Genna M Losinski, Mickeal N Key, Eric D Vidoni, Jonathan Clutton, Jill K Morris, Jeffrey M Burns, Amber Watts
{"title":"<i>APOE4</i> and chronic health risk factors are associated with sex-specific preclinical Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging biomarkers.","authors":"Genna M Losinski, Mickeal N Key, Eric D Vidoni, Jonathan Clutton, Jill K Morris, Jeffrey M Burns, Amber Watts","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1531062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1531062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Two thirds of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are female. Genetic and chronic health risk factors for AD affect females more negatively compared to males.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This multimodal neuroimaging study aimed to examine sex differences in cognitively unimpaired older adults on: (1) amyloid-β via 18F-AV-45 Florbetapir PET imaging, (2) neurodegeneration via T1 weighted MRI volumetrics, (3) cerebral blood flow via ASL-MRI. We identified AD risk factors including genetic (<i>APOE</i> genotype status) and health markers (fasting glucose, mean arterial pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, and android and gynoid body fat) associated with neuroimaging outcomes for which we observed sex differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were sedentary, amyloid-β positive older adults (<i>N</i> = 112, ages 65-87 years) without evidence of cognitive impairment (CDR = 0).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multivariate analysis of covariance models adjusted for intracranial volume, age, and years of education demonstrated lower volume [<i>F</i> (7, 102) = 2.67, <i>p</i> = 0.014] and higher blood flow <i>F</i> (6, 102) = 4.25, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) among females compared to males in regions of interest connected to AD pathology and the estrogen receptor network. We did not observe sex differences in amyloid-β levels. Higher than optimal waist to hip ratio was most strongly associated with lower volume among female participants.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Findings suggest genetic and chronic health risk factors are associated with sex-specific AD neuroimaging biomarkers. Underlying sex-specific biological pathways may explain these findings. Our results highlight the importance of considering sex differences in neuroimaging studies and when developing effective interventions for AD prevention and risk reduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1531062"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119584/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amanda L Stuart, Michael Berk, Julie A Pasco, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Shae E Quirk, Lana J Williams
{"title":"Pain in women with and without bipolar spectrum disorder.","authors":"Amanda L Stuart, Michael Berk, Julie A Pasco, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Shae E Quirk, Lana J Williams","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1501382","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1501382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bipolar disorder is associated with several physical conditions and possibly increased pain, although research outside hospital settings is limited. We compared perceived pain among population-based women with and without bipolar disorder.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This study examined 113 women with bipolar disorder (59 euthymic, 54 symptomatic in past month) and 316 age-matched women without bipolar disorder drawn from studies located in the same region of south-eastern Australia. Mental disorders were confirmed by clinical interview (SCID-I/NP). Pain during the past week was determined by numeric rating scale (0-10, 10 = pain as severe as I can imagine) and deemed present if ≥5. Demographic, lifestyle, and health information was obtained via questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for the likelihood of pain were estimated using marginal binary logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women with bipolar disorder who were euthymic at the appointment were at increased odds of headache [adjOR 3.4, 95% CI (1.4, 7.9)], back pain [2.6 (1.3, 5.4)], overall pain(s) [5.7 (2.9, 11.4)], pain at ≥3 sites [2.3 (1.0, 5.2)] and were in pain ≥50% time spent awake [2.3 (1.1, 5.1)] compared to women without bipolar disorder. The pattern of association was similar but stronger for women symptomatic in the past month; headache [6.0 (2.6, 13.9)], back pain [4.2 (2.0, 8.5)], overall pain(s) [7.2 (3.4, 15.4)], pain at ≥3 sites [5.1 (2.3, 11.1)] and ≥50% time in pain [4.5 (2.2, 9.3)]. Daily activity interference from pain did not differ between groups (all <i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to report pain regardless of phase. Assessment and management of pain is necessary to reduce associated burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1501382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116671/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144175942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Orgasmic birth: the anatomy of pleasure in childbirth.","authors":"Debra Pascali-Bonaro","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1565300","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1565300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Contemporary childbirth practices, which have long been globally dominated by a biomedicalized framework, have sterilized the birthing experience, have stripped away emotional and physical pleasures as well as essential aspects of women's sexuality, and have led to a loss of autonomy for many women and birthing people. In this article, I propose an alternative model of care- \"orgasmic birth\". And I explain that this model emphasizes respectful perinatal care, pleasurable births, and childbearers' empowerment. By drawing on my reviews of the extensive scientific literature on hormonal interplays, the anatomies of pleasure, and sexuality, in this article, I also discuss how biomedical interventions such as synthetic hormones, epidural nerve blocks, and cesareans disrupt the natural hormonal flow that is associated with pleasurable births. The results of my literature reviews have shown that a more holistic, respectful approach to perinatal care can reduce pain, decrease birth traumas, and improve satisfaction by acknowledging the important roles of pleasure and sexuality during childbirth. I also strongly argue that future research should explore how biomedical systems can integrate practices that honor both safety and the potential for pleasure during childbirth.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1565300"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106321/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144164237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Carannante, Marco Giustini, Federica Rota, Paolo Bailo, Andrea Piccinini, Gabriella Izzo, Valentina Bollati, Simona Gaudi
{"title":"Intimate partner violence and stress-related disorders: from epigenomics to resilience.","authors":"Anna Carannante, Marco Giustini, Federica Rota, Paolo Bailo, Andrea Piccinini, Gabriella Izzo, Valentina Bollati, Simona Gaudi","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1536169","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1536169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health problem to be addressed with innovative and interconnecting strategies for ensuring the psychophysical health of the surviving woman. According to the World Health Organization, 27% of women worldwide have experienced physical and sexual IPV in their lifetime. Most of the studies on gender-based violence focus on short-term effects, while long-term effects are often marginally included even though they represent the most serious and complex consequences. The molecular mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders in IPV victims are multiple and include dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory response, epigenetic modifications, neurotransmitter imbalances, structural changes in the brain, and oxidative stress. This review aims to explore the long-term health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), emphasizing the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders and resilience. By integrating findings from epigenetics, microbiome research, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based data analysis, we highlight novel strategies for mitigating IPV-related trauma and improving recovery pathways. Genome-wide environment interaction studies, enhanced by AI-assisted data analysis, offer a promising public health approach for identifying factors that contribute to stress-related disorders and those that promote resilience, thus guiding more effective prevention and intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1536169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12104246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Global, regional, and national trends and burden of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy among women of childbearing age from 1990 to 2021.","authors":"Zhongyun Tang, Chao Ma, Jin Liu, Chongdong Liu","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1533843","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1533843","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aims to use the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database to analyze the prevalence trends and disease burden of HDP across the globe from 2019 to 2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed four key metrics related to HDP (prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALYs) using data from the GBD Database. Trends were assessed using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and changes in disease burden.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2021, global HDP prevalence cases, incidence cases, mortality cases, and DALYs were 3.51 million, 18.00 million, 37.58 million, and 2.44 million, respectively, with percentage changes of 14%, 15%, -29%, and -29% over the study period. Prevalence and incidence rates increased (EAPCs: -0.7 and -0.67), while mortality and DALYs rates decreased (EAPCs: -2.29 and -2.28). Low Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions had the highest HDP burden, accounting for about half of the global total. The 25-29 age group had the highest incidence cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Over the past 32 years, HDP prevalence cases and incidence cases have risen globally, but death cases and DALYs cases have significantly decreased, particularly in low SDI regions and the 25-29 age group. The global HDP burden is higher in regions with lower SDI. Our findings highlight regional and age-related disparities in HDP, providing a basis for targeted interventions and prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1533843"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12098623/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144144625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among reproductive age women in Ivory Coast: evidenced by 2021 Ivory Coast Demographic and Health Survey.","authors":"Gosa Mankelkl, Beletu Kinfe","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1490762","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1490762","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Globally, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a major public health problem. STIs are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries due to their effects on reproductive and child health and their role in spreading HIV infection. This study ' to determine the factors associated with STIs among women in Ivory Coast using data from the 2021 Ivory Coast Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 14,877 women from the 2021 Ivory Coast Demographic and Health Survey participated in this study. The Ivory Coast DHS employed a community-based cross-sectional study design for data collection. STATA version 14 was used for data extraction, recoding, descriptive analysis, and analytical analysis. Bivariable analysis was performed to identify factors for multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, factors with a significance level of <i>P</i> < 0.05 were considered significant predictors of STIs among reproductive-age women. Finally, frequency, percentage, and odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were reported.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>This study includes a total weighted sample of 14,877 women from the 2021 Ivory Coast Demographic and Health Survey. The prevalence of STIs among reproductive-age women in the last 12 months was 6.82%, with a 95% CI (6.42, 7.23). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that among women, STIs were statistically and significantly associated with age range of 20-24 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.558, 95% CI: (1.108, 2.359); <i>P</i> = 0.011], 25-29 years [AOR: 1.523, 95% CI: (1.089, 2.129); <i>P</i> = 0.014], and 30-34 years [AOR: 1.655, 95% CI: (1.191, 2.300); <i>P</i> = 0.003]; living in Denguele [AOR:2.138, 95% CI: (1.328, 3.439); <i>P</i> = 0.002], Montagnes [AOR: 2.930, 95% CI: (1.909, 4.497); <i>P</i> = 0.0001], and Zanzan [AOR: 2.330, 95% CI: (1.476, 3.679); <i>P</i> = 0.0001]; being married [AOR: 0.705, 95% CI: (0.520, 0.975); <i>P</i> = 0.034]; being Muslim [AOR: 0.785, 95% CI: (0.621, 0.993); <i>P</i> = 0.011]; listening to radio at least once a week [AOR: 1.524, 95% CI: (1.241, 1.871); <i>P</i> = 0.0001]; watching television less than once a week [AOR: 1.649, 95% CI: (1.156, 2.352); <i>P</i> = 0.006]; using the internet almost every day [AOR: 1.359, 95% CI: (1.081, 1.708); <i>P</i> = 0.008]; having a history of a terminated pregnancy [AOR: 1.170, 95% CI: (1.017, 1.376); <i>P</i> = 0.043]; using modern contraceptives [AOR: 1.213, 95% CI: (1.032,1.427); <i>P</i> = 0.0001]; and being tested for HIV [AOR: 1.342, 95% CI: (1.149, 1.569); <i>P</i> = 0.0001].</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendations: </strong>This study found that nearly seven out of a hundred reproductive-age women in Ivory Coast had sexually transmitted infections, influenced by factors such as age group, region, religion, marital status, media exposure (reading magazines, watching television, and using the inte","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1490762"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081335/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Filipa Daniela Lopes, Carolina Henriques, Maria da Saudade Lopes, Isabel Margarida Mendes
{"title":"Quality of life of women with urinary incontinence in the postpartum period: an integrative literature review.","authors":"Filipa Daniela Lopes, Carolina Henriques, Maria da Saudade Lopes, Isabel Margarida Mendes","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1562572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1562572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy and after childbirth can negatively impact women's lifestyles, health, and well-being. It is a common problem that is often normalized by both healthcare professionals and women. This integrative review examines the influence of UI on women's quality of life (QoL) during the postpartum period and identifies the main affected domains. It will also contribute to the discussion of the results of a primary study. Fourteen studies were included in this review, mainly from Brazil and Spain, with most using quantitative methods. The findings indicate that UI negatively affects the QoL of women during the postpartum period, with mixed UI causing greater discomfort despite stress UI being more frequent. The main affected domains are general health perception, physical functioning, daily life activities, psychological/emotional/mental and social aspects, and sexuality. Effective interventions should promote women's self-care and enhance their awareness and recognition of the problem. These interventions should go beyond physical aspects to address emotional and psychological dimensions, such as low self-esteem and self-image, secrecy, embarrassment, and reluctance to seek help. Nurse midwives have specialized skills and can work within multidisciplinary teams to improve the QoL of women with UI at a time of increased vulnerability.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1562572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12078250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144082514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intimate partner sexual violence and early resumption of sexual intercourse among married postpartum women in Ethiopia: a survival analysis using Performance Monitoring for Action data.","authors":"Eyob Tilahun Abeje, Fekade Demeke Bayou, Fekadeselassie Belege Getaneh, Lakew Asmare, Abel Endawkie, Alemu Gedefie, Amare Muche, Anissa Mohammed, Aznamariam Ayres, Dagnachew Melak","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1499316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1499316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Many women worldwide resume sexual intercourse soon after childbirth, often before the recommended six-week recovery period. Early postpartum intercourse poses health risks, including infections and delayed healing. This study aims to assess the timing of resuming sexual intercourse and its predictors among postpartum women in Ethiopia using PMA data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data was from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) project, a cross-sectional design followed by cohort follow-up, employed to analyze the sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics of women aged 15-49. Pregnant women and those up to nine weeks postpartum at baseline were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazard model were used for analysis using R 4.4.1 software. Proportional hazard assumption was assessed using graphical and statistical tests. The model fitness was checked using martingale residual plot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found that 29% of participants resumed sexual intercourse before the recommended 42 days postpartum, while 91% resumed by 68 days. The median survival time was 8 weeks (57 days). The hazard of early sexual resumption was 5.56 times higher among women who experienced intimate partner violence compared to those who did not.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Early sexual resumption among postpartum women in Ethiopia was high. Intimate Partner violence was a significant predictor of early sexual resumption. It is better to promote IPV prevention and postpartum couple counseling to support safe and consensual sexual resumption.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1499316"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12075142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144082508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploration of fever characteristics in parturients under continuous temperature monitoring during labor analgesia and analysis of the impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes: an observational study.","authors":"Xia Li, Junli Ma","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1541227","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1541227","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>By continuous core temperature monitoring, this study aims to explore the patterns of fever in parturients receiving labor analgesia and analyze its impact on both the maternal and neonatal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Non-invasive temperature monitoring sensors (iThermonitor705) and labor analgesia temperature management system were used to collect temperature data from parturients. Based on the presence or absence of fever during the peripartum period, the subjects were divided into a fever group and a non-fever group. Maternal temperature data during the peripartum period, along with maternal and neonatal demographic and clinical characteristics, were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the parturients receiving labor analgesia, 25.9% (43/166) developed a fever during the peripartum period. Of these, 25.6% (11/43) experienced their first fever after delivery, all occurring within 2 h after delivery. Compared to the non-fever group, the fever group had longer durations of the first stage of labor, total labor duration, and epidural analgesia. Additionally, the fever group had a higher rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (grade III), used more analgesics, and had a higher rate of antibiotic use. However, no significant differences in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were observed between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Fever can occur not only during labor but also for the first time after delivery. Although fever during the peripartum period increases the rate of maternal exposure to antibiotics, there were no significant differences in maternal or neonatal outcomes between the two groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1541227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12069292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144029918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Epidemiology of second trimester induced abortion in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Mesfin Abebe, Tsion Mulat Tebeje, Nebiha Yimer, Tesfaye Temesgen, Getnet Melaku, Habtamu Endashaw Hareru","doi":"10.3389/fgwh.2025.1452114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1452114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Second-trimester induced abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy occurring between 13 and 28 weeks of gestation in Africa. These abortions are particularly concerning due to the heightened risk of complications and maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, there is a lack of nationally representative data regarding the magnitude and associated factors of second-trimester induced abortions. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to ascertain the pooled magnitude and identify the factors associated with second-trimester induced abortions in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The PRISMA guidelines were used to review and report this study. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles from online databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Ethiopian University online repositories. Data were extracted using an Excel data extraction format, and analysis was performed using Stata version 17. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, and subgroup analysis was performed based on the year of publication and sample size to identify the source of heterogeneity. To determine publication bias, a funnel plot, and Egger's regression test were conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this review, a total of ten articles encompassing 4,466 participants were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of second-trimester induced abortion in Ethiopia was found to be 29.10% (95% CI: 19.96-38.24; <i>I</i>² = 97.84, <i>P</i> < 0.000). Delay in confirming pregnancy (POR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.25, 8.32), nature of the menstrual cycle (POR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.56), residence (POR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.49), and pregnancy intention (POR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.42) were significantly associated with second-trimester induced abortion.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The magnitude of induced second-trimester abortions in Ethiopia is significantly higher than global data. This meta-analysis identifies factors associated with second-trimester abortions, including delayed pregnancy confirmation, irregular menstrual cycles, rural residency, and unplanned pregnancies. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these factors and decrease the incidence of second-trimester abortions. Encouraging early pregnancy testing and confirmation to reduce delays, raising awareness about the importance of regular menstrual cycles and seeking medical advice for irregularities, improving healthcare services in rural areas to reduce disparities, and strengthening family planning and counseling services can help mitigate unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>PROSPERO (CRD42022383559).</p>","PeriodicalId":73087,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in global women's health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1452114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12066765/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144032177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}