BMC Public Health
(Accessed 14 February 2015)
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/content

Research article
Health care providers’ perceptions of and attitudes towards induced abortions in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia: a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative data
Ulrika Loi, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Elisabeth Faxelid, Marie Klingberg-Allvin
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:139 (12 February 2015)

Research article
Effectiveness of short message services reminder on childhood immunization programme in Kadoma, Zimbabwe – a randomized controlled trial, 2013
Donewell Bangure, Daniel Chirundu, Notion Gombe, Tawanda Marufu, Gibson Mandozana, Mufuta Tshimanga, Lucia Takundwa
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:137 (12 February 2015)

Research article
The world health organization’s health promoting schools framework: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis
Rebecca Langford1*, Christopher Bonell2, Hayley Jones1, Theodora Pouliou1, Simon Murphy3, Elizabeth Waters4, Kelli Komro5, Lisa Gibbs4, Dan Magnus1 and Rona Campbell1
Author Affiliations
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:130 doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1360-y
Published: 12 February 2015
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Healthy children achieve better educational outcomes which, in turn, are associated with improved health later in life. The World Health Organization’s Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework is a holistic approach to promoting health and educational attainment in school. The effectiveness of this approach has not yet been rigorously reviewed.
Methods
We searched 20 health, education and social science databases, and trials registries and relevant websites in 2011 and 2013.We included cluster randomised controlled trials. Participants were children and young people aged four to 18?years attending schools/colleges. HPS interventions had to include the following three elements: input into the curriculum; changes to the school’s ethos or environment; and engagement with families and/or local communities. Two reviewers identified relevant trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We grouped studies according to the health topic(s) targeted. Where data permitted, we performed random-effects meta-analyses.
Results
We identified 67 eligible trials tackling a range of health issues. Few studies included any academic/attendance outcomes. We found positive average intervention effects for: body mass index (BMI), physical activity, physical fitness, fruit and vegetable intake, tobacco use, and being bullied. Intervention effects were generally small. On average across studies, we found little evidence of effectiveness for zBMI (BMI, standardized for age and gender), and no evidence for fat intake, alcohol use, drug use, mental health, violence and bullying others. It was not possible to meta-analyse data on other health outcomes due to lack of data. Methodological limitations were identified including reliance on self-reported data, lack of long-term follow-up, and high attrition rates.
Conclusion
This Cochrane review has found the WHO HPS framework is effective at improving some aspects of student health. The effects are small but potentially important at a population level.

Research article
Barriers to modern contraceptive methods uptake among young women in Kenya: a qualitative study
Rhoune Ochako, Mwende Mbondo, Stephen Aloo, Susan Kaimenyi, Rachel Thompson, Marleen Temmerman, Megan Kays
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:118 (10 February 2015)