BACKGROUND Neonatal infections caused by unsafe umbilical cord practices account for the majority of neonatal deaths in Nigeria. We examined the trends in umbilical cord care practices between 2012 and 2015 that coincided with the introduction of chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% gel in Bauchi and Sokoto States. METHODS We obtained data from three rounds of lot quality assurance samples (LQAS) s...

Immunization is one of the most cost effective interventions amongst 32 well understood prevention and treatment interventions that target the goals of the child health [1,2]. Globally, Childhood Immunization averts more than 2.5 million deaths annually and 24 million infants do not receive immunization at all [3]. Global goal set by United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS), Oct...

BACKGROUND Until the 1970s the prevalence of non-venereal trepanomatosis, including yaws, was greatly reduced after worldwide mass treatment. In 2005, cases were again reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We carried out a survey to estimate the village-level prevalence of yaws in the region of Equator in the north of the country in order to define appropriate strategies to effectiv...

1 Sputum smear microscopy is the main and often only laboratory technique used for diagnosis of 2 tuberculosis in resource poor countries, making quality assurance (QA) of smear microscopy an 3 important activity. We evaluated the effect of a five-day refresher training for laboratory 4 technicians and distribution of new microscopes on the quality of smear microscopy in thirteen 5 primary heal...

PURPOSE Suboptimal sexual and reproductive health (SRH) increases morbidity, mortality, and gender inequity and slows development. In Uganda, youths represent 20% of the population, and the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is substantial. METHODS We analyzed survey data collected using the lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) tec...

BACKGROUND Maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate are as high as 1,576 per 100,000 live births and 78 per 1,000 live births, respectively, in Nigeria's northwestern region, where Sokoto State is located. Using applicable monitoring indicators for tracking progress in the UN/WHO framework on continuum of maternal, newborn, and child health care, this study evaluated the progress of S...

Background: Estimation of vaccination coverage at the local level is essential to identify communities that may require additional support. Cluster surveys can be used in resource-poor settings, when population figures are inaccurate. To be feasible, cluster samples need to be small, without losing robustness of results. The clustered LQAS (CLQAS) approach has been proposed as an alternative, a...