Right To Health Research Articles

Exploring Knowledge and Awareness of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among Married Working Women: A Qualitative Study of Jaipur City

ABSTRACTKnowledge and awareness of Sexual and Reproductive Health/Rights (SRH/SRHR) have emerged as a prominent issue globally. Such knowledge leads to improved behaviors to minimize risks related to SRH as well as enhances women's autonomy regarding their fertility and sexuality. In the domain of SRH sociocultural norms and gender power dynamics play an even larger role in determining SRH outcomes. In India, despite progress in health, reproductive health remains a concern. SRH is still subjected to a social taboo in Indian society. Therefore, this study examines persistent challenges in acquiring knowledge of SRH among married working women, also, try to understand SRH issues from cultural and gender perspectives. An exploratory study conducted in Jaipur city (Rajasthan), included highly educated married working women (n = 104), using mixed‐methods with interviews and focus group discussions. Ethical guidelines ensured participant confidentiality and informed consent. Despite high educational and economic status significant gaps were found such as limited awareness of SRH concerns, family planning methods and SRHRs like rights to make informed decision, termination of pregnancy, maternity benefits, etc. This study emphasizes holistic approach to improve SRHR outcomes and advocated policy interventions for women of all sections of society.

Social Justice Theory in Indonesia Reviewed from the Philosophy of Law

Social justice theory occupies an important position in forming and implementing legal policies in Indonesia. This concept underscores the importance of equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and legal protection without discrimination. This article discusses the challenges and implementation of social justice from the perspective of legal philosophy, focusing on the role of Pancasila as the basic ideology of the state. In the Indonesian context, the implementation of social justice often faces obstacles such as corruption, inefficient bureaucracy, and lack of access to the justice system for vulnerable groups. This article uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore potential solutions such as legal reform, bureaucratic digitalization, and strengthening legal aid mechanisms. This research emphasizes that social justice is not only related to economic aspects but also includes fundamental human rights in various fields, including education, health, and general welfare. The goal of social justice as a national ideal can be achieved through inclusive policies and fair implementation of laws.

Exploring the hurdles of implementing National School Health Policy in Namibian Schools: insights from stakeholders

This qualitative research study explores stakeholders’ perspectives on the challenges of implementing Namibia's National School Health Policy (NSHP) in schools. The interview guide used for this study was specifically developed to address the research objectives and themes. A total of 20 stakeholders participated, including educators, nurses, principals, and health program administrators from three regions in Namibia. The study identifies significant barriers to effectively implementing the school health policy. These barriers include staffing shortages, inadequate resources, limited learner awareness of health rights, and insufficient teacher well-being. Additional challenges involve resource constraints, a lack of monitoring and evaluation, and limited coordination between the education and health sectors. The thematic analysis reveals recurring patterns and emphasizes the need for increased resource allocation, comprehensive training, collaborative policy development, and initiatives to improve teacher well-being. These findings provide valuable insights for refining future implementation strategies for school health programs in Namibia, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, stakeholder involvement, and adequate funding to support the goals of the NSHP.

Analysis of Maternity Rights Perception: Impact of Maternal Care in Diverse Socio-Health Contexts

Maternity rights are perceived and fulfilled differently according to women’s psychosocial characteristics, leading to varying maternal experiences and outcomes. It is necessary to know the impact of cultural context, emotional well-being, and resource availability on the maternal woman’s clinical care experience. The aim is to identify if these factors contribute to disparities in the perception of maternity rights fulfillment in Spain and Colombia. This retrospective observational study focused on women who received maternity-related healthcare in Spain or Colombia. A total of 185 women were included (Spanish = 53; Colombian = 132). Data collected included social and obstetric history, as well as psychological variables such as resilience, positive and negative affect, derailment, and maternity beliefs. The study also assessed women’s knowledge of healthcare rights (MatCODE), perceptions of resource scarcity (MatER), and the fulfillment of maternity rights (FMR). C-section was more prevalent in Colombia, where women also scored higher on maternity beliefs as a sense of life and as a social duty compared to Spanish women. Conversely, FMR was higher in the Spanish context. Colombian women reported lower levels of social support and less involvement in medical decision-making. The FMR was positively correlated with positive affect, MatCODE, and MatER. Predictive modeling identified negative factors for FMR, including giving birth in Colombia (β = −0.30 [−0.58; −0.03]), previous miscarriage (β = −0.32 [−0.54; −0.09]), C-section in the most recent labor (β = −0.46 [−0.54; −0.0]), and higher MatER scores. Positive predictors included gestational age, maternal age, and previous C-section (β = 0.39 [0.11; 0.66]). The perception of the fulfillment of maternity rights depends on socio-healthcare contexts, women’s age, obstetric history, and resources. It is suggested to apply culturally sensitive strategies focused on women’s needs in terms of information, emotional and social support, privacy, and autonomy to manage a positive experience.

Violence against women and girls research: Leveraging gains across disciplines

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, linked to numerous health, economic, and human rights outcomes. Target 5.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for elimination of all forms of VAWG; however, progress toward achieving this goal has been inadequate. A lack of sufficient data and evidence has hindered global efforts to meet this target and hold governments accountable for action. While there have been substantial advancements in VAWG research methodology over the past three decades, researchers from diverse disciplines tend to work in silos, inhibiting progress in VAWG research. To address this challenge, we offer four key recommendations to support researchers in expanding transdisciplinary approaches: 1) leverage insights from a variety of VAWG data sources, 2) improve precision of VAWG definitions and outcomes, 3) create strategies to address underreporting, and 4) advance research ethics and equity. We conclude with a call to action for researchers, institutions, and donors to advance transdisciplinary research and foster collaboration, learning, and cross-fertilization across scientific fields to accelerate VAWG prevention efforts now and for future generations.

South to south collaboration: advancing quality of abortion care through health care professionals exchange program

BackgroundSouth-South Cooperation (SSC) is recognized as a vital component of goal 17 – ‘Partnerships for the goals’ within the SDGs and countries in the global south has been utilizing this cooperation mainly in research. We report the first health care professional exchange program through this south-to-south collaboration focusing on advancing quality of abortion care in the Sub-Saharan region.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive mixed method study, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to assess the impact of health care professionals’ exchange program within the obstetrics and gynecology departments of two teaching institutions in Ethiopia and Rwanda over the course of a year (February 1, 2023-January 31,2024). Our methodology involved administering a self-administered questionnaire on Google Form to health professionals who participated in the exchange program. Qualitative data were collected through an in-depth interview with representative subjects from these professionals. Simple descriptive statistics using SPSS version 23 was employed to analyze the quantitative data. For the qualitative data, recruitment of participants continued until thematic saturation was achieved, signifying no emergence of new themes. Thematic analysis, following initial coding and inter-coder agreement, was employed to identify key themes from the interviews. Finally, triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data was performed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the program’s impact.ResultsAmong 60 health care professionals whom we have approached for this survey, 55 consented and participated in the survey, representing a response rate of 92%. Among them, 35 (63.6%) were from Rwanda, 20 (36.4%) were from Ethiopia, 23.6% were females, 80.0% were residents and 16.4% were midwives. The overall mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice transformation on safe abortion care by Rwandese professionals were 84.9%, 84.5%, and 84.6%, respectively. From the Ethiopian side, the overall score for knowledge and attitude, and intent to practice demonstration were 81.3, 83.4%. Essentially, they expressed that it allowed them to inspire Rwandese counterparts on the importance of women’s reproductive rights and implementation of global best practice (89%). On analysis of the qualitative data, we identified 3 overarching themes: 1) Opportunities created by the exchange 2) Inputs on safe abortion care quality improvement 3) Recommendations for future exchange programs. Most participants indicated that the exchange program was very helpful in advancing knowledge, attitude, and intent to practice quality abortion care. Participants from both sides agreed that the safe abortion care services provided in Ethiopia is far advanced, which can be reproduced in Rwanda by implementing the lessons learned from the exchange program.ConclusionSouth-to-south collaboration through health care professionals exchange programs among developing countries (including Sub-Saharan Africa) is feasible and helpful in transforming the level of reproductive health practice (mainly safe abortion care) as well as advocating for better reproductive health rights in these countries.

Sanitation Challenges in the Complexo da Maré

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the challenges faced by vulnerable urban communities, such as Complexo da Maré, addressing the impacts on public health, the environment, and constitutional rights, with the aim of exposing the vulnerability of these communities and highlighting the difficulties related to the universalization of basic sanitation, aligned with constitutional rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the key concepts and theories that underpin the research. Key aspects include the lack of basic sanitation as a reflection of the country’s structural inequalities, the 1988 Constitution, which considers sanitation a social right, and the regulatory framework (Laws No. 11.445/2007 and No. 14.026/2020), which reinforces the importance of universal access. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes a descriptive, qualitative, and documentary approach, based on a literature review. Articles, theses, and reports from the sanitation sector, with a 20-year time frame, were consulted. Data collection was conducted through the analysis of these documents to understand the context and challenges related to sanitation in vulnerable urban communities. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the precarious sanitation conditions in Complexo da Maré, with open sewage and significant impacts on public health. Environmental racism and social exclusion exacerbate the situation, while community initiatives, though promising, do not address the existing gaps. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the identified implications and relationships. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered. Implications of the Research: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, highlighting the need for effective public policies that use sanitation as a tool for social inclusion and environmental justice. Collaboration between government and communities is essential for concrete progress. These implications may impact public policy, public health, the environment, and sustainable urban development. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of sanitation in Complexo da Maré, connecting it to constitutional rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The relevance and value of this research are evident in its exploration of practical community solutions, contributing to the debate on socio-environmental justice and proposing the universalization of basic sanitation as a way to reduce inequalities and ensure sustainability in marginalized communities.

A qualitative analysis of the sexual education needs of girls with autism: perspectives from Chinese parents

This study explored the sexual education needs of Chinese girls with autism from their parents’ perspective. Grounded in feminist disability theory, we employed a phenomenological research design and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 parents (9 mothers, 6 fathers; Mage = 42.5 years) of girls with autism (Mage = 12.3 years). Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four key themes: unique sexual education needs of girls with autism, dilemmas and struggles faced by parents, gaps in and expectations for social resources, and parents’ insights and experiences in education. These findings highlight how gender and disability intersect to shape sexual education experiences. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted resources, professional support, and application of feminist disability perspectives in research and practice to promote sexual health rights of this group. We discuss implications, limitations, and future research directions, contributing to the limited literature on sexual education for girls with autism in China.

SEEKING JUSTICE IN ISLAMIC LEGAL PLURALISM: The Dispute of Child Best Interests in Marriage Dispensation in Indonesia

The principle of the best interests of children must be the main consideration in adjudicating applications for marriage dispensation. However, its implementation becomes problematic when faced with provisions on the ability to grant marriage dispensations for urgent reasons. This article examines how the best interests of children are implemented in legal applications for marriage dispensation in religious court. It employs a socio-legal approach with a maqāsid al-syarī'ah cum-mubadalah perspective. This article proposes that the principle of the best interests of children is yet considered by judges effectively in deciding the cases. This does not reflect the protection of the child’s life, heredity, intellect, property, and religion, and does not consider the unique experiences of women both biologically and socially. Judges have a biased perspective in measuring the meaning of maturity and readiness of girls to marry, ignoring children's rights in education and reproductive health, and subordinate women in the spiritual realm.

Balancing the right to health and commercial speech: the approach of Argentina's Supreme Court.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause significant human and economic costs globally. Each year, 17 million people die from an NCD before age 70. The burden of NCDs is associated with socioenvironmental, cultural factors and social behavior, including modifiable risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption. NCDs can be prevented if healthy environments are guaranteed by the promotion of effective public policies that control the behavior of the tobacco, food and alcohol industries. The regulation of marketing strategies of unhealthy products, and even its ban, has been demonstrated as an effective measure to protect the right to health and promote human rights. However, companies that produce and commercialize these ultra-processed food products argue that protecting measures restricting marketing violate their constitutional right to freedom of speech, among others. Regarding tobacco product marketing activities, the Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina has ruled that it is afforded less constitutional protection than political speech and could be restricted to protect public health and human rights. This article examines the tobacco marketing case and, using an analytical framework argues that the proportionality test used by the Supreme Court could indeed be applied to ultra-processed food products. It is concluded that a complete ban on ultra-processed food product marketing would be constitutionally valid.

The pre-Roe legal framework: a dissecting study of the evolution of abortion laws and their socio-legal implications

Introduction The historical evolution of abortion laws in the United States reflects significant shifts in societal attitudes and legal frameworks, particularly concerning reproductive rights and maternal consent. Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion was largely criminalised, but gradual changes in public opinion and legislation paved the way for liberalised abortion laws. Objective This study aims to examine the legal and societal developments shaping abortion laws in the United States from the early 19th century to the pre-Roe era, focusing on the interplay between public opinion and legislative milestones. Methods A historical-legal methodology was employed, analysing primary sources such as court rulings and statutes, alongside secondary literature. The research explores the evolving legal definitions of foetal personhood and maternal autonomy, contextualised within broader societal changes. Results The findings reveal a transformation in perceptions of abortion, from being viewed as a criminal act to a recognised right influenced by medical, social, and political factors. Legal frameworks increasingly reflected public support for women’s autonomy, culminating in the Roe v. Wade decision. Conclusions This study provides historical context for contemporary abortion debates, highlighting how pre-Roe legal and societal changes continue to inform discussions on women’s health, autonomy, and reproductive rights.

Revealing the decision-making practices in automated external defibrillator deployment: insights from Shanghai, China

In recent years, the government has promoted the increased deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places with dense crowds, which is of great significance for ensuring that residents enjoy equal health rights. However, it is still unclear what factors decision-makers take into account when formulating deployment plans and whether these factors are related to local characteristics such as population distribution and socioeconomic conditions. Taking Shanghai, China as the research area, we adopted the kernel density estimation and spatial autocorrelation analysis to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of AEDs. We constructed a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to identify the key factors influencing AED deployment. The results showed that AEDs in Shanghai presented obvious clustering distribution characteristics. The GWR model found that the factors considered by decision-makers in different regions when deploying AEDs followed the guidance of existing policies. It was also found that decision-makers in Shanghai mainly deployed more devices in areas with a high density of the elderly population, dense transportation networks, cultural and educational places, and transportation hubs with large population flows. However, it was observed that the city center might lack sufficient preparation for the elderly group. In order to allocate emergency medical resources more reasonably, it is very important to determine the practices of decision-makers in deploying AEDs. The GWR has shown the potential to evaluate and guide the local implementation of deployment plans.

Bone Marrow Puncture (BMP): The Initial Step in the Management of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) encompass a variety of bone marrow disorders characterized by insufficient production of healthy blood cells. Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) represent a cluster of bone marrow conditions where there's a deficiency in generating a sufficient quantity of healthy blood cells. Patients with MDS often exhibit an asymptomatic nature. The clinical manifestations of MDS vary widely depending on the cellular line involved. Infections, bleeding, and anemia are common features of the MDS, while unusual findings include hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. However, the situation changes when the patient progresses to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to a transformation into thrombocytosis. During the process of improving the general condition, on the third day of treatment, the patient experienced a deterioration and unfortunately passed away. The lack of medical and healthcare personnel in Indonesia and the unequal distribution of them are the reasons why patients with rare cases are still far from obtaining their health rights. An important challenge in clinical practice involves distinguishing between primary myelofibrosis and other conditions, as misidentification can delay treatment, potentially leading to patients not receiving necessary healthcare and possibly resulting in fatalities.

Healthcare professionals’ understanding of children’s rights: a systematic review of the empirical evidence-base

BackgroundThe concept of children’s rights emerged during the 1980s and emphasised the role of children as active participants in matters which concern them.AimThis review aims to identify and synthesise the empirical evidence base on healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) understanding of children’s rights.MethodsFive electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Web of Science) were systematically searched in May 2023. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to quality appraise full-text papers included in the review. A descriptive narrative synthesis of the studies’ findings was performed.ResultsA total of 15 relevant studies from 10 countries were identified and included in the review. The number of participants included ranged from 6 to 1048 for HCPs with a broad range of sampling methods. Based on the narrative synthesis of the included studies, three main themes were identified: (1) Barriers to implementing children’s rights in healthcare, (2) Factors that contribute to children’s rights implementation, and (3) Study instruments used to measure outcomes.ConclusionsHCPs require a better understanding of children’s rights to implement these rights into practice. Listening to children, building trusting relationships with children, and continuing professional development of HCPs could help to address barriers to understanding children’s rights. There is a pressing need for the development of a tool that is capable of tracking changes in the understanding of children’s rights in healthcare environments as efforts to increase awareness become more widely recognised.

The Public Mental Health Framework: thinking about law as preventive medicine.

Health, mental health, and well-being are not 'natural' but are shaped by social and environmental factors. This article aims to reorient the development of all laws and policies to do more to prevent mental ill-health and promote well-being as a core function of the contemporary state. It introduces a new conceptual and empirical model, the Public Mental Health Framework, based on three areas of research: (i) the social determinants of health and mental health, which include social structures and daily living conditions (such as poverty, inequality, education, employment, discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, and crime); (ii) health and human rights; and (iii) the intermediate social model of disability. It then explains how the Public Mental Health Framework can be incorporated into law and policy development through parliamentary analysis similar to that used for 'statements of compatibility' in the Human Rights Act 1998 (UK) and legislation such as the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Wales), interdepartmental administrative structures, proactive strategic planning, and continued advocacy.

Prevalence and influencing factors of elder abuse tendency among Chinese caregivers working in Gansu Province nursing homes: A cross-sectional study.

Elder abuse is a global public health and human rights concern that is predicted to increase with the rapid increase in the elderly population in China. To investigate the incidence of elder abuse tendency and factors related to such a tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes. A cross-sectional study comprising 412 caregivers from nursing homes was conducted. The results indicated that the prevalence of elder abuse tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes was 73.5%. This rate was influenced by gender, marital status, work experience, employment modes, whether one had participated in relevant training, caregiver burden and the level of perceived social support (P < 0.05). The study revealed the factors influencing elder abuse tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes and the relationships between elder abuse tendency, caregiver burden, and perceived social support.

THE IMPACT OF MALE CONTRACEPTION ON GLOBAL SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS.

The right to health and other health-related human rights are legally binding commitments enshrined in international human rights instruments. While these positions are known and ratified by policy makers, little has been done to actualize men's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as an integral part of attaining these important global goals. Not addressing men's SRH over and above supporting their female partners sustains the sexual and reproductive risks and burdens that women must bear. Advances in contraceptive technology with several male contraceptive candidates in advanced clinical trials bolsters expectations for a broader contraceptive method mix including greater choice of male contraceptives. This would potentially increase awareness and investments in the men's SRH and promote health systems strengthening and gender equity including shared responsibility for prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV. This paper is a review and synthesis of published literature including research publications, reports, global policies and commitments and technical documents available online and in organizational repositories such as the WHO IRIS on male contraception and men's SRH. We provide insights on the impact of male contraception including novel methods and the spillover effects on global SRH. We call on all stakeholders to invest in men's SRH since the attainment of the SDG target 3.7 on Universal access to SRH cannot be met without addressing this neglected topic.

Building knowledge to improve access to inclusive and equitable care for trans and gender-diverse survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence: a qualitative research protocol

IntroductionIntimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault are pervasive public health and human rights concerns that disproportionately impact trans and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. Experiences of cisgenderism and transphobia, compounded by...

Menstrual Cup Awareness and Future Usage Possibilities of Consumers: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that menstrual health be recognized, defined, and addressed as a health and human rights issue rather than hygiene. The UN has acknowledged menstrual health as a worldwide public health and human rights concern. Poor menstrual health, inadequate sanitation facilities and inadequate education are defining characteristics of period poverty. Objective: To assess and compare among different age groups of respondents regarding knowledge and awareness regarding menstrual cup and their future possibilities for usage among women of Delhi, India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between 1st April and 30th May 2022 among the females of Delhi NCR region, India. Results: A total of 339 females participated in our study, which included 250 (73.7%) above the age of 20 years, whereas 89 (26.3%) were below that age. Most of the respondents were aware of menstrual health products such as menstrual pads -241 (96.40) above 20 years, 83 (93.26) below 20 years with [CI-1.03 (0.73, 1.46) p-value = 0.85], cotton pads-158 (63.20%), 50 (56.18%), [CI-1.12 (0.75, 1.67) p-value = 0.56], tampons-190 (76.00), 61 (68.54), CI- 1.10 (0.76, 1.61) pvalue = 0.59, and menstrual disc-34 (13.60%), 18 (20.22%), CI-0.67 (0.36, 1.25) p-value = 0.21. Among respondents above 20 years of age, 83.60% of respondents were aware of menstrual cups. When asked about the biodegradability of the menstrual health product, 158 (63.2%) respondents aged above 20 years and 54 (60.67%) respondents aged less than 20 years negated it [CI-1.04 (0.70, 1.54), p-value = 0.83]. Conclusion: Our research can help organization policymakers understand that a menstrual cup is an effective alternative to disposable sanitary products.

Balancing Justice and Tradition: An Islamic Legal Perspective on Constitutional Court Rulings Regarding Marriage Age

This study analyzes the Constitutional Court Decision Number 22 / PUU-XV / 2017 related to the age limit of Marriage from the perspective of Islamic law. The change in the marriage age limit in this law was passed based on the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (MK) Number 22 PUU-XV/2017, which was born due to the controversy over the previous marriage law. This is a literature research by re-analyzing the policy content of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia Number 22/PUU/XV/2017 decision. The analysis examines the legal basis, the applicant's legal standing, and the decision's relevance to Islamic law principles. The results showed that the Constitutional Court's decision was based on valid legal standing and rational arguments. This decision is in line with the value of Islamic law in paying attention to maslahah (benefit). Still, there are differences in certain methodological aspects, especially in the maslahah mursalah approach. The findings also reveal that the change in the marriage age aims to reduce discrimination against women and protect their health, education, and socio-economic rights. From the perspective of Islamic law, the minimum age of Marriage is ijtihadiyah and can be adjusted to the context of the times, as the principle of maqashid al-shari’ah is oriented towards the welfare of the people. This research recommends further harmonizing Islamic and national law to create fairer and more applicable rules.