Reproductive Health Education Research Articles

Determinants of low birth weight and its effect on childhood health and nutritional outcomes in Bangladesh

BackgroundThe high incidence of low birth weight (LBW) is associated with an increased risk of infant mortality, adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers, and a decline in overall health and well-being. The current study aimed to identify the various determinants of LBW and its effect on adverse health and nutritional outcomes of children aged 0–23 months in Bangladesh.MethodsBangladesh Demography and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 data was used. A chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to find out the associations between independent variables and outcomes (e.g., LBW, child illness and undernutrition).ResultsThe overall prevalence of LBW among was 16.3%. Mother with no formal education (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI = 0.55–3.30, p = 0.01), female child (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.04–1.65, p = 0.023); and poorest economic status (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.13–2.51, p = 0.010), were identified significant determinants of LBW. Of home environment and hygiene factors, unimproved toilet facilities (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.84, p = 0.030) had a significant effect on LBW. In addition, children born with LBW were more likely to suffer fever (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05–1.60, p = 0.050), stunting (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.86–3.15, p = < 0.001), wasting (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02–2.25 p = 0.049), and underweight (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 2.40–4.23, p = < 0.001).ConclusionOne out of five children was LBW in Bangladesh. Maternal education, sex of child, wealth index, and toilet facilities had significant effects on LBW. In addition, LWB contributed to children’s poor health and nutritional outcomes. Enhancing maternal pregnancy, and child health outcomes necessitates policies addressing poverty, gender inequality, and social disparities. Key strategies include promoting regular prenatal care, early medical intervention, reproductive health education, and safe hygiene practices. To combat the negative impacts of LBW, a comprehensive strategy is vital, encompassing exclusive breastfeeding, nutritional support, growth monitoring, accessible healthcare, and caregiver education.

Project to Reduce the Teenage Pregnancies Through Health Education at MOH Level

Project to Reduce the Teenage Pregnancies Through Health Education at MOH Level

Using the consolidated framework for implementation research to identify challenges and opportunities for implementing a reproductive health education program into sickle cell disease care.

As survival rates for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) increase, calls have been made to improve their reproductive healthcare and outcomes. The research team created a web-based program entitled Fertility edUcaTion to Understand ReproductivE health in Sickle cell disease (FUTURES). The study aim was to use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) during pre-implementation to identify challenges and opportunities from the individual to systems level of implementation to ultimately optimize the integration of FUTURES into clinical practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians, research team members, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) males with SCD and their caregivers who participated in pilot testing. Interviews (N = 31) were coded inductively and then mapped onto CFIR domains (i.e., outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of individuals, and intervention characteristics). Research team interviews indicated the lack of universal guidelines for reproductive care in this population and gaps in reproductive health knowledge as key reasons for developing FUTURES, also highlighting the importance of collaboration with community members during development. Clinicians reported intraorganizational communication as essential to implementing FUTURES and discussed challenges in addressing reproductive health due to competing priorities. Clinicians, AYAs, and caregivers reported positive views of FUTURES regarding length, engagement, accessibility, and content. Suggestions for the best setting and timing for implementation varied. Using CFIR during the pre-implementation phase highlighted challenges and opportunities regarding integrating this program into SCD care. These findings will inform adaptation and further testing of FUTURES to ensure effective implementation of this novel education program.

Comparative Readability Assessment of Four Large Language Models in Answers to Common Contraception Questions [ID 2683638

INTRODUCTION: Large language models (LLMs) have the potential to revolutionize reproductive health education by offering accessible contraception counseling. The CDC, NIH, and AMA recommend presenting patient educational materials at or below a sixth-grade reading level. In this study, we present a comparative analysis of the readability of responses generated by LLMs, including OpenAI's ChatGPT 4.0, OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing, to common contraception questions. METHODS: Referencing common contraception questions outlined in a recent review, we presented GPT-4.0, GPT-3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing with six common contraception questions on June 10, 2023, ensuring no prior chat bias. The readability of LLM outputs was evaluated using Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FK), Gunning Fog (GF), Automated Readability Index (ARI), and Coleman–Liau (CL) indices. All index score outputs correspond to a reading grade level (RGL), eg, RGL of 6 represents a sixth-grade level. RESULTS: Of the four LLMs, Google Bard demonstrated the highest readability with an average RGL of 10.6 (GF 10.1, FK 9.6, ARI 11.4, CL 11.4), followed by GPT-3.5 at an average RGL of 13.6 (GF 13.3, FK 12.6, ARI 15.2, CL 16.5). Microsoft Bing and GPT-4.0 yielded responses with higher average RGLs of 14.2 and 15.4, respectively. CONCLUSION: Google Bard and GPT-3.5 offered the most readable responses to contraception questions; however, these models still provided responses significantly above the recommended sixth-grade reading level (RGL of 6). Large language models should undergo evaluation to ensure alignment with established readability standards to optimize patient comprehension in reproductive counseling applications.

Evaluating the Accuracy and Utility of Large Language Models in Answering Common Contraception Questions [ID 2683633

INTRODUCTION: Traditional web resources that provide information on contraception produce varied results demanding user synthesis. However, direct answers provided by large language models (LLMs) can offer accessible contraception counseling. This study examines the efficacy of four LLMs, OpenAI's ChatGPT 4.0, OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing, in answering common contraception questions. METHODS: Contraception questions and responses in a recent American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) review were used as reference text. We presented GPT-4.0, GPT-3.5, Bard, and Bing with six contraception questions from the AAFP text, ensuring no prior chat bias. Response formatting was standardized for analysis. Two ob-gyn physician reviewers (S.J. and A.A.), blinded to the source LLM, assessed responses via a 5-point Likert scale on the following criteria: response specificity, evidence basis, completeness, referrals to outside resources, and avoiding speaking in absolutes. Responses were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (SAS 9.4). RESULTS: The AAFP review scored highest in response specificity, evidence basis, and completeness. Large language models differed significantly on whether responses were evidence based (P&lt;.0001), made referrals to outside resources (P&lt;.001), or spoke in absolutes (P&lt;.05). Notably, GPT-3.5 and Bard consistently provided referrals across all six questions, outperforming the AAFP text on this criteria. No significant differences were found across LLMs in response specificity or response completeness. CONCLUSION: Despite promising LLM-generated responses, the AAFP review outperformed LLMs in critical areas including evidence basis and completeness. Nonetheless, LLMs, especially GPT-3.5 and Bard, demonstrated strong potential as supplementary resources for reproductive health education.

Digital platforms and reproductive health information: Navigating legal and ethical boundaries

In today's digital age, the dissemination of reproductive health information has shifted significantly to online platforms, offering unparalleled accessibility while presenting a myriad of legal and ethical challenges. This paper investigates the complex interplay between digital platforms and reproductive health information, navigating the intricate landscape of laws and regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, and examining the challenges in enforcing these regulations across diverse platforms and jurisdictions. Ethical considerations loom large, necessitating a delicate balance between accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity to meet the diverse needs and perspectives of users while safeguarding their privacy and confidentiality. Through case studies and examples, real-world challenges faced by digital platforms, including misinformation, censorship dilemmas, and data privacy breaches, are explored, highlighting the importance of clear policies, robust data protection measures, and stakeholder collaboration. Looking ahead, the paper identifies future trends and recommendations for enhancing the responsible dissemination of reproductive health information online, advocating for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and ongoing research to address emerging challenges effectively. In conclusion, concerted efforts from stakeholders are called for to prioritize the responsible provision of reproductive health information online, ensuring that legal, ethical, and public health considerations are balanced effectively in the digital realm.

Curriculum-based sexual and reproductive health education: revealing its relevance for risky sexual behaviors among secondary school students in Mwanza, Tanzania

BackgroundSecondary school students are vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) which may lead to adverse health consequences, such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. In Tanzania, the burden of teenage pregnancy was reported to be 27% in 2016. The integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education into the school curriculum is one of the proven crucial interventions. However, there is limited information on the extent to which curriculum-based SRH education is relevant for fostering good practices for coping with RSBs. This study sought to describe students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relevance of curriculum-based SRH education.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted from May to June 2020 (involving 5 secondary schools in Ilemela district, Mwanza, Tanzania). In-depth interviews (30) were conducted among secondary school students and 10 interviews for teachers. The data were collected in Swahili and then transcribed and translated into English after which thematic content analysis was performed.ResultsThe majority (56%) of secondary school students were revealed to have a limited understanding of curriculum-based SRH education, which was limited to a few aspects of health that involved married people and pregnant women. Teachers of different subjects had different perceptions about the relevance of curriculum-based SRH education. Civics teachers had the perception that it was relevant and enough, while Biology teachers thought that it was not enough. Students reported utilizing the information taught in class to manage and navigate RSBs. Moreover, they expressed a need for additional delivery strategies to be used for a comprehensive understanding of sexual and reproductive health.ConclusionDespite the identified gaps in providing a comprehensive knowledge that builds on the appropriate attitudes and skills, the existing curriculum-based SRH education in secondary schools was utilized to help students in addressing and managing RSBs. However, there is a need for more comprehensive information and an improved delivery approach for SRH to equip students with the necessary skills when faced with RSBs.

A content analysis of freely available menstrual education resources in Australia

Background: Sexual and reproductive health education is central to both international and national public health policy and priority action areas. However, menstruation education remains peripheral in both policy and school curricula. This article aims to investigate the extent and depth of menstruation education in Australia available outside of mainstream education channels. Methods: We conducted an inductive content analysis of publicly available Australian sexual and reproductive health educational resources targeting young menstruators and parents, which at least mentioned menstruation. Resources were accessed via a desktop search (using Google) to ensure that they were accessible to the public and were provided by not-for-profit or government organisations. Results: We identified a total of 31 resources from 10 organisations and subjected them to conventional content analysis. Our inductive coding process focused on the extent and depth of menstruation content. The main content areas included a discussion of pads and tampons, menarche, period pains, when to see a doctor and pre-menstrual syndrome. Three key themes were identified across the resources: holism, normalisation and managing menstruation. Conclusions: We develop recommendations for organisations developing or improving their menstruation resources and offer future direction for sexual and reproductive health policy and education in Australia that is inclusive of menstruation. The recommendations relate to the three themes identified during the analysis and include concepts such as recognising the biological changes that come with menstruation, variation of menstruation experiences, normality and assumptions about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management.

Dynamics of the experience of sexual violence and its impact on girls in Ogan Komering Ulu Regency

The aim of this research is to obtain an overview of the dynamics of the experience of sexual violence and its impact on children in Ogan Komering Ulu Regency. This research method uses qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenological approach. The number of informants was five main informants and six supporting informants. The main informants are children who have experienced sexual violence and supporting informants, parents or guardians, people closest to them who are trusted by the informants and officers from the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service. The results of research on the dynamics of the experience of sexual violence in children show that all perpetrators come from familial abuse which is accompanied by physical and psychological pressure. Factors that influence the occurrence of sexual violence in children are family factors, environmental factors, cultural factors and individual factors. The impact of sexual violence that arises is pain in the body, fear of seeing items related to the perpetrator, despair and shame about the environment. Health workers can disseminate reproductive health education on how to prevent sexual violence to parents to reduce the rate of sexual violence against children so that a child-friendly city program can be realized.

Maternal and Child Health: The Key to a Better South African Future

South Africa, a country rich in history and natural beauty, also faces serious challenges in the health sector, especially maternal and child health. Maternal and infant mortality rates are still high, inequality in access to health services, low levels of education and knowledge of reproductive health, as well as problems of malnutrition and HIV/AIDS are the main focus of discussion. Although the government has launched programs to improve maternal and child health, funding challenges and disparities in health resources between regions still hinder the achievement of equitable health coverage. This article highlights the importance of increasing health budget allocations, building first-level health facilities, improving the skills of health workers, reproductive health education, nutritional interventions, and multi-stakeholder cooperation to overcome these health challenges.

192 Developing a community laundromat intervention to increase reproductive health literacy outreach

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The project goal was to conduct formative work using community-based participatory research (CBPR) to inform the development of a laundromat-based reproductive health literacy intervention (LI)informed by Passhe-Orlow and Wolf’s Conceptual Model. We provide insights to support the development of similar health literacy interventions. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In Phase I, we recruited female patrons over the age of 18 living in DC from 4 community laundromats. Participants completed a survey with validated measures to assess reproductive health knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions to seek care. Open-ended questions assessed participants’ experiences accessing care, communication with health providers, and laundromat use. Data informed the development of a 2-3 minute reproductive health literacy intervention (LI) storyboard. In Phase II, in-depth interviews were conducted with reproductive health providers (midwives, obstetricians-gynecologists, women’s health registered nurses, women’s health nurse practitioners) working in the communities where the laundromats are located. LI acceptability and appropriateness were explored. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: For Phase I, we recruited 60 patrons. Participants (68.3%) expressed interest in a laundromat-based reproductive health literacy intervention (LI). Identified reproductive knowledge gaps included: unaware of fertile days (50.0%); believe prenatal care should begin after 2nd trimester of pregnancy (50.0%); unclear about pregnancy spacing (85.0%); unable to identify use for folic acid (91.7%); believe once a cesarean always a cesarean (53.3%). In Phase II, all 14 providers supported increasing community accessibility to health information: “we have to move beyond doing public health education in a provider’s office. That’s very outdated.” Providers identified the LI as an approachable, informative, and accessible way to disseminate health information. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Patron and provider input informed our choice of content, style, and delivery of the reproductive health literacy intervention. An essential aspect of our CBPR approach, this research will inform effective, appropriate reproductive health education despite barriers presented by access, transportation, and work schedules.

Reproductive Health Education Analysis for Young Mothers and Adolescents in Sirnajaya Village, Sukamakmur District, Bogor Regency

This research aims to analyze reproductive health education activities for young mothers and adolescents in Sirnajaya Village, Sukamakmur District, Bogor Regency, so that they have insights and skills in maintaining their health optimally. The research method employed is qualitative. Data collection methods include interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of the research indicate that the education can be effectively conducted, with participant’s active ly engaging in questioning and creatively explaining how to care for reproductive health. The resource persons deliver the mater ial and demonstrate it clearly and interestingly. The research findings show that the respondents have good knowledge and are skilled in practicing reproductive health care, thus they have sufficient autonomy in maintaining their reproductive health. In conclusion, this education effectively equips young mothers and adolescents with knowledge and skills to maintain and care fo r their reproductive health.

The effects of education intervention on the knowledge of some reproductive health issues amongst secondary school students in Douala IV Municipality, Cameroon.

This study aimed to determine the effects of education intervention on the knowledge of some reproductive health issues amongst secondary school students. It was longitudinal and interventional study carried out in two phases. Participants were adolescents and young adults randomly selected from secondary establishments using a Probability Proportional to Size sampling method. In phase 1, data were obtained by the use of questionnaire and analyzed using Epi-Info 6.04 and SPSS version 17.0. Education intervention was utilized in 3 randomly selected schools (experiment), but not in 3 others (control). Phase 2 carried out 6 months after the end of the first intervention consisted of collecting baseline data. There was a significant association between knowledge on unintended pregnancy and STIs mainly with type of establishment, class, age group, sex, religion (p<0.001 respectively) and being sexually active (p=0.016). There was a significant increase of awareness in the experimental schools (34.1% vs 76.5%, p<0.0001), but not in the control schools (34.5% vs 35.5%, p>0.10). Health education had a significant impact on the knowledge of participants. We recommend reproductive health education through the framework of school to be used as a national policy in African developing countries.

Comparative analysis of social media-based interventions for adolescent reproductive health education.

Comparative analysis of social media-based interventions for adolescent reproductive health education.

SOCIALIZATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS, INDONESIAN QUR'AN SCHOOL BANDAR LAMPUNG

Background: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood which is marked by the speed of growth and development both physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. The process of adolescent growth and development must receive special attention so that it can be controlled during this phase. Problems that occur in teenagers such as early marriage, premarital sex, pregnancy outside of marriage, abortion, HIV, and AIDS are caused by a lack of information about reproductive health. The aim of the research: is to determine the description of adolescent knowledge about reproductive health at the Indonesian Qur'an School in Bandar Lampung. Research methodology: descriptive research with a research design using a cross-sectional approach. The instrument used is a questionnaire with an ordinal scale. The total sample was 21 teenagers taken using saturated sampling. Research results: show that adolescent knowledge about reproductive health is in the good category at 81% (17 people), and poor knowledge is 19% (4 people). Most teenagers' knowledge about reproductive health is sufficient. Conclusions and Recommendations: It is hoped that the results of this research will be a consideration for carrying out reproductive health education for school-age adolescents to be aware of the high incidence of sexuality and anxiety in parents. Apart from that, the results of this research can also be a basis for future researchers to develop management interventions to overcome adolescents' lack of knowledge in reproductive health.

Adolescents and reproductive health: Promoting healthy habits for reproductive well-being

Adolescence is characterized by rapid physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and reproductive changes. Providing accurate and sufficient information is crucial in preparing young individuals to face these changes. This program aims to improve the understanding of reproductive health, namely puberty, among early adolescents in grades IV and V (aged 10-14 years) at Banyuurip Elementary School. The design utilized is a quasi-experimental method including pre-test and post-test assessments. Thirty-eight students were chosen for this study by purposive sampling. The program's effectiveness is evaluated by a questionnaire, and the data is analyzed using a paired t-test. The data shows a notable difference in knowledge levels before and after obtaining health education through lectures and chats. Prior to health education implementation, most students demonstrated low knowledge levels (52.6%), followed by moderate levels (42.3%), while a tiny proportion had high knowledge levels (5.1%). After health education interventions, students' knowledge levels showed considerable improvement: 29% high, 71% sufficient, and 0% low. The average score increased from 76.58 before therapy to 83.16 after treatment. The median values were 80 and 90. The paired t-test yielded a p-value of 0.049, suggesting that reproductive health education significantly improved students' knowledge at Banyuurip Elementary School. The study indicates that health education could improve students' understanding of puberty and the maintenance of reproductive health.

Improving Knowledge Of The Impact Of Early Marriage Among Adolescent: Podcast And Flipchart Methods

Health promotion through reproductive health education can help increase adolescent girls’ knowledge about the impact of early marriage. Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest number of early marriages. Selection of effective health education media is an urgency as an effort to reduce the number of early marriages. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of health education using the podcast and flipchart methods. This study used a quasi-experimental with non-equivalent control group design which was carried out from December 2021 to January 2022 on 106 adolescent girls in Cibatur Keusik Village, Lebak Regency. Research respondents were divided into podcast groups and flipchart groups. In the podcast group, adolescent girls received health education using the audio method from the podcast while the flipchart group received the visual method from the flipchart. The analysis used in this study is univariate and bivariate. The results showed that the average value of the podcast group (32.49) was lower than the flipchart group (69.25). Statistically, it can be concluded that health education using the flipchart method is more effective than the podcast method (p=0.000; t=-6.21; df=104). Health education using the flipchart method is more effective than the podcast method. The method can be used by health promoters to improve adolescents' understanding of the impact of early marriage.

Development of Pop-up Book Illustrations as Educational Media for Child Reproductive Health

The incidence of sexual crimes against children and the prevalence of health-risk behaviors resulting from a lack of reproductive health education media have been identified from an early age as problems that must be followed up immediately. Instilling conception from an early age in children regarding reproductive health education, which is still taboo in most Indonesian societies, is an indication of research achievements that are relevant to be applied in social sciences and humanity. This research aims to test the feasibility of the pop-up book with the title “Yours” (Reproductive Health Education Book) for the age group of children over 6 years. The research method applied in this study is the research and development (R&amp;D) method with the 4D flow (define, design, development, and dissemination). The pop-up book product with the title Pop Up Yours is a product created by the author and has never been tested for feasibility before. The results showed that the Pop Up Book “Yours” can be a medium for reproductive health education in children with the results of testing on 30 children(n=30) aged 9 years, an increase in knowledge of 93.3% was observed. Based on the results of the feasibility test, it can be seen that the “Yours” Pop Up Book is suitable for use by groups of children over 6 years old with the important concern of using this pop-up book under parental guidance.&#x0D; Keywords: pop-up book, child, reproductive health

Strategi Intervensi Penanganan Stunting di Indonesia: Studi Literatur

Stunting not only has an impact on children's physical growth and development, but also has significant long-term implications for the quality of Indonesia's human resources (HR) in the future. Comprehensive and multi-sectoral stunting management efforts involving various parties need to be carried out. To analyze more deeply the intervention strategies that have been implemented in efforts to deal with stunting in Indonesia as a form of identifying approaches that have been proven successful and are relevant for the Indonesian context. This research uses the PRISMA literature review, through a digital library database that is connected to various scientific publication pages through keywords such as "Stunting", "Stunting Intervention", "Stunting Strategy", and "Stunting Program". Eligibility criteria use various types of methods The research includes quantitative, qualitative methods and reviews related to intervention strategies for handling stunting in Indonesia. Intervention strategies for handling stunting in Indonesia include three groups of programs, namely age-specific nutrition programs, nutrition and reproductive health education as well as strengthening posyandu and community health centers. Strategies Stunting prevention interventions in Indonesia must involve all stakeholders, prioritize preventive approaches, and encourage changes in community behavior. By strengthening government commitment and innovative cross-sector collaboration, it is hoped that Indonesia can overcome the challenge of stunting in a sustainable manner.

UTERINE FIBROIDS AND THE CORRELATION WITH BLACK WOMEN

Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors in the uterus of women of reproductive age and can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and increased abdominal volume. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of uterine fibroids in black women compared to women of other ethnicities. Understanding the causes of this disparity is fundamental to developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Investigating the relationship between the incidence of uterine fibroids and black ethnicity, analyzing the genetic and social factors that may contribute to this correlation and proposing measures to reduce the incidence of uterine fibroids in black women are the aims of this study. This is a systematic literature review using an exploratory and narrative method, with qualitative and quantitative premises. The databases used were PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, Web of Science and the Virtual Health Library. The articles analyzed were selected by exclusion and inclusion criteria, which are set out here, using the health sciences descriptors “uterine fibroids”, “black women and uterine fibroids”, “genetic factors and uterine fibroids” and “environmental factors and uterine fibroids”, reaching a total of 617 articles searched and 9 used in this study. Genetic studies have suggested a genetic predisposition to the development of uterine fibroids in black women, with the identification of genetic variants associated with a higher risk. In addition, social factors such as limited access to quality healthcare, socioeconomic inequalities and exposure to psychosocial stressors may also play an important role. Lack of access to preventive healthcare and unequal access to effective treatments may contribute to a higher prevalence of uterine fibroids in black women. Measures to reduce this disparity include promoting equitable access to healthcare, reproductive health education and public policies that address the underlying causes of health inequalities. The correlation between uterine fibroids and black women highlights the need for integrated approaches that consider both genetic and social factors. Promoting equity in access to health care and implementing public policies aimed at women’s health are key to reducing the incidence of uterine fibroids and improving the quality of life of black women.