Aspects Of Reproductive Health Research Articles

Perceptions and Beliefs About Preconceptional Care Among Primary Healthcare Workers in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Preconception care (PCC) is one of the important aspects of reproductive health and family planning, from the preventive aspect as primordial prevention forfuture offspring and primary prevention forfemales before pregnancy. However, there is no written protocol about PCC and it is not routinely practiced in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and beliefs among care workers regarding PCC. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted ongeneral practitioners (GP), family physicians (FP), practitioner nurses (PN), and midwives (MW) in primary healthcare centers (PHC) in Jeddah City using a validated questionnaire that assesses their preconception practices, perceptions, and beliefs. Results This study included 201 participants, of whom 98.5% were Saudi nationals and 80.1% were female. Most (64.7%) were 30-39 years old, followed by 40-49 years old (21.9%). The majority (67.7%) were married and had one or two children (37.3%). Most (36%) were practitioner nurses, followed by family physicians (31%), and had 11-15 years of experience (32%), followed by six to 10 years of experience. The majority (44%) reported providing PCC one to five times last month. Of all participants, 72.63% agreed that PCC affected pregnancy outcomes, and 83% agreed that PCC is important. However, 51.7% agreed there is not enough time to provide PCC services. The service rated as the highest priority was providing advice regarding smoking cessation (82.1%), alcohol cessation (84.6%), control of chronic diseases (85.1%), and information about drug use (86.6%). Most participants rated rubella screening as highly important (89.9%), followed by hepatitis screening (88.6%). Family physicians and practitioner nurses perceived PCC as more important than general practitioners and midwives (p=0.026) and were more likely to perceive hospitals as the optimal setting for PCC (p=0.015). General practitioners were more likely to believe in the insufficient evidence base for PCC (p < 0.001). Conclusion The study found that healthcare workers had good perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes toward the PCC, but their practice was poor. Most lacked formal training and had differing perspectives on PCC, depending on their professions. The findings could inform strategies and measures to improve PCC practice among healthcare workers and raise awareness as well as capacity building by enhancing the training of healthcare workers.

O-037 Sex and reproductive health education in the UK: What are we teaching teenagers?

Abstract Study question Are we giving teenagers in the UK a comprehensive sex and reproductive health education? Summary answer Teenagers report learning about how not to get pregnant but have little education in other reproductive health topics. What is known already Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agree that sex education is a necessary component of education. But globally most countries teach limited information on sex education, concentrating on how not to get pregnant. They may cover puberty, contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but rarely teach how to get pregnant, PCOS, endometriosis or menopause. We have analysed the UK curriculum at the two exam stages (age 16 and 18), which has shown that the majority of topics that come under reproductive health education are not covered. Study design, size, duration We conducted a mixed-methods study, distributing an anonymous, online survey using multiple choice and open-ended questions on Qualtrics software to schools for students aged 16-18 years. The schools distributed the survey either in the classroom or the link was given to the students. The survey was live for 62 weeks (10th May 2021 – 18th July 2022). The final sample size was n = 1224. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study had ethical approval from UCL research Ethics Committee ID no: 9831/006. A total of 1244 students completed or partially completed the survey: 754 girls, 344 boys, 38 others, 17 prefer not to say. The qualitative data was analysed thematically. Main results and the role of chance Over half of the teenagers’ rated the sex education they received in their schools’ to be adequate or below (55%, 708/1080). The top three most popular topics taught in schools was contraception (90%, 968/1080), STI’s (85%, 914/1080) and puberty (83%, 899/1080). Outside of schools the most popular topics learnt by teenagers were abortion (63%, 675/1080), puberty (60%, 648/1080) and the menstrual cycle (60%, 650/1080). The majority learnt about reproductive health topics through the internet (69%, 745/1080) and social media (60%, 646/1080) and over half (74%, 800/1076) of these teenagers do not or only sometimes, talk to their parents/guardian about reproductive health topics. Common reason for not talking to their parents/guardian was because it was uncomfortable or embarrassing (46%, 386/842). Half of the teenagers (49%, 502/1024) did not know when a woman is most fertility during their menstrual cycle. Teenagers estimated the oldest age women can naturally have children as: 40 years old (10%, 104/1024), 45 years old (23%, 263/1024), 50 years old (21%, 214/1024), and the oldest age a man can naturally have children: 60 years old (12%, 122/1024), 70 years old (12%, 122/1024), 80+ years old (36%, 366/1024). Teenagers showed better knowledge of female fertility than of male fertility. Limitations, reasons for caution Only 20 schools participated so the study results are not representative of all UK schools. Personal contacts and a teacher forum were used for survey promotion. Schools in more deprived areas, faith schools and teens without internet access and a digital device did not participate in the survey. Wider implications of the findings Schools should be teaching all aspects of reproductive health. The data from this study, and school talks given by the second author has helped the development of a free teachers’ reproductive health education PowerPoints and guide which is being promoted by the ESHRE International Fertility Education. Trial registration number Not applicable

The impact of today’s chronic stress on a woman’s menstrual function

Annotation. The article presents a review of the scientific literature on the problem of menstrual dysfunction under the influence of chronic stress. The war has caused the most severe stress for the Ukrainian population in recent months. Women have faced increased workloads, stressful situations, and poor nutrition and hygiene. The combination of all these factors has affected women’s health, especially their reproductive system. Since the beginning of the war, 53.4% of women have noticed changes in their normal menstrual cycle. They reported moderate to heavy bleeding associated with pain, irregular cycles, feeling weak and fatigue, which is a sign of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). The regulation of the menstrual cycle is a multi-stage “cascade”, the upper level of which is the cerebral cortex and structures of the limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala). Neuropeptides (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and kisspeptin) and the hormone melatonin are central to this process. Stressful situations directly affect the synthesis and use of neurotransmitters and hormones, disrupting the most important link in the regulation of the menstrual cycle. During the war, many women faced threats to their lives and health, which led to psycho-emotional distress that negatively affected many aspects of reproductive health. The purpose of our work was to search, systematize and analyze relevant scientific sources and view online conferences and webinars on menstrual disorders under the influence of chronic stress. We conducted a systematic review and an analysis of the relevant literature and video materials over the past year. We used PubMed and Google Scholar to search for data. Search words “stress”, “menstrual cycle”, “war”, and “abnormal uterine bleeding” were used to query data. Analysis of the collected data suggests that the problem of menstrual disorders is very relevant today because most women today are affected by chronic stress.

Profiling Maternal and Child Health Care in the Tribal Communities of Telangana State: An Anthropological Enquiry

Sexual and reproductive health aspects of tribal communities have been a matter of concern for various scholars. The present study, conducted among the tribals in one of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency areas (Mannanoor ITDA) in the state of Telangana, is primarily set to enrich the existing knowledge concerning reproductive health. The article particularly focuses on the antenatal/prenatal care, intranatal care, and reproductive outcomes among the tribal communities. The article attempts to look into the age of these women at marriage and various conceptions, the spacing between conceptions, and the outcome of the conceptions. Besides this, efforts have been made to gather data on the place of delivery, antenatal care, and birth weights of infants. The study could identify that about a quarter were low-birth-weight babies. The study also showed that overall reproductive wastage is quite significant in the tribal communities in the study area, even though the women in the area were found to be avoiding marriages at a very young age. By and large, the study reveals that maternal and child health practices are relatively satisfactory in the tribal communities in the study area.

Barriers to the participation of men in reproductive health care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

BackgroundDespite emphasizing the importance and benefits of men's active engagement in reproductive health programs, their engagement in reproductive health care is low. Researchers have identified different barriers to men's avoidance of participation in various aspects of reproductive health in different parts of the world. This study provided an in-depth review of the hindrances to men’s non-participation in reproductive health.MethodsThis meta-synthesis was conducted using keyword searches in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ProQuest until January 2023. Qualitative English-language studies that investigated barriers to men's participation in reproductive health were included in the study. The critical appraisal skills program (CASP) checklist was used to assess the articles' quality. Data synthesis and thematic analysis were done using the standard method.ResultThis synthesis led to the emergence of four main themes such as failure to access all inclusive and integrated quality services, economic issues, couples' personal preferences and attitudes, and sociocultural considerations to seek reproductive healthcare services.ConclusionHealthcare system programs and policies, economic and sociocultural issues, and men’s attitudes, knowledge, and preferences, influence men's participation in reproductive healthcare. Reproductive health initiatives should focus on eliminating challenges to men's supportive activities to increase practical men's involvement in reproductive healthcare.

Kesehatan Reproduksi dan Budaya Patriarki dalam Novel Bulan Patah Karya Maria Maltidis Banda

This research is entitled "Reproductive Health and Patriarchal Culture in the Novel Bulan Patah by Maria Maltidis Banda". The purpose of this study was to determine the structural elements which include grooves; characterizations; and setting, to reveal aspects of reproductive health in a patriarchal culture in the novel Bulan Patah by Maria Matildis Banda, and to reveal the meaning of filial piety in the novel Bulan Patah. The theory used in this research is the theory of structure and the theory of sociology of literature which includes reproductive health and public health. This study uses qualitative data. The data collection method used is the literature study method. The process of data analysis used the descriptive qualitative method. The data sources of this research are primary data and secondary data. The results of this study, namely the plot in the novel Bulan Patah are divided into three stages, namely the initial, middle, and final stages. The main character in this novel is Midwife Rosa Dalima, while the secondary character is Om Saver. The complementary characters in this novel are Rachel and Retha. The setting in this novel is the setting of the place, setting of time, and setting of atmosphere. In this study, it was found that the aspects of reproductive health were weak without the treatment of a doctor or midwife, and weak physical and social conditions, due to the influence of patriarchal culture in Bulan Patah Novel. In addition, this study also found that the role of Midwife Rosa Dalima in the novel Bulan Patah was related to the meaning of filial piety for health development.

Da’wah Activities through Mountaineering: Multidisciplinary Overview of Pendaki Hijabers Community in Indonesia

In Indonesia, da’wah activities have been implemented in various ways, including mountaineering. However, data showed that many mountain hikers in Indonesia had been seriously injured (even died) due to a lack of knowledge and preparation for hiking. This article aimed to analyze the goals of mountain hiking and fulfilling the reproductive health conducted by Pendaki Hijabers community members. The authors used a phenomenological approach with a descriptive-analytical type of qualitative research. The research was conducted at Mount Merapi and Prau Dieng, Indonesia, from 2019 until 2020 with 25 informants. The data were analyzed using Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and Maqāşid al-Syarī'ah theory. The results showed that the goals of Pendaki Hijabers community activities varied, such as meditation on nature, exploration of nature verses ‘āyāt kauniyah’, da’wah through mountaineering, deepening mountaineering skills, eliminating negative stereotypes of hijab, ideological deconstruction of society through the hijab, and fighting developmentalism through social service, sport, education, and religious activities. Based on the CEDAW review, mountaineering for women, on the one hand, had a positive impact on psychology because it can eliminate double burden concepts and negative stereotypes for women. On the other hand, mountain hiking has a potential negative impact on women's reproductive health because luggage is too heavy, hiking during menstruation, and consumption of food and drinks that are not ideal. Based on the Maqāşid al-Syarī'ah review, mountaineering activities supported ḥifẓ dīn ‘safeguarding the religion’ because they are oriented towards the da’wah of Islam. But, mountaineering that does not pay attention to aspects of reproductive health potentially harms the goals of sharia in the form of ḥifẓ nafs ‘safeguarding the soul’ and ḥifẓ nasal ‘safeguarding offspring’.

Mexican traditional medicines for women’s reproductive health

Like China, Mexico has a traditional system of medicine dating back almost 5000 years that incorporates the healing practices of pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Maya and Aztec. Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) women depend on MTM practices and herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs as limited access and high costs of Western medicine is a significant problem. The aims of this work were to determine the medicinal plants more commonly used in MTM for women’s reproductive health issues and assess the clinical data supporting their use. Data from multiple sources was compiled and information on plants commonly used by women in Mexico MTM for the treatment of fertility and menstruation issues, pregnancy, and menopause was analyzed. Analysis of the data show that 185 species of plants representing > 60 families were used for a wide range of reproductive health issues. Some of these plants have been used in MTM for fertility regulation in women of which 35 species were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Approximate 40 species were used for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea. In terms of pregnancy, 35 species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage. Fourteen plant species were reported to treat infertility or promote fertility, and seven species were used to treat uterine prolapse. Three plants species were reported to treat menopause and two plants were used for osteoporosis. Analysis of the clinical data for commonly used medicinal plants showed some clinical support for the use of these plants in MTM. In Mexico, women use medicinal plants for almost every aspect of reproductive health. While some plants have clinical data, most medicinal plants used in MTM have no safety or efficacy data available and could serve as the basis of future investigations.

Women’s Reproductive Health Literacy: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: Considering the importance of reproductive health and the major role of health literacy in health promotion, this study was conducted to explore the concepts and dimensions of women’s reproductive health literacy. Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 13 married women of reproductive age residing in Tehran, Iran, and 9 Ph.D.-educated health professionals. Results: 4 themes emerged: 1) knowledge about sexual and reproductive health consisted of knowledge about physical and mental aspects of reproductive health, especially in pregnancy and sexual matters, 2) obtaining and understanding information about reproductive health, including the ability to obtain information, acquiring information, and understanding information from different sources, 3) evaluating the information about reproductive health (by assessing the validity of information sources, consulting informed people about information accuracy, and concluding from the information), and 4) using the information to improve reproductive health behaviors: by making informed decisions, general health self-care behaviors, having desirable sex by talking about their needs and desires and trying to solve sexual issues. Conclusions: Reproductive health literacy, from the view of the participants, consisted of having knowledge and obtaining an understanding of correct information about reproductive health and using them as behaviors that lead to the promotion of reproductive health. Therefore, the attention of health policymakers and stakeholders to these concepts and dimensions can increase the reproductive health literacy of women in society through effective planning and strategies.

Sexual and reproductive health aspects in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An integrative review.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women worldwide, affecting their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This integrative review aimed to identify SRH aspects in women with PCOS by consolidating the findings from previous studies. The present integrative review was conducted through an electronic systematic review search of 1052 manuscripts published from April 2000 to March 2020 using PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library. After at least 2 researchers evaluated the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 papers were accepted. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis. 9 main themes of SRH were obtained: 1) the impact of PCOS-related complications on reproductive health; 2) the lifelong effect of PCOS on reproductive patterns; 3) PCOS and adverse reproductive and pregnancy outcomes; 4) women's need for understanding complications; 5) the financial burden of the disease; 6) women's life experiences and quality of life; 7) sexual disorders; 8) psychological concerns and issues; and 9) femininity feelings and roles. We were able to identify and categorize various aspects of SRH needs for women with PCOS. These categories can facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of SRH, including previously neglected areas. We suggest that these aspects should be considered in the health plans of women with PCOS.

Consanguinity in the Chaouia population (Morocco): prevalence, trends, determinants, fertility, and spontaneous abortions

BackgroundOne of the aspects that helps to understand the genetic structure of a population throughout its biological history is the description of its matrimonial practices. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore consanguinity, one of these practices, to its full extent by identifying the prevalence, determinants, and trends of a consanguineous marriage, as well as its impact on fertility and spontaneous abortions in the Chaouia population, a region located in the western center of Morocco. Therefore, a survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020. The sample was collected by province using a stratified random sampling approach, yielding a sample of 788 people. The association between consanguinity and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, as well as reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, was described using chi-square and ANOVA analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of a consanguineous marriage.ResultsOur findings revealed a consanguinity rate of 25.38%. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.012214. The most common type of union was between first cousins. This practice was strongly associated with an early age at marriage for both genders and with endogamy and immobility of couples, according to their place of birth. Consanguinity was significantly associated with fertility (p < 0.001) and spontaneous abortions (p = 0.029). The average number of pregnancies and spontaneous abortions was higher in consanguineous unions (5.18 ± 0.20/0.47 ± 0.08) compared to non-consanguineous unions (4.33 ± 0.10/0.31 ± 0.03).ConclusionsConsanguinity is a deeply rooted social and cultural tradition in this population, providing individuals with a sense of social-economic stability while assuring their attachment to the group. Despite being highly associated with fertility, this practice has a significant influence on pregnancy outcomes, namely spontaneous abortions. Therefore, further studies are needed to examine the impact of consanguinity on various aspects of reproductive health and its association with numerous genetic abnormalities and diseases.

New Entity-Thalassemic Endocrine Disease: Major Beta-Thalassemia and Endocrine Involvement.

New Entity-Thalassemic Endocrine Disease: Major Beta-Thalassemia and Endocrine Involvement.

001 Genetics of menarche

The timing of puberty varies widely in the population and is determined by a complex mix of inherited genetic variation and environmental influences – nature vs nurture. In this talk will describe how large-scale population studies (N > 600,000 research participants) have identified over 700 genetic determinants of pubertal timing, now explaining one third of the heritability of this trait. Some of the key findings are highlighted from these studies, including how genes which regulate puberty timing impact other aspects of reproductive health and behavior. The lecture will also describe how identifying genetic determinants of puberty timing can biological, epidemiological and clinical research questions.

Pendampingan Pembelajaran Kitab Risalatul Mahid Bagi Santriwati di Madrasah Diniyah NU Desa Sidorejo Kabupaten Pekalongan

This community service article discusses the study of the Risalatul Mahid book in implementing religious education in Madrasah Diniyah NU, Sidorejo Village, Pekalongan Regency. The discussion focused on the method and its application in learning, as well as assessment techniques after the implementation of learning. This service activity aims to strengthen the understanding of students/students regarding reproductive health, with the background that there are still people, especially teenage women who do not have a good understanding of their reproductive health. The learning method is carried out by providing material accompanied by discussions both online and offline, especially targeting female students at Madrasah Diniyah NU, Sidorejo Village. From the results of the activity, it can be concluded that in learning the Risalatul Mahid book, it is delivered according to the discussion chapter that will be taught and in its implementation it is responded well which can be seen from the increased understanding of participants related to reproductive health aspects.

Accessibility and utilization of family planning services in Nigeria during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

Background: Family planning services are an important aspect of reproductive health as it helps in the improvement of maternal health. During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several measures were taken by the Nigerian government to control the virus, which included restriction of movements including curfews and lockdown. Aim: This article is a review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the accessibility of family planning services in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a narrative review of articles related to the accessibility of family planning services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature search was done using Medline, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The keywords used for searching for the literature were COVID-19 and family planning services in Nigeria. The literature search review was done from June 2020 to November 2021. Results: The study found both supply- and demand-side service disruptions. There was a disruption in the supply chain management system, affecting the production and distribution of family planning commodities. The demand-side issues were because of the lockdown measures on health seeking behaviour, absence, and increased cost of transportation. Conclusion: Accessing and utilizing various contraceptive methods were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is due to several factors including the restriction of movements put in place by the Nigerian government to control the pandemic. The improvement of the use of various pregnancy preventive strategies has the potential to reduce poverty. It is imperative to develop adaptive systems to provide ongoing contraceptive services, by implementing innovations to sustain demand and supply of family planning services during pandemics.

Comparison of Knowledge and Attitude regarding Reproductive Health between Adolescent Girls of Urban and Rural Schools in West Bengal

Introduction: Adolescents can be key driving forces in building a future of dignity for all. They are an important resource for any country. Reproductive health covers all aspects of adolescent health. In order to lead healthy, responsible, and fulfilling lives, and to protect themselves from reproductive health problems, youngsters need adequate information about the physical and psychological changes that take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth. Methods: A comparative survey was conducted among 90 randomly selected adolescent girls from urban and rural schools of Bankura, West Bengal. Information was collected by administering structured knowledge questionnaire and 5-point attitude rating scale. Results: The findings revealed that 46.67% of girls from urban school and 51.11% of girls from rural school had excellent knowledge score and 65.56% of adolescent girls from urban school had positive and 61.11% of girls from rural school had fair attitude score towards reproductive health. There was no significant difference in knowledge score (t = -0.555 at p &gt; 0.580) but significant difference in attitude score (t = 4.98 at p &lt; 0.00) was there. There was a weak positive correlation found between knowledge and attitude scores of adolescent girls in both urban (r = 0.46) and rural (r = 0.335) schools. No significant association was found between knowledge and attitude scores and demographic characteristics of adolescent girls in both schools. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a gap in the level of attitude of adolescent girls of urban and rural schools. So there is a need to educate adolescent girls regarding some aspects of reproductive health.

702To determine socio-demographic corelates of reproductive tract infection amongst women of reproductive age group

Abstract Background Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is a public health problem, in developing countries like India. The associated odium with it is a stumbling block in seeking health care. So, our aim was to studyprevalence of RTI symptoms and its socio-demographic corelates. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, from July 2018 to June 2019. Total sample size calculated was 410. Random sampling was used to select eligible couple to whom a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured and anonymousinterview schedule was administered after taking consent. Results The prevalence of self-reported RTI’swas found to be 41.2%.It was more in lower socio-economic classes, and was statistically significant. Other socio-demographic corelates (age, education, occupation) did not showed any significant association. Conclusions RTI infections were more prevalent among multigravida women and those using cloth during menstrual periods. RTIs are usually spurned by women and even the health care providers, so there is a need to give due consideration to this aspect of reproductive health. Key messages The relevant and robust data on RTI’s, may be secured by capacity building of health workers. An exemplary drug supply system may be ensured, so that the RTI kits are available at government health institutions. An introduction of affordable point-of-care tests for sexually transmitted infection may be done, as recommended in the WHO Global Health Sector Strategy for the control and prevention of STIs.

An Educational Intervention to Raise Awareness of Contraceptive Options Among Young People.

Background: Young people in the United States know little about contraceptive options available to them, although method use is sensitive to individual preferences, and method switching is common. For young people to gain reproductive autonomy, a first step is to be aware of different contraceptives, including hormonal and nonhormonal methods. We tested whether an educational intervention delivered on community college campuses was effective in increasing contraceptive awareness. Materials and Methods: We developed a low-cost educational intervention featuring youth-friendly visual tools and tested its impact on method awareness and knowledge among 1,051 students of all genders, aged 18-25 years, at five community colleges. We used generalized estimating equations to test changes in awareness of a range of methods, including male and female (internal) condoms, the pill, patch, vaginal ring, shot, intrauterine devices, implant, and emergency contraception. Results: Over 90% of participants were aware of male condoms and the pill at baseline, but fewer had heard of other options (ranging from 31% to 76% for different methods). Across all methods, awareness increased to a mean of 88% among female participants and 82% among male participants postintervention. Awareness of the full range of methods increased from 31% to 55% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-6.2]) among female participants and 11% to 36% (aOR: 10.8, 95% CI: 5.3-21.8) among male participants postintervention. The intervention was similarly effective by sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, nativity, or insurance coverage. Conclusion: This educational intervention significantly improved all students' awareness of a range of contraceptives, supporting one important aspect of reproductive health for young people in community settings.

Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Reproductive Health Behaviors, and Health Literacy of Women in Serbia.

Introduction: Health literacy of women can significantly affect different aspects of reproductive health. The aim of this study was the assessment of relationship of health literacy, socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health behaviors of women in Serbia.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study on a random sample of women aged 18 and over from the territories of three Serbian regions, stratified according to age groups, region and type of settlement. A standardized version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was used in assessing health literacy of women.Results: Based on the calculated index of health literacy, 9.6% of respondents had inadequate health literacy. Inadequate levels of health literacy were more common in women living in rural areas (OR = 1.111) and the poorer classes (OR = 5.122). Employed women (OP = 1.249), with good health (OR = 1.512) with a degree (OR = 1.535) had bigger odds to have adequate health literacy. Multivariate regression analysis showed the following significant predictors: commitment to the chosen gynecologist (OR = 1.530), contraceptive use (OR = 1.020), knowledge of the damages that could be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) (OR = 1.578), awareness of vaccine availability against HPV infection (OR = 1.217) and following the health-related topics (OR = 2.350).Conclusion: Limited levels of health literacy were significantly higher among middle-aged women, among those living in rural areas, among women who rated their health as poor or very poor, and who exhibited more negative patterns of reproductive health behavior, indicating the need for implementation of prevention programs and strategies with the aim of increasing the level of health literacy.

Uždegiminės žarnyno ligos, reprodukcinė sveikata ir nėštumas

Santrauka. Uždegiminės žarnyno ligos (UŽL) – tai lėtinių uždegiminių virškinamąjį traktą pažeidžiančių ligų grupė, kuriai priklauso Krono liga bei opinis kolitas. Dažniausiai šios ligos diagnozuojamos reprodukcinio amžiaus žmonėms, o jų metu juntami simptomai bei taikomas imunosupresinis arba chirurginis gydymas daro neigiamą įtaką įvairioms gyvenimo sritims. Straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti uždegiminėmis žarnų ligomis sergančių pacientų reprodukcinės sveikatos aspektus: vaisingumą, nėštumo planavimą, priežiūrą bei gimdymą. Naudojantis „PubMed“, „Medscape“, „Cochrane Library“, „UpToDate“ duomenų bazių ištekliais, atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė. Rezultatai ir išvados. UŽL veikia įvairias reprodukcinės sveikatos sritis, todėl labai svarbus tinkamas multidisciplininės komandos darbas konsultuojant pacientę vaisingumo, nėštumo planavimo, UŽL gydymo klausimais, taip pat parenkant optimalią nėštumo priežiūros bei gimdymo taktiką.&#x0D;