African journal of reproductive health最新文献

This study examined the nexus between poverty, inequality, and teenage pregnancy in South Africa from 2017 to 2023. This study used socioeconomic indicators from the World Bank and United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) to determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in South Africa. The results showed that human development index has a clear inverse relationship with adolescent fertility underscoring the importance of education and healthcare in reducing teenage pregnancy in the country. Similarly, Gross National Income, GNI per capita demonstrated an inverse relationship with teenage pregnancy. This is an indication that high poverty level fuels a rise in the incidence of the teenage pregnancy in South Africa. However, the Gini coefficient reflects a mixed relationship which suggests a complex association between income inequality and adolescent fertility rate. Though the study points towards a positive association in some context, the specific trends suggest that teenage pregnancy in South Africa might be influenced by multiple factors beyond income inequality. Therefore, we recommend that South African policymakers should prioritize investment in human capital development in order to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy.

This qualitative study aimed to explore elderly individuals' perceptions of sexuality and their sexual lives. The study sample consisted of 15 women aged 65 years and above, who were married and voluntarily participated in the research. Using a phenomenological design, data were collected through face-to-face, in-depth interviews with semi-structured questions and analyzed via NVivo software. Five main themes emerged: Perception of sexuality, old age and sexuality, society and elderly sexuality, problems related to sexuality, message to past self. Participants described sexuality as a vital aspect of human health. Despite this recognition, they reported limitations in expressing their sexuality due to social taboos associated with aging. Many expressed regret and emotional distress over missed opportunities for sexual fulfillment caused by societal pressures. The findings highlight the tension between personal needs and cultural expectations regarding sexuality in later life. This study emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and supporting the sexual health of older adults as part of holistic well-being.

As healthcare expenses continue to rise without social security, many households in developing countries, are grappling with financial strain and uncertainty, leading to a growing concern known as medical cost anxiety. The level of financial innovation among individuals plays a critical role in how they navigate and manage healthcare costs. Understanding financial concepts, making informed decisions, and effectively planning for medical expenses can significantly impact an individual's ability to cope with medical cost anxiety. This study examines the relationship between medical cost anxiety, financial innovation, and household income mobility in China. Using the 2021 survey data obtained from Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) for China, we employed the Ordered Probit Regression and Linear Probability regression models to analyse the impact of medical cost anxiety and financial innovation on household income mobility. The results show that individuals who experience greater medical cost anxiety are 20% more inclined to move from the middle 20% income quintile to the fourth 20% income quintile than those with lower levels of medical cost anxiety in the same income quintile. This indicates that medical cost anxiety drives middle-income individuals to strive for a higher income group more strongly than it motivates low-income individuals to move to a middle-income group. Overall, medical cost anxieties have negative effects on the probability of individuals to move from lower income quintiles to higher ones. These findings highlight the importance of addressing healthcare affordability and promoting financial inclusion to enhance household income mobility in China.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NHB) management often suffers from fragmented conventional nursing approaches, which may compromise treatment efficacy and delay intervention. This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a novel bundle nursing intervention on jaundice index and developmental outcomes in 100 NHB neonates. Participants were randomized to a research group (n=50, bundle nursing) or a control group (n=50, standard care). The research group exhibited significantly accelerated meconium passage and jaundice resolution compared to the control group. Additionally, milk intake improved in the research group compared with the control group, with significantly greater improvements in body weight (3592.92±231.29 g) and body length (46.28±3.94 cm) after the intervention. Dynamic monitoring of serum total bilirubin (TBIL) revealed lower levels in the research group on treatment days 3, 5, and 7, with no cases of severe hyperbilirubinemia. These findings suggest that bundle nursing intervention effectively mitigates hyperbilirubinemia through comprehensive care strategies, promotes neonatal growth.

Spontaneous abortion occurs in approximately one in five pregnancies and may be influenced by environmental factors, particularly heat exposure. This study reviewed and synthesized research on the relationship between high temperatures and spontaneous abortion. A systematic literature search identified eight studies from various regions. Data were extracted and analyzed using standardized methods, with quality assessed through Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Meta-analysis showed a pooled spontaneous abortion rate of 13.1%, with higher temperatures consistently linked to increased pregnancy loss. Seasonal variations, regional differences, and socioeconomic factors also influenced the findings. Vulnerable groups, including African Americans and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, were disproportionately affected. These findings highlight the potential impact of climate change on early pregnancy outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to protect at-risk populations.

This study conducted a comparative analysis of socio-economic determinants of suicide among the South African women using longitudinal data from 1995 to 2020 with five-year intervals. It examined the relationship between female suicide rates and significant economic determinants (per capita income and employment rate) and social determinants (gender inequality and education level in women). Graphical analysis was employed to identify trends and patterns throughout the years. The results showed non-linear and inconsistent patterns, with none of the variables having a direct or consistent effect on female suicide rates. Although some were observed-such as between declining employment and rising suicide-other variables like income and education did not show clear patterns. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of gender-sensitive mental health policies, greater access to mental health care-particularly in poor communities-and the development of employment and education policies that promote women's overall well-being. A multi-sectoral, integrated strategy was deemed necessary to address the complex and interrelated determinants of female suicide in South Africa effectively.

This study aimed to examine women's attitudes toward menopause and the symptoms of menopause. The data were collected between May-June 2022 using the introductory information form, Attitudes Related to Menopause Scale (min:0, max:80), and Menopausal Symptoms Rating Scale (min:0, max:44). The total average score of Menopausal Symptoms Rating Scale was 22.2±9.9; the average of urogenital complaints was 5.1±3.2; somatic complaints was 3.55±2.14; and psychological complaints was 13.5±6.1. The average scale score of Attitudes Related to Menopause Scale was 43.6±16.1. There was a negative, weak, and significant relation between Attitudes Related to Menopause Scale and somatic, psychological, and urogenital complaints. There was a significant difference between the average score of attitudes related to menopause and women's total score on assessing the menopausal symptoms scale, women's age, education level, income status, employment status, number of pregnancies and births, and chronic disease status. We concluded that women experience all menopausal symptoms at near moderate levels and have positive attitudes toward menopause.

Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among women with disabilities and exerts impacts on reproductive health, with sexual attitudes considered a influential factor. Based on social comparison theory and self-objectification theory, a survey was conducted with a valid sample of 406 adult women with disabilities in China. Data were collected using the BSAS, NPSS, PDSBE. A parallel mediation model of body esteem and sexual esteem between sexual attitudes and body dissatisfaction was constructed. Path relationships were tested and the results indicated that: (1) sexual attitudes exhibit a significant negative impact on body dissatisfaction. (2) body esteem and sexual esteem play parallel mediating roles between sexual attitudes and body dissatisfaction. (3) the mediating effect of body esteem is greater than that of sexual esteem. It is recommended that sexual attitudes, body dissatisfaction, sexual esteem and body esteem should be taken into consideration when intervening in reproductive health of women with disabilities.

This particular case study examines the association between oocyte morphology and assisted reproductive technology (ART), particularly, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters (sERCs). It describes an extraordinary case in which 80% of the mature oocytes had giant sERCs, which raised concerns about the oocyte quality and the resultant embryonic development and clinical prognosis It concerned a patient who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Two embryos, derived from oocytes with sERCs, were transferred on day 3 following ICSI and sERCs became the focus. The results covered the entire continuum of fertilization, embryonic maturation, and clinical outcomes, the endpoint of which was a successful live birth. Such results demonstrate the complex background between the oocyte dysmorphia and reproductive performance, still, in ART, it is possible that considerable dysmorphia is not necessarily a negative prognostic factor. Further studies are needed to address the oocyte dysmorphia and ART's changes.

Sexological interviews in gynecological consultations remain a practice that is not routinely undertaken despite the importance of sexual health. The objectives of this study were to investigate patients' expectations from a sexological interview, and the elicitation of sexual dysfunctions. A cross-sectional study was performed at the Maternity and Neonatology Center of Tunis. We included patients aged >18 years who consulted for gynecological reasons outside of any emergency or pregnancy. Our study included 200 patients with a mean age of 41 (±10) years. We found that72.5% of the patients appreciated the approach to sexuality during gynecological consultations. A total of 77.5% of the women indicated that their current gynecological pathology affected their sexuality. The mean of female sexual function index score was 25.05 (±5.03). The most affected domain was desire, with a mean of 3.54 (±1.05). The main predictive factors for sexual dysfunction were: age > 40 years, endometriosis, gynecological cancer, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Thus, it's important to introduce sexological interviews in gynecology consultations, especially for patients at risk of sexual dysfunction.