Exposure Of Women Research Articles

Exploring estrogen-related mechanisms in ovarian carcinogenesis: association between bone mineral density and ovarian cancer risk in a multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Estrogen may play a role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) carcinogenesis, with effects varying by EOC histotype. Measuring women's long-term exposure to estrogen is difficult, but bone mineral density (BMD) may be a reasonable proxy of longer-term exposure. We examined this relationship by assessing the association between genetic predisposition for higher BMD and risk of EOC by histotype. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess associations between genetic markers for femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD and each EOC histotype. We used multivariable MR (MVMR) to adjust for probable pleiotropic traits, including body mass index, height, menarcheal age, menopausal age, smoking, alcohol intake, and vitamin D. Univariable analyses suggested greater BMD was associated with increased risk of endometrioid EOC (per standard deviation increase; lumbar spine OR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.93,1.57, femoral neck: OR = 1.25; 0.99,1.57), but sensitivity analyses indicated that pleiotropy was likely. Adjustment using MVMR reduced the magnitude of estimates slightly (lumbar spine: OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.00,1.28, femoral neck: OR = 1.18; 1.03,1.36). Results for lumbar spine BMD and high-grade serous EOC were also suggestive of an association (univariable MR: OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.03,1.30; MVMR: OR = 1.06; 0.99,1.14). Our study found associations between genetic predisposition to higher BMD, a proxy for long-term estrogen exposure, and risk of developing endometroid and high-grade serous EOC cancers. These findings add to existing evidence of the relationship between estrogen and increased risk of EOC for certain histotypes.

A geo-gender-based analysis of human health: The presence of cut flower farms can attenuate pesticide exposure in African communities, with women being the most vulnerable.

The rapid expansion of the cut flower industry in Africa has led to pervasive use and potential exposure of pesticides, raising concerns for local communities. Whether the risks associated with pesticide applications are localised or have broader implications remains unclear. We measured biomarkers of real and perceived pesticide exposure in two Kenyan communities: Naivasha, where the cut flower industry is present, and Mogotio, where the cut flower industry is absent. We measured real exposure by the percentage of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and perceived exposure by assessing hair cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress. Additionally, we conducted a demographic survey to evaluate the health and socioeconomic status of participants, as well as their perceptions of pesticide risks associated with the cut flower industry. Perceived pesticide exposure was more common in Naivasha (n = 36, 56%) compared to Mogotio (n = 0, 0%), according to community surveys. However, Mogotio residents had significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (mean (x̄) = 790 ng/g, standard deviation (SD) = 233) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 28.5%, SD = 7.3) compared to Naivasha residents, who had lower mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 548 ng/g, SD = 187) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 14.5%, SD = 10.1). Location (proximity to cut flower farms) and gender were significant factors influencing pesticide exposure, with individuals living outside the cut flower industrial complexes being at higher risk. Women in both communities were the most vulnerable demographic, showing significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 646 ng/g, SD = 267.4) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 22.5%, SD = 12.4) compared to men hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 558.2 ng/g, SD = 208.2) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 10.4%, SD = 13.1). A heightened awareness of the potential risks of pesticide exposure was widespread within cut flower industrial complexes. This may have led to a reduction in exposure of both workers and non-workers living within or close to these complexes. In contrast, communities living outside these complexes showed higher levels of exposure, possibly due to limited chemical awareness and a lack of precautionary measures. Despite this contrast between communities, women remained the most vulnerable members, likely due to their socioeconomic roles in African society. Monitoring women's pesticide exposure is crucial for providing an early warning system for community exposure.

Preconception and/or preimplantation exposure to a mixture of environmental contaminants altered fetoplacental development and placental function in a rabbit model

Pregnant women are daily exposed to environmental contaminants, including endocrine disruptors that can impact the offspring's health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal oral exposure to a mixture of contaminants at a dose mimicking women's exposure, during folliculogenesis and/or preimplantation period (FED and ED groups, respectively) on the fetoplacental phenotype in a rabbit model. The mixture (DEHP, pp’DDE, β-HCH, HCB, BDE-47, BPS, PFOS, PFOA) was defined based on data from HELIX and INMA cohorts. FED and ED females or unexposed females (control) were inseminated, their embryos were collected and transferred to unexposed control recipient rabbits at 80 h post-insemination. The effects of maternal FED and ED exposure were evaluated on fetoplacental growth and development by ultrasound, fetoplacental biometry, fetal metabolism, placental structure and function. The results demonstrated that the mixture weakly affected ultrasound measurements, as only placental volume increased significantly in FED vs ED. Analysis of placental structure demonstrated that the volume fraction of the maternal blood space was increased in FED vs control. Pre- and/or periconception exposure did not affect biometric at the end of gestation, but affected FED fetal biochemistry. Plasma triglyceride concentration was reduced compared to control. However, total cholesterol, urea, ASAT and ALAT in fetal blood were affected in both exposed groups. Multiple factor analysis, including biometric, biochemical, and stereological datasets, indicated that the three groups were significantly different. Additionally, several placental genes were differentially expressed between groups, compared two by two, in a sex-specific manner, with more difference in females than in males. The differentially expressed genes were involved in lipid, cholesterol, and drug/xenobiotic metabolism in both sexes. These results indicate that maternal exposure to environmental contaminants during crucial developmental windows only mildly impaired fetoplacental development but disturbed fetal blood biochemistry and placental gene expression with potential long-term effects on offspring phenotype.

Smartphone GPS-Based Exposure to Greenspace and Walkability and Accelerometer-Assessed Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Early Postpartum-Evidence from the MADRES Cohort.

A growing number of studies have associated walkability and greenspace exposure with greater physical activity (PA) in women during pregnancy. However, most studies have focused on examining women's residential environments and neglected exposure in locations outside the home neighborhood. Using 350 person-days (N = 55 participants) of smartphone global positioning system (GPS) location and accelerometer data collected during the first and third trimesters and 4-6months postpartum from 55 Hispanic pregnant women from the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) study, we examined the day-level effect of women's exposure to walkability and greenspace on their PA outcomes during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] minutes per day was assessed using accelerometers. Walkability and greenspace were measured using geographic information systems (GIS) within women's daily activity spaces (i.e., places visited and routes taken) recorded using a smartphone GPS and weighted by time spent. We used a generalized linear mixed-effects model to estimate the effects of daily GPS-derived environmental exposures on day-level MVPA minutes. Results showed that women engaged in 23% more MVPA minutes on days when they had some versus no exposure to parks and open spaces in activity spaces (b = 1.23; 95%CI: 1.02-1.48). In addition, protective effects of daily greenspace and walkability exposure on MVPA were stronger in the first and third trimesters, among first-time mothers, and among women who had high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and lived in least-safe neighborhoods. Our results suggest that daily greenspace and walkability exposure are important for women's PA and associated health outcomes during pregnancy and early postpartum.

Exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals before, during and after pregnancy: data from the Swiss Teratogen Information Service (STIS).

Limited knowledge exists regarding exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals by women planning to conceive, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The Swiss Teratogen Information Service (STIS) provides information to healthcare professionals about medications and other exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This study aimed to describe the queries on non-therapeutic chemicals addressed to the STIS over the past two decades. Using data from the STIS for the years 2000 to 2019, we conducted a descriptive analysis of all queries related to women's exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy planning, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Over two decades, the STIS database recorded 320 exposures to chemicals. Workplace settings accounted for over 60% of queries, followed by exposures at home (20%). In almost half (48%) of the queries, more than one chemical was mentioned, totalling 885 chemicals across these 320 queries. Commonly mentioned chemicals included isopropanol, acetone and lead. Solvents were the leading category of products (16%), followed by cleaning products (10%), paints (8%) and insecticides (5%). The follow-up data showed five diverse cases of congenital malformations, accounting for 4.0% (5 out of 125) of the sample, a figure in line with the background risk of malformations in the general population. This study emphasises the importance of conducting research that comprehensively captures the highly heterogeneous exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy and suggests that attention should be given not only to professional settings, but also to domestic contexts.

Co-exposure to Aluminium and Cadmium Mediates Postpartum Maternal Variation in Brain Architecture and Behaviour of Mice; Involvement of Oxido-nitrergic and Cholinergic Mechanisms : Postpartum effects of Aluminium and Cadmium co-exposure in pregnancy.

Most research has not been done on the possible relationship between pregnant women's cross-metal exposures and postpartum neuroendocrine functions. The purpose of this study was to look into how co-exposure to aluminium chloride (AlCl3) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) affected the neuroendocrine and neurometabolic changes in postpartum mice. A total of 24 adult pregnant female mice were used for the study. Group 1 served as control and received neither AlCl3nor CdCl2 (n=6), group 2 comprised pregnant mice treated with AlCl3 (10mg/kg), group 3 with CdCl2 (1.5mg/kg), group 4 with a combination of AlCl3(10 mg/kg) and CdCl2 (1.5 mg/kg).Oral treatment of animals was done daily from gestation day 7 to gestation day 20. Upon delivery and weaning on postnatal day 21 (PND 21), behavioural assessment was done on the postpartum mice and immediately followed by sacrifice for assessment of histological and neuroendocrine markers. Our findings revealed that the brain-to-body weight ratio was affected and brain oxidative stress was elevated in mice exposed to AlCl3 and CdCl2 during pregnancy. Given the strong association between postpartum hyperactivity, social interaction index, brain catalase and acetylcholinesterase activity, and the brain/body weight ratio, it is plausible that these effects have played a role in the adverse behavioural abnormalities observed in the postpartum maternal mice. Moreover, it was noted that in certain situations, co-exposures to the metals tended to have opposite effects to single metal exposures.

Slave trades, kinship structures and women's political participation in Africa

AbstractWe study whether present‐day women's political participation in sub‐Saharan Africa is associated to the temporary gender ratio imbalances caused by the transatlantic and Indian Ocean slave trades, taking into account pre‐existing gender norms influenced by kinship structures. To study the interrelatedness between historical exposure to the slave trades, patrilineality and their association to contemporary women's political participation, we use individual‐level data for 35,595 women from 28 sub‐Saharan African countries from three rounds of Afrobarometer surveys, georeferenced to historical ethnic region kinship and slave trade data. Our findings suggest that a woman's ethnic region historical exposure to the transatlantic slave trade is associated with an increase in her likelihood to vote today, however, only in non‐patrilineal ethnic regions. This effect is mitigated in patrilineal ethnic regions, where women have less decision‐making power. This paper contributes to the literature on the contemporary sub‐national effects of the slave trades and the historical causes of gender gaps in political participation.

Milestone Moments: Community Violence and Women's Life‐Course Transitions in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala

AbstractDeadly violence has drastically increased in Latin America, posing a serious threat to women's sexual and reproductive health. Previous research has documented both increases and declines in youth‐to‐adulthood transitions associated with exposure to violence globally. However, there has been a lack of comparative studies focusing on multiple life‐course transitions. This study investigated the impact of community violence on women's life‐course transitions in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Drawing on nationally representative surveys and homicide statistics, fixed effects models are employed to estimate the correlation between women's exposure to community violence and the intensity, timing, and sequencing of their critical life events: first cohabitation and childbirth. The results revealed that exposure to violence was associated with an increase in the quantum and tempo of transitions to first cohabitation and birth in Colombia. Competing risk models showed that community violence correlated with the sequencing of cohabitation and birth in the Dominican Republic, as identified by an increase in precohabiting fertility. There was suggestive but inconclusive evidence of an association between community violence and transitions to first birth in Guatemala. In conclusion, community violence indeed predicts women's youth‐to‐adulthood transitions in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and potentially Guatemala, with repercussions for the subsequent life experiences of individuals and entire cohorts.

The association of domestic violence during pregnancy with maternal psychological well-being in the early postpartum period: A sample from women with low socioeconomic status in Eastern Turkey

AimTo examine the association of women's exposure to domestic violence during pregnancy with postpartum maternal psychological well-being (postpartum depression and anxiety) in the early postpartum period. MethodsThe sample of this descriptive correlational research study comprised 358 women. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Domestic Violence Screening Tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale. The one-way multivariate analysis of variance, and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to analysis of data. ResultsThe mean scores of the HITS, the EPDS, and the PSAS were 6.00±16.00, 7.47±5.57, and 72.02±18.63 respectively. Considering the cut-off values of the scales, the women were found to be at risk for exposure to domestic violence (20.1%), postpartum depression (24%), and postpartum anxiety (11.2%). Education level and having social security was significantly associated with women's HITS and PSAS score.Women with high mean domestic violence scores had high mean postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety scores. Women's mean domestic violence and postpartum anxiety scores were significantly and positively associated with their mean postpartum depression scores (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe results of this study revealed that women were frequently exposed to DV during pregnancy, education level and social security were important predictors of exposure to DV, and that DV associated with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Exposure to DV and postpartum anxiety increased the risk of postpartum depression. It is recommended to integrate screening, guidance, and supportive counseling practices into routine antenatal care to improve the mental health of pregnant women at risk.

Do tuition-free lower secondary education policies matter for antenatal care among women in sub-saharan African countries?

Antenatal care (ANC) is critical to reducing maternal and infant mortality. However, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to have among the lowest levels of ANC receipt globally, with half of mothers not meeting the WHO minimum recommendation of at least four visits. Increasing ANC coverage will require not only directly reducing geographic and financial barriers to care but also addressing the social determinants of health that shape access. Among those with the greatest potential for impact is maternal education: past research has documented a relationship between higher educational attainment and antenatal healthcare access, as well as related outcomes like health literacy and autonomy in health decision-making. Yet little causal evidence exists about whether changing educational policies can improve ANC coverage. This study fills this research gap by investigating the impact of national-level policies that eliminate tuition fees for lower secondary education in SSA on the number of ANC visits. To estimate the effect of women's exposure to tuition-free education policies at the primary and lower secondary levels on their ANC visits, a difference-in-difference methodology was employed. This analysis leverages the variation in the timing of education policies across nine SSA countries. Exposure to tuition-free primary and lower secondary education is associated with improvements in the number of ANC visits, increasing the share of women meeting the WHO recommendation of at least four ANC visits by 6-14%. Moreover, the impact of both education policies combined is greater than that of tuition-free primary education alone. However, the effects vary across individual treatment countries, suggesting the need for further investigation into country-specific dynamics. The findings of this study have significant implications for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to improve ANC coverage. Removing the tuition barrier at the secondary level has shown to be a powerful strategy for advancing health outcomes and educational attainment. As governments across Africa consider eliminating tuition fees at the secondary level, this study provides valuable evidence about the impacts on reproductive health outcomes. While investing in free education requires initial investment, the long-term benefits for both human development and economic growth far outweigh the costs.

NIDILRR ARRT Fellows Symposium: Examining Lifetime Trauma Exposure in Women with a History of Traumatic Brain Injury

NIDILRR ARRT Fellows Symposium: Examining Lifetime Trauma Exposure in Women with a History of Traumatic Brain Injury

Occurrence of heavy metals in sanitary napkins from seven countries: Implication for risk management of female hygiene products

Chemicals in sanitary napkins are easy to enter women's bodies, as these products are in contact with the skin of vagina and vulva directly, which has strong absorption capacity. However, available information regarding the occurrence of metals in sanitary napkins and their potential hazards, remains very limited. This study measured the concentrations of As, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cr in sanitary napkins collected from seven countries. Moderate levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr and lower levels of other metals were found, in comparison to the metal concentrations reported for other products previously. Metal concentrations differed by producer, price and fragrance. These metals were originated mainly from the introduction of raw materials and the use of chemical additives during the manufacturing process. Relative to other skin-contacted products, the sanitary napkin contributed more to women's total metal exposure, although the exposure was lower than that of dietary intake. The summed non-carcinogenic risks from six metals and the carcinogenic risks from Pb were acceptable. However, more research is required to investigate metals in sanitary napkins and the associated health risks to women, owing to the variability in the metal concentrations and the complexity of actual exposure.

Women Sports Participation and Gender Sensitivity Towards Enhanced Sports’ Program

This study explores women's participation in sports and the level of gender sensitivity within sports programs. Using comprehensive methods, including reliability measurements and statistical analyses, it assesses women's exposure and awareness of gender sensitivity. Data collected from athletes at ShanTou Polytechnic provide valuable insights into participant profiles, exposure levels, and gender sensitivity awareness. Reliability measurements indicate strong internal consistency in exposure and gender sensitivity, ensuring the study's credibility. Demographic analysis reveals a higher proportion of female athletes, mainly around the age of 20, with a predominant involvement in sports dance. The study systematically addresses respondents' personal information concerning gender, age, and sports types. It delves into women's exposure in sports, focusing on public interest, participation, representation, and frequency of sports involvement. Findings indicate a high level of support, encouragement, and recognition for female athletes within the sports community. The study also explores respondents' awareness of gender sensitivity faced by female athletes, emphasizing mutual encouragement, equal treatment, and rejecting gender stereotypes. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of women's sports participation and gender sensitivity, offering valuable insights for enhancing inclusivity and support for women in sports. It underscores the significance of promoting equal opportunities, breaking stereotypes, and ensuring a conducive environment for the health and recognition of female athletes.

Edged beyond thresholds of conventional vulnerabilities: Critical reflections on COVID‐19, women and gender

AbstractThough Johan Galtung's extensive application of the term structural violence in peace studies has been a subject of controversy, his rendition remains critical, seminal, and influential in broad spaces of contemporary discourse including Africa's sociocultural engagements. In his epic essay: “Violence, Peace and Peace Research” he reasoned that structural violence is violence that results in harm but is not necessarily caused by any specific identifiable actor and advanced his argument to the proposition that positive peace is the absence of structural violence. This paper probes how structural violence, seen as multiple ways in which economic, social and cultural systems in Africa, specifically Ghana, leverage their cumulative strengths to edge particular populations in this context women, to the brinks and margins of Covid‐19 related risks, thus stretching women's state of affairs beyond the thresholds of traditionally held vulnerabilities. The study unveils how women's disproportionate exposure to COVID‐19 compromises public health to the detriment of human capital. It concludes that making women's rights locally relevant in Africa constitutes an important capital investment in promoting a better human rights regime for social development as the world contemplates a post‐COVID‐19 era, expressed in shared prosperity, collective security, and equity in social justice.

The Relationships between Drought Exposure, Fertility Preferences, and Contraceptive Behaviors: A Multicountry Study.

The interplay between population dynamics and the environment has long interested demographers. Although studies have explored how climate patterns affect macrolevel population processes, such as mortality and migration, little is known about their impact on individual-level demographic behaviors. This study fills this research gap by examining the linkages between exposure to drought and women's fertility preferences and contraceptive behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa. We analyze data from the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, focusing on 17 countries in East, Southern, and West Africa. We investigate whether women's recent exposure to drought episodes in their community affects their fertility preferences and modern contraceptive use. Generally, the findings show that drought is relevant to understanding women's fertility preferences and behaviors in the vast majority of countries; however, drought exposure has variable impacts. Moreover, whereas in some countries, drought exposure encourages contraceptive behaviors that align with women's preferences, in select countries it is associated with behavior that is misaligned with women's stated preferences. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of examining climate events as complex forces that have localized meanings for demographic outcomes.

“The black is going”: a phenomenological study on young rural women's experience of colourism

PurposeThe present study explored the young women's lived experiences of discrimination and othering based on skin tone in two rural localities of Uttarakhand , State of India. The authors used intersectionality as the theoretical lens for this study.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have adopted an interpretive phenomenological study in the conduct of this research. The authors interviewed twelve female participants in person using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using the six-stage data analysis process of interpretive phenomenological analysis.FindingsThe study's findings underline the experiences of stigma, negative self-concept, marriage is a complex reality, media's influence and skin whitening is the first and last resort. Dark-skinned women experience stressful life events due to their skin tone and society's prejudice favouring white and fair skin tones. The experiences of bullying, social shame, guilt and low esteem were also vivid.Originality/valueThis study reveals women's exposure to negative experiences of skin-tone-based discrimination prevalent in Indian society. This is one of the first kinds of such study in India that captures the dark-hued women's recurrent phenomenon of discrimination in their daily lives. It further shows that skin-tone bias and discrimination are widely prevalent and practised despite the claims that Indian society is free from skin-tone biasedness and subsequent discrimination.

Exploring patterns of intimate partner violence during pregnancy through a descriptive lens

Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a serious concern, with significant underreporting in Pakistan. This study aimed to explore the patterns of IPV among pregnant women in a Pakistani setting. An exploratory study using nonprobability purposive sampling recruited 363 pregnant women visiting for check-ups at Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire developed from an extensive literature review and prior research. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, descriptive statistics, bar charts, and chi-square tests, with the significance threshold set at p &lt; 0.05. The demographic analysis revealed that a majority of women (56.75%) were aged 20–29, whereas most husbands fell within the 30–39 age group (68.60%). Educational disparities were significant (p &lt; 0.001), with 48.76% of women lacking formal education versus 34.16% of their husbands having higher secondary education or above. The working status highlighted economic dependency, with 91.74% of women not working. Over 61% of pregnancies were unplanned, with 32.28% of participants reporting contraceptive nonuse due to partner opposition. The most reported controlling behavior was the restriction of medical care access (63.36%). Psychological violence was prevalent (25.07% reported humiliation or intimidation), while physical violence was less common (4.96% experienced object throwing). Sexual violence instances were comparatively rare, with 2.75% reporting nonconsensual sexual relations. This study underscores significant sociodemographic and economic disparities affecting pregnant women's exposure to IPV, with psychological violence emerging as the leading form of IPV experienced during pregnancy. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access and support pregnant women's autonomy and well-being amidst IPV challenges.

Exploring patterns of intimate partner violence during pregnancy through a descriptive lens

Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a serious concern, with significant underreporting in Pakistan. This study aimed to explore the patterns of IPV among pregnant women in a Pakistani setting. An exploratory study using nonprobability purposive sampling recruited 363 pregnant women visiting for check-ups at Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire developed from an extensive literature review and prior research. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, descriptive statistics, bar charts, and chi-square tests, with the significance threshold set at p &lt; 0.05. The demographic analysis revealed that a majority of women (56.75%) were aged 20–29, whereas most husbands fell within the 30–39 age group (68.60%). Educational disparities were significant (p &lt; 0.001), with 48.76% of women lacking formal education versus 34.16% of their husbands having higher secondary education or above. The working status highlighted economic dependency, with 91.74% of women not working. Over 61% of pregnancies were unplanned, with 32.28% of participants reporting contraceptive nonuse due to partner opposition. The most reported controlling behavior was the restriction of medical care access (63.36%). Psychological violence was prevalent (25.07% reported humiliation or intimidation), while physical violence was less common (4.96% experienced object throwing). Sexual violence instances were comparatively rare, with 2.75% reporting nonconsensual sexual relations. This study underscores significant sociodemographic and economic disparities affecting pregnant women's exposure to IPV, with psychological violence emerging as the leading form of IPV experienced during pregnancy. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access and support pregnant women's autonomy and well-being amidst IPV challenges.

Temperature and intimate partner violence

AbstractThis article explores the relationship between temperature and intimate partner violence against women in 34 developing countries. Exploiting the variation in average temperatures across women's residential locations within the 12 months prior to the survey date, we detect the positive association between temperature and women's exposure to intimate partner violence. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in temperature (equivalent to an increase of 5.94°C) raises the risks of intimate partner violence (physical, emotional, and sexual violence) at both the extensive and intensive margins. These impacts could be attributable to the loss of control (proxied by alcohol use) and worse labor market outcomes. Our heterogeneity analyses further show that women from rural areas, those from poor households, those having low education, and those living with low‐educated partners are particularly vulnerable to the damaging consequences of temperature hikes.

Correlations among the maternal healthcare services in Bangladesh: An application of joint modelling technique

BackgroundCaesarean section (C-section) in Bangladesh have received great attention as the number has been amplified during the last two decades. The question arises whether this rise has a correlation with other maternal healthcare services and/or has been influenced by their predictors. ObjectiveThe main objectives of this study are to assess correlations among the maternal healthcare indicators—antenatal care use, childbirth in private facilities, and childbirth through C-section—and identify their associated predictors in Bangladesh through the development of an appropriate cluster-adjusted joint model that accounts for inter-correlation among the indicators in the same cluster. DesignThe 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data have been utilized in this study. Separate generalized linear mixed models developed for the three outcome variables are combined into a joint model by letting cluster-specific random effects be in association. FindingsThe joint model shows that the number of antenatal cares is fairly positively correlated with delivery in private facilities and C-section, while the latter two are strongly positively correlated. Household socio-economic condition, women and their partners' education, women's exposure to mass media, place of residence, religion, and regional settings have significant influence on the joint likelihood of receiving antenatal care, choosing a private health facility for birth, and opting for C-section birth. Key conclusions and implicationsThe rising rate of C-section delivery over time is alarming for Bangladesh to achieve the World Health Organization target of 10–15 %. The joint model reveals that the rising rate of C-sections may be correlated with the choice of a private health facility as the delivery place. The study findings also suggest that maternal childbirth care is private-dominant and predominantly utilized by urban women with better education and higher socio-economic status. The policy should focus on strengthening the public health sector while also keeping importance in increasing coverage of maternal care services among the less well-off.