African Journal Of Reproductive Health[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Comparison study of microfluidic sperm selection chips with density gradient centrifugation and upstream methods in sperm selection.
Xu X, Huang B, He C … +1 more , Ouyang L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41537350 · Publisher ↗
This study compared microfluidic sperm selection chips with density gradient centrifugation and swim-up methods using 60 semen samples. All techniques improved sperm motility and reduced DNA fragmentation, abnormal morph...
This study compared microfluidic sperm selection chips with density gradient centrifugation and swim-up methods using 60 semen samples. All techniques improved sperm motility and reduced DNA fragmentation, abnormal morphology, and leukocyte levels. The microfluidic chip yielded sperm with the best motility, morphology, and DNA integrity, though with a lower recovery rate and concentration than traditional methods. Progressive motility recovery rates were similar across groups. Despite lower sperm yield, microfluidic chips offer a promising option for selecting high-quality sperm in fertility treatments.
Effectiveness of electroacupuncture in improving sperm motility and morphology in men with varicocele.
Budihastuti UR, Murti B, Prakosa T … +6 more , Nurwati I, Laqif A, Melinawati E, Sukmawati M, Wijayanti AS, Ridwan Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41537313 · Publisher ↗
Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide, with male factors contributing to over half of the cases. Varicocele, present in 35% of men with primary infertility, impairs sperm quality. This study evaluates the effect o...
Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide, with male factors contributing to over half of the cases. Varicocele, present in 35% of men with primary infertility, impairs sperm quality. This study evaluates the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on improving sperm motility and morphology in varicocele patients. A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 14 participants divided into an EA group (n=7) and a control group (n=7). The intervention group received EA in combination with a herbal regimen and Tribulus Terrestris, while the control group received only the herbal regimen and Tribulus Terrestris without EA. Men aged 20-35 with ultrasound-confirmed varicocele and abnormal spermiograms were included. Statistical analysis used the paired t-test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests. The EA group showed significant improvements in sperm morphology (P=0.029) and motility (P=0.026) compared to the control group. These findings suggest that EA significantly enhances sperm quality in varicocele patients and may serve as an effective complementary treatment for male infertility.
Factor analysis and risk prediction of postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women.
Kang X, Zhang Y, Li L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41537277 · Publisher ↗
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality and a common obstetric complication. Rapid onset and severity can lead to hemorrhagic shock and fatal outcomes if not promptly managed. Major ca...
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality and a common obstetric complication. Rapid onset and severity can lead to hemorrhagic shock and fatal outcomes if not promptly managed. Major causes include uterine atony, placental abnormalities, birth canal trauma, and coagulation disorders. This study proposes a risk prediction model for PPH based on a Deep Belief Network (DBN), using relevant risk factors as input features. To address limitations from random initialization in the DBN, an improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) algorithm-featuring adaptive inertia weight and learning factors-was introduced to optimize network parameters. The optimized model, referred to as IDBN, was applied to predict PPH risk levels more accurately and efficiently. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the IDBN method, which achieved the highest accuracy and F1 score among all models evaluated. This approach offers a novel, data-driven method for early PPH risk identification and clinical intervention. L'hémorragie du post-partum (HPP) demeure la principale cause de mortalité maternelle ainsi qu'une complication obstétricale fréquente. Son apparition rapide et sa gravité peuvent entraîner un choc hémorragique et des issues fatales si elle n’est pas prise en charge rapidement. Les causes majeures incluent l’atonie utérine, les anomalies placentaires, les traumatismes du canal génital et les troubles de la coagulation. Cette étude propose un modèle de prédiction du risque de HPP basé sur un Réseau de Croyance Profond (Deep Belief Network, DBN), utilisant des facteurs de risque pertinents comme variables d'entrée. Afin de pallier les limitations dues à l'initialisation aléatoire dans le DBN, un algorithme amélioré d’optimisation par essaim particulaire (IPSO) – intégrant un poids d'inertie adaptatif et des facteurs d’apprentissage modulables – a été introduit pour optimiser les paramètres du réseau. Le modèle optimisé, nommé IDBN, a été appliqué pour prédire les niveaux de risque de HPP de manière plus précise et efficace. Les résultats démontrent les performances supérieures de la méthode IDBN, qui a obtenu les meilleurs scores en termes de précision et de F1 parmi tous les modèles évalués. Cette approche offre une méthode innovante et fondée sur les données pour l'identification précoce du risque de HPP et pour guider les interventions cliniques.
When do maternal deaths occur? - A 3-year retrospective analysis of timing and seasonality of maternal deaths at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
Sefogah PE, Sepenu P, Tamatey A … +6 more , Sepenu NA, Glover-Addy N, Yakubu LPA, Ntumy M, Lawrence E, Boafor TK
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41537253 · Publisher ↗
Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana. There is limited data on timing and seasonality of maternal deaths particularly from the Sub-Sah...
Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana. There is limited data on timing and seasonality of maternal deaths particularly from the Sub-Saharan African region. This study examined the timing and seasonality of maternal deaths at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana from January 2021 to December 2023. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 801.3 per 100,000 live births over the period. A higher proportion of maternal deaths occurred during weekends, with Saturdays recording the highest percentage (18.5%). Deaths during night shifts accounted for 55.1% of all cases. Significantly higher proportion of maternal deaths occurred during the wet season (p < 0.001). On a month-by-month comparison, December recorded the highest MMR (1,142.1 per 100,000 live births), while November had the lowest (410.1 per 100,000 live births). More maternal deaths occurred during the night shift, weekends, wet and holiday-dense seasons.
Evaluation of the effect of prenatal attachment and perceived stress on the adjustment process during pregnancy.
Colak MB, Durdu CB, Bayıroglu EK
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41536770 · Publisher ↗
This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the effects of prenatal attachment and perceived stress on the adaptation process during pregnancy. The study was completed with 302 pregnant women who applied to the o...
This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the effects of prenatal attachment and perceived stress on the adaptation process during pregnancy. The study was completed with 302 pregnant women who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic. Data were collected face-to-face using the "Pregnancy Information Form", "Perceived Stress Scale", "Prenatal Attachment Scale" and "Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Pregnancy Acceptance Subscale". Number, percentage distribution, Mann Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test, Bonferroni and Spearman correlation tests were used in the analysis of data. A significant and negative relationship was found between the Prenatal Attachment Scale and other scales. As the participants' prenatal attachment levels increase, their perceived stress levels decrease and their pregnancy acceptance levels increase. It is recommended that pregnant women be supported psychosocially, evaluated in terms of attachment, stress and depression, childbirth preparation training be expanded and more research be conducted.
On seasonality and maternity.
Edouard L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41536255 · Publisher ↗
The statement of Hippocrates on the relevance of seasonality led to various theories culminating in the effect of climate change for seasoning of the human body. Whereas reproductive epidemiology has been useful to asses...
The statement of Hippocrates on the relevance of seasonality led to various theories culminating in the effect of climate change for seasoning of the human body. Whereas reproductive epidemiology has been useful to assess health trends over years, interesting observations emerged regarding seasonality and other time-related variations in outcome studies of maternal health services. Rainy and dry seasons have their own particular influences on health care. There are also challenges regarding access, whether for transport or quality of care with the weekend effect. By examining time-related variations, other studies, whether institutional or population-based, have the potential to provide valuable insights.
Reproductive health financing for flood-displaced women: A systematic review.
Peng D, Fayyaz AB, Hali SM … +1 more , Shah HJ
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489332 · Publisher ↗
Pakistan is one of the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, where frequent floods have displaced millions and disrupted essential services, particularly healthcare. Women of reproductive age ar...
Pakistan is one of the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, where frequent floods have displaced millions and disrupted essential services, particularly healthcare. Women of reproductive age are the most affected, facing limited access to basic sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, including antenatal care, safe delivery, family planning, and menstrual hygiene. Despite these critical needs, SRHR remains consistently underfunded in humanitarian responses, reflecting ongoing neglect in disaster risk reduction and health system planning. This paper presents findings from a systematic literature review on SRHR financing for flood-displaced women in Pakistan, focusing on the 2010 and 2022 floods. Results, thematically coded, are cross-referenced with peer-reviewed studies, government policies, and reports from humanitarian agencies (UNFPA, WHO, NDMA), highlighting gaps in service delivery, financial allocation, and policy integration. The analysis reveals a fragmented response: NGOs often provide SRHR services without state coordination; planning lacks gender sensitivity; and support ends after short-term emergency phases. The study underscores the structural absence of displaced women's SRHR in both financing and policy frameworks. To address these gaps, the paper recommends gender-responsive health financing, integration of SRHR into disaster preparedness plans, and establishment of sustainable funding streams to protect women's health rights during crises.
Metabolic health status in Chinese children and adolescents: Evidence from national adult and students' surveys.
Li H, Liu X, Ce Y … +3 more , Xu Z, Li B, Qu X
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489314 · Publisher ↗
Globally rising metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence underscores the need to understand component changes, especially in China's aging population. This study projects metabolic burden trends from 2000-2030 in Chinese child...
Globally rising metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence underscores the need to understand component changes, especially in China's aging population. This study projects metabolic burden trends from 2000-2030 in Chinese children and adolescents using overweight/obesity (OWOB) and hypertension (HTN) as markers, addressing a critical knowledge gap. Analyzing data from three adult surveys (n=38,725) and five national student surveys (n=1,106,416), we found a 100% increase in adult MS cases, driven primarily by rising high blood pressure, blood glucose, and waist circumference. Projections for 2030 indicate a 34.4% decline in the youth population but a 180.6% surge in OWOB and a 131.5% increase in HTN cases. A significant negative correlation was found between the Population Development Index (PDI) and metabolic risk. Decomposition analysis confirmed rising prevalence as the main driver of increasing case numbers, partially offset by population decline. We conclude that China's deteriorating adult metabolic health, reflected in worsening pediatric trends, portends a rising non-communicable disease burden, demanding urgent public health resource allocation. L'augmentation mondiale de la prévalence du syndrome métabolique (SM) souligne la nécessité de comprendre les changements de ses composantes, particulièrement dans la population vieillissante de la Chine. Cette étude projette les tendances du fardeau métabolique de 2000 à 2030 chez les enfants et adolescents chinois, utilisant le surpoids/obésité (OWOB) et l'hypertension (HTN) comme marqueurs, comblant ainsi une lacune critique des connaissances. En analysant les données de trois enquêtes sur les adultes (n=38 725) et de cinq enquêtes nationales auprès des étudiants (n=1 106 416), nous avons constaté une augmentation de 100 % des cas de SM chez les adultes, principalement due à la hausse de l'hypertension artérielle, de la glycémie et du tour de taille. Les projections pour 2030 indiquent une baisse de 34,4 % de la population jeune, mais une augmentation de 180,6 % de l'OWOB et une hausse de 131,5 % des cas d'HTN. Une corrélation négative significative a été observée entre l'Indice de Développement de la Population (PDI) et le risque métabolique. L'analyse de décomposition a confirmé que la prévalence croissante était le principal moteur de l'augmentation du nombre de cas, partiellement compensée par le déclin démographique. Nous concluons que la détérioration de la santé métabolique des adultes en Chine, reflétée par l'aggravation des tendances pédiatriques, laisse présager un fardeau croissant des maladies non transmissibles, exigeant une allocation urgente des ressources de santé publique.
Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on the effects of rangeland and wild plants on women's health.
Tufan Y, Tufan Z
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489312 · Publisher ↗
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric assessment of global research on the use of rangeland and wild plants in women's health from 1996 to 2025. A total of 718 publications retrieved from Web of Science and Sc...
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric assessment of global research on the use of rangeland and wild plants in women's health from 1996 to 2025. A total of 718 publications retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus were analysed using the Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny platform. Descriptive indicators, co-occurrence networks, thematic evolution, clustering, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) were used to map structural and conceptual trends in the field. The findings indicate a steady increase in scientific output, with an annual growth rate of 11.02%. Publications were concentrated in core journals such as Phytomedicine and Journal of Ethnopharmacology, while Iran, India, and China were the leading contributing countries. Keyword and conceptual analyses showed that traditional knowledge, medicinal plants, phytochemistry, and pharmacology form the central research axis. Notably, themes related to women's health - particularly menopause, pregnancy, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis - appeared consistently across trend, thematic, and cluster analyses, indicating a stable and growing research focus. The study highlights the multidimensional nature of ethnopharmacology at the intersection of ecosystem-derived plant resources, cultural knowledge, and clinically relevant women's health research, underscoring the need for broader geographic representation and interdisciplinary integration in future studies.
Work-related stress and reproductive health: mechanism of delayed childbearing among urban professional women.
Wang X, Wang J, Cui R … +1 more , Iftikhar H
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489303 · Publisher ↗
This study examines delayed childbearing, a growing reproductive health concern, among urban professional women in Hebei, China, where traditional family expectations intersect with intense workplace competition. It expl...
This study examines delayed childbearing, a growing reproductive health concern, among urban professional women in Hebei, China, where traditional family expectations intersect with intense workplace competition. It explores how women perceive childbearing under work pressure, how work-related stress shapes the postponement of births, and how support systems intervene in this process. This qualitative study, using a constructivist grounded theory approach, conducted in-depth interviews with 26 married professional women aged 28-40 working in enterprises, public institutions, and government agencies. Analysis identified four themes: workplace "ideal worker" norms, embodied work-related strain, insufficient multi-level support, and strategic postponement of childbearing. The study concludes that delayed childbearing among urban professional women is a rational response to overlapping pressures rather than weak fertility intentions, with potential consequences for reproductive health risks associated with advanced maternal age. It provides policy implications for building more fertility-friendly work environments and gender-equitable support systems and offers comparative insights into similar patterns of fertility postponement in other rapidly modernizing settings, including parts of Africa.
Emotional resilience and maternal mental health among spanish-speaking mothers facing migration stress in China.
Gao Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489295 · Publisher ↗
The rapid economic rise of China has encouraged a growing number of migrants from Latin America and Spain to pursue employment, education, and family life across major Chinese cities. Mothers who relocate to China often...
The rapid economic rise of China has encouraged a growing number of migrants from Latin America and Spain to pursue employment, education, and family life across major Chinese cities. Mothers who relocate to China often experience language barriers, cultural distance, limited support networks, and irregular access to mental health services. These stressors shape their emotional resilience and psychological well-being. This study examines the associations between migration-related stress, emotional resilience, and maternal mental health among Spanish-speaking mothers living in China. Using a cross-sectional survey of 250 mothers residing in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the study employs validated scales including the Migration Stress Scale (MSS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Regression analysis reveals that higher migration stress is significantly associated with poorer maternal mental health, while emotional resilience moderates this relationship. Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions, access to Spanish-language counseling, and community support structures for migrant mothers in China.
Maternal fertility symbols and queer reproductive narratives: 'Mental images' in the works of Ku Shulan and Xiyadie.
Wei Q
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489274 · Publisher ↗
This study offers a quantitative analysis of the symbolic representation of reproductive imaginaries in 60 papercut artworks created by Ku Shulan and Xiyadie. Through content analysis, key visual symbols such as floral f...
This study offers a quantitative analysis of the symbolic representation of reproductive imaginaries in 60 papercut artworks created by Ku Shulan and Xiyadie. Through content analysis, key visual symbols such as floral fertility, hybrid animals, womb shapes, paired figures, metamorphic bodies, and queer intimacy were coded for their presence and intensity. The results reveal notable differences between the two artists. Ku Shulan's works prominently emphasize maternal fertility symbols with greater frequency and intensity, reflecting traditional themes of motherhood and continuity. Conversely, Xiyadie's papercuts incorporate more transformative and erotic imagery, conveying ideas of queer embodiment and alternative kinship structures. A factor analysis identified two core dimensions: one centered on maternal fertility and the other on queer transformation. Logistic regression analysis further demonstrated that these symbolic patterns strongly predict the authorship of each artwork. These findings highlight that reproductive symbolism in Chinese papercutting is far from uniform; instead, it emerges as a dynamic cultural language capable of representing both conventional maternal narratives and queer relational possibilities. This study represents the first statistical evidence demonstrating how maternal and queer reproductive systems form distinct yet interrelated symbolic frameworks within this folk art tradition.
The influence of cultural beliefs on family planning adoption: Evidence from a field survey in China.
Shan Q, Wei Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489270 · Publisher ↗
Cultural beliefs continue to play a critical role in shaping reproductive behavior in China, even as the country undergoes rapid social and economic transformation. This study examines the influence of key cultural norms...
Cultural beliefs continue to play a critical role in shaping reproductive behavior in China, even as the country undergoes rapid social and economic transformation. This study examines the influence of key cultural norms-such as son preference, traditional gender roles, filial piety, and attitudes toward contraception-on the adoption of modern family planning methods. Drawing on data from a cross-sectional field survey of married individuals aged 18-49 across selected provinces, the study employs a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires and multi-stage sampling. Composite indices of cultural beliefs were constructed using Likert-scale items, and logistic regression models were used to assess their predictive power on contraceptive use, while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. The results indicate that stronger adherence to traditional cultural beliefs significantly reduces the likelihood of adopting modern contraceptive methods, with notable variation across education levels and urban-rural settings. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive family planning strategies that address underlying social norms in addition to improving service availability. The study contributes to policy debates on demographic change in China by emphasizing the intersection of culture, gender, and reproductive health behavior.
Artificial intelligence in cancer diagnostics: Governance for equity in low- and middle-income countries.
Zhang Y, Peng D, Zhang A
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489265 · Publisher ↗
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping cancer diagnostics by enhancing accuracy, speed, and clinical decision support. However, its adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) raises critical governan...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping cancer diagnostics by enhancing accuracy, speed, and clinical decision support. However, its adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) raises critical governance challenges related to data protection, regulatory oversight, equity, and infrastructural readiness. This quantitative scoping review synthesizes evidence from 19 studies published between 2015 and 2024 to map the governance landscape surrounding AI-driven cancer diagnostics in LMICs. Following the PRISMA-ScR approach, the review identified key governance domains including data sovereignty, regulatory gaps, algorithmic transparency, infrastructural constraints, and risks of inequitable access. Results indicate that data governance challenges were the most frequently reported (n=14), followed by regulatory limitations (n=12) and workforce and infrastructural barriers (n=11). The findings highlight that while AI holds transformative potential for improving timely and accurate cancer diagnosis, its benefits cannot be realized without context-sensitive governance frameworks that ensure safety, transparency, accountability, and equity. The review proposes actionable policy pathways to support responsible AI integration across LMIC health systems.
Bridging digital divides: A quantitative assessment of equity, access, and determinants of AI adoption for women's reproductive cancer care in China.
Peng D, Zhang A, Zhang Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489253 · Publisher ↗
A study in China using data from the National Health Services Survey and the Cancer Registry examined factors influencing women's access to AI-assisted breast and cervical cancer screening. Analysis of data from 10,250 w...
A study in China using data from the National Health Services Survey and the Cancer Registry examined factors influencing women's access to AI-assisted breast and cervical cancer screening. Analysis of data from 10,250 women aged 18-65 revealed that urban residence, higher education and income levels, and digital literacy significantly increased the likelihood of access to such screenings. Hospitals equipped with AI systems demonstrated substantially higher early detection rates. However, major barriers included distance to AI-enabled facilities and residence in western provinces. The study concludes that while AI improves diagnostic accuracy, access remains stratified along socioeconomic and geographic lines, necessitating digital infrastructure investments and equity-centered AI governance to ensure that all women benefit.
Understanding women's green food consumption in Beijing: Integrating knowledge-attitude-behavior and health belief models.
Qiu Q, Deeprasert J, Jiang S
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41489213 · Publisher ↗
Promoting women's green food consumption contributes to SDGs 3, 5, 12, and 13. This study investigates how women in Beijing translate knowledge into certified green food consumption via health belief pathways. We surveye...
Promoting women's green food consumption contributes to SDGs 3, 5, 12, and 13. This study investigates how women in Beijing translate knowledge into certified green food consumption via health belief pathways. We surveyed 676 female consumers (aged 20-60) using purposive and quota sampling across various retail venues. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested the proposed model. Results indicate that both subjective and objective knowledge significantly increase perceived benefits, susceptibility, and severity, while reducing perceived barriers. However, neither knowledge form directly affects consumption behavior. Instead, behavior is driven by health belief constructs, with cues to action also being a significant predictor. Furthermore, income and education level positively influence green food consumption. These findings theoretically enrich the discussion by integrating the Knowledge Attitude Behavior model with the Health Belief Model and distinguishing knowledge types. We also offer practical guidance for policymakers, certification bodies, retailers, and health educators aiming to promote safer, more sustainable food consumption.
Impact of social media on mental health and body image dissatisfaction among Saudi women.
Wang L, Xu Y, Shan Q … +1 more , Mohammed SD
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41487080 · Publisher ↗
As a pervasive and integral part of modern daily life, social media has profound negative impacts on the mental health and body image of individuals, especially women, by promoting unrealistic standards of beauty through...
As a pervasive and integral part of modern daily life, social media has profound negative impacts on the mental health and body image of individuals, especially women, by promoting unrealistic standards of beauty through edited images, promotional content, and constant social comparisons. This phenomenon is even more challenging in conservative and traditional societies such as Saudi Arabia, where cultural values, religious norms, and social expectations play key roles in shaping individual identity and social relationships, and can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction with appearance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of social media use on body image dissatisfaction and mental health of women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 384 women aged 18 to 65 years living in Riyadh were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using Maziri, Littleton et al. and Goldberg and Hiller questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed by structural equation modeling in LISREL software α. The findings showed that more use of social networks has a positive and significant effect on body image dissatisfaction and a negative and significant effect on mental health, and also dissatisfaction with body image as a mediator that reinforces this negative effect. As a result, excessive use of social networks negatively affects women's mental health through increased body image dissatisfaction, and it is suggested that educational and awareness interventions be designed to reduce the associated negative effects.
Effects of maternal exposure to indoor air pollution on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes in Wenzhou City, China.
Mu T, Shan Q, Zhu G … +2 more , Xu Y, Alipour O
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41486944 · Publisher ↗
Indoor air pollution, originating from household and chemical sources, has attracted increasing attention as an important risk factor for maternal and fetal health in densely populated Chinese cities such as Wenzhou, due...
Indoor air pollution, originating from household and chemical sources, has attracted increasing attention as an important risk factor for maternal and fetal health in densely populated Chinese cities such as Wenzhou, due to the widespread use of chemical products and inadequate ventilation. This study investigated its impact on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes, in which 520 nonsmoking pregnant women (aged 18-40 years) from antenatal clinics in Wenzhou were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Indoor pollutants (concentrations of formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds) were measured at 34 weeks of pregnancy using passive sampling methods, and maternal health data (gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, respiratory symptoms) and pregnancy outcomes (gestational age, birth weight, body length, head circumference) were collected from medical records and questionnaires and analyzed with multivariate logistic and linear regression. The results showed that exposure to concentrations of formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, environmental tobacco smoke, and proximity to the road were associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (OR=1.18-1.47), gestational hypertension (OR=1.20-1.52), respiratory symptoms (OR=1.19-1.61), and decreased gestational age, birth weight, body length, and head circumference (β=-0.08 to -0.33). Consequently, indoor air pollution significantly threatens maternal health and fetal development, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as improving ventilation and reducing chemical use to protect pregnant women and infants in urban environments.
Urban planning, informal settlements, and maternal health outcomes: Investigating the role of built environment in antenatal and postnatal care utilization in China.
Mu T, Zhu G, Xu Y … +1 more , Alipour O
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41486937 · Publisher ↗
China's rapid urbanization has spawned extensive informal settlements, where millions of migrant families live in overcrowded, underserved areas. These environments, characterized by inadequate housing, poor sanitation,...
China's rapid urbanization has spawned extensive informal settlements, where millions of migrant families live in overcrowded, underserved areas. These environments, characterized by inadequate housing, poor sanitation, unsafe conditions, and limited healthcare access, significantly impede the utilization of maternal healthcare, specifically Antenatal (ANC) and Postnatal Care (PNC). This study examines how built environment characteristics influence ANC and PNC use among women in these settlements across four major Chinese cities. A cross-sectional study collected data from 800 women who had given birth in the previous two years. Built environment elements were measured via subjective assessments and objective indicators, including GPS-based distance to the nearest health facility. Associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic and negative binomial regression models. Findings identify distance to health facilities, housing quality, neighborhood safety, walkability, sanitation, and transport access as critical determinants. Women in disadvantaged settings were less likely to receive adequate ANC or timely PNC. Socio-economic factors -hukou status, education, income, and health insurance- further shaped utilization patterns. The results underscore the necessity of integrating maternal health strategies into urban planning. Improving transport connectivity, upgrading informal settlements, and reducing institutional barriers for migrants are vital to enhancing maternal health and fostering equity in China's rapidly urbanizing landscape.
Sexual health literacy and mental health in the context of language barriers: A case study of sub-Saharan African migrant women in Spain.
Gao Y, Zhu L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2025 Dec · PMID 41486922 · Publisher ↗
Mastery of the host country language is crucial for migrants to access health services and improve their mental health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the impact of Spanish language proficiency on health...
Mastery of the host country language is crucial for migrants to access health services and improve their mental health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the impact of Spanish language proficiency on health literacy and mental health of sub-Saharan African migrant women in Spain. Using online, stratified sampling, 384 women aged 15 to 49 were recruited through social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram. The research instruments included the CEFR (language proficiency), Masoumi et al. Sexual Health Literacy Questionnaire, and DASS-21 (mental health) questionnaires, which were translated into four languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Swahili). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings showed that Spanish proficiency had a positive and significant effect on sexual health literacy and mental health, and sexual health literacy played a mediating role in this relationship. The results suggest that language training programs can improve the mental health of this population by strengthening health literacy.
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