Reproductive and child health transition among selected empowered action groups states of India: A district-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: Health is an inseparable part of life and central to all life supporting systems. The reproductive and child health shares a major portion of public health cases that is crucial for socio-economic development. Studies on reproductive and child health have traditionally been focused on demographic aspects using socio-economic parameters. Given the emphasis of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-3 on health and well-being, it is imperative to understand the geo-spatial dimension with the visible transition of key health indicators of fertility, maternal and infant/child health in the high burdened districts within these high focus Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that make up nearly 40% of India's population with relatively laggard health status. METHODOLOGY: This paper aims to understand the status and trend of key reproductive and child health indicators and vital statistics based on the recent representative demographic surveys. We intend to undertake a district level spatio-temporal analysis by developing District Composite Health Profile (DCHP) using Composite Index Method on selected 13 equally weighted key reproductive and child health indicators. The study has been carried out using data from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) and National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) survey rounds. We employed geo-spatial techniques i.e. Moran's-I, and univariate LISA to comprehend the geographical clustering of high and low health burden districts and their heterogeneities at the district level. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights emerging inter-districts, and inter-state disparities over survey periods. With consistent improvement in the selected EAG states over time, the overall reproductive and child health status through DCHP along with each indicator was relatively better in the states of Rajasthan and worse in Bihar. Districts along the Terai belt in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar consistently performed sluggish during survey rounds. The geo-spatial clustering follows the political boundary of states, albeit with intra-state variations. Monitoring of key health indicators using composite index method provides a useful leverage for identifying priority districts/regions for universal health access that should also consider geographical space as an important policy dimension.

Women's involvement in decision-making and association with reproductive health behaviors: findings from a cross-sectional survey in Niger.

BACKGROUND: Though women in Niger are largely responsible for the familial health and caretaking, prior research shows limited female autonomy in healthcare decisions. This study extends current understanding of women's participation in decision-making and its influence on reproductive health behaviors. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with married women (15-49 years, N = 2,672) in Maradi and Zinder Niger assessed women's participation in household decision-making in health and non-health issues. Analyses examined [1] if participation in household decision-making was associated with modern contraceptive use, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, and skilled birth attendance at last delivery and [2] what individual, interpersonal, and community-level factors were associated with women's participation in decision-making. RESULTS: Only 16% of the respondents were involved-either autonomously or jointly with their spouse-in all three types of household decisions: (1) large purchase, (2) visiting family/parents, and (3) decisions about own healthcare. Involvement in decision making was significantly associated with increased odds of current modern contraceptive use [aOR:1.36 (95% CI: 1.06-1.75)] and four or more ANC visits during their recent pregnancy [aOR:1.34 (95% CI: 1.00-1.79)], when adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. There was no significant association between involvement in decision-making and skilled birth attendance at recent delivery. Odds of involvement in decision-making was significantly associated with increasing age and household wealth status, listening to radio, and involvement in decision-making about their own marriage. CONCLUSION: Women's engagement in decision-making positively influences their reproductive health. Social and behavior change strategies to shift social norms and increase opportunities for women's involvement in household decision making are needed. For example, radio programs can be used to inform specific target groups on how women's decision-making can positively influence reproductive health while also providing specific actions to achieve change. Opportunities exist to enhance women's voice either before women enter marital partnerships or after (for instance, using health and social programming).

Associations between child marriage and reproductive and maternal health outcomes among young married women in Liberia and Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Child marriage has been associated with a range of negative maternal and reproductive health outcomes. This study explored these associations in Liberia and Sierra Leone and examined how child marriage intersected with other measures of social disadvantage. METHODS: Data were derived from 631 and 1,325 married or cohabitating women aged 20-24 interviewed in the 2019-2020 Liberia and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys, respectively. Analyses were stratified by country. Regression models examined associations between age at first marriage (<15, 15-17, and 18+ years) and reproductive and maternal health outcomes, as well as interactions between child marriage and measures of social disadvantage. Multivariable regression results were presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Over half of currently married/cohabitating women aged 20-24 in Liberia (52%) and Sierra Leone (54%) married before age 18, and over one in 10 married before age 15. In both countries, after adjusting for other factors, being married before the age of 18 was significantly associated with early fertility, high fertility, and low fertility control. Associations were particularly strong among women who first married before age 15. In Liberia, women who married at age 15-17 had significantly lower odds of skilled attendance at delivery and institutional delivery if they lived in the North Central region. Sierra Leonean women who married before age 15 had lower odds of institutional delivery and lower odds of four or more ANC visits if they lived in the North Western region. CONCLUSION: This study found clear associations between child marriage and negative reproductive health outcomes in Liberia and Sierra Leone, with stronger associations among women married in early adolescence. Child marriage and region of residence intersected to shape young women's access to skilled attendance at birth and institutional delivery. These findings call for further investigation and targeted intervention.

[Literacy in sexual and reproductive health as well as associated variables: multicenter study]. / Alfabetización en salud sexual y reproductiva así como variables asociadas: estudio multicéntrico.

OBJECTIVE: Limited Health Literacy implies an insufficient understanding of relevant health information, being associated with various variables. The objective of the study was to measure the prevalence of the level of Limited Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy (AS-SR), its associated variables and the differences in scores between levels of AS-SR, universities and science of study in Chilean university students. METHODS: A multicenter and cross-sectional study, which applied a validated scale to measure levels of AS-SR, was carried out in a sample of 2,186 Chilean university students, categorizing it as high, medium high, medium low and low. The level of Limited AS-SR was obtained by adding the medium-low and low categories. Tests were carried out: descriptive, psychometric and reliability; association, logistic regression and differences between variables of interest. RESULTS: The prevalence of Limited AS-SR was 52.7%. The variables most associated with the level of Limited AS-SR were: low interest in information about health care (OR=2.819; 95% CI: 2.132-3.726), prevention (OR=2.564; 95% CI: 1.941-3.388), sexuality (OR=2.497; 95% CI: 1.807-3.452) and health promotion (OR=1.515; 95% CI: 1.239-1.853); certain sources of Information (OR=1.915; 95% CI:1.614-2.272); low economic income (OR=1.661; 95% CI: 1.361-2.026), among others. There were statistically significant differences in scores between categories of AS-SR levels, universities and study science. The scale had a reliability of 0.940. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the students have Limited AS-SR, mainly associated with low interest in health information. The scale presents excellent psychometric indicators, being recommended for diagnoses of health situations.

OBJECTIVE: La Alfabetización en Salud Limitada implica una comprensión insuficiente de la información relevante en salud, asociándose con diversas variables. El objetivo del estudio fue medir la prevalencia del nivel de Alfabetización en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (AS-SR) Limitada, sus variables asociadas y las diferencias de puntajes entre niveles de AS-SR, universidades y ciencia de estudio en universitarios chilenos. METHODS: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico y transversal, que aplicó una escala validada para medir niveles de AS-SR, en una muestra de 2.186 estudiantes universitarios chilenos, categorizándola en alta, media-alta, media-baja y baja. El nivel de AS-SR Limitada se obtuvo mediante el sumatorio de categorías media-baja y baja. Se realizaron pruebas: descriptivas, psicométricas y fiabilidad; asociación, regresión logística y de diferencias entre variables de interés. RESULTS: La prevalencia de AS-SR Limitada fue del 52,7%. Las variables mayormente asociadas al nivel de AS-SR Limitada fueron: bajo interés en información sobre atención en salud (OR=2,819; IC 95%:2,132-3,726), prevención (OR=2,564; IC 95%: 1,941-3,388), sexualidad (OR=2,497; IC 95%: 1,807-3,452) y promoción de la salud (OR=1,515; IC 95%: 1,239-1,853); ciertas fuentes de Información (OR=1,915; IC 95%:1,614-2,272); bajo ingreso económico (OR=1,661; IC 95%: 1,361-2,026), entre otras. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas de puntajes entre categorías de niveles de AS-SR, universidades y ciencia de estudio. La escala presentó fiabilidad de 0,940. CONCLUSIONS: Más de la mitad de los estudiantes poseen AS-SR Limitada, asociada principalmente al bajo interés en información en salud. La escala presenta excelentes indicadores psicométricos, siendo recomendable para diagnósticos de situación de salud.

Correlates of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among older adults in China: Findings from the sexual well-being (SWELL) study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is critical to the overall health of older adults. We assessed the utilization of SRH services and its correlates among older adults in China. METHODS: We recruited community-dwelling adults aged 50 and above in five Chinese cities between June 2020 and December 2022. In this study SRH services included reproductive health examination, cervical cancer screening, and sexual life counselling. Logistic regression was used to assess correlates of SRH services utilization. RESULTS: A total of 3001 older adults (1819 men and 1182 women) were enrolled. Among them, 11.4 % (343/3001) of participants received a reproductive health examination, 35.4 % (418/1182) of female participants received cervical cancer screening, and 30.1 % (401/1332) of sexually active participants sought help for their sexual lives. Older men with an annual income of USD 7500 or more (aOR = 3.21, 95%CI: 1.39-7.44), two or more chronic conditions (2.38, 1.39-4.08), and reproductive health problems (2.01, 1.18-3.43) were more likely to receive a urological examination. For older women, individuals who were younger (aged 50-59 years: 5.18, 2.84-9.43; aged 60-69 years: 2.67, 1.49-4.79), lived in an urban area (1.88, 1.31-2.71), were employed (1.73, 1.21-2.47), had two or more chronic conditions (2.04, 1.37-3.05), were sexually active (1.72, 1.15-2.58) and talked about sex (1.69, 1.21-2.36) were more likely to receive a gynecological examination. CONCLUSION: SRH services utilization among older adults was low, with urological examination among older men particularly low. SRH messages and services tailored for older adults are needed to enhance their utilization of SRH services.

The sexual and reproductive health covariates of early menarche among adolescent girls.

INTRODUCTION: Research suggests that girls who reach menarche at an early age are at greater risk for negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes than their later-maturing counterparts, but very little research has examined this issue in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in West Africa. The goal of the current study was to determine whether early menarche was associated with any SRH outcomes in a sample of Ghanaian girls. METHODS: The study data were drawn from the baseline assessment of a longitudinal study involving two age cohorts (13-14 and 18-19 years) of 700 adolescent girls from Ghana. Logistic regressions were used to assess the association between early menarche (before age 13) and seven SRH outcomes (adolescent sexual activity, early sexual initiation, inconsistent condom use, transactional sex, sexual violence, multiple sexual partners, and adolescent pregnancy). RESULTS: Early menarche was significantly associated with adolescent sexual activity (odds ratio [OR] = 6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-19.7), and sexual violence (OR = 3.2; 95% CI 1.6-6.2) in the younger cohort and early sexual initiation (OR = 3.2; 95% CI 1.19-8.61) and multiple sexual partners (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.39-9.87) in the older cohort. Early menarche was also associated with transactional sex and teen pregnancy in the full sample. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need for special attention to the needs of early-maturing girls in SRH programming. Interventions are needed to delay adolescent sexual activity in girls with early menarche. Efforts to prevent sexual violence among adolescent girls in Ghana may benefit from targeting and addressing the specific needs of early-maturing girls.

Demographic and epidemiological transitions and burden of adolescent healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: A review.

This review's main objective is to discuss how demographic and epidemiological transitions relate to the burden of adolescent healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The review explicitly discussed the burden of adolescent healthcare, the current African policies on adolescent healthcare, and gaps in the African policies compared with Europe and North America. We also examined how adolescent healthcare policies evolve and documented the recommended essential part of the policy for enhancing its sustainability. The burden of adolescent health is high in SSA with diseases and reproductive health-related problems prevailing among adolescents. However, variations exist in the burden of adolescent healthcare across countries in the region. While some SSA countries are currently undergoing demographic and epidemiological transition processes concerning adolescent health care, the majority are either at an early stage of the transition or yet to commence the process. Policy-makers should consider effective ways to improve adolescents' health in SSA through preventive mechanisms and a multi-dimensional approach.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: Situación y respuesta: Actualización 2022 / Sexual and reproductive health in the City of Buenos Aires: Situation and response 2022

Esta 5ª actualización del informe sistematiza la información que se viene produciendo a través de las acciones de monitoreo iniciadas en 2016 e incorpora aquella referida al año 2022. Se entiende que las acciones de monitoreo y evaluación son valiosas para cinco objetivos complementarios, que son: a. disponer de un basamento para la planificación de las necesidades de insumos (estimar necesidades de compras); b. identificar las mejoras/cambios de escenario que se van produciendo con el trabajo cotidiano y las nuevas necesidades o desafíos que van surgiendo; c. planificar acciones novedosas basadas en diagnósticos afinados; d. valorizar y visibilizar el trabajo que realizan los equipos todos los días en los establecimientos públicos de salud donde se brinda respuesta a la población y e. producir información de utilidad tanto para los actores del subsistema público de salud como para otros actores interesados en la temática. (AU)

Comparing American Indian/Alaska Native Adolescent Daughters' and Their Mothers' Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Risk for Gestational Diabetes: Implications for Mother-Daughter Communication on Reproductive Health.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe, compare, and examine associations at baseline of reproductive health awareness, knowledge, health beliefs, communication and behaviors related to gestational diabetes (GDM) and GDM risk reduction in a vulnerable population of both American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) adolescent girls and their mothers. METHODS: Descriptive/comparative/correlational analyses examined multitribal baseline data on 149 mother-daughter (M-D) dyads (N = 298; daughter age = 12-24 years) enrolled in a longitudinal study to adapt and evaluate a culturally relevant diabetes preconception counseling (PC) program (Stopping-GDM). The associations between GDM risk reduction awareness, knowledge, health beliefs, and behaviors (eg, daughters' eating, physical activity, reproductive-health [RH] choices/planning, M-D communication, daughters' discussions on PC) were examined. Data collected online from 5 national sites. RESULTS: Many M-D lacked awareness/knowledge of GDM and risk reduction. Both M-D were unaware of the girl's risk for GDM. Mothers' knowledge and beliefs on GDM prevention/RH were significantly higher than daughters. Younger daughters had greater self-efficacy healthy living. Overall sample reported low to moderate scores for both M-D communication and daughters' GDM and RH risk-reduction behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge, communication, and behaviors to prevent GDM were low in AIAN M-D, especially daughters. More than daughters, mothers perceive greater risk of GDM for daughters. Early culturally responsive dyadic PC programs could help decrease risk of developing GDM. Implications for M-D communication is compelling.

Fatores relacionados à gravidez na adolescência: perfil reprodutivo de um grupo de gestantes / Factors related to pregnancy in adolescence: reproductive profile of a group of pregnant women / Factores relacionados con el embarazo en la adolescencia: perfil reproductivo de un grupo de mujeres embarazadas

Objetivo: descrever o perfil reprodutivo de mulheres adolescentes participantes de um grupo de gestantes. Método: estudo descritivo, transversal, documental e retrospectivo realizado através da ficha de cadastro de participantes de um grupo de gestante vinculado ao consultório de enfermagem de uma universidade pública federal do rio de janeiro em 2018. Resultados: analisou-se 59 cadastros. houve predominância de mulheres, jovens (71,2%); solteiras (72,3%); multíparas (56%); que tiveram cesárea como via de parto anteriormente (39%); no segundo trimestre de gestação (61%); tipo de pré-natal público (86,4%); desejando a via de parto vaginal (45,8%) e laqueadura pós-parto como método contraceptivo (30,5%), participaram do grupo sem acompanhantes (79,7%) e desejam visita domiciliar pós-parto (78%). Conclusão: identificou-se a necessidade, fatores relacionados e vulnerabilidades em saúde reprodutiva com vistas a implementação de cuidados primários voltados à promoção da saúde, prevenção de agravos e detecção precoce.

Objective: to describe the reproductive profile of adolescent women participating in a group of pregnant women. Method:descriptive, cross-sectional, documentary and retrospective study carried out through the registration form of participants of a group of pregnant women linked to the nursing office of a federal public university in Rio de Janeiro in 2018. Results: 59 records were analyzed. there was a predominance of women, young people (71.2%); single (72.3%); multiparous (56%); who had previously had a cesarean section (39%); in the second trimester of pregnancy (61%); type of public prenatal care (86.4%); desiring vaginal delivery (45.8%) and postpartum tubal ligation as a contraceptive method (30.5%), participated in the group without companions (79.7%) and desired postpartum home visit (78%). Conclusion: the need, related factors and vulnerabilities in reproductive health were identified with a view to implementing primary care aimed at health promotion, disease prevention and early detection.

Objetivo: describir el perfil reproductivo de mujeres adolescentes participantes de un grupo de gestantes. Método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, documental y retrospectivo realizado a través del formulario de registro de participantes de un grupo de gestantes vinculadas al consultorio de enfermería de una universidad pública federal de Río de Janeiro en 2018. Resultados: se analizaron 59 registros. hubo predominio de mujeres, jóvenes (71,2%); soltero (72,3%); multíparas (56%); que previamente había tenido una cesárea (39%); en el segundo trimestre del embarazo (61%); tipo de atención prenatal pública (86,4%); deseando parto vaginal (45,8%) y ligadura de trompas posparto como método anticonceptivo (30,5%), participaron del grupo sin acompañantes (79,7%) y desearon visita domiciliaria posparto (78%). Conclusión: se identificaron la necesidad, los factores relacionados y las vulnerabilidades en salud reproductiva para la implementación de la atención primaria dirigida a la promoción de la salud, la prevención de enfermedades y la detección temprana.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: Situación y respuesta: Actualización 2021 / Sexual and reproductive health in the City of Buenos Aires: Situation and response: 2021

Para esta edición del informe, se realizó un corte de los indicadores que permitan detenerse en el período 2016-2021, con la intención de recuperar el significado del trabajo de monitoreo y evaluación, al que se entiende con cuatro objetivos o sentidos complementarios: a. facilitar la toma de decisiones para la planificación de actividades y estimación de insumos con sustento; b. visibilizar y valorar el trabajo cotidiano de los equipos; c. evaluar cada cierto tiempo en qué medida el accionar permanente del trabajo ha generado cambios en la realidad y la necesidad de producir cambios donde fuera preciso; y d. brindar una herramienta que se confía sea de utilidad para los diferentes actores estatales y de la sociedad civil involucrados e interesados en conocer los logros y desafíos de la política. (AU)

Achieving universal reproductive health coverage for deaf women in Ghana: an explanatory study of knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices.

BACKGROUND: The first world conference on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in 1994 helped create the awareness that reproductive health is a human right. Over the years, attempts have been made to extend services to all persons; however, lapses persist in service provision for all in need. Recently, countries have been encouraged to target minority groups in their reproductive health service provision. However, studies have rarely attempted to develop deeper insights into the experiences of deaf men and women regarding their knowledge of SRH. The purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the knowledge of deaf persons regarding services such as knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was adopted for this study. In the first quantitative phase, 288 deaf persons recruited from three out of the 16 regions in Ghana participated in this study. They completed a 31-item questionnaire on the main issues (knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices) addressed in this study. In the second phase, a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 60 participants who took part in the first phase. The key trend emerging in the first phase underpinned the interview guide used for the data collection. While the quantitative data were subjected to the computation of means, t-tests, analyses of variance, correlations and linear regressions to understand the predictors, the in-depth interviews were analysed using the thematic method of analysis. RESULTS: The results showed a convergence between the quantitative and qualitative data. For instance, the interview material supported the initial findings that deaf women had little knowledge of contraceptive methods. The participants offered reasons explaining their inability to access services and the role of religion in their understanding of SRH. CONCLUSION: The study concludes by calling on policymakers to consider the needs of deaf persons in future SRH policies. The study limitations and other implications for future policymaking are discussed.

The sexual and reproductive health of women with mental illness: a primary care registry study.

The purpose of this study is to characterise the sexual and reproductive health risks associated with mental illness among women. This was a retrospective cohort study of 2,680,149 women aged 14 to 45 years in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a UK primary care register, linked to 1,702,211 pregnancies that ended between the 1st January 1990 and 31st December 2017. Mental illness was identified in primary care and categorised into the following: common mental illness (depression/anxiety); addiction (alcohol/drug misuse); serious mental illness (affective/non-affective psychosis); other mental illness (eating/personality disorders). Logistic regression estimated the association between mental illness and subsequent risk of recurrent miscarriage and termination. Cox proportional hazards estimated the association between mental illness and time to gynaecological diseases, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive cancers, cervical screen, contraception and emergency contraception. Models were adjusted for calendar year, year of birth, smoking status and ethnicity, region and index of socioeconomic status. Compared to women without mental illness, exposed women were more likely to experience recurrent miscarriage (adjOR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.41 to 1.60), termination (adjOR = 1.48, 95%CI 1.45 to 1.50), gynaecological diseases (adjHR = 1.39, 95%CI 1.37 to 1.40), sexually transmitted infections (adjHR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.43 to 1.51), reproductive cancers (adjHR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.19), contraception (adjHR = 1.28 95%CI 1.26 to 1.29) and emergency contraception (adjHR = 2.30, 95%CI 2.26 to 2.34), and less likely to attend for cervical screening (adjHR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.90 to 0.92). Currently, the sexual and reproductive health needs of women with mental illness are unmet representing significant health inequalities. Clinicians must create opportunities to engage with women in primary care and mental health services to address this gap.

Dietary Quality of Women of Reproductive Age in Low-Income Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kyrgyzstan.

Dietary diversity and adequate nutrient intake are essential for conducting a healthy life. However, women in low-income settings often face difficulties in ensuring dietary quality. This research assessed relationships between the dietary diversity, nutrient adequacy, and socio-economic factors among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Kyrgyzstan. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in four locations, including two rural and two urban areas in the north and south of Kyrgyzstan. A survey with pre-coded and open-ended questions was employed during the interviews of 423 WRAs aged 18-49. Data collection was conducted in March-May 2021. The average value body mass index (BMI) of WRA was 24.2 ± 4.6 kg/m2. The dietary diversity score (DDS) was higher among rural women (common language effect size) cles = 0.67, adjusted p < 0.001) in the northern region (cles = 0.61, p < 0.05) who have cropland (cles = 0.60, p < 0.001) and a farm animal (cles = 0.60, p < 0.05). Mean nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) was below 1 in most micronutrients, whereas thiamine, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and C, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium were even lower than 0.5. Women with a kitchen garden or a cropland had better NAR energy (cles = 0.57), NAR carbohydrate (cles = 0.60), NAR fiber (cles = 0.60), NAR vitamin B1 (cles = 0.53), and NAR folic acid (cles = 0.54). Respondents who receive remittances and a farm animal have better NARs for energy, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin B1, folic acid, iron, zinc, and mean adequacy ratio for 16 nutrients (MAR 16) than those who do not. Education and income have a negative correlation with dietary quality. This study contributes to the limited literature on the quality of diets in Kyrgyzstan. Hidden hunger and undernutrition are a severe problem among WRA in low-income settings. Recommendations are including study programs in nutrition, teaching households farming practices, and raising awareness on adequate nutrition.

Knowledge and Practice of Childbearing Women in Saudi Arabia towards Folic Acid Supplement-Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neural tube defects are congenital anomalies which canlead to infant death and serious disability. They are initiated during embryogenesis, between the 23rd and 27th day of fetal life, and can be prevented by the administration of folic acid. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge and practice of Saudi women at childbearing age regarding NTDs and FA supplementation. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study on Saudi women of reproductive age who were asked to complete an online survey to examine their knowledge and practice regarding folic acid supplementation and neural tube defects. Descriptive and simple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS v.26 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: A total of 613 women have completed the questionnaire, from which the majority (46.7%) were aged between 36 and 40 years. About 94% of women heard about folic acid and 80% indicated that its deficiency has some relation to neural tube defects. Approximately 37%, 25.3%, and 23.2% of women reported the proper time for folic acid intake to be during first trimester of pregnancy, before pregnancy, or throughout pregnancy, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed that increase age and education were significantly correlated with a decrease in folic acid administration (p = 0.008) and (p = 0.001), respectively. However, there was no association between time of folic acid administration and income or number of parities. CONCLUSION: Despite the acceptable level of awareness about the relation of folic acid and neural tube defects, our results revealed that more education is required towards the proper time of supplementation among Saudi childbearing women.

Development of an international sexual and reproductive health survey instrument: results from a pilot WHO/HRP consultative Delphi process.

Population health surveys are rarely comprehensive in addressing sexual health, and population-representative surveys often lack standardised measures for collecting comparable data across countries. We present a sexual health survey instrument and implementation considerations for population-level sexual health research. The brief, comprehensive sexual health survey and consensus statement was developed via a multi-step process (an open call, a hackathon, and a modified Delphi process). The survey items, domains, entire instruments, and implementation considerations to develop a sexual health survey were solicited via a global crowdsourcing open call. The open call received 175 contributions from 49 countries. Following review of submissions from the open call, 18 finalists and eight facilitators with expertise in sexual health research, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), were invited to a 3-day hackathon to harmonise a survey instrument. Consensus was achieved through an iterative, modified Delphi process that included three rounds of online surveys. The entire process resulted in a 19-item consensus statement and a brief sexual health survey instrument. This is the first global consensus on a sexual and reproductive health survey instrument that can be used to generate cross-national comparative data in both high-income and LMICs. The inclusive process identified priority domains for improvement and can inform the design of sexual and reproductive health programs and contextually relevant data for comparable research across countries.

Reproductive Health in First-degree Relatives of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly heritable disease. Emerging evidence elucidated the elevated prevalence of reproductive abnormalities in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with PCOS. OBJECTIVE: To explore the reproductive health in FDRs of patients with PCOS. METHODS: Ten databases were searched in December 2020 (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese Biological Medical Literature, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Journals Full-text Database, WanFang, and World Health Organization international clinical trials registry platform). This study included cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement was followed. Dichotomous data from each of the eligible studies were combined by the Mantel-Haenszel model. Standard mean differences with 95% CIs were assessed. Heterogeneities were assessed using I2 statistics, and the quality of evidence was evaluated by a US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Evidence-based Practice Center program and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies were included. The prevalence of PCOS (0.22; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.29), menstrual irregularities (0.28; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.34, P < .01), and ovary morphological changes were elevated in female PCOS FDRs. Female FDRs also presented with increased levels of luteinizing hormone, total testosterone (standard mean difference, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.78, P < .01), unconjugated testosterone, free androgen index, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and antimüllerian hormone levels. Subgroup analyses indicated that some of these changes begun in pubertal girls. Furthermore, fathers of PCOS patients had a higher risk of premature baldness. The DHEAS level was elevated in male FDRs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this analysis suggested that FDRs of patients with PCOS suffered from reproductive endocrinological dysregulations. Thus, more attention should be focused on this population.

Do Older Women of Reproductive Age Have Better Diet Quality than Younger Women of Reproductive Age?

There is increasing recognition of the importance of nutrition for reproductive health, but little is known regarding the diet quality of younger vs. older reproductive aged women, and how their intakes relate to dietary recommendations. The purpose of the study was to examine the diets of younger (19-35 years old) compared to older (35-50 years old) reproductive aged women, and how they align with dietary recommendations. Women aged 19-50 years from the 2011-13 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were included (n = 2323). Dietary intakes were assessed by a single 24-h dietary recall and were compared to (i) Australian Dietary Guidelines; (ii) Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution for protein, carbohydrates, and fat; and (iii) Dietary Guideline Index (DGI). Regression analyses comparing younger and older women against recommendations were undertaken, with confounders determined a priori. There was no difference between older and younger women in meeting food group recommendations, with 26% of all women meeting recommendations for fruit, and meat and alternatives, and <20% meeting recommendations for vegetables and alternatives, grains, and dairy. Although there was no difference between older and younger women in total DGI score (mean (SE) 75.6 (1.7) vs. 74.5 (2.5), p > 0.05), older women had higher component scores in limiting saturated fat, consuming low-fat milk, and limiting adding salt during cooking. Continued health promotion for women of reproductive age should be a key priority to improve their own health and that of future generations.

Association between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Glycemic Markers in Ghanaian Women of Reproductive Age: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

Low magnesium intake has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in several studies conducted in high-income countries. However, very few studies have been performed in Africa, where many countries have a growing rate of T2DM. We conducted a pilot cross-sectional study among 63 women in Ghana to investigate the association between magnesium intake and glycemic markers. We assessed dietary magnesium using a food frequency questionnaire and glycemic markers using fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Our findings showed that the mean magnesium intake was 200 ± 116 mg/day. The prevalence of T2DM was 5% by measuring fasting blood glucose and 8% by measuring HbA1c. Unadjusted linear regression models revealed that higher magnesium intake significantly predicted higher fasting blood glucose levels (ß = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.55; p = 0.01) and HbA1c levels (ß = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.51; p = 0.04). In adjusted analyses, magnesium intake was no longer significantly associated with either fasting blood glucose levels (ß = 0.22; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.46; p = 0.08) or HbA1c levels (ß = 0.15; 95% CI: -0.08, 0.39; p = 0.20). In conclusion, our study did not show a significant association between magnesium intake and glycemic markers in women of reproductive age in Ghana. The results of this study need to be further substantiated because this was the first study to examine magnesium intake and glycemic markers in this population in Africa.