Background The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents remain largely unmet. For instance, over 20 million female adolescents in need of, a modern contraceptive method are not using any. This study determined the factors associated with utilization of modern contraceptives among female adolescents in Uganda. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted using the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 4, 264 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization. All our analyses were done using SPSS version 25. Results The prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among female adolescents was 9.4% (401/4264: (95% CI: 8.6–10.3). The odds of contraceptive utilisation were 1.6 times (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.09–2.34) higher among married adolescents compared to unmarried adolescents. Adolescents whose age at first birth was less than 15 years (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.01–3.99) were twice more likely to utilize a modern contraceptive compared to those whose age at first birth was above 15 years. Women belonging to the Central region (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.01–3.69) and those in the middle wealth quintile (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.06–3.46) were 93% and 91% more likely to utilize a modern contraceptive compared to those in the Northern region and those in the poorest wealth index respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization was 9.4%. The findings show the need for designing targeted interventions due to differences in adolescents according to their wealth index, regions and marital status.

Background Globally, over half of maternal deaths are related to pregnancy-related complications. Provision of a continuum of care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period results in reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence this study determined the prevalence of the continuum of care and its determinants among women in Zambia. Methods We used weighted data from the Zambian Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) of 2018 for 7325 women aged 15 to 49 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Complete continuum of care was considered when a woman had; at least four antenatal care (ANC) contacts, utilized a health facility for childbirth and had at least one postnatal check-up within six weeks. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to explore continuum of care in Zambia. All our analyses were done using SPSS version 25. Results Of the 7,325 women, 38.0% (2787/7325) (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.9-39.1) had complete continuum of maternal healthcare. Women who had attained tertiary level of education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.93, 95% CI: 1.09-3.42) and whose partners had also attained tertiary level of education (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.54-4.32) were more likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who had no education. Women who initiated ANC after the first trimester (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39-0.53) were less likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who initiated in the first semester. Women with exposure to radio (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.27-1.96) were more likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who were not exposed to radio. Women residing in the Western province were less likely to utilize the entire continuum of care compared to those in the other nine provinces. Conclusion Level of education of the women and of their partners, early timing of ANC initiation, residing in other provinces other than the Western province, and exposure to information through radio were positively associated with utilization of the entire continuum of care. Improving literacy levels and promoting maternity services through radio may improve the level of utilization of maternity services.

Globally, COVID‐19 lockdown measures have exposed children to more sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Although the COVID‐19 pandemic is likely to have long‐lasting adverse psychological effects on children, there have been comparatively few studies on children's health as compared with adults, particularly in low‐income countries. Uganda implemented one of the most stringent lockdowns with bans on transportation and gatherings as well as the closure of schools, stores and places of worship. In order to address the dearth of information in less developed regions, the article aims to provide an insight into the increased cases of child abuse in Uganda during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The data and information were primarily compiled from government and child welfare organisation open‐source databases. The psychosocial impacts of COVID‐19 have greatly disrupted the living conditions of children, limiting their access to basic needs such as food and health care. In addition, there is a lack of social support, thus putting children at an increased risk of different forms of child abuse. Since the implementation of the COVID‐19 lockdown in Uganda, there has been a rise in the incidence of child abuse. Increased cases of physical and sexual abuse against children have been reported in different parts of the country as well as increased cases of child labour. To strengthen child protection during the COVID‐19 pandemic, this article highlights a need for multi‐level stakeholder cooperation to ensure increased funding, increased community awareness and sensitisation, early detection and effective management and referral of child abuse cases.

Background Women are at risk of undernutrition due to biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Undernourished women have higher risk of poor obstetric outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among women of reproductive age in Uganda. Methods We used Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 4640 women aged 20 to 49 years excluding pregnant and post-menopausal women. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and data were collected using validated questionnaires. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with underweight and stunting among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda. Results The prevalence of underweight and stunting were 6.9% (318/4640) and 1.3% (58/4640) respectively. Women who belonged to the poorest wealth quintile (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.60, 95% CI 1.85–7.00) were more likely to be underweight compared to those who belonged to the richest wealth quintile. Women residing in rural areas were less likely to be underweight (AOR 0.63, 95%CI 0.41–0.96) compared to women in urban areas. Women in Western (AOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20–0.44), Eastern (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28–0.63) and Central regions (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.72) were less likely to be underweight compared to those in the Northern region. Women belonging to Central (AOR 4.37, 95% CI 1.44–13.20) and Western (AOR 4.77, 95% CI 1.28–17.78) regions were more likely to be stunted compared to those in the Northern region. Conclusion The present study showed wealth index, place of residence and region to be associated with undernutrition among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda. There is need to address socio-economic determinants of maternal undernutrition mainly poverty and regional inequalities.

Introduction A continuum of maternal care approach can reduce gaps and missed opportunities experienced by women and newborns. We determined the level of coverage and factors associated with the continuum of maternal care in Uganda. Methods We used weighted data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016. We included 10,152 women aged 15 to 49 years, who had had a live birth within five years preceding the survey. Stratified two-stage cluster sampling design was used to select participants. Continuum of maternal care was considered when a woman had at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits, had delivered in a health facility and they had at least one postnatal check-up within six weeks. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with completion of the continuum of maternal care using SPSS version 25. Results The level of coverage of complete continuum of maternal care was 10.7% (1,091) (95% CI: 10.0–11.2). About 59.9% (6,080) (95% CI: 59.0–60.8) had four or more antenatal visits while 76.6% (7,780) (95% CI: 75.8–77.5) delivered in a health facility and 22.5% (2,280) (95% CI: 21.5–23.2) attended at least one postnatal care visit within six weeks. The following factors were associated with continuum of maternal care; initiating ANC in the first trimester (AOR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23–1.79), having secondary level of education (AOR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.15–2.22) and tertiary level of education (AOR 2.08 95% CI: 1.38–3.13) compared to no formal education, being resident in Central Uganda (AOR 1.44, 95% CI:1.11–1.89), Northern Uganda (AOR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06–1.71) and Western Uganda (AOR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.45–0.82) compared to Eastern Uganda, and exposure to newspapers and magazines. Conclusion The level of coverage of the complete continuum of maternal care was low and varied across regions. It was associated with easily modifiable factors such as early initiation of ANC, exposure to mass media and level of education. Interventions to improve utilisation of the continuum of maternal care should leverage mass media to promote services, especially among the least educated and the residents of Western Uganda.