Latest Articles
- A bright future for IUD use in Africa?
High uptake of IUDs under the mobile outreach service delivery model in Kenya bodes well for IUDs in sub-Saharan Africa, if delivered with good access and quality.
- Introduction of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system in Kenya through mobile outreach: review of service statistics and provider perspectives
Limited introduction of the LNG IUS through mobile outreach in Kenya, without any special promotion, resulted in good uptake. And providers viewed it positively, particularly because of its noncontraceptive benefits. Increased provision of the LNG IUS can improve options for women needing highly effective reversible contraception.
- The imperative for health promotion in universal health coverage
Health promotion and disease prevention have huge impact on health, yet given low priority, risk being overlooked in universal health coverage efforts. To effectively prioritize promotion and prevention, strong cadres of personnel are needed with expertise in legislation and health policy, social and behavior change communication, prevention and community health, health journalism, environmental health, and multisectoral health promotion.
- Safety of adult medical male circumcision performed by non-physician clinicians in Kenya: a prospective cohort study
Trained, experienced nurses and clinical officers provided safe voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in public health facilities in Nyanza Province, Kenya, as evidenced by the low 2% adverse event rate (most commonly, excess swelling). Task shifting for male circumcision can improve access to quality VMMC services.
- Moving malaria in pregnancy programs from neglect to priority: experience from Malawi, Senegal, and Zambia
Program areas that were generally working well in malaria in pregnancy programs (MIP) included: (1) integration of MIP interventions into antenatal care; (2) development of up-to-date policies; (3) active involvement of communities; and (4) development of capacity-building materials for training. Challenges remain in the areas of: (1) commodities; (2) quality assurance; (3) monitoring and evaluation; and (4) financing.
- Scaling up delivery of contraceptive implants in sub-Saharan Africa: operational experiences of Marie Stopes International
Between 2008 and 2012, Marie Stopes International (MSI) provided 1.7 million contraceptive implants in sub-Saharan Africa as part of a comprehensive method mix, primarily through mobile outreach using dedicated MSI providers and also through social franchising and MSI-run clinics. Large-scale access, quality, and informed choice were key elements of MSI's strategy.
- Taking knowledge for health the extra mile: participatory evaluation of a mobile phone intervention for community health workers in Malawi
A participatory evaluation process called Net-Map showed that providing community health workers (CHWs) with mobile phones and essential technical information changed CHWs, from passive recipients of information with little influence to active information agents who sought and provided information to improve health services.
- mHealth resources to strengthen health programs
A suite of resources provides implementation guidance for mHealth initiatives, particularly in less developed countries. The suite includes an eLearning course, online guide, evidence database, and a High-Impact Practices brief, along with the mHealth Working Group and website.