Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Edmund W. Kanmiki, Abdullah A. Mamun, James F. Phillips, Martin J. O'Flaherty
Summary: This study examines the impact of a community-based primary healthcare strengthening programme on the utilization of maternal health services. The results show that the programme has a significant positive effect on antenatal care utilization, but has mixed effects on equity in service coverage.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Takondwa Mwase, Julia Lohmann, Saidou Hamadou, Stephan Brenner, Serge M. A. Somda, Herve Hien, Michael Hillebrecht, Manuela De Allegri
Summary: The combination of performance-based financing (PBF) with equity measures does not lead to a more equitable distribution of program benefits, with the poorest population not benefiting significantly. Innovative and context-sensitive measures are needed to ensure adequate access to healthcare for the poorest.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maryam Moeeni, Shirin Nosratnejad, Manizhe Rostampour, Koen Ponnet
Summary: This study investigated the inequality in households' financial contribution to health expenditure in Iran before and after the implementation of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in 2014. It found that inequality in households' financial contributions to the health system persisted despite the implementation of the HTP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Samwel Marco Tukay, Liliane Pasape, Kassimu Tani, Fatuma Manzi
Summary: Maternal morbidity and mortality are significant public health concerns globally. This study focused on the quality of maternal health services in Pangani, Tanzania, and examined the effects of DHFF. Results showed that DHFF implementation increased facility deliveries and the availability of medical supplies, equipment, and reagents, while reducing delays in procurement. Strengthening the DHFF system and staff training are essential for smooth implementation and maximizing impact.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Samuel George Anarwat, Mubarik Salifu, Margaret Atosina Akuriba
Summary: The study showed disparities in maternal and child health care services in Ghana, with key drivers being geographic location, income status, and formal education levels. The government can partner with the private sector to implement health policies that focus on primary health care, resource allocation towards rural areas and lower income groups to address inequalities in MCH services and improve outcomes for maternal and child health.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarahn M. Wheeler, Allison S. Bryant, Elizabeth A. Bonney, Elizabeth A. Howell
Summary: Profound racial inequities in maternal and infant outcomes exist, and the maternal-fetal medicine community plays a crucial role in addressing and eradicating these disparities. Accurately utilizing race and ethnicity as social constructs in research that guides clinical practice is essential for achieving health equity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Business, Finance
Bhagwan Chowdhry
Summary: Land acquisition for infrastructure projects can be financed through an equity-like protocol, where competition among private players transfers the value of land price appreciation to the government for project financing.
FINANCE RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
J. Sumankuuro, M. K. Domapielle, E. K. Derbile
Summary: This study examined the sociodemographic and maternal characteristics associated with miscarriage in Ghana. The results showed that education, religion, and ethnicity were significant factors related to miscarriage. Additionally, factors such as women's age, timing of antenatal care, rural residence, history of abortion, and mobile phone usage were identified as key determinants of miscarriage. The study suggests targeted antenatal care, enhanced emergency obstetric care, advocacy, and education to improve maternal health care and recommends further qualitative research on the use of mobile phone technology in addressing maternal health issues.
Article
Business, Finance
Jin Young Yang
Summary: This study examines the impact of policy uncertainty on the substitution between external financing and internal funds using an international data set for 22 countries during the period 1998-2019. The findings suggest that high policy uncertainty reduces the sensitivity of external financing to internal funds, dampening the substitution effect. Moreover, both equity and debt issuances are less negatively associated with internal funds during times of heightened policy uncertainty.
RESEARCH IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexander Manu, Sk Massum Billah, John Williams, Stella Kilima, Francis Yeji, Ziaul Matin, Asia Hussein, Fatima Gohar, Priscilla Wobil, Peter Baffoe, Farhana Karim, Projestine Muganyizi, Deus Mogela, Shams El Arifeen, Maya Vandenent, Kyaw Aung, Mrunal Shetye, Kim Eva Dickson, Nabila Zaka, Luwei Pearson, Tedbabe D. Hailegebriel
Summary: The study found that implementing the UNICEF/WHO Every Mother Every Newborn Quality Improvement (EMEN-QI) standards in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Tanzania can significantly reduce neonatal and perinatal mortality rates, as well as improve maternal mortality rates. By implementing this packaged standard, improvements in mortality rates around childbirth can be promoted within existing healthcare systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ming Zhang, Xueli Zhang, Yan Song, Jing Zhu
Summary: This study analyzes the impact and mechanism of the green credit policy on corporate financing costs using the difference in difference (DID) method. The results show that after the implementation of the green credit policy, the financing costs of high energy consumption and high pollution enterprises increase compared to energy conservation and environmental protection enterprises. Furthermore, the green credit policy not only affects the financing costs of corporate debt by changing the financing scale and commercial credit, but also affects the financing costs of corporate equity by changing financial status and information disclosure degree. However, the impact of the green credit policy on the financing costs of high carbon emission enterprises is more significant compared to medium and low carbon emission enterprises.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu, Sebastian Ceptureanu, Claudiu Herteliu
Summary: The study explores the relationship between networking, external financing, and export effort in medium sized enterprises. It found that networking indirectly enhances export effort through access to equity financing and reducing managerial risks. While networking does not directly lead to higher bank financing, bank financing has a greater impact on export effort than equity financing.
ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laxmi S. Mehta, Garima Sharma, Andreea A. Creanga, Afshan B. Hameed, Lisa M. Hollier, Janay C. Johnson, Lisa Leffert, Louise D. McCullough, Mahasin S. Mujahid, Karol Watson, Courtney J. White
Summary: The United States has the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause. The American Heart Association plays a unique role in advocating for maternal health improvement and access to care. Progress has been made in timely data reporting for maternal mortality surveillance and epidemiological programs, but further policy reforms are necessary.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jacopo Gabani, Sumit Mazumdar, Sylvester Bob Hadji, Michael Matthew Amara
Summary: This study analyzes the financing and benefit distribution of the Sierra Leone public healthcare system. It finds that the system is marginally progressive in terms of financing, but secondary/tertiary healthcare benefits are more pro-rich. The results show that the public healthcare system redistributes resources and reduces income inequality, with primary healthcare services playing a crucial role. However, there is room for improvement in terms of equity, and policy-makers should prioritize investments in primary healthcare.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Guido Citoni, Domenico De Matteis, Margherita Giannoni
Summary: This paper aims to measure the progressivity of healthcare financing systems in Italy at the regional level for the first time. The study reveals significant inequities in healthcare financing, both nationally and regionally. The introduction of fiscal federalism in the 90s led to regressive healthcare financing, with a higher regressivity issue in the south, partially compensated by VAT redistribution for regional equalization.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Micheal de Barra, Giorgia Gon, Susannah Woodd, Wendy J. Graham, Marijn de Bruin, Catherine Kahabuka, A. Jess Williams, Khadidja Konate, Said M. Ali, Rukaiya Said, Loveday Penn-Kekana
Summary: The study found that high-volume facilities in Zanzibar were more likely to provide necessary supplies for hand hygiene, but all facilities had poor ergonomic design issues. While birth attendants generally understood hygiene principles, managers in lower-performing facilities often did not prioritize hand hygiene issues.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Giorgia Gon, Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi, Petri Blinkhoff, Simon Cousens, Stephanie J. Dancer, Wendy J. Graham, Joseph Hokororo, Fatuma Manzi, Tanya Marchant, Dickson Mkoka, Emma Morrison, Sarah Mswata, Shefali Oza, Loveday Penn-Kekana, Yovitha Sedekia, Sandra Virgo, Susannah Woodd, Alexander M. Aiken
Summary: The TEACH CLEAN intervention significantly improved microbiological cleanliness, especially in the post-training period. While cleaning action also improved, the intervention was well received and considered feasible in the given context. However, implementation faced challenges such as limited training sessions and lack of regular cleaning supplies.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rachael Hinton, Corinne Armstrong, Eriana Asri, Klaus Baesel, Sarah Barnett, Carla Blauvelt, Saidatul Norbaya Bt Buang, Louise Bury, Jai K. Das, Jennifer Franz-Vasdeki, Helia Molina Milman, John Murray, Susana Palma, Ilona Renner, Marion Roche, Victoria Saint, Sarah Simpson, Lucy Singh, Diana Vaca McGhie, Daria Ukhova, Jetske van Dijk, Silvia Xinico, Helga Fogstad, Wendy Graham, Shyama Kuruvilla
Summary: This study draws on a 12-country study series on multisectoral collaboration (MSC) and identifies four considerations unique to MSC research in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. These include using theoretical frameworks, incorporating sectoral analysis, developing a core set of research questions, and identifying shared indicators of success and failure across sectors. Effective MSC is seen as an urgent priority in responding to COVID-19.
GLOBALIZATION AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susannah L. Woodd, Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi, Andrea M. Rehman, Oona M. R. Campbell, Asila Kagambo, Warda Martiasi, Louise M. TinaDay, Alexander M. Aiken, Wendy J. Graham
Summary: Maternal and newborn infections are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, with cesarean section being the most important risk factor for maternal infection and newborn resuscitation at birth increasing the risk of infection. Improved implementation of pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis is urgently needed to reduce the risk of infection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mwaka A. Kakolwa, Susannah L. Woodd, Alexander M. Aiken, Fatuma Manzi, Giorgia Gon, Wendy J. Graham, Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi
Summary: The study found that there is substantial overuse of antibiotics in postnatal women and newborns in Tanzanian hospitals, with the main reason being medical prophylaxis. Urgent implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs is needed to curb inappropriate use and limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Correction
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hattie Lowe, Susannah Woodd, Isabelle L. Lange, Sanja Janjanin, Julie Barnet, Wendy Graham
CONFLICT AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hattie Lowe, Susannah Woodd, Isabelle L. Lange, Sanja Janjanin, Julie Barnett, Wendy Graham
Summary: In conflict-affected settings, barriers to infection prevention and control (IPC) in hospitals include inadequate infrastructure, resource shortages, lack of education, and high visitor numbers. Conflict directly leads to increased patient numbers, supply chain disruptions, attacks on healthcare infrastructures, exacerbating existing challenges in IPC. Hospitals in these settings have adopted local strategies to improve IPC in the face of limited resources.
CONFLICT AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Giorgia Gon, Lucia Dansero, Alexander M. Aiken, Christian Bottomley, Stephanie J. Dancer, Wendy J. Graham, Olivia C. Ike, Michelle Lewis, Nick Meakin, Obiora Okafor, Nkolika S. Uwaezuoke, Tochi Joy Okwor
Summary: A study conducted in two hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria showed that HOCl and NaOCl had similar efficacy in achieving microbiological cleanliness on surfaces, with HOCl acting at a lower concentration and having a better safety profile.
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lenka Benova, Joy E. Lawn, Wendy Graham, Elise M. Chapin, Patience A. Afulani, Soo Downe, Tedbabe Degefie Hailegebriel, Ornella Lincetto, Emma Sacks
Summary: This synopsis provides an overview of the disparities in the quality of maternity care and the inequalities within and between countries in the European region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susannah L. Woodd, Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi, Andrea M. Rehman, Oona M. R. Campbell, Asila Kagambo, Warda Martiasi, Louise T. Day, Alexander M. Aiken, Wendy J. Graham
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Clara Calvert, Jeeva John, Farirai P. Nzvere, Jenny A. Cresswell, Sue Fawcus, Edward Fottrell, Lale Say, Wendy J. Graham
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic is directly affecting maternal mortality rates, as shown by studies from various countries. While there was an overall increase in maternal mortality, statistical evidence of a significant difference during the COVID-19 era was only found in four out of the studies. Excess maternal mortality ranged from 8.5% in Kenya to 61.5% in Uganda.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wendy J. Graham, Uduak Okomo, Giorgia Gon, Alexander M. Aiken
Summary: Globally, three-quarters of births now occur in healthcare facilities, with the proportion being 50% for sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare-associated infections among newborns are typically higher. Effective control strategies and interventions are needed to prevent nosocomial infections among vulnerable newborns, with a focus on strengthening the evidence base for cost-effective bundles of cleaning interventions in low-resource settings.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
K. C. Ashish, Stefan Swartling Peterson, Rejina Gurung, Alkistis Skalkidou, Jageshwar Gautam, Honey Malla, Punya Paudel, Kumari Bhattarai, Nisha Joshi, Bhim Singh Tinkari, Shree Adhikari, Durgalaxmi Shrestha, Binda Ghimire, Seema Sharma, Laxmi Khanal, Sunil Shrestha, Wendy Jane Graham, Mary Kinney
Summary: The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had varying effects on maternity services in Nepal, with different hospitals experiencing different changes. Smaller volume hospitals performed better during the pandemic, while high-medium volume hospitals saw a decrease in institutional births. Women residing in COVID-19 hotspot areas had a better experience of respectful care.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Clara Calvert, Jeeva John, Farirai P. Nzvere, Wendy J. Graham
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wendy J. Graham, Uduak Okomo, Giorgia Gon, Alexander M. Aiken
Summary: The majority of births globally now occur in healthcare facilities, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing higher rates of healthcare-associated infections among newborns. Effective control strategies are needed, especially in low-income countries.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)