African Journal of Reproductive Health

Provision of family planning services by community health workers in urban slums of Cameroon

2023-09-14T09:58:23+00:00

Over 50% of pregnancies in slums are unintended, signifying unmet family planning (FP) needs. In Cameroon, about 60% of city dwellers live in slums where basic health services including FP is lacking. With an acute shortage of health personnel in Africa, community health workers (CHWs) can play a vital role in administering basic FP services. The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services implemented a pilot project to reduce the unmet FP needs in urban slums through utilization of CHWs. We found that with adequate training and support, CHWs can successfully provide basic FP services in urban slums.

Identifying gaps and strengthening capacities for abortion research in Ethiopia: Assessment of abortion-research related experiences, skills, and interests

2023-09-14T10:04:21+00:00

Collecting accurate and reliable data on abortion is public health imperative, but it is a challenging task that requires specific methods and carefully implemented study designs. This study aimed to assess the institution and individual-level capacity for conducting abortion-related research and identify effective ways to strengthen the capacities of abortion- researchers by filling critical skills and resource gaps. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative and descriptive qualitative research approach, we found that the implementation environment posed challenges, including resistance from religious groups, and individual skill gaps in analyzing abortion data, communication, policy brief preparation, and networking skills. Therefore, investing in building the skills and confidence of researchers to conduct robust research through tailor-made training and reactivating existing partnership fora to facilitate regular interaction between the research community and policy makers is crucial. Jointly seeking funding to support locally relevant research activities is also recommended.

Towards cervical cancer elimination in Zambia: Stakeholder views on lessons learned, progress to date, and future needs and priorities

2023-09-14T10:16:04+00:00

Zambia has strived to reduce cervical cancer-related burden through screen-and-treat services for detection and treatment of precancerous lesions. Understanding health system barriers and opportunities could strengthen further scale-up. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 stakeholders working in different levels and roles. Interviews covered program organization; screen-and-treat, referrals, and linkages; and unmet needs. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded on key themes. National leadership, establishment of provincial focal points, and effective partnerships were seen as accomplishments, while reliance on donor resources was a major concern. Somewhat competing priorities emerged: scaling-up existing screen-and-treat v. ensuring screen-positive women receive treatment. Supply chain issues, screening with HPV DNA testing, task-shifting for treatment, and linkages to invasive cancer care were important themes. Despite challenges, stakeholders recognized notable progress scaling up screen-and-treat services. Given realities of budget constraints and donor dependency, relative prioritization of screen-and-treat scale-up vs. linkages to care should be deliberated and task-shifting considered.

Determinants of the unmet needs for information, education and communication on sexual health among single youths in Burundi

2023-09-15T06:02:18+00:00

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among young people aged 15-24 in urban areas is at least 12 times higher among girls than boys in Burundi, while it is twice as high in Rwanda. The gap between the two countries could be narrowed if Burundi's single young people were provided with sufficient information about their sexual health through appropriate channels. The aim of this study was to examine the social and individual "determinants" of unmet needs for sexual health information, education and communication (IEC) among unmarried young boys and girls aged 15-24 in Burundi, using data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Data were analyzed at the bivariate level using cross-tabulations and chi-squared tests, and at the multivariate level using binary logistic regression methods. According to the results of the study, the 'determinants' of the phenomenon studied are, for both sexes, the size of the household, the age of the youths, their level of education, their knowledge of where to take the HIV/AIDS test and their region of residence; only in the case of boys do we find, in addition, the age of the head of the household, his level of education and the adolescents' exposure to the media; similarly, only in the case of girls do we find their economic activity and their perception of HIV/AIDS. Multisectoral IEC actions on sexual health for young people should therefore be strengthened in Burundi.

Effect of a psycho-awareness-training program on women's attitude and psychosomatic status post-abortion in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

2023-09-14T10:22:10+00:00

Abortion is a common medical procedure, and women who undergo it often experience negative psychological and physical effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of a psycho-awareness-training program on women's knowledge and psychosomatic status post-abortion in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. a one-group pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design was conducted among 135 eligible women post-abortion. Researchers used an Arabic questionnaire online survey containing items on women's characteristics, knowledge of abortion, and psychosomatic status post-abortion. The majority of the participants were married (95.6%) and had a university degree (58.5%). The total satisfactory knowledge increased significantly from 29.6% at baseline to 91% post-training (p =.000). The proportion of respondents exhibiting high scores on self-confidence and self-esteem decreased significantly, dropping from 47.4% at the baseline to 12.6% after the training. The program also decreased feelings of guilt, isolation, sleep disturbance, problems in married relationships, fear of society's view, and the absence of social support. The psycho-awareness-training program had a positive effect on women's knowledge of abortion and psychosomatic status post-abortion. The program improved self-confidence and self-esteem while decreasing negative psychological effects. This study emphasizes the importance of providing psychological support and education to women who undergo abortion.

Public awareness and attitude toward premarital screening program in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, an endemic area for hemoglobinopathies: A cross-sectional study

2023-09-15T06:05:00+00:00

Hemoglobinopathies are highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, with varying incidence rates across different regions. The Eastern and Jazan regions have the highest incidence rates. To prevent hemoglobinopathies, the premarital screening program (PMS) has been established in Saudi Arabia to identify at-risk couples before marriage. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitude of young adults towards PMS in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, which involved 875 individuals (560 men and 315 women). The current study report significant association between sex, personal and family history of disease, and attitude towards PMS among young adults (P< 0.05). The study concludes that while there is a substantial level of awareness and positive attitude towards PMS among the population, there is a need for more detailed health campaigns led by healthcare providers, rulers, and Islamic leaders to highlight the importance of PMS as a preventative measure to reduce the incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

The effect of sexuality on the quality of life of elderly people in Morocco

2023-09-15T06:07:06+00:00

In Morocco, the sexuality of the elderly is still a taboo subject, and sexual health is very much marginalised in the care system. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexuality and the quality of life of elderly people in Morocco. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire aimed at a sample of 354 people aged 65 and over attending health centres in the province of Essaouira was conducted between 2021 and 2022. The French version of the Leipad scale was used to assess quality of life and sexual functioning. Our results showed that sexual functioning is a major determinant of quality of life in the elderly. Participants' Leipad scores ranged from 9.7 to 93.5, with an average of 29.4 (s =11.2). The highest score indicating an alteration in quality of life was recorded for sexual functioning (83.9±19). We need to think about an integrated strategy, involving all those involved in gerontological and social action, to promote the sexual health of older Moroccans so that they can "age in good health".

Multilevel modelling of the determinants of early marriage among women aged 20-49 years in South Africa

2023-09-15T06:10:37+00:00

Early marriage is a societal problem that affects many young women in developing countries. There are not many studies which have focused on the determinants of early marriage in South Africa. This study aimed to examine multilevel determinants of early marriage among women in South Africa. We used cross-sectional data from the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. We found that age, level of education, spousal/partner educational differences, age at first sex, parity, household wealth, community poverty, place of residence, and province were statistically associated with early marriage. We also found that women with primary education, women from poor households, from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Free State had higher odds of early marriage. Our findings underline the need for public awareness campaigns, geared towards teaching rural communities about the various laws that protect children from early marriage and related practices.

Variation in antenatal health services utilisation among women of reproductive age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2023-09-15T06:13:04+00:00

One important maternal health service that ensures favourable feto-maternal outcomes are high-quality antenatal care (ANC) services. This study examined variation in ANC utilisation among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2001 to 2018. The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) for 2007 and 2013-2014 and UNICEF 2001, 2010, and 2017-2018 data of reproductive-age women seeking ante-natal care were analsyed using IBM-SPSS for Windows version 28.0. ANC use increased from 22.0% in 2001 to 52.0% in 2007 but declined to 44.9% in 2010 and 42% in 2018. In 2007, DRC women were 3.96 times, 2010, and 2017/2018, more likely to use ANC services than 2001 (p<0.001). Also, women aged 15- 24 were 5.22 times, and those aged 25–34 were 2.75 (95%) more likely to use ANC than women aged 35 years or more (p<0.001). Secondary/higher educated women were 1.43 times more likely to attend ANC than uneducated (p<0.001). Married or women who lives with a man were 1.60 times more likely to use ANC than unmarried (p<0.001). Urban women were 1.11 times more likely to use ANC than rural (p<0.001). The result showed that apart from demographic characteristics, educational attainment, currently married/living with a man, place of residence, parity and age all impact antenatal care service usage. These needs can be met by designing a maternal health service utilisation model that considers these various aspects.

Reducing the risks of nuclear war—The role of health professionals

2023-09-14T09:37:34+00:00

No abstract.