Reproductive Health Research Articles

Determinants of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among reproductive age women in Senegal: evidenced by Senegal demographic and health survey.

Globally, access to sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health issue for women of the reproductive age group. Senegal is a low-income country with limited access to reproductive health services, such as in the prevention and treatment of STIs. The prevention and treatment of STIs is one of the goals set by the government to decrease reproductive health-related morbidity and mortality among women. So, the main objective of this research was to evaluate the prevalence's and determinant of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among reproductive-age women. Data from the 2023 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey datasets were used for secondary data analysis. A total of 16,583 women of reproductive age participated in the study. Bivariate analysis was employed in order to select the factors for multivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, variables with p < 0.05 significance levels were considered to be significant predictors of sexually transmitted infections among reproductive-age women. Finally, the percentage and odd ratio, together with their 95% confidence intervals, were reported. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infection among women was 3.21% with a 95 CI. [2.95-3.49] in the last 12 months. Being between the age range of 20 and 44 years old; attending higher education [AOR: 2.70, 95% CI (1.74, 4.19); P = 0.0001]; women who were never in union [AOR: 0.09, 95% CI (0.046, 0.17); P = 0.001] were positively associated with sexually transmitted infections among women. In contrast to this, living in Louga [AOR: 0.41, 95% CI (0.23,0.69); P = 0.001]; Fatick [AOR: 0.33, 95% CI (0.18,0.61); P = 0.0001]; Kolda [AOR: 0.23, 95% CI (0.11,0.49); P = 0.0001]; Kedougou [AOR: 0.34, 95% CI (0.17,0.68); P = 0.002]; and Sedhiou [AOR: 0.43, 95% CI (0.23,0.79); P = 0.007] and women who had history terminated pregnancy [AOR: 1.27, 95% CI (1.03,1.58); P = 0.023] were negatively associated with sexually transmitted infections among women. Women's sexually transmitted infection has been associated with sociodemographic and geographic determinants such as the age of the woman, region, educational status, marital status, and history of terminated pregnancy. Therefore, to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections among women, the governments of Senegal and other concerned stakeholders should give special attention to women by addressing sociodemographic and geographic determinants.

Culturally sensitive approaches in sexual health: navigating sociocultural determinants in the Middle East and Arabic-speaking countries.

Culturally sensitive approaches in sexual health: navigating sociocultural determinants in the Middle East and Arabic-speaking countries.

Discrimination based on gender identity and decision-making regarding HIV/STI-protected sex, a cross-sectional study among trans and non-binary people in Germany

BackgroundTrans and non-binary people are often discriminated against. Discrimination has a negative impact on health and may affect sexual health and behavior. We explored the relationship between discrimination based on gender identity and the perceived ability to make decisions about their sex life to feel as protected as desired from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among trans and non-binary people in Germany. Secondarily, we assessed whether feeling unable of making HIV/STI-protected sex decisions was associated with behaviors related to increased HIV/STI risk.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Sexual Health and HIV/STI in Trans and Non-Binary Communities (TASG) survey conducted online between March-July 2022 among trans and/or non-binary people aged 18 years and older living in Germany. We described the prevalence of frequent discrimination based on gender identity. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the associations between frequent experienced discrimination based on gender identity and feeling unable of making HIV/STI-protected sex decisions, and between feeling unable of making HIV/STI-protected sex decisions and behaviors related to increased HIV/STI risk.ResultsAmong 3077 participants, 22% reported frequent discrimination based on gender identity. Participants experiencing such discrimination reported 1.4 times more often to feel unable to make HIV/STI-protected sex decisions (PR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8). This perceived inability was associated with increased prevalence of sex under drug influence (PR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3–3.7) and condomless penetrative sex with multiple partners without PrEP (PR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.9).ConclusionFeeling unable to make decisions to feel protected from HIV/STI among trans and non-binary people was associated with both frequent discrimination and behaviors that increase the HIV/STI risk. Strategies for empowering trans and non-binary people to assert their sexual decision-making needs should be explored.

A review of extended lactation in dairy cows managed in high-input and pasture-based farming systems

Traditionally the lactation cycle of a dairy cow is based around a 12-month calving interval, allowing for 10 months of lactation, followed by a 2-month dry period. This means that the cow has to conceive within 2–3 months after calving, when she is also at peak lactation and metabolically is in a negative energy balance. Such challenging physiological conditions make it challenging for the cow to conceive at this time and many modern high-producing cows fail to get pregnant within the constraints of a 12-month calving interval. In addition, many cows still produce at a high level at drying-off time, increasing the risk of intramammary infections. Therefore, delaying conception past peak production and, as a result, extending the lactation beyond 10 months may increasingly be necessary. Additionally, extended lactation (EL) may offer other advantages such as fewer calves being born and thus fewer ‘surplus’ calves needing to be culled at a young age, fewer health and welfare issues and improved environmental outcomes (i.e. less greenhouse-gas emission; less antibiotic usage) during the lifetime of the animal. Extending lactation is a straight forward management practice in high-input dairy systems where a consistent supply of feed supplements is readily available, but may be more challenging to implement in low(er)-input pasture-based systems. The latter are much more seasonal, with a 12-month calving interval allowing pasture growth and quality to match the cow’s nutritional demands; cows calve in spring when high-quality pasture is abundant and are dried-off during winter when pasture growth is more limited. In this review, we explored the impact of EL in both high-input systems and pasture-based systems. It covers the effects of EL on milk production, composition and processing, as well as on reproductive performance, health and welfare, and environmental and economic outcomes.

The comparison of comprehensive sexuality education knowledge and attitudes in CSE-exposed and CSE-naïve non-formal settings in Lagos State, Nigeria.

This study compared the sexual reproductive health and rights related knowledge and attitudes towards inclusive gender norms among students in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) exposed and naïve technical and vocational centers in Lagos state, Nigeria. It also explored the benefits of teaching and learning about CSE from exposed students and their instructors. A mixed-method research design was used. The study population comprised of students 15-24 years of age attending technical and vocational centers in Lagos State and instructors in CSE-exposed centres. Sample size of 450 per group was calculated. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire; focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed at p<0.05; coding and thematic analysis of qualitative data was followed by integration and of the findings; and interpreted using the information-motivation-behavioural skills model. Students in CSE-exposed schools had statistically significantly higher SRHR-related knowledge scores and positive attitudes towards inclusive gender norms. The CSE training improved the educational knowledge and teaching modalities of the instructors. The adolescents had increased knowledge, acquired behavioural skills, and changed certain behaviors. The SRHR-related benefits extended to their siblings and friends. This study contributes to the knowledge available on the benefits of CSE for young people in non-formal settings in Nigeria. It revealed that CSE training benefits not only the students but also their instructors, who reported acquisition of new teaching skills and improved parenting skills. The study findings suggest that the integration of CSE into non-formal educational settings could improve the SRHR- related knowledge among young people, promote inclusive gender norms and potentially contribute to improved SRH outcomes and related SDGs in Nigeria.

Understanding the consumer's intention to purchase reproductive health products from e-commerce sites

The emergence of the Internet, together with the expansion of associated technologies, has had a profound influence on every possible field. Of great importance to marketers has been the rise of virtual stores that facilitate the online sale of goods and services. Although the majority of marketers have recognized the significance of including the Internet in their marketing strategies, there is a lack of scientific study on the key elements that impact an individual's decision-making process in the purchase of female reproductive healthcare products. The women's health market in India is projected to grow to $1.325 Billion by 2030, from $0.726 Billion in 2022. The study employed a survey instrument with 448 participants who frequently make online purchases of reproductive healthcare products. The results indicated that purchasing through e-commerce sites has gained extensive popularity among female customers due to social influence, customer experience, cost-effectiveness, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions in its ability to save time and space. The study also indicated that advertising through social media has a profound impact on female customers in their purchase decisions to buy reproductive healthcare products.

Documenting public health interventions with new technologies in rural Indonesia

The African Journal of Reproductive Health is pleased to publish these compendia of articles that originated from an international symposium on public health which took place in Surabaya, Indonesia in 2023 (ISoPH 2023). Indonesia, the world’s fourth largest country, with a population of 280 million people, has a robust healthcare system that comprises a mix of public and private providers’ financing. Of interest, is Indonesia’s approach to health promotion through the digitization of its health services resulting in the development of multiple health applications by the central government, regional governments, and the private sector. The uniqueness of the ISoPH symposium is its strategic focus on providing an understanding of the ways that various communities in Indonesia have been engaged and are involved in using digital technologies to promote health outcomes. This being one of the first such descriptions globally, it remains an essential approach that will help to draw similar innovations from other parts of the world.

Adolescent Reproductive Health: The Role Of Sex Education In Raising Awareness

The first stage of labor often takes a long time and causes discomfort for the mother, so methods are needed to accelerate it. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microcontroller-based nipple stimulation in accelerating the labor process by stimulating the release of the hormone oxytocin which increases uterine contractions and accelerates cervical opening. Microcontroller technology is used to ensure the stimulation is done automatically and measured according to the mother's physiological needs. This study involved two groups, namely the group that received stimulation and the control group that did not receive stimulation. The results showed that the stimulated group experienced shorter labor times than the control group and were less likely to require medical interventions such as induction with drugs. Close monitoring is still required to ensure safety, especially regarding the risk of uterine hyperstimulation that may affect the condition of the mother and fetus. Further research is needed to test the long-term effectiveness and safety of this method before it is widely applied in obstetric practice. Based on the total library, 600 were identified and as many as 100 additional articles were identified. A total of 630 studies failed to meet the inclusion criteria and 70 articles were read in their entirety, so that as many as 11 publications were used as references. Microcontroller-based nipple stimulation offers an innovative solution that can improve the efficiency of labor while providing a better quality of health care.

"Another tool for the sexual health toolkit": U.S. health care provider knowledge and attitudes about doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) to prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men.

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) reduces chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW). Perspectives of health care providers (HCPs) regarding doxy-PEP can inform implementation efforts. From August 2022 to January 2023, HCPs were recruited from 13 cities with high sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates for semi-structured, in-depth interviews about their awareness of and attitudes towards doxy-PEP for STI prevention. HCPs were purposively sampled to include people with experience prescribing PrEP and provision of care to MSM. Interviews were conducted virtually via Zoom. Transcripts and debrief reports were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach to explore knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about doxy-PEP. Among 30 HCPs, almost half (47%) were between 31-40 years of age, 53% identified as male, and 47% reported their sexual orientation as gay or queer. Half (53%) of participants practiced in the South, 43% had >100 MSM in their clinic panel, and 17% had previously prescribed doxy-PEP. We identified four overarching themes: 1) HCPs expressed positive attitudes towards doxy-PEP; 2) antimicrobial resistance concerns limit enthusiasm for some HCPs; 3) additional data about the long-term safety of doxy-PEP would improve their confidence; and 4) development of guidelines would facilitate the prescription of doxy-PEP, including eligibility, dosing instructions, and treatment management. HCPs were motivated to prescribe doxy-PEP with almost 20% already having prescribed it. Guidelines and data about long-term safety, especially antimicrobial resistance, would facilitate introduction of doxy-PEP into clinical practice.

Don't forget the children! The need for pediatric sexual health education and support.

Don't forget the children! The need for pediatric sexual health education and support.

The sexual behaviors of young Polish women and their knowledge about contraception

Introduction. With the increasing trend of early sexual activity among adolescents, contraception has become a crucial topic. Poland ranks last in the Contraceptive Atlas, as the country with the poorest access to contraception methods and information. This results in a low level of contraceptive knowledge among young people, leading to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Adequate sexual education is a key element in promoting sexual health, enabling informed contraceptive choices based on medical knowledge. The responsibility for sexual education lies not only with parents but also with educators, pedagogues, doctors, and governmental bodies. Aim. To assess knowledge about contraception and investigate the sexual behaviors of women aged 15-25, comparing the results with available literature and indicating possible preventive actions in the studied area. Material and methods. An anonymous electronic survey was conducted among women aged 15-25 from across Poland. The survey was distributed on various internet groups, primarily comprising students. It included closed-ended questions verifying knowledge of the topic under study and a demographic section. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Statistica and Microsoft Excel. Results. The average age of sexual initiation among respondents was 17.84±1.96 years, with one-third of them yet to engage in sexual activity. The majority of respondents (58%) had 1 to 3 sexual partners, and with increasing age and education level, the percentage of those with a higher number of sexual partners increased. The most popular contraceptive methods among respondents were barrier methods, combined oral contraceptive pills, and a combination of barrier and hormonal methods. The main sources of contraceptive information for the respondents were the internet, gynecologists, and scientific literature. Almost all respondents were aware of the definition of contraception, but only half were aware of the Pearl Index. Less than half of the respondents could identify the most effective contraceptive method, while almost all correctly identified the least effective method. The knowledge of the majority of respondents was assessed as moderate, good, or very good. Conclusions. Despite the generally good knowledge of contraception among the majority of respondents, there are still gaps that need to be filled. Due to the progressively decreasing age of sexual initiation, education on contraception is a priority that will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in the future.

Generational Differences in Sexual Health Education Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Adolescents and Adults: Findings from a U.S. National Probability Sample

ABSTRACT Few U.S. states require school-based sex education to be representative or inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. Data suggests that adolescents’ receipt of necessary topics in sex education has declined in the past 25 years, yet the literature on LGBTQ+ people’s sex education experiences in the United States is largely limited to non-probability samples. Data were from a national probability sample of adolescents and adults in the United States. Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ (N = 818) were asked an open-ended item about the type of sex education they would have liked to have received. Participants were classified into four generational cohorts: Boomer+, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Inductive content analyses and chi-square tests of independence were used. Having sex education that normalized LGBTQ+ identities was the most reported topic, with Boomer+ being more likely to report this and Generation X being least likely. About one-quarter of respondents indicated they would have liked any type of sex education. Millennials were more likely to report wanting more information on sexual orientation and gender identity and safe sexual practices compared to other cohorts. Nearly one-fourth of respondents indicated their sex education did not need improvement/was unnecessary. Older generations wished their sex education normalized their identities, while Generation Z and Millennials reported wanting more information on safe sex and/or sexual violence prevention. Findings from this study can inform the development of tailored sexual health education programs for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly considering that current programming may not be different compared to the sex education received by earlier generations.

Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) to the Adolescents in Bangladesh: Policy Prospects and Challenges

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are a concept of human rights applied to the sexuality and reproduction of human beings. Most Bangladeshis, especially adolescents in rural areas, are still unaware of these rights for countless reasons. A significant barrier towards such awareness is created. There has been some research in recent times covering various aspects of SRHR in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the element that makes this research unique is that it is aiming to analyze in a doctrinal or qualitative manner if the existing laws and policies are enough to ensure that adolescents have access to knowledge and information on SRHR, or whether any major or minor reforms to existing legal framework are necessary. The research would like to prove the necessity of enacting legally enforceable national policies to ensure that adolescents in Bangladesh have access to SRHR education, which is very important in protecting their sexual and reproductive health and well- being.

Building An Android-Based Application For Teenage Women's Reproductive Health Education

Background: Improper nutritional intake during adolescence can cause health problems, such as: impaired physical growth, increased risk of iron deficiency (Iron Deficiency Anemia), decreased intellectual capacity, impaired bone health, impaired sexual organ function, impaired concentration and performance at school, eating disorders and obesity, as well as malnutrition, but teenagers' knowledge about nutrition is very limited. Teenagers easily adapt to digital literacy. Providing digital interventions can have a positive impact on various aspects of health so that efforts to empower teenagers through increasing health promotion and early detection of adolescent health problems digitally are growing rapidly. Aim: The aim of this research is to explore the needs of young women for Android-based nutritional and reproductive health educational applications. Method: The qualitative research method is in-depth interviews via the Zoom application, WhatsApp video call, or WhatsApp voice call. Result: The results of qualitative research show that young women prefer educational media that is easy and fast in providing health information so that educational efforts via smartphones, namely Android-based applications, are an effective solution in providing precise and accurate information about nutritional intake and reproductive health. Keywords: Reproductive Health, Young Women, Application

Mifepristone-Misoprostol Regimen vs. Surgical Abortion: Evaluating Pregnancy Termination Options in Bangladesh

Background: Access to safe and effective abortion services plays a vital role in safeguarding women's reproductive health, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being. This is particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where the legality of abortion is contingent upon specific circumstances. Therefore, ensuring women have the autonomy to choose between safe and effective termination methods becomes crucial. Objective: The study aims to see explore the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of mifepristone-misoprostol regimen and surgical abortion methods within the context of Bangladesh. Methods: This investigation employed a cross-sectional observational design, conducted within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dhaka National Medical College in Bangladesh. The study spanned one year, commencing in March 2023 and concluding in February 2024. To ensure a representative sample of the patient population seeking abortion services, consecutive sampling was utilized. This approach involved recruiting all patients admitted during the designated timeframe who fulfilled the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, the study enrolled 104 participants, a sample size determined by the number of admissions fitting the criteria within the one year. Results: The study found no significant difference in age distribution between women choosing medical or surgical abortion, with both groups mainly consisting of women aged 18-25. Overall complication rates were similar, but medical abortion had a higher need for additional procedures and longer stays, while surgical abortion required more bleeding observation. Pain experiences differed significantly, with no women in the medical group reporting no pain and a higher prevalence of moderate pain compared to surgical abortion. Women undergoing medical abortion were slightly more likely to experience complications overall, and primigravid women (first pregnancy) were significantly more likely to experience complications than multigravid women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest comparable safety profiles for both surgical and medical abortion procedures within the studied population. This indicates that surgical abortion can be a safe and effective option alongside medical abortion, potentially expanding the range of choices offered to women.

Hereditary Neuromuscular Disorders in Reproductive Medicine

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) encompass a broad range of hereditary and acquired conditions that affect motor units, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and reproductive health. This narrative review aims to explore in detail the reproductive challenges associated with major hereditary NMDs, including Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT), dystrophinopathies, Myotonic Dystrophy (DM), Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Limb–Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Specifically, it discusses the stages of diagnosis and genetic testing, recurrence risk estimation, options for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and prenatal diagnosis (PND), the reciprocal influence between pregnancy and disease, potential obstetric complications, and risks to the newborn.

Knowledge and utilization of HIV/AIDs preventive measures among intra-city commercial drivers in Kano State, Nigeria

Background: Intracity commercial drivers play a vital role in transportation systems in many urban centers. However, their occupation puts them at risk for HIV infection due to various factors. Despite their increased vulnerability, intracity commercial drivers face significant challenges in accessing HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. Method: This was an observational community-based cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among intracity commercial drivers in Kano State, Nigeria through multistage sampling technique. Result: the mean age and standard deviation of respondents was 42.0 ± 11.3. About two-third (67.7%) had good aggregate knowledge score and more than half (57.4%) of the study participant had good uptake and utilization of HIV/AIDs preventive services. After adjusting for the confounding effects using logistic regression analysis; educational status of secondary school (AOR=2.25, 95% CI=1.21–13.25) and post-secondary (AOR=4.10,95%CI=2.22-17.88), monthly income of between N50,0001 – N100,000.00 (AOR=2.02, 95%CI=1.74-19.33) and &gt;N100,000.00 (AOR=4.01, 95%CI=3.11-27.33), working experience of 11 – 20 years (AOR=3.25, 95%CI= 1.16-22.56) and &gt;20 years (AOR=6.05, 95%CI= 3.03-26.77) and good aggregate knowledge scores on HIV/AIDs preventive measures (AOR=4.02 (2.13 – 14.55), 95%CI=2.13-14.55) remained significant predictors of uptake/utilization of HIV/AIDs preventive measures. Conclusion: All agencies responsible for HIV/AIDs control and their partners should take appropriate measures including various strategies to educate this occupational group on sexuality and reproductive health. Also, the establishment of STI clinics in strategic locations, as well as making condoms available, accessible, affordable, and acceptable for use by this group of people in our society, should all be part of the prevention strategy.

A Forensic Investigation and Critique of Suicidal Ideation Reported in a Turnaway Study.

In a published report of suicidal ideation rates drawn from the Turnaway Study, the abortion advocacy group Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) asserted that their findings proved that abortion has no effect on suicidal ideation. Therefore, laws requiring notification of abortion's link to higher suicide rates were not based on good science. But how good is the science ANSIRH offers to displace the evidence of an abortion-suicide connection? The Turnaway Study upon which they rely is drawn from a non-random, non-representative convenience sample that suffered from a 68% refusal rate and a 50% attrition rate. No conclusions applicable to the general population of aborting women can be drawn from such a sample. Moreover, on closer examination, ANSIRH's suicidal ideation trajectory analysis is severely flawed and violates Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Basic and critical information is withheld, specifically the mean scores and number of women identified as having suicidal thoughts. Instead, readers are provided with only highly massaged results from a mixed-effects logistic regression employing thirteen covariates that appear to have been chosen precisely to water down the confidence intervals to such a high degree that virtually nothing was statistically significant. In addition, ANSIRH suggested that an attrition analysis of three of the covariates used strengthened the reliability of their finding. However, the fact that they chose not to report on attrition rates associated with the other ten covariates, much less the two outcome variables related to suicidal ideation, actually exposes the falsity of this reliability claim. Rather than proving that abortion has no effect on suicidal behaviors, ANSRIH's published analysis provides evidence of deliberate obfuscation and disinformation by a group funded and dedicated to the expansion of abortion rates around the world.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of the Vulvovaginal Symptom Questionnaire in Women With Breast Cancer.

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire for assessing vulvovaginal symptoms and symptom-related influences in women with breast cancer. A methodological study. Women with breast cancer (n = 202) were recruited from the outpatient department of a hospital. Data were collected between July 2020 and October 2021. Psychometric properties, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity, were tested after the translation of the original English-language instrument. The construct validity was examined by testing the hypothesised relationships between the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire with validated instruments associated with quality of life and sexual function and by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire's total scale and four subscales were satisfactory. The construct validity was confirmed by significant correlations between scores on the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire with the Chinese version of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer 30 and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Breast 23 and the Chinese version of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis verification results showed that the traditional Chinese-language questionnaire's three- and four-factor models had acceptable model fit indices. We obtained the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire's preliminary and satisfactory psychometric properties. It can help worldwide healthcare professionals adequately assess vulvovaginal symptoms and their influences experienced by Chinese-speaking women with breast cancer. The Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire can help healthcare professionals and researchers concurrently identify vulvovaginal symptoms and related influences, leading to timely and appropriate management. Well-designed and accessible healthcare services on vulvovaginal and sexual health after breast cancer diagnosis are essential for both healthcare professionals and this population. We adhered to the STROBE checklist of cross-sectional studies. No patient or public engagement..

Development of a Sexological Ontology.

This study aimed to show what role biomedical engineering can play in sexual health. A new concept of sexological ontology, an essential tool for building evidence-based models of sexual health, is proposed. This ontology should be based on properly validated mathematical models of sexual reactions identified using reliable measurements of physiological signals. This paper presents a review of the recommended measurement methods. Moreover, a general human sexual reaction model based on dynamic systems built at different levels of time × space × detail is presented, and the actual used modeling approaches are reviewed, referring to the introduced model. Lastly, examples of devices and computer programs designed for sexual therapy are described, indicating the need for legal regulation of their manufacturing, similar to that for other medical devices.