African Journal Of Reproductive Health[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
A family planning investment case for Chad: Evidence, costs, and pathways to sustainable financing.
Laly R, Corball L, Odenyo A … +2 more , Maina R, Cummins M
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41994923 · Publisher ↗
Chad faces some of the world's highest fertility and maternal mortality rates, alongside persistently low contraceptive use, especially among adolescents. To address these challenges, the Government of Chad and the UNFPA...
Chad faces some of the world's highest fertility and maternal mortality rates, alongside persistently low contraceptive use, especially among adolescents. To address these challenges, the Government of Chad and the UNFPA developed a family planning investment case to assess financing gaps and model the health and economic impacts of scaling up services. Using demographic projections, costing tools, and cost-benefit analyses across multiple contraceptive uptake scenarios, the study finds that expanded family planning could avert approximately 186,000 maternal deaths, prevent 23 million cases of stunting, and generate up to CFA 100 trillion (USD 180 billion) in health savings and productivity gains by 2050. Each dollar invested is projected to return more than 300 dollars, reflecting exceptional economic value. In contrast, inaction would lead to massive health losses and long-term economic costs amounting to as much as 25% of GDP. Family planning therefore emerges as both a public health imperative and a strategic investment for sustainable development in Chad.
From evidence to action: Investment cases for strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights financing in West and Central Africa.
Cummins M
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41994899 · Publisher ↗
This article provides an overview of UNFPA's investment case approach in West and Central Africa, drawing on national and subnational analyses from Chad, Ebonyi State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria (federal lev...
This article provides an overview of UNFPA's investment case approach in West and Central Africa, drawing on national and subnational analyses from Chad, Ebonyi State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria (federal level), and Sierra Leone. Across these settings, the investment cases quantify the costs, benefits, financing gaps, and fiscal space opportunities associated with scaling priority sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. The evidence demonstrates consistently high economic returns and substantial long-term losses associated with inaction. It also highlights early policy traction through evidence-informed advocacy, including the creation of new budget lines, increased domestic allocations, and stronger stakeholder engagement around SRHR financing. Together, the findings provide a roadmap for integrating SRHR investment into national planning and public financial management systems, offering governments and development partners actionable strategies to advance sustainable and domestically financed SRHR programmes across West and Central Africa.
Determinants of stunting and prevention strategies in remote villages of West Aceh, Indonesia: A case-control study.
Fitriani F, Farisni TN, Yarmaliza Y … +5 more , Zakiyuddin Z, Reynaldi F, Safrizal S, Syahputri VN, Handika DO
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979509 · Publisher ↗
This study examined determinants of stunting among children aged 24-59 months in remote rural areas of West Aceh, Indonesia, and proposed context-specific prevention strategies. A case-control study was conducted in the...
This study examined determinants of stunting among children aged 24-59 months in remote rural areas of West Aceh, Indonesia, and proposed context-specific prevention strategies. A case-control study was conducted in the Kaway XVI sub-district between March and June 2022, involving 33 stunted and 33 non-stunted children selected from the same communities. Data were collected through maternal interviews, anthropometric measurements, and health records, assessing nutritional care practices, household sanitation, food availability, infectious disease history, maternal knowledge, and breastfeeding practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed that inadequate household sanitation (aOR = 26.41), poor nutritional care practices (aOR = 17.43), limited household food availability (aOR = 8.96), and frequent infectious diseases (aOR = 8.45) were independently associated with stunting. These findings demonstrate the relative strength of caregiving, environmental, and food access determinants in a highly resource-limited setting. A multilevel prevention model guided by the MATCH framework is proposed to inform integrated, community-based stunting prevention strategies in remote rural areas.
The therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells for premature ovarian failure: A systematic.
Chen CQ, Wang XR, Zhao XJ … +1 more , Wang L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979449 · Publisher ↗
This review evaluates mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) for treating premature ovarian failure (POF). A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Scien...
This review evaluates mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) for treating premature ovarian failure (POF). A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (WoS), yielding 17 English-language studies published between 2016 and 2025. Studies primarily using animal and in vitro models assessed the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of MSC-Exos from diverse sources. MSC-Exos significantly elevated estrogen levels, reduced follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), increased antral follicle counts, and restored estrous cyclicity. Specifically, BMSC-Exos activated the PI3K/AKT pathway via miRNAs to suppress granulosa cell apoptosis; hUCMSC-Exos mitigated cellular senescence and autophagy; ADSC-Exos promoted follicular development through SMAD and SIRT1/FOXO1; PMSC-Exos attenuated ROS damage by improving mitochondrial function; AFSC-Exos together with MenSC-Exos enhanced oocyte maturation via the P53 pathway. Notably, perinatal exosomes showed 18-32% greater efficacy in functional recovery than adult-tissue counterparts with fewer doses. MSC-Exos present a promising therapeutic strategy for POF by targeting apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress. Perinatal-derived exosomes offer superior potential due to their non-invasive collection and minimal ethical concerns. Nonetheless, challenges pertaining to heterogeneity, long-term safety, and standardized manufacturing necessitate resolution through multicenter clinical trials to advance clinical applicability..
The efficacy of ultrasound-guided treatment of ovarian endometriosis cysts: A meta-analysis.
Zhang Q, Zhao J, Feng W … +3 more , Su F, Shi X, Zhang L
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979432 · Publisher ↗
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided therapy of ovarian endometriosis cyst (OEC). Several databases were searched to gather published studies on the efficacy of...
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided therapy of ovarian endometriosis cyst (OEC). Several databases were searched to gather published studies on the efficacy of ultrasound-guided treatment of OEC. The period of publication of the included studies was January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2020. Two researchers screened the literature and extracted data independently. The publication bias of the obtained studies was assessed. The obtain data was analyzed by a meta-analysis. Ten literatures ware included in this meta-analysis, including 2379 patients in the control group (laparoscopic cyst resection) as well as 1244 in the study group (ultrasound-guided interventional therapy). In contrast to the control group, the study group had higher treatment effectiveness rate, shorter operative duration, lower incidence of adverse reactions, higher luteinizing hormone level as well as lower follicle-stimulating hormone level. We conclude that ultrasound-guided treatment of OEC is conducive to improving the clinical treatment effect, reducing the effective rate of treatment, shortening the operative duration, decreasing the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, increasing the luteinizing hormone level and decreasing the folliclestimulating hormone level, which can effectively protect female's ovarian function, and is worthy of promotion and application.
Unhealthy commodities and pregnant consumers: Analysis based on 4C framework with teaching strategies for higher education marketing students.
Jingming Z, Juan S
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979416 · Publisher ↗
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable due to biological sensitivity and intergenerational consequences, yet little is known about how digital marketing, product availability, and regulation jointly shape their expos...
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable due to biological sensitivity and intergenerational consequences, yet little is known about how digital marketing, product availability, and regulation jointly shape their exposure. This study examines how unhealthy commodities are marketed and consumed during pregnancy and how policy tools can be adapted across product categories and jurisdictions to reduce maternal risk. Guided by the Maternal 4C framework-focusing on consumer behavior, content exposure, commodity characteristics, and contextual governance-the analysis employed a qualitative design. It drew on semi-structured interviews with 37 pregnant women in hospital outpatient settings, plus interviews with healthcare providers, regulators, platform and retail actors, and public health advocates. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method with abductive reasoning. Findings reveal that perceptions of safety and necessity among pregnant women are heavily influenced by persuasive narratives, influencer promotion, and algorithmic recommendations that normalize unhealthy products as convenient or acceptable. Ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks often substitute healthier options amid time, fatigue, or financial constraints, while discrepancies between clinical advice and market messages erode risk awareness. The study develops an integrative governance framework and a crossjurisdictional strategy model that combine fiscal measures, supply-side regulation, pregnancy-specific warnings, marketing controls, and digital platform interventions. Together, these contributions deepen theoretical understanding of the commercial determinants of maternal health and provide practical guidance for coordinated policy, platform governance, and responsible marketing education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Effects of Simulation-Based Mastery Learning versus Deliberate Practice on midwifery students' knowledge, skills and self confidence in managing the third stage of labour: A quasi-experimental study.
Mramel M, Atmani ZE, En-Nhili L … +4 more , Souad A, Jaouhar S, Benammi D, Harrafa N
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979398 · Publisher ↗
Achieving maternal health care coverage by 2030 requires strengthening the midwifery workforce. To ensure accessible, culturally appropriate, and high-quality care, midwives must receive education aligned with global sta...
Achieving maternal health care coverage by 2030 requires strengthening the midwifery workforce. To ensure accessible, culturally appropriate, and high-quality care, midwives must receive education aligned with global standards. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 20 hours Simulation-Based Mastery Learning (SBML) combined with Deliberate Practice (DP) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) on midwifery students' knowledge, skills, and self-confidence in managing the third stage of labor. Sixty midwifery students were randomly allocated to experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. Following the intervention, all students met or surpassed the minimum passing standard (MPS), achieving at least 90% in skills (Z=-4.791; p<.001; r~0.87), 80% in knowledge (Z=-4.814; p<.001, r~0.87 ), and an increased score in self-confidence (Z=-4.792; p<.001; r~0.87 ). These improvements were maintained after the clinical experience. The performance of students trained through the traditional approach was significantly lower than that of those trained with SBML, and none of them achieved the MPS. This study highlights the need to structure nursing and midwifery training programs according to the Theory-SBML-Clinical placement model to strengthen students' competencies.
Mapping research fronts of reproductive medicine using the NHANES database: A bibliometric and thematic analysis.
Yang J, Liao J, Gao Y … +5 more , Gu Y, Chen YX, Zhao LY, Yan QY, Li HM
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979267 · Publisher ↗
Reproductive health, infertility, and perinatal diseases significantly challenge human health development and continuity, requiring multidisciplinary approaches for enhanced academic understanding and practical solutions...
Reproductive health, infertility, and perinatal diseases significantly challenge human health development and continuity, requiring multidisciplinary approaches for enhanced academic understanding and practical solutions. This study used bibliometric analysis to examine related articles in the web of science (WoS) database, employing tools including bibliometrix and VOSviewer for systematic literature analysis. To capture the broader context of high-impact research, we first analyzed 1,026 highly-cited and hot papers in reproductive medicine, which revealed evolving thematic trends and global collaboration patterns. Then we examined 232 literatures using NHANES datasets for reproductive health research to identify research gaps and opportunities for further research in this field. The analysis revealed key trends, areas of concentration, and potential knowledge gaps in the literature, while the thematic analysis of reproductive health studies utilizing the NHANES database further underscored the wealth of data amenable to multidisciplinary investigation. Future research directions to explore new dimensions of reproductive health, improving health policies and clinical practices in this field using NHANES database are also suggested. The study concludes that multidisciplinary research using comprehensive datasets like NHANES is crucial for advancing understanding of reproductive health, infertility, and perinatal outcomes.
Unmet family planning needs and associated factors among women with rheumatologic diseases.
Sabır N, Çöme O, Günvar T
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979256 · Publisher ↗
Women of reproductive age with rheumatologic diseases face increased risks during pregnancy, yet evidence on their family planning (FP) needs is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unmet family plann...
Women of reproductive age with rheumatologic diseases face increased risks during pregnancy, yet evidence on their family planning (FP) needs is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unmet family planning needs and to identify associated factors among women with rheumatologic diseases.This cross-sectional study included 378 women aged 18-49 attending the Dokuz Eylul University Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic (March-June 2024). Unmet FP need, defined using an expanded Bradley/Westoff framework, was 34.1%, nearly three times higher than national estimates. Independent predictors included older age, absence of teratogenic medication use, and reliance on social media or relatives for FP information, while longer disease duration and higher parity were protective. ROC analysis identified number of pregnancies as the strongest discriminator, with nulliparous women showing the highest risk. These findings highlight the need to integrate provider-led contraceptive and preconception counseling into rheumatology care.
Association of systemic antioxidant status and oxidative stress markers in women with endometrial cancer compared with agematched controls.
Wang F, Wang Y, Han Y … +2 more , Wang Q, Zhang Z
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979239 · Publisher ↗
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of gynecologic cancers, including endometrial cancer. This study investigated serum antioxidant levels and oxidative stress markers in 200 women with endometrial ca...
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of gynecologic cancers, including endometrial cancer. This study investigated serum antioxidant levels and oxidative stress markers in 200 women with endometrial cancer compared to 200 healthy, age- and body mass index-matched controls. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, glutathione, and ceruloplasmin were significantly lower in cancer patients, while markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, gamma-glutamyl transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were markedly elevated. Notably, antioxidant levels showed inverse correlations with several oxidative markers, and lower levels of glutathione and vitamin C were independently linked to higher endometrial cancer risk. These findings suggest that redox imbalance plays a critical role in endometrial carcinogenesis and that antioxidant profiles may aid in risk assessment and early detection strategies.
Determinants of care seeking behavior for sexually transmitted infections in a context of social vulnerability: Evidence from Essaouira, Morocco.
Nacer N, Rkha S, Manoussi A … +3 more , Kajjoune I, Chouikh J, Ouzennou N
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979216 · Publisher ↗
This study was designed to examine the care practices adopted in the presence of signs of sexually transmitted infection among women of childbearing age in the province of Essaouira, Morocco. A cross-sectional study was...
This study was designed to examine the care practices adopted in the presence of signs of sexually transmitted infection among women of childbearing age in the province of Essaouira, Morocco. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 1100 sexually active women of childbearing age. Data were collected via questionnaires. The results showed that more than half of the women (63%) consulted a health professional if they showed signs of an STI. However, 37% chose other non-medical remedies. Place of residence [OR: 1.52 (CI: 1.56-1.94)], education level [OR: 1.48 (CI: 1.23-1.85)], and healthcare decision-making [OR: 1.32 (CI: 1.30-1.65)] were the main determinants of healthcare use. Integrated strategies aimed at improving literacy, geographical accessibility to health services, and gender equity are therefore crucial for enhancing healthcare utilization in this population.
Identification of high-risk factors and construction of a risk stratification prediction model for postpartum hemorrhage in women with scarred uterus.
Ma H
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979193 · Publisher ↗
This retrospective single-center study aimed to identify high-risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in women with scarred uterus and to construct a risk stratification prediction model. Clinical data from 271 wome...
This retrospective single-center study aimed to identify high-risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in women with scarred uterus and to construct a risk stratification prediction model. Clinical data from 271 women with scarred uterus who delivered between January 2019 and January 2025 were collected. PPH was defined as blood loss >500 mL after vaginal delivery or >1000 mL after cesarean section. The above women were randomly classified into train set (n=189) and test set (n=82) at a 7:3 ratio.. Univariate analysis was applied to screen the potential risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of PPH and establish a prediction model. The results showed that production times≥2, placenta accreta, and hemoglobin level were independent risk factors for PPH. A prediction model was constructed based on these variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated a good discriminatory ability, with area under the curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.7 in both the train and test sets. Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated a good model calibration degree, and decision curve analysis suggested favorable clinical utility. This model may provide a practical tool for early identification and risk stratification of PPH in women with scarred uterus.
Treatment seeking behaviours for sexually transmitted infections among young adults in Ekurhuleni East, Gauteng, South Africa: a qualitative study.
Noluthando M, Mokgatle MM, Seretlo RJ
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979183 · Publisher ↗
This study explores the treatment-seeking behaviours for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among young adults in Ekurhuleni East, Gauteng, South Africa. Using qualitative methods, data was collected through in-depth...
This study explores the treatment-seeking behaviours for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among young adults in Ekurhuleni East, Gauteng, South Africa. Using qualitative methods, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 30 participants aged between 18-39 years who have been diagnosed with STIs. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, identifying key barriers to treatment seeking such as stigma, employment-related constraints, financial dependency, and health literacy, as well as facilitators like social support, healthcare access during pregnancy, and personal health concerns. Participants' health-seeking experiences highlighted challenges in accessing health care, behavioural changes post-diagnosis, and varying adherence to prescribed treatments. While some completed treatment as instructed, others discontinued early due to symptom relief. The findings emphasize the need for improved health literacy, stigma reduction, and integrated STI care to enhance timely treatment-seeking and adherence. Strengthening community support and youth-friendly health services could further improve outcomes for STI management in this population.
Trump's amped-up global gag rule: Silencing health programs around the world.
Wallis AB
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41979171 · Publisher ↗
In February, the United States once again tightened the Mexico City Policy-better known as the Global Gag Rule (GGR)-which we denounced last year in this journal.1,2 The Mexico City Policy was first implemented in 1985,...
In February, the United States once again tightened the Mexico City Policy-better known as the Global Gag Rule (GGR)-which we denounced last year in this journal.1,2 The Mexico City Policy was first implemented in 1985, during President Ronald Reagan's second term. This US government policy blocks US funding to organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals, advocacy to decriminalize abortion, or expansion of abortion services. It was named for Mexico City, which was the venue of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, where it was announced.3.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist regimen versus agonist regimen among normal ovarian responders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lai J, Lu J, Wu X … +2 more , Chen X, Liu R
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914546 · Publisher ↗
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) versus GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) regimens in women with a normal ovarian response undergoing...
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) versus GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) regimens in women with a normal ovarian response undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang were searched from inception to April 30, 2024. Randomized controlled trials were independently screened, appraised for risk of bias, and synthesized using meta-analysis. Eight RCTs involving 1,841 participants were included. Compared with GnRH-a, GnRH-ant was associated with fewer retrieved oocytes (WMD -0.77, 95% CI -1.35 to -0.20; P=0.009) and a lower implantation rate (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.93; P=0.009), but required less total gonadotrophin (WMD -389.65; P<0.001) and a shorter stimulation duration (WMD -2.00 days; P<0.001). GnRH-ant reduced the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.94; P=0.037). Clinical pregnancy (RR 0.84, P=0.056) and abortion rates (RR 1.13, P=0.729) were comparable. Taken together, GnRH-ant reduced gonadotrophin exposure, shortened stimulation, and lowered OHSS risk, but produced slightly fewer oocytes and a lower implantation rate; clinical pregnancy and abortion rates did not differ significantly between regimens.
Multimodal hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography in the assessment of fallopian tubal patency: A retrospective study.
Fu Q, Zhou Z, Ouyang D … +4 more , Chen G, Huang Y, Lin Y, Yuan Y
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914543 · Publisher ↗
Tubal factor infertility accounts for 25-35% of female infertility cases, requiring accurate fallopian tubal patency assessment for diagnosis and treatment. Traditional hysterosalpingography (HSG) carries radiation and a...
Tubal factor infertility accounts for 25-35% of female infertility cases, requiring accurate fallopian tubal patency assessment for diagnosis and treatment. Traditional hysterosalpingography (HSG) carries radiation and allergy risks, while laparoscopic chromopertubation, the gold standard, is invasive and expensive. Multimodal hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) provides a radiation-free alternative. This retrospective study at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, a tertiary maternity hospital in southern China (January 2019-December 2024) evaluated HyCoSy's diagnostic accuracy against laparoscopy in 62 infertile women (121 tubes, including three with unilateral salpingectomy). All underwent HyCoSy followed by laparoscopy within three months. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Kappa coefficient, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated using laparoscopy as reference. HyCoSy identified 90 obstructed and 31 patent tubes, versus 79 obstructed and 42 patent by laparoscopy, yielding sensitivity of 98.8%, specificity of 73.2%, PPV of 87.8%, NPV of 96.8%, and AUC of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.775-0.944). Agreement was substantial (Kappa = 0.72, P < 0.001). Misdiagnoses (n=12) mainly arose from venous reflux, pelvic adhesions, uterine malposition, or pain-induced spasm. Multimodal HyCoSy demonstrates high accuracy and substantial agreement with laparoscopy, positioning it as a promising non-invasive tool for tubal patency evaluation in infertility workup..
Investigating the association of pregnancy count, oral contraceptive use, and lifestyle with gallstone disease in Chlef, Algeria: A retrospective descriptive study.
Ali-Haimoud S, Maghas R, Arioui F … +3 more , Medjekane M, Kennab N, Habibi I
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914518 · Publisher ↗
This study seeks to explore the potential impact and the association between the number of pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, and lifestyle factors including physical activity and stress on the occurrence of gallstone...
This study seeks to explore the potential impact and the association between the number of pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, and lifestyle factors including physical activity and stress on the occurrence of gallstone disease (GSD) among 46 women diagnosed with this pathology. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics. Cholesterol gallstones were predominant (76.1%), especially among women aged ≥61 years. A significant association was observed between the number of pregnancies and gallstone type (χ²(3) = 8.887, p = 0.031), with higher parity linked to cholesterol stones. Oral contraceptive use was reported by 60.9% of participants. Psychological stress was frequently reported, with 80.4% of patients experiencing frequent to very frequent stress. Physical activity levels showed a strong association with gallstone type (χ²(2) = 19.967, p < 0.001), with sedentary or occasional activity linked to cholesterol stones. The findings underscore the multifactorial etiology of GSD, indicating that reproductive factors, hormonal contraceptive use, and lifestyle-related behaviors may collectively contribute to its development. Public health strategies focusing on these modifiable risk contributors may help reduce the incidence of GSD in this population.
Prevalence, trends, and determinants of short birth intervals among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia: Evidence from the 2000-2016 demographic and health survey.
Malatji MM
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914475 · Publisher ↗
Short birth intervals are associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. The World Health Organization recommends an inter-birth interval of at least 33 months. This study examines th...
Short birth intervals are associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. The World Health Organization recommends an inter-birth interval of at least 33 months. This study examines the prevalence, trends, and determinants of short birth intervals among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. Data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (2000-2016) with a weighted sample of 37,686 women were used. Binary logistic regression analysis determined the factors predicting short birth intervals. Over 40% of women experienced a short birth interval over the years. The key predictors of short birth intervals included age, antenatal care, household wealth, ideal number of children, marital status, media exposure, religion, survival of the preceding birth, year of survey, place of residence, and region. Improving family planning services as well as targeted awareness campaigns, especially in the Afar and Somali regions, are essential to promoting optimal birth spacing in Ethiopia.
An investigation of female health workers' attitudes and awareness levels towards cancer screening.
Akbulut Ş, Gündoğdu G
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914474 · Publisher ↗
This research aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes of female healthcare professionals aged over 30 about cancer screening. This descriptive cross-sectional study data was collected from 316 female healthcare worke...
This research aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes of female healthcare professionals aged over 30 about cancer screening. This descriptive cross-sectional study data was collected from 316 female healthcare workers employed between January and May 2025. Participants exhibited favourable attitudes about cancer screening, recognised its significance, and displayed substantial motivation to engage in it. Married individuals with children had more favourable views and a higher likelihood of undergoing mammography and HPV testing as they aged. Young, unmarried physicians without a familial predisposition to cancer had reduced rates of breast cancer screening, but nurses and other healthcare practitioners showed a higher propensity for cancer screening. Despite the proficiency of several female health professionals on cancer screening programs, the incidence of breast examinations and mammograms remained low, except for Pap smear testing, which showed relatively higher participation rates. Participants demonstrated moderate awareness but low participation in cancer screening programs. In conclusion, while awareness and attitudes of female healthcare professionals towards cancer screening are generally positive, this positive perception is not adequately reflected in actual behavior; participation in screening practices, particularly breast examinations and mammograms, remains low. These findings underscore the need for focused, continuous interventions that facilitate behavioral change among healthcare professionals and increase screening knowledge and participation.
Effectiveness of a comprehensive model in changing the caring attitudes of husbands of pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study.
Maifita Y, Sansuwito TB, Panduragan SL
Afr J Reprod Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41914457 · Publisher ↗
The increasing noncompliance of pregnant women with antenatal care (ANC) is often associated with a lack of emotional and practical support from their husbands. Strengthening the caring attitudes of husbands through stru...
The increasing noncompliance of pregnant women with antenatal care (ANC) is often associated with a lack of emotional and practical support from their husbands. Strengthening the caring attitudes of husbands through structured education is considered a potential approach to improving maternal health behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the effect of a comprehensive caring model on changes in the caring attitudes of husbands toward their pregnant wives in Padang Pariaman Regency, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental study with two group pretest-posttest design was conducted among 92 men per group (intervention and control) selected by cluster sampling from November to December 2024. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to assess caring attitudes before and after the intervention, and data were analyzed using paired t-tests at a 5% significance level (α = 0.05). The results showed that most respondents were aged 20-30 years, had high school education, and worked as casual laborers. The mean caring attitude score increased from 44.52 before the intervention to 63.22 after, with a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.000 < 0.05). These findings indicate that the comprehensive caring model effectively enhances husbands' caring attitudes toward their pregnant wives. Strengthening husbands' support through targeted education may improve antenatal compliance and maternal health outcomes.
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