Background Limitations to accessing delivery care services increase the risks of adverse outcomes during pregnancy and delivery for all pregnant women, particularly among adolescents in LMICs. In order to inform adolescent-specific delivery care initiatives and coverage, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of trends, projections and inequalities in coverage of delivery care services among adolescents at national, urban-rural and socio-economic levels in LMICs. Methods Using 224 nationally representative cross-sectional survey data between 2000 and 2019, we estimated the coverage of institutional delivery (INSD) and skilled birth attendants (SBA). Bayesian hierarchical regression models were used to estimate trends, projections and determinants of INSD and SBA. Results Coverage of delivery care services among adolescents increased substantially at the national level, as well as in both urban and rural areas in most countries between 2000 and 2018. Of the 54 LMICs, 24 countries reached 80% coverage of both INSD and SBA in 2018, and predictions for 40 countries are set to exceed 80% by 2030. The trends in coverage of INSD and SBA of adult mothers mostly align with those for adolescent mothers. Our findings show that urban-rural and wealth-based inequalities to delivery care remain persistent by 2030. In 2018, urban settings across 54 countries had higher rates of coverage exceeding 80% compared to rural for both INSD (45 urban, 16 rural) and SBA (50 urban, 19 rural). Several factors such as household head age ≥ 46 years, household head being female, access to mass media, lower parity, higher education, higher ANC visits and higher socio-economic status could increase the coverage of INSD and SBA among adolescents and adult women. Conclusions More than three-quarters of the LMICs are predicted to achieve 80% coverage of INSD and SBA among adolescent mothers in 2030, although with sustained inequalities.

ImportanceSmoking causes considerable noncommunicable diseases, perinatal morbidity, and mortality.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of population-level tobacco-control policies with health outcomes.Data SourcesPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and EconLit were searched from inception to March 2021 (updated on 1 March 2022). References were manually searched.Study SelectionStudies reporting on associations of population-level tobacco control policies with health-related outcomes were included. Data were analyzed from May to July 2022.Data Extraction and SynthesisData were extracted by 1 investigator and cross-checked by a second investigator. Analyses were conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcomes were respiratory system disease (RSD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, mortality, hospitalization, and health care utilization. The secondary outcomes were adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm birth. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.ResultsOf 4952 records identified, 144 population-level studies were included in the final analysis; 126 studies (87.5%) were of high or moderate quality. The most frequently reported policies were smoke-free legislation (126 studies), followed by tax or price increases (14 studies), multicomponent tobacco control programs (12 studies), and a minimum cigarette purchase age law (1 study). Smoke-free legislation was associated with decreased risk of all CVD events (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86-0.94), RSD events (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96), hospitalization due to CVD or RSD (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87-0.95), and adverse birth outcomes (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.96). These associations persisted in all sensitivity and subgroup analyses, except for the country income category, for which a significant reduction was only observed in high-income countries. In meta-analysis, there was no clear association of tax or price increases with adverse health outcomes. However, for the narrative synthesis, all 8 studies reported statistically significant associations between tax increases and decreases in adverse health events.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, smoke-free legislation was associated with significant reductions in morbidity and mortality related to CVD, RSD, and perinatal outcomes. These findings support the need to accelerate the implementation of smoke-free laws to protect populations against smoking-related harm.

Estimates of married women of reproductive age (MWRA) are needed for policy decisions to enhance reproductive health. Given the unavailability in Cameroon, this study aimed to derive MWRA counts by regions and divisions from 2000 to 2030. Data included 1976, 1987, and 2005 censuses with 606,542 women, five Demographic and Health Surveys from 1991 to 2018 with 48,981 women, and United Nations World Population Prospects from 1976 to 2030. Bayesian models were used in estimating fertility rates, net-migration, and finally, MWRA counts. The total MWRA population in Cameroon was estimated to increase from 2,260,665 (2,198,569–2,352,934) to 6,124,480 (5,862,854–6,482,921), reflecting a 5.7 (5.2–6.2) percentage points (%p) annual rise from 2000–2030. The Centre and Far North regions host the largest numbers, projected to reach 1,264,514 (1,099,373–1,470,021) and 1,069,814 (985,315–1,185,523), respectively, in 2030. The highest divisional-level increases are expected in Mfoundi [14.6%p (11.2–18.8)] and Bénoué [14.9%p (11.1–20.09). This study’s findings, showing varied regional- and divisional-level estimates of and trends in MWRA counts should set a baseline for determining the demand for programmes such as family planning, and the scaling of relevant resources sub-nationally.