BACKGROUND Achieving universal health coverage and reducing health inequalities are primary goals for an increasing number of health systems worldwide. Timely and accurate measurements of levels and trends in key health indicators at local levels are crucial to assess progress and identify drivers of success and areas that may be lagging behind. METHODS We generated estimates of 17 key matern...

BACKGROUND The district resource allocation formula in Malawi was recently reviewed to include stunting as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status. In many countries where the concept of need has been incorporated in resource allocation, composite indicators of socioeconomic status have been used. In the Malawi case, it is important to ascertain whether there are differences between using singl...

OBJECTIVES A community based approach before, during and after child birth has been proven effective address the burden of maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and mortality in the low and middle income countries. We aimed to examine the overall change in maternal and newborn health outcomes due the "Improved Maternal Newborn and Child Survival" (IMNCS) project, which was implemented by BRAC ...

BACKGROUND Bangladesh has achieved a low total fertility rate of 2.3. Two-thirds of currently married women of reproductive age (CMWRA) want to limit fertility, and many women achieve their desired fertility before age 30. The incidence of unintended pregnancy and pregnancy termination is high, however. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), consisting of the intrauterine device and imp...

The evolution and development of the three-dimensional (3D) architectural landscape is the basis of proper urban planning, eco-environment construction and the improvement of environmental quality. This paper presents the spatiotemporal characteristics of the 3D architectural landscape of the Shinan and Shibei districts in Qingdao, China, based on buildings' 3D information extracted from Quickb...

The paper deals with medicinal plants used in various traditional systems of medicine in Lohit, Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The three adjoining districts are located in the extremity of the state bounded by China in the Northeastern part, Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Southeastern part; state of Assam in the Southwest as well as East Si...

This design experiment addresses the question: How can second-grade students from low-SES schools attain the same levels of achievement as students from high-SES schools on standards-based social studies and content area literacy assessments? Students from two high-SES school districts were assessed in order to establish target levels of achievement. Two project-based units focused on state sta...

We describe the main features of a meningitis outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitidis W135 which occurred in Burkina Faso from January to April 2012. Data were collected from the health districts. Meningitis cases were defined as suspected cases, probable or confirmed, according to clinical and laboratory criteria. The epidemic reached 13 health districts with a total of 5300 reported cases a...

Sera collected from 2,564 inhabitants of different areas in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, were examined for antibody to Toxoplasma gondii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall prevalence rates of male (11.6%) and female populations (7.6%) were significantly different (P < 0.001). The prevalence also depended on age of the population. Of 11 districts three, being far from the sea and occu...