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Item A prospective observational description of frequency and timing of antenatal care attendance and coverage of selected interventions from sites in Argentina, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia(Springer Nature, 2015) Bucher, Sherri; Marete, Irene; Tenge, Constance; Liechty, Edward A.; Esamai, Fabian; Patel, Archana; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Kodkany, Bhalchandra; Garces, Ana; Chomba, Elwyn; Althabe, Fernando; Barreuta, Mabel; Pasha, Omrana; Hibberd, Patricia; Derman, Richard J.; Otieno, Kevin; Hambidge, K. Michael; Krebs, Nancy F.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Chemweno, Carolyne; Goldenberg, Robert L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Moore, Janet L.; Wallace, Dennis D.; Saleem, Sarah; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: The Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research is one of the largest international networks for testing and generating evidence-based recommendations for improvement of maternal-child health in resource-limited settings. Since 2009, Global Network sites in six low and middle-income countries have collected information on antenatal care practices, which are important as indicators of care and have implications for programs to improve maternal and child health. We sought to: (1) describe the quantity of antenatal care attendance over a four-year period; and (2) explore the quality of coverage for selected preventative, screening, and birth preparedness components. Methods: The Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) is a prospective, population-based birth and pregnancy outcomes registry in Global Network sites, including: Argentina, Guatemala, India (Belgaum and Nagpur), Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. MNHR data from these sites were prospectively collected from January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013 and analyzed for indicators related to quantity and patterns of ANC and coverage of key elements of recommended focused antenatal care. Descriptive statistics were generated overall by global region (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), and for each individual site. Results: Overall, 96% of women reported at least one antenatal care visit. Indian sites demonstrated the highest percentage of women who initiated antenatal care during the first trimester. Women from the Latin American and Indian sites reported the highest number of at least 4 visits. Overall, 88% of women received tetanus toxoid. Only about half of all women reported having been screened for syphilis (49%) or anemia (50%). Rates of HIV testing were above 95% in the Argentina, African, and Indian sites. The Pakistan site demonstrated relatively high rates for birth preparation, but for most other preventative and screening interventions, posted lower coverage rates as compared to other Global Network sites. Conclusions: Results from our large, prospective, population-based observational study contribute important insight into regional and site-specific patterns for antenatal care access and coverage. Our findings indicate a quality and coverage gap in antenatal care services, particularly in regards to syphilis and hemoglobin screening. We have identified site-specific gaps in access to, and delivery of, antenatal care services that can be targeted for improvement in future research and implementation efforts.Item Association of hemoglobin levels in the first trimester and at 26 to 30 weeks with fetal and neonatal outcomes: A secondary analyses of the Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health’s ASPIRIN Trial(Wiley, 2021) Jessani, Saleem; Saleem, Sarah; Hoffman, Matthew K.; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Derman, Richard J.; Moore, Janet L.; Garces, Ana; Figueroa, Lester; Krebs, Nancy F.; Okitawutshu, Jean; Tshefu, Antoinette; Bose, Carl L.; Mwenechanya, Musaku; Chomba, Elwyn; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Das, Prabir Kumar; Patel, Archana; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Esamai, Fabian; Liechty, Edward A.; Bucher, Sherri; Nolen, Tracy L.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Miodovnik, Menachem; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public HealthObjective: Limited data are available from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on the relationship of haemoglobin levels to adverse outcomes at different times during pregnancy. We evaluated the association of haemoglobin levels in nulliparous women at two times in pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes. Design: ASPIRIN Trial data were used to study the association between haemoglobin levels measured at 6+0 -13+6 weeks and 26+0 -30+0 weeks of gestation with fetal and neonatal outcomes. Setting: Obstetric care facilities in Pakistan, India, Kenya, Zambia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guatemala. Population: A total of 11 976 pregnant women. Methods: Generalised linear models were used to obtain adjusted relative risks and 95% CI for adverse outcomes. Main outcome measures: Preterm birth, stillbirth, neonatal death, small for gestational age (SGA) and birthweight <2500 g. Results: The mean haemoglobin levels at 6+0 -13+6 weeks and at 26-30 weeks of gestation were 116 g/l (SD 17) and 107 g/l (SD 15), respectively. In general, pregnancy outcomes were better with increasing haemoglobin. At 6+0 -13+6 weeks of gestation, stillbirth, SGA and birthweight <2500 g, were significantly associated with haemoglobin of 70-89 g/l compared with haemoglobin of 110-129 g/l The relationships of adverse pregnancy outcomes with various haemoglobin levels were more marked at 26-30 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: Both lower and some higher haemoglobin concentrations are associated with adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes at 6+0 -13+6 weeks and at 26-30 weeks of gestation, although the relationship with low haemoglobin levels appears more consistent and generally stronger.Item Caesarean birth by maternal request: a poorly understood phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries(Oxford University Press, 2021-01-14) Harrison, Margo S.; Garces, Ana; Figueroa, Lester; Esamai, Fabian; Bucher, Sherri; Bose, Carl; Goudar, Shivaprasad; Derman, Richard; Patel, Archana; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Chomba, Elwyn; Mwenechanya, Miusaku; Hambidge, Michael; Krebs, Nancy F.; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: While trends in caesarean birth by maternal request in low- and middle-income countries are unclear, age, education, multiple gestation and hypertensive disease appear associated with the indication when compared with caesarean birth performed for medical indications. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected population-based study of home and facility births using descriptive statistics, bivariate comparisons and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression. Results: Of 28 751 patients who underwent caesarean birth and had a documented primary indication for the surgery, 655 (2%) were attributed to caesarean birth by maternal request. The remaining 98% were attributed to maternal and foetal indications and prior caesarean birth. In a multilevel mixed effects logistic regression adjusted for site and cluster of birth, when compared with caesareans performed for medical indications, caesarean birth performed for maternal request had a higher odds of being performed among women ≥35 y of age, with a university or higher level of education, with multiple gestations and with pregnancies complicated by hypertension (P < 0.01). Caesarean birth by maternal request was associated with a two-times increased odds of breastfeeding within 1 h of delivery, but no adverse outcomes (when compared with women who underwent caesarean birth for medical indications; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Caesarean performed by maternal request is more common in older and more educated women and those with multifoetal gestation or hypertensive disease. It is also associated with higher rates of breastfeeding within 1 h of delivery.Item Communities, birth attendants and health facilities: a continuum of emergency maternal and newborn care (the global network's EmONC trial)(BMC, 2010-12-14) Pasha, Omrana; Goldenberg, Robert L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Saleem, Sarah; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Althabe, Fernando; Patel, Archana; Esamai, Fabian; Garces, Ana; Chomba, Elwyn; Mazariegos, Manolo; Kodkany, Bhala; Belizan, Jose M.; Derman, Richard J.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Liechty, Edward A.; Hambidge, K. Michael Michael; Buekens, Pierre; Wallace, Dennis; Howard-Grabman, Lisa; Stalls, Suzanne; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Jobe, Alan H.; Wright, Linda L.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground Maternal and newborn mortality rates remain unacceptably high, especially where the majority of births occur in home settings or in facilities with inadequate resources. The introduction of emergency obstetric and newborn care services has been proposed by several organizations in order to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, the effectiveness of emergency obstetric and neonatal care services has never been proven. Also unproven is the effectiveness of community mobilization and community birth attendant training to improve pregnancy outcomes. Methods/Design We have developed a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive intervention of community mobilization, birth attendant training and improvement of quality of care in health facilities on perinatal mortality in low and middle-income countries where the majority of births take place in homes or first level care facilities. This trial will take place in 106 clusters (300-500 deliveries per year each) across 7 sites of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research in Argentina, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia. The trial intervention has three key elements, community mobilization, home-based life saving skills for communities and birth attendants, and training of providers at obstetric facilities to improve quality of care. The primary outcome of the trial is perinatal mortality. Secondary outcomes include rates of stillbirth, 7-day neonatal mortality, maternal death or severe morbidity (including obstetric fistula, eclampsia and obstetrical sepsis) and 28-day neonatal mortality. Discussion In this trial, we are evaluating a combination of interventions including community mobilization and facility training in an attempt to improve pregnancy outcomes. If successful, the results of this trial will provide important information for policy makers and clinicians as they attempt to improve delivery services for pregnant women and newborns in low-income countries.Item Home birth attendants in low income countries: who are they and what do they do?(Springer Nature, 2012-05-14) Garces, Ana; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Chomba, Elwyn; Patel, Archana; Pasha, Omrana; Tshefu, Antoinette; Esamai, Fabian; Goudar, Shivaprasad; Lokangaka, Adrien; Hambidge, K. Michael; Wright, Linda L.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Bose, Carl; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Liechty, Edward A.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Bucher, Sherri; Whitworth, Ryan; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: Nearly half the world's babies are born at home. We sought to evaluate the training, knowledge, skills, and access to medical equipment and testing for home birth attendants across 7 international sites. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were done by trained interviewers to assess level of training, knowledge and practices regarding care during the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods. The survey was administered to a sample of birth attendants conducting home or out-of-facility deliveries in 7 sites in 6 countries (India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Zambia). Results: A total of 1226 home birth attendants were surveyed. Less than half the birth attendants were literate. Eighty percent had one month or less of formal training. Most home birth attendants did not have basic equipment (e.g., blood pressure apparatus, stethoscope, infant bag and mask manual resuscitator). Reporting of births and maternal and neonatal deaths to government agencies was low. Indian auxilliary nurse midwives, who perform some home but mainly clinic births, were far better trained and differed in many characteristics from the birth attendants who only performed deliveries at home. Conclusions: Home birth attendants in low-income countries were often illiterate, could not read numbers and had little formal training. Most had few of the skills or access to tests, medications and equipment that are necessary to reduce maternal, fetal or neonatal mortality.Item Lost to follow-up among pregnant women in a multi-site community based maternal and newborn health registry: a prospective study(Springer Nature, 2015) Marete, Irene; Tenge, Constance; Chemweno, Carolyne; Bucher, Sherri; Pasha, Omrana; Ramadurg, Umesh Y.; Mastiholi, Shivanand C.; Chiwila, Melody; Patel, Archana; Althabe, Fernando; Garces, Ana; Moore, Janet L.; Liechty, Edward A.; Derman, Richard J.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Hambidge, K. Michael; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Esamai, Fabian; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: It is important when conducting epidemiologic studies to closely monitor lost to follow up (LTFU) rates. A high LTFU rate may lead to incomplete study results which in turn can introduce bias to the trial or study, threatening the validity of the findings. There is scarce information on LTFU in prospective community-based perinatal epidemiological studies. This paper reports the rates of LTFU, describes socio-demographic characteristics, and pregnancy/delivery outcomes of mothers LTFU in a large community-based pregnancy registry study. Methods: Data were from a prospective, population-based observational study of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR). This is a multi-centre, international study in which pregnant women were enrolled in mid-pregnancy, followed through parturition and 42 days post-delivery. Risk for LTFU was calculated within a 95%CI. Results: A total of 282,626 subjects were enrolled in this study, of which 4,893 were lost to follow-up. Overall, there was a 1.7% LTFU to follow up rate. Factors associated with a higher LTFU included mothers who did not know their last menstrual period (RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1, 4.4), maternal age of < 20 years (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1, 1.3), women with no formal education (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1, 1.4), and attending a government clinic for antenatal care (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4, 2.8). Post-natal factors associated with a higher LTFU rate included a newborn with feeding problems (RR 1.6, 94% CI 1.2, 2.2). Conclusions: The LTFU rate in this community-based registry was low (1.7%). Maternal age, maternal level of education, pregnancy status at enrollment and using a government facility for ANC are factors associated with being LTFU. Strategies to ensure representation and high retention in community studies are important to informing progress toward public health goals.Item Low-Dose Aspirin for the Prevention of Preterm Delivery in Nulliparous Women with a Singleton Pregnancy: A Randomised Multi-country Placebo Controlled Trial(Elsevier, 2020) Hoffman, Matthew K.; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Kodkany, Bhalachandra S.; Metgud, Mrityunjay; Somannavar, Manjunath; Okitawutshu, Jean; Lokangaka, Adrien; Tshefu, Antoinette; Bose, Carl L.; Mwapule, Abigail; Mwenechanya, Musaku; Chomba, Elwyn; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Chicuy, Javier; Figueroa, Lester; Garces, Ana; Krebs, Nancy F.; Jessani, Saleem; Zehra, Farnaz; Saleem, Sarah; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Kurhe, Kunal; Das, Prabir; Patel, Archana; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Achieng, Emmah; Nyongesa, Paul; Esamai, Fabian; Liechty, Edward A.; Goco, Norman; Hemingway-Foday, Jennifer; Moore, Janet; Nolen, Tracy L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Miodovnik, Menachem; Silver, Robert; Derman, Richard J.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: Preterm birth remains a common cause of neonatal mortality with a disproportionate burden occurring in low and middle-income countries. Meta-analyses of low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia suggest that the incidence of preterm birth may also be decreased, particularly if initiated before 16 weeks. Methods: We completed a randomised multi-country (Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Zambia) double masked trial of aspirin (81 mg) daily compared to placebo initiated between 6 weeks and 0 days and 13 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy in nulliparous women between14 and 40 years of age with an ultrasound confirming gestational age and singleton viable pregnancy. Randomisation (1:1) was stratified by site. The primary outcome of preterm birth, defined as delivery prior to 37 weeks gestational age, was analyzed in randomised women with pregnancy outcomes at or after 20 weeks. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02409680, and the Clinical Trial Registry, India, number CTRI/2016/05/006970. Findings: From March 2016 through June 2018, 11,976 women were assigned to aspirin (5,990 women) or placebo (5,986 women). Amongst randomised women, an evaluable birth outcome beyond 20 weeks occurred in 5787 women who received Aspirin and 5771 women who received placebo Preterm birth occurred in 11.6% of women randomised to aspirin and 13.1% randomised to placebo (Relative Risk [RR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.98; Risk Difference, −0·02; 95% CI, −0·03, −0·01). Women randomised to aspirin were less likely to experience perinatal mortality (45.7/1000 vs 53.6/1000; RR, 0.86; 95%CI, 0.73 to 1.00). Other adverse maternal/neonatal events were similar between the two groups. Interpretation: In nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies, low dose aspirin initiated between 6 weeks and 0 days and 13 weeks and 6 days results in lower rates of preterm delivery before 37 weeks and perinatal mortality.Item Maternal age extremes and adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-resourced settings(Frontiers Media, 2023-11-28) Nyongesa, Paul; Ekhaguere, Osayame A.; Marete, Irene; Tenge, Constance; Kemoi, Milsort; Bann, Carla M.; Bucher, Sherri L.; Patel, Archana B.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Naqvi, Farnaz; Saleem, Sarah; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Derman, Richard J.; Krebs, Nancy F.; Garces, Ana; Chomba, Elwyn; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Mwenechanya, Musaku; Lokangaka, Adrien; Tshefu, Antoinette K.; Bauserman, Melissa; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Moore, Janet L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Liechty, Edward A.; Esamai, Fabian; Pediatrics, School of MedicineIntroduction: Adolescent (<20 years) and advanced maternal age (>35 years) pregnancies carry adverse risks and warrant a critical review in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes is highest. Objective: To describe the prevalence and adverse pregnancy (maternal, perinatal, and neonatal) outcomes associated with extremes of maternal age across six countries. Patients and methods: We performed a historical cohort analysis on prospectively collected data from a population-based cohort study conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia between 2010 and 2020. We included pregnant women and their neonates. We describe the prevalence and adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with pregnancies in these maternal age groups (<20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-35, and >35 years). Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of each adverse pregnancy outcome comparing each maternal age group to the reference group of 20-24 years were obtained by fitting a Poisson model adjusting for site, maternal age, parity, multiple gestations, maternal education, antenatal care, and delivery location. Analysis by region was also performed. Results: We analyzed 602,884 deliveries; 13% (78,584) were adolescents, and 5% (28,677) were advanced maternal age (AMA). The overall maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 147 deaths per 100,000 live births and increased with advancing maternal age: 83 in the adolescent and 298 in the AMA group. The AMA groups had the highest MMR in all regions. Adolescent pregnancy was associated with an adjusted relative risk (aRR) of 1.07 (1.02-1.11) for perinatal mortality and 1.13 (1.06-1.19) for neonatal mortality. In contrast, AMA was associated with an aRR of 2.55 (1.81 to 3.59) for maternal mortality, 1.58 (1.49-1.67) for perinatal mortality, and 1.30 (1.20-1.41) for neonatal mortality, compared to pregnancy in women 20-24 years. This pattern was overall similar in all regions, even in the <18 and 18-19 age groups. Conclusion: The maternal mortality ratio in the LMICs assessed is high and increased with advancing maternal age groups. While less prevalent, AMA was associated with a higher risk of adverse maternal mortality and, like adolescence, was associated with adverse perinatal mortality with little regional variation.Item Postpartum contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning in five low-income countries(Springer (Biomed Central Ltd.), 2015) Pasha, Omrana; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Patel, Archana; Garces, Ana; Esamai, Fabian; Chomba, Elwyn; Moore, Janet L.; Kodkany, Bhalchandra S.; Saleem, Sarah; Derman, Richard J.; Liechty, Edward A.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Hambidge, K. Michael; Krebs, Nancy F.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of MedicineBACKGROUND: During the post-partum period, most women wish to delay or prevent future pregnancies. Despite this, the unmet need for family planning up to a year after delivery is higher than at any other time. This study aims to assess fertility intention, contraceptive usage and unmet need for family planning amongst women who are six weeks postpartum, as well as to identify those at greatest risk of having an unmet need for family planning during this period. METHODS: Using the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research's multi-site, prospective, ongoing, active surveillance system to track pregnancies and births in 100 rural geographic clusters in 5 countries (India, Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya and Guatemala), we assessed fertility intention and contraceptive usage at day 42 post-partum. RESULTS: We gathered data on 36,687 women in the post-partum period. Less than 5% of these women wished to have another pregnancy within the year. Despite this, rates of modern contraceptive usage varied widely and unmet need ranged from 25% to 96%. Even amongst users of modern contraceptives, the uptake of the most effective long-acting reversible contraceptives (intrauterine devices) was low. Women of age less than 20 years, parity of two or less, limited education and those who deliver at home were at highest risk for having unmet need. CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks postpartum, almost all women wish to delay or prevent a future pregnancy. Even in sites where early contraceptive adoption is common, there is substantial unmet need for family planning. This is consistently highest amongst women below the age of 20 years. Interventions aimed at increasing the adoption of effective contraceptive methods are urgently needed in the majority of sites in order to reduce unmet need and to improve both maternal and infant outcomes, especially amongst young women. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (ID# NCT01073475).Item Rates and determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breast feeding at 42 days postnatal in six low and middle-income countries: A prospective cohort study(Springer Nature, 2015) Patel, Archana; Bucher, Sherri; Pusdekar, Yamini; Esamai, Fabian; Krebs, Nancy F.; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Chomba, Elwyn; Garces, Ana; Pasha, Omrana; Saleem, Sarah; Kodkany, Bhalachandra S.; Liechty, Edward A.; Kodkany, Bhala; Derman, Richard J.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Hambidge, K. Michael; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Althabe, Fernando; Berrueta, Mabel; Moore, Janet L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: Early initiation of breastfeeding after birth and exclusive breastfeeding through six months of age confers many health benefits for infants; both are crucial high impact, low-cost interventions. However, determining accurate global rates of these crucial activities has been challenging. We use population-based data to describe: (1) rates of early initiation of breastfeeding (defined as within 1 hour of birth) and of exclusive breastfeeding at 42 days post-partum; and (2) factors associated with failure to initiate early breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding at 42 days post-partum. Methods: Prospectively collected data from women and their live-born infants enrolled in the Global Network's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry between January 1, 2010-December 31, 2013 included women-infant dyads in 106 geographic areas (clusters) at 7 research sites in 6 countries (Kenya, Zambia, India [2 sites], Pakistan, Argentina and Guatemala). Rates and risk factors for failure to initiate early breastfeeding were investigated for the entire cohort and rates and risk factors for failure to maintain exclusive breastfeeding was assessed in a sub-sample studied at 42 days post-partum. Result: A total of 255,495 live-born women-infant dyads were included in the study. Rates and determinants for the exclusive breastfeeding sub-study at 42 days post-partum were assessed from among a sub-sample of 105,563 subjects. Although there was heterogeneity by site, and early initiation of breastfeeding after delivery was high, the Pakistan site had the lowest rates of early initiation of breastfeeding. The Pakistan site also had the highest rate of lack of exclusive breastfeeding at 42 days post-partum. Across all regions, factors associated with failure to initiate early breastfeeding included nulliparity, caesarean section, low birth weight, resuscitation with bag and mask, and failure to place baby on the mother's chest after delivery. Factors associated with failure to achieve exclusive breastfeeding at 42 days varied across the sites. The only factor significant in all sites was multiple gestation. Conclusions: In this large, prospective, population-based, observational study, rates of both early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding at 42 days post-partum were high, except in Pakistan. Factors associated with these key breastfeeding indicators should assist with more effective strategies to scale-up these crucial public health interventions.