ArticleBMJ global health2017
Understanding the challenges to caring for low birthweight babies in rural southern Malawi: a qualitative study exploring caregiver and health worker perceptions and experiences.
Article in BMJ global health, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 38 citations in OpenAlex.
- Interventions to support parents, families and caregivers in caring for preterm or low birth weight infants at home: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Developmental outcomes of small infants at a high-risk clinic: A short-term longitudinal study.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings · 2025Article
- Breastfeeding experience, barriers, and facilitators among mothers of vulnerable low birth weight infants in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a qualitative exploratory study.International breastfeeding journal · 2025Article
- Regional and sub-regional estimates of low birth weight and its determinants in 44 low- and middle-income countries: evidence from demographic and health survey data.BMC pediatrics · 2025Article
- After neonatal care, what next? A qualitative study of mothers' post-discharge experiences after premature birth in Kenya.International journal for equity in health · 2025Article
- Health-system drivers influencing the continuum of care linkages for low-birth-weight infants at the different care levels in Ghana.BMC pediatrics · 2023Article
- The H-HOPE behavioral intervention plus Kangaroo Mother Care increases mother-preterm infant responsivity in Malawi: a prospective cohort comparison.BMC pediatrics · 2023Article
- Design and implementation of a community-based mother-to-mother peer support programme for the follow-up of low birthweight infants in rural western Kenya.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2023Article
- Article
- Improving Post-discharge Practice of Kangaroo Mother Care: Perspectives From Communities in East-Central Uganda.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2022Article
- Growth monitoring and mortality risk in low birthweight infants: a birth cohort study in Burkina Faso.Gates open research · 2021Article
- The Demand and Supply Side Determinants of Access to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services in Malawi.Maternal and child health journal · 2019Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLow birthweight (LBW) babies account for >80% of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and those who survive the neonatal period are still at risk of detrimental outcomes. LBW is a major public health problem in Malawi and strongly contributes to the country's high neonatal mortality rate. We aimed to get a better understanding of the care of LBW babies in rural Malawi in order to inform action to improve their outcomes.
methodsQualitative methods were used to identify challenges faced by caregivers and health workers within communities and at the rural facility level. We conducted 33 in-depth interviews (18 with caregivers; 15 with health workers) and 4 focus group discussions with caregivers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated. Thematic analysis was used to index the data into themes and develop a robust analytical framework.
resultsCaregivers referred to LBW babies as weak, with poor health, stunted growth, developmental problems and lack of intelligence. Poor nutrition of the mother and illnesses during pregnancy were perceived to be important causes of LBW. Discrimination and stigma were described as a major challenge faced by carers of LBW babies. Problems related to feeding and the high burden of care were seen as another major challenge. Health workers described a lack of resources in health facilities, lack of adherence to counselling provided to carers and difficulties with continuity of care and follow-up in the community.
conclusionThis study highlights that care of LBW babies in rural Malawi is compromised both at community and rural facility level with poverty and existing community perceptions constituting the main challenges. To make progress in reducing neonatal mortality and promoting better outcomes, we must develop integrated community-based care packages, improve care at facility level and strengthen the links between them.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.