Note: MCSP ended in December 2019. No new content is added to this site.

Maximizing Opportunities: Family Planning and Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition Integration in Bondo Sub-County, Kenya

This article shares learning from an innovative demonstration program integrating maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and family planning (FP) services in western Kenya, providing recommendations for future work to expand MIYCN and FP integration. Description Six health facilities reorganized to integrate MIYCN and FP services and community health volunteers (CHVs) promoted MIYCN and FP in adjacent communities in Bondo Sub-County […]

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Effect of Volunteer Household Counseling in Improving Knowledge of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness of Pregnant Women in Northwest Nigeria

After implementing a maternal and newborn health project between 2006 and 2010 in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria, the project is being evaluated with an objective to characterize the effects of volunteer household counselors (VHCs) upon improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women. To read the abstract and full article (subscription […]

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Program considerations for integration of nutrition and family planning: Beliefs around maternal diet and breastfeeding within the context of the nutrition transition in Egypt

This study used in-depth interviews with pregnant women, lactating women, and nonlactating women to gain an understanding of behaviors, perceptions, and cultural beliefs in relation to maternal dietary intake during pregnancy, lactation, and nonlactation; weight gain during pregnancy; birth spacing; and family planning. To read the full, open access article in Maternal and Child Nutrition, click […]

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Immunization review meetings: “Low Hanging Fruit” for capacity building and data quality improvement?

Although systematic program review meetings are common practice in many health and immunization programs, there is little documentation on their implementation and role. Adult education principles espouse opportunities for peer exchange to build capacity and cross-learning, for which review meetings have been a forum utilized in immunization programs for many years. This study describes the […]

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Beyond new vaccine introduction: the uptake of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the African Region

The number of vaccines available to low-income countries has increased dramatically over the last decade. Overall infant immunization coverage in the WHO African region has stagnated in the past few years while countries’ ability to maintain high immunization coverage rates following introduction of new vaccines has been uneven. This case study examines post-introduction coverage among […]

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Assessing Knowledge, Practice, and Coverage of Newborn Care Services in Ethiopia

This brief presents findings from the baseline of the Newborns in Ethiopia Gaining Attention (NEGA) project. This project conducted a baseline household survey of recently delivered women in the four regions to provide baseline measures for key maternal and newborn health indicators of knowledge, practice, and service coverage. Results of the survey provided valuable information to design project activities to meet […]

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The Polio Communication Network Contribution to the Polio Outbreak Response in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, 2013–2015

Published in Global Health Communication, this article explores the Polio Communication Network’s (PCN) contribution to the polio outbreak response in the Somali Region of Ethiopia from 2013 to 2015. The PCN strategies and innovations include the establishment of a communication network of experts, development of partnerships with locally trusted and influential groups, and capacity building of local structures. To […]

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Direct estimates of cause-specific mortality fractions and rates of under-five deaths in the northern and southern regions of Nigeria by verbal autopsy interview

Published in PLOS ONE, this study was conducted by national and international bodies that collaborated in this study to provide the first ever direct estimates of the causes of under-five mortality in Nigeria. The findings support that there is an epidemiological transition ongoing in southern Nigeria, suggest the way forward to a similar transition in the […]

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Maternal and Child Survival Program