.

Youth centers, peer education, and one-off public meetings have generally been ineffective in facilitating young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, changing their behaviors, or influencing social norms around adolescent SRH. Approaches that have been found to be effective when well implemented, such as comprehensive sexuality education and youth-friendly services, have tended to flounder as they have considerable implementation requirements that are seldom met. For adolescent SRH programs to be effective, we need substantial effort through coordinated and complementary approaches. Unproductive approaches should be abandoned, proven approaches should be implemented with adequate fidelity to those factors that ensure effectiveness, and new approaches should be explored, to include greater attention to prevention science, engagement of the private sector, and expanding access to a wider range of contraceptive methods that respond to adolescents’ needs.

The DHAKA Dehydration Score and the DHAKA Dehydration Tree are the first empirically derived and internally validated diagnostic models for assessing dehydration in children with acute diarrhea for use by general practice nurses in a resource-limited setting. Frontline providers can use these new tools to better classify and manage dehydration in children.

Contraceptive effectiveness is the leading characteristic for most women when choosing a method, but they often are not well informed about effectiveness of methods. Because of the serious consequences of “misinformed choice,” counseling should proactively discuss the most effective methods—long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods—using the WHO tiered-effectiveness model.

The DHAKA Dehydration Score and the DHAKA Dehydration Tree are the first empirically derived and internally validated diagnostic models for assessing dehydration in children with acute diarrhea for use by general practice nurses in a resource-limited setting. Frontline providers can use these new tools to better classify and manage dehydration in children.

The DHAKA Dehydration Score and the DHAKA Dehydration Tree are the first empirically derived and internally validated diagnostic models for assessing dehydration in children with acute diarrhea for use by general practice nurses in a resource-limited setting. Frontline providers can use these new tools to better classify and manage dehydration in children.

This wireless sensor technology, currently being field-tested in an Ebola Treatment Unit in Sierra Leone, monitors multiple vital signs continuously and remotely. When connected with enhanced analytics software, it can discern changes in patients’ status much more quickly and intelligently than conventional periodic monitoring, thus saving critical health care worker time and reducing exposure to pathogens.

The DHAKA Dehydration Score and the DHAKA Dehydration Tree are the first empirically derived and internally validated diagnostic models for assessing dehydration in children with acute diarrhea for use by general practice nurses in a resource-limited setting. Frontline providers can use these new tools to better classify and manage dehydration in children.

With training and supportive supervision, male and female Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Nigeria safely and effectively provided contraceptive implants, and virtually all clients said they were satisfied. Most CHEWs achieved competency after 5 client insertions. However, the CHEWs provided only an average of 4 insertions per health facility per month. Realizing the true potential of providing implants calls for a context with dedicated providers and robust outreach.

Contrary to some conventional wisdom, in this large study that randomly sampled orphans and separated children from 5 countries, prevalence of reported traumatic events was no worse among those institutionalized than among those in family-based care. Reported incidence of physical or sexual abuse was actually higher for those in family-based care. Understanding the specific context, and elements contributing to potential harm and benefits in both family-based and institutional care, are essential to promoting the best interest of the child.

Contrary to some conventional wisdom, in this large study that randomly sampled orphans and separated children from 5 countries, prevalence of reported traumatic events was no worse among those institutionalized than among those in family-based care. Reported incidence of physical or sexual abuse was actually higher for those in family-based care. Understanding the specific context, and elements contributing to potential harm and benefits in both family-based and institutional care, are essential to promoting the best interest of the child.

The volume of literature on health systems in sub-Saharan Africa has been expanding since the 2000 MDG era. Focus has remained generally on categorical health themes rather than systems concepts. Topics such as scaling-up, organizational development, data use for decision making, logistics, and financial planning remain underrepresented. And quite surprisingly, implementation science remains something of a “black hole.” But bibliometric evidence suggests there is a shift in focus that may soon address these gaps.

The DHAKA Dehydration Score and the DHAKA Dehydration Tree are the first empirically derived and internally validated diagnostic models for assessing dehydration in children with acute diarrhea for use by general practice nurses in a resource-limited setting. Frontline providers can use these new tools to better classify and manage dehydration in children.

In light of advocacy efforts to reach the poorest with better health services, an examination of recent history reveals that overall the poor-rich gap in contraceptive use is already narrowing substantially, and more so where family planning programs are stronger. For most of 18 other reproductive health indicators, the gap is also narrowing. However, contraceptive use gaps in many sub-Saharan African countries have not diminished, calling for strong family planning program efforts to improve equity.

Demonstrating that a health service, such as providing contraceptive implants, can be safely task shared to less highly trained workers is crucial but is only one step toward effective implementation at scale. Providers need dedicated time, enough clients, supplies, supervision, and other system support, allowing them to maintain their competency, confidence, and productivity.

Interactive GIS maps created by overlapping facility data including roads and infrastructure with population and service delivery data permitted strategic deployment of mobile voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services to underserved rural communities. The percentage of VMMCs performed in rural areas jumped from 48% in 2011 to 93% in 2014.

Contraceptive effectiveness is the leading characteristic for most women when choosing a method, but they often are not well informed about effectiveness of methods. Because of the serious consequences of “misinformed choice,” counseling should proactively discuss the most effective methods—long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods—using the WHO tiered-effectiveness model.

Contraceptive effectiveness is the leading characteristic for most women when choosing a method, but they often are not well informed about effectiveness of methods. Because of the serious consequences of “misinformed choice,” counseling should proactively discuss the most effective methods—long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods—using the WHO tiered-effectiveness model.

Contrary to some conventional wisdom, in this large study that randomly sampled orphans and separated children from 5 countries, prevalence of reported traumatic events was no worse among those institutionalized than among those in family-based care. Reported incidence of physical or sexual abuse was actually higher for those in family-based care. Understanding the specific context, and elements contributing to potential harm and benefits in both family-based and institutional care, are essential to promoting the best interest of the child.