Number Of Living Children Research Articles

Reproductive health and rheumatoid arthritis

IntroductionThe prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been steadily increasing over the last thirty years, particularly among women. Due to the conflicting results of various studies on the link between rheumatoid arthritis and reproductive health, we have undertaken this study to explore their relationship.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized primary data from5557 women involved in the Fasa Persian Cohort in the years 2013 to 2018. The study examined the frequency of RA and its association with various factors related to reproductive health, including age at first pregnancy, number of alive children, history of abortion, and infertility. SPSS software was utilized for data analysis, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.Results5557 women with an average age of 48.6 ± 9.5 years participated. Of these women, 7.2% were diagnosed with rheumatoid disease, with an average onset age of 38.2 ± 15.2. The study did not find a significant correlation between RA and factors such as number of pregnancies, age at first pregnancy, duration of breastfeeding and number of children.ConclusionThe study suggests that the experience of RA is independent of gynecological, obstetric factors, or reproductive life. This finding may provide reassurance to women affected by RA.

A decade of analysis describe of maternal and neonatal characteristics of live births in southern Brazil

Introduction: Child health is conditioned by the circumstances of pregnancy, childbirth, and early life. Objective: To describe the maternal and neonatal characteristics of live births (LBs) in the Information System on Live Births of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study describedthe maternal and neonatal characteristics of 940,059 LBs, from 2010 to 2019. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were conducted, with a statistical significance level of p &lt; 0.05. Results: The mean values of maternal age, number of live children, and number of fetal deaths as well as abortions were 27.1 years, 0.9, and 0.2, respectively. The averages of the number of gestation weeks, number of prenatal consultations, the start date of the prenatal care, and birth weight were 38.5 weeks, 8.1 months, 2.5 monthsand 3,217.1 grams, respectively. Low birth weight (LBW) was prevalent among mothers without education (p &lt; 0.001), including those without prenatal visits (p &lt; 0.001). A higher prevalence of being underweight was observed among female neonates (p &lt; 0.001) and with a maternal age of ≥ 40 years (10.8%; p &lt; 0.001) compared to newborns with good vitality. Newborns with good vitality had a low prevalence of underweight (p &lt; 0.001). The frequency of the variables studied increased, comparing the beginning and end of the period and whether the differences are statistically significant. Conclusions: The study draws attention to the need for interventions to improve the indicators that determine LBW.

Spatial distribution and determinants of unmet need for family planning among all reproductive‑age women in Uganda: a multi‑level logistic regression modeling approach and spatial analysis

IntroductionUnmet need for family planning is defined as the percentage of sexually active and fecund women who want to delay the next birth (birth spacing) or who want to stop childbirth (birth limiting) beyond two years but who are not using any modern or traditional method of contraception. Despite the provision of family planning services, the unmet need of family planning remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, this study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and determinant factors of unmet need for family planning among all reproductive‑age women in Uganda.MethodsA secondary data analysis was done based on 2016 Ugandan Demographic and Health Surveys (UDHS). Total weighted samples of 18,506 women were included. Data processing and analysis were performed using SPSS Version 26, STATA 14.2, ArcGIS 10.8, and SaTScan 10.1.2 software. Spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis was made using Global Moran’s index (Moran’s I) and Gettis-OrdGi*statistics, respectively. Determinants of unmet needs for family planning were identified by multi-level logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared statistically significant predictors.ResultsThe spatial distribution of unmet need for family planning among women of reproductive age in Uganda was found to be clustered (Global Moran’s I = 0.27, Z-score of 12.71, and p-value < 0.0001). In the multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis; women in West Nile (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.39, 2.47), aged 25–49 years old (AOR = .84; 95% CI .72, .99), highly educated (AOR = .69; 95% CI .54, .88), Muslim (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.39), high wealth status (AOR = .73, 95% CI: .64, .82), and had five or more living child (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.51, 1.88) were significant predictors of unmet need for family planning. Significant hotspot areas were identified in West Nile, Acholi, Teso, and Busoga regions.ConclusionA significant clustering of unmet need for family planning were found in Uganda. Moreover, age, educational status, religion, wealth status, number of alive children, and region were significant predictors of unmet need for family planning. Therefore, in order to minimize the burdens associated with unmet need, an interventions focusing on promotion of sexual and reproductive health service should be addressed to the identified hotspot areas.

Prevalence of Self Medication in Pregnancy in Secondary and Tertiary Care Hospitals of Pakistan and Factors Contributing Towards this Malpractice

Introduction: Self-medication during pregnancy is of special concern as it can lead to serious maternal and fetal adverse effects. By controlling the factors responsible for this practice, we can promote safer health practices during this critical period of a woman’s life. Aims &amp; Objectives: Comparison of the prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women presenting in secondary and tertiary care hospitals of our country. Exploring the factors that contribute to the practice of self-medication in pregnant women. Place and Duration of Study: A multi-centric cross-sectional study was performed at the Heavy Industries Taxila Education City Institute of Medical Sciences (HITEC-IMS) for one-year duration i.e from September 2022 to September 2023. Material &amp; Methods: The study population consisted of 354 pregnant women who were being consulted for antenatal checkups at Gynecology and Obstetrics OPD of Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital (HIT Hospital Taxila) and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Taxila (THQ Hospital Taxila). Pregnant females of any age and gestation who presented to the OPD for antenatal checkups were included in the study. Any pregnant lady who was unwilling to participate or any of the women who were too critically ill to give a response were excluded from the study. Non-probability convenience sampling was used for the selection of participants. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. SPSS software version 25 was used to analyze the data.Results were deemed significant if the P value was less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of self-medication in our study came out to be 35.59% in the current pregnancy. There is no significant difference in the prevalence of self-medication in previous and current pregnancies. Prevalence of self- medication in current and previous pregnancies is greater in THQ Hospital than HIT Hospital. Residence, education, monthly income, gestation, gravidity, parity, number of alive children and place of birth are significantly associated with the practice of self-medication in the current pregnancy. Cost and time savings were the two main justifications for self- medication. Headaches were the most frequent complaints treated by self-medication, and leftover medication and drug stores were the most popular sources. Antipyretics and painkillers were the two medications that were most frequently used for self-medication. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication in pregnant women was found to be more in a secondary care hospital as compared to the tertiary care hospital. This concludes that the quality of health care services provided to the patients can significantly impact their attitudes towards the management of their conditions. Thus countries who have lack of tertiary care facilities should try to provide better quality of health care. The factors found responsible should be confronted so that this malpractice can be reduced significantly.

Post-abortion contraceptive utilization and associated factors among women who attended abortion services: A health facility cross-sectional study.

Background: Post-abortion contraceptive utilization prevents unintended pregnancies, reduces the number of abortions, and lowers the morbidity and mortality related to obstetric complications. It plays a central role in improving maternal health and reducing child mortality. However, many women are suffering from unintended pregnancy and its complications after abortion care. Hence, the main objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of post-abortion contraceptive utilization and its associated factors in Bahir Dar City. Methods: Health-facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar city health facilities from April 1 to May 30, 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 354 eligible study participants. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data entry was done using Epi Data version 3.7 software and analyzed by SPSS v23 software. Descriptive statistics were done based on the nature of the data. A simple logistic regression model was used to identify the association and strength of exploratory variables and the outcome variables. Associations were announced at a 95% confidence interval and p-value <0.05 with adjusted odds ratio. Model fitness was checked by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test for logistic regression. Results: In this study, 348 aborted participants were involved with a mean age of 24.37 (±5.73) years. About 40% of the participants were not currently married and 12.9% were unable to read and write. The magnitude of post-abortion contraceptive utilization was 65.8%. The number of alive children (adjusted odds ratio: 7.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.54, 31.95), lower income (adjusted odds ratio: 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.60), and (adjusted odds ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.02, 0.46), primary school education (adjusted odds ratio: 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.97), and currently unemployed (adjusted odds ratio: 0.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.06, 0.85) were significantly associated with the post-abortion contraceptive utilization. Conclusion: The level of post-abortion contraceptive utilization is low as per the national plan. The number of alive children, lower income, lower education, and currently unemployed were the identified factors affecting post-abortion contraceptive utilization. Therefore, a collaborative effort is needed among stakeholders to increase the utilization and avoid factors that prevent the utilization of post-abortion contraceptive utilization.

Risk factors during admission on mortality of newborns in neonatal care units

Background Neonatal mortality is defined as the death of live born within the first 28 days of life. It represents a great burden on the health and community. Many risk factors are associated with neonatal mortality. Aim Evaluate perinatal admission risk factors and their relation to neonatal mortality in newborns admitted to neonatal care units participating in the Egyptian Neonatal Network (EGNN). Patients and methods This retrospective study included 4621 newborns admitted to Neonatal Care Units participating in the Egyptian Neonatal Network over 3 years (2014–2016). The record of the cases was revised to determine the maternal characteristics, the incidence of neonatal mortality, and the associated risk factors associated with mortality. Results Among the studied factors, increased gravidity, parity, and number of live children and lower gestational age, birth and, admission weight, length, and HC, are associated with increased neonatal mortality in neonatal intensive care unit (NICUs) (P value&lt;0.001). Conclusion Determination of risk factors in neonatal death can help to identify sick neonates who are more likely to die in NICUs and provide on-time care. Help doctors to tell parents what possibly happened to their babies. And used as a tool to compare the outcome of different NICUs and evaluate their performance.

Effective Factors in the Number of Children Among Iranian Women: An Application of Poisson Regression Model

Background: The number of children born into a family has a significant impact on a mother’s reproductive system’s physiological health and overall well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effective factors in the number of living children (NLC) among married women in Semnan, Iran, with a particular focus on social, cultural, and economic influences. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the reproductive histories of 600 married women aged 15 to 49 years from Semnan, Iran. Sample size calculations were based on the principal variable, the expected number of children, using PASS software. The women were selected through a multistage random sampling method from health center lists in 2018 (April-October). The data were collected through interview questionnaires and analyzed using the Quasi-Poisson model. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at first marriage for mothers (MAM) and fathers was estimated to be 21.02 (4.80) and 25.10 (4.70) years, respectively. Additionally, the mean (SD) values for the number of expected children (NCEX), living children, and the number of pregnancies were 2.19 (0.96), 1.85 (0.81), and 2.15 (1.03), respectively. Among the variables of interest, only NCEX, the number of pregnancies (with a positive effect), MAM, father’s education, multiple births, and the desire to have children (with a negative effect) significantly influenced NLC. Conclusions: This study recommends implementing an educational program to promote an optimal and ideal family size to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. The age of women at marriage is a significant factor, as an increase in women’s age leads to shorter pregnancy intervals, exposing women to complications, such as premature birth, perinatal death, and intrauterine growth restriction. Policymakers should, therefore, encourage early marriages by fostering a culture and providing supportive facilities.

Married women’s decision-making autonomy on modern contraceptive use and its associated factors in high fertile sub-Saharan Africa countries: a multi-level analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

BackgroundFor better maternal and child health, women’s independence on reproductive health issues is crucial; however, couples are restricted from discussing openly with their partner. Regarding this, information about women’s decision-making autonomy is low in the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa; therefore, this study was aimed to assess married women’s decision-making autonomy on modern contraceptive utilization in high fertility SSA countries.MethodsData for this study was obtained from the most recent (2010–2018) Demographic and Health Surveys. A total of weighted sample of 14,575 married reproductive age women was included. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the significant associated factors of decision-making autonomy on modern contraceptive utilization. Finally, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to declare as statistical significance.ResultsOverall prevalence of married women decision-making autonomy on modern contraceptive utilization in the high fertile SSA countries is 25.28% (95% CI:18.32%, 32.24%). The factors significantly associated with the decision-making autonomy on modern contraceptive utilization were women’s age 25–34 years (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.84–1.93) and 35–49 years (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.82–1.92), had media exposure (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.00- 1.28), Number of alive children, 1–2 (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.38–4.01), 3–4 (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.74–5.10), ge 5 (AOR = 2. 82, 95% CI = 1.63–4.86), educational status; primary education (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.77–2.83), Secondary and higher (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.78–2.89), Community media exposure (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.38–2.34), Community level poverty, (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.09–1.86) and resides in rural (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.64–0.71).ConclusionWomen’s decision-making autonomy on modern contraception utilization in this study was low. Therefore, the government should promote women’s autonomy on contraceptive use as an essential component of SRH rights through mass media, with particular attention for, women living in the poorest communities, and those residing in rural settings of the country. Moreover, health professionals should counsel the women about the benefits of using modern contraceptive to help them managing their number of children.

Barriers to Uptake of Postpartum Long Acting Reversible Contraception; A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate factors limiting postpartum long-acting reversible contraception from being used in our system. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, from September 2022 to April 2023, consisted of all women who gave birth at this hospital during the study period. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that had been pretested. The survey asks questions about sociodemographics, reproductive health, healthcare, knowledge and attitudes about LARC, and family planning use. At discharge, a skilled nurse conducted a face-to-face interview with the patient in a quiet private room to gather the data. Results: In our study most (56.04%) of the women were between age of 26-35 years and (69.97%) belonged to urban area. Main bulk (47.68%) of the women had parity of 3-4 and majority (44.58%) of the women in sample had 0-2 alive children and (21.05%) women presented with history of previous abortion. Most (74.61%) of the women had spontaneous vaginal delivery. The rate of use of LARCs was 69 (21.36%) in our study sample. The comparison of rate of use of LARC’s was found to be significantly (P-value &lt; 0.05) associated with increasing age, increasing women education, occupation and job status. Family income, number of alive children and duration for plan to have next pregnancy were also significant (P-value &lt; 0.05) contributors for uptake of LARCs. Conclusion: The rate of used of postpartum LARC was low (21.36%) in the studied population. Postpartum women from of higher age, having higher education, with formal employment, having higher level of family income, and with higher duration for plan to have next pregnancy were more likely to use LARC.

Original Research Article Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors Associated with the Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at the Kalaban-Coro Reference Health Centre in 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic and cultural factors associated with underweight in pregnant women in the Kalaban-coro Health Centre. Method and material: This was a cross-sectional analytical study carried out at the Kalaban-coro Reference Health Centre between 03 October and 02 November 2022, involving 280 pregnant women aged between 15 and 49 years. Data were collected by means of a paper questionnaire, then entered on an ODK form and analysed using SPSS 20. We performed a bivariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression with underweight as the dependent variable and several socio-demographic and economic characteristics of the pregnant women. Statistical tests were used with a significance level of 5%. Results: The study enrolled 280 pregnant women with an average age of 26.08 years, and the most common age group was 20 to 25 years (33.9%). The women surveyed had had an average of 3.11 pregnancies, with 2.02 live births and 0.31 deaths of children aged 0-5 years, and the number of live children was 1.76, almost 2 children. Most of the women surveyed (47.86%) were in their 2nd trimester, and 28.2% were first-time mothers. The Bambara ethnic group predominated, with 32.1%. Among our respondents, 39.6% had not attended school. Almost all of these women (92.50%) reported an average standard of living and a monthly income of between ≥50,000 and &lt; 150,000. Only 7.9% of pregnant women were physically active. In terms of dietary diversity, 73.2% had eaten fewer than five food groups the day before the survey, so dietary diversity was low. The average weight of the respondents was 67.33 kg, with an average height of 164.48 cm, an average DB of 258.73 mm and an average BMI of 24.88. Estimated using the BMI &lt;18.5 threshold, the prevalence of underweight was 4.3%. There was also a Spearman correlation between nutritional status and level of education (P = 0.021). Regression showed a positive correlation between overall underweight .......

QUALITY OF LIFE DURING PREGNANCY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS IN INDONESIA

Assessing quality of life during pregnancy is vital to find timely preventive measures against pregnancy complications. The quality of life during pregnancy determines pregnant women’s health. This study aims to identify the differences in the quality of life during pregnancy who participated in antenatal care (ANC) visits in primary healthcare centers in rural and urban areas. This study used a cross-sectional design and collected data through survey. The research population was 800 pregnant women who participated in ANC in three primary healthcare centers in urban areas and three others in rural areas. The quality of life during pregnancy questionnaire was used for data collection. The analysis was done using the Chi-square test and ordinal regression. Results showed no difference in the quality of life during pregnancy between women in urban areas and those in rural areas. Some factors that affected the quality of life during pregnancy included education, fetal age, number of pregnancies, number of live children, and pregnancy plans in women living in urban areas. Meanwhile, in women living in rural areas, the quality of life during pregnancy was affected by education level, occupation, fetal age, number of pregnancies, number of live children, and pregnancy plans. There are influences of age, education level, occupation, gestational age, number of pregnancies, number of living children, and pregnancy plans on the quality of life of pregnant women in rural areas.

TÜRK TOPLUMUNDA İNFERTİLİTEYE KÜLTÜREL BAKIŞ: İSTANBUL ÖRNEKLEMİ

The objective of this study was to find out what people in the community knew about infertility, as well as their attitudes and opinions regarding it. This cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted between November 2019 and April 2020 with 711 people (511 females and 200 males). To collect the study data, the researchers used the "Descriptive Information Form" and the "Attitude towards Infertility Scale" (ATIS).The majority of the participants stated that it was important to have a child, 28.4% stated that they were worried about having a child in the future. It was determined that 22.9% of the participants defined infertility as not having a child in less than one year, and 82.4% of them thought that infertility was a treatable problem. The mean score of ATIS was found to be 48.69±6.8. There was a significant difference between The ATIS score and age, marital status, and the number of live children. The number of children desired and the priority placed on having children were found to have a weak negative correlation. It was discovered as a result of the research that there was a favorable attitude regarding infertility. Furthermore, it was discovered that having a child was significant and that as the value placed on having a child increased, so did the negative attitude toward infertility.

Knowledge of Mothers Regarding Management of Fever in their Children Under Five Years of Age in Al-Hilla City

Background: Improper fever definitions will lead to excessive treatment with its adverse consequences, or missed fever, or delayed diagnosis of dangerous illness. Mothers’ care for a feverish child can sometimes be inappropriate and harmful. Objective: To assess knowledge of mothers regarding definition and management of fever in their children under five years of age and to identify the association between mothers’ knowledge and mothers’ socio demographic factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 mothers of alive children aged bellow five years. The mothers were interviewed (face-to-face) after giving their verbal consent to participate in this study by using a systematic questionnaire, which included mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics and questions related to fever management. It was carried out at Babylon Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children, Al Imam Al Sadiq Teaching Hospital, and Al Noor Hospital For Children in Al-Hilla City, Iraq, from February 1 to June 15, 2022. Results: The mean age of mothers was (27.07 ± 6.33) years, 16.56% of mothers were higher education graduates, 86.75% were housewives. 0.66% of mothers had insufficient knowledge regarding fever management, 65.23% had moderate knowledge, and 34.11% had high knowledge. The mothers’ knowledge was in significant association with the mothers’ educational level, mothers’ occupation, using internet, and in significant negative correlation with number of alive children that the mothers had. Conclusion: About two-thirds of the mothers had moderate knowledge regarding fever management, about one-third had high knowledge, and less than one percent of mothers had insufficient knowledge.

Dropout from a maternal and newborn continuum of care after antenatal care booking and its associated factors in Debre Berhan town, northeast Ethiopia.

BackgroundContinuum of care (CoC) is the continuity of care from the beginning of pregnancy to the postnatal period to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health. Dropout from the maternal CoC remains a public health challenge in Ethiopia. There are limited studies on women who dropped out of the CoC. The available studies have focused on the time dimension of the CoC, and there is a paucity of data on the place dimension of the CoC. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dropout from the maternal CoC and its associated factors in Debre Berhan town, northeast Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 842 mothers from September to October 2020. A cluster sampling technique was applied, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were cleaned and entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to summarize the findings, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultThe overall prevalence of dropout from the maternity continuum of care was 69.1% [95% CI (66.0–72.3)]. The prevalence of dropout from ANC, skilled birth attendant, and PNC visits was 45.4, 0.5, and 48.7%, respectively. Rural residents, partners' level of education, monthly income, the timing of the first ANC visit, antenatal counseling about a continuum of care, and the level of satisfaction with the service delivery were significantly associated with ANC dropout. Maternal age and occupation, partners' age, media exposure, parity, the timing of the first ANC visit, the place of ANC visit, and the time spent for an ANC visit were significantly associated with dropout from PNC visits. Husbands' occupation, monthly income, number of alive children, the timing of the first ANC visit, and the time spent for an ANC visit had a statistically significant association with dropout from the maternity CoC.ConclusionDropout from the CoC in the study area was high. Socioeconomic development, partner involvement, antenatal counseling, efficient service delivery, and media exposure are vital to improving the high dropout rate from the maternal continuum of care.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) among Women of Childbearing Age in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Background Infertility impacts a lot of considerable negative social effects on the lives of infertile partners, especially females, who repeatedly experience the emotional sequelae of childlessness. The study's goal was to assess women of reproductive ages' awareness of IVF treatments, as well as their attitudes and misunderstandings about them in Cape Coast, Ghana. Methods A total of 437 reproductive-age women in Cape Coast Metropolis were recruited using a simple random sampling approach for this Cross-Sectional Descriptive study. Data were collected with a semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire and were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results The mean age was calculated to be 25.33 ± 0.066 years with a greater proportion, 65.7% within 15–24 years, 76.5% had no or had never had a child before. 93.4% were of the Christian faith, 66.8% were aware of IVF, and 74.8% think IVF offers hope. Although 41.4% believe it is not a natural procedure and 44.6% believe IVF children are normal but not natural. While 72.1% believe the treatment is very costly, and 40.7% believe it is not affordable or accessible. The majority believe IVF kids are legitimate (76.9%), and so should be welcomed by society (86.5%). The overall opinion of IVF service acceptability was 81.7% good. Seventy-two and three percent did not know whether IVF services are available in Cape Coast. Also, 48.1% were aware that IVF may result in pregnancy failure, with fewer than half (43.5%) believing it could be linked to genetic problems in the baby. The majority (60.4%) were willing to use IVF services, and 82.8% will utilize just their husband's sperm technique. While others may not want to undergo any form of IVF technique because they desire to conceive naturally (51.0%) and 22.4% may be unable to pay for it. Educational status and awareness of the availability of IVF services were factors that were significantly associated with their overall good perception of IVF services. Also, age, marital status, number of live children, occupation, educational status, awareness, and their overall perception were factors that are significantly associated with their preparedness to utilize IVF services. Conclusion Overall, women's opinions of IVF and their readiness to use them were favorable, and they think it offers hope for their condition since they were well-informed about its forms and that infertility may be a result of several factors, all of which may need IVF services. It does not matter if it is difficult to obtain, expensive, or unavailable. It is recommended that the government collaborates with healthcare providers to investigate ways through the mass media in the drive to clear the misconceptions and improve the public understanding of the IVF procedure towards its utilization, thereby reducing the burden of childlessness and the resulting psychological disorders among couples, this has implications for joyful homes and societal growth.

Utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods and associated factor among women of reproductive age in west Guji zone, Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundIncreasing access to family planning helps to ensure the reproductive right, decrease unintended pregnancy, improve the health and nutritional status of children, reduction of maternal mortality, and enhance longer birth spacing. However, there is continually low utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods among low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) and associated factors among women of reproductive age in the West Guji Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 507 women of reproductive age in the West Guji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia from April 15 to May 15, 2018. Data were collected by a structured, pretested, and interview-based questionnaire with open ended and closed ended questionnaire, then entered, and analyzed by SPSS Version 20. Bivariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out. A 95% confidence interval (CI) AND P-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistically significant variables.ResultThe current utilization of LAPMs at West Guji zone among the reproductive-aged group was found to be 51.1%. More than the median of participants had negative altitude (72.4%) and poor knowledge (57%) towards the LAPMs. Educational status of women, the number of alive children, acceptance of utilization of LAPMs, how treated by other staff, and waiting time during service delivery are significant determinant factors of LAPMs.ConclusionOverall, more than half of women had a negative attitude and poor knowledge of LAPMs. Educational status of women, the number of alive children, acceptance of utilization of LAPMs, how treated by other staff, and waiting time during service delivery were factors affecting utilization of LAPMs. Therefore, sustained, and appropriate information on LAPMs should be provided to raise knowledge and build the attitude of women and the community. Treating the clients with respect, reducing the waiting time, and collaborative work with health extension worker will enhance utilization of LAPMs.

Determinants of intrauterine contraceptive device utilization at primary health care facilities in Mekelle City, northern Ethiopia

BackgroundEach year, the current level of modern contraceptive use averts 188 million unintended pregnancies, which in turn results in 112 million fewer abortions. Of the 867 million women in the developing world who are sexually active and want to avoid becoming pregnant, approximately 222 million of them have an unmet need for modern contraception. In spite of several advantages and potential effectiveness of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, its utilization still too low in Sub Saharan African countries including Ethiopia.ObjectivesTo identify the determinant factors for utilization of intra uterine contraceptive device among women visiting primary health care facilities in Mekelle city.MethodFacility based unmatched case-control study design was conducted among 234 women (78 cases and 156 controls). Data was collected by structured questionnaire. Data entry and cleaning was done using EPI- Info version 5.3.1 and analysis done using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software. During analysis the variables were defined, categorized and the difference in variables was determined. Odds ratio used to show degree of association between independent variables with Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device.ResultMarital status ([AOR (95%CI) =8.59(2.60–28.43)], number of pregnancies (AOR (95%) CI = 5.69(1.020–31.802), number of alive children [AOR (95%CI) =3.5 (1.03–11.9) are variables continued to have statistically significant association with use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Other determinants found to have significant association includes awareness about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, visual exposure to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, and participants told about availability of health care provider able to insert Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device.ConclusionThis study has identified marital status, Gravidity, number of alive children and awareness to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device as major determinants for use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Thus, it is vital at addressing the aforementioned determinants will be vital to improve utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device.Plain English summaryAmong long acting reversible modern contraceptive methods, Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) are the most reliable and effective as well as with fewer side effects. Despite these advantages and cost effective potential of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device its utilization is still too low in Sub Saharan countries like Ethiopia. Thus, this study intended to identify the factors that limit the utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device among women of Ethiopia in Mekele City. The study identify that the utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device was determined by the marital status of the women, the number of previous pregnancy and recent alive children and the level of awareness about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device of the women. Therefore, providers training that focus on promoting Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, centering on increasing awareness and practice about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device is very important.

Examining Prevalence of Fetal Defects and Related Factors in Neonates Born and Hospitalized in Kerman Reference Hospital: A 66-Month Study

Background: Congenital malformations are one of the most important causes of disability and mortality of neonates. Many of these defects can be prevented. Therefore, recognizing and preventing the threatening factors that cause the adverse outcomes of pregnancy can prevent excessive costs to the family and society. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of congenital malformations and some related factors in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study and historical cohort, 1089 neonatal files were selected from 43076 files in the period of March 2014 to September 2019 by stratified sampling method with proportional allocation. Maternal and neonatal information including gender of infant, maternal and neonatal blood type, first and fifth minute Apgar score, LMP-based gestational week, maternal underlying disease, history of disease in pregnancy, maternal addiction, maternal number of pregnancies, number of childbirths, number of live children, number of stillbirths, history of abortion and stillbirth, type of childbirth and the congenital anomalies and its type were extracted from the files and recorded in the researcher-made checklist. Results: The prevalence of congenital malformations in neonates was 16.6%. The most common malformations were cardiovascular malformations (55.3%) and genitourinary malformations (19.3%). Girl gender, lack of maternal addiction, increasing maternal pregnancy, low Apgar score, and hospitalization in NICUs increase the chances of congenital malformations in neonates. Conclusion: The prevalence of congenital malformations in neonates was 16.6%. The most common malformations included cardiovascular malformations and genitourinary malformations.

Determinants of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Utilization at Primary Health Care Facilities in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Each year, the current level of modern contraceptive use averts 188 million unintended pregnancies, which in turn results in 112 million fewer abortions. Of the 867 million women in the developing world who are sexually active and want to avoid becoming pregnant, about 222 million of them have an unmet need for modern contraception. Objectives: To identify the determinant factors for utilization of intra uterine contraceptive device among women visiting primary health care facilities in Mekelle city. Method: The facility based unmatched case-control study design was conducted among 234 women (78 cases and 156 controls). Data was collected by questionnaire. Data entry and cleaning was done using EPI- Info version 5.3.1 and analysis done using SPSS version 20. The study used a logistic regression model to identify the association between independent variables with Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Result: Marital status ([AOR (95%CI) =8.59(2.60 - 28.43)], number of pregnancies (AOR (95%) CI=5.69(1.020-31.802), and number of alive children [AOR (95%CI) =3.5 (1.03-11.9) had a significant association with the use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Other determinants found to have significant association includes awareness about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, visual exposure to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, and participants told about the availability of health care provider able to insert Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Conclusion: The study identified marital status, gravidity, number of alive children, information on availability of IUCD provider and visual exposure to IUCD and awareness to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device as major determinants for use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Thus, stake holders like Tigray Regional health bureau, health care facilities and others stakeholder should work to strength in service quality to increase the utilization of this effective and safe modern contraceptive method IUCD. Key word: Case control, Determinant factors, Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, Logistic regression

Prevalence and determinants of unmet family planning needs among women of childbearing age in The Gambia: analysis of nationally representative data

Background: Family planning is imperative in the control of population growth by preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing other pregnancy-related risks. However, the effectiveness of family planning is constrained by unmet needs. This study determined the proportion and identify factors associated with unmet family planning needs among women of childbearing age in The Gambia. Methods: We utilized cross-sectional population-based Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from Gambian women aged 15-49 years in 2013. The outcome measured was the total unmet/met need for FP. The sample comprised 10,233 women aged 15-49 years old. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Of the 10,233 eligible women recruited in the study, the mean age was 27.4±9.1 years while 67.5% were married. Overall, 17.6% of women reported unmet FP need, of whom 14.0% and 3.6% reported unmet birth spacing and birth limitation needs, respectively. The women's age, region, ethnicity, number of live children, number of household/family members, the optimal number of children, and husband/partners’ desire for the children were found as significant determinants of unmet FP needs. Furthermore, breastfeeding has been identified as the key reason for the non-use of FP in mothers. Conclusions: The study findings suggest a need to expand FP programs and related strategic communications especially for younger women in order to improve their contraceptive prevalence. Improving women empowerment and accessibility to FP will help to lessen the current trend towards rising unmet needs in The Gambia.