Partner Support Research Articles

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and debilitating mental health condition affecting mothers worldwide, with significant consequences for both maternal and child health. Objective: This systematic review examines the prevalence, risk factors, screening tools, and treatment strategies for PPD, highlighting regional and socioeconomic disparities. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases was conducted for studies published between January 2013 and December 2023. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles, longitudinal or cross-sectional studies, and randomized controlled trials focusing on postpartum populations. A total of 128 studies were included in the final synthesis. Results: PPD prevalence ranges from 10–15% in high-income countries to over 30% in low- and middle-income countries, influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare disparities. Risk factors include hormonal fluctuations, pre-existing mental health conditions, and social determinants such as poverty, domestic violence, and inadequate partner support. Screening tools, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, facilitate early detection, while treatment strategies including pharmacological interventions, psychotherapy, and integrated care models demonstrate effectiveness. Conclusion: PPD is a multifaceted condition requiring comprehensive, culturally sensitive care models to mitigate its impact. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, personalized interventions, and the integration of mental health services into primary care to improve maternal and child outcomes globally.

Gamification With a Support Partner and Postoperative Mobility in Older Adults Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: The MOVE UP Randomized Clinical Trial.

This randomized clinical trial examines the effects of a gamified program for older adults to meet daily and weekly step goals following radical cystectomy procedures.

School-Based Physical Activity Program Implementation Is Enhanced With Support From Community-Based Partners.

School-based physical activity (PA) programs are an equitable, evidence-based approach to combat health and PA disparities. This study examined factors associated with implementation of BE Physically Active 2Day (BEPA 2.0), a K-5 school-based PA program, and examined how support from Cooperative Extension via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) partners influenced implementation. Teachers in schools receiving BEPA 2.0 trainings were surveyed about program use 3-6 months post-training. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationships between implementation factors (e.g., training, support, barriers) and program delivery. Logistic regression was used to summarize the odds of program delivery related to implementation factors. Responses were returned by 355 teachers. The odds of program delivery among trained respondents were 2.64 (1.22, 5.47) times the odds among untrained respondents. Most implementors (72.4%) provided activities 1-2 times/week. More frequent implementation (≥ 3 times/week) [OR = 2.43 (1.27, 4.73)] and fewer barriers were reported among those who received support from SNAP-Ed partners (p = 0.01). SNAP-Ed program partnerships should be considered when implementing school-based strategies to increase PA opportunities for vulnerable youth. High PA program implementation among trained teachers was enhanced with partner support.

A Star Is Born or Not: Understanding the Star Emergence Gender Gap

ABSTRACTBuilding on research on star performance, gender, and situational constraints, we introduce a longitudinal process model explaining the gender gap in star emergence. We argue that star emergence is less likely for women than men due to stardom's association with men and masculinity. As a result, situational constraints are more likely to insulate women's performance in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities development and evaluation (e.g., access to vicarious deliberate practice, biased standards), motivation (e.g., competition intensity, negative interpersonal behavior), and opportunity (e.g., access to high potential tasks, partner supportiveness in the extra‐work environment). We theorize that these factors lead to insulation cycles that reduce the likelihood of women emerging as stars over time. We also offer propositions about mitigators (e.g., strategic diversity goals and influential sponsors) that might attenuate these insulating effects. Finally, we discuss theoretical implications of understanding gender gaps in star emergence (e.g., performance insulation as gender inequity, the importance of a longitudinal perspective, insulation cycles, and star longevity) and practical implications for organizations to create equitable environments for star emergence (e.g., focusing on performance equity and facilitating gender inclusivity). We conclude that greater insight into the role of gender in star performance can also contribute to the broader understanding of gender gaps in organizations.

Postpartum depressive symptoms and mother-infant dyadic reciprocity: The moderating role of partner support.

Maternal postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms have the potential to negatively impact mother-infant interactions, particularly in populations experiencing contextual stress. We used a resilience perspective to examine maternal perceptions of partner support as a protective factor in the relation between PPD symptoms and mother-infant dyadic reciprocity. Low income, Mexican-origin women (N = 322; Mage = 27.80; 86% born in Mexico) reported depressive symptoms from 6 to 24 weeks postpartum and partner support at 24 weeks postpartum. Mother-infant interactions were recorded and coded for dyadic reciprocity at 24 weeks. Results indicated that partner support moderated the relation between PPD symptoms and dyadic reciprocity, such that higher PPD symptoms were associated with lower dyadic reciprocity only among mothers reporting lower partner support. Our results suggest that partner support is an important source of resilience for Mexican-origin women experiencing PPD symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Care for older adults living with dementia in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of care partner roles and perspectives

ObjectiveCare partners play a vital role in supporting persons living with dementia (PLWD) in using medical services. We conducted a meta-synthesis to explore care partner perspectives of ED care for...

USING GENERATIVE AI TO ENHANCE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CARE PARTNERS OF OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Care partners play an essential role in providing long-term care to community-dwelling older adults, offering vital support to individuals who require or desire assistance with instrumental and other activities of daily living. However, care partners’ responsibilities often entail significant physical, emotional, and financial strain, resulting in compromised health and well-being. Numerous studies support the efficacy of behavioral interventions in reducing the deleterious health outcomes often associated with serving as a care partner, but the resource-intensive nature of many such interventions introduces numerous implementation barriers. This presentation will explore the promise and potential pitfalls of using generative AI to enhance the delivery of behavioral interventions for care partners of older adults. Presenters will supplement a review of relevant literature with specific examples drawn from their own research using a large language model (ChatGPT 3.5) to enhance the delivery of PISCES (Problem-solving Intervention to Support Caregivers in Everyday Situations), a cognitive-behavioral intervention developed for care partners of older adults with serious illness. Generative AI’s potential as a tool to deliver the intervention’s psychoeducational content and also to monitor intervention fidelity demonstrated by human interventionists will be described, as will researchers’ intentional efforts to ensure the tool does not perpetuate problematic (e.g., ageist) perspectives based on an analysis of 250 transcribed intervention sessions used to train it. The presentation will conclude with actionable practice recommendations that harness the potential of this rapidly emerging technology in an ethically sound manner that enhances the equitable delivery of evidence-based care partner support for all.

Resilience in Teaching: Uncovering Grit Differences Based on Marital Status in Madrasah English Teachers

This research aims to analyze grit differentiation based on marital status among English teachers in madrasahs. A mixed-method approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study identified three forms of grit differences among English language teachers: teaching spirit, persistence in work, and consistency of interest in the teaching profession. These differences appear to be influenced by marital status. Married teachers tend to have higher grit levels compared to their unmarried counterparts. This difference can be attributed to the role of a supportive partner, who provides a vital support system within the family, enhancing mental resilience through emotional, social, and economic support. Married teachers are also more likely to have a long-term commitment to their profession, contrasting with unmarried teachers, who may often exhibit less stability in their motivation.

КОНКУРСНО-ФЕСТИВАЛЬНА ПРАКТИКА НА ВІННИЧЧИНІ В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ (2022-2024 рр.)

The purpose оf the article is to analyze and study the peculiarities of holding festivals and competitions in the Vinnytsia region under martial law, to identify their impact on the cultural development of the region, the preservation of cultural heritage and the support of the moral spirit of society, as well as the adaptation of cultural activities to new extreme conditions. The research methodology is based on a systematic approach, as well as on the application of analytical, cultural, and comparative methods, which helped to comprehensively highlight the outlined issues and obtain relevant intelligence results. The research is conducted under martial law, which is a new social and political context for the cultural activities of the region. The novelty is contained in the analysis of the mechanisms of adaptation of cultural and artistic events, formats and methods of their implementation in the conditions of war, including the use of online formats, hybrid models and new methods of ensuring the safety of participants. Attention is paid to how festival-competition events contribute to the maintenance of the moral spirit of society, contribute to cohesion and the preservation of national identity in times of crisis. In the time of danger, which was the war started by Moscow against Ukraine, cultural and artistic events became a kind of symbol and example of the strength and indomitability of the people, faith in victory. One of the effective cultural tools was the festival-competition movement, which was actively used in Vinnytsia region. Despite the difficulties of an objective nature, the pre-war tradition of organizing events of various levels and statuses, from international to district, was continued here. At the same time, events at the international and All-Ukrainian levels prevailed quantitatively thanks to the support of state institutions, public organizations, and foreign partners. It was found out that in Vinnytsia they supported the tradition of organizing musical, choreographic, folklore, theatrical, literary and artistic, film festivals, festivals of national cultures, and visual arts. In view of the danger, the organizers changed the format of the events: they offered remote forms of participati on, mixed formats or offline in new safe locations. The program of events underwent adjustments: from a reduction of events within the project to an excess of proposals compared to pre-war times. All events, without exception, had national and patriotic features: in slogans, names of events, content of programs, performances of participants. Often the events were declared charitable, the funds were directed to support the army. The statistics of visits to cultural and artistic events and reviews eloquently testified to the importance and expediency of their holding.

Barriers to PrEP use and adherence among adolescent girls and young women in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa: a scoping review

BackgroundAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Globally, in 2022, an estimated 4000 AGYW 15–24 were newly infected with HIV weekly, and nearly 78% of these infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a key HIV prevention option within an overall HIV combination prevention approach with an efficacy of over 90% when taken correctly. However, uptake of and adherence to PrEP remains low, particularly among AGYW. This scoping review aims to map available evidence on factors that limit PrEP use among AGYW in Eastern, Southern, and Western African countries to inform research, policy, and practice on delivery of PrEP. Our review identified factors that affect PrEP journey among AGYW along the HIV prevention cascade.MethodsGuided by Arksey and O’Malley framework and using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, we searched the Web of Science, Global Health, and PubMed databases. Our review focused on oral PrEP, specifically papers reporting on barriers to PrEP experienced by AGYW, and peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2012 and 2023.ResultsOf 1063 papers screened, 25 were included. Over half (60%) of the studies were qualitative; 72% were conducted in Kenya and South Africa. The barriers affecting motivation were, fear of side effects and pill burden, percieved low HIV risk, perceived stigma, PrEP use disapproval from parents and partners. PrEP access was limited by healthcare providers' stigma, isolated clinic setup, and lack of resources. Effective PrEP use was limited by a lack of parental or partner support, stigma, and lifestyle changes.ConclusionsAdolescent girls and young women face multiple and often intersecting barriers to effective PrEP use with stigma being a factor cross-cutting all steps of the prevention cascade. Similarly, lack of social support, reflected through disapproval and judgmental attitudes and low HIV risk perception, also affected two steps of the prevention cascade. Our review identified gaps in available evidence, with most studies conducted in only two countries and few quantitative studies available. Improving PrEP uptake and adherence requires interventions that address barriers across the cascade, with a particular focus on stigma and social support.

'once they see blood then the mood for sex is spoiled' A qualitative exploration of female sex worker's male client views of menstruation, sex during menses and the menstrual disc.

To continue working during menses, female sex workers (FSW) may use unhygienic absorbents to hide their menstrual status. The menstrual disc may provide a solution. Little is known about men's knowledge and views, specifically around sex during menstruation with FSW, a population who are particularly vulnerable to violence which may be heightened during menses. To identify constructs for successful and safe menstrual disc implementation we sought to identify knowledge and attitudes towards menstruation among male clients of FSW, including views on FSW menstrual disc use during intercourse. We conducted six focus group discussions comprising a total of 51 male clients of FSW, in Kisumu, Kenya, exploring their perceptions of menses and sex during menses. In preparation for future implementation of a menstrual disc intervention, we introduced the disc to participants with an information session, answering their questions and gathering their opinions on it. Thematic analysis found most clients had limited or inaccurate knowledge about menstruation, viewing blood and the menstruator, as dirty or unclean. Sources of knowledge included school, female relatives/partners, community or church. Those reporting formal education described the biological processes more accurately, while church education lent towards stigmatized perceptions. Most participants expressed negative views towards sex during menses (i.e., unpleasurable, forbidden or risky), usually stemming from misconceptions, and reported seeking FSW services because their wife / girlfriend was menstruating. Many felt deceived if a FSW was menstruating, were often aware of materials placed vaginally to absorb blood, but generally continued with the service. No clients had prior knowledge of the menstrual disc but accepted it as a safe, hygienic, and cost-effective alternative, with some voicing interest to purchase for their wife / girlfriend. We conclude there is a need to provide accurate information on menstruation to boys and men including in school curricula and faith teaching to address lack of knowledge and negativity. These findings suggest potential for adoption of menstrual discs by FSW with minimal adverse client reaction, and highlight possible partner support for women considering adopting a menstrual disc.

Translation of a longitudinal survey of veterans' well-being into action by a research-practice-policy partnership.

Research-practice-policy partnerships are shifting the academic research paradigm toward collaboration and research-informed action at community and policy levels. In this case study, researchers partnered with philanthropic foundations to actualize data findings from a rigorous, longitudinal study. In 2016, a survey of post-9/11 military veterans began assessing veterans' well-being in key domains: health, vocation (education and employment), finances, and social relationships. Data were collected from 9,566 veterans with three study aims: document factors affecting well-being, describe the use of transition-assistance programs and distill them into common components, and identify components associated with positive changes in veterans' well-being. The study evolved into a partnership among an academic applied research center and philanthropic funders to disseminate survey findings, investigate additional research questions of practical application, and help ensure public and private funds are invested in evidence-informed programs and services that support veterans' well-being. Four RPP partnership goals were identified. Goal 1 included survey expansion to capture data on emerging concerns (e.g., COVID-19 impacts, educational experiences, burn pit exposure, civic engagement, social-media use). This resulted in eight waves of data collection over 6.5 years. Goal 2 involved co-interpretation of data to define successful military-to-civilian transition (MCT) and strategic communications to engage national leaders in policy change for veterans. Goal 3 focused on evaluation support of partners' organizational portfolios and programs, which resulted in new tools such as an online screener that veteran-serving providers could use to identify veterans' MCT risks and respond with tailored, research-informed resources and program components. Goal 4 allowed for the application of research findings with an innovative model for using longitudinal study variables within robust comparison analyses to assess partners' program components; propensity matching demonstrated that effective component use leads to better outcomes for veterans (e.g., higher salaries). Partnerships can equip funders and service organizations with credible data, clear messaging, and tools to advocate for and champion the well-being of populations. This partnership, galvanized by using data for co-learning and collaborative action, has augmented the nation's understanding of veterans' reintegration and has led to veterans receiving data-driven support for successful transitions and enhanced well-being.

Feasibility of Alerting Systems and Family Care Partner Support for Postoperative Delirium Prevention.

The objective of this study was to determine whether postoperative pager alerts to the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), a delirium prevention service, would accelerate program enrollment for older surgical patients. This study also tested feasibility of family care partner interventions for delirium prevention. This single-center, pilot clinical trial factorially randomized 57 non-cardiac surgical patients ≥70 years of age to 4 arms: (1) standard care, (2) pager alerts to accelerate HELP enrollment, (3) family care partner-based delirium prevention interventions, or (4) a combined arm with both HELP and family interventions. The primary clinical outcome was delirium (assessed through the Confusion Assessment Method). In the pager alerting arms, 13/24 (54%) participants were enrolled by HELP on postoperative day 1 compared with 0/26 (0%, P<0.001) in the non-alerting arms. Median [interquartile range] time spent in delirium prevention protocols was significantly longer in pager alerting arms than in non-alerting arms (39 [5 to 75] min vs. 0 [0 to 0] min; P<0.001). Family care partners spent 18 [11 to 25)] hours at the bedside over the first 3 postoperative days. There was no significant difference in delirium occurrence in participants randomized to pager alert arms compared with non-alerting arms (odds ratio, 1.02, 95% CI, 0.97-1.07; P=0.390). Similarly, there was no significant difference in delirium occurrence in family intervention arms compared with nonintervention arms (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI 0.93-10.02; P=0.270). Pager alerts significantly reduced time to HELP enrollment, albeit without reducing delirium incidence in this pilot study. Family care partners spent substantial time at the bedside during the study period.

Perceived Experiences and Needs of Digital Resources Among Postpartum Women in the United Arab Emirates: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

The postpartum period is a critical phase in a woman's life, marked by various physical, psychological, and social challenges. In light of the rapid proliferation and uptake of digital technologies, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mothers increasingly seek informational and emotional support from digital resources. No previous study has thoroughly explored the usage of various digital resources beyond telehealth services in the UAE. This literature gap is particularly relevant for the postpartum period, which remains largely understudied in the UAE. This study aims to delve into the digital experiences of postpartum women in the UAE by exploring the types of resources they navigate and the purposes those resources serve. In addition, it seeks to identify their perspectives and needs regarding digital resources that support their postpartum journey. Four focus groups were conducted synchronously on the web, involving a total of 27 multicultural mothers (mean age 32.47, SD 4.56 years), between 2 and 12 months post partum and living in the UAE. Descriptive interpretive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Sixteen out of 27 women exhibited severe depressive symptoms at the time of the discussions (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of >12). Two main themes were generated from the analysis: (1) Mothers' Experiences with Digital Resources: Participants valued digital resources for providing immediate information, convenience, and support. They primarily used these resources to seek information on infant health, parenting advice, and emotional support through web-based communities. However, the abundance of conflicting information and the pressure to conform to health recommendations often created stress and anxiety. (2) The Perceived Need for Digital Resources: Despite their extensive use of digital resources, mothers articulated the need for a reliable UAE government digital platform tailored specifically to postpartum care, offering trusted information on infant health and postpartum mental well-being. They also emphasized the need for tailored postpartum telemedicine services and moderated web-based discussion forums to foster peer support among mothers. This study reveals the multifaceted role of digital resources in supporting mothers during the postpartum period, highlighting unmet needs that present opportunities for advancing postpartum care in the UAE. It demonstrates the importance of developing reliable digital solutions for postpartum women, especially regarding mental health and to enhance access to care through tailored telemedicine services. Collaborative efforts are required to ensure the implementation of user-centered digital platforms. Future research should focus on the diverse needs of postpartum women, including cultural sensitivity, the feasibility of telemedicine services, and the integration of partner support in digital interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.

Regulatory and Legal Framework for the Development of the Circular Economy in Ukraine

Ukraine's regulatory framework for the circular economy is in the process of active development, but requires a comprehensive approach that includes both the integration of international standards and the stimulation of domestic initiatives. The main challenges include imperfect legislation, a weak level of business incentives for environmental initiatives, limited financing of environmental projects, and the lack of a single toolkit for implementing circular business models. Military aggression also has a significant impact, slowing down the transition to new economic models. Ukraine is working to harmonize its legislation with EU norms that provide for the integration of circular economy principles. This includes the implementation of European waste management standards, stimulating the reuse of resources, and developing strategies for sustainable economic development. In Ukraine, a circular economy foresight activity has been launched, initiated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Center in Ukraine (RECP Center) within the framework of the EU4Environment program, funded by the European Union with the support of the Government of Germany. The main goal of the circular economy foresight activity in Ukraine is to form a vision of the most appropriate measures for the future of Ukrainian industry, cleaner production and environmental protection. Analysis of the regulatory framework is the basis for determining the key principles, tools and directions for implementing sustainable development and resource efficiency strategies. The article analyzes the main principles of regulatory and legal support for the development of the circular economy of Ukraine, as well as the main tools for its implementation, namely: environmental taxation (the introduction of environmental taxes on pollution, stimulating the use of renewable resources), the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and financial incentives. The results of the study show that the prospects for implementing a circular economy are significant thanks to the support of international partners, the development of new draft laws, and the growth of public interest in sustainable development.

Rethinking village malaria workers in Cambodia: Perspectives from the communities, programme managers, and international stakeholders.

Since the early 2000s, malaria cases in Cambodia have declined steadily. Village malaria workers (VMWs) have played a critical role in reducing malaria transmission and progress towards malaria elimination. To prevent malaria re-establishment, however, implementation strategies need to consider carefully the changing healthcare needs in the communities as well as challenges to, and opportunities for, programme adaptation. We conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders involved in the planning or implementation of the VMW programme in Cambodia, to elicit their views and experiences about health priorities in the communities, the public health value of VMWs and community-based care, and prospects for future programme development. Respondents included managers and implementers involved in the VMW programme at the central and provincial level (n = 9), technical officers at international agencies in Cambodia (n = 7), international stakeholders in non-governmental and research organisations based in Cambodia or other countries in the region (n = 5), as well as VMWs (n = 10), and community members (n = 16) in six endemic communes of Kravanh District, Pursat Province. In Kravanh, we also conducted four focus group discussions with 19 community members who had previous experience of malaria. The qualitative dataset was analysed using a thematic approach. VMWs, particularly mobile malaria workers tasked with active case detection among forest workers, were deemed necessary to maintain effective malaria control. However, there was a clear demand in the communities for additional services including treatment for common illnesses, monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and relief of general symptoms through medication, such as for fever, headache, and stomach pain. Programme managers and international stakeholders agreed that the VMW programme needs a rethinking of the current implementation model to ensure continued uptake, relevance, and motivation of VMWs. Suggestions for add-on activities included adoption of new tests for febrile illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya, and screening for the prevention and monitoring of non-communicable diseases. There was emphasis on the needs for more sustainable financing mechanisms and integration with the existing community health infrastructure. The potential expansion of VMW services will benefit from the continued involvement of external donors and partners for technical and financial support. However, the implementation strategy should consider since the outset opportunities for enhanced local ownership and health system integration. To maintain domestic political momentum and access new potential sources of domestic funding, further programme development should align with national health priorities and the ongoing process of administrative decentralisation, while being responsive to changing public health needs within the communities.

Examining psychological well-being variables during pregnancy: partner support buffers flourishing

Examining psychological well-being variables during pregnancy: partner support buffers flourishing

Advance care planning in adults ages 80 years and older with impaired cognition: Using actual conversations to examine best practices.

Recommendations for advance care planning (ACP) in persons with cognitive impairment are based on expert input without insight from actual ACP conversations. We used thematic analysis to analyze transcripts of ACP conversations for 88 older adults with normal cognition (n=15), mild cognitive impairment (n=13), and scores consistent with dementia (n=60). Patients with dementia were least verbally active; however, some shared values and identified surrogates. We identified three themes: (1) cognitive impairment inhibits participation in ACP, but individuals with dementia are able to contribute; (2) care partners have a key role in supporting ACP across the spectrum of cognitive impairment; and (3) structured questions about values and tailored communication strategies can facilitate engagement of older adults with dementia. Our findings reinforce best practice recommendations for early ACP and identify strategies to increase patient engagement among older adults with cognitive impairment with support of care partners. Data from actual ACP conversations involving older adults with a range of cognitive function and their care partners reinforce best practice recommendations and suggest practical implications for education and training. Family involvement in ACP was valued by older adults and improved engagement. ACP initiatives should prioritize eliciting values of older adults with dementia and improving skills for communication to increase engagement.

Compliance with the WHO recommended 8+ antenatal care contacts schedule among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 8 antenatal care (ANC) contacts during pregnancy, but many women in low and middle-income countries do not adhere to this schedule, which may contribute to high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. This study assessed compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and associated factors among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda. This was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July and August 2022 at four selected hospitals in Eastern Uganda using quantitative techniques. We recruited postnatal mothers who had given birth within 48 hours with records of their ANC contacts. Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was defined as having received the recommended ANC contacts as per the gestational age at childbirth following the current ANC for a positive pregnancy experience WHO guidelines. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and selected independent variables. A total of 1104 postpartum mothers participated in the study with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 26 ± 6.4 years, and a majority had given birth from a referral hospital (n = 624 56.5%). Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was low (n = 258, 23.4%), and only 23.2% (196) of the women had attended their first antenatal care contact within the first trimester. Factors associated with compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts were: attending the first antenatal care contact within 12 weeks of gestation [AOR: 6.42; 95% CI: (4.43 to 9.33)], having 2 to 4 children [AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: (0.44 to 0.94)], having a spouse who is unemployed [AOR: 1.71; 95% CI: (0.53 to1.08)] and having insurance coverage [AOR: 2.31; 95% CI: (1.17 to 4.57)]. Compliance with the 8+ ANC contacts schedule remains very low. Efforts should focus on increasing health education, particularly for multiparous women, and encouraging mothers to begin ANC in their first trimester. Exploring the dynamics of partner support, especially with employment status, may offer insights into improving ANC attendance.

It's not all that bad: associations among pain characteristics and sexual well-being in people living with chronic pain.

Individuals experiencing chronic pain often report adverse effects on their sexual functioning. However, other important aspects of sexual well-being (SWB), such as sexual distress and sexual self-esteem, have received little attention. This is an important omission because a SWB involves more than just good sexual function. Similarly, past research has not examined how chronic pain characteristics affect the different aspects of SWB. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine the SWB of individuals living with chronic pain and to examine the extent to which SWB is associated with different chronic pain characteristics. A total of 310 individuals (28.1% men, 70.6% women, 1.3% transgender men) with ages between 21 and 50 (M = 31.96, SD = 6.13) who were in a romantic relationship and with self-reported chronic pain for three months or longer completed an online survey. The following indicators of SWB were included in the study: frequency of genital sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, sexual function, genital pain, and sexual distress. The results show that most individuals with chronic pain maintain an active and satisfying sexual life and feel positive about themselves as a sexual partner. Slightly more than a fourth reported experiencing at least one sexual functioning difficulty and almost three-fourths of them found those difficulties sexually distressing. A first canonical correlation showed that more negative pain characteristics were associated with poorer SWB. The second canonical correlation showed that greater perceived partner support can offset the negative relationship between pain and some aspects of SWB. These findings show that individuals living with chronic pain can experience positive SWB. Furthermore, the buffering effect of partner support suggests it is important to involve romantic partners in interventions aimed at improving the SWB of people living with chronic pain. The study examined a large number of indicators of SWB using a sample of individuals with different types of chronic pain. Limitations include potential self-selection bias and a sample that was predominantly white and highly educated. The results paint a more positive picture of the SWB of individuals living with pain and show that individuals living with chronic pain can experience positive SWB. These findings can help for researchers, educators, and clinicians about how to conceptualize, understand, and improve the SWB of individuals living with chronic pain.