Reproductive Group Research Articles

Knowledge of Pap smear test among reproductive age group women of Kathmandu, Nepal

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor of the lowermost part of the uterus and a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women in the world. Globally, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women after cancers of the breast, lungs, stomach and colorectal in developing countries. About 80% of new incidences of cervical cancer occur in developing countries, usually, with less comprehensive cervical cancer prevention programs. The objective of the study is to assess the level of knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear tests among Reproductive age group women. A descriptive study was conducted in Gokarneshwor-8, Kathmandu community on 105 respondents through non-probability purposive sampling techniques and data was collected using interviewers administered questionnaires. Out of 105 respondents, a majority (64%) respondents had adequate knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear tests, while 36% had inadequate knowledge. This study concluded that the majority of respondents had adequate knowledge of Pap smear tests while only thirty-six percent had inadequate knowledge. Though there is adequate knowledge, only a few respondents had ever done a Pap smear test. Still, there are existing gaps that need more education to connect knowledge with attitudes as well as to uplift the regular practice of cervical cancer screening for eligible women.

Multi-omics analysis identifies potential microbial and metabolite diagnostic biomarkers of bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common clinical manifestation of a perturbed vaginal ecology associated with adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes if left untreated. The existing diagnostic modalities are either cumbersome or require skilled expertise, warranting alternate tests. Application of machine-learning tools to heterogeneous and high-dimensional multi-omics datasets finds promising potential in data integration and may aid biomarker discovery. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of the microbiome and metabolome-derived biomarkers in BV diagnosis. Interpretable machine-learning algorithms were used to evaluate the utility of an integrated-omics-derived classification model. Vaginal samples obtained from reproductive-age group women with (n = 40) and without BV (n = 40) were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and LC-MS-based metabolomics. The vaginal microbiome and metabolome were characterized, and machine-learning analysis was performed to build a classification model using biomarkers with the highest diagnostic accuracy. Microbiome-based diagnostic model exhibited a ROC-AUC (10-fold CV) of 0.84 ± 0.21 and accuracy of 0.79 ± 0.18, and important features were Aerococcus spp., Mycoplasma hominis, Sneathia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Prevotella spp., Gardnerella spp. and Fannyhessea vaginae. The metabolome-derived model displayed superior performance with a ROC-AUC of 0.97 ± 0.07 and an accuracy of 0.92 ± 0.08. Beta-leucine, methylimidazole acetaldehyde, dimethylethanolamine, L-arginine and beta cortol were among key predictive metabolites for BV. A predictive model combining both microbial and metabolite features exhibited a high ROC-AUC of 0.97 ± 0.07 and accuracy of 0.94 ± 0.08 with diagnostic performance only slightly superior to the metabolite-based model. Application of machine-learning tools to multi-omics datasets aid biomarker discovery with high predictive performance. Metabolome-derived classification models were observed to have superior diagnostic performance in predicting BV than microbiome-based biomarkers.

Influence of socio-demographic factors on the use of maternal health care among Muslim women in urban slums of Mumbai, India

Background: Low and middle-income countries such as India face significant challenges in improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality rate. To combat this problem, it is essential to utilize maternal health-care services. Objective: This study aims to assess the utilization of maternal health-care services (Antenatal care [ANC] and skilled attendance at birth) and the determining factors of maternal health-care utilization. Materials and Methods: This study is cross-sectional. The study is carried out in an urban slum in Mumbai, India. The respondents were selected using a multistage sampling procedure, and 300 Muslim women who delivered in the past 2 years in the reproductive age group (15–49 years) were selected. The data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The study shows that maternal health-care utilization among respondents was unsatisfactory. Only 43.8% of the respondents utilized full ANC service and 27.3% still delivered at home with unskilled birth attendance (traditional Dai). A medical emergency, high cost, and lack of quality of services were the most common reasons to deliver at home. Respondents’ age at marriage, education (respondents and partners), monthly income, number of children, and type of family are the most important determining factors for the utilization of maternal health-care services. Conclusion: Better utilization of maternal health-care services can be achieved by improving the overall socioeconomic status of Muslim women. To improve maternal healthcare, special attention is required to be paid to the education of women and spouses. Furthermore, policies may address the women’s subordinate position in socioeconomic parameters. Similarly, close monitoring is required by the government through different agencies on the utilization of maternal health-care services.

Knowledge Regarding Reproductive Tract Infection Among Ever Married Females of Reproductive Age Group in Rural Tamil Nadu.

Background Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is an overgrowth of the normal flora of the reproductive tract. It is an iatrogenic infection caused by unhygienic practices like unsafe abortion. Lack of knowledge plays a major role among the factors associated. The District Level Health Survey (DLHS)-4 reported that the knowledge about RTI among the rural population of Tamil Nadu is 8 percent. It is thus necessary to know about their knowledge regarding RTI. Aim To assess the knowledge regarding reproductive tract infection among the ever-married rural women in the reproductive age group in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. Settings and design A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Materials and methods The sample size calculated was 330. Using multi-stage random sampling, a population proportion to the calculated sample size was used. A standardized questionnaire was used for data collection. Ethical approval was obtained. Statistical analysis used SPSS -21.0 was used for statistical purposes. A chi-square test was applied for significance. P-value <0.05 is considered significant. Results Among 330 females, 166 (50.3%) presented with any symptom of RTIs in the past three months, and 300 (90.9%) have heard about RTIs, with the main source of information being health education by the health care workers (155, 46.9%); 9.1% (31) females had no or poor knowledge regarding the RTIs. Conclusions Because of a lack of knowledge, RTI was prevalent among women in the rural community who were of reproductive age. Regular health education should be given to women who are fertile in order to increase their understanding.

Evaluating Adenomyosis with Transvaginal Sonography: Diagnostic Precision and Clinical Relevance

Background: Adenomyosis is an important benign gynecological condition among females with variable signs and symptoms. Prompt detection of suspicious cases is important for the effective management of the disease. The objective of the current study was to determine the frequency of adenomyosis on transvaginal ultrasound (TVS), its diagnostic accuracy, and the identification of associated factors in women with symptoms of adenomyosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the radiology department of Dow University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2022 to March 2023. All married females of reproductive age group presented with symptoms of adenomyosis for more than 7 days were included. Adenomyosis on TVS and histopathology were noted. Moreover, associated factors of adenomyosis were also studied. Results: Of 280 patients, adenomyosis on TVS was observed in 180 (64.3%) patients whereas on histopathology in 176 (62.9%) patients. Diagnostic accuracy of adenomyosis on TVS showed that sensitivity was 89.20%, specificity 77.88%, positive predicted value 87.22%, negative predicted value 81.00%, and accuracy was found to be 85.00%. A significantly higher proportion of adenomyosis was observed among women who had infertility (p&lt;0.001), symptoms of dysmenorrhea (p &lt;0.001), dyspareunia (p&lt;0.002), urinary symptoms (p &lt;0.001), and GI symptoms (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: TVS is a valuable imaging modality for identifying adenomyosis, especially in patients with clinical symptoms. Furthermore, there is a significant association between adenomyosis and various clinical symptoms, including infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, urinary symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Reproductive Health Problems and Health Care Services Offered to Female Inmates of Women Jail Multan

Background: Women prisoners’ health is one of the major challenges among public health issues since the increasing incarceration rate has a direct impact on prisoners’ health status. Female prisoners often face many health issues in which most important are reproductive health problems. The prison services regarding reproductive health needs of female inmates vary in every jail. Unfortunately, in many prisons, health care services for women are still not adequate. &#x0D; Objectives: The objectives of the study are to determine the frequency of reproductive health problems of female inmates and to assess the health care services offered to female inmates of Women Jail Multan. &#x0D; Method: It was cross-sectional descriptive study in which 118 female inmates of reproductive age group were included. Data was collected through questionnaire which was entered in to computer using SPSS 20.0. Frequencies and percentages were calculated and data was presented in tables. Means, Standard Deviations and Correlation were calculated. ANOVA was applied to test significance and Chi-square test was applied. Level of significance was kept at p ≤ 0.05. &#x0D; Results: Among 118 female inmates, 33.9% were 31-40 years old, 87.3% were married and 78.0% were illiterate. The length of incarceration of 42.4% female inmates was upto 12 months. 35.0% had 1-2 children and 16.5% were living in jail with their children. Majority (92.4%) had gynecological problem and 82.2% had medical problems while 11.0% had experienced sexual violence by jail staff. Only 2 females were pregnant. 100.0% female inmates had availability of lady doctor or LHV for antenatal check-up.100.0% female inmates were provided proper diet and food supplements and the quality of food was satisfactory. &#x0D; Conclusion: Study revealed that health care services for reproductive problems including obstetric and gynecological issues was satisfactory however prevalence of gynecological issues was high. Sexual violence of female inmates faced by jail staff during imprisonment was noticed for which strict legislative measures should be taken.&#x0D;

A rare enterouterine fistula between uterine leiomyoma and sigmoid colon in a nulliparous woman: a case report

BackgroundThe commonest benign neoplasm encountered in women of reproductive age group is uterine leiomyoma which usually presents with abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, urinary disturbances, urinary retention, constipation, and dyspareunia. Uterine leiomyoma presenting with bowel fistulization is a rare presentation. To our knowledge and based on a thorough literature search, no previous reports of uterine leiomyoma showing spontaneous fistulous communication with the sigmoid colon have been reported.Case presentationA nulliparous woman in her early 30s presented with complaints of lower abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, pus discharge from the vagina, and difficulty in respiration. On contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), a large heterogeneously enhancing mass was seen in the rectouterine space showing air-fluid levels, with a fistulous communication with the adjacent sigmoid colon. Histopathological examination proved the lesion to be a uterine leiomyoma.ConclusionThe chance of fistulization with the bowel should be considered whenever a uterine mass with an air-fluid level is encountered.

Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Infected with COVID‐19: A Case Series

Introduction: Maternal mortality is a critical event. Maternal mortality rates over the last century had reduced significantly, at least until the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed three pregnant women who succumbed to severe COVID-19. Results: Despite trying all available known therapies for COVID-19 at the time they presented, such as remdesivir, favipravir, steroid, hydroxychloroquine, pegylated interferon, N-acetyl cysteine, anticoagulants, prone positioning, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and early delivery by cesarean, these young women in the reproductive age group could not be saved. Pregnancy was the factor that aggravated COVID-19 pneumonia. Although the patients were given extensive multidisciplinary care, they were not able to survive. However, all three neonates were delivered alive. Conclusion: Three cases of catastrophic fatal maternal outcomes occurred due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia, even though all available treatments were provided.

A STUDY ON ACCEPTANCE AND COMPLIANCE OF DEPOT MEDROXY PROGESTERONE ACETATE FOR POST-PARTUM CONTRACEPTION IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN INDIA

Objectives: Our aim was to determine the proportion of women accepting injection depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for postpartum contraception, its incidence of side effects, and discontinuation rates reasons for attrition. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care hospital for 1 year. All eligible women were given a choice of contraceptive options after proper counseling for postpartum patients at the time of discharge and at 6 weeks, thereafter, and post-abortion patients immediately after MTP. A specially designed modified pro forma from the DMPA reference manual was used to collect the data of women attending the hospital. Result: A total of 240 women were included in the study. Most of the women (51.67%) were in the reproductive age group, 46.67% of women had 2 or more children, and most of the women (70.41%) were not used any family planning method earlier. The largest proportion of women (81.25%) were in the postpartum period. Irregular bleeding/spotting (39.08%) was the most common side effect. A larger portion of the women (36.5%) discontinued the injections due to side effects. Conclusion: It should be available as a first-line method to all who wish to opt for reversible methods of contraceptive.

Prevalence of misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission and associated factors among reproductive age women in Ethiopia: a nationwide study

BackgroundMisconceptions and myths are still the bottlenecks for the prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of misconception about HIV transmission among reproductive age groups using the most recently available Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveydata.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was done using the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data set. The data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors of misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission. A p-value of < 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were considered to confirm a statistically significant association.ResultsFrom the sample of 11,425 reproductive-age women, the prevalence of misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia was 27.47%. Women residing in rural area [AOR:1.24; 95% CI: 1.03–1.75] compared to urban resident participants, attended primary education [AOR:0.58;95%CI: 0.49–0.68], attended secondary education [AOR:0.36;95%CI:0.29–0.46], attended higher education [AOR:0.24;95%CI: 0.18–0.32] compared to those participants without education, had history of HIV test [AOR:0.77; 95%CI: 0.67–0.88] compared to their counterpart, respondents living in Amhara region [AOR:0.44:95% CI:0.35–0.54], Benishangul [AOR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.25–0.46], SNNPR [AOR:0.50; 95% CI: 0.38–0.67], Gambela [AOR:0.57; 95% CI: 0.42–0.79], Harari [AOR:0.62; 95% CI: 0.46–0.82], Addis Ababa [AOR:0.63; 95% CI: 0.49–0.81] compared to those living in Tigray and having richest wealth status[AOR:0.57;95% CI: 1.457–4.078] compared to those whose wealth index was poorest were significantly associated with the misconception about HIV transmission.ConclusionOver all the prevalence of misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia was high. Residence, educational level, wealth index, region, and respondents who ever tested for HIV were significantly associated with the misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission. This high misconception could affect HIV/AIDS transmission and its prevention strategies unless timely and appropriate intervention should be taken. Strengthening strategies aimed at maximizing HIV/AIDS testing, scaling up educational status, and emphasizing regional-wide interventions might have a substantial contribution.

Morbidity Pattern Amongst Women of Reproductive Age Group (15-44 Years) Residing in Rural and Urban Field Practice Areas of Government Medical College, Amritsar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Health of a woman in the family is far more important because whole family revolves around her.Any deviation from the state of normal physical, mental and social well being is morbidity and the morbidity inwomen at any stage of the life cycle , more so during reproductive age group, adversely affects the quality of life ofher own as well as that of whole family. It creates hinderances in the overall development at the individual leveland that of the nation as well.Objectives: To assess the morbidity pattern of women in reproductive age group (15-44 years).Material and methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted on the females of reproductive age group (15-44years) in rural and urban field practice areas of Government Medical College, Amritsar from 1st March 2021 to28th Feb. 2022. Sample size was calculated using formula N ≥ Z 2 × P × (1-P) / d2 . A pre-tested, semi structuredquestionnaire was used for collection of the required data.Participants: All females in the age group of 15-44 years who gave a consent to participate in the study wereselected. Any female with any congenital disease / malformation / intellectual disability, pregnant female andfemales who failed to give written informed consent / not willing for participation in the study were excluded.Results: Out of 330 study participants, 146 (44.2%) had one or more types of morbidities at the time ofstudy. The majority (95%) of these morbidities were chronic in nature while a small proportion i.e. 5% were acute.The system involved in multiple morbidities was reproductive and gynaecological system in majority (43.8%) ofstudy participants which was followed by cardiovascular system (9.6%), musculoskeletal system (9.3%), centralnervous system (4.2%), metabolic, ENT and urinary system (3.9% each), gastrointestinal system (3.3%), skin (2.4%)and respiratory system (2.1%).Conclusions: The pattern of morbidity in females of reproductive age group turned out to be Reproductive andGynecological inclusive of menstrual disturbances, PID, fibroid, RTIs, STIs, vaginal discharge etc. followed bycardiovascular system (9.6%), musculoskeletal system (9.3%), central nervous system (4.2%), metabolic, ENT andurinary system (3.9% each), gastrointestinal system (3.3%), skin (2.4%) and respiratory system (2.1%).

Unusual Clinicopathological Presentations of Mature Cystic Teratoma: A case series

Mature cystic teratomas also known as dermoid cyst are one of the most common benign tumors of the ovary.It is usually seen in young women in the reproductive age group. It comprises of mature elements derived fromall the three germ layers. In this case series we reported a series of 4 cases of mature cystic teratoma of the ovarywith uncommon clinicopathological presentations. First case was a rare entity of melanocytic nevus arising froma mature cystic teratoma. Second case was adipocyte rich teratoma, an uncommon lipomatous lesion of the ovary.Third case was rupture of dermoid cyst presenting as acute abdomen. Fourth case was mature cystic teratoma ina post-menopausal woman. To conclude, though dermoid cysts after surgical removal have an uneventful clinicalcourse, extensive sampling of the specimen for histopathological study should be done to identify rare pathologieswhich bears a clinical significance.

Ayurvedic Approach to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a systemic, endocrinal and also a metabolic disorder and it is the most common cause of hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation occurring in reproductive age group. Approximately 75 percent of anovulatory women of any cause have polycystic ovaries and 20 to 25 per cent of women with normal ovulation demonstrate ultrasound findings typical of polycystic ovaries. In Ayurvedic literature, Acharya Kashyapa mentioned about Pushpagni jataharini, it bears some resemblance with symptoms of PCOS. Most of the symptoms seen in PCOS are related to the Artavavaha srotas. In Bhaishajya Ratnavali, it is mentioned that Patoladi Kwatha is Hitakara for Andadhara roga in Andadhaara roga chikitsa adhyaya. In Chakradutta, in Sthoulya chikitsa adhyaya he mentioned that Navaka guggulu is good for Kapha medoja roga. In this case study, patient aged 23 years came to the OPD with the complaints of irregular menstruation and scanty bleeding during menstruation since 1 year. She was known case of PCOS and her symptoms got relieved after the administration of Patoladi kwatha along with Navaka guggulu for 3 months.

Assessing COVID-19 Lockdown's Impact: Domestic Violence Against Women in a Selected community of Lalitpur

This study examines at how prevalent domestic violence was against women in a particular Lalitpur community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Violence against women encompasses acts of aggression directed primarily or exclusively towards women and girls. The confluence of economic strain, movement restrictions, heightened partner frustration, and the disruption of social and protective networks during the lockdown amplifies women's susceptibility to exploitation and abuse. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional design, the study employed a convenient sampling technique to select 74 married women within the reproductive age group. A systematic interview schedule was used for data collection, and inferential statistics like the Chi-square test were used in conjunction with descriptive statistics like frequency and percentage for the analysis that followed. The study found that during the Covid-19 shutdown, domestic violence against women was prevalent in 31.1% of cases. Victims reported experiencing emotional (37.7%), economic (23.0%), physical (31.1%), and sexual (8.2%) violence. The primary contributing factors to the occurrence of violence were identified as being confined at home with the abuser (31.1%), financial concerns (28.4%), and problematic inter-relationships within family members (28.4%). Of the variables taken into account, the only ones that showed a significant correlation with the occurrence of domestic violence during the Covid-19 lockdown era were the husband's employment, education, and history of violence. The results highlight how urgent it is to address domestic abuse of women in Nepal, especially during times of crisis like the Covid-19 lockdown. It is imperative for the country to prioritize the enhancement of support systems to prevent the occurrence of such violence and safeguard the well-being of victims.

Risk and Protective Factors for COVID-19 Infection among Pregnant Women with Sickle Cell Trait.

Pregnant women and individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) and underlying comorbidities are both independently more vulnerable to severe illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to nonpregnant women and those without SCT. However, our understanding of the specific factors influencing susceptibility to COVID-19 infection among pregnant women with SCT is currently constrained by limited available data. This study aims to determine the risk and protective factors that influence the likelihood of COVID-19 infection in this population. A retrospective analysis was done among 151 women with SCT in the reproductive age group. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine the various factors affecting COVID-19 infection among pregnant women with SCT. The study found that COVID-19-vaccinated pregnant women with SCT had a 90% lower risk of contracting COVID-19 and were 9 times more likely to have a COVID-19 infection if they had a history of pulmonary conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present study further emphasizes the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine in preventing infection and safeguarding the health of pregnant women with SCT, particularly those with underlying comorbidities.

Association of Hormonal Contraceptives with Depression among Women in Reproductive Age Groups: A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study.

Hormonal contraceptives (HCs) are used for birth control, menstrual disturbances, and premenopausal syndrome. Most women stop using hormonal contraceptives due to changes in their mood. The evidence regarding the association of hormonal contraception with depression shows mixed results. Therefore, we aim to establish the association between the use of hormonal contraception and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 326 women of the reproductive age group (15-49 years) attending the family planning unit of the obstetrics and gynecology department of a medical college in Saudi Arabia. Their sociodemographic and medical details along with the current use of any contraceptives (hormonal, nonhormonal, or not using any) with duration were collected. Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II) was applied to the women to assess for depression along with its severity, and a BDI score of >16 was taken to denote clinical depression. Women were stratified by type of contraceptive used, and its association with depression category was assessed. A total of 326 consenting eligible women in the age group of 15-49 years were enrolled in the study of which 165 (50.6%) were currently using a hormonal contraceptive and 49 (15.0%) were using a nonhormonal contraceptive and the rest 112 (34.4%) were not using any contraceptives. There was no significant difference in the mean BDI scores (p=0.79) and degrees of depression (p=0.06) between the HC users and HC nonusers. However, individual symptoms of depression such as sadness (p=0.01), reduced libido (p=0.0002), feelings of pessimism (p=0.02), and failure (p=0.003) were found to be significantly higher in the HC users than non-HC users. We conclude that there was no significant difference in mean depression scores between groups. However, a few individual symptoms of depression were high in HC users suggesting depression as a potential side effect of hormonal contraceptive use.

Prevalence and Barriers of Menstrual Hygiene Practices among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Rural Field Practice Areas of a Tertiary Care Center in Rishikesh.

Menstruation is a natural, physiological process experienced by all adolescent girls and women. The reproductive age group is the largest and most susceptible to various health and illness-related risk factors. This study aims to find the prevalence of satisfactory menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among women of reproductive age group and we also want to explore the cultural practices and beliefs related to menstruation and barriers to satisfactory MHM. This study was conducted in rural field practice areas of Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh including 271 participants; women of reproductive age group using a mixed method study design (sequential quan-qual). Quantitative data were collected by household surveys and government schools using a validated structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to have insights about understanding menstrual hygiene and barriers to satisfactory hygiene practices. It was found that only 70 (29.6%) participants adhered to satisfactory menstrual hygiene practices. The age group of 20-24 years had a higher proportion compared to other groups. Through FGD, the main themes derived were practices related to menstruation (maintenance of personal hygiene), daily activities (physical and mental problems during menses), and barriers faced (cultural, economic, privacy concerns, and shyness). The prevalence of satisfactory menstrual hygiene practices was very low only 29.6%, which is a cause of concern; either Taboos associated with menstruation, socio-cultural, economic barriers, or lack of awareness related to menstrual hygiene in the community can be contributing factors for low prevalence.

Prevalence of anaemia among married women with recent birth history and high-risk fertility behaviour: secondary data analysis of the National Family Health Survey-India (2019–21)

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of anaemia among currently married women with high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB) based on age, parity and birth spacing indicators.DesignCross-sectional study.Settings and participantsFifth round of the National...

Survey on prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhoea among a reproductive age group in adolescents girls

Survey on prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhoea among a reproductive age group in adolescents girls

Long-Acting Contraceptive Switching and Its Associated Factors among Married Women in Southwest Ethiopia.

Contraceptive switching from a more effective to a less effective method is a concern, especially in developing countries with high unmet needs for family planning. Indeed, the lack of understanding regarding the reasons behind contraceptive switching behavior in the study area poses a significant challenge in effectively addressing this issue. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with long-acting contraceptive switching in Mizan-Aman town, southwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 345 women randomly selected from the population of married women in their reproductive age group. Data collection was conducted through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to ascertain factors linked with contraceptive method switching status. Statistical significance was determined at a P-value of less than .05. Out of the 345 participants interviewed, the prevalence of switching from long-acting to short-acting contraceptives was 28.4%, 95% CI (13.6%, 33.2%). Upon adjusting for confounding variables, factors significantly associated with contraceptive switching included women aged 31-35 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.58; 95% CI (0.36, 0.74)] and aged 41-49 [AOR = 0.54; 95% CI (0.48, 0.82)], those with formal education [AOR = 0.79; 95% CI (0.52, 0.87)], those desiring future pregnancy [AOR = 2.12; 95% CI (1.98, 3.38)], experiencing complications from previous method use [AOR = 3.67; 95% CI (2.57, 7.40)], and encountering stockouts of their preferred contraceptive choice [AOR = 2.01; 95% CI (1.39, 3.24)]. The study area exhibited a notable prevalence of switching from long-acting contraceptives. Complications arising from prior method use and the unavailability of preferred contraceptive options emerged as significant factors influencing this switching behavior. Thus, it underscores the importance of providing counseling and ongoing support to women, ensuring access to safer and more effective modern contraceptive methods.