International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics : the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2015
The role of health professional organizations in improving maternal and newborn health: The FIGO LOGIC experience.
The FIGO Leadership in Obstetrics and Gynecology for Impact and Change (LOGIC) Initiative in Maternal and Newborn Health improved the internal and external capacity of eight national professional organizations of obstetrics and gynecology in six African and two Asian countries. The initiative was funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and had three key objectives: to support the eight FIGO member associations to strengthen their capacity to work effectively; to influence national policies on maternal and newborn health; and to work toward improving clinical practice in this area. Through improved capacity, and underpinned by Memoranda of Understanding with their governments, the associations influenced national policy in maternal and newborn health, impacted clinical care through the development of over forty national clinical guidelines, delivered national curricula, trained clinical and management staff, and led the development of national maternal death and near-miss review programs.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2015
ReviewChallenges affecting access to cesarean delivery and strategies to overcome them in low-income countries.
Most maternal deaths occur in low-income countries where access to appropriate medical care is restricted. ⋯ Maternal and infant mortality rates could be lowered by increasing access to cesarean delivery. Additional education of patients and providers, establishment of more heath facilities, and governmental support of obstetric care could help to reach this goal.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized trial of artesunate-amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria in pregnancy.
To compare the artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine combinations in the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria during pregnancy. ⋯ Efficacies of the regimens are similar among pregnant women. However, adverse effects are more common with artesunate-amodiaquine. Pan-African Clinical Trial Registry: PACTR201310000484185.
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The end of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) era was marked in 2015, and while maternal and child mortality have been halved, MGD 4 and MDG 5 are off-track at the global level. Reductions in neonatal death rates (age <1 month) lag behind those for post-neonates (age 1-59 months), and stillbirth rates (omitted from the MDGs) have been virtually unchanged. Hence, almost half of under-five deaths are newborns, yet about 80% of these are preventable using cost-effective interventions. ⋯ The plan provides an evidence-based framework for scaling up of essential interventions across the continuum of care with the potential to prevent the deaths of approximately three million newborns, mothers, and stillbirths every year. Two million stillbirths and newborns could be saved by care at birth and care of small and sick newborns, giving a triple return on investment at this key time. Commitment, investment, and intentional leadership from global and national stakeholders, including all healthcare professionals, can make these ambitious goals attainable.