African journal of reproductive health最新文献

The expansion of women in employment warrants more focus on reproductive health and occupational well-being. In Indonesia, the Gerakan Pekerja Perempuan Sehat Produktif (GP2SP) program has been developed to promote the health of female workers. However, the implementation of the program is still limited due to the absence of an integrated operational structure. This research is intended to create a Continuous Health Examination Network (CHEN) model in an effort to improve women's reproductive health by revitalising the GP2SP program. While traditional workplace interventions focus on episodic services, the CHEN model incorporates ongoing monitoring, engagement with many stakeholders and promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative approaches. The model is useful for low- and middle-income nations, especially African settings, where workplace reproductive health services are generally fragmented. This study used a research and development design based on the ADDIE model. The investigation was cross-sectional and included 104 married female workers from two companies in Riau Province, Indonesia. Data were acquired through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing. Model development consisted of needs assessment, model drafting, and expert validation through a two-round Delphi technique. Workers' attitudes were substantially related to program knowledge (p = 0.027). The CHEN model proved viable and may be useful for enhancing women's reproductive health and productivity in office settings.

Reproductive anxiety has emerged as an important concern among university students, shaping their perceptions of fertility, family formation, and future life planning. This study explored the gendered experiences of reproductive anxiety and its influence on fertility intentions among male and female university students. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with 30 students aged 18-25 years, equally divided by gender. Thematic analysis revealed that reproductive anxiety is strongly influenced by gender norms, socioeconomic uncertainty, family expectations, and changing social roles. Female students reported greater anxiety regarding the timing of motherhood, biological limitations, and the challenge of balancing education, career, and family responsibilities. Male students, while less vocal about fertility concerns, expressed anxiety mainly in relation to financial readiness and the social expectation of becoming future providers. The findings further showed that family pressure, cultural beliefs, and media portrayals intensify reproductive concerns, while these anxieties also contribute to stress, self-doubt, and uncertainty in long-term planning. The study concludes that reproductive anxiety is a multidimensional issue requiring greater academic, psychological, and policy attention. Universities should introduce gender-sensitive counseling and awareness programs to support students in navigating reproductive concerns and informed fertility decision-making.

This study aimed to assess anxiety levels and marital relationships among women undergoing infertility treatment. A descriptive observational design was conducted involving 300 infertile women over nine months at Zagazig University Hospital. Data were collected using a Structured Interview Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Taylor Anxiety Scale. Reliability analysis showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.923 for FSFI; 0.845 for Taylor Scale). Results indicated that 32.6% of participants sought services after one year of marriage, 30.5% visited more than five centers, and 47.5% used IVF. Nearly half of the subjects experienced varying degrees of anxiety (moderate to very severe), which significantly impacted sexual arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. In conclusion, anxiety and psychosexual dysfunction are highly prevalent among women during fertility treatments, underscoring the critical need to integrate psychological counseling and standardized screening protocols within routine reproductive healthcare.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of synchronous online simulation compared with face-to-face instruction in teaching episiotomy repair skills to midwifery students. It also assessed learning satisfaction and self-confidence. A randomized controlled study was conducted with undergraduate students enrolled in a childbirth course. Participants were randomly assigned to either a synchronous online or face-to-face training group. Both groups received structured instruction using standardized simulation models. Outcomes were measured using the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale and the Episiotomy Skill Evaluation Form. Both training formats resulted in similarly high levels of skill performance. The online group demonstrated significantly higher self-confidence and overall learning satisfaction, while skill outcomes were comparable between groups. No significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and study outcomes. Synchronous online simulation is a feasible and effective alternative to face-to-face training for developing procedural skills while also enhancing learner confidence and satisfaction.

Postpartum blues typically occur during the first two weeks after childbirth and may increase the risk of subsequent depressive disorders. In Minangkabau communities of West Sumatra, Indonesia, where matrilineal family systems and neo-local or dual family residence systems exist and husbands frequently migrate, it is insufficiently understood how family structure and partner presence may influence the maternal mood. This study aimed to examine psychosocial determinants of postpartum blues among 240 postpartum mothers between 3 to 14 days postpartum, in Pariaman, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Using a cross-sectional and prospective design, data were collected through face-to-face interviews using validated instruments, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Indonesian Maternal Blues Scale (IMBS). Statistical analysis to identify independent predictors of postpartum blues was performed through descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regressions. The mean maternal age was 28.6 years old, and 27.9% of participants met the criteria for postpartum blues. Sleep quality was poor for 86.7% of the respondents. The most significant psychosocial determinant of postpartum blues was perceived stress (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.16-1.34; p < 0.001) and husband migration was borderline significant (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.00-5.28; p = 0.050). In contrast, sleep quality, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and kin co-residence were not independently associated with postpartum blues. These findings highlight the importance of integrating early psychosocial screening, stress management interventions, and family-centered postpartum support into maternal health policies and primary healthcare services, particularly in culturally unique and migration-affected communities.

Placental abruption is a serious complication in pregnant women with preeclampsia. This study investigated the risk factors for placental abruption and developed a predictive model using the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE). A total of 280 pregnant women with preeclampsia treated between September 2020 and September 2025 were enrolled and classified into placental abruption and non-placental abruption groups. Logistic regression showed that parity ≥3, severe preeclampsia, anemia, polyhydramnios, and short umbilical cord were independent risk factors for placental abruption. ROC analysis demonstrated that the SMOTE-based model had better predictive performance than the original model, with a higher AUC (0.863, 95% CI: 0.817-0.901 vs 0.792, 95% CI: 0.739-0.838; z=2.163, P=0.031). The SMOTE-based model also showed higher F-score and positive predictive value, although its true positive rate was lower than that of the original model. These findings indicate that a SMOTE-based predictive model may provide useful support for early risk assessment and prevention of placental abruption in women with preeclampsia.

This study explores the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy, childbirth experience, family intimacy, and postpartum lactation yield in 168 mothers who gave birth at Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Participants were divided into high and low self-efficacy groups based on their scores on the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Data on childbirth experience, family intimacy, and lactation yield were collected. Correlation and logistic regression analyses revealed that breastfeeding self-efficacy positively correlated with childbirth experience, family intimacy, and lactation yield. The high self-efficacy group showed significantly better childbirth experiences, stronger family intimacy, and higher lactation yield compared with the low self-efficacy group. Primiparity, childbirth experience, family intimacy, and postpartum lactation yield were identified as independent factors influencing breastfeeding self-efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of improving childbirth experiences, enhancing family intimacy, and supporting lactation yield to boost maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding, ultimately contributing to higher breastfeeding success rates.

This study examines the impact of family planning and abortion policy changes (2006, 2010, 2014) on Georgia's male-to-female birth ratio. Using data from 920,803 live births (2005-2022), we calculated annual male-to-female ratios per 100 females by region and birth order, assessing trends with linear regression. In 2005, the overall male-to-female ratio was 113.0, declining to 107.2 by 2022. The imbalance was most pronounced in third or higher-order births (from 145.7 in 2005 to 114.3 in 2022), and lowest among first births (109.1 to 107.3). Regionally, Kakheti had the highest ratio (123.1). Notably, after 2014, the ratio declined significantly across all regions and birth orders. These findings suggest that policy interventions were associated with a reduction in sex-selective practices and a gradual move toward a more natural sex ratio at birth in Georgia.

During childbirth, no woman should lose a child. However, perinatal mortality remains a global concern. The recent South African Saving Mothers and Babies report revealed a notable 20% increase in perinatal mortality in Mpumalanga province. This excess of perinatal mortality was due to hypertensive disorders and unexplained causes. Thus, this paper explores and describes the voices of midwives on the causes of perinatal mortality in the resource-limited setting of the Mpumalanga province. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive design was carried out to explore the views and perceptions of midwives on the causes of perinatal mortality. Purposive sampling was adopted to select midwives with experience in midwifery care, and data saturation was reached with the 20th participant. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that issues such as delayed interventions and poor monitoring by healthcare personnel, lack of triaging, shortage of staff, variations in implementation of health education and compliance were the concerning issues contributing to perinatal mortality. The study highlights that health education is a crucial element in the prevention of perinatal mortality. Therefore, more initiatives should be directed at educating patients about the importance of antenatal care, treatment adherence, and the use of unsafe traditional medicines for the induction of labour.

This study examines the relationship between multidimensional economic insecurity, structural socioeconomic change, and female suicide vulnerability in China. The analysis employs a qualitative secondary-data approach using annual national time-series data for China covering 2000-2024, sourced from the World Health Organization Mortality Database, World Bank World Development Indicators, and International Labour Organization labour statistics. Descriptive trend and comparative analyses supported by graphical visualisation techniques were used to examine patterns and associations among the variables. The findings reveal a substantial long-run decline in the female suicide rate from 15.18 per 100,000 women in 2000 to 8.69 in 2024, although a mild increase was observed after 2020. Labour market indicators evolved unevenly: vulnerable employment declined markedly, wage employment increased, labour force participation fell gradually, and unemployment fluctuated within a narrow range. Among the indicators examined, vulnerable employment showed the strongest alignment with female suicide vulnerability, whereas unemployment displayed a weaker relationship. This study advances a gender-sensitive and multidimensional framework linking suicide vulnerability to labour market insecurity, employment structure, inequality, and demographic transformation, with implications for public health and labour policy.