Ning Zhang, Zhige Wang, Feixiang Yang, Tianrui Liu, Dongmei Ji
{"title":"The causality between gut microbiota and ectopic pregnancy based on genome-wide association: A Mendelian randomization study.","authors":"Ning Zhang, Zhige Wang, Feixiang Yang, Tianrui Liu, Dongmei Ji","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ectopic pregnancy represents a prevalent gynecological emergency with incompletely characterized pathophysiology, creating substantial clinical challenges in timely diagnosis and effective management. The causal interplay between gut microbiota and ectopic pregnancy, particularly through plasma proteomics mediation, remains undefined. We derived Gut microbiota GWAS data (n=412) from the Dutch Microbiome Project meta-analysis and Ectopic pregnancy data from IEU OpenGWAS and FinnGen project. The results revealed nine kinds of gut microbiotas demonstrating causal associations with ectopic pregnancy risk. A total of 67 plasma proteins causally impact the risk of ectopic pregnancy. In addition, three kinds of gut microbiotas were mediated by 25 kinds of plasma proteins on ectopic pregnancy. Microbiota enriched in L.rhamnose.degradation.I affected ectopic pregnancy through 22 kinds of plasma proteins. This study establishes causal relationships between specific gut microbial pathways and ectopic pregnancy risk, mediated through distinct plasma protein signatures, providing directions for clinical interventions and future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"66-75"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Promise E Sefogah, Ritika Pansare, Raj Patel, Cheryl Moyer, Samuel A Oppong, Alim Swarray-Deen, Deborah M Rooney
{"title":"Addressing learning gaps to improve access to assisted reproductive technology in low-resource settings: Development and evaluation of a low-cost oocyte retrieval simulator.","authors":"Promise E Sefogah, Ritika Pansare, Raj Patel, Cheryl Moyer, Samuel A Oppong, Alim Swarray-Deen, Deborah M Rooney","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infertility is highly prevalent (20-40%) in sub-Saharan Africa, with limited access to assisted reproductive technology services. This study describes the development and evaluation of a low-cost oocyte retrieval simulator designed for use in resource-constrained environments. We developed and evaluated a low-cost oocyte retrieval simulator in Ghana. The exterior housing consists of a 3Dprinted vaginal canal. The interior design supports identifying mature follicles and retrieval skills with a web camera mounted to simulate an ultrasound view of the ovaries. Key considerations were low material cost, material availability in Ghana, and replication of the 'ultrasound view'. The simulator was evaluated across four domains: physical attributes, realism of experience, value, and relevance using 4-point rating scales (4=highest). Ability to perform tasks (5-point scales), and global value were evaluated. Mean ratings are reported. Across the four domains: physical attributes, realism of experience, value, and relevance, we report the evaluation scores using 4-point rating scales (4=highest). The ability to perform tasks was measured using the 5-point scales, and its global value was also scored. Given the ordinal nature of Likert-scale data and the small sample size, non-parametric statistical procedures were used. Group comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. The simulator demonstrated promising preliminary face and content validity, with higher ratings for value and relevance than for physical realism. This low-cost simulator represents an important step toward expanding ART training capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. Further iterative refinement and expanded validation are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"15-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Socio-economic determinants of female vulnerable employment in China.","authors":"Tianqi Xiong, Dan Wang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This analysis investigated the socio-economic factors that affect female vulnerable employment in China, utilizing graphical & correlation analysis in World Development Indicators, covering the time span of 1990 to 2020. Analysing the results, the trend of decline in female vulnerable employment remained consistent during the time span, coupled with diverse movements in economic development, foreign direct investments, dependency ratios, as well as fertility rates. During the periods of high economic development and foreign investments, the decline in women's employment vulnerability turned out to be steeper, indicating the impact of industrialization, urbanization, and formal employment. Social terms, specifically dependency ratios and fertility rates, remained significantly correlated to female vulnerable employment, indicating the impact of taking care of dependents & demographic factors. When the trend of declining female vulnerable employment turned persistent in 2010, in spite of low economic development & growing dependency ratios, it is evident that deep structural transformations, such as the impact of education, employment, & institutional development, turned influential in women's employment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"76-84"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of multivitamin supplement, elevit on liver function and maternal-infant outcomes in hepatitis B positive pregnant women.","authors":"Na Zeng, Tingting Liu, Xirui Zhan","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the effects of elevit supplementation on liver function and maternal-neonatal outcomes in HBsAg-positive pregnant women. A total of 160 participants were divided into a control group (routine care) and an observation group (routine care plus elevit). Liver function markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) were measured in early, mid, and late pregnancy. Maternal complications and neonatal outcomes were recorded, along with adverse reactions. No significant differences in liver enzymes were noted in early pregnancy. However, the observation group showed elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase in mid and late pregnancy, indicating possible liver damage from prolonged elevit use. Despite this, the observation group experienced lower rates of hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, intrahepatic cholestasis, postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight, and preterm birth, as well as higher Apgar scores. Adverse effects were slightly more frequent but not statistically significant. These findings suggest that while elevit may mildly affect liver function, it potentially improves pregnancy outcomes in HBsAg-positive women.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"44-52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing the burden of primary dysmenorrhea and its association with quality of life among school adolescents in Jizan, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Amani A Alotaibi","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Primary dysmenorrhea affects females worldwide, impairing physical, mental, and social well-being. Related research among Saudi school adolescents remains limited. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the severity levels of primary dysmenorrhea, its association with self-care practices, and the quality of life among 850 school students aged 13-19 years in Jizan City, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a pre-tested online questionnaire. Primary dysmenorrhea severity was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale, while quality of life was assessed with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. Results showed that 96% of the participants reported primary dysmenorrhea, with moderate pain being the most commonly reported level (64.6%), followed by severe pain (24.6%). Most of the participants used home remedies (91.1%), and 67.2% reported analgesic use, which was strongly associated with pain severity. Only 23.5% sought medical consultation. Quality-of-life scores significantly declined with increased pain severity level, particularly in bodily pain, mental health, and social functioning. These findings emphasize the need for adolescent-focused programs promoting effective lifestyle and self-care management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"32-43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Li Xu, Hao Zhu, Songyu Jiang, Qu Zheng, Chunyang Yu
{"title":"Effects of IT-enabled entrepreneurship on gender equality in a digital economy: Evidence from Qualitative Studies.","authors":"Li Xu, Hao Zhu, Songyu Jiang, Qu Zheng, Chunyang Yu","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Persistent digital divides and gendered health inequalities constrain women's participation in the digital economy, even in highly connected contexts like China. This study develops an explanatory framework for how information-technology-enabled entrepreneurship (ITEE) affects women's economic security, health, and capabilities. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach based on 80 interviews in China, the analysis reveals four themes. Capability formation shows how increased income and flexibility allow women to invest in health. Algorithmic exposure highlights the dual nature of platform visibility, boosting sales but also enabling harassment and anxiety. Care negotiation examines how unpaid care duties and infrastructure impact sustainability, showcasing adaptive strategies. Trajectory configuration integrates these into differentiated pathways, from vulnerable to healthenhancing, depending on aligned support. The findings position health centrally in digital capability and link platform governance and care ecologies to sustainable empowerment, suggesting safe platforms, caring support, and integrated policies are essential for women's wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"85-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative analysis of livelihood vulnerability and resilience to climate hazards in Bangladesh and China: A systematic review.","authors":"Babul Hossain, Kashif Iqbal, Md. Nazirul Islam Sarker, Md. Khaled Sifullah, Md. Shakhawat Hossain","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.11","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study systematically compares livelihood vulnerability and resilience to climate-induced natural hazards in Bangladesh and China, two nations with different socioeconomic systems, governance structures, and climatic exposures. The comparison is justified by their shared exposure to frequent climate disasters, such as floods, droughts, and cyclones, despite contrasting adaptation strategies and institutional responses. Using a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework, this research examines 77 peer-reviewed articles. The analysis focuses on three key dimensions of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, using clearly defined indicators and sub-indicators derived from literature. Results show Bangladesh's vulnerabilities are influenced by dependence on agriculture, limited infrastructure, poverty, health risks, and reliance on traditional coping mechanisms. Conversely, China's vulnerabilities arise from ecological degradation, demographic pressures, regional disparities, and rapid urbanization, often addressed through state-led technological and infrastructural adaptation measures. Bangladesh emphasizes community-based responses, while China focuses on large-scale policy measures, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and the integration of climate adaptation into broader development planning. Both countries face ongoing barriers to effective adaptation. This comparative analysis highlights how different development paths and institutional contexts shape livelihood resilience, emphasizing the importance of context-specific adaptation, cross-country learning, and inclusive policy frameworks.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"119-139"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jawaher Hammadi, Soukeina Jaballah, Yasmine B Ali, Jihene B Haj, Nour Rouis, Samar Knaz, Sana Ghades, Mohamed R Fatnassi
{"title":"Diagnosis and management of uterocutaneous fistula following cesarean section: A case report.","authors":"Jawaher Hammadi, Soukeina Jaballah, Yasmine B Ali, Jihene B Haj, Nour Rouis, Samar Knaz, Sana Ghades, Mohamed R Fatnassi","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uterocutaneous fistula following cesarean delivery is an exceptionally rare complication, defined by an abnormal tract between the uterine cavity and the abdominal scar. We report a 28-year-old woman who presented three months and half after a cesarean section with cyclical bloody discharge from a Pfannenstiel scar, preceded by a superficial wound infection. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) precisely delineated the tract, revealing a 21 mm anterior uterine wall defect communicating with a 25 mm subcutaneous collection, and informed surgical planning. Management included complete fistulectomy with layered uterine repair, followed by a three month course of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence during follow-up. This case highlights an infection-associated delayed presentation and illustrates the value of quantitative MRI mapping combined with short-course hormonal suppression to achieve durable closure while preserving fertility. (Afr J Reprod Health 2026; 30 [8]: 140-146).</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on female reproductive health and communication post-pandemic: A scoping review.","authors":"Hauwa M Bashir, Dilan Ciftci","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Female Reproductive Health (FRH), intensifying physiological and psychological conditions such as amenorrhea and postpartum related issues. While clinical studies have well-documented these impacts on FRH, no studies empirically tested health communication interventions, revealing a significant research gap. This scoping review bridges this gap, mapping evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on FRH and probing the untapped potential of communication strategies to mitigate these impacts. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, BMJ Global Health, and Frontiers (2021-2024) for peer-reviewed studies. The 13 included studies documented menstrual irregularities in 50-67% of women post-infection/vaccination, fertility rate declines of 18 per 100,000 women, and postpartum depression prevalence of 25.27%. Eligibility criteria included Women of reproductive age (15-49 years) affected by COVID-19's impact and implemented strategies addressing these impacts post-pandemic. We proposed integrating robust trauma-informed communication road map such as digital health literacy programs and community-led strategic initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"102-118"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of predictive nursing on preventing postpartum hemorrhage in parturients undergoing vaginal delivery.","authors":"Bei Sun, Ping Shen","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i8.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this paper was to assess the impact of predictive nursing on preventing postpartum hemorrhage in parturients undergoing vaginal delivery. From January 2020 to December 2022, eighty parturients who underwent vaginal delivery at The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang were selected as study participants. They were randomly divided into a control group (Routine nursing) and a study group (Predictive nursing, a forward-looking nursing model that employs various methods to analyze and predict the potential health issues that patients may encounter, and then formulates intervention measures in advance, aiming to prevent problems before they occur). Compared to the control group, the study group had shorter labor time at the first, second and third stages, less postpartum blood loss 2 h and 24 h after delivery, lower scores of depression and anxiety, higher quality of life scores, lower incidence of complications and higher nursing satisfaction. Our study indicates predictive nursing model can effectively reduce postpartum bleeding, decrease the risk of neonatal asphyxia, promote maternal quality of life, and achieve the nursing goal of optimizing pregnancy outcomes for parturients who underwent vaginal delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 8","pages":"23-31"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}