African journal of reproductive health最新文献

{"title":"Challenges, roles, and capacity of midwives in providing maternal health services in public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A qualitative analysis.","authors":"Sintayehu A Temesgen, Thinavhuyo R Netangaheni","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This qualitative facility-based cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the roles and challenges faced by midwives in delivering maternal health services in Addis Ababa. Conducted from September 1, 2023, to January 30, 2024, the study involved 15 midwives working across five hospitals and ten health centers. Data were transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti version 23. Findings revealed significant challenges, including high stress levels in 80% of participants, with 70% expressing a lack of confidence in specific skills such as emergency care and postpartum support. Key themes identified include the types of maternal services provided, the psychological impact of workplace dynamics, and the necessity for enhanced training programs. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to support midwives, thereby improving maternal and newborn care quality in public health facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"49-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514349","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 intergenerational feeding on the growth and development of infants aged 6-36 months: A cross sectional study.","authors":"Liming Chen, Jiuzhen Tian, Xiaoying Xu, Honghua Liu, Yibing Zhang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This was an original article, mainly investigated the status and effects of intergenerational feeding of infants aged 6-36 months on their growth and development. The nutrition and development status of infants and toddlers were investigated by questionnaire. Logistic regression was employed to analyze whether intergenerational feeding was an independent factor for infant stunting and malnutrition. Three hundred and ninety-seven infants were chosen to participate in this study. The skip-generation feeding rate of infants aged 6-36 months was 29.6%. There were no significant differences in developmental quotient, low weight, emaciation, growth retardation, age-specific weight, length-specific weight, and age-specific length between the intergenerational feeding group and parental feeding group. The incidence of stunting in the skip-generation feeding group was 9.26% (10/108), higher than the parental feeding group (2.86%, 8/280) (χ2=6.172, P=0.013). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that maternal education level (P=0.034) along with skip-generation feeding (P=0.005) were the main affecting factors of developmental delay in infants aged 6~36 months. We conclude that the rate of intergenerational feeding of infants aged 6 to 36 months is about 30%, and maternal education level along with skip-generation feeding were the main affecting factors of developmental delay in infants aged 6~36 months.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"69-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514377","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":"Sexual and reproductive health needs and barriers among youth living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State, Nigeria.","authors":"Babatunde A Adelekan, Toriola Femi-Adebayo, Bisola I Adebayo, Esther O Somefun, Amaka Haruna, Bukola F Popoola, Funmilade O Adepoju, Maureen U Samuel, Olufunsho T Akinyemi, Oladipupo Fisher, Monsurat Adeleke, Erika Goldson, Ulla Mueller","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assesses the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and barriers faced by youth living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State, Nigeria. Conducted between September and December 2022, the cross-sectional survey involved 117 participants from HIV support groups, with a mean age of 18.6±2.6 years. Most participants were female (57.3%), and 47% had lost one or both parents. While 78.6% were aware of male condoms, only 33.3% reported being sexually active, and just 41% demonstrated good SRH knowledge. Key SRH needs included access to youth-friendly services, comprehensive education, diverse contraceptive options, support for HIV status confidentiality, as well as transportation assistance. Barriers to service utilisation were fear of HIV disclosure (66.7%) and transportation costs (59.8%). Sexual activity was significantly associated with contraceptive use (p=0.001) and being in a relationship (p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed that contraceptive use increased the odds of sexual activity 3.3 times (aOR 3.32, 95% CI 1.134-9.744, p=0.029), while being in a relationship raised it by 5.9 times (aOR 5.96, 95% CI 2.126-16.747, p=0.001). The findings underscore the need for targeted policies and programs to enhance access to SRH services and address the unique needs of youth living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"122-132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514383","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":"Why should the baby live or not live? Decisions of Turkish pregnant women regarding the fate of pregnancy when there are fetal anomalies.","authors":"Belgin Babadağli, Rahime Aydin Er, Nermin Ersoy","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.11","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the decisions of pregnant women regarding the fate of pregnancy in cases of fetal anomalies. Using a cross sectional approach, data were gathered through a structured survey with hypothetical fetal anomalies. The data were analysed using SPSS 23.0. The preference for continuation of pregnancy was 58.7% in anencephaly and 92.4% in Down syndrome. The decision to continue the pregnancy was mainly justified by scruple, sin, and the baby's right to life. The reasons for terminating the pregnancy were the baby's short life expectancy, being exposed to discrimination, and not being forced to live a life of pain and suffering. Turkish pregnant women considered the anomaly in the fetus when choosing to continue or terminate the pregnancy. Considering that the preferences arose not only from religious and cultural factors but also from the risks associated with the diagnosis, it is imperative to manage these issues in prenatal diagnostic counselling offered to parents.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"94-105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514385","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":"Gender inequality: health, gender, and economic benefits of self employment in China.","authors":"Bo Lu, Huhong Shi, Lulu Zhang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored the health, gender, and economic benefits of self-employment in China from 2000 to 2021. The findings using descriptive analysis and graphs, indicate a steady improvement in life expectancy, suggesting advancements in healthcare and living conditions, while self-employment participation has fluctuated, revealing its potential as a flexible income source during economic downturns. Despite a decline in employment in formal sector, self-employment appears to contribute to economic resilience, offering alternative employment avenues. Additionally, the study highlights a modest decline in gender inequality alongside decreasing participation in self-employment, indicating a possible shift towards more stable employment structures that promote equity. We conclude that self-employment can enhance health outcomes, support gender equity, and provide economic stability. We recommend continued policy support to sustain its benefits within China's evolving labour landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"113 121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514379","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":"Clinical value of perineal ultrasound in diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.","authors":"Yan Zhu, Jiajia Liu","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluates the clinical utility of transperineal 3D ultrasound in diagnosing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and assessing uterine morphological changes in women. A total of 150 women with PFD and 100 healthy controls were examined. Measurements included anterior-posterior diameter, transverse diameter, and bladder neck and cervical mobility during Valsalva movement. No significant differences were found in demographic indicators between the groups. However, the observation group showed larger pelvic diaphragm fissures at rest, during tension, and anal contraction compared to controls, while anal levator muscle thickness was significantly lower. During Valsalva, bladder neck mobility and cervical descent were more pronounced in the PFD group, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that transperineal 3D ultrasound provides an accurate, efficient, and detailed visualization of pelvic floor structures, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning for PFD. The technique holds promise for broader clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"42-48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143497954","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":"Every mother counts: Or, don't they?","authors":"Anne Baber Wallis","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>\"She was afraid of dying in childbirth, of leaving her children motherless.\" - From Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie.1 In Half of a Yellow Sun, novelist Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie tells the story of Olanna, a professor whose lived experience as a woman collides with conflict during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). In this story, the war over Biafra badly disrupted medical services and civil society, critically endangering the lives of women and their children. Olanna is a fictional character, but her story is not. In fact, it remains the case that too many women across Africa live their lives exposed to the triple-jeopardy of poverty, poor health services, and war. Shortly after the Biafran war, two estimates were published reporting on Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio (MMR, which is technically a rate, not a ratio). Between 1970 and 1976, the MMR was estimated at somewhere between 40 and 1,970 deaths for every 100,000 births. These rough estimates were based on data from two hospitals, one in Lagos and one in Zaira, and about 33,000 total births.2,3 At one end of the spectrum, the highest rate (1,970) was similar to that in England between the 16th and 18th centuries and the lowest rate (40) reflected the MMR for England and Wales in 1940.2 (The author [ABW] calculated the rate of 1,970 as the mean of three rates for women with planned hospitalizations (40 per 100,000), those with planned hospitalizations and complications (370 per 100,000) and those with \"unbooked emergencies\" [2,900 per 100,000]).</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"11-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143497957","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":"Interventions to address baby blues among postpartum mothers: A systematic review of effectiveness and implementation.","authors":"Rahmawati Rahmawati, Junuda Junuda, Saida Saida, Akifah Akifah","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peripartum mood disorders encompass a spectrum of severity, ranging from transient and self-resolving \"baby blues\" to the more incapacitating postpartum depression. This systematic review evaluates non-pharmacological interventions targeting the prevention and management of postpartum blues among pregnant and postpartum women. Literature searches were conducted in ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Medline for studies published up to December 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs investigating interventions for postpartum blues. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using CASP, JBI, and RoB 2 tools. Out of 306 articles screened, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were categorized into seven areas: mind (e.g., meditation, music therapy), bonding (e.g., mother-infant attachment), massage (e.g., effleurage), psychological support (e.g., thought-stopping therapy), education (e.g., psychoeducation), stimulation (e.g., acupressure), and oral treatments (e.g., herbal supplements). Quantitative findings indicated significant reductions in postpartum blues scores, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to strong depending on the intervention. Progressive muscle relaxation and music therapy demonstrated the most immediate effects, while spousal involvement enhanced long-term outcomes. This review highlights the diverse and culturally adaptable interventions available, though no single approach proved superior. Future research should refine assessment tools and examine longitudinal impacts of these therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 2","pages":"160-180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514380","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":"Evaluation of midwives' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions about LGBTI Individuals.","authors":"Nazlı A Sezer, Ayçasultan Kılıç, Seda F Emre, Ezgi Tuna, Nazlı S Kurt","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>LGBTI is an umbrella concept created by abbreviating the initials of the concepts lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex. This study aims to investigate midwives' knowledge, attitudes and opinions towards LGBTI individuals. The sample of the study consisted of 264 midwives working in Turkey between January and March 2023. An information form consisting of questions about socio-demographic characteristics and LGBTI and the \"Homosexuality Attitude Scale\" was used to collect data.The average age of the midwives in the study was 28 ± 7.25 years, 82.6% of the midwives said they heard about LGBTI from the internet and social media, 37.1% said LGBTI individuals were very sensitive and vulnerable, 36.7% said being LGBTI was a psychological problem, 59.8% said they may have difficulty in educating LGBTI individuals, and 28.4% said there were LGBTI individuals in their circle of friends. The average score of the midwives on the Homosexual Attitude Scale was 165.56±2.14. In this study, it was decided that the attitudes of the midwives participating in the study towards homosexuals were negative and that they did not have enough information about LGBTI.</p><p><p>LGBTI est un concept générique créé en abrégeant les initiales des concepts lesbienne, gay, bisexuel, transgenre et intersexe. Cette étude vise à étudier les connaissances, les attitudes et les opinions des sages-femmes à l’égard des personnes LGBTI. L'échantillon de l'étude était composé de 264 sages-femmes travaillant en Turquie entre janvier et mars 2023. Un formulaire d'information composé de questions sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et LGBTI et l'« Échelle d'attitude envers l'homosexualité » ont été utilisés pour collecter les données. L'âge moyen des sages-femmes participant à l'étude était de 28 ± 7,25 ans, 82,6 % des sages-femmes ont déclaré avoir entendu parler des personnes LGBTI sur Internet et les réseaux sociaux, 37,1 % ont déclaré que les personnes LGBTI étaient très sensibles et vulnérables, 36,7 % ont déclaré qu'être LGBTI était un problème psychologique, 59,8 % ont déclaré qu'elles pouvaient avoir des difficultés à éduquer les personnes LGBTI et 28,4 % ont déclaré qu'il y avait des personnes LGBTI dans leur cercle d'amis. Le score moyen des sages-femmes sur l’échelle d’attitude homosexuelle était de 165,56 ± 2,14.nDans cette étude, il a été décidé que les attitudes des sages-femmes participant à l’étude envers les homosexuels étaient négatives et qu’elles n’avaient pas suffisamment d’informations sur les LGBTI.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 1","pages":"46-58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187600","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":"The effect of weight-related self-stigma on sexual functioning in obese women with type 2 diabetes.","authors":"Ahmet Sanli, Demet Celik","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i1.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i1.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to determine the relationship between weight-related self-stigma and sexual function in obese women with type 2 diabetes. This is a descriptive correlational study. The study reached 236 women through social media between December 2023 and April 2024. In data collection, a descriptive information form, the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI). The mean total score of the women on the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire was 32.78±10.00 and the mean total score on the Female Sexual Function Inventory was 22.38±4.08. Sexual dysfunction was identified in 70.8% of the women. We found that women with type 2 diabetes exhibited high levels of weight-related self-stigma and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, the findings indicated a negative correlation between self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma and lubrication and sexual pain. However, self-stigma about weight and sexual dysfunction were not significantly related. It is recommended to determine the prevalence of weight bias and sexual dysfunctions among obese women with diabetes, and to provide adequate support by health professionals, in order to prevent negative effects on their mental health and sexual functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 1","pages":"134-143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187619","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}