OBJECTIVES In resource-poor settings, the standard of care to inform labour management is the partograph plus Pinard stethoscope for intermittent fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring. We compared FHR monitoring in labour using a novel, robust wind-up handheld Doppler with the Pinard as a primary screening tool for abnormal FHR on perinatal outcomes. DESIGN Prospective equally randomised clinical...

The study sought to identify determinants of blood loss at childbirth and 24 hours postpartum. The study was nested in a community-based randomized trial of treatments for anaemia during pregnancy in Wete Town, Pemba Island, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. Status of anaemia during pregnancy, nutritional information, obstetric history, and socioeconomic status were assessed at enrollment ...

Background: Long duration of labor increases the pain that a mother experiences. Several non-pharmacological methods, such as pelvic rocking exercises and SP6 acupressure, have been discovered to reduce accelerate duration. It needs be clarified which two methods is more effective.Purpose: This study aimed assess effectiveness exercise with birth ball acupressure in shortening active phase firs...

OBJECTIVE To assess whether implementation of a prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programme in Côte d'Ivoire improved the quality of antenatal and delivery care services. METHODS Quality of antenatal and delivery care services was assessed in five urban health facilities before (2002-2003) and after (2005) the implementation of a PMTCT programme through review of facility...

OBJECTIVE To describe health workers' perceptions of a quality improvement (QI) intervention that focused on improving institutional childbirth services in primary health facilities in Southern Tanzania. DESIGN A qualitative design was applied using in-depth interviews with health workers. SETTING This study involved the Ruangwa District Reproductive and Child Health Department, 11 dispensa...