Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Identifying the key barriers, facilitators and factors associated with cervical cancer screening attendance in young women: A systematic review.","authors":"Sonia Shpendi, Paul Norman, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Rebecca Webster","doi":"10.1177/17455057251324309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251324309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer (CC) results in around 604,00 new cancer cases yearly and is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Uptake rates for both the HPV vaccination and screening have been decreasing over recent years, particularly in young women, whilst CC remains a concern for both low- and high-income countries.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To highlight the key barriers and facilitators of CC screening attendance in young women and to identify the factors associated with their CC screening behaviour, to inform interventions to increase screening rates.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Systematic review.</p><p><strong>Data sources and methods: </strong>A systematic review was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO/PyscARTICLES and CINAHL. The review included primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies that reported barriers, facilitators and factors associated with current CC screening behaviours in women aged 30 or below. Outcomes were summarised narratively. Risk of bias was conducted for individual studies using the Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 106 studies included in the review, the most frequently reported barriers were financial constraints (<i>n</i> = 36), embarrassment (<i>n</i> = 35) and low accessibility to obtaining screening (<i>n</i> = 34). The most frequently reported facilitators were knowledge of CC (<i>n</i> = 12), healthcare provider recommendations (<i>n</i> = 11) and communication with friends (<i>n</i> = 11). Age (older), marital status (in a relationship) and sexual activity (active) were key factors associated with attendance at screening. Studies also highlighted that those vaccinated were more likely to have screened than those not vaccinated against HPV.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These unique factors represent potential targets for interventions to increase CC screening attendance in young women. Future research could benefit from employing strong theoretical frameworks, such as the COM-B model of behavioural change, to categorise and gain further insight into the contributing factors affecting CC screening attendance.</p><p><strong>Registration: </strong>PROSPERO CRD42022324948.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251324309"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11907612/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627070","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 undernutrition among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Eyasu Bamlaku Golla, Habtamu Geremew, Abinet Tesfaye Diro, Samuel Abdisa, Alegntaw Abate, Meron Admasu, Mohammed Ahmed Ali, Getachew Gashaw","doi":"10.1177/17455057251325117","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251325117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Undernutrition denotes inadequate intake of energy and nutrients to meet one's optimal needs. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of undernutrition due to the added nutritional demand for fetal growth and development. Updated evidence is important for monitoring progress and informing healthcare decisions. However, there is a paucity of evidence about the nutritional status of pregnant women in the rural communities of eastern Ethiopia, particularly in Chiro district. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was employed in Chiro district, from November 1 to 30, 2022, among 423 randomly selected pregnant women. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements by trained research assistants. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to identify predictors of undernutrition by using STATA-14 statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 40.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.2%, 45.8%). Antenatal care (ANC) follow-up (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.61, 95% CI: 3.01, 10.45), history of illness in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.23, 8.12), khat chewing (AOR: 4.01, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.56), household food security (AOR: 5.84, 95% CI: 3.36, 10.14), and dietary diversity practice (AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.47, 5.09) were factors associated with undernutrition.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Four out of every 10 pregnant women in the study area were undernourished. ANC follow-up, illness in the past 2 weeks, khat chewing, household food security, and dietary diversity practice were significantly associated with undernutrition. Therefore, improving access to ANC services, strengthening nutritional counseling, and addressing food insecurity might reduce undernutrition among pregnant women.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251325117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11910742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634917","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":"Barriers in accessing intimate partner violence services: Intersecting views of immigrant and minority ethnic survivors and community organization workers.","authors":"Tatiana Sanhueza-Morales, Sonia Michaelsen, Nassera Touati, Lourdes Rodriguez Del Barrio","doi":"10.1177/17455057251323091","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251323091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intimate partner violence (IPV) can have serious physical and mental health consequences for women. Women from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds may face additional barriers in accessing support. This research was based in a multicultural and marginalized neighborhood in Montreal (Canada) with a high incidence of IPV.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>(1) To better understand the needs and challenges of women survivors of IPV who come from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds, and the barriers they face in seeking help; (2) to understand the perspectives of community organization workers on immigrant and ethnic minority survivors' needs and barriers in accessing services, as well as their knowledge about how to best support survivors.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We employed a mixed-methods design using a community-based participatory approach. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological model was used as a theoretical framework to analyze the findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 7 female survivors of IPV from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds and conducted surveys with 23 community organization workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study shows a dissonance in views between survivors and workers. The survivors identified barriers to accessing support at each level of Bronfenbrenner's ecosystem, reflecting the complexity of their situations. For example, (1) macro-system: inadequacy of the legal system, racism; (2) exo-system: accessibility of services, poor quality of services, distrust of institutions; (3) micro-system: social and family pressure, poor social integration; (4) onto-system: language barriers, lack of knowledge of resources, feelings of fear and shame. The workers mainly noted barriers at the onto-level, which was primarily linked to gender and immigration status. Only 52% had ever attended a training on IPV. Most of their organizations had no referral protocol nor educational material about services for IPV for clients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Community-based organizations that do not specialize in IPV often work with survivors and are therefore an important resource in IPV prevention and survivor care. Training them on IPV, sensitizing them to understand the systemic barriers the survivors experience, and equipping their organizations are key strategies for developing a coordinated, community-based response to IPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251323091"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143712535","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":"Determinants of cervical cancer knowledge and barriers to human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among female university students: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Andrew Donkor, Loretta Pokua Osei, Ewura Adwoa Kwafoa Acquaah-Arhin, Pamela Deladem Suka, Doris Kitson-Mills, Alberta Naa Afia Adjei, Evans Ohemeng, Samiratou Ouedraogo, Veronica Millicent Dzomeku","doi":"10.1177/17455057251335446","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251335446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Ghana. Cervical cancer is preventable through knowledge, vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), screening and treatment of precancerous lesions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the determinants of cervical cancer knowledge and barriers to HPV vaccine uptake among female university students in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>An anonymous, online cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 June to 22 September 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The survey contained questions on demographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, symptoms, HPV vaccination and barriers to vaccine uptake. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the factors associated with knowledge of cervical cancer. A <i>p</i>-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1662 female university students responded to the online survey. The mean age of the respondents was 21.5 ± 2.03 years. Overall, the prevalence of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer was 60.2%. The least recognised cervical cancer symptom was blood in the stool or urine (58.4%). Respondents who had a steady partner and living together had 3.59 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to respondents who were not dating. Muslim respondents had 2.13 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to Christian. Unvaccinated respondents had 3.85 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to those who had received the HPV vaccine. More than four-fifths (87.0%) of the respondents indicated that they had not been vaccinated against HPV. The major barriers to HPV vaccine uptake included: inadequate knowledge of the vaccine, fear of side effects, lack of knowledge about the vaccination site, fear of injection and doubts regarding the vaccine's efficacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improving access to cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination among university students is a critical public health goal to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. It is important to promote a free national school-based HPV vaccination programme. Multi-component school-based educational interventions, including traditional methods such as lectures, group discussions and digital tools like web-based educational platforms should be implemented to improve cervical cancer knowledge among university students.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251335446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12038193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060082","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":"Number of significant life events and perinatal depression in a diverse rural population: A brief report of a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Marcia Williams, Eli Iacob, Ryoko Kausler, Sara E Simonsen, Tumilara Aderibigbe, Gwen Latendresse","doi":"10.1177/17455057251338368","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251338368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Significant life events (SLEs) correlate with perinatal depression (PD) risk; however, little is known about this association in rural populations.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Using the Neuman systems model, we hypothesized that individuals with higher SLEs would have higher PD risk, and we evaluated this association with data collected from six of Utah's diverse rural health districts.</p><p><strong>Design/methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included pregnant and postpartum individuals visiting six rural public health clinics who completed screening with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and an 8-item SLE assessment in Spanish or English. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the association between SLEs (0, 1, and ⩾2) and PD risk status (EPDS ⩾9).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data from 4245 screening surveys identified 2 primary racial groups: white (79.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (7.6%), with 20.2% of individuals identifying as Hispanic. Overall, 49.4% of individuals reported one SLE and 10.5% reported two or more SLEs. Significant predictors for PD risk included 1 SLE (OR = 1.84, 95% CI [1.56, 2.15]) or ⩾2 SLEs (5.18, 95% CI [4.31, 6.23]), regardless of racial/ethnic background.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Screening for PD risk in a rural population should include an assessment of SLEs, given the relationship between the two. Improving culturally appropriate local resources to support individuals and their families during the childbearing year should be considered, particularly for those experiencing SLEs.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251338368"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144082448","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":"Using mHealth to reduce disparities in Black maternal health: Perspectives from Black rural postpartum mothers.","authors":"Natalie Hernandez-Green, Morgan V Davis, Oluyemi Farinu, Kaitlyn Hernandez-Spalding, Kennedy Lewis, Merna S Beshara, Sherilyn Francis, LeThenia Joy Baker, Sherrell Byrd, Andrea Parker, Rasheeta Chandler","doi":"10.1177/17455057241239769","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241239769","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Racial disparities are evident in maternal morbidity and mortality rates globally. Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth than any other race or ethnicity. This leaves one of the largest gaps in women's health to date.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>mHealth interventions that connect with women soon after discharge may assist in individualizing and formalizing support for mothers in the early postpartum period. To aid in developing an mHealth application, Black postpartum mothers' perspectives were examined.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Utilizing the Sojourner Syndrome Framework and Maternal Mortality & Morbidity Measurement Framework, group interview discussion guides were developed to examine the facilitators and barriers of postpartum transitional care for rural Black women living in the United States to inform the development of a mobile health application.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, seven group interviews were held with Black mothers, their support persons, and healthcare providers in rural Georgia to aid in the development of the Prevent Maternal Mortality Using Mobile Technology (PM³) mobile health (mHealth) application. Group interviews included questions about (1) post-birth experiences; (2) specific needs (e.g. clinical, social support, social services, etc.) in the postpartum period; (3) perspectives on current hospital discharge processes and information; (4) lived experiences with racism, classism, and/or gender discrimination; and (5) desired features and characteristics for the mobile app development.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen out of the 78 screened participants were eligible and completed the group interview. Major discussion themes included: accessibility to healthcare and resources due to rurality, issues surrounding race and perceived racism, mental and emotional well-being in the postpartum period, and perspectives on the PM³ mobile application.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Participants emphasized the challenges that postpartum Black women face in relation to accessibility, racism and discrimination, and mental health. The women favored a culturally relevant mHealth tool and highlighted the need to tailor the application to address disparities.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"20 ","pages":"17455057241239769"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11113071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141077405","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 chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis: A national study on clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, quality of life, and perceptions of quality of care, during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Vincenza Cofini, Mario Muselli, Emiliano Petrucci, Chiara Lolli, Erika Pelaccia, Maurizio Guido, Franco Marinangeli, Leila Fabiani, Stefano Necozione","doi":"10.1177/17455057241227361","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241227361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a persistent inflammatory condition that affects women of reproductive age and causes pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain is a chronic regional pain syndrome involving the pelvic area.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This survey aimed to characterize the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, quality of life, and perceptions of quality of care in women with endometriosis who reported chronic pelvic pain during the Covid pandemic.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional survey among the Italian population from July to September 2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Snowball sampling was used to interview a large sample of adult women who reported a diagnosis of endometriosis, through a self-reported questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with chronic pelvic pain. The primary outcome was describing women who reported chronic pelvic pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 661 out of 1045 (63%) women who responded to the survey reported chronic pelvic pain. The multivariable analysis evidenced that chronic pelvic pain was related to physical and mental quality perception, pelvic floor disorders (adjusted odds ratio = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.10-2.27; <i>p</i> = 0.012), dyspareunia (adjusted odds ratio = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.31-2.65; <i>p</i> < 0.001), adhesions syndrome (adjusted odds ratio = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.05-2.11; <i>p</i> = 0.026), and the delay in diagnosing endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.00-1.09; <i>p</i> = 0.034). The only social factor associated with chronic pelvic pain was marital status (adjusted odds ratio = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.46-0.93; <i>p</i> = 0.019).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the pandemic period, there was a very high prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis in Italy. The pandemic highlighted the need for careful attention to diagnose endometriosis and the need for psychological and partner support, which would allow better pain management and prevent chronicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"20 ","pages":"17455057241227361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10919124/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140051264","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":"Periconceptional folic acid usage and its associated factors in eastern Sudan: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ahmed Ali Hassan, Albagir M Hassan, Amal O Bashir, Gamal K Adam, Nadiah AlHabardi, Ishag Adam","doi":"10.1177/17455057231224176","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057231224176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Several countries poorly adhere to the World Health Organization's recommendation of folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period, especially in limited-resource settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and the factors associated with folic acid usage in the periconceptional period among pregnant women at Gadarif Maternity Hospital in eastern Sudan.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>This is a cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted in eastern Sudan from April to September 2022. A total of 720 pregnant women in their first trimester were enrolled. The sociodemographic characteristics and clinical and obstetrical data of pregnant women in their first trimester were assessed using a face-to-face questionnaire. In addition, multivariate regression analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, the median (interquartile range) of the age and gravidity of the enrolled women was 26.3 (24.14-29.52) years and 2 (1-4), respectively. Of these 720 women, 423 (58.8%) used folic acid during the periconceptional period, while 27 (3.7%) women used folic acid in the preconceptional period. None of the investigated factors (age, residence, education, employment, body mass index, or gravidity) were associated with periconceptional use of folic acid.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study revealed a low prevalence of folic acid usage in preconceptional period among pregnant women in eastern Sudan. Additional efforts are needed to promote folic acid usage in the preconceptional period as well as in the first trimester.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"20 ","pages":"17455057231224176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10822062/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139572313","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":"Prevalence and factors influencing anemia in women of reproductive age visiting a tertiary care hospital (Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center) in Karachi: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Farheen Ashraf, Muhammad Musab Nafees Uddin, Muhammad Saqlain Mustafa, Zaib Un Nisa Mughal, Sajid Atif Aleem","doi":"10.1177/17455057241227364","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241227364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Anemia is a significant public health concern, primarily affecting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls and women. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and associated factors in women of reproductive age visiting a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of anemia in women of reproductive age, while the secondary objective was to investigate potential causes of anemia within this demographic group.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A prospective cross-sectional approach was employed, adhering to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. A questionnaire-based method was used to assess anemia, and data were collected from women aged 14 to 40 years.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center from January to May 2023. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Institutional Review Board reference number JSMU/IRB/2023/699). A sample of 397 women was included, and various demographic and lifestyle factors were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study of 397 participants, 71.5% were found to have anemia, primarily microcytic anemia (48.2%). Anemia prevalence was highest among the 14-18 years age group (80.7%) and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (73.6%). Factors such as frequent tea consumption, irregular mealtimes, and pica consumption were associated with higher anemia rates. Pregnant women and those with more children were at a heightened risk of anemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study reveals a notable prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age with a surprising emphasis on younger individuals and lower socioeconomic groups. Dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and pregnancy status play significant roles in anemia development. Targeted interventions are essential, particularly for younger women, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and pregnant individuals, to combat anemia effectively in this region.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"20 ","pages":"17455057241227364"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10826371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139572315","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":"Prophylactic tranexamic acid for reducing intraoperative blood loss during cesarean section in women at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage: A double-blind placebo randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Kelvin E Ortuanya, George U Eleje, Frank O Ezugwu, Boniface U Odugu, Joseph I Ikechebelu, Emmanuel O Ugwu, Ahizechukwu C Eke, Fredrick I Awkadigwe, Malachy N Ezenwaeze, Ifeanyichukwu J Ofor, Chidinma C Okafor, Chigozie G Okafor","doi":"10.1177/17455057231225311","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057231225311","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postpartum hemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal mortality especially in developing countries. The majority of previous trials on the effectiveness of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss were performed in low-risk women for postpartum hemorrhage. A recent Cochrane Systematic Review recommended that further research was needed to determine the effects of prophylactic tranexamic acid for preventing intraoperative blood loss in women at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid in reducing intraoperative blood loss when given prior to cesarean delivery in women at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>The study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study consisted of 200 term pregnant women and high-risk preterm pregnancies scheduled for lower-segment cesarean delivery at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria. The participants were randomized into two arms (intravenous 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo) in a ratio of 1:1. The participants received either 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo (20 mL of normal saline) intravenously at least 10 min prior to commencement of the surgery. The primary outcome measures were the mean intraoperative blood loss and hematocrit change 48 h postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The baseline sociodemographic characteristics were similar in both groups. The tranexamic acid group when compared to the placebo group showed significantly lower mean blood loss (442.94 ± 200.97 versus 801.28 ± 258.68 mL; p = 0.001), higher mean postoperative hemoglobin (10.39 + 0.96 versus 9.67 ± 0.86 g/dL; p = 0.001), lower incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (1.0% versus 19.0%; p = 0.001), and lower need for use of additional uterotonic agents after routine management of the third stage of labor (39.0% versus 68.0%; p = 0.001), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the mean preoperative hemoglobin (11.24 ± 0.88 versus 11.15 ± 0.90 g/dL; p = 0.457), need for other surgical intervention for postpartum hemorrhage (p > 0.05), and reported side effect, respectively, between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid significantly decreases postpartum blood loss, improves postpartum hemoglobin, decreases the need for additional uterotonics, and prevents postpartum hemorrhage following cesarean section in pregnant women at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Its routine use during cesarean section in high-risk women may be encouraged.The trial was registered in the Pan-African Clinical Trial Registry with approval number <b>PACTR202107872851363</b>.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"20 ","pages":"17455057231225311"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10822094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139572319","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}