Factors associated with inequalities in malnutrition among children in Ghana using the 2022 GDHS and WHO HEAT framework.

Background: Childhood malnutrition can impair physical and cognitive development, thereby diminishing productivity at adulthood. Current research recognizes the crucial impact of early childhood nutrition on the long-term health and well-being of children. Ghana has achieved notable progress in lowering childhood malnutrition; nevertheless, it remains a major concern.

Trends and factors associated with anemia among women of reproductive age in Mali: analysis of data from 2001 to 2018 Mali demographic and health surveys.

Background: Even though widespread attempts have been made to halve the incidence of anemia by 2025, the prevalence remains alarmingly high among women of reproductive age in Africa. The government of Mali has underscored the necessity for a multi-sectoral approach to reducing the anemia burden. However, no studies have considered the trends and factors associated with anemia among women of reproductive age in Mali.

Wealth-related inequalities in the utilisation of modern contraceptives in Papua New Guinea: evidence from the 2016-2018 Demographic and Health Survey data.

Objective: To examine the wealth-related disparities in modern contraceptives use among women in Papua New Guinea.

Design: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the 2016-2018 Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey data. We included 11 618 women of reproductive age in our final analysis.

Female genital mutilation/cutting among girls aged 0-14: evidence from the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey data.

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is considered a social norm in many African societies, with varying prevalence among countries. Mali is one of the eight countries with very high prevalence of FGM/C in Africa. This study assessed the individual and contextual factors associated with female FGM/C among girls aged 0-14 years in Mali.

What predicts health facility delivery among women? analysis from the 2021 Madagascar Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: One of the pivotal determinants of maternal and neonatal health outcomes hinges on the choice of place of delivery. However, the decision to give birth within the confines of a health facility is shaped by a complex interplay of sociodemographic, economic, cultural, and healthcare system-related factors. This study examined the predictors of health facility delivery among women in Madagascar.

High risk fertility behaviour and health facility delivery in West Africa.

Background: Evidence suggests that women who give birth in a health facility have lower odds of experiencing pregnancy complications and significantly reduced risk of death from pregnancy-related causes compared to women who deliver at home. Establishing the association between high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB) and health facility delivery is imperative to inform intervention to help reduce maternal mortality. This study examined the association between HRFB and health facility delivery in West Africa.

A multilevel analysis of social determinants of skilled birth attendant utilisation among married and cohabiting women of Madagascar.

Background: Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Madagascar is 392 deaths per 100 000 live births, and this is a major public health concern. One of the strategies for reducing MMR and achieving target 3.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (i.

Hygienic Disposal of Children's Stools Practices Among Women of Children With Diarrhoea in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Diarrhoea stools contain infectious agents and pose a public health threat to children and members of the entire family when exposed to them. Therefore, their hygienic disposal is essential. Empirical data are needed to stir the needed public health interventions to encourage or enforce proper disposal practices to curb associated clinical issues.

Rural-urban differentials in the association between sex preference for children and marital dissolution in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Marital dissolution, which refers to being divorced or separated, is considered one of the most dramatic demographic events that significantly disrupt families. Unearthing the factors predicting marital dissolution would support actions to reduce the incidence of this phenomenon. The present study sought to examine the association between sex preference for children and marital dissolution segregated by place of residence.

Women's autonomy in refusing risky sex in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 30 countries.

Understanding the factors associated with women's autonomy to refuse risky sex is imperative to inform the development of policies and interventions to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion, and maternal mortality. This study sought to examine the prevalence and factors associated with women's autonomy to refuse risky sex in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data for the study were extracted from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of thirty countries in SSA conducted from 2010 to 2020.

Determinants of contraceptive continuation among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Contraceptive continuation is an important factor that has significant implications on total fertility rates and reproductive health outcomes, like unintended pregnancies. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the factors that influence women's decision to continue the use of contraceptives. The present study examined the determinants of contraceptive continuation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Socioeconomic inequalities in modern contraceptive use among women in Benin: a decomposition analysis.

Background: Contraceptive use is crucial to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. Evidence of socioeconomic inequality in the use of modern contraceptives is essential to address the developing inequality in its utilisation given the low prevalence of contraceptive use among women in Benin. This study examined the socioeconomic inequalities in modern contraceptive use among women in Benin.

Determinants of birth registration in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from demographic and health surveys.

Background: Birth registration is a crucial aspect of ensuring that children have access to their rights and benefits, including health care, education, and citizenship. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), birth registration rates remain low, with millions of children going unregistered each year. Understanding the predictors of birth registration among children in this sub-region is important for developing targeted interventions to improve registration rates.

Child marriage and its association with partner controlling behaviour against adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Child marriage and partner controlling behaviours are culturally seated phenomena in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Child marriage refers to any legal or customary union involving a boy or girl below the age of 18. Partner controlling behaviour on the other hand refers to a situation where a sexual partner consistently tries to control their spouse's behaviours, movements, and social contacts with other people.

Prevalence and predictors of premarital sexual intercourse among young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: Premarital sexual intercourse (PSI) without adequate information and/or appropriate application of the relevant knowledge about sex before marriage, potentially has adverse effects on the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of vulnerable young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study sought to examine the prevalence and predictors of PSI among young women aged 15-24 in SSA.

Methods: Nationally representative cross-sectional data from 29 countries in SSA were extracted for the study.

High-risk fertility behaviour and undernutrition among children under-five in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The study examined high-risk fertility behaviour and its association with under-five undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 32 sub-Saharan African countries' Demographic and Health Surveys. A weighted sample of 110 522 mother-child pairs was included in final analysis.

Physical violence during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: why it matters and who are most susceptible?

Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of physical violence against pregnant women and its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design: We analysed cross-sectional data of 108971 women in sexual unions from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 26 countries in SSA. The predictors of physical violence were examined using a multilevel binary logistic regression.

Relationship between history of hormonal contraceptive use and anaemia status among women in sub-Saharan Africa: A large population-based study.

Background: Anaemia among women has been reported to be a significant contributor to hemorrhage, exacerbated risk of stillbirths, miscarriages, and maternal mortalities. Hence, understanding the factors associated with anaemia is imperative to develop preventive strategies. We examined the association between history of hormonal contraceptive use and risk of anaemia among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

HIV testing among women of reproductive age in 28 sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel modelling.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains one of the most significant public health challenges globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although HIV testing is a vital step for both prevention and treatment, its uptake is still low in SSA. We therefore examined HIV testing in SSA and its individual/household and community factors among women of reproductive age groups (15-49 y).

Socioeconomic and residence-based related inequality in childhood vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin.

Background And Aims: Childhood vaccination remains a cost-effective strategy that has expedited the control and elimination of numerous diseases. Although coverage of new vaccines in low- and middle-income countries increased exponentially in the last two decades, progress on expanding routine vaccination services to reach all children remains low, and coverage levels in many countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to examine the pattern of wealth and residence-based related inequality in vaccination coverage through an equity lens.

Prevalence and predictors of infant and young child feeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: A sample of 87 672 mother-child pairs from the 2010-2020 Demographic and Health Surveys of 32 countries in SSA was used. Multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the predictors of MDD, MMF, and MAD.

Awareness of obstetric fistula and its associated factors among reproductive-aged women: Demographic and health survey data from Gambia.

Childbirth complications continue to remain a major problem in various settings but most rampant in underdeveloped nations, including Gambia, where poor living condition is widespread. Obstetric Fistula (OF) has been cited as one of the most common issues experienced by mothers during labor over the years. The study thus focuses on evaluating the level of awareness of this condition among Gambian women of childbearing age.

Assessing the inequalities in demand for family planning satisfied in Ghana: evidence from the 1993-2014 Demographic and Health Surveys.

Background: Family planning is essential in promoting the well-being of women and their families and communities and ensuring quality of care in contraceptive use. This study sought to assess the trend and inequalities in the demand for family planning satisfied (DFPS) in Ghana from 1993 to 2014.

Methods: The World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit was employed to analyse the data.