Effects of the Momentum project on postpartum family planning norms and behaviors among married and unmarried adolescent and young first-time mothers in Kinshasa: A quasi-experimental study.

This study evaluated the effect of Momentum-an integrated family planning, maternal and newborn health, and nutrition intervention-on postpartum family planning norms and behaviors among ever married and never-married first-time mothers age 15-24 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using data collected in 2018 and 2020, we conducted an intent-to-treat analysis among 1,927 first-time mothers who were about six-months pregnant at enrollment. Difference-in-differences models were run for panel data and treatment effects models with inverse-probability weighting for endline-only outcomes. Average treatment effects (ATE) were estimated. Momentum had positive effects on partner discussion of family planning in the early postpartum period (ever married 15-19: ATE = 0.179, 95% CI = 0.098, 0.261; never married 15-19: ATE = 0.131, 95% CI = 0.029, 0.232; ever married 20-24: ATE = 0.233, 95% CI = 0.164, 0.302; never married 20-24: ATE = 0.241, 95% CI = 0.121, 0.362) and discussion with a health worker, and on obtaining a contraceptive method in the early postpartum period, except among never married adolescents. Among adolescents, intervention effects on modern contraceptive use within 12 months of childbirth/pregnancy loss were larger for the never married (ATE = 0.251, 95% CI = 0.122, 0.380) than the ever married (ATE = 0.114, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.208). Full intervention exposure had consistently larger effects on contraceptive behaviors than partial exposure, except among ever married adolescents. Momentum had no effect on normative expectations about postpartum family planning use among adolescents, and on descriptive norms and personal agency among those who were never married. Results for normative outcomes and personal agency underscored the intersectionality between young maternal age and marital status. Future programs should improve personal agency and foster normative change in support of postpartum family planning uptake and tailor interventions to different age and marital status subsets of first-time mothers.

Unmarried status effect on stage at presentation and treatment patterns in primary urethral carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Unmarried status has been associated with advanced stage at presentation and lower treatment dose intensification rates in several urological and non-urological malignancies. However, no previous investigators focused of the association of unmarried status with locally advanced stage (T3-4N0-2) at presentation and lower bi-/trimodal therapy rates in primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) patients. To address these knowledge gaps, we relied on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. METHODS: Within the SEER database 2000 to 2020, all non-metastatic PUC patients were identified. Logistic regression models (LRMs) tested for differences in stage at presentation and treatment modality in the overall cohort and then in a sex-specific fashion, according to marital status (married vs unmarried). RESULTS: Of all 1,430 non-metastatic PUC patients, 1,004 (70%) were male vs 426 (30%) were female. Of 1,004 male PUC patients, 272 (27%) were unmarried. Of all 426 female PUC patients, 239 (56%) were unmarried. In multivariable LRMs predicting T3-4N0-2, unmarried status was independently associated with an increased risk of locally advanced stage at presentation in the overall cohort (odds ratio [OR]:1.31; P = 0.03) and in female patients (OR:1.62; P = 0.02), but not in male PUC patients (P = 0.6). In multivariable LRMs predicting bi-/trimodal therapy, unmarried status was an independent predictor of lower bi-/trimodal therapy rates in the overall cohort (OR:0.73; P = 0.02) and in male patients (OR:0.60; P = 0.007), but not in female PUC patients (P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Unmarried female PUC patients more likely harbored locally advanced stage at presentation. Conversely, unmarried male PUC patients are less likely to benefit from bi-/trimodal therapy.

Single Person Identification and Activity Estimation in a Room from Waist-Level Contours Captured by 2D Light Detection and Ranging.

To develop socially assistive robots for monitoring older adults at home, a sensor is required to identify residents and capture activities within the room without violating privacy. We focused on 2D Light Detection and Ranging (2D-LIDAR) capable of robustly measuring human contours in a room. While horizontal 2D contour data can provide human location, identifying humans and activities from these contours is challenging. To address this issue, we developed novel methods using deep learning techniques. This paper proposes methods for person identification and activity estimation in a room using contour point clouds captured by a single 2D-LIDAR at hip height. In this approach, human contours were extracted from 2D-LIDAR data using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise. Subsequently, the person and activity within a 10-s interval were estimated employing deep learning techniques. Two deep learning models, namely Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and image classification (VGG16), were compared. In the experiment, a total of 120 min of walking data and 100 min of additional activities (door opening, sitting, and standing) were collected from four participants. The LSTM-based and VGG16-based methods achieved accuracies of 65.3% and 89.7%, respectively, for person identification among the four individuals. Furthermore, these methods demonstrated accuracies of 94.2% and 97.9%, respectively, for the estimation of the four activities. Despite the 2D-LIDAR point clouds at hip height containing small features related to gait, the results indicate that the VGG16-based method has the capability to identify individuals and accurately estimate their activities.

Estado conyugal asociado a perímetro abdominal en adultos peruanos, 2022 / Marital status associated with abdominal circumference in Peruvian adults, 2022

Introducción. La convivencia o matrimonio puede conllevar a cambios en los patrones alimenticios y actividad física, afectando parámetros antropométricos como el perímetro abdominal. Objetivo. Determinar la relación entre el estado conyugal y el perímetro abdominal en adultos peruanos. Metodología. Estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo y transversal a partir de datos de la encuesta nacional de salud familiar. La población fue de 29206 adultos desde los 18 años. Las variables fueron: estado conyugal, sexo y perímetro abdominal. Se usó las pruebas Ji-cuadrado, V de Cramer, Odds Ratio y razón de prevalencias crudo y ajustado mediante regresión logística binaria, y regresión de Poisson, respectivamente, siendo las variables de ajuste: consumo de alcohol, etnia, lengua materna, nivel educativo, índice de masa corporal, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica y edad. Resultados. El promedio de perímetro abdominal fue mayor en adultos con estado conyugal casado/conviviente en ambos sexos, llegando en el rango de riesgo. Las mujeres con estado conyugal casado/conviviente tuvieron altos porcentajes de perímetro abdominal de riesgo (85,30%) mientras que en hombres del grupo casado/conviviente fue más frecuente (57,70%)el perímetro normal. En el análisis multivariado mediante regresión logística binaria, las mujeres con el estado conyugal casado/conviviente tuvieron 2,39 veces mayor de perímetro abdominal de riesgo que las solteras con una prevalencia 1,42 veces mayor. En hombres casados/convivientes, la probabilidad de perímetro abdominal elevado fue 1,40 veces mayor que en solteros, con una prevalencia 1,31 veces mayor. Conclusión. El estado conyugal casado/conviviente está asociado a una mayor probabilidad de perímetro abdominal elevado en esta población. Palabras clave: estado civil; circunferencia de la cintura; sobrepeso; obesidad; persona soltera

Introduction. Cohabitation or marriage can lead to changes in eating patterns and physical activity, affecting anthropometric parameters such as abdominal perimeter. Objective.To determine the relationship between marital status and abdominal circumference in Peruvianadults. Methodology. Observational, analytical, retrospective and cross-sectional study based on data from the national family health survey. The population was 29,206 adults aged 18 and older. The variables were: marital status, sex, abdominal circumference. The Chi-square test, Cramer's V, Odds Ratio and crude and adjusted prevalence ratio were used through binary logistic regression and Poisson regression, respectively, where the adjustment variables were: alcohol consumption, ethnic group, mother tongue, educational level, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and age. Results.The average abdominal circumference was higher in married/cohabiting adults in both sexes, reaching the risk range. Married/cohabiting women had highpercentages of at-risk abdominal circumference (85.30%) while in men in the married/cohabiting group the normal circumference was more frequent (57.70%). In the multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression, women whose marital status was married/cohabiting had a 2.39 times greater probability of abdominal circumference at risk than single women a prevalence of 1.42 times higher. In married/cohabiting men, the probability of a high abdominal circumference was 1.40 times higher than in single men, with a prevalence 1.31 times higher. Conclusion.Married/cohabiting marital status is associated with a greater probability of high abdominal circumference in thispopulation. Key words: marital status; waist circumference; overweight; obesity; single person

'I have to pretend that I don't care': Stigma management among unmarried young mothers in South-Western Nigeria.

Young mothers often encounter stigma and discrimination, affecting their lives and that of their children. This paper explores stigma management strategies and their effectiveness for young mothers in rural Nigeria. Ten key informants and 24 young mothers were recruited from Ife-East in South-Western Nigeria. Data from semi-structured interviews showed that societal disapproval of pregnant teenagers and young mothers were common experiences. Women used a range of strategies to actively cope with stigma including: belief in predestination, avoidance, concealment, and cohabitation. These strategies could be seen as tools to mitigate negative stereotypes and discrimination. However, they also had the unintended consequences of compounding many young women's difficult circumstances and exposing them to adverse outcomes, including gender-based violence, repeat pregnancies, poor mental health, and low uptake of services. The results show the need for policy frameworks to actively combat stigma by addressing the negative framing of early pregnancy and motherhood and promoting supportive environments for young mothers. Health professionals need to be trained to offer de-stigmatising services to encourage young mothers to seek help and reduce pre-existing inequities in access to services, and policies need to include measures that address the rights of young mothers and protect them from violence and abuse.

Loneliness among single and coupled individuals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-country analysis

Background/Objective: Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased social isolation and loneliness and that, in general, single individuals experience a higher degree of loneliness than coupled individuals. Loneliness may also vary across cultures as a function of social norms and Hofstede's dimensions of national culture. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine whether the link between relationship status and loneliness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic differed across countries as a function of cultural values captured in terms of Hofstede's six dimensions of national culture. Method: Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the archival data collected in the COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey (41 countries and 102,957 participants) and the COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey - Round II (23 countries and 8227 participants). Results: The analyses demonstrated the statistical significance of the interactions between relationship status and six Hofstede's dimensions of national culture in the link between relationship status and loneliness. The estimated effect sizes of these interactions were, however, almost zero. Conclusions: The lack of effect size of the interactions between relationship status and Hofstede's dimensions of national culture for loneliness may have substantive significance. This finding implies that, on average, loneliness as a function of relationship status may be less reactive in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to the effects of social norms and values across which countries vary. (AU)

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices and deworming improve nutritional status and anemia of unmarried adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: In Bangladesh, undernutrition and anemia are more occurrent among adolescent girls. BRAC, the largest non-governmental organization (NGO), has been implementing a community-based nutrition education service package targeting adolescent girls for reducing their undernutrition and anemia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the underlying factors associated with nutritional status and anemia among adolescent girls under the BRAC nutrition program areas to improve their existing intervention package. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional and comparative study in 2016, in 24 upazilas of Bogra, Barguna, Comilla, Dinajpur, Feni, Jessore, and Meherpur districts where the BRAC nutrition program was implemented while the remaining 27 upazilas of those districts were selected as comparison area. We followed a multistage cluster random sampling for selecting 1620 unmarried adolescent girls aged 10-19 years for interviewing in the intervention and comparison areas. Data were collected on socio-demographic information, dietary intake, morbidity, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practice, anthropometry, and serum hemoglobin (Hb) level by using a pre-structured questionnaire. The nutritional status of the adolescent girls was expressed as height-for-age Z (HAZ) and body mass index-for-age Z (BMIZ) score, while anemia referred to the serum Hb at the level of below 12 g/dl for adolescent girls. All statistical analyses were done in STATA version 17 (Chicago Inc.). FINDINGS: The prevalence of stunting (22.9% vs. 22.5%), thinness (12% vs. 14%), and anemia (34.5% vs. 37.3%) exhibited similarities between the intervention and comparison regions. Stunting and thinness were predictors for each other for this population group. Our findings indicated that adolescent girls who were not washing hands with soap after defecation were likely to be stunted [AOR 1.51 (95% CI 1.12-2.04)], and who did not utilize sanitary latrines had an increased likelihood of being thin [AOR 2.38 (95% CI 1.11-5.08)]. Conversely, those who did not watch television [AOR 1.69 (95% CI 1.12-2.56)] and did not have deworming tablets [AOR 1.33 (95% CI 1.07-1.64)] in the 6 months leading up to the interview had a 69% and 33% higher probability of being anemic, respectively. CONCLUSION: For sustainable improvement in the undernutrition and anemia of adolescent girls, integration of WASH, consistent administration of deworming tablets and broadcasting awareness programs through television are urgent to scale up the nutrition intervention programs in similar settings like Bangladesh.

Changes in food purchase, consumption and handling during COVID-19 pandemic among single person households.

OBJECTIVE: As a new type of consumer subject in the market that was formerly dominated by multiple person families, single households are driving the change in the buying structure. Food purchase activities have undergone significant changes since the outbreak of the COVID-19. The objective of this study was to assess and compare variations in food consumption, purchase and handling during the COVID-19 pandemic between single person households (SPH) and multiple person households. METHOD: A cross-sectional study conducted among 211 individuals in communities in Harris and Waller Counties, Texas. Sociodemographic, food purchase, food consumption and food handling activities during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed with a validated COVID-19 Nutrition questionnaire. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic Black participants constituted 42.6%, and 28.4% were Hispanics. Participants were made up of mostly aged 18-24 years (39.3%), 47.9% single household composition, 30.4% in full time employment, and 29.1% partook in food assistance programs. A large proportion of them had never used grocery pickup services, online grocery shopping and a farmers' market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, majority of the participants used more of large supermarkets, restaurant/fast food, and online grocery but food consumption seemed to remain the same for the majority of participants. For beverages, majority of participants consumed more water, less soda, and no alcohol. There was a significant association between single person household and higher restaurant/fast foods purchase. Many of the participants reported weight gain and less physical activity during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Restaurant meal purchases was more prevalent in single-person families. The results from the study have the potential to contribute to how public policy officials, food service, and health authorities forecast how different categories of consumers will react in pandemics and may be used to inform area-specific alleviation strategies to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and future events.

The influence of gender-equitable attitudes on sexual behaviour among unmarried adolescents in rural Tanzania: a longitudinal study.

PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT: Gender norms that centre men and disadvantage women create gender inequality, which can lead to risky sexual behaviour. This study examined how both community and individual attitudes toward gender norms influenced risky sexual behaviour in adolescents, and whether that influence was different between males and females. We found that higher gender-equitable attitudes were linked to increased odds of HIV testing in the last 12 months, and decreased odds of engaging in a sexual relationship with a much older partner. Individual high gender-equitable attitudes among girls were also linked to higher odds of them using condoms and contraceptives. Gender-equitable attitudes did not seem to influence early sexual debut, engagement in transactional sex, having multiple sexual partners at the same time, or the number of sexual partners a participant had in the last 12 months. Based on these findings, programming designed to increase gender-equitable attitudes might be helpful in increasing HIV testing and condom and contraceptive use, but it needs to involve the entire community, not just individual boys and girls.

Prevalence of HIV testing uptake among the never-married young men (15-24) in sub-Saharan Africa: An analysis of demographic and health survey data (2015-2020).

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV and AIDS remain a major public health concern among adolescents and young men. HIV testing is the first critical step for linking infected individuals to HIV treatment and prevention. However, HIV-testing uptake among sexually active young men remains low in the region. This study was conducted to assess the HIV testing rates among unmarried young men in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Using data from the most recent country Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, in 18 sub-Saharan African countries, an Inverse Heterogeneity model (IVhet) using MetaXL software was used to estimate country, regional and sub-regional pooled estimates of HIV testing uptake among sexually active unmarried young men in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with HIV testing uptake among unmarried young men. RESULTS: The overall pooled prevalence estimate of HIV testing uptake among sexually active unmarried young men in sub-Saharan Africa was 33.0% (95% CI: 21-45, I2 = 99%, p <0.001). There was variation in the prevalence across countries ranging from 7% (95% CI: 5-9) in Guinea to 77% (95% CI: 74-80) in Cameroon. Central Africa had the highest prevalence of HIV testing among unmarried young men, at 47% (95% CI:0-100) while West Africa had the lowest prevalence at 11% (95% CI:2-23). Results further show that young men aged 15-19 (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.52-0.66) were less likely to test for HIV. Young men who spent 8 to 12 years in school (aOR = 3.26 95% CI 2.21-4.79) or 13 years and above (aOR = 3.56 95% CI 2.35-5.37) had increased odds of undertaking an HIV test. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HIV testing among sexually active unmarried young men remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the results suggest that health policymakers should consider re-evaluating the current HIV prevention policies and programmes with the view of redesigning the present HIV testing campaigns to enhance the uptake among young people.

Comparison between two different local hemostatic methods for dental extractions in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy: a within-person, single-blind, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) provides additional risk reduction of ischemic events compared to aspirin monotherapy, at cost of higher bleeding risk. There are few data comparing new techniques for reducing bleeding after dental extractions in these patients. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effectiveness of the HemCon Dental Dressing (HDD) compared to oxidized cellulose gauze. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized study included 60 patients on DAPT who required at least two dental extractions (120 procedures). Each surgical site was randomized to HDD or oxidized regenerated cellulose gauze as the local hemostatic method. Intra-oral bleeding time was measured immediately after the dental extraction and represents our main endpoint for comparison of both hemostatic agents. Prolonged bleeding, platelet reactivity measured by Multiplate Analyser (ADPtest and ASPItest) and tissue healing comparison after 7 days were also investigated. RESULTS: Intra-oral bleeding time was lower in HDD compared with control (2 [2-5] vs. 5 [2-8] minutes, P=0.001). Prolonged postoperative bleeding was observed in 7 cases (11.6%), all of them successfully managed with local sterile gauze pressure. More HDD treated sites presented better healing when compared with control sites [21 (36.8%) vs. 5 (8.8%), P=0.03]. There was poor correlation between platelet reactivity and intra-oral bleeding time. CONCLUSIONS: In patients on DAPT, HDD resulted in a lower intra-oral bleeding time compared to oxidized cellulose gauze after dental extractions. Moreover, HDD also seems to improve healing conditions.

Mortalidade por suicídio no Brasil: análise temporal (2010-2021) e comparação com os primeiros dois anos da pandemia de COVID-19 / Suicide mortality in Brazil: temporal analysis (2010-2021) and comparison with the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objetivo: Analisar casos de suicídio no Brasil de 2010 a 2021 e as características sociodemográficas deste fenômeno, incluindo os primeiros dois anos da pandemia de COVID-19, para avaliar a existência de relação dos aumentos de casos de suicídio no Brasil com esta doença. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de linhas temporais, com 140.339 casos analisados a partir das bases de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Taxas e regressões estatísticas foram aplicadas no software STATA®. Resultados: Observou-se maiores taxas de suicídio em homens, solteiros, e residentes nas regiões Sul e Centro-Oeste. A faixa etária de 10 a 19 anos teve crescimento de 1,7 casos x 100 mil habitantes/ano. A análise por região revelou variações significativas nas taxas, sugerindo influência de fatores contextuais. Embora a pandemia tenha gerado impactos na saúde mental, não foi possível estabelecer relação direta entre a COVID-19 e o aumento das taxas de suicídio. Conclusão: Esses resultados reforçam a necessidade de políticas públicas e intervenções preventivas, especialmente para grupos vulneráveis, como os jovens. Abordagem multifatorial é sugerida, considerando fatores socioeconômicos, acesso a serviços de saúde mental e redução do estigma associado com doenças mentais. Em suma, este estudo contribui para a compreensão das tendências temporais e características demográficas dos suicídios no Brasil, ressaltando a importância de investigações longitudinais adicionais para melhor compreensão desse fenômeno complexo. Espera-se que essas evidências fortaleçam as políticas de saúde mental e promovam estratégias mais eficazes de prevenção do suicídio.

Objective: To analyze suicide cases in Brazil from 2010 to 2021 and the sociodemographic characteristics of this phenomenon, including the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, to assess whether there was a relationship between the increase in suicide cases in Brazil and this illness. Methods: Ecological timeline study, with 140,339 cases analyzed from the Mortality Information System (SIM) databases. Rates and statistical regressions were performed using STATA® software. Results: Higher suicide rates in men, singles, and residents of the South and Midwest regions were observed. The age group of 10­19 years had an increase of 1.7 cases x 100 thousand inhabitants/year. Analysis by region revealed significant variations in rates, suggesting the influence of contextual factors. Although the pandemic affected mental health, it was not possible to establish a direct relationship between COVID-19 and increased suicide rates. Conclusion: These results reinforce the need for public policies and preventive interventions, especially for vulnerable groups such as young people. A multifactorial approach is suggested that considers socioeconomic factors, access to mental health services, and reduced stigma associated with mental illness. In short, this study contributes to understanding the temporal trends and demographic characteristics of suicides in Brazil, highlighting the importance of further longitudinal investigations to better understand this complex phenomenon. Hopefully, this evidence will strengthen mental health policies and promote more effective suicide prevention strategies.

Prevalence and determinants of inconsistent condom use among unmarried sexually active youth. a secondary analysis of the 2016-2017 Eswatini HIV incidence measurement survey.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, youth continue to have a high burden of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies that could be reduced through improved condom use. We aimed to investigate inconsistent condom use with the three most recent sexual partners among unmarried sexually active youth in Eswatini. Methods: Data were analysed for 1,324 youth from the 2016-2017 Swaziland HIV incidence measurement survey (SHIMS2) using multivariable logistic regression method. Results: The prevalence of inconsistent condom use among youth was 56.8% in 2017. Higher odds of inconsistent condom use were observed among youth aged 20-24, residents in the Lubombo region, those aged less than 18 years at sexual debut and those who had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months before the survey. Lower odds of inconsistent condom use were observed among males, and those that knew their partners reported HIV status to be negative. Conclusion: Our findings highlight a notable prevalence of inconsistent condom use among youth in Eswatini. Programs that aim to reduce the incidence of HIV infections and STIs among youth in Eswatini should focus on these factors associated with inconsistent condom use.

Intimate partner violence among unmarried young women (18-24 years) in urban communities, Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health problem that affects more than one-third of women globally. Young women who experience IPV face the same consequences as older women. Previous studies on IPV have not studies young women exclusively, thus, we aimed to report the prevalence of IPV and predictors among young women in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey, using multistage cluster technique was conducted to determine the past-year prevalence of IPV among unmarried young women (n=736) from 20 communities in five Local Government Areas in Ibadan, Nigeria. The independent variables were respondents and their partners' background information. Dependent variables were experience of physical, sexual, psychological and any IPV. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (α0.05). RESULTS: Psychological IPV was the most prevalent form of IPV (50.1 %). Prevalence of any IPV was 56.3 %. At the bivariate level, having children, acceptance of IPV, ever had sex, age at first sex, experience at sexual debut, partners being with other women while being with the respondents, partners alcohol use, and partners witness of abuse as a child were significantly associated with IPV. However, only acceptance of IPV, experience at sexual debut, and partners being with other women while being with the respondents remained significant at the multivariate level. CONCLUSIONS: IPV is a common occurrence among young women. Both individual and partners characteristics, especially acceptance of IPV contribute significantly to experience of IPV among young women. Hence, interventions targeted at reduction of IPV acceptance will greatly reduce the prevalence of IPV.

Examining the relationship between risky sexual behavior and suicidal thoughts among unmarried adolescents in India.

Addressing the problem of suicidal thoughts in adolescents requires understanding the associated risk factors. Multiple studies have shown that risky sexual behavior affected the adolescents' psychological health that leads to their suicidal thoughts, behaviors and attempts. This study aimed to identify the association between various risky sexual behaviours and suicidal thoughts among unmarried adolescents in India. We used data collected from 4221 unmarried adolescent boys and 5987 unmarried adolescent girls aged 10-19 years, from the two rounds of the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) survey. Descriptive analysis was done to observe changes in the selected variables from wave-1 to wave-2. Random effect regression analysis was used to estimate the association of suicidal thoughts among unmarried adolescents with their risky sexual behaviours. The percentage of adolescent boys having suicidal thoughts increased from 1.35% in wave 1 to 2.19% in wave 2. Among adolescent girls, the percentage increased from 2.92% in wave 1 to 5.05% in wave 2. A proportion of 3.26% adolescent boys had more than one sexual partner during wave 1 whereas in wave 2, it rose to 8.71%, while in case of adolescent girls, the estimates only increased from 0.26% at wave 1 to 0.78% at wave 2. Nearly 4.55% boys and 1.37% girls had early sexual debut. Almost five percentage boys were sexually active at wave 1 whereas in wave 2, it rose to 13.56%, while among adolescent girls, the estimates decreased from 1.54% at wave 1 to 1.51% at wave 2. Contraceptive use increased over time among both adolescent boy and girls. Also, a large proportion of adolescent boys reported watching pornography (27.08% at waive 1 and 49.39% at wave 2) compared to adolescent girls (4.46% at wave 1 and 13.10% at wave 2). Adolescents who had more than one sexual partner [Coef: 0.04; p < 0.001], exposed to early sexual debut [Coef; 0.019; p < 0.01], sexually active [Coef: 0.058; p < 0.001] and reported watching pornography [Coef: 0.017; p < 0.001] were more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Adolescent boys and girls with risky sexual behaviors are likely to be at a higher risk of suicidal ideation, and thus, they should be treated with special care and attention by local healthcare practitioners.

Perspectives about social support among unmarried pregnant university students in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant young women in an academic environment are susceptible to stressors associated with unintended pregnancy and academic demands of universities. The challenges they face may be exacerbated by lack of social support, putting them at risk of psychological disorders such as depression. Women who receive social support during pregnancy and postpartum experience less emotional distress and report greater maternal satisfaction. However, very little is known about the perspectives about social support among unmarried pregnant students in tertiary institutions. METHODS: Participants were purposively selected among unmarried pregnant students and those in the puerperal period at the time of the study. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore the perspectives of unmarried pregnant students on the type of support that they need during pregnancy and the puerperium and the period when most support is needed. The data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The findings show that social supports (emotional, instrumental, informational, and financial) were highlighted as important resources to cope with stressors during pregnancy and post-birth. Emotional support from male partners was the most important type of support needed as it entailed a sense of being loved and cared for. Social support was identified as important throughout the different phases of pregnancy and post birth, with different support needs expressed at each of these phases. CONCLUSION: This study identified support needs of unmarried pregnant university students in their transition to motherhood. Given the several challenges that they are faced with, unmarried pregnant students need social support, including male partner support to enhance wellbeing as they try to cope with academic and pregnancy-related stressors.

Perceiving multiple properties of a single person-probe-surface system.

We performed three experiments to investigate the extent to which people can selectively perceive different properties of a person-probe-surface system, and the extent to which such abilities are supported by sensitivities to different (components of) invariant mechanical parameters. Participants probed a surface with a wielded object and attempted to perceive an exteroceptive property of the probe (whole length), an exproprioceptive property of the probe (partial length), and an exteroceptive property of the surface (distance). After controlling for potential confounds, we found that participants were able to selectively perceive each of these properties, and that in each case, such abilities were supported by sensitivity to distinct components of mechanical invariants. The results suggest that people can selectively attend to properties both across and within components of a person-probe-surface system and are discussed in the context of the invariant mechanical parameters that support this ability.

"Premature" Girls with "Illegitimate" Diseases: A Qualitative Exploration of the Stigma of Gynecological Diseases for Unmarried Young Women in China.

Stigma has been a prominent barrier in women's pursuit of better sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Specifically, evidence supports the stigmatization of gynecological diseases (GDs) for unmarried young women. Drawing upon the model of social identity threats, this study explored the GD stigma and social identity threats faced by unmarried young women in China with 26 in-depth interview data. The interpersonal, socio-cultural, and intrapersonal layers of GD stigma were identified. First, participants' disclosure and concealment of GDs concerning different significant others were contrasted as an interpersonal layer and voluntary response to social identity threats. In participants' GD experiences, peers stood out for providing emotional, tangible, and informational support, while parents were most often avoided for anticipated stigma. Second, collective representations of GDs and the cultural rationale in the socio-cultural layer were probed. The traditional and modernized sexual norms centering on the legitimacy of premarital sex and SRH knowledge were unveiled. At last, the interpersonal layer was identified. Unmarried young patients suffered social identity threats regarding their independence, sexual agency, and bodily awareness. This is one of the first studies that investigated the underappreciated GD stigma in China. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

What are the sources of contraceptives for married and unmarried adolescents: Health services or friends? Analysis of 59 low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Despite the efforts to promote universal coverage for family planning, inequalities are still high in several countries. Our aim was to identify which sources of contraceptives women mostly rely on in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We also explored the different sources according to age and marital status. Methods: We used data from national health surveys carried out in 59 LMICs since 2010. Among all sexually active women at reproductive age, we explored inequalities in demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods (mDFPS) and in the source of modern contraceptives according to women's age, classified as: 15-19, 20-34, or 35-49 years of age. Among adolescents, mDFPS and source of method were explored by marital status, classified as married or in union and not married nor in a union. Results: mDFPS was lower among adolescents than among adult women in 28 of the 59 countries. The lowest levels of mDFPS among adolescents were identified in Albania (6.1%) and Chad (8.2%). According to adolescents' marital status, the pattern of inequalities in mDFPS varied widely between regions, with married and unmarried adolescents showing similar levels of coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean, higher coverage among unmarried adolescents in Africa, and lower coverage among unmarried adolescents in Asia. Public and private health services were the main sources, with a lower share of the public sector among adolescents in almost all countries. The proportion of adolescents who obtained their contraceptives in the public sector was lower among unmarried girls than married ones in 31 of the 38 countries with data. Friends or relatives were a more significant source of contraceptives among unmarried compared to married adolescents in all regions. Conclusions: Our findings indicate lower levels of mDFPS and lower use of the public sector by adolescents, especially unmarried girls. More attention is needed to provide high-quality and affordable family planning services for adolescents, especially for those who are not married.

Perceived Marriage Squeeze and Subjective Well-Being Among Unmarried Rural Men in China: The Mediating Role of Sense of Coherence.

The marriage-squeeze unmarried rural men perceive during their daily life is one of the main stressors severely affecting their subjective well-being under the universal marriage culture. The mechanism of this relationship is still unknown. Based on the Stress Process Model, using data from the "Survey on Rural Family Martial Status," this study examines the relationship between perceived marriage squeeze (PMS) and subjective well-being (SWB) and the mediating effect of sense of coherence (SOC). A sample of 417 Chinese unmarried rural men with an average age of 28.88 years was enrolled in this cross-sectional. Ordinary least square regressions and Bootstrap-mediated effect analysis methods were used to examine the association between PMS, SWB, and SOC. The results show that PMS has significant negative effects on both SWB and SOC of unmarried rural men, and SOC has a significant positive impact on SWB; the more perceived marriage squeeze they have, the lower SWB and SOC they have. The mediated analysis shows that SOC plays a mediating role in the influence of PMS on the SWB of unmarried rural men. This is to say, SOC can mitigate PMS's negative effects on the SWB of unmarried rural men. Our findings highlight the importance of SOC in protecting the SWB of unmarried rural men. Considering the propounding influence of the marriage squeeze, policies that enhance the level of SOC should be implemented to relieve the influence of PMS on vulnerable unmarried rural men's SWB.