African Journal Of Reproductive Health[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Perspectives among postpartum women, men, and healthcare providers on barriers to family planning services in rural Nigeria.
Ayamolowo LB, Rall NN, James SS
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jun · PMID 42273894 · Publisher ↗
Low uptake of family planning (FP) particularly during the postpartum period contributes to unintended pregnancies, thus increasing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. This cross-sectional mixed-method...
Low uptake of family planning (FP) particularly during the postpartum period contributes to unintended pregnancies, thus increasing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. This cross-sectional mixed-methods study explored barriers to FP in rural southwest Nigeria using surveys from 388 men and women and interviews with 14 midwives across three states (June-July 2022). Eligible participants included postpartum women, men, and midwives. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis in Atlas.ti. The results show that although 62.6% of respondents had good knowledge of FP, only 35.5% reported current use. However, positive attitude (OR=1.689, p<0.05), tertiary education (OR=2.331, p<0.05), and having multiple partners (OR=1.793, p<0.05) were significant predictors. Thematic analysis of provider interviews revealed user-related, provider-related, and health system barriers. The study highlights the need for targeted FP education and structural interventions to improve uptake and overcome both individual and systemic challenges in rural communities.
Diagnostic accuracy of visual inspection with acetic acid versus Papanicolaou smear in cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women in rural Nigeria.
Oshodin AE, Ehikioya EE, Okobi OE … +6 more , Njoku AI, Okogbo FO, Egege SE, Dike OA, Modebelu IC, Adewara O
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jun · PMID 42273874 · Publisher ↗
Cervical cancer remains a significant reproductive and public health concern, particularly among women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in low-resource settings like Irrua community in Edo State Nigeria. Th...
Cervical cancer remains a significant reproductive and public health concern, particularly among women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in low-resource settings like Irrua community in Edo State Nigeria. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and the Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear) as screening methods for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions in HIV-positive women. A comparative cross-sectional design was employed, involving 136 HIV-positive women who met the inclusion criteria. Suspicious or well-defined aceto-white areas observed during VIA were biopsied and subjected to histopathological examination. The sensitivity of VIA was higher than that of the Pap smear (94.1% vs. 73.5%), whereas its specificity was lower (25% vs. 79.5%). When both methods were combined, the screening performance improved, yielding higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (92.3%, 87.5%, 92.3%, and 87.5%, respectively) than either test alone. These findings indicate that VIA demonstrates higher sensitivity than the Pap smear, while using both methods in combination enhances overall diagnostic accuracy. We recommend that VIA can therefore serve as an effective complementary screening tool to the Pap smear for the early detection of cervical cancer, particularly in resource-constrained healthcare settings. Keywords: Cervical cancer, HIV-positive women, Pap smear, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), Screening methods, Sensitivity and specificity, Low-resource settings, Premalignant lesions, Histopathology, Comparative cross-sectional study.
Contraceptive failure prediction framework: A veritable tool for reducing incidence of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women.
Oguntade RT, Abia AL, Ogunrombi MO … +1 more , Ojewole EB
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jun · PMID 42273838 · Publisher ↗
Contraceptive failure remains a global public health challenge among HIV positive women. Therefore, this study aimed to propose a contraceptive failure prediction framework based on the findings from HIV-positive women o...
Contraceptive failure remains a global public health challenge among HIV positive women. Therefore, this study aimed to propose a contraceptive failure prediction framework based on the findings from HIV-positive women of reproductive age in South Africa and the perception of their healthcare providers. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, with participants purposively selected based on their knowledge and experiences. Qualitative data gathered from two focus group discussions (FGDs) involving seven (n = 7) healthcare workers (HCWs) and in-depth interviews involving ten (n = 10) HIV-positive women as well as quantitative data comprising a cohort of one hundred and seventy-three (n = 173) HIV-positive women who participated in the South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behavior Survey (SABSSM) were used to identify contraceptive failure determinants. Participant demographic information was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while inferential analysis was done using multiple regression statistics. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Healthcare workers' (HCWs') support, knowledge of contraceptive use, access to preferred contraceptives, and income collectively predicted contraceptive failure. These findings facilitated the development of a Contraceptive Failure Prediction Framework (CFPF), interpreted here as a determinants framework.
Provision of faith-based services: challenges and opportunities.
Edouard L, Maurente Beherns C
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Jun · PMID 42273801 · Publisher ↗
Trusted for their legitimacy and track-record, faith-based organisations play a substantial role in the provision of sexual and reproductive health care as part of social services with emphasis on the disadvantaged. Reli...
Trusted for their legitimacy and track-record, faith-based organisations play a substantial role in the provision of sexual and reproductive health care as part of social services with emphasis on the disadvantaged. Religious imperatives may cause conflict through lack of alignment with government policies regarding selected aspects of rights-based programming: limited range of services, gender norms leading to exclusions and accountability. Nevertheless, their services are crucial to complement those of government in the global South. The long-standing lack of resources of faith-based organisations might be resolved through imminent initiatives for the reform of official development aid that will include public-private partnerships.
Sustainable urban housing, environmental determinants, and reproductive health outcomes: A study of Wenzhou's urban villages.
Mu T, Nordin J, Aziz F
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42213457 · Publisher ↗
This study examines the link between sustainable urban housing, environmental determinants, and maternal health outcomes in the urban villages of Wenzhou, China. The research explores the effects of housing quality and e...
This study examines the link between sustainable urban housing, environmental determinants, and maternal health outcomes in the urban villages of Wenzhou, China. The research explores the effects of housing quality and environmental stressors in urban villages on maternal stress, measured through self-reported anxiety and cortisol levels, and reproductive health outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight. A total of 300 pregnant women from three urban villages participated in the study, completing a structured survey and providing salivary cortisol samples as biomarkers of stress. The results indicate significant associations between overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and elevated stress levels, supporting the hypothesis that environmental factors contribute to maternal stress and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, better housing conditions were linked to lower levels of stress and improved reproductive health outcomes. The findings underscore the need to enhance housing quality and improve sanitation as key components of maternal health policy in urbanizing regions. This study contributes to the growing body of literature that supports the integration of sustainable urban development and health interventions to improve maternal well-being in low-resource urban settings.
Teaching music, shaping care: the role of music-based educational interventions in postpartum depression reproductive awareness among female university students.
Shen J, Shen Y, Wang C
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42213421 · Publisher ↗
This study examined the role of music-based educational interventions in enhancing postpartum depression awareness and related psychosocial outcomes among female university students in China. Using a quasi-experimental d...
This study examined the role of music-based educational interventions in enhancing postpartum depression awareness and related psychosocial outcomes among female university students in China. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study was conducted across selected public and private universities and involved 350 female undergraduate and postgraduate students. Participants were divided into intervention-exposed and non-exposed groups based on their participation in a structured music-integrated educational program focused on reproductive mental health and postpartum depression awareness. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire measuring postpartum depression awareness, reproductive health awareness, mental health literacy, emotional regulation, and psychological resilience. Comparative analyses and multivariate regression were employed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Results indicated that students exposed to the music-based educational intervention demonstrated significantly higher levels of postpartum depression awareness, reproductive health awareness, mental health literacy, emotional regulation, and psychological resilience compared to their non-exposed counterparts (p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified intervention exposure as the strongest predictor of postpartum depression awareness. The findings suggest that music-based educational interventions offer a culturally resonant, non-stigmatizing, and effective approach to promoting early reproductive mental health awareness among female university populations. Integrating music-based mental health education within university settings may contribute to preventive strategies aimed at reducing the long-term burden of postpartum depression.
How school-community cultural norms shape young people's reproductive health behaviors: Evidence from educational and behavioral research in China.
Zhang H
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42213125 · Publisher ↗
This study systematically examines how school-community cultural norms shape young people's reproductive health behaviors in China. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, a systematic review of empirical studies published betw...
This study systematically examines how school-community cultural norms shape young people's reproductive health behaviors in China. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, a systematic review of empirical studies published between 2010 and 2022 was conducted to synthesize evidence from educational and behavioral research. Multiple international and Chinese databases were searched to identify qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies examining the influence of cultural norms within school and community settings on youth reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Thematic synthesis, guided by the Social Ecological Model, was employed to integrate findings across studies. The review reveals that school-community cultural norms-particularly norms of silence, stigma, and gendered expectations-play a critical role in shaping reproductive health behaviors and in moderating the effectiveness of school-based interventions. Schools function both as reinforcers of prevailing community norms and as potential agents of change when culturally sensitive education is implemented. The findings underscore the need for context-specific, community-engaged reproductive health interventions tailored to the Chinese socio-cultural environment.
Community sport participation and mental wellbeing among women of reproductive age in China: A quantitative study.
Zhang C
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42213055 · Publisher ↗
This study explores the connection between community sport participation and the mental well-being of women of reproductive age in China, utilizing a quantitative research approach. Women in this demographic often face o...
This study explores the connection between community sport participation and the mental well-being of women of reproductive age in China, utilizing a quantitative research approach. Women in this demographic often face overlapping challenges from work, family, and societal pressures, which heighten their vulnerability to psychological distress. As a result, community-based health strategies are gaining attention as potential preventive measures. Using nationally representative survey data, the study investigates how participation in sports correlates with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increased life satisfaction. The study applies multivariate regression and mediation analyses to evaluate both direct and indirect pathways linking sport participation to mental well-being. The findings support a positive association between community sports engagement and improved mental health, even after accounting for socioeconomic, health, and environmental factors. This relationship is partly explained by benefits such as enhanced social interactions and higher levels of physical activity, emphasizing the combined psychosocial and physical advantages of community sport participation. These results indicate that community sports can serve as a practical and scalable tool for promoting mental well-being. The study contributes valuable gender-focused insights to existing literature and provides actionable recommendations for advancing China's preventive health policies and national fitness programs.
Sport participation and menstrual health outcomes among adolescent girls in China: A cross-sectional study.
Zhao X, Wang M, Ma Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42213041 · Publisher ↗
Menstrual challenges such as dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, and premenstrual symptoms are common among adolescent girls, often compromising their overall well-being. Recent studies indicate that sports participation may...
Menstrual challenges such as dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, and premenstrual symptoms are common among adolescent girls, often compromising their overall well-being. Recent studies indicate that sports participation may enhance menstrual health, though quantitative data specific to Chinese adolescents remains limited. This study aimed to examine the connection between sports involvement and menstrual health through a reproductive health lens. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, girls aged 12-18 completed structured questionnaires of 300 people assessing their sports activities, menstrual pain intensity, cycle regularity, premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress levels, and sleep quality. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multivariate regression techniques. Results revealed that increased engagement in sports was significantly linked to lower severity of menstrual pain, improved cycle predictability, and reduced premenstrual symptoms. These associations held strong even after adjusting for factors like age, BMI, stress levels, and sleep quality. Reliability across measurement scales ranged from satisfactory to high. This research highlights the positive role of sports participation in enhancing menstrual health among Chinese adolescent girls. Promoting regular and moderate physical activity emerges as an effective strategy to boost reproductive health and overall well-being during adolescence.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on reproductive health outcomes and access equity in China.
Zhao L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212963 · Publisher ↗
This study examined the impact of corporate social responsibility on reproductive health outcomes and access equity among women of reproductive age in selected cities of China. The study was grounded in the view that CSR...
This study examined the impact of corporate social responsibility on reproductive health outcomes and access equity among women of reproductive age in selected cities of China. The study was grounded in the view that CSR can extend beyond philanthropy and corporate reputation to function as a supportive mechanism for public health and social inclusion. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 400 respondents in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Wuhan through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests, and multiple regression. The findings showed that CSR exposure was positively associated with reproductive health awareness, service utilization, and perceptions of access equity. Women who reported stronger exposure to CSR-supported initiatives demonstrated better knowledge of reproductive health services and more favorable perceptions of fairness and accessibility. However, significant disparities remained across social groups. Migrant women reported lower access equity than permanent residents, and respondents in less advantaged cities showed comparatively weaker outcomes. The study concluded that CSR has the potential to complement public-health efforts by improving reproductive-health awareness and reducing selected access barriers, but its benefits remain uneven unless initiatives are intentionally directed toward vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Legal responses to women's drug use during reproductive years: Implications for reproductive health and access to care.
Huang X
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212952 · Publisher ↗
This study examines how the criminalization of women's drug use during their reproductive years affects their access to reproductive healthcare, legal treatment, and psychosocial wellbeing. Using a qualitative research d...
This study examines how the criminalization of women's drug use during their reproductive years affects their access to reproductive healthcare, legal treatment, and psychosocial wellbeing. Using a qualitative research design, the study employed semi-structured interviews with women affected by drug-related criminalization, healthcare providers, legal professionals, and policy-related stakeholders in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China. The findings reveal that criminalization functions as a major barrier to timely healthcare access by generating fear, stigma, and mistrust of formal institutions. Women reported avoiding prenatal and reproductive health services due to concerns about legal consequences, social judgment, and possible loss of child custody. The study also found that punitive responses intensify emotional distress, social isolation, and institutional exclusion, while creating ethical and professional challenges for healthcare providers. These findings suggest that treating women's drug use primarily as a criminal issue may worsen reproductive health risks rather than reduce them. The study concludes that more effective responses require a shift toward health-centered, rights-based, and non-punitive approaches that prioritize treatment, confidentiality, psychosocial support, and coordinated care. Such reforms are essential for improving maternal wellbeing, protecting reproductive rights, and reducing the harmful effects of stigma and criminalization.
Effects of physical activity in menstrual health and psychological wellbeing among Chinese female university students.
Lin Z
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212951 · Publisher ↗
This study examined how physical activity affects Chinese female university students' menstrual health and psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on how it affects the reproductive health indicators of premen...
This study examined how physical activity affects Chinese female university students' menstrual health and psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on how it affects the reproductive health indicators of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Menstrual health (dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms), psychological wellbeing (stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality), and physical activity levels were all gathered using a cross-sectional analytical design. Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for lifestyle and sociodemographic variables. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between improved psychological wellbeing and less severe menstrual symptoms and higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Stress levels, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality were all lower among active students. Physical activity and menstrual health were mediated by perceived stress and sleep quality. We conclude that exercise is an effective comprehensive strategy for improving perceived stress and menstrual health.
The role of information technology in promoting sexual and reproductive health awareness among young people in Lahore: A comparative study with Shanghai.
Li X, Pan S
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212935 · Publisher ↗
Information technology (IT) has transformed access to health information, yet its impact on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) awareness varies across contexts. This study investigates IT's influence on youth SRH aware...
Information technology (IT) has transformed access to health information, yet its impact on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) awareness varies across contexts. This study investigates IT's influence on youth SRH awareness in Lahore, Pakistan, using primary data, and provides a comparative analysis with secondary data from Shanghai, China. Using a cross-sectional design in Lahore (n=250), structured questionnaires, PLS-SEM, logistic regression, and ANOVA assessed relationships between IT use, digital health literacy, trust in digital sources, cultural barriers, and awareness outcomes. Results indicate IT use (β=0.42), digital health literacy (β=0.38), and trust (β=0.26) significantly enhance awareness in Lahore, while cultural barriers exert a strong negative influence (β=-0.31). Significant mean differences (p<0.001) were found between cities. Shanghai demonstrated higher digital literacy, trust, awareness, and use of structured platforms, while Lahore exhibited substantially higher cultural barriers. Model comparisons showed stronger predictive pathways in Shanghai (R²=0.74) than Lahore (R²=0.68), reflecting advantages of institutionalized sex education and government-certified digital health applications. Overall, while IT holds considerable potential, its effectiveness is shaped by cultural norms, digital infrastructure, and institutional trust. The findings underscore Pakistan's need to develop culturally appropriate, reliable, and institutionally supported digital health platforms to improve youth access to accurate SRH information.
Integrating reproductive health literacy into English language teaching: A pedagogical approach for empowering Chinese youth.
Wang XR
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212896 · Publisher ↗
This study explores how individual capacity affects health literacy and its subsequent impact on health outcomes among young individuals. Using a quantitative cross-sectional approach, data were collected from students i...
This study explores how individual capacity affects health literacy and its subsequent impact on health outcomes among young individuals. Using a quantitative cross-sectional approach, data were collected from students in formal education through structured questionnaires based on validated measurement scales. Statistical methods such as descriptive analysis, reliability testing, correlation, and regression were employed to evaluate the proposed conceptual model. The findings demonstrate that individual capacity is a significant predictor of both print and oral health literacy. Print literacy emerges as pivotal in improving health knowledge and cultivating positive attitudes, while oral literacy shows a stronger connection to self-efficacy and behavioral changes. Additionally, both knowledge acquisition and self-efficacy are identified as key factors influencing better health outcomes. The study further highlights those cultural norms and perceived obstacle moderate the relationship between health literacy and behavioral shifts, emphasizing the importance of social context in health education. In conclusion, it provides empirical support for the complex and dynamic nature of health literacy, advocating for integrated educational strategies that concurrently enhance cognitive understanding and communication skills to promote lasting health improvements in young populations.
Artificial intelligence driven digital reproductive health education: Building a terminology database to improve Spanish health communication training.
Liang Xu LX, Zhu L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212876 · Publisher ↗
This study proposes an artificial intelligence based pipeline to create a standardized Spanish reproductive health terminology database, addressing challenges like inconsistent terminology and direct machine translation...
This study proposes an artificial intelligence based pipeline to create a standardized Spanish reproductive health terminology database, addressing challenges like inconsistent terminology and direct machine translation in existing digital education resources. The methodology involves: (1) corpus acquisition of educational materials and user queries, (2) automatic term extraction and normalization, (3) mapping to established biomedical terminologies (e.g., UMLS, SNOMED CT), and (4) generating simplified definitions and examples to bridge clinical and consumer language gaps. Prior research on Spanish medical vocabulary and text simplification supports this approach. The evaluation plan includes expert validation (clinicians/educators), intrinsic term quality control (coverage, ambiguity, synonymy), and learner-focused assessments (term recognition and comprehension). The expected outcome is a reusable terminology tool and a replicable framework that enhances Spanish health communication capacity in reproductive health education without compromising interoperability or digital education processes.
Criminal psychology perspectives on sexual and gender-based violence and their impact on reproductive health outcomes in China.
Song D, Wang J
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212727 · Publisher ↗
This study explores sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through a criminal psychology lens, focusing on its effects on reproductive health outcomes among 342 women in urban and semi-urban areas of China. Employing a...
This study explores sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through a criminal psychology lens, focusing on its effects on reproductive health outcomes among 342 women in urban and semi-urban areas of China. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional approach and structural equation modeling, it examines the direct, indirect, and moderating relationships between SGBV, psychological trauma, cognitive acceptance of violence, and reproductive health outcomes. The findings reveal a significant association between SGBV and negative reproductive health consequences, such as unintended pregnancies, delayed prenatal care, and repeated induced abortions. Psychological trauma emerges as a partial mediator, highlighting emotional distress as a critical factor connecting exposure to violence with reproductive vulnerabilities. Additionally, cognitive acceptance of violence moderates the relationship between exposure to violence and trauma, with higher acceptance amplifying the effects of trauma. The model accounts for a substantial portion of the variance in both trauma and health outcomes. These results underline the importance of integrating criminal psychological frameworks into reproductive health initiatives and violence prevention strategies. Tackling both trauma and cultural norms surrounding violence, alongside legal and medical interventions, is essential to mitigate the reproductive health risks associated with SGBV among women in China.
Effects of kegel training combined with acupoint application in preventing postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial.
Jin Z, Li W, Tu J … +2 more , Yan L, Chen Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212688 · Publisher ↗
This study investigated the early preventive benefits of combining Kegel exercises with acupoint application at Qi Hai and Guan Yuan points for addressing postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). A total of 110 first-t...
This study investigated the early preventive benefits of combining Kegel exercises with acupoint application at Qi Hai and Guan Yuan points for addressing postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). A total of 110 first-time mothers were randomized into two groups: the prevention group, which received the combined intervention, and the control group, which practiced only Kegel exercises. The interventions followed a structured schedule during the postpartum period. At 42 days postpartum, the prevention group showed a notably lower rate of urinary leakage and improved outcomes in Type II pelvic floor muscle strength, ICI-Q-SF scores, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale results (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in Type I muscle strength, vaginal dynamic pressure, PFDI-20 scores, or anatomical positioning of the bladder and cervix (P>0.05). The treatments were well-tolerated, with only two minor cases of redness and itching at application sites. We conclude that combining Kegel exercises with acupoint application at Qi Hai and Guan Yuan points may effectively reduce postpartum urinary incontinence, strengthen specific pelvic floor muscles, and improve emotional well-being.
Artificial intelligence-enabled digital reproductive health education: corpus-based strategies for strengthening Spanish health communication capacity.
Zhu L, Xu L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212677 · Publisher ↗
This study examines how corpus-grounded artificial intelligence (AI) can strengthen Spanish reproductive health communication capacity within China's digital health ecosystem. A mixed-methods design was employed, combini...
This study examines how corpus-grounded artificial intelligence (AI) can strengthen Spanish reproductive health communication capacity within China's digital health ecosystem. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining corpus linguistics, AI-assisted message generation, expert-informed evaluation, and quantitative user assessment. A domain-specific Spanish reproductive health corpus was constructed from 3,052 documents, including clinical guidelines, patient education materials, and FAQs/user queries, yielding 1,065,110 tokens for linguistic analysis and AI grounding. Corpus-derived readability benchmarks, lexical simplification rules, and discourse patterns were integrated into an AI content generation pipeline to produce reproductive health messages, which were then compared with non-corpus-grounded AI outputs. The user evaluation phase was conducted among 240 Spanish-speaking or Spanish-proficient adults in selected Chinese metropolitan cities. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire measuring Corpus-Grounded AI Generation, Spanish Communication Quality, and Health Communication Capacity, and were analyzed using reliability testing, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling. The findings showed that corpus-grounded AI significantly improved Spanish communication quality, while communication quality had the strongest effect on users' comprehension, confidence, and help-seeking intention. Mediation analysis further demonstrated that Spanish communication quality significantly mediated the relationship between corpus-grounded AI generation and health communication capacity. The study concludes that linguistically informed AI design can enhance the clarity, accessibility, and effectiveness of reproductive health education and offers a practical framework for multilingual digital health communication in sensitive healthcare contexts.
Reproductive health in the digital and social age: AI, education, law, and community-based interventions.
Okonofua F
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42212638 · Publisher ↗
Reproductive health has increasingly emerged as a complex, multidimensional field that extends far beyond clinical care into the domains of education, technology, law, culture, and socio-economic systems. This special is...
Reproductive health has increasingly emerged as a complex, multidimensional field that extends far beyond clinical care into the domains of education, technology, law, culture, and socio-economic systems. This special issue of the African Journal of Reproductive Health brings together fifteen diverse yet interconnected papers that collectively illuminate how reproductive health outcomes are shaped by dynamic interactions across disciplines, geographies, and social structures. The contributions - spanning China, Spain, and Pakistan - underscore a unifying premise: that sustainable reproductive health improvements depend on integrative approaches that harness innovation while remaining grounded in cultural and social realities.
A systematic review of pregnancy outcomes and management in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Odunvbun WO, Ukoba O, Isogun JK … +1 more , Ekoh A
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 May · PMID 42202883 · Publisher ↗
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), affects 5-20% of women of reproductive age, it is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility accounting for 70-90% of cases...
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), affects 5-20% of women of reproductive age, it is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility accounting for 70-90% of cases and resulting in lower natural conception rates and a significant contributor to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review synthesized evidence from 2014–2025, evaluating the evolving landscape of PCOS pregnancy management. It explores the relationship between PCOS and reproductive outcomes, details specific maternal and perinatal complications, and discusses the latest evidence-based interventions and emerging therapies to improve pregnancy outcomes and the long-term health of both mother and child. The findings revealed that the syndrome's pathophysiology driven by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and obesity significantly increases the risks of early pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia. There is a paradigm shift toward individualized, multidisciplinary care. Evidence-based strategies highlight the superiority of letrozole for ovulation induction, the metabolic benefits of metformin, and the necessity of nuanced lifestyle interventions over simple weight-loss models. Furthermore, emerging research into immune-metabolic pathways, such as Interleukin-22, suggests novel therapeutic directions. The review concludes that recognizing PCOS as a high-risk obstetric condition and integrating early metabolic screening into standard care are essential to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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