{"title":"Factors influencing the prevalence of early pregnancies in Guinean schools: a cross-sectional survey.","authors":"Sidikiba Sidibé, Djiba Diakité, Abdoulaye Sow, Lancinè Dramé, Mory I Kourouma, Mory Diakité, Fassou Kolié, Facely Camara, Gnoumé Camara, Fassou M Grovogui, Alexandre Delamou","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pregnancy in schools is an obstacle to girls' education in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with early pregnancy in Guinean schools. It is a survey conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 among adolescent girls attending secondary schools in Guinea. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported, and the significance level was p < 0.05. Of the 8,178 teenage girls surveyed, 13.11% (95% CI: 12.39-13.86) were or had already been pregnant. Early pregnancy was associated with the following factors: age 20-24 (AOR = 3.27; 95% CI: 2.70-3.95), teenagers with a partner (AOR = 15.63; 95% CI: 12.74-19.18), need for family planning (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.51-2.21), and sex with casual partners (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI: 2.18-3.23). Adolescent girls attending private schools (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.93) and knowledge of family planning (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.46-0.67) were less at risk of pregnancy. Early pregnancy in Guinean schools is a reality. Integrating sex education into school curricula and setting up health services adapted to adolescents could prevent early pregnancies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"60-68"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938721","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":"Letter to the Editor concerning \"The impact of Reiki practice on episiotomy recovery and perineal pain: A randomized controlled study\".","authors":"Thomas J Wheeler","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.17","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>I am writing to express concern with the paper \"The impact of Reiki practice on episiotomy recovery and perineal pain: A randomized controlled study.\"1 In this paper, a researcher employed reiki to purportedly bring about beneficial effects. Proponents of reiki claim that in reiki, some form of \"universal life energy\" flows from the practitioner to the patient to bring about healing. However, this claim is not recognized by science. Physics knows of no such \"energy,\" nor have proponents been able to demonstrate its existence. Reiki is considered utter pseudoscience by the scientific community.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"174 175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938742","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":"Examination of HPV knowledge levels of young adults between 18-30 years of age and the associated factors.","authors":"Yasemin Yücel, Emine K Doğan, Ayşenur Kahraman, Melek Ş Aytekin, Özgür Alparslan","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.11","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge levels of young adults aged 18 to 30 regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and to identify associated and influencing factors. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among young adults within the specified age group. The sample size was calculated using the G*Power 3.1 program, and the study was completed with 411 participants. Data were collected online between March 15, 2023, and July 1, 2023.As data collection tools, the \"Personal Information Form\" and the \"Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS)\" were used. The mean total score on the HPV-KS was found to be 14.52 ± 7.86, indicating a moderate level of knowledge among young adults. A statistically significant relationship was found between the total score and demographic characteristics, specifically age and gender. According to regression analysis, age and gender significantly explained 3.1% of the variance in HPV knowledge levels. Additionally, a significant and positive relationship was identified between HPV knowledge levels and awareness of HPV (β = 5.222, p < 0.001), awareness of HPV testing (β = 1.978, p < 0.001), and awareness of the HPV vaccine (β = 5.556, p < 0.001).In conclusion, the lack of knowledge about HPV may contribute to its continued transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"112-122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938703","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":"Students' satisfaction and knowledge gaps in sexuality education in Ibadan, Nigeria.","authors":"Chinegbonkpa H Nwakanma","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite commitments, challenges persist in ensuring that sexuality education meets the needs of students. This study investigates secondary school students' satisfaction levels regarding sexuality education in Nigeria. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a stratified random sampling technique to recruit 1,136 participants from both public and private secondary schools. Participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was employed. The findings reveal that topics such as puberty, reproductive health, consent, and sexual diversity are desired by students. Significant associations were observed between satisfaction levels and socio-demographic factors. Notably, female students exhibited lower odds of satisfaction compared to males (OR = 0.673, 95% CI: 0.495-0.913), and older students aged 15 years and above had lower odds of satisfaction compared to younger students under 15 years (OR = 0.346, 95% CI: 0.100-1.812). This study recommends the development and implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality education curricula in secondary schools, prioritizing inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and age-appropriateness while addressing topics such as puberty, reproductive health, consent, and sexual diversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"142-153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938811","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 post-publication discussion on Reiki study.","authors":"Judith O Obaseki","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.16","DOIUrl":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.16","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The African Journal of Reproductive Health is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigor, transparency, and balanced discourse in reproductive health scholarship. Central to this commitment is our responsibility to provide a platform where research findings, particularly those that generate significant debate can be examined from multiple perspectives in a constructive and evidence-based manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938674","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}
Jean Pierre Ndayisenga, Abe Oudshoorn, Yolanda Babenko-Mould, Kimberley T Jackson, Michaela Hynie, Donatilla Mukamana, Pauline Uwajeneza, Priscille Musabirema
{"title":"A narrative review of the literature on unintended adolescent pregnancies: Understanding their meaning, associated factors, and consequences.","authors":"Jean Pierre Ndayisenga, Abe Oudshoorn, Yolanda Babenko-Mould, Kimberley T Jackson, Michaela Hynie, Donatilla Mukamana, Pauline Uwajeneza, Priscille Musabirema","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.15","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Every year, more than two million girls below the age of 15 become pregnant in low- and middle-income countries, and these pregnancies are more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing maternal mortality and morbidity. Therefore, the objective of this narrative review of the literature was to present a detailed understanding of unintended adolescent pregnancies and explore the factors associated with these pregnancies, their consequences, and any gaps identified in the extant literature. The review included 19 articles accessed and retrieved from a variety of databases, namely: PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, Western Libraries Catalogue, and Google Scholar. This review notes that adolescent pregnancies are primarily perceived to be social problems related to misconduct and delinquency, and across cultures, adolescent pregnancies are interpreted differently and given various meanings. The results of the review indicate that most unintended adolescent pregnancies are attributable to caused by a lack of sexual reproductive knowledge, and the effects of cultural factors such as limitations on open discussions between parents and children. Among the consequences of adolescent pregnancy included emotional trauma, social embarrassment, school dropout, and poverty. This narrative review highlights the need of exploring the issue of unintended adolescent pregnancies through a more comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and local perspective. By exploring the cultural, social, and political dimensions at the local context level, such approach can foster meaningful social and political changes, advocacy, and emancipation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"154-172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938626","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":"Challenges and opportunities in competency-based midwifery education: Insights from Moroccan educators.","authors":"Loubna Naji, Samia Boussa, Ahmed Rhassane El Adib","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores midwifery educators' perceptions of implementing the competency-based approach (CBA) in Morocco's Higher Institutes of Nursing and Health Technical Professions (ISPITS), following national reforms to align training with international standards. Using a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews with midwife's educators in the Marrakech Safi region, the research highlights the transformative impact of CBA on pedagogical practices. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: pedagogical transformation, holistic perspective, objectives and imperatives, competency development and assessment, and institutional and pedagogical constraints. Educators recognize CBA as enhancing student engagement, adaptability, and clinical judgment, yet face challenges including infrastructure gaps, workload, and language barriers. The study underscores the need for institutional support, formative assessments, faculty training, and the use of simulation and mentorship to bridge theory and practice. These findings contribute to optimizing CBA implementation and strengthening midwifery education to meet Morocco's healthcare needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"79-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938685","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":"Legal barriers and reflections on the use of assisted reproductive technology by single women in China.","authors":"Shenjie Gao, Guanhe Liu","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study analyzed the legal obstacles on the access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) by single women in mainland China, focusing on the period from 2001 to 2024, and reassessed the Chinese regulatory framework. The study employed legal text data sourced from the PKU Law database, and the case data from the China Judgments Online. Results revealed that the Chinese prevailing legislative framework prohibits single women to use ART and the courts oppose egg freezing for this group too, which creating regulatory obstacles to their reproductive rights. The study finds that the traditional concept of marriage, in which fertility is linked to marriage, and the long-standing family planning policy are at the root of China's ban on single women using ART. Prohibition-type provisions in China are challenging to adapt to changing socio-economic and technological environments and public attitudes, and should be updated to reflect global practices and legislation..</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"69-78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938709","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":"Reiki.","authors":"Fatih Hazar","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of complementary treatment methods has continued to increase in recent years because they have no side effects and are cheap and easy to apply. These methods are used alone or in combination with pharmacological methods. Energy therapies, which are among complementary therapies, are healing practices that have existed in different cultures from the past to the present. These therapies are also called \"biofield\" therapies. Energy therapies affect the electromagnetic fields around the body to reveal the available energy. These energy therapies include therapeutic touch, healing touch and Reiki. Energy-based Reiki is a non invasive complementary practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"176 177"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938849","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":"Does gender, health enterprise, and safety performance induce research and development expenditure in firms in Hong Kong, China?","authors":"JunBao Hao, Xin Wang","doi":"10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8.10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper explores the relationship between expenditure on research and development, gender and health and safety performances in enterprises in Hong Kong, China. Using nationally representative survey datasets from the Hong-Kong-SAR-China-2023-survey data, responses of 598 workers were considered. Descriptive statistics and probit regression were used to identify the associating impacts of adherence to health, safety and environmental performance on research and development expenditure in enterprises. The findings revealed that investment on research and development have positive association with manufacturing and retail business and among enterprises with compliance with energy use and occupational safety measures. Although gender have insignificant negative effect, yet female-led enterprises have lower performance than their male counterparts on the association of employers-gender role effect on expenditure on research and expenditure while enterprises that undergo training and adequately audit their account have positive and significant association with expenditure on research and development. This study suggests the need to consider safety and health measures in research and development expenditure for fostering innovation and enhancing adequate introduction of new markets and the enhancement of business enterprises. It also calls for female led enterprises to consider innovative and occupational safety programmes for workers health and increased productivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":7551,"journal":{"name":"African journal of reproductive health","volume":"29 8","pages":"101-111"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938746","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}