Browsing by Author "Namidi, Mateus"

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    Effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Africa: A scoping review
    (Journal of Global Health Science, 2025) Katangolo-Nakashwa, Ndasilohenda; Shilunga, Anna; Mahoto, Sylvia; Haufiku, Desderius; Alfeus, Anna; Iita, Hermine; Namidi, Mateus; Mitonga, Honore Kabwebwe
    There is a strong correlation between the African continent's high maternal mortality rates and the lack of access to birthing facilities. Maternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) offer pregnant women in remote areas a secure place to stay near the time of delivery. This scoping review aimed to systematically analyse the use, implementation, and effectiveness of MWHs in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Africa. We systematically searched electronic databases and resources, analysing 30 articles from 2010 to 2023 using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's 6-stage approach. For transparency, we adhered to the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses framework for scoping reviews. MWHs were linked with lower perinatal mortality and increased facility-based deliveries (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.29) in 30 studies, the majority of which were conducted in East Africa (relative risk, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05–0.76). They offer clean settings, which mitigate the danger of infection. However, they are constrained by socio-cultural obstacles and a localised impact that lacks community integration, resulting in poor utilisation (10%– 50%). The successful reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality in Africa is contingent upon the elimination of barriers to proactive utilization prior to labor and the integration of MWHs with health systems. It is essential to adjust to local settings, such as those in Namibia, in order to achieve a more extensive influence