Latest Articles
- Forest cover associated with improved child health and nutrition: evidence from the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey and satellite data
In Malawi, net forest cover loss over time is associated with reduced dietary diversity and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among children. Greater forest cover is associated with reduced risk of diarrheal disease. These preliminary findings suggest that protection of natural ecosystems could play an important role in improving health outcomes.
- Food commodity pipeline management in transitional settings: challenges and lessons learned from the first USAID food development program in South Sudan
Efficient and reliable commodity transport is critical to effective food assistance in development settings as well as in emergency situations. Increasing the flexibility of U.S. government Title II food assistance program procurement regulations and more comprehensive contingency planning could improve the effectiveness of these programs in non-emergency settings with high food insecurity and political volatility.
- Making the most of food aid to help prevent child and maternal deaths
Advances in child nutrition over the last several decades are creating momentum for a programmatic push to reduce undernutrition worldwide. The contribution of food aid may be small, but, nonetheless, U.S. food aid policy should be revamped to benefit more effectively and more efficiently the children and mothers in need.
- Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability
Only 34% of hospitals have reliable electricity access in surveyed sub-Saharan African countries. However, analysis in 2 countries indicates modest improvements in electricity access over time. Ambitious plans to improve health service delivery in sub-Saharan Africa need to address this critical issue.
- Successful use of tablet personal computers and wireless technologies for the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey
Using tablet personal computers and wireless technologies in place of paper-based questionnaires to administer the Nepal DHS in a geographically diverse setting appeared to improve data quality and reduce data collection time. Challenges include inconsistent electricity supply, safe storage and transport of equipment, and screen readability issues under direct sunlight, which limited confidential interview spaces.
- Client-centered counseling improves client satisfaction with family planning visits: evidence from Irbid, Jordan
In Irbid, Jordan, a combination of community outreach, using home visits, plays, women's groups, and religious leaders, and improved client-provider counseling based on the “Consult and Choose” approach increased family planning demand and client satisfaction. Service statistic trends suggest increased contraceptive use.
- High and equitable mass vitamin A supplementation coverage in Sierra Leone: a post-event coverage survey
In Sierra Leone, an intensive mass vitamin A supplementation (VAS) campaign to reduce under-5 mortality reached over 90% of children ages 6–59 months, eliminating coverage disparities among districts and between age groups. Delivering VAS with other essential maternal and child health interventions was key to the success.
- Improving performance of Zambia Defence Force antiretroviral therapy providers: evaluation of a standards-based approach
A detailed standards-based performance approach modestly improved providers' performance and facility readiness to offer antiretroviral therapy. The approach included mutually reinforcing activities: (1) training, (2) supportive supervision, (3) assessments of service quality, and (4) facility-based action plans.
- Successful polio eradication in Uttar Pradesh, India: the pivotal contribution of the Social Mobilization Network, an NGO/UNICEF collaboration
Innovative approaches to eradicate polio in hard-to-reach areas included: (1) cadres of trusted community mobilizers who track children's immunization status, (2) responsiveness to people's concerns about immunization, (3) outreach to religious and other local leaders, (4) focus on both individual- and community-level behavioral approaches, and (5) continuous data collection and use.
- Contraceptive implants: providing better choice to meet growing family planning demand
Contraceptive implants are extremely effective, long acting, and suitable for nearly all women—to delay, space, or limit pregnancies—and they are increasingly popular. Now, markedly reduced prices and innovative service delivery models using dedicated non-physician service providers offer a historic opportunity to help satisfy women's growing need for family planning.