{"title":"Lived experiences of self-injectable contraceptive use among women in rural Malawi.","authors":"Mandayachepa Nyando, Emily Himes, Martha Kamanga, Alfred Maluwa, Address Malata, Innocencia Mtalimanja, Tamanda Jumbe, Beth Phillips, Janelli Vallin, Lauren Suchman, Kelsey Holt","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drawing on women's lived experiences using self-injectable (SI) contraception, this study explores the method's integration into rural Malawi and the impact on women's lives. We conducted in-depth interviews with 18 SI users from Ntchisi and Mulanje districts. A two-phase analysis-first thematic, then narrative-identified benefits, challenges, and motivations for use. Our findings illustrate that many women transitioned from provider-administered injectables to SI, seeing value in its convenience and cost savings when health facilities were distant. Having multiple units at home offered protection against common stockouts. Women reported increased autonomy, greater privacy, and more partner cooperation than with provider-dependent methods. Many were motivated to promote SI through social networks. Challenges included inconsistent supply, varying reliability of Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), and early difficulties with self-administration. Findings highlight the need to invest in HSAs, ensure consistent supply, and leverage social support to optimize implementation of this innovative contraceptive method.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149103003","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":"Relationship between anger expression and coping strategies in women experiencing pregnancy loss: A longitudinal follow-up study.","authors":"Esranur C Coskun, Sukran E Pinar","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the relationship between anger, anger expression styles, and coping strategies during the grieving process in women who experienced pregnancy loss. This descriptive correlational study included 260 women. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Perinatal Grief Scale, the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. Statistically significant differences were found between the first and second follow-up assessments in mean scores for perinatal grief, trait anger, anger-in, anger-out, and anger control (p<0.05). Significant differences were also observed in the problem-solving, seeking social support, and avoidance subscales of the Coping Strategies Scale between the two follow-ups (p<0.05). One month after pregnancy loss, women demonstrated reductions in grief, trait anger, anger expression scores, and the use of coping strategies. These findings indicate that emotional responses and coping patterns may change considerably during the early period following pregnancy loss. Healthcare professionals should closely assess grief, anger, and coping responses and provide individualized psychosocial support. Integrating routine psychological screening, counseling, and multidisciplinary follow-up into post-loss care may facilitate early identification of women requiring additional support and contribute to improved emotional adjustment and maternal well-being during this vulnerable period and support healthier adaptation to loss overall.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149102937","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}
Mohamed Derdaki, Mohamed El Bakkali, Mustapha Zghaid, Nabil Ait Ouaaziz, Younes Laababid, Khalid Hafiani, Malika Elouardi, Abla Kourisna, Yassmine Nahab, Amine Arfaoui, Ali Quyou, Moulay Laarbi Ouahidi
{"title":"Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, hemoglobin concentration, and gestational diabetes as predictors of neonatal macrosomia: A retrospective study in Kenitra, Morocco.","authors":"Mohamed Derdaki, Mohamed El Bakkali, Mustapha Zghaid, Nabil Ait Ouaaziz, Younes Laababid, Khalid Hafiani, Malika Elouardi, Abla Kourisna, Yassmine Nahab, Amine Arfaoui, Ali Quyou, Moulay Laarbi Ouahidi","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i18.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neonatal macrosomia is a major perinatal complication associated with maternal metabolic disorders. This study aimed to assess whether hemoglobin concentration and gestational diabetes mediate the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and neonatal macrosomia. A retrospective analysis was conducted among 700 singleton full-term pregnancies at El Idrissi Provincial Hospital, Kenitra, Morocco. Macrosomia was defined as birth weight ≥4000 g, and elevated hemoglobin as ≥12.5 g/dL. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed using fasting glucose or a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Mediation analysis using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method was adjusted for maternal age, parity, gestational hypertension, and infant sex. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 11.9%, and macrosomia occurred in 14.7% of cases. Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with macrosomia, and 71.86% (overweight) and 67.52% (obesity) of these associations were jointly explained by hemoglobin concentration and gestational diabetes, mainly through gestational diabetes. Early metabolic screening during pregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes.</p><p><p>La macrosomie néonatale est une complication périnatale majeure associée aux troubles métaboliques maternels. Cette étude visait à évaluer si la concentration d’hémoglobine et le diabète gestationnel médient l’association entre l’indice de masse corporelle préconceptionnel et la macrosomie néonatale. Une analyse rétrospective a été réalisée sur 700 grossesses uniques à terme à l’Hôpital Provincial El Idrissi de Kénitra, Maroc. La macrosomie a été définie par un poids de naissance ≥ 4000 g, et l’hémoglobine élevée par ≥ 12,5 g/dL. Le diabète gestationnel a été diagnostiqué à l’aide de la glycémie à jeun ou d’un test d’hyperglycémie provoquée par voie orale avec 75 g de glucose. L’analyse de médiation utilisant la méthode de Karlson–Holm–Breen a été ajustée sur l’âge maternel, la parité, l’hypertension gravidique et le sexe du nouveau-né. La prévalence du diabète gestationnel était de 11,9 %, et la macrosomie était observée dans 14,7 % des cas. Le surpoids et l’obésité étaient significativement associés à la macrosomie, et 71,86 % (surpoids) et 67,52 % (obésité) de ces associations étaient expliqués conjointement par la concentration d’hémoglobine et le diabète gestationnel, principalement par le diabète gestationnel.. Un dépistage métabolique précoce pendant la grossesse pourrait réduire le risque d’issues néonatales défavorables.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149102954","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}
Yanan Yang, Man Gao, Qian Zhang, Xiaotong Nie, Lixiao Mi, Chenjia Liu
{"title":"Diagnostic performance of combined ultrasound parameters, B-hCG, and estradiol in early caesarean scar pregnancy and their association with intraoperative bleeding during curettage.","authors":"Yanan Yang, Man Gao, Qian Zhang, Xiaotong Nie, Lixiao Mi, Chenjia Liu","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.5","DOIUrl":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), a serious complication following cesarean section, may increase the risk of massive intraoperative bleeding and hysterectomy due to the implantation of the gestational sac at the uterine scar site. This study employed a prospective cohort analysis to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound parameters combined with estrogen levels for CSP in early pregnancy and its correlation with intraoperative bleeding volume during curettage. A total of 98 patients with CSP and 92 healthy controls, admitted from April 2024 to August 2025, were included in this study. All subjects were matched for gestational age (6-8 weeks) to eliminate confounding effects on ultrasound and hormonal measurements. Transvaginal ultrasound parameters [the thickness of the muscular layer at the scar site (T) and the average diameter of the gestational sac/mass (D)], along with serum estradiol (E2) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, were synchronously collected. The results showed that T, D, E2 and β-hCG in the CSP group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the blood flow grades were mainly II-III, accounting for 74.49% of cases. There was no correlation between E2 and β-hCG in the CSP group, while in the control group, the level of E2 was positively correlated with the level of β-hCG. The area under the curve (AUC) of the combined index of T + D + E2 + β-hCG for diagnosing CSP was 0.892, with a sensitivity of 88.78% and a specificity of 77.17%, which was superior to the single index (P<0.05). In addition, we also found that E2 and T were negatively correlated with intraoperative blood loss (P<0.05). These results indicate that estrogen combined with ultrasound parameters can effectively diagnose the occurrence of CSP, providing reference opinions for clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982164","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":"Combined predictive value of early pregnancy fasting plasma glucose and pre-pregnancy body mass index for gestational diabetes mellitus.","authors":"Yanjuan Zhou, Li Li, Wei Zhang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This single-center retrospective study explored the predictive value of early pregnancy fasting plasma glucose (FPG) combined with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Healthy singleton pregnant women with natural pregnancy who delivered at the Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City between January 2023 and January 2025 were included. Blood glucose indicators were measured at 11-13 weeks of gestation, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 24-28 weeks. Participants were classified into GDM and non-GDM groups. After Z-score normalization, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses identified pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and FPG as independent risk factors for GDM. The established Logistic regression model showed moderate predictive efficiency, with an AUC of 0.75, an accuracy rate of 0.82, a sensitivity of 0.48, a specificity of 0.92, a PPV of 0.63 and a NPV of 0.86. Bootstrap internal validation and Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated acceptable model calibration, while decision curve analysis showed clinical net benefit within a threshold probability range of 0.10-0.50. We conclude that early pregnancy FPG combined with pre-pregnancy BMI may help identify women at high risk of GDM and support personalized intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987638","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}
Smitha J, Sabitha Nayak, Lija R Nath, Lakshmi Manjeera, PrasannaKumar Shetty K, Nalini M, Manju L
{"title":"Beliefs and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health and rights among tribal adolescent girls in Kerala, India: A qualitative study.","authors":"Smitha J, Sabitha Nayak, Lija R Nath, Lakshmi Manjeera, PrasannaKumar Shetty K, Nalini M, Manju L","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.8","DOIUrl":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tribal adolescents experience considerable sexual and reproductive health challenges due to socio-cultural taboos, limited access to health services, and inadequate guidance. These factors increase vulnerability to early marriage, early pregnancy, and poor health-seeking practices. This study examined sexual and reproductive health beliefs and experiences among tribal adolescents in Kerala, India. A qualitative study employing thematic analysis was conducted. Fifty participants (18 adolescent girls, 20 mothers, and 12 health volunteers) were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through eight focus group discussions using validated FGD guides. Five major themes and sixteen subthemes emerged, including menstrual health and hygiene; behavioral and socio-cultural influences; misconceptions regarding sexually transmitted diseases; limited awareness and access to contraceptives; and barriers to reproductive health services such as distance, transport constraints, and lack of adolescent-friendly care. The study concludes that sexual and reproductive health beliefs of tribal adolescents are influenced by socio-cultural norms, knowledge gaps, limited parent-adolescent communication, and restricted healthcare access. Addressing these challenges requires culturally appropriate education, parental involvement, and strengthened adolescent-friendly health services.</p><p><p>Les adolescents issus de communautés tribales font face à des défis considérables en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive en raison de tabous socioculturels, d'un accès limité aux services de santé et d'un encadrement insuffisant. Ces facteurs accroissent leur vulnérabilité au mariage précoce, à la grossesse précoce et à des pratiques inadéquates en matière de recours aux soins. Cette étude a examiné les croyances et les expériences des adolescents tribaux du Kerala (Inde) concernant la santé sexuelle et reproductive. Une étude qualitative fondée sur une analyse thématique a été menée. Cinquante participants (18 adolescentes, 20 mères et 12 agents de santé bénévoles) ont été recrutés selon une méthode d'échantillonnage raisonné. Les données ont été recueillies lors de huit discussions de groupe (focus groups) à l'aide de guides validés. Cinq thèmes principaux et seize sous-thèmes ont émergé, notamment : la santé et l'hygiène menstruelles ; les influences comportementales et socioculturelles ; les idées fausses sur les maladies sexuellement transmissibles ; la méconnaissance et l'accès limité aux contraceptifs ; ainsi que les obstacles aux services de santé reproductive (éloignement géographique, contraintes de transport et absence de services adaptés aux adolescents). L'étude conclut que les croyances des adolescents tribaux en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive sont influencées par les normes socioculturelles, les lacunes dans les connaissances, une communication limitée entre parents et adolescents et un accès restreint aux soins de santé. Relever ce","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987570","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":"Addressing infertility as an overlooked priority in the reproductive health agenda in Africa.","authors":"Friday Okonofua, Lorretta Ntoimo, Zainab Kwaru Muhammad-Idris, Rosemary Ogu","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infertility is one of the great paradoxes of reproductive health in Africa. The continent has some of the world's highest fertility rate1, yet it also carries a disproportionately high burden of infertility2. Despite this, infertility remains one of the least prioritised components of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) on the continent, receiving far less attention than contraception, maternal health, HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), abortion. and adolescent pregnancy.In 2026, 32 years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) included infertility as one of its platforms of action3, this neglect is no longer defensible.</p><p><p>L'infertilité constitue l'un des grands paradoxes de la santé reproductive en Afrique. Le continent affiche certains des taux de fécondité les plus élevés au monde1, tout en supportant un fardeau disproportionné lié à l'infertilité2. Malgré cela, l'infertilité demeure l'un des aspects les moins prioritaires de la santé et des droits en matière de sexualité et de reproduction (SDSR) sur le continent, recevant bien moins d'attention que la contraception, la santé maternelle, le VIH, les infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST), l'avortement et les grossesses chez les adolescentes. En 2026, soit 32 ans après que la Conférence internationale sur la population et le développement (CIPD) de 1994 a inscrit l'infertilité dans son programme d'action3, cette négligence n'est plus justifiable.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":" 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982133","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":"Association between parents' sense of family belonging and parent-infant attachment: Implications for early family relationships.","authors":"Esma Tosun, Serap Temiz","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This cross-sectional correlational study examined the association between parents' sense of family belonging and parent-infant attachment. Data were collected from 422 mothers and 422 fathers using a survey form, the Maternal Attachment Scale, the Father-Infant Attachment Scale, and the Family Belonging Scale. The mean Maternal Attachment Scale score among mothers was 97.84 ± 7.78, and the mean total score on the Father-Infant Attachment Scale among fathers was 70.40 ± 11.30. Mean total scores on the Family Belonging Scale did not differ significantly between mothers and fathers. Family belonging was positively and significantly correlated with both maternal attachment and father-infant attachment. Moderation analysis indicated that father-infant attachment moderated the relationship between mothers' family belonging and maternal attachment. Overall, these findings suggest that both mothers' and fathers' sense of belonging is an important factor in parent-infant attachment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987620","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}
Zhongxuan Huang, Liyuan Chen, Mengyuan Zhang, Lixuan Huang, Xuan Liu, Jinrun Chen, Yi Zheng, Xiaoyi Wu, Huanran Liao, Hailan Wang, Yanhui Gao, Fan Zhang
{"title":"Parenting styles and fertility intention: Mediating effects of childbearing beliefs and psychological resilience.","authors":"Zhongxuan Huang, Liyuan Chen, Mengyuan Zhang, Lixuan Huang, Xuan Liu, Jinrun Chen, Yi Zheng, Xiaoyi Wu, Huanran Liao, Hailan Wang, Yanhui Gao, Fan Zhang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>China's declining fertility rate is partly due to low fertility intention among childbearing population. To understand family influence on young people's fertility intention and its underlying mechanisms, this study examines how parenting styles (authoritarian vs. permissive) affect Chinese college students' fertility intention, with traditional childbearing beliefs and resilience as mediators. Data were collected from 839 participants (Age: M = 21.1, SD = 1.7 years) using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression found that a positive correlation between permissive parenting style and fertility intention, with authoritarian parenting having no impact. Mediation analysis showed the association between permissive parenting style and fertility intention was fully mediated through resilience ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]) and greater childbearing beliefs ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]). The findings indicate that permissive parenting is related to higher fertility intention in youth via resilience and childbearing beliefs. Promoting positive family environments and permissive parenting may enhance childbearing intention.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987678","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}
Munyangane O Livhuwani, Mokwena T Johhannes, Matshidze Pfarelo
{"title":"Perceptions of reproductive health among indigenous communities in Africa: A systematic review of cultural beliefs, practices, and health outcomes.","authors":"Munyangane O Livhuwani, Mokwena T Johhannes, Matshidze Pfarelo","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i17.12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diverse conceptualisation of reproductive health is a major public health problem in Africa, especially among indigenous communities were cultural beliefs shape health behaviours and outcomes. This review, following the PRISMA framework, looked at how indigenous African people understand reproductive health by examining studies published from 2015 to 2025. A thorough search was done in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and African Journals Online, resulting in 30 studies being identified for this study. An analysis of these showed that ideas about fertility, pregnancy, and contraception are strongly linked to traditions. Infertility, for instance, was often thought to be caused by ancestors' anger or witchcraft, while menstruation and pregnancy were controlled by taboos and rituals. Traditional birth attendants are essential in looking after mothers, especially where formal health services are difficult to reach. Even though these customs build and exploit cultural trust, they sometimes cause delays in communities seeking formal medical help, leading to adverse outcomes. The conclusion from this research is that combining traditional knowledge with modern health services will help improve reproductive health in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"30 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987681","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}