Adelaide Lusambili
Biographic Data
| ID | 752100 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Adelaide Lusambili |
| GIVEN NAMES | Adelaide |
| FAMILY NAME | Lusambili |
| SIGNATURE | LUSAMBILI A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Aga Khan University Nairobi |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8174-7963 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 11 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Aware but unprepared
Introduction: Climate change is an urgent global crisis, placing a growing strain on health systems and overwhelming healthcare workers' ability to respond. Africa is especially vulnerable due to its limited resources and infrastructure. Healthcare workers face climate impacts directly, yet their preparedness is poorly understood. This scoping review assessed how climate change affects healthcare workers and service delivery across the continent.…
Navigating socio-ecological and institutional barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence
Background The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic remains a major global health issue, with 40.8 million people affected at the end of 2024. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage reached 74%, though adherence remained challenging, particularly among youth due to poverty, stigma, and weak health systems. Aim This paper explored socio-ecological and institutional barriers…
Reducing extreme heat impacts on health in pregnant women and infants
High ambient temperatures affect maternal and newborn health outcomes and wellbeing. The Climate Heat and Maternal and Neonatal Health in Africa (CHAMNHA) consortium conducted formative qualitative research in rural Kilifi, Kenya, to examine perceptions of heat risks among women, household members, and community stakeholders. An intervention was co-designed together with community members. This paper presents the development, implementation, and …
Extreme heat, pregnancy and women’s well-being in Burkina Faso
Climate change is an increasing threat to the health of populations in Africa, with a shift in seasonal temperatures towards more extreme heat exposures. In Burkina Faso, like other countries in the Sahel, many women have little protection against exposure to high temperatures, either outside or inside the home or place of work. This paper investigates how women perceive the impacts of heat on their physical and mental health, in addition to thei…
Process and outputs from a community codesign workshop on reducing impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Kilifi, Kenya
Background: Ambient heat exposure is increasing due to climate change and is known to affect the health of pregnant and postpartum women, and their newborns. Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent heat health outcomes in east Africa is limited. Codesigning and integrating local-indigenous and conventional knowledge is essential to develop effective adaptation to climate change. Methods: Following qualitative research on heat i…
A qualitative enquiry of health care workers’ narratives on knowledge and sources of information on principles of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC)
Research from sub-Saharan Africa indicate that many women experience varied forms of disrespectful maternity care, which amount to a violation of their rights and dignity. Notably, there is little research that sheds light on health care workers (HCWs) training and knowledge of principles of respectful maternity care (RMC). Formulating appropriate interventional strategies to promote the respectful provision of services for women during pregnancy…
"Mothers get really exhausted!" The lived experience of pregnancy in extreme heat
Heat exposure in pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, yet research on the lived experience of pregnancy in high temperatures is lacking. We conducted qualitative research in 2021 in two communities in rural Kilifi County, Kenya, a tropical savannah area currently experiencing severe drought. Pregnant and postpartum women, their male spouses and mothers-in-law, community health volunteers, and local health…
Pentavalent vaccination in Kenya
Increased travel time significantly affects immunization in this rural community. Improving road networks, establishing new health centres and/or stepping up health outreach activities that include vaccinations in hard-to-reach areas within the county could improve immunisation coverage. These data may be useful in guiding the local department of health on appropriate location of planned immunization centres
A Qualitative Endline Evaluation Study of Male Engagement in Promoting Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services in Rural Kenya
Background: Globally, male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) is associated with increased benefits for women, their children, and their communities. Between 2016 and 2020, the Aga Khan University implemented the Access to Quality of Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS), project funded by the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). A key component of the project…
Male Involvement in Reproductive and Maternal and New Child Health
Male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) is known to improve maternal and child health outcomes. However, there is sub-optimal adoption of male involvement strategies in several low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya. Aga Khan University implemented Access to Quality of Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS), a project funded by the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation …
Positionality, Access to the Social Space and Place of Research
DOAJ is a unique and extensive index of diverse open access journals from around the world, driven by a growing community, committed to ensuring quality content is freely available online for everyone
Health Care Workers’ Perspectives of the Influences of Disrespectful Maternity Care in Rural Kenya
While disrespectful treatment of pregnant women attending health care facilities occurs globally, it is more prevalent in low-resource countries. In Kenya, a large body of research studied disrespectful maternity care (DMC) from the perspective of the service users. This paper examines the perspective of health care workers (HCWs) on factors that influence DMC experienced by pregnant women at health care facilities in rural Kisii and Kilifi count…
Nutritional Influences on the Health of Women and Children in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
In 2017, the Government of Mozambique declared localized acute malnutrition crises in a range of districts across Mozambique including Cabo Delgado. This is in spite of intensive efforts by different non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the Government of Mozambique to expand access to information on good nutritional practices as well as promote nutrition-specific interventions, such as cooking demonstrations, home gardens and the distribution…
We have a lot of home deliveries” A qualitative study on the impact of Covid-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastl…
The findings highlight the need to mitigate and lower barriers that prevent refugee women from seeking care at health facilities. One approach includes the development of refugee-inclusive public health policies, particularly during a pandemic, and the need to tailor health care services for refugees at facilities and in the communities
What do we know about maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity audits in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping literature review
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a situational overview of the facility-based maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality audits (MPMMAs) in SSA, their current efficacy at reducing mortality and morbidity rates related to childbirth. Design/methodology/approach This is a scoping literature review based on the synthesis of secondary literature. Findings Not all countries in SSA conduct MPMMAs. Countries where MPMMAs are conducted…
If they don't use it, they lose it’
Older people living in long-term facilities (nursing and residential homes providing 24-hour care) spend the majority of their time inactive, despite the known health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity and reduced time spent sedentary. In order to successfully embed interventions that aim to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behaviour, it is necessary to understand the features of the care environment that influence resident…
Honour based violence as a global public health problem
Purpose “Honour”-based violence (HBV), a form of gender-based violence (GBV), has received increasing interest from media, human rights organisations, academics and the public. A significant increase in the occurrence and reporting of HBV in many parts of the world and its detrimental impact on the health and well-being of women, girls, communities and wider society; marks it as a major public health concern. However, awareness and recognition of…
Parenting as an International PhD Student
"Mothers get really exhausted!" The lived experience of pregnancy in extreme heat
Heat exposure in pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, yet research on the lived experience of pregnancy in high temperatures is lacking. We conducted qualitative research in 2021 in two communities in rural Kilifi County, Kenya, a tropical savannah area currently experiencing severe drought. Pregnant and postpartum women, their male spouses and mothers-in-law, community health volunteers, and local health…
We have a lot of home deliveries” A qualitative study on the impact of Covid-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastl…
The findings highlight the need to mitigate and lower barriers that prevent refugee women from seeking care at health facilities. One approach includes the development of refugee-inclusive public health policies, particularly during a pandemic, and the need to tailor health care services for refugees at facilities and in the communities
If they don't use it, they lose it’
Older people living in long-term facilities (nursing and residential homes providing 24-hour care) spend the majority of their time inactive, despite the known health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity and reduced time spent sedentary. In order to successfully embed interventions that aim to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behaviour, it is necessary to understand the features of the care environment that influence resident…
Parenting as an International PhD Student
Honour based violence as a global public health problem
Purpose “Honour”-based violence (HBV), a form of gender-based violence (GBV), has received increasing interest from media, human rights organisations, academics and the public. A significant increase in the occurrence and reporting of HBV in many parts of the world and its detrimental impact on the health and well-being of women, girls, communities and wider society; marks it as a major public health concern. However, awareness and recognition of…
If they don't use it, they lose it’
Older people living in long-term facilities (nursing and residential homes providing 24-hour care) spend the majority of their time inactive, despite the known health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity and reduced time spent sedentary. In order to successfully embed interventions that aim to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behaviour, it is necessary to understand the features of the care environment that influence resident…
What do we know about maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity audits in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping literature review
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a situational overview of the facility-based maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality audits (MPMMAs) in SSA, their current efficacy at reducing mortality and morbidity rates related to childbirth. Design/methodology/approach This is a scoping literature review based on the synthesis of secondary literature. Findings Not all countries in SSA conduct MPMMAs. Countries where MPMMAs are conducted…
Positionality, Access to the Social Space and Place of Research
DOAJ is a unique and extensive index of diverse open access journals from around the world, driven by a growing community, committed to ensuring quality content is freely available online for everyone
Health Care Workers’ Perspectives of the Influences of Disrespectful Maternity Care in Rural Kenya
While disrespectful treatment of pregnant women attending health care facilities occurs globally, it is more prevalent in low-resource countries. In Kenya, a large body of research studied disrespectful maternity care (DMC) from the perspective of the service users. This paper examines the perspective of health care workers (HCWs) on factors that influence DMC experienced by pregnant women at health care facilities in rural Kisii and Kilifi count…
Nutritional Influences on the Health of Women and Children in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
In 2017, the Government of Mozambique declared localized acute malnutrition crises in a range of districts across Mozambique including Cabo Delgado. This is in spite of intensive efforts by different non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the Government of Mozambique to expand access to information on good nutritional practices as well as promote nutrition-specific interventions, such as cooking demonstrations, home gardens and the distribution…
We have a lot of home deliveries” A qualitative study on the impact of Covid-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastl…
The findings highlight the need to mitigate and lower barriers that prevent refugee women from seeking care at health facilities. One approach includes the development of refugee-inclusive public health policies, particularly during a pandemic, and the need to tailor health care services for refugees at facilities and in the communities
A Qualitative Endline Evaluation Study of Male Engagement in Promoting Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services in Rural Kenya
Background: Globally, male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) is associated with increased benefits for women, their children, and their communities. Between 2016 and 2020, the Aga Khan University implemented the Access to Quality of Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS), project funded by the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). A key component of the project…
Male Involvement in Reproductive and Maternal and New Child Health
Male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) is known to improve maternal and child health outcomes. However, there is sub-optimal adoption of male involvement strategies in several low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya. Aga Khan University implemented Access to Quality of Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS), a project funded by the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation …
Pentavalent vaccination in Kenya
Increased travel time significantly affects immunization in this rural community. Improving road networks, establishing new health centres and/or stepping up health outreach activities that include vaccinations in hard-to-reach areas within the county could improve immunisation coverage. These data may be useful in guiding the local department of health on appropriate location of planned immunization centres
Process and outputs from a community codesign workshop on reducing impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Kilifi, Kenya
Background: Ambient heat exposure is increasing due to climate change and is known to affect the health of pregnant and postpartum women, and their newborns. Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent heat health outcomes in east Africa is limited. Codesigning and integrating local-indigenous and conventional knowledge is essential to develop effective adaptation to climate change. Methods: Following qualitative research on heat i…
A qualitative enquiry of health care workers’ narratives on knowledge and sources of information on principles of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC)
Research from sub-Saharan Africa indicate that many women experience varied forms of disrespectful maternity care, which amount to a violation of their rights and dignity. Notably, there is little research that sheds light on health care workers (HCWs) training and knowledge of principles of respectful maternity care (RMC). Formulating appropriate interventional strategies to promote the respectful provision of services for women during pregnancy…
"Mothers get really exhausted!" The lived experience of pregnancy in extreme heat
Heat exposure in pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, yet research on the lived experience of pregnancy in high temperatures is lacking. We conducted qualitative research in 2021 in two communities in rural Kilifi County, Kenya, a tropical savannah area currently experiencing severe drought. Pregnant and postpartum women, their male spouses and mothers-in-law, community health volunteers, and local health…
Extreme heat, pregnancy and women’s well-being in Burkina Faso
Climate change is an increasing threat to the health of populations in Africa, with a shift in seasonal temperatures towards more extreme heat exposures. In Burkina Faso, like other countries in the Sahel, many women have little protection against exposure to high temperatures, either outside or inside the home or place of work. This paper investigates how women perceive the impacts of heat on their physical and mental health, in addition to thei…
Navigating socio-ecological and institutional barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence
Background The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic remains a major global health issue, with 40.8 million people affected at the end of 2024. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage reached 74%, though adherence remained challenging, particularly among youth due to poverty, stigma, and weak health systems. Aim This paper explored socio-ecological and institutional barriers…
Reducing extreme heat impacts on health in pregnant women and infants
High ambient temperatures affect maternal and newborn health outcomes and wellbeing. The Climate Heat and Maternal and Neonatal Health in Africa (CHAMNHA) consortium conducted formative qualitative research in rural Kilifi, Kenya, to examine perceptions of heat risks among women, household members, and community stakeholders. An intervention was co-designed together with community members. This paper presents the development, implementation, and …
Aware but unprepared
Introduction: Climate change is an urgent global crisis, placing a growing strain on health systems and overwhelming healthcare workers' ability to respond. Africa is especially vulnerable due to its limited resources and infrastructure. Healthcare workers face climate impacts directly, yet their preparedness is poorly understood. This scoping review assessed how climate change affects healthcare workers and service delivery across the continent.…
Medicine (14 works) · Nursing (13 works) · Sociology (13 works) · Political science (10 works) · Qualitative research (10 works) · Environmental health (9 works) · Psychological intervention (9 works) · Health care (8 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (7 works) · Psychology (6 works)