Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is associated with health, social and economic benefits to a woman and her family. Its uptake, particularly of the more effective, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), is low. The role of parity in PPFP uptake is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of PPFP and LARCs between primiparous and multiparous women accompanying their children for the first measles vaccine, which is at 9 months after delivery, in Webuye County Hospital, Kenya. This was a cross-sectional study. Study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling method and data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using an independent t-test to compare PPFP uptake between primiparous and multiparous women, whereas chi-square tests (for categorical data) and independent t-tests (for numerical data) were used to compare the various socio-demographic characteristics and occurrence of vrimiparous women are less likely to initiate the use of PPFP compared to their multiparous counterparts. It was noted that family medicine (FM) was not used properly by doctors at Letaba Hospital. Anecdotally, misconceptions and misunderstandings about FM were reported. An exploration was recommended to understand the perceptions and attitudes of doctors at Letaba Hospital with regard to FM. Identifying doctors' misconceptions and the possible reasons for mistaken beliefs about FM by other specialists could offer possible solutions. A qualitative study was conducted that attempted to identify the perceptions of doctors about FM and to explore their attitudes towards this specialty. The primary findings indicate more positive than negative perceptions of other disciplines towards FM. The participants viewed FM as the centre of the healthcare system, with prevention being its core business. This includes a holistic approach, the continuity of care, being community-based, and receiving recognition as a specialty. Family medicine was described by various medical personnel as making a positive contribution to tthe views of the senior staff in the discipline itself. The concerns from most participants are in the area of preventative medicine, which has not been given enough priority in South Africa and where doctors are expected to rapidly attend to long queues and manage casualties. There was also concern of a perceived lack of surgical skills. The quality of care received by mothers and newborns in low-resource settings is often poor. This may partly explain the high rates of maternal deaths (60%) that occur during the postpartum period in Malawi. However, the quality of care provided to mothers and newborns in the country has not been adequately assessed. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the quality of postnatal care services offered to mothers and babies by midwives in Lilongwe District. This was a quantitative study that used a sample of 58 midwives to assess the quality of postnatal care at three selected health facilities. A structured questionnaire, an observation tool and a facility checklist were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study received ethics approval from the relevant authority. The study found that the percentages reported by midwives regarding client monitoring varied and were below the 80% threshold. Midwives did not always follow the reproductive health standards on client examination so that less than 75% of midwives inspected perineal wounds (52.2%), checked vital signs of neonate (66.7%) and mother (62.2%), and inspected lochia drainage (30.4%). Most midwives (91.3%) never assessed the emotional state of the mother. Midwives covered a range of topics during health education and counselling. However, some topics, including immunisations (31.1%), were never taught. The study has suggested that the postnatal care offered by midwives at three health facilities was generally substandard and midwives do not always monitor, assess and counsel postnatal clients.The study has suggested that the postnatal care offered by midwives at three health facilities was generally substandard and midwives do not always monitor, assess and counsel postnatal clients. The transfer of critically ill neonates has escalated in developing countries. This calls for greater awareness of the needs of mothers who are often overlooked while clinical attention is prioritised in relation to the neonate. The objective of the study was to understand the emotional and clinical needs of mothers during the transfer process. Using a qualitative research approach, the study sought the views of mothers who were involved in emergency transfers. In-depth interviews were held with seven mothers. In addition, data from interviews with seven neonatologists and data from focus group discussions with 35 advanced life paramedics, were included. What emerged was that both the clinical and emotional needs of mothers were overlooked during the transfer which resulted in acute distress. check details Moreover, the study found that paramedics lacked preparedness to deal with the psychological needs of mothers and often overlooked their physiological condition as well. It is crucial that greater sensitivity towards both the clinical and emotional needs of mothers be prioritised during neonatal transfers.It is crucial that greater sensitivity towards both the clinical and emotional needs of mothers be prioritised during neonatal transfers.No abstract available.Tracheomegaly and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may be complicated within 12–200 days (with a mean of 43 days) of mechanical ventilation but rare in short-term intubation. Here we present a case of TEF secondary to post-intubation tracheomegaly in a tetanus patient. A 49-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room (ER) and diagnosed with tetanus. He became intubated and mechanically ventilated, but showed over-inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff on X-ray and chest computed tomography since the 8th day. After extubation, the patient had severe coughing during eating. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and gastroscopy demonstrated a TEF located at the anterior wall of the esophagus. Esophageal exclusion and jejunostomy were performed to heal the fistula. The recurrent and uncontrollable muscular rigidity and spasms might be the main cause early tracheomegaly and TEF. Short-term intubation induced TEF should be aware of in specific patients. Both cuff pressure and cuff volume should be monitored to minimize tracheoesophageal injuries in such cases.