More articles from Original Articles
- STEPS: A Solution for Ensuring Standards of TB Care for Patients Reaching Private Hospitals in India
A low-cost model for engaging the private sector to address gaps in TB care and ensuring that patients in the private sector receive the standards of care in India was feasible. The pilot project showed improvements in standards of care, which benefits the patient, government, private hospitals, and society.
- Initiation of Breastfeeding in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Time-to-Event Analysis
This article uses country-specific data to provide information for stakeholders about delays in breastfeeding, especially for babies born via cesarean delivery, and provide evidence to support skin-to-skin contact to promote early breastfeeding.
- Differentiated Service Delivery Models for HIV Treatment in Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia: A Landscape Analysis
Observing the diversity of differentiated service delivery models for HIV treatment in use in sub-Saharan Africa can help policy makers and program planners to improve decision making for treatment delivery in the future. This effort can inform decisions about how to optimize the distribution of models across facilities and regions and how to plan for budget and resource allocation.
- New Mixed Methods Approach for Monitoring Community Perceptions of Ebola and Response Efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Red Cross community feedback system enabled rapid collection and analysis of extensive verbal feedback during an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. Using this information, Ebola response leaders adapted strategies to address community concerns. In an epidemic, community feedback is critical to ensure that response strategies are accepted and appropriate.
- A Mixed-Methods Study of Factors Influencing Access to and Use of Micronutrient Powders in Rwanda
Gaps in complementary feeding practices hinder the use of multiple micronutrients powder (MNP) in Rutsiro district in Rwanda. Successful MNP program implementation requires uninterrupted availability and accessibility to the product, as well as greater understanding of health benefits of the MNP.
- Use of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention Among Ghanaian Women: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey
At least 18% of Ghanaian female contraceptors rely primarily upon a fertility awareness-based method (FABM), and most wish to learn how to improve its effectiveness but are insufficiently supported to do so. Researchers, programmers, and funders should better understand and address FABM users' needs, in commitment to reproductive autonomy and choice.
- Expanding Contraceptive Method Choice With a Hormonal Intrauterine System: Results From Mixed Methods Studies in Kenya and Zambia
Although the hormonal intrauterine system has limited availability in low- and middle-income countries, this highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptive method has the potential to be an important addition to the method mix. Introduction of the method in the public sector under “real-world” conditions in Kenya and Zambia shows promise to increase contraception use and continuation.
- Implementing a Social Accountability Approach for Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Service Performances in Ethiopia: A Pre-Post Study Design
Implementing a community scorecard approach may help increase utilization of maternal, neonatal, and child health services in primary health care facilities. The results of our study show the importance of engaging both the community and health workers to measure and continuously improve health care processes and improve the health system performance.
- Bugs in the Bed: Addressing the Contradictions of Embedded Science with Agile Implementation Research
Implementation research often fails to have its intended impact on what programs actually do. Embedding research within target organizational systems is an effective response to this problem. We present case examples from Bangladesh, Ghana, and Tanzania that demonstrate challenges associated with embedded science. We propose “agile science” as a means of sustaining scientific rigor while simultaneously catalyzing evidence utilization.
- Curbing the Rise of Noncommunicable Diseases in Uganda: Perspectives of Policy Actors
To respond to the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Uganda, technical, managerial, and financial resources must be increased in the Ministry of Health as well as in primary and secondary health care facilities. This investment would help further Uganda's efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and build the government's capacity to meet the increasing needs for NCD services.