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February 17, 2023

The role of gender inequality and health expenditure on the coverage of demand for family planning satisfied by modern contraceptives: a multilevel analysis of cross-sectional studies in 14 LAC countries

International efforts are essential to improve reproductive health indicators. Despite advances, there is a lack of studies on contextual factors associated with modern contraceptive coverage. Our study investigated the association between country-level factors (gender inequality index and health expenditure) with demand for family planning satisfied by modern contraceptive methods (DFPSm) in 14 Latin American countries. We included data from each country's most recent (post-2010) Demographi

February 06, 2023

What are the sources of contraceptives for married and unmarried adolescents: Health services or friends? Analysis of 59 low- and middle-income countries

This is a study exploring the main sources of contraceptives among adolescents in 59 low- and middle-income countries. Although different patterns of inequalities in demand for family planning satisfied among married and unmarried adolescents were identified, the public sector of almost all countries is still not reaching unmarried adolescents. The study also identified that friends or relatives were a more significant source of contraceptives among unmarried compared to married adolescents in a

January 18, 2023

Inequalities in child immunization coverage: potential lessons from the Guinea-Bissau case

Immunization is one of the main interventions responsible for the decline in under-5 mortality. In Guinea-Bissau, a low-income African country, vaccination is supported by international agencies, such as the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Vaccines are provided free of charge in health centers and the program is implemented via routine vaccinations, specific campaigns, and catch-up and mop-up campaigns. The immunization schedule includes one dose

December 20, 2022

Early initiation of breastfeeding is inversely associated with public and private c-sections in 73 lower- and middle-income countries

Early initiation of breastfeeding—putting a newborn to the breast within the first hour after birth—ensures that the infant receives essential protection factors via colostrum, and it also increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding and the overall duration of breastfeeding. Cesarean section deliveries have been systematically and directly associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Some obsolete practices in health facilities and the lack of knowledge about breas

November 22, 2022

Geographic inequalities in health intervention coverage – mapping the composite coverage index in Peru using geospatial modelling

The composite coverage index (CCI) provides an integrated perspective towards universal health coverage in the context of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health. Given the sample design of most household surveys does not provide coverage estimates below the first administrative level, approaches for achieving more granular estimates are needed. We used a model-based geostatistical approach to estimate the CCI at multiple resolutions in Peru. We generated estimates for the eight indi

October 26, 2022

Religious affiliation as a driver of immunization coverage: Analyses of zero-dose vaccine prevalence in 66 low- and middle-income countries

The literature on the association between religion and immunization coverage is scant, mostly consisting of single-country studies. Analyses in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) to assess whether the proportions of zero-dose children vary according to religion remains necessary to better understand non-socioeconomic immunization barriers and to inform interventions that target zero-dose children. We included 66 LMICs with standardized national surveys carried out since 2010, with inform

October 25, 2022

Birth registration coverage according to the sex of the head of household: an analysis of national surveys from 93 low- and middle-income countries

Universal birth registration is a human right and monitoring inequalities in coverage are a useful tool to identify vulnerable groups and to promote change. Within-country inequalities in birth registration coverage have been documented according to wealth, place of residence and other household characteristics. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive, global view of how the sex of heads of household might affect birth registration coverage in 93 low- and middle-income cou

September 22, 2022

Exposure of Zero-Dose Children to Multiple Deprivation: Analyses of Data from 80 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise an ambitious agenda with multisectoral goals covering health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and several other topics, with the ultimate aim of achieving “a better and more sustainable future for all”. The concept of multiple deprivation recognizes that the same individuals, households, and communities are often exposed to several forms of scarcity. Integrated approaches to service delivery can be efficient ways to red