Reproductive Health最新文献

{"title":"Association analysis of maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and offspring asthma incidence.","authors":"Lili Bao, Yuan Liu, Yuhong Zhang, Qian Qian, Yifen Wang, Wei Li, Yanyan Yu","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01967-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01967-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Air pollution has a significant negative impact on human health. Pregnant mothers and children are typical susceptible groups, and environmental exposure has a crucial impact on children's health. We established a childhood asthma cohort to analyze the factors influencing the development of asthma in offspring, with a focus on prenatal exposure to air pollutants. The goal was to explore potential early preventive measures to reduce the incidence of childhood asthma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This nested case-control study included mothers who were registered and delivered at Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital between 2015 and 2018, covering pre-pregnancy, first, second, and third trimesters. Children diagnosed with asthma before the age of four were included in the asthma group. To assess environmental exposure, we gathered data from 29 national and provincial air pollution monitoring stations and 16 meteorological monitoring sites in Lianyungang and surrounding areas. We used spatial interpolation with inverse distance weighting (IDW) to estimate individual exposure to air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between maternal exposure during pregnancy and the risk of childhood asthma.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 292 mother-child pairs in the asthma group and 1423 mother-child pairs in the healthy control group were included. The second (AOR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.06) and whole gestation (AOR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.03-1.10) exposure to PM_2.5 was associated with higher odds of childhood-onset asthma. Exposure during the third trimester (AOR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.03) and whole gestation (AOR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.04) of PM₁₀ was associated with higher odds of childhood-onset asthma. The first (AOR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.02-1.09) and second (AOR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.92-0.98) trimesters exposure to NO₂ was associated with higher and lower odds of childhood-onset asthma, respectively. SO₂ whole pregnancy exposure (AOR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07) was associated with higher odds of childhood-onset asthma.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and SO₂ during pregnancy can lead to an elevated risk of childhood asthma. Reducing or avoiding exposure to pollutants during pregnancy can reduce the incidence of childhood asthma. We should protect the environment and reduce the harm of environmental pollution to health.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contraceptive decision-making and its association with contraceptive use among married adolescent girls in Niger.","authors":"Jay G Silverman, Shweta Tomar, Mohamad I Brooks, Sani Aliou, Nicole E Johns, Sneha Challa, Holly Baker Shakya, Sabrina C Boyce, Anita Raj","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01962-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01962-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Niger has among the highest rates of child marriage and lowest rates of modern contraceptive use in the world. This study analyzes the association between contraceptive decision-making and contraceptive use among married adolescent girls in rural Niger, including multiple assessments of decision-making and consideration of overt vs. covert contraceptive use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from married adolescent females (n = 823) participating in the third round of data collection (October-November 2019) for the cluster-randomized controlled trial of a family planning intervention study. Contraceptive decision-making measures assessed participants' (a) participation in contraceptive decision-making, (b) final say in decision-making in case of spousal disagreement, and (c) satisfaction with participation in decision-making. Outcomes include contraceptive use ever categorized based on whether use was overt (with husband's knowledge) or covert (without husband's knowledge). Adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were used to test the associations between each decision-making item and each type of contraceptive use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over half of participants reported ever using a contraceptive (59%) and that their husbands were the sole decision-makers regarding contraceptive use (60%). Adolescents' participation in decision-making was negatively associated with overt contraceptive use (ARRR = 0.41; 95%CI = 0.19-0.91) and positively associated with covert contraceptive use (ARRR = 8.76; 95%CI = 2.45-31.30). Women reporting joint decision-making were more likely to report covert use vs. no use (ARRR = 3.20; 95%CI = 1.14-8.99). Women having final say in contraceptive decision-making in case of disagreements were more likely to report covert contraceptive use over no use (ARRR = 9.14; 95%CI = 3.17-26.40). Women's satisfaction with decision-making was positively associated with contraceptive use ever (AOR = 2.72; 95%CI = 1.80-4.16), and overt (ARRR = 2.68; 95%CI = 1.75-4.01) and covert contraceptive use (ARRR = 10.9; 95%CI = 2.16-54.80).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Male control over decision-making and female satisfaction with decision-making are associated with greater contraceptive use. Findings indicate that women's control over decision-making, and its relation to contraceptive use, is complex and requires more nuanced understanding for married adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11846465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of essential newborn care practices among mothers. A descriptive cross-sectional study in a peri-urban community, Ghana.","authors":"Ruth Nimota Nukpezah, Kennedy Diema Konlan","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01968-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01968-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Promoting essential newborn care practices is one of the effective approaches to improving child health outcomes, especially in low-resource areas. This study aims to assess the determinants of essential newborn care practices among mothers in a peri-urban community in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This descriptive community-based cross-sectional study design used 280 mothers within the Kukuo community in the Tamale metropolis selected through convenience sampling technique. A pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered into EpiData version 3.1 and cleaned before being imported into IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26.0 for analysis. The univariate chi-square test and t-test statistic were used to determine the likelihood of practising essential newborn care among mothers. Statistically significant statistics at p-value ≤ 0.05 were modelled using multivariable regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mothers (77.2%) identified the immediate care given to a newborn as essential newborn care. The study revealed that mothers had good knowledge (50.7%) and good practices (60.7%) of essential newborn care. Mothers between the ages of 25-29 years (AOR 1.18; 95%CI 0.35-4.01), had tertiary education or above (AOR = 5.2; 95%CI 1.36-18.49), and traders (AOR = 1.41; 95%CI 0.45-4.42) were more likely to practice good essential new-born care than their counterpart. Also, having good knowledge of ENBC (AOR = 11.57, 95%CI 5.21-25.70) and knowing danger signs in newborns (AOR = 4.62, 95%CI 2.26-9.45) was significantly associated with essential new-born care practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study's outcome revealed that mothers had adequate knowledge of essential newborn care, appropriately identified the danger signs in newborns, and practised good essential newborn care. Interventions to improve newborn care must segregate mothers and target specific client knowledge as significant differences were found based on knowledge, education level, and employment type.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841358/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological characteristics of infertility, 1990-2021, and 15-year forecasts: an analysis based on the global burden of disease study 2021.","authors":"Jiale Feng, Qingguo Wu, Yangbing Liang, Yiwen Liang, Qin Bin","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01966-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01966-7","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse, affects approximately 186 million people globally, with consistent prevalence across different income levels. Globally, the rising infertility rates are impacting population growth and individual quality of life. Infertility is not just a personal issue but also a public health concern, with social and economic implications, including stigmatization, marital discord, and mental strain. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated mental health issues among individuals with infertility, underscoring the need for research into the mental health impacts and access to fertility services. Economically, infertility poses a significant financial burden, especially in regions where Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) costs can be up to 200% of the GDP per capita. Understanding the complexities and spread of infertility is essential for guiding policy decisions and program rollouts, with studies analyzing infertility issues based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The study leverages data from the GBD 2021, encompassing 371 conditions or injuries and 88 risk factors across 204 nations. It examines prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) for infertility, categorized by sex, age, regions, and nations. The Social and Demographic Index (SDI), reflecting socio-economic levels, is used to analyze its correlation with infertility burden. The study employs decomposition analysis and frontier analysis methods to assess changes in infertility prevalence and DALYs, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to confirm relationships between age-standardized rates (ASRs) and SDI. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of rates, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), was calculated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In 2021, it was calculated that the global ASPR for male infertility stood at 1354.76 cases per 100,000 individuals, with a 95% Uncertainty Interval ranging from 802.12 to 2174.77 cases per 100,000 individuals. For female infertility, the ASPR was recorded at 2764.62 per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 1476.33-4862.57 per 100,000 individuals). Between 1990 and 2021, the EAPC in ASPR was observed to be 0.5% (95% CI 0.36-0.64) for males and 0.7% (95% CI 0.53-0.87) for females. In that same year, the global ASDR attributed to male infertility was 7.84 per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 2.85-18.56 per 100,000 individuals), while for female infertility, it amounted to 15.12 per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 5.35-36.88 per 100,000 individuals). The EAPC for ASDR linked to male and female infertility from 1990 to 2021 was assessed at 0.51% (95% CI 0.38-0.65) and 0.71% (95% CI 0.54-0.88), respectively. Among the 204 countries and territories in 2021, India ranked first in both the prevalence","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841318/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143459322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parent-adolescent sexual and reproductive health information communication in Ghana.","authors":"Frank Bediako Agyei, Doreen K Kaura, Janet D Bell","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01961-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01961-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A culturally sensitive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information communication intervention which is effective can improve SRH information communication (IC) between parents and their adolescents. This facilitates adolescents' informed SRH decisions to optimise positive SRH outcomes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this article was to integrate the findings from a systematic review and a qualitative study on sexual and reproductive health information communication and the considerations to make in adapting an effective parent-adolescent SRH information communication intervention from the systematic review findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Explanatory sequential Mixed Methods Research was used; first, a quantitative Systematic Review was conducted in lower-and-middle-income countries, utilising Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) software for reviews. The systematic review findings were then explained, utilizing an exploratory qualitative design in the second phase of the study. A purposive sample of ten parent-adolescent pairs was selected from Asante Akyem North Municipality of Ghana and all participants were interviewed individually. The sample was based on the demographics highlighted in the systematic review. A semi-structured interview guide was developed from the findings of the systematic review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results confirmed that effective SRH information communication interventions are associated with parent-adolescent SRH information communication skills. SRH communication is also influenced by the SRH information parents and adolescents have and the personal and social motivation to communicate the information. The method of intervention delivery, the experts involved, and the place of delivery were also identified as important issues to consider in adapting and implementing an intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study has provided information on the components of a culturally sensitive SRH information communication intervention. The contextual information gathered, which explained the systematic review findings, will be helpful in the adaptation of SRH information communication intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11837287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143459328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proposed changes to framework to assess contraceptive autonomy based on phased in-depth interviews in northwest Tanzania.","authors":"Sheridan F Bowers, Valencia J Lambert, Aneth Nzali, Anna Samson, Nelusigwe Mwakisole, Hidaya Yahaya, Radhika Sundararajan, Samuel E Kalluvya, Agrey H Mwakisole, Jennifer A Downs","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01963-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01963-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is internationally regarded as an essential human right. Use of modern contraception is typically selected as a key indicator of women's reproductive rights. However, there is a growing consensus that measuring rates of modern contraceptive use may not provide a full picture of women's reproductive autonomy. A novel framework to investigate contraceptive autonomy, which includes broader indicators to reflect knowledge, justice, and volition, has been recently proposed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted in-depth interviews in three phases in eight rural communities in northwest Tanzania with users and non-users of contraceptives using open-ended questions derived from the proposed contraceptive autonomy framework. Trained female interviewers performed one-on-one interviews in Kiswahili to explore women's perspectives and knowledge about family planning (FP), decision-making, and experiences. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and independently coded by two investigators.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 72 women were interviewed. Women had a median age of 29.5 years [interquartile range, 24-38] and a median of 4 [2-5] children. Those using modern contraception (75%) had been doing so for 1.9 [0.75-4.0] years. In the informed choice domain of contraceptive autonomy, most women could correctly name at least 3 contraceptive methods and summarize benefits and side-effects; women described risks and some benefits of non-use. In the full choice domain, health facilities had multiple contraceptives, although some stockouts were noted. In the free choice domain, nearly all women reported being free to choose to use, discontinue, or refuse FP. Many also described strong external influences that affected their decision-making about FP that were not captured by the proposed contraceptive autonomy framework.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both users and non-users of FP in our study demonstrated many components of contraceptive autonomy. Their experiences have shaped our suggestions for ways to increase comprehensiveness in measuring contraceptive autonomy. These suggestions likely have broad applicability that extends beyond rural Tanzania to many other regions. Integrating assessment of external influences into evaluations of contraceptive autonomy will further expand global capacity to evaluate both access to, and autonomy about, contraceptive use as a fundamental human right.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11829388/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, risk factors and interventions to prevent violence against adolescents and youths in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.","authors":"Ifeyinwa L Ezenwosu, Benjamin S C Uzochukwu","doi":"10.1186/s12978-024-01926-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-024-01926-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Violence is a pervasive human rights issue with public health consequences affecting adolescents and young people. This review aimed to describe the scope of existing research on the prevalence of violence and risk factors as well as intervention programmes targeted at adolescents and youths in Sub-Saharan Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An eleven-year search from 2014 to 2024 was conducted for peer-reviewed research articles, irrespective of their quality, on the prevalence of violence and risk factors as well as interventions on the types of violence against adolescents and youths in all SSA countries using PubMed, Google Scholar, Google search, African Index Medicus and direct searches of reference list of pertinent journal articles. Publications in English or translated to English were included. The methodological framework was described by Arksey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines was used to describe the review.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Hundred and three studies were identified across 33 out of the 46 Sub-Saharan African countries with the majority of articles emanating from Ethiopia. The prevalence studies consisted of 71 articles, sexual coercion was reported in 52 articles with a moderate number of studies focusing on physical or corporal punishment (21) and emotional violence (27). Also, the male gender was grossly understudied in the various forms of violence. The primary interventions on violence were categorized using the socio-ecological framework and the least implemented intervention based on peer-reviewed articles was at the policy level. The effectiveness of the interventions was reported in some studies while others noted no significant reduction in violence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings show there is a modest volume of peer-reviewed articles on prevalence of violence mostly in the dimension of sexual violence. Also, the interventions that addressed the policy level are limited and scale-up of focus on the level is imperative in SSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Compliance with iron-folate supplementation among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia: a multi-center cross-sectional study.","authors":"Mirkat Taye, Temesgen Mohammed, Wondimagegn Taye, Mustefa Glagn, Manaye Yihune","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01944-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01944-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Iron-folate supplementation is a vital and economical approach to preventing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. The World Health Organization targets 70% compliance, while Ethiopia's 2030 National Nutrition Program-II aims for 50% of pregnant women receiving iron-folate for 90 days by 2023. Despite various initiatives, compliance in Ethiopia continues to be low. This study examined compliance with iron-folate supplementation and its influencing factors among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among 604 systematically selected pregnant women from April 1 to 30, 2022, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were collected via the open data kit application and analyzed in the SPSS version 25 software. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with compliance. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess the direction and strength of the association.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Iron-folate supplementation compliance was 47.7% [95% CI 43.71%, 51.68%]. Being an urban dweller [AOR: 2.8, 95% CI 1.70, 4.86], attending primary education [AOR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.13, 3.75], having secondary education or more [AOR: 5.3, 95% CI 2.83, 10.22], being multiparous [AOR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.05, 3.52], receiving home visits [AOR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.08, 3.83], receiving counseling on iron-folate [AOR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.30, 4.78], possessing good knowledge of iron-folate [AOR: 3.1, 95% CI 2.04, 4.72], and having a good understanding of anemia [AOR: 3.2, 95% CI 2.12, 4.88] were significantly associated with compliance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Iron-folate supplementation compliance among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia is progressing towards the 2030 national nutrition program target, although it remains below World Health Organization recommendations. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen home visits and counseling to enhance knowledge of Iron-folate and anemia, as well as ensure consistent intake of iron-folate.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143414969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving the sexual health of couples with diabetes: study protocol of an action research study.","authors":"Fatemeh Zahra Meamar, Mansour Siavash Dastjerdi, Piman Salehi, Neda Ghahramannejad, Zahra Boromandfar","doi":"10.1186/s12978-025-01964-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-025-01964-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>One of the most serious problems that threatens the sexual health of couples is diabetes. Diabetes is a global public health crisis affecting more than 0.5 billion adults worldwide. Inefficiency in implementing family planning or childbearing, sexually transmitted infections and sexual disorders in these patients can lead to psychological problems such as feelings of inadequacy, despair, loss of self-esteem and psychological consequences. Action research has the dual purpose of action, to bring about change in society or an organization or program, and research to increase the understanding of the researcher or the people involved with the problem, or both, in the wider community. Therefore, this study was designed with the aim of improving the sexual health of couples with diabetes with an action research approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study will be done with an action research approach in four phases and several steps. In the first phase (planning), which includes 4 steps, during which the needs and challenges of sexual health of couples with diabetes are explained ([with a qualitative and quantitative approach), the literature review of databases, the explanation of suitable and practical solutions, the prioritization of strategy improve sexual health Diabetic couples and development of sexual health promotion program for diabetic couples and Identifying sexual function and sexual satisfaction before implementing the program [before action]will be done. In the second phase (action), the program resulting from the first phase will be implemented, and in the third and fourth phases, the program will be continuously observed and reflected in order to adjust and improve the program. Qualitative data analysis using conventional content analysis method, quantitative data analysis will be done with SPSS 27 statistical software.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Since diabetes affects the sexual health and marital satisfaction of couples, and considering that providing sexual health is one of the duties of reproductive health practitioners, and considering that the study of strategic action research is accepted to change attitudes, behavior and performance in the system. It seems that the application of the technical action research method opens the field for the entry of a research team consisting of various relevant experts to implement the plan resulting from It is the participants' own needs and strategy open.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11817054/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143399779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acceptability of and experiences with menstrual hygiene cups among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in two communities in Lusaka, Zambia: an exploratory study nested in the Yathu Yathu trial.","authors":"Melleh Gondwe, Melvin Simuyaba, Mwelwa Phiri, Chisanga Mwansa, Albertus Schaap, Lucheka Sigande, Kwame Shanaube, Sian Floyd, Sarah Fidler, Helen Ayles, Musonda Simwinga, Bernadette Hensen","doi":"10.1186/s12978-024-01901-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12978-024-01901-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Menstrual cups could be a sustainable menstrual material for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Yathu Yathu was a cluster-randomized trial of community-based delivery of HIV and sexual and reproductive health services to young people in Lusaka, Zambia. Among services available through the intervention were menstrual products, including menstrual cups. We explored knowledge of menstruation and menstrual products, acceptability, and experiences of using cups among AGYW aged 15-24. We share lessons learned on how to distribute cups through community-based strategies to AGYW in urban communities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Through community-based, peer-led spaces (hubs), AGYW could access menstrual products, including pads and menstrual cups. We conducted four focus group discussions, two with AGYW aged 15-19 (n = 9) and 20-21 (n = 8) who had accessed different menstrual products through Yathu Yathu and two with AGYW aged 15-19 (n = 5) and 20-24 (n = 9) who had accessed menstrual cups. Four interviews were conducted with four AGYW (15-19, n = 2; 20-24, n = 2) who had accessed cups, and four with two AGYW who were enrolled in a qualitative cohort. Data were analyzed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>'Surprise' and 'fear' were initial reactions from most AGYW who saw the cups for the first time at Yathu Yathu hubs. Misconceptions that cups cause cancer and fears that they could get stuck in the vagina, cause sore, vagina enlargement, and loss of virginity were raised by AGYW. The desire to try the cup, use an alternative menstrual product and information gained at the hubs facilitated access. Use of the cup was comfortable, and cups were said to be cost-effective and durable. Advantages over pads included: the absence of odor, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly: \"it is hygienic, and it is even easy to maintain\". Challenges included pain, discomfort, and failure to or incorrectly inserting the cup at initial use. When faced with challenges using the cup, AGYW reported going back to the hub for additional information and demonstrations on use.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite concerns, misconceptions and initial challenges, cups were acceptable among AGYW. Free distribution of cups provides an opportunity to address menstrual health challenges among AGYW. However, as a new product, there is need to increase awareness and provide detailed information on use.</p>","PeriodicalId":20899,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Health","volume":"22 1","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11800498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}