Young Women Research Articles

It May Be Unhealthy but It’s Really Cool: The Discourse of Tobacco Consumption Among Female Youth in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Smoking is not a common leisure thread in the social universe of young women in Nigeria as it is increasingly condemned and stigmatized. Smokers generally have fewer social connections and are less engaged and lonely in some social circles; however, in this article, we demonstrate how young urban women in Calabar metropolis, Cross River State, Southeastern Nigeria, reflexively construct space and identity through smoking behavior given the wave of drug culture in the city. The study relies on West and Zimmerman’s social constructionist notion of “doing gender” to interrogate how these young women make social meaning out of an otherwise transgressive behavior. Using an ethnographic approach involving semi-structured interviews with 30 participants, we discuss the subjective experiences of tobacco consumption among these young women under four interrelated tropes that discursively construct smoking behavior as resistant identity, stress-relief activity, leisure time exercise, and an expression of modernity. The study concludes that smoking behavior among the sampled population is meant to reclaim ownership of one’s self and to articulate resistance to structural stereotypes. The study recommends social and cultural support for young women smokers during cessation campaigns.

Are internal migrants (head porters) sexually vulnerable due to the coronavirus pandemic? A qualitative study of the situation in Ghana.

Head porterage, popularly known in Ghana as Kayayei, has been an old economic venture for young girls and women who migrate from the northern to the southern part of the country. Even though Head Porters view Kayayei as a source of livelihood, conditions such as the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) further worsened their sexual vulnerabilities, as well as their autonomy to make decisions on contraceptive use. Head Porters, as a term defined in this study, refers to women aged 15 years or older who carry loads from one point of the town to another for a fee. The study is qualitative and used both purposive and simple random sampling in recruiting 120 Head Porters for focus group discussions. The study was planned and implemented in three zones in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital of Ghana, during the lockdown period (between March and April 2020). Factors such as access to contraceptives, self-reported sexual desire, and partner desire to use condoms, sexual demands, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contraceptive access were assessed. Sexual demands increased during the COVID-19 period, with most Head Porters indicating they used fewer condoms and contraceptives during the same period. The desire to use a condom was limited among both Head Porters and their partners, and access to contraceptives was hampered by fear of getting infected by COVID-19 from a health worker at family planning clinics. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the sexual and economic vulnerabilities of Head Porters in Ghana and impacted their access to family planning services. Governmental and international organizations need to start developing intervention programs for vulnerable populations such as Head Porters before future disease outbreaks.

Living in precarious partnerships: Understanding how young men's and women's economic precariousness contribute to outcomes of first cohabitation.

In the UK, cohabitation has become the normative type of first co-residential partnership. While some couples go on to marry, others increasingly continue to cohabit or break up. One possible explanation is the rise in young people's economic precariousness. However, few studies have analysed this hypothesis empirically for the UK. By analysing data on cohabiting couple dyads from 1991 to 2019, we explore how economic precariousness (measured by four traits: employment, labour income, savings, and financial perceptions) relates to marriage and to cohabitation dissolution. The types of precarious traits seen in couples, alongside their distribution between partners, are crucial for understanding socio-economic differences in cohabitation outcomes. Marriage is less likely among couples where the man is jobless or has no savings, suggesting that marriage is a financially committed relationship, more reliant on men's resources. Couples where women hold worse financial perceptions than men are most likely to separate, highlighting the importance of subjective measures.

Unusual presentation of Takayasu Arteritis during pregnancy mimicking peripartum cardiomyopathy

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis affecting medium and large arteries predominantly in young women which can result in lethal complications. The pathology involves mononuclear cell infiltration and granulomatous inflammation in the arterial wall, arterial thickening, stenosis, occlusion and aneurysmal dilation. During the acute phase, patients may experience non-specific constitutional symptoms which can pose significant diagnostic dilemmas. Here we describe a 33-year-old woman who presented with generalised weakness, fatigue, and malaise who was treated for peripartum cardiomyopathy and subsequently suspected to have TA based on an incidental finding of circumferential wall thickening of the carotid arteries on an ultrasound scan of thyroid. An aortogram confirmed the characteristic features of TA. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential to prevent life-threatening complications of this relatively rare condition.

Frustration Management in Male and Female College Students and Their Academic Achievement

Abstract: Background: Mathematics is among the most conspicuous academic topics regarding the elicitation of learning anxiety. “Math anxiety” is more prevalent in girls and young women than in boys and men, which has been attributed to female stereotypes. The present study investigates how, compared to other introductory courses, students’ management of attendance to mathematics exams is matched for the semester in which courses are offered. Methods: The dataset contained all students with a valid enrollment in the academic years 2011/2012–2023/2024 in a university’s database, comprising 4,445 students and 17,623 individual exam results. We used the average grades and the number of days to the first attempt on an exam and a successful attempt as the major outcome variables. We differentiated gender and type of the exam, i.e., mathematics or introduction exams, as independent variables. We used ANOVA models to calculate the differences. Results: Female students have better grades than males in mathematics courses but not in introductory courses. Both female and male students had better grades in introductory than in mathematics courses. In mathematics courses, females make their first attempts earlier than males, but there are no gender differences in the time to first attempt of introductory courses. Both females and males also make first attempts earlier in introductory than in mathematics courses, and men also make earlier attempts in introductory than in mathematics courses. We found no differences between genders in the time to a successful attempt in both mathematics and introductory courses. Both females and males made successful attempts in introductory courses earlier than in mathematics courses. Discussion: These findings challenge stereotypes about math anxiety and female performance. Female students outperform males in mathematics courses, reflecting resilience and proactive engagement, as evidenced by earlier first attempts. Male students’ delayed attempts may indicate confidence or postponement tendencies. The absence of gender differences in introductory courses suggests that these patterns are specific to mathematics. Both genders perform better and attempt exams earlier in introductory courses, highlighting the greater challenges of mathematics courses. These results underline the need to address stereotype-driven barriers and math anxiety through interventions fostering confidence and early engagement, promoting equitable outcomes in mathematics education.

Case Report: Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage and hemophagocytosis in the reticuloendothelial system caused by Escherichia coli in a young woman: an autopsy case

BackgroundSepsis can lead to life-threatening complications such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage (BAH), commonly known as Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. HLH involves severe inflammation and organ damage, often linked with infections and autoimmune diseases, while BAH leads to adrenal insufficiency, typically caused by Neisseria meningitidis, though Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a rare cause.Case presentationA 27-year-old Japanese woman, with a history of diabetes mellitus and obesity, presented with a complicated urinary tract infection. She commenced oral levofloxacin treatment five days before hospital admission. Her medications included prednisolone 5 mg/day, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for pyoderma gangrenosum, and oral hypoglycemic agents. Upon admission, her vital signs, including body temperature and blood pressure, were stable, and her body mass index was recorded at 49.8. Laboratory tests indicated elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and was treated with levofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. On day 16 of hospitalization, her general condition rapidly worsened, leading to her sudden death on day 18. Premortem blood tests showed cytopenia, and blood cultures tested positive for E. coli. Autopsy imaging using computed tomography revealed enlargement and high density of the left adrenal gland. Postmortem pathology identified bilateral adrenal hemorrhages with focal necrosis. Extensive erythrophagocytic macrophages were observed in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was confirmed through the detection of a renal glomerular fibrin thrombus.ConclusionWe concluded that E. coli infection had caused multiple fatal conditions, such as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, and suspected hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis leading to the death of the young woman.

Geographic variations and determinants of ever-tested for HIV among women aged 15–49 in Sierra Leone: a spatial and multi-level analysis

BackgroundHIV testing among women in sub-Saharan Africa varies widely, with Sierra Leone having lower rates than other countries. This study explores geographic variations and determinants of HIV testing among women aged 15–49 in Sierra Leone.MethodThe study utilized data from the 2008, 2013, and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Surveys, comprising 39,606 women aged 15–49. Spatial autocorrelation and Moran’s I were used to analyze the distribution of this outcome, while mixed-effect multi-level binary logistic regression assessed the factors associated with ever-tested for HIV. The findings were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThis study found that 21.47% of the study population comprised young women aged 15–19, and 53.62% had no formal education. Ever tested for HIV drastically increased from 13% in 2008 to 56% in 2019. HIV testing hotspots expanded from the Western urban and rural areas in 2008 to include districts like Port Loko, Kambia, and Bo by 2019, with a national testing pooled prevalence of 45.5% [44.2, 46.8]. The pooled regression analysis shows that women aged 20–34 had higher odds of testing than those aged 15–19, while those aged 40–49 had lower odds. Higher education, marriage/cohabitation, media exposure, parity, sexual activity, recent healthcare visits, condom use, STI history, larger households, female-headed households, and higher wealth indices were associated with higher odds of testing. Testing odds were higher during the 2013 and 2019 survey years compared to 2008. Conversely, Muslims, women with challenges accessing healthcare, and those in rural areas had lower odds of being tested.ConclusionFrom 2008 to 2019, the rate of women aged 15–49 years ever tested for HIV showed a significant increase. The expansion of HIV testing hotspots highlights progress in geographic coverage, but disparities remain, particularly in rural areas. Younger women (aged 20–34) and those with higher education, wealth, or access to healthcare services were more likely to be tested, underscoring the influence of socioeconomic and structural factors on testing uptake. The lower odds of testing among older women and Muslims point to the need for targeted interventions addressing cultural barriers. Media exposure, parity, and sexual activity emphasize the role of reproductive health and awareness in promoting testing. Efforts to improve access to healthcare in rural areas and address logistical challenges, such as distance to health facilities, are critical for equitable HIV testing coverage. Strengthening community-based outreach and culturally sensitive programs could further close the gaps in testing uptake. The sustained increase in testing prevalence from 2008 to 2019 reflects progress but also highlights the need for continuous investment in HIV testing programs.

“You are Married by the Woman”: Divergent Understandings of Men’s Support for Women’s Empowerment in Northwestern Tanzania

Engaging men in women’s empowerment is a global priority, yet there is still limited understanding of how men’s support for women’s empowerment is conceptualized across diverse demographic groups, particularly within communities undergoing change. This gap is especially critical in rural-urbanizing contexts, representative of many contemporary Global South settings, where individuals navigate tensions between respecting tradition while responding to novel social transformations. Using focus groups and interviews, this study examines how men’s support for women’s empowerment is conceptualized among young men, women, and elders in a fast-urbanizing Tanzanian community. Participants frequently noted supporting women’s employment and opposing intimate partner violence as markers of support, yet broader understandings diverged significantly by age and gender. Younger participants voiced transformative notions of empowerment, challenging traditional norms, and advocating for women’s empowerment in ways that disrupt age hierarchies, including educating elders. In contrast, elders framed support within boundaries that preserved male authority, while women prioritized practical forms of support over men’s more abstract, rights-based rhetoric. A particularly striking finding was the disconnect between young men’s vocal support for women’s empowerment and their limited actions to enact such support in daily life. These generational and gendered differences reflect participants’ varied priorities, exposures, and experiences, and offer insights into how gender roles are renegotiated in urbanizing communities.

Pseudomembranous colitis: fatal clostridium difficile infection in pregnancy

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a disease primarily affecting the large intestine, characterised by diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever due to enterotoxins. The severe form of this infection, known as pseudomembranous colitis, carries a high mortality rate if not promptly recognised and treated. Its incidence is on the rise among pregnant women, posing significant risks to both the mother and foetus. Here, we report a fatal case of pseudomembranous colitis in a young pregnant woman. Maintaining a high index of clinical vigilance in pregnant individuals experiencing unexplained diarrhoea enables timely investigations and prompt treatment, averting adverse maternal and foetal outcomes.

A Comparative Study of Verbal and Visual Self-Representations: Body Image and Health Aspirations of Brazilian and French Women

Abstract This study aims to comparatively analyse how young adult women from Brazil and France perceive their bodies and health, through both verbal and visual self-representations. The theory of social representations offers the theoretical framework for this study. A total of 164 women aged 18 to 20 (82 from Brazil and 82 from France) participated in the research. They responded to a questionnaire with word association technique, open-ended sentences and drawing tasks. The data were analysed by the content analysis and visual analysis techniques. The results reveal both common and diverse perspectives and expectations concerning body image, aging, and health. They also show varying perceptions of which body parts require monitoring and control while highlighting contrasts in body satisfaction and dissatisfaction. These results were interpreted through the lens of culture and life experiences. This investigation contributes to a better understanding of both uniformity and diversity in body representations and aids the design of community educational and mental health projects in culturally diverse societies.

Chronic non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis with mild protein C deficiency and splenomegaly: an uncommon aetiology underlying long standing thrombocytopenia

Chronic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare and diagnostically challenging cause of thrombocytopenia in young individuals. This case report describes a young woman with a history of unexplained thrombocytopenia for more than five years. She was initially managed for primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura. She later presented with frank haematemesis and was found to have splenomegaly, oesophago-gastric varices, and chronic non-cirrhotic PVT, likely due to an underlying Protein C deficiency. This case highlights the challenges faced in establishing an accurate aetiological diagnosis for thrombocytopenia in young patients, and emphasises the importance of continuous monitoring, as well as comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation.

Clinical association of body symptoms and primary dysmenorrhea among young and middle-aged women: an observational study

BackgroundThe mechanism of primary dysmenorrhea remains unraveled. Body symptoms not related to menstrual cycle may indicate the potential mechanism of primary dysmenorrhea, albeit the association has not been proven. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the cumulative burden of these symptoms may influence the incidence of primary dysmenorrhea. Therefore, we aim to design a study to identify bodily symptoms potentially related to primary dysmenorrhea and test the hypothesis in understanding and managing primary dysmenorrhea.MethodsA total of 3,140 female participants aged 30–50 years were enrolled from the Taiwan Biobank. Stepwise logistic regression was used to select potential body symptoms associated with primary dysmenorrhea from a training dataset. Selected body symptoms were validated in a test dataset. Female participants without dysmenorrhea in the baseline survey were divided into two groups (with and without body symptoms) in a baseline survey. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to evaluate the risk of incident dysmenorrhea.ResultsWomen with body symptoms such as cold extremities (adjusted odds ratio [AdjOR], 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.21), dull abdominal pain (AdjOR, 1.45, 95% CI, 1.03–2.04), and edema (AdjOR, 1.43, 95% CI, 1.02–1.99) were significantly associated with dysmenorrhea. Women with the three body symptoms had a significantly higher risk of dysmenorrhea (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.74, 95%CI, 1.18–6.31; log-rank test, p = 0.0017) than those without body symptoms. Trend analysis showed that the risk of dysmenorrhea increased with the number of body symptoms (p-trend = 0.025).ConclusionThis study identified cold extremities, dull abdominal pain, and edema as predictors of primary dysmenorrhea, with their accumulation associated with a higher risk of developing dysmenorrhea. We propose that further research explore pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions targeting these symptoms, as they may provide long-term benefits in the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Reversible thyrotoxicosis caused by suppurative thyroiditis in a young healthy woman

Introduction: Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a bacterial infection of the thyroid gland. Potential risk factors are an immunocompromised state or the presence of pre-existing thyroid disease. Acute suppurative thyroiditis may be complicated by abscess formation and/or thyrotoxicosis, which are both rare but potentially life-threatening complications. Case description: We describe a case of acute suppurative thyroiditis secondary to tonsillitis in a 22-year-old healthy female presenting with thyrotoxicosis due to abscess formation. She presented with complaints of palpitations, fever, extreme salivation, dysphagia, pain and swelling of the neck. Further analysis revealed a sinus tachycardia, high inflammatory parameters, and clinical and biochemical signs of thyrotoxicosis. Computed tomography showed abscess formation in the left lobe of the thyroid gland with extension to the retropharyngeal space and deviation of the trachea to the contralateral side. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus constellatus and Prevotella intermedia. The patient was treated with antibiotics and underwent an operative excision and drainage of the abscess and recovered well. Symptomatic thyrotoxicosis was treated with metoprolol. P. intermedia has not previously been implicated in causing acute bacterial thyroiditis. Conclusion: Acute suppurative thyroiditis may occur in healthy young adults without any predisposing factors. Concomitant thyrotoxicosis is rare, but important to diagnose. Bacterial thyroiditis may be either a primary thyroid infection or a secondary complication of a severe tonsillitis. Early recognition and treatment are of great importance to reduce overall mortality and morbidity, and to prevent the development of complications.

Determinants of young People’s gender norm attitudes related to rights and equity in Southeast Nigeria

BackgroundGender norms shape rights, privileges, and societal roles, impacting health and well-being. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while young people may reject harmful gender discrimination, they often support other norms that perpetuate gender imbalances. This study examines factors influencing young people’s attitudes toward gender norms, focusing on men’s rights in decision-making, education, social roles, and equity for women’s empowerment in Southeast Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023 in six communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, with 1025 young people aged 15–24 selected using cluster sampling. Gender norm attitudes were assessed using a three-point Likert scale questionnaire. Mean scores exceeding 1.5 indicated favourability towards negative gender norms. Statistical analysis included univariate, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression with statistical significance set at a p < 0.05.ResultsOver 60% of participants believed that men should have more decision-making power than women, but fewer than 30% supported unequal access to education for boys. More than two-thirds endorsed women/girls’ empowerment. Predictors of support for men’s decision-making rights, education, and protective rights included schooling status (β = -1.896, p < 0.001), educational status (β = 5.593, p = 0.004), gender (β = 0.529, p < 0.001), mother’s educational level (β = 1.993, p = 0.020), household leadership (β = 0.218, p = 0.003) and religion: β = -0.175, p = 0.008). Predictors of support for women’s empowerment included gender (β = 10.299, p < 0.001), schooling status (β = -0.170, p = 0.012), and father’s educational level (β = -0.212, p = 0.041).ConclusionDespite widespread support for gender equality for women’s empowerment, young people in the Southeast still favour traditional gender norms, particularly decision-making and educational rights for men. Factors such as educational status, gender, and household leadership play a significant role in shaping these attitudes. Interventions that promote gender equity should focus on education, challenge traditional norms, and engage both young men and women in discussions about shared decision-making and equal access to opportunities.

HPV Vaccine Uptake and its Predictors among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living with HIV-in Central Uganda

HPV Vaccine Uptake and its Predictors among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living with HIV-in Central Uganda

Mental health and other clinical and social characteristics of young mothers living with HIV in Zimbabwe: a mixed-methods study

ABSTRACT Young women living with HIV (YWLHIV) experience numerous stressors including treatment management and poor parent modelling. We investigated YWLHIV’s mental health and other clinical and social characteristics to inform tailored support. YWLHIV (15–24 years old) participating in a peer-support model tailored for young mothers (Young Mentor Mum intervention) completed a self-administered interview and had clinical and psychological assessments in March to April 2019. A subset participated in in-depth interviews and had their partners interviewed. We analysed quantitative and qualitative data using STATA 15 and thematic analysis, respectively. We enrolled 177 YWLHIV. We found high rates of maternal viral suppression (86.9% with viral load <1000 copies/ml). Over half were at risk of common mental disorder (CMD), scoring above the cut-off point (SSQ ≥8, 50.3%) and depression (EPDS ≥12, 55.9%). CMD risk was higher among women who reported intimate partner violence in the past year (64.1% vs 39.4%; adjusted OR 2.48 (1.12, 5.48) for violence 1–2 times and 2.41 (0.99–5.85) for higher frequency; p = .03). HIV status disclosure was limited; only 44.1% had disclosed to their partners. YWLHIV confront challenges which affect their health and that of their children. Youth-focused mental health interventions coupled with couples counselling and violence prevention need to be scaled up.

Psychometric validation of the belief-based physical activity questionnaire.

This study aimed to develop and validate the belief-based PA questionnaire for young Saudi females (BPAQ-YSF) in Saudi Arabia, targeting women aged 18 to 35. Six experts first participated in the conceptual validation phase, while 8 reviewed the content validity. Cross-sectional validation was carried out using a test-retest design. The study is a self-report instrument that consists of 4 parts. Each part examines various variables. The cross-sectional validation part of the study presents the results of the cross-sectional validation of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among 820 Saudi female participants aged 18 to 35. The psychometric properties of the TPB were measured using adopted scales of direct and additional constructs, and the Cronbach alpha values indicated that the scales could deliver reliable results in a cross-cultural setting. Principal axis factoring was conducted on 24 items with oblique rotation to assess the 8 factors of the extended TPB, and the 8-factor structure explained a total variance of 76.6%. The BPAQ-YSF can help identify the psychosocial factors related to physical activity among young Saudi women. The study's findings can inform the development of interventions and culturally appropriate guidelines for PA among young Saudi women.

Rise in alcohol‐linked hepatitis has more adverse impact on women

A cohort study from Canada has found that although the overall prevalence of alcohol‐associated hepatitis is greater among young males than young females, women experience a considerably higher risk of related adverse outcomes. This includes a 47% higher risk of cirrhosis in young women.

Associations between hormone therapy use and tau accumulation in brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.

Elucidating the downstream impact of exogenous hormones on the aging brain will have far-reaching consequences for understanding why Alzheimer's disease (AD) predominates in women almost twofold over men. We tested the extent to which menopausal hormone therapy (HT) use is associated with later-life amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau accumulation using PET on N=146 baseline clinically normal women, aged 51 to 89 years. Women were scanned over a 4.5-year (SD, 2.1; range, 1.3 to 10.4) and 3.5-year (SD, 1.5; range, 1.2 to 8.1) period for Aβ and tau, respectively, ~14 years after the initiation of HT. In older women (aged >70 years), HT users exhibited faster regional tau accumulation relative to non-users, localized to the entorhinal cortex and the inferior temporal and fusiform gyri, with an indirect effect of HT on cognitive decline through regional tau accumulation. In younger women (aged <70 years), HT associations with tau accumulation were negligible. Findings are relevant for optimizing menopausal treatment guidelines.

The Social, Behavioral, and Psychological Predictors of Young Women’s Food Choices: A Scoping Review

The Social, Behavioral, and Psychological Predictors of Young Women’s Food Choices: A Scoping Review