"It gave me a voice": Pre-pilot qualitative evaluation of a co-designed maternity planning guide.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening test has been reimbursed in France since 2019 as part of the national trisomy 21 (T21) screening program. The expansion of cfDNA sequencing in September 2024 to include additional chromosomal anomalies raises new challenges for information delivery and informed consent. This study aimed to assess pregnant women's understanding of trisomy 21 prenatal screening information, distinct from satisfaction with or access to information, in light of these developments. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in August-September 2024 among women aged ≥18 years who had experienced at least one pregnancy since January 2019. Participants were recruited via Instagram and targeted mailing. The questionnaire assessed participants perceptions of the clarity, completeness, and sufficiency of T21 screening information, and included five open-ended questions to assess objective understanding. A comprehension score (0-10) was calculated using semantic analysis (BERT model) and predefined criteria. Associations between comprehension and sociodemographic factors were examined. Among 2,146 respondents, 94.5 % received information from a healthcare professional. Within this group, 35.6 % sought additional sources. Only 43.8 % judged the information as very clear, and less than 30 % considered it sufficient or complete. The median comprehension score was 2.6 out of 10. Misconceptions were common, notably the confusion between screening and diagnosis. Higher comprehension was significantly associated with full-time employment (p = .001), higher education level (p < .001), and multiparity (p = .003). Although most women received information from a healthcare professional, both their perceived and actual comprehension of trisomy 21 screening, especially regarding cfDNA screening test, remained limited. These findings highlight the need for improved communication tools and tailored support to ensure informed decision-making across diverse populations.

There is limited research on women's perception of risk regarding pregnancy after caesarean. Interpregnancy interval alters risk in the next pregnancy and birth following a caesarean. Interpregnancy interval is a potentially modifiable risk that health care providers need to consider when counselling women about future pregnancy plans. What is women's experience of decision making regarding interpregnancy interval after caesarean birth? Twelve women participated in in-depth interviews; these were analysed thematically assisted by the use of NViVO software. The overarching theme identified was "Finding my way through the confusion to make informed decisions". Women are receiving confusing biased information delivered at varying time points. This is not meeting women's information needs leading them to seek knowledge through other sources, including online peers, to make sense of the confusion. They gather their own knowledge in order to advocate for themselves, make pregnancy spacing decisions that fit with their expectations and maximise the chances of having the birth they want. Consistent evidence based information is lacking in the current maternity care environment regarding interpregnancy interval. This creates barriers to making informed decisions for next pregnancy and birth planning. Women are looking for evidence based information to make individualised decisions. This requires women to seek knowledge outside of the maternity care system to empower themselves to navigate the system and make decisions rather than following prescriptive directives. There is a need to provide evidence based pregnancy planning resources to women that facilitate informed shared decision making.

We aimed to synthesize evidence from qualitative studies on women's experiences of diagnosis and treatment decision-making for early-stage endometrial cancer, and to identify implications for clinical practice and future research. A systematic review was conducted using Cochrane-Campbell guidance. Searches included CINAHL, EMBASE, and PubMed bibliographic databases. A meta-synthesis of 17 qualitative studies was undertaken using a thematic approach to integrate findings on women's needs, preferences, and priorities throughout the diagnostic and treatment journey. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Conditions that prepare or hinder women's ability to engage in decisions at diagnosis, shaped by symptom interpretation, stigma, and emotional shock; (2) Processes that facilitate informed decisions during treatment discussions, highlighting the central role of timely information, clear explanations, and clinician engagement; and (3) Women's understanding of their decisions and regaining control, reflecting short- and long-term impacts of treatment decision-making. Findings demonstrate that decision-making unfolds across time rather than at a single clinical encounter. Timely information, and accessible lifestyle and peer support are needed to strengthen decision-making and well-being. Future research should develop strategies to enhance receptivity information that can support decisions for treatment planning, and prioritize underrepresented populations, who experience disproportionally higher endometrial cancer mortality and lower treatment completion rates.

The Village Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbang Desa) is a crucial tool for village development planning, involving community participation. However, in reality, women's participation in the Musrenbang Desa remains relatively low and tends to be seen as merely symbolic, resulting in women's hopes and needs not being fully addressed in village development plans. This situation highlights the importance of measures to improve women's capabilities and empower them so they can contribute actively and significantly to the village development planning process. This community service activity aims to strengthen women's knowledge, awareness, and involvement in the Musrenbang Desa, which took place in Herlang District, Bulukumba Regency. The method used in this activity was an educational and participatory approach, encompassing preparation, outreach and education, participatory discussions, mentoring, a Musrenbang Desa simulation, and assessment and reflection. Participants in this activity consisted of women representatives from various villages in Herlang District, including PKK cadres and local women's leaders. The results of this activity demonstrated an increase in women's understanding and confidence in expressing opinions and drafting proposals for village development. Women were able to identify key issues related to social welfare, basic services, and economic development. Furthermore, this event created an opportunity for more open dialogue between women and the village government. Therefore, this Community Service activity plays a role in strengthening women's participation and supporting the creation of fair, democratic, and gender-equal village development planning.

Background: Maternal overweight and obesity, which show a rising trend globally, are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term health risks for both mother and child. Awareness and understanding of these risks among women of reproductive age are essential for effective prevention and early intervention. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 958 women planning pregnancy, currently pregnant or breastfeeding to assess their knowledge and attitudes regarding overweight and obesity in the perinatal period. The questionnaire covered lifestyle behaviors, breastfeeding practices, and knowledge related to overweight and obesity in pregnancy. Results: Overall knowledge regarding the consequences of maternal overweight and obesity was low, with notable deficits in understanding the associated health risks and frequent misconceptions about dietary recommendations during pregnancy. Awareness gaps were particularly noticeable in domains related to fetal outcomes and recommended energy requirements across pregnancy. Excessive gestational weight gain was reported in over 75% of pregnancies, including among women with normal body mass index. Participation in antenatal classes, current breastfeeding and older age were significantly associated with higher knowledge; however, these factors together explained only 6.2% of variability. Still, several key aspects were not well recognized despite high educational attainment and frequent contact with maternity care services. Conclusions: Our study highlights a clear and urgent need for better, more targeted educational strategies to improve women's understanding of metabolic health and nutrition before and during pregnancy. The low explained variance indicates that maternal knowledge is influenced by multifactorial and not easily captured determinants, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and individualized educational approaches. Enhancing maternal awareness could support better health outcomes for both mothers and their offspring.

Despite evidence indicating a comparatively lower incidence of cervical cancer and HPV infection, there is a significant gap in research on their understanding and preventive behaviours. This study aims to reduce the risk of cervical cancer among Muslim women and to bridge existing gaps in cancer prevention strategies. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to collect information from participants. The research aimed to explore socio-demographic characteristics, perceived health concerns, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer prevention and screening. The incidence of cervical cancer increases with age. Eight percent of participants reported being diagnosed with cervical cancer. There is a noticeable correlation between age, education level, and cervical cancer diagnosis. All risk factors for cervical cancer were statistically significant (p < 0.001), indicating highly significant differences in awareness levels across the groups. Differences in sources of information were also highly significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, age, marital status, and education were found to be significantly associated with women's understanding and attitudes towards cervical cancer. The study found that educated Muslim women generally have a positive understanding and attitude towards cervical cancer. However, there remains a significant gap that limits women's overall understanding, attitudes, and practices related to the disease. Targeted educational interventions, involving community leaders and health workers, are essential to enhance awareness and improve health practices.

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examined the perspectives of stakeholders working with victims of family and domestic violence (FDV) from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. Sixteen stakeholders participated in focus groups to share their insights on sociocultural factors contributing to FDV, CALD women's understanding of abusive behaviours and barriers that prevent these women from reporting and seeking help for coercive practices. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed that stakeholders perceived cultural beliefs, expectations and practices to significantly influence FDV in CALD communities. According to them, contributing factors included misinterpretations of patriarchy and religion, limited understanding of FDV as coercive control, cultural expectations, migration‐related challenges and acculturative stress. Stakeholders also emphasised that fear, cultural norms, limited interpersonal support and a dearth of culturally responsive services hinder CALD women from recognising, reporting and addressing FDV. These findings have important implications for informing policy and the development of culturally responsive programmes aimed at improving the well‐being and safety of women from CALD backgrounds living in Western societies.

Household financial management training is one way to improve families' ability to effectively manage income, expenses, and savings. This research was conducted in Karyamekar Village, Pasirwangi, Garut, West Java, targeting women members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK). The objective of this activity was to improve the knowledge and skills of PKK women in household budget planning, financial management, and optimal utilization of existing resources. The method used in this research was a workshop with a participatory approach, including material delivery, group discussions, and practical training on creating a household budget. Data were collected through observations, questionnaires, and interviews before and after the training. Data analysis was conducted descriptively to assess changes in participants' knowledge and skills. The results of the training indicated an increase in PKK women's understanding of the importance of household financial management. Participants were able to create simple budget plans, identify sources of expenditure, and implement efficient financial management strategies. Furthermore, this training fostered awareness of saving and optimized the use of family funds according to priority needs. Thus, the household financial management training for PKK women in Karyamekar Village positively contributed to improving family financial literacy. This activity is recommended to be continued periodically and expanded to other villages as an effort to empower families economically.

This community service activity aims to increase women's legal understanding and social awareness of domestic violence (KDRT) and modern social challenges such as online loans and drug abuse. The targets of the activity were PKK mothers in Ngringo Village, Jaten District, Karanganyar Regency, who play an important role in maintaining family resilience and being the first protector for children. The implementation method used a participatory approach through legal socialisation, interactive discussions, and questions and answers with academic speakers and legal practitioners. Data was collected descriptively qualitatively through observation, documentation, and participants' responses during the activity. Results showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of the types of domestic violence (physical, psychological, economic), reporting procedures and legal protection, as well as awareness of the dangers of illegal online loans. The discussion also revealed various real-life cases relevant to people's lives, such as economic neglect, spousal drug abuse, and marital property conflicts. Participants showed great enthusiasm and began to understand the role of the law in protecting family rights. This activity contributed to the strengthening of legal literacy, the courage to report, and the development of a more just and law-aware society. In conclusion, community-based legal socialisation is effective in encouraging social transformation towards families that are harmonious, safe, and protected from violence.

Health and beauty are essential aspects of a Muslimah’s life, which Islamic values should maintain as a form of gratitude and responsibility for the body entrusted by Allah. However, a lack of education regarding proper, healthy, and halal self-care practices remains an issue. This community service program aims to enhance Muslim women's understanding of healthy and Islamic-compliant skincare through a seminar and beauty class themed "Care about Beauty, Care about Health". The activities consisted of an educational seminar on skincare awareness and a hands-on beauty class using halal-certified products. The implementation methods included lectures, demonstrations, interactive Q&amp;A sessions, and evaluation via questionnaires. The program involved both academics and halal beauty practitioners from Wardah. The results showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge of skincare techniques and awareness in selecting safe, halal beauty products. Program outputs included an educational self-care module, an article publication, and visual documentation, serving as a reference and evaluation material for future programs. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on raising awareness among Muslim women about the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to personal care, one that combines physical wellness with spiritual integrity.

Antepartum fetal surveillance, including nonstress tests, is designed to reduce the incidence of stillbirth. Despite widespread use, there is limited data regarding its efficacy and shared decision-making is advised. Our objective was to evaluate pregnant women's understanding of the rationale for antepartum fetal surveillance and explore its impact. Seventeen subjects undergoing scheduled nonstress testing at a large medical center in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA were recruited for this qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews using a standardized guide were conducted and assessed using thematic analysis. Review of the interview transcripts identified the emergence of five themes and nine subthemes. Several subjects highlighted logistical challenges and costs (both financial and nonfinancial) associated with more frequent visits. Participants referred for antenatal testing appear to have a narrow knowledge of its components, indications, and limitations and are unaware of the implications of abnormal results. Despite a high degree of uncertainty and costs incurred, most women were willing to undergo testing and generally found the process to be a source of comfort. Our thematic analysis of participants' perceptions suggests that during antepartum fetal surveillance, shared decision-making either does not always occur or that it is not fully optimized. Efforts to improve this process could emphasize more open communication, providing patient-centered, evidence-based information, and actively incorporating individual narratives into the counseling processes.

Nyamagana is one of the leading districts in the Mwanza Region, with a total of 165 health facilities. However, women in the district continue to face challenges in utilizing these health services. This study investigated the knowledge of postnatal care services among women in Nyamagana District, Mwanza, Tanzania. A qualitative approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 16 women who had given birth within the past twelve months, as well as two key informants (community health workers) from two different streets-Ngaza Street in Luchelele Ward and California Street in Nyegezi Ward. Participants were purposively selected, and the data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that women's understanding and interpretation of postnatal care services, including the timing of when to access them, largely depended on the place of delivery. In conclusion, postnatal care services are not determined solely by giving birth in a hospital, but rather by the meaning and understanding women have, as well as the guidance they receive during delivery. Postnatal care also varies from one hospital to another, with public hospitals particularly lagging behind in providing accurate information on the appropriate time to access these services compare to private hospitals. The study recommends the government should prioritize the strengthening of community awareness on the importance of timely and continuous postnatal care (PNC). This can be achieved through targeted health education campaigns, integration of community health workers (CHWs), culturally sensitive health messaging aimed at addressing misconceptions surrounding the timing and purpose of PNC. Additionally, the government should invest in training and deploying more skilled healthcare providers to deliver postnatal services, particularly in underserved and rural areas where access remains limited.

Vaginal wind (VW), a common yet often overlooked complaint, can negatively impact women's quality of life. This study aimed to comprehensively assess women's knowledge and awareness levels regarding VW. A total of 154 voluntary women were included in this study. Data was collected through a questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic, obstetric, and gynecological characteristics, as well as knowledge and awareness levels pertaining to VW, using open-ended questions. Responses to the open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis. Of the women surveyed, 56.5% reported no knowledge of VW. The univariate analysis showed that education level, marital status, and the presence of a partner significantly influenced VW knowledge. Women with a postgraduate degree were significantly more likely to be knowledgeable than those with lower education (OR < 1 for other groups, p < 0.05). Single women had an approximately fivefold higher probability of knowledge (OR = 4.959, p = 0.002). The multiple logistic regression model confirmed that education level and marital status were the strongest independent predictors. Personal experience with VW also significantly increased knowledge (p = 0.003). The proportion of women who believed VW affected their quality of life was higher in the knowledgeable group compared to don't know about VW (59.7% vs. 41%, p = 0.007). No significant difference was found between knowledgeable and uninformed women regarding the perception that VW is not a shameful condition (p < 0.05). Women's understanding of VW remains limited. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed VW knowledge and factors such as education level, marital status, and the number of partners. However, the multiple logistic regression model revealed that the number of partners was not an independent predictor of VW knowledge. Personal experience with VW also significantly influences awareness. We recommend that healthcare professionals incorporate both medical risk factors and personal and social dimensions into women's health education initiatives.

Purpose of the study: The This study aims to explore Indonesian Muslim women's understanding of sexual and reproductive health education in an Islamic perspective. The study also seeks to identify the factors that cause low levels of knowledge and formulate recommendations to improve sexual and reproductive literacy based on Islamic values. Methodology: This study used a qualitative approach with an in-depth interview method of four groups of Muslim women of various age ranges. The data is analyzed through interactive analysis techniques that include three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing and verification. Main Findings: The results showed that as many as 92.6% of participants had a low understanding of sexual and reproductive health education from an Islamic perspective. The main obstacles include the existence of social and cultural stigma on this issue, the assumption that sexual education is only the responsibility of religious leaders, the lack of education from an early age, and the lack of repetition programs from formal educational institutions. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach in Islamic-based sexuality education, by synergistically involving parents, educators, religious leaders, and the government. The uniqueness of this research lies in its approach that combines religious values and social-educational strategies to create a comprehensive and non-fragmented learning system.

Mailed self-collection kits for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection can increase access to cervical cancer screening among underscreened women. To design effective screening programs, it is necessary to evaluate women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for self-collected HPV test result delivery. The My Body, My Test-3 trial assessed the effectiveness of mailed HPV self-collection kit outreach. Between 2016 and 2019, the trial enrolled low-income women aged 25 to 64 years in North Carolina overdue for cervical cancer screening. Our analytical sample included women from the intervention arm who conducted at-home self-collection, returned a self-collection kit, had a conclusive HPV result, and completed a follow-up survey after results were received by phone but before in-clinic screening. We evaluated women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for result delivery, stratified by result positivity. Among 296 diverse, low-income women, 16% (n = 47/296) had an HPV-positive result and 84% (n = 249/296) had an HPV-negative result. Most women understood their results as an indicator of cervical cancer risk, and 93% (n = 264/284 who responded) correctly recalled their results 1 week post-receipt. Women with a positive result more frequently reported feeling afraid and worried, and less frequently reported feeling relieved, compared with those with a negative result (all P < 0.001). Most women were comfortable receiving results by phone (HPV-positive result: 85%, n = 40/47; HPV-negative result: 96%, n = 238/249), although some with a positive result had remaining questions. Although most women delivered their mailed, self-collected HPV result by phone understood their result, future US screening programs should provide educational support during and after HPV-positive result delivery.

Background: Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, often presenting a woman with physical and emotional challenges. Nurses play a crucial role in post-abortion counseling, aiding in recovery, lifestyle improvement, and providing psychological support to women and their families. The PLISSIT model offers a framework for healthcare providers to implement effective strategies for addressing post-abortion life adjustments. Aim: The current study was conducted to evaluate correlation between women’s knowledge, life style and impact level of social networking sites on women after abortion using counseling based on PLISSIT model. Subjects & Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental (pre- and post-test) research design was used. Subjects & Settings: A convenient sample of 92 women who had abortions affiliated obstetrics & gynecology unit at Beni-Suef University Hospital. Tools: (1) structured interview questionnaire. (2) women's knowledge regarding abortion and management. (3) Women's lifestyle after abortion. (4) Information technology. (5) post-abortion counseling based on the PLISSIT model. Results: mean age 28.13±5.824 years. The mean of the total general knowledge of the studied women during pretest was 20.73±6.33 regarding general knowledge about abortion which improved posttest to become 34.04±6.76. Total life style improved from 38.17±10.99 pretest to 68.33±10.38post test. Total impact of social networking sites on women after abortion improved from 8.15±3.05 to 14.69±3.25 after implementation of counseling. There was a statistically significant improvement among the studied women regarding knowledge; life style sub-items on abortion posttest and total impact of social networking sites on women after abortion, as well (p≤0.01). Conclusion: There was no correlation between total knowledge, lifestyle and impact level of social networking sites on women after abortion during pretest. Also, there was negative correlation between total knowledge and impact level of social networking sites on women after abortion during posttest. While, there was strong positive correlation between total knowledge and total lifestyle level and between total lifestyle level and total impact level of social networking sites on women after abortion. Recommendations: Developing strategies to facilitate women's understanding and support lifestyle adjustments after abortion by applying this study to a large sample in inpatient and outpatient departments.

Posyandu (Integrated Health Post) is a form of community-based health service that plays a crucial role in improving maternal and child health. However, pregnant women's limited knowledge about reproductive health remains a barrier to preventing pregnancy and childbirth complications. The Posyandu Plus program is an innovation in community service activities, adding educational and counseling sessions specifically on reproductive health for pregnant women. This activity was implemented through outreach, interactive discussions, and simulations. Results indicate an increase in pregnant women's understanding of the importance of self-care, pregnancy danger signs, balanced nutrition, and safe birth planning. This program is expected to be sustainable and become a model for community empowerment in supporting maternal health.

The nutritional awareness of pregnant women in the Simpang Raya Community Health Center (Puskesmas) in Banggai Regency is still relatively low, necessitating educational efforts to increase their understanding of the importance of balanced nutrition during pregnancy. This community service activity aims to improve the knowledge of pregnant women through participatory and educational nutrition counseling held for one week in the Puskesmas hall. The methods used included interactive lectures, group discussions, and healthy menu preparation simulations, supported by leaflets adapted to the local context. A total of 40 pregnant women from various trimesters of pregnancy participated in the activity and were assessed using pre- and post-test instruments. The results of the activity showed a significant increase in participant knowledge, from 43% in the "good" category before the activity to 78% after the counseling. Most participants were able to understand the basic principles of balanced nutrition, identify food sources of important nutrients such as iron and folic acid, and prepare daily menus according to Ministry of Health guidelines. This improvement indicates that visual and interactive information delivery is easier for participants to understand, especially those with lower educational backgrounds. Furthermore, this activity also serves as a means of empowering pregnant women to be more active in maintaining their own and their fetus' health by choosing nutritious foods. Therefore, it is crucial for health workers at community health centers (Puskesmas) and integrated health post (Posyandu) cadres to continue this educational program on an ongoing basis. Structured, communicative, and participatory nutrition education is effective in increasing pregnant women's understanding and can be replicated periodically at other Posyandus (Integrated Health Posts) to support stunting prevention efforts and improve maternal and child health.

Women's experiences of post-abortion care services at health facilities in Somaliland - A qualitative study among women with incomplete abortion.