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The coverage for reproductive care continuum is a growing concern for communities in low- income economies. Adolescents (15-19 years) are often at higher odds of maternal morbidity and mortality due to other underlying factors including biological immaturity, social, and economic differences. The aim of the study was to examine a) differences in care-seeking and continuum of care (4 antenatal care (ANC4+), skilled birth attendance (SBA) and postnatal care (PNC) within 24h) between adult (20-49 Years) and adolescents and b) the effect of multilevel community-oriented interventions on adolescent and adult reproductive care-seeking in Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya, and Zambia using a quasi-experimental study design. In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received timed community health worker (CHW) household health promotion and social accountability interventions with community scorecards. Two matched districts/sub-districts were selected for comparison and received routine healthcare services. Results from the final evaluation showed that there were no significant differences in the care continuum for adolescents and adults except for Kenya (26.1% vs 18.8%, p<0.05). SBA was significantly higher for adolescents compared to adult women for Guatemala (64% vs 55.5%, p<0.05). Adolescents in the intervention sites showed significantly higher ANC utilization for Kenya (95.3% vs 84.8%, p<0.01) and Zambia (87% vs 72.7%, p<0.05), ANC4 for Cambodia (83.7% vs 43.2%, p<0.001) and Kenya (65.9% vs 48.1%, p<0.05), SBA for Cambodia (100% vs 88.9%, p<0.05), early PNC for Cambodia (91.8% vs 72.8%, p<0.01) and Zambia (56.5% vs 16.9%, p<0.001) compared to the comparison sites. However, the findings from Guatemala illustrated significantly lower care continuum for intervention sites (aOR:0.34, 95% CI 0.28-0.42, p<0.001). The study provides some evidence on the potential of multilevel community-oriented interventions to improve adolescent healthcare seeking in rural contexts. The predictors of care continuum varied across countries, indicating the importance of contextual factors in designing interventions.

Background Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce. Methods A quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to determine the effect of integrated community investments on skilled birth attendance (SBA). In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received a package of community-oriented interventions comprised of timed CHW household health promotion for maternal, newborn and child health complemented by social accountability mechanisms using community scorecards. Two matched comparison districts/sub-districts received ongoing routine interventions. Data from the final evaluation were examined to determine the effect of timed CHW services and community-oriented interventions on SBA. Results Over 80% of the 3037 women in Cambodia, 2805 women in Kenya and 1171 women in Zambia reported SBA. Women in intervention sites who received timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms in Cambodia showed significantly higher odds of SBA (aOR = 7.48; 95% CI: 3.87, 14.5). The findings also indicated that women over the age of 24 in Cambodia, women with primary or secondary education in Cambodia and secondary education in Kenya, women from higher wealth quintiles in Cambodia, and women with four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits in all countries reported significantly higher odds of SBA. Inclusion of family members in pregnancy-related discussions in Kenya (aOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26) and Zambia (aOR = 6.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 13.9) and follow up CHW visits after a referral or health facility visit (aOR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.60 in Cambodia; aOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.25, 3.75 in Kenya; aOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.02 in Zambia) also showed significantly greater odds of SBA. Conclusions Enhancing people-centered care through culturally appropriate community-oriented strategies integrating timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms shows some evidence for improving SBA during delivery. These strategies can accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals for maternal child and newborn health.

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of social accountability strategies on pediatric quality of care. Design and Setting A non-randomized quasi experimental study was conducted in four districts in Cambodia and all operational public health facilities were included. Participants Five patients under 5 years and their caretakers were randomly selected in each facility. Interventions To determine the effect of maternal and child health interventions integrating citizen voice and action using community scorecards on quality of pediatric care. Outcome Measures Patient observations were conducted to determine quality of screening and counseling, followed by exit interviews with caretakers. Results Results indicated significant differences between intervention and comparison facilities; screening by Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) trained providers (100% vs 67%, P < 0.019), screening for danger signs; ability to drink/breastfeed (100% vs 86.7%, P < 0.041), lethargy (86.7% vs 40%, P < 0.004) and convulsions (83.3 vs 46.7%, P < 0.023). Screening was significantly higher for patients in the intervention facilities for edema (56.7% vs 6.7%, P < 0.000), immunization card (90% vs 40%, P < 0.002), child weight (100 vs 86.7, P < 0.041) and checking growth chart (96.7% vs 66.7%, P < 0.035). The IMCI index, constructed from key performance indicators, was significantly higher for patients in the intervention facilities than comparison facilities (screening index 8.8 vs 7.0, P < 0.018, counseling index 2.7 vs 1.5, P < 0.001). Predictors of screening quality were child age, screening by IMCI trained provider, wealthier quintiles and intervention facilities. Conclusion The institution of social accountability mechanisms to engage communities and facility providers showed some improvements in quality of care for common pediatric conditions, but socioeconomic disparities were evident.

To assess the quality of care provided in rural pediatric facilities in Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya and Zambia DESIGN: All public health facilities in four districts in each country were included in the assessment. Based on utilization patterns, five children under five were selected randomly from each facility to perform the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) assessments followed by exit interviews with their caretakers. Seventy rural ambulatory pediatric care facilities. Three hundred and forty pediatric case management observations and exit interviews with child caretakers. IMCI index of observed quality of care for patient assessment and counseling RESULTS: Screening for danger signs, diarrhea and fever showed significant differences between countries (P < 0.001), with facilities in Cambodia and Guatemala performing better. More than 90% of the children were screened for fever in all three countries, but <75% were screened in Cambodia. The assessment of nutritional status, checking weight against growth chart and palmar pallor for anemia, was suboptimal in all countries. Mean consultation time ranged from 8.2 minutes in Zambia and 12.6 minutes in Guatemala. Child age, consultation time, health provider cadre and presenting symptoms were significantly associated with higher quality of assessment and counseling care as measured by the IMCI index. Achieving the goals of universal health coverage in these contexts must be complimented with accelerated efforts for capacity investments at the primary care level to ensure optimal quality of healthcare and favorable health outcomes for children, who still experience a high disease burden for these common IMCI conditions.

In attempting to achieve household food security for smallholder farmers, synergies and tradeoffs exist between cash cropping, food cropping and food security. Available evidence on the impact of cash cropping on food security shows mixed results. The objective of this paper was to assess the impact of export horticulture farming on food security of smallholder farmers in Kenya in two provinces in different agro-ecological zones with different resource and infrastructural endowments, crop growing and marketing conditions. This was done using propensity score matching. The results indicate a positive impact on food security in high potential area and a negative impact in the arid area that is already food deficit. Encouraging export horticulture or cash cropping, aiming at achieving household food security, may not be a one size fit all. Regional differences and particular growing and marketing conditions as well as intra household income distribution patterns play a role and should be considered.

The past decade has witnessed much attention on the interrelationship between accepted gender norms and reproductive health (RH) outcomes in the context of HIV/AIDS. After decades of ignoring men in RH programmes, attention is now focusing on actively involving men in interrogating gender norms underpinning gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of RH and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support activities. However, there are challenges in addressing gender norms and in male involvement. The purpose of this article is to highlight existing evidence-based efforts to challenge gender norms and promote constructive male involvement, with a special focus on South Africa; to present findings on effectiveness of gender and male-focused RH programmes; and to identify knowledge and programme design-related gaps. This article argues that addressing biased gender norms and masculinities in an RH/HIV policy and programme context will contribute to the improvement of the health and rights of women and children, as well as of men. However, achievement of these goals will be limited by a failure to address broader structural factors such as poverty and unemployment that shape gender relations and RH/HIV outcomes. This will require getting RH/HIV interventions 'out of the health box' and into the arena of socio-economic development in collaboration with agencies working in these areas.

Problem Although international guidelines specify the central role of the health sector in providing comprehensive care, including HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), after sexual assault, in both industrialised and developing countries there are many challenges to providing timely and comprehensive services. Design A nurse driven model of post-rape care was integrated into existing hospital services; the before and after study design evaluated impacts on quality of care, reviewing 334 hospital charts and conducting interviews with 16 service providers and 109 patients. Setting 450 bed district hospital in rural South Africa. Key measures for improvement Quality of care after rape (forensic history and examination, provision of emergency contraception, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, referrals); provision of HIV counselling and testing and provision and completion of full 28 day course of PEP; and service utilisation (number of service providers seen on first visit and number of rape cases presenting to hospital per month). Strategies for change After completing baseline research, we introduced a five part intervention model, consisting of a sexual violence advisory committee, hospital rape management policy, training workshop for service providers, designated examining room, and community awareness campaigns. Effect of change Existing services were fragmented and of poor quality. After the intervention, there were considerable improvements in clinical history and examination, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections; HIV counselling and testing, PEP, trauma counselling, and referrals. Completion of the 28 day course of PEP drugs increased from 20% to 58%. Lessons learnt It is possible to improve the quality of care after sexual assault, including HIV prophylaxis, within a rural South African hospital at modest cost, using existing staff. With additional training, nurses can become the primary providers of this care.

Problem Although international guidelines specify the central role of the health sector in providing comprehensive care, including HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), after sexual assault, in both industrialised and developing countries there are many challenges to providing timely and comprehensive services.Design A nurse driven model of post-rape care was integrated into existing hospital services; the before and after study design evaluated impacts on quality of care, reviewing 334 hospital charts and conducting interviews with 16 service providers and 109 patients.Setting 450 bed district hospital in rural South Africa.Key measures for improvement Quality of care after rape (forensic history and examination, provision of emergency contraception, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, referrals); provision of HIV counselling and testing and provision and completion of full 28 day course of PEP; and service utilisation (number of service providers seen on first visit and number of rape cases presenting to hospital per month).Strategies for change After completing baseline research, we introduced a five part intervention model, consisting of a sexual violence advisory committee, hospital rape management policy, training workshop for service providers, designated examining room, and community awareness campaigns.Effect of change Existing services were fragmented and of poor quality. After the intervention, there were considerable improvements in clinical history and examination, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections; HIV counselling and testing, PEP, trauma counselling, and referrals. Completion of the 28 day course of PEP drugs increased from 20% to 58%.Lessons learnt It is possible to improve the quality of care after sexual assault, including HIV prophylaxis, within a rural South African hospital at modest cost, using existing staff. With additional training, nurses can become the primary providers of this care.

Background Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce. Methods A quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to determine the effect of integrated community investments on skilled birth attendance (SBA). In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received a package of community-oriented interventions comprised of timed CHW household health promotion for maternal, newborn and child health complemented by social accountability mechanisms using community scorecards. Two matched comparison districts/sub-districts received ongoing routine interventions. Data from the final evaluation were examined to determine the effect of timed CHW services and community-oriented interventions on SBA. Results Over 80% of the 3,037 women in Cambodia, 2,805 women in Kenya and 1,171 women in Zambia reported SBA. Women in intervention sites who received timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms in Cambodia showed significantly higher odds of SBA (aOR=7.48; 95% CI: 3.87, 14.5). The findings also indicated that women over the age of 24 in Cambodia, women with primary or secondary education in Cambodia and secondary education in Kenya, women from higher wealth quintiles in Cambodia, and women with four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits in all countries reported significantly higher odds of SBA. Inclusion of family members in pregnancy-related discussions in Kenya (aOR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26) and Zambia (aOR=6.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 13.9) and follow up CHW visits after a referral or health facility visit (aOR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.60 in Cambodia; aOR=2.17; 95% CI 1.25, 3.75 in Kenya; aOR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.02 in Zambia) also showed significantly greater odds of SBA. Conclusions Enhancing people-centered care through culturally appropriate community-oriented strategies integrating timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms shows some evidence for improving SBA during delivery. These strategies can accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals for maternal child and newborn health.

Production of horticultural products for export is a major cash cropping practice in Kenya which is ranked third in terms of foreign exchange earnings after tourism and tea. Available evidence in the debate of the impact of cash cropping systems on food security however shows mixed results. Different potential negative and positive impacts can be identified which vary with choice of cash crops and the situation in which they are being grown and marketed. To assess impact, food security was measured using per capita calorie intake, 7-day recall and propensity score matching method employed. Results indicate that export horticulture farming has a positive effect on food security status in Kirinyaga County but a negative effect in Mbooni County. Small holder farmers in Mbooni both growers and non- growers were consuming less than the recommended per capita calorie intake. The study recommends that policies aimed at encouraging smallholder farmers to participate in export horticulture farming should be promoted in Kirinyaga but further investigation to be carried out on the production and marketing conditions of export horticulture and food consumption behavior and intra household income distribution in Mbooni. A clear strategy to achieve food security should also be devised.