for the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents IMPORTANCE Little is known about COVID-19 outcomes among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, where preexisting comorbidities are prevalent. OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical outcomes and factors associated with outcomes among children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19 in 6 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study was a retrospective record review of data from 25 hospitals in the

BackgroundGlobally, the rate of reduction in delivery-associated maternal and perinatal mortality has been slow compared to improvements in post-delivery mortality in children under five. Improving clinical readiness for basic obstetric emergencies is crucial for reducing facility-based maternal deaths. Emergency readiness is commonly assessed using tracers derived from the maternal signal functions model.Objective-methodWe compare emergency readiness using the signal functions model and a novel clinical cascade. The cascades model readiness as the proportion of facilities with resources to identify the emergency (stage 1), treat it (stage 2) and monitor-modify therapy (stage 3). Data were collected from 44 Kenyan clinics as part of an implementation trial.FindingsAlthough most facilities (77.0%) stock maternal signal function tracer drugs, far fewer have resources to practically identify and treat emergencies. In hypertensive emergencies for example, 38.6% of facilities have resources to identify the emergency (Stage 1 readiness, including sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, urine collection device, protein test). 6.8% have the resources to treat the emergency (Stage 2, consumables (IV Kit, fluids), durable goods (IV pole) and drugs (magnesium sulfate and hydralazine). No facilities could monitor or modify therapy (Stage 3). Across five maternal emergencies, the signal functions overestimate readiness by 54.5%. A consistent, step-wise pattern of readiness loss across signal functions and care stage emerged and was profoundly consistent at 33.0%.SignificanceComparing estimates from the maternal signal functions and cascades illustrates four themes. First, signal functions overestimate practical readiness by 55%. Second, the cascade’s intuitive indicators can support cross-sector health system or program planners to more precisely measure and improve emergency care. Third, adding few variables to existing readiness inventories permits step-wise modeling of readiness loss and can inform more precise interventions. Fourth, the novel aggregate readiness loss indicator provides an innovative and intuitive approach for modeling health system emergency readiness. Additional testing in diverse contexts is warranted.

BackgroundPreterm birth occurs among 9.6% of births worldwide and is the leading cause of long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities among children and also responsible for 28% of neonatal deaths. No single etiological factor is responsible for preterm birth, but various risk factors have been identified. Prior studies have reported that compromised maternal mental health occurring during pregnancy may lead to various adverse obstetric outcomes.ObjectiveTo determine whether antenatal depression is significantly associated with preterm delivery in a low resource hospital sample from suburbs of Nairobi.Methods292 women attending the antenatal clinic at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi meeting the study criteria were recruited. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered to screen for depression. A clinical cutoff score of 10 and above was regarded as possible depression. Thereafter, a clinical interview together with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was administered to evaluate the participants on DSM-V criteria for major depressive disorder. Only 255 of the women were successfully followed-up to delivery with an attrition rate of 12.7%. Records of gestation at delivery and birth weight were collected at second contact.Data analysisPreterm birth was associated with various demographic, psychosocial and medical variables. Relative risks were estimated via log binomial regression analysis to determine whether depression was a risk factor for preterm birth.ResultsOf the 255 participants, 98(38.4%) found to have depressive symptoms and 27(10.7%) delivered preterm. The risk of delivering preterm was 3.8 times higher among those with depressive symptoms.ConclusionThere is a positive association between antenatal depression and preterm delivery. This highlights the importance of screening for mental health challenges in the antenatal period as a means to reduce adverse obstetric outcomes.