Profiling and Determinants of Impaired Lipid Profile Parameters among Breast Cancer Women of Childbearing Age Living in Douala, Cameroon

Objective: Breast cancer in women of childbearing age (WCBA) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to determine variation and determinants in lipid profile among Cameroonian WCBA diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A case-control study took place at two reference hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. A total of 176 WCBA (88 cases and 88 controls) were finally enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical and anthropometric data. Three millilitres of venous blood were collected for analysis of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglycerides (TG). Results: Overweight was predominantly seen in cases and controls. Serum levels of TC and LDL-c were significantly lower in cancer women (167.02 ± 45.46 vs 183.12 ± 27.38 mg/dL, p = 0.005 for TC;85.83 ± 40.34 vs 105.25 ± 29.95 mg/dL, p = 0.0004 for LDL-c), while HDL-c levels were higher in controls (45.09 ± 7.20 vs 38.24 ± 11.14 mg/dL, p Conclusion: This study suggests the influence of breast cancer on lipid profile parameters especially HDL-c and LDL-c, and possibly their putative clinical utility for early diagnosis in premenopausal women in Cameroon.

Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis B among Women of Childbearing Age in the Kara Region of Togo in 2022

Introduction: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Few up-to-date data on this disease are available in developing countries, including Togo. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B among women of childbearing age in the Kara region of Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 23 to 25 September 2022 during a fairground campaign. Data were collected using a standardised questionnaire. HBV screening was performed using “SD-BIOLINE HBsAg WB” rapid immunochromatographic tests. HBV prevalence was reported with its 95% confidence interval (CI). Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with HBV infection. Results: A total of 327 women were enrolled, with a median age of 34 years and an interquartile range of [25 - 43]. Nearly half (49.5%) of the women had had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 18 and 2.1% had at least 2 sexual partners at the time of the survey. The majority (91.7%) had not used a condom the last time they had sex. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 10.4% (95% CI: 7.5 - 14.2]). In multivariable analysis, having had sexual intercourse for the first time after the age of 18 (ORa = 0.17;95% CI [0.06 - 0.43];p Conclusion: The results of this study underline the importance of monitoring the prevalence of hepatitis B in women of childbearing age, and of implementing targeted prevention and screening measures to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

TORCH Infection Status in Women of Childbearing Age in China:A Meta-Analysis

Objective:This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of comprehensive information on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis(TOX),rubella virus(RV),cytomegalovirus(CMV),and herpes simplex(HSV)also known as TORCH infection in women of childbearing age.Besides,the positive rates of TORCH-Immunoglobulin G(TORCH-IgG)and Immunoglobulin M(IgM)antibodies in women of childbearing age in different regions of China were statistically analyzed,so as to highlight the issue of TORCH infection in women of childbearing age.Methods:A total of 12,694 articles were retrieved by keyword searching.The works were screened according to the inclusion criteria,and 25 studies were included totaling 531,617 women of childbearing age.The OpenMeta[Analyst]software was used to perform a heterogeneity test,and a random-effects model was used for system analysis.Results:The results of the meta-analysis showed that the positive rates of TORCH-IgG antibodies in women of childbearing age nationwide were 3.2%for TOX-IgG,73.4%for RV-IgG,73.8%for CMV-IgG,and 57.4%for HSV-IgG.The positive rates of IgM antibody infection in TORCH were 1.3%for TOX-IgM,6.1%for RV-IgM,9.5%for CMV-IgM,7.6%for HSV-IgM,2.0%for HSV-1-IgM,and 1.9%for HSV-2-IgM.All meta-analyses had I2≥98%and P<0.001,which meant that the results were statistically significant.Conclusions:A meta-analysis of the positive rates of IgG and IgM antibodies of TORCH infection in women of childbearing age found that the early infection rate of HSV was the highest,and the previous infection rate of RV was the highest.This result can provide epidemiological basis for the prevention and treatment of TORCH infection.

Concerns about One’s Own Future or Securing Child’s Future: Paradox of Childbearing Decision Making

Background and Purpose: Researchers’ incomplete perception of the concerns about childbearing decision making process is revealed in discussions about policies and programs that are designed to influence fertility. Perceiving the concerns of women is essential to explain process of decision making for childbearing. This study aimed to understand women’s main concerns about childbearing decision making. Methods: This qualitative study was performed by conventional content analysis approach. The participants included 22 married women in Tehran who were pregnant for the first time or were using contraceptive methods. Purposeful sampling began and continued up to data saturation. To collect data, the unstructured in-depth interviews were used. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis by Lundman and Graneheim method. Findings: Four categories were obtained from data including “fear”, “uncertainty”, “hope” and “financial security”. The main category or theme was “concerns about one’s own future or securing child’s future” that was extracted as the main concern of women about childbearing decision making process. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that concerns about one’s own future or securing child’s future are the main concerns of women about childbearing decision making. Deep understanding of women’s concerns about childbearing will help midwives and other service providers to provide services, strategies and more sensitive and appropriate interventions.

Epidemiological analysis on the incidence of thalassemia and G6PD deficiency in the population of childbearing age in Hengxian county in Guangxi

Objective:We investigated the incidence of thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)deficiency in people of childbearing age of Hengxian in Guangxi,to further provide scientific data for the diagnosis,treatment and prepotency consultation for thalassemia.Methods:A total of 12,489subjects at childbearing age who were undergoing a routine prenatal check-up in Hengxian family planning service stations were recruited in this study between January 2014and December 2014.They were screened for thalassemia by mean corpuscular volume(MCV)and mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH).The people with positive results then underwent thalassemia gene test.The G6PD activities were measured by enzyme kinetic method.Results:The incidence of thalassemia was 20.26%(2,530/12,489)in Hengxian,among which the incidences ofα-thalassemia,β-thalassemia,andα-thalassemia co-inheritance ofβ-thalassemia were13.20%,6.13%and 0.93%respectively.The incidence of G6PD deficiency was 5.39%(617/12,489),and the ratio between male and female is 4.27∶1.25types ofα-thalassemia genotype and 8types ofβ-thalassemia genotype were identified.The genotypes ofSEA/ααand the genotypes of41-42Mβ/Nβwere the most common genetic types forα-thalassemia andβ-thalassemia respectively.Conclusion:Hengxian is a high prevalence area of thalassemia and G6PD deficiency.SEAmutation type is the most common type inα-thalassemia,and the CD 41-42mutation is the most common type inβ-thalassemia in Hengxian.

Factors Associated with the Use of Modern Contraceptive Methods by Women of Childbearing Age in Parakou in 2017

As in other countries of West Africa, Benin has a low rate of MCM utilization. The factors which lead to this low rate of use vary from one country to another. Purpose: The purpose of this work was to determine the factors associated with the use of modern contraceptive method (MCM) by women of childbearing age (WCBA) in Parakou in 2017. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study with an analytical purpose among WCBA selected in households of the municipality of Parakou after a 2-degree cluster survey. Results: The WCBA’s average age was 29 ± 5.6 years old with extremes of 15 and 46 years. The modern contraceptive prevalence was 14.74%. Among WCBA, 57.14% had an average level of knowledge. The media were the main source of information (75.84%). Among them 34.39% never discussed the matter with their spouse;the latter were not in favor of contraception. The educational level, the perception of woman, the spouse’s favorable opinion, the discussion with the spouse, the level of knowledge of MCM and the knowledge of the existence of FP service were significantly associated with the use of MCM with p = 0.0000 after multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The level of MCM use still remains low. Any effort to increase the modern contraceptive prevalence should take into account its associated factors in order to optimize the use of MCM in the municipality of Parakou in 2017.

Health Care Policy and Reform—Case Study on Liberia Tuberculosis among Childbearing Age Women

Objective: Liberia health care needs to focus on addressing this disease called Tuberculosis among childbearing age women in Liberia and the world;focusing on women’s health governance of Liberia should involve these three sets of actors to control a disease outbreak. The first set of state actors, including politicians, policymakers, and other government officials, need to provide health care education in every part. The public sector health bureaucracy comprising the health ministry, health, social insurance agencies, public pharmaceutical procurement and distribution entities, etc., is central. Still, non-health public sector actors also play a role. Methods: The researcher used the questionnaire method as the main instrument for the study. Results: This survey indicates that 48% of those responding to health education can reduce TB among childbearing age women showed that education could minimize the spread of TB. 25% can improve economic status. 27% said it could reduce the illiteracy rate. The instruments used were positively related to the topic to obtain the needed findings. This set comprises public, private, should not be-for-profit individuals and groups that deliver health services and organizations that support service provision: medical training institutions, health insurance agencies, the pharmaceutical industry. Health service delivery can be presenting from the health system perspective, with inputs, processes, outputs, and outcomes. WHO’re Systems Thinking for Health Systems Strengthening explaining that service delivery includes “effective, safe and quality personal and non-personal health interventions that are providing to those in need, when and where needed (including infrastructure), with minimal waste of resources”. Conclusion: Inputs for a sound health system, the need for health care delivery include financial resources, competent health care staff, adequate physical facilities and equipment, essential medicines and supplies, current clinical guidelines, and operational policies.

Assessment of Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Women of Childbearing Age in Cameroon: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Malnutrition due to poor feeding habits, is still a serious public health issue in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to assess the dietary patterns and nutritional status of women of childbearing age in various geographical settings in Cameroon so as to propose intervention strategies. Methods: In a cross sectional study conducted from January 2014 to August 2015, women aged 14 - 49 years were randomly selected from the capital city Yaounde and four regions of Cameroon. Anthropometric measures were collected for nutritional status assessment. Data on diet habits and socio-demographic parameters were collected. Results: 608 women of reproductive age with average age 34.68 ± 0.39 years made up the study. Dietary patterns assessment revealed that, most study participants had a frequent intake of carbohydrate rich foods and fats and oils rich foods;but an infrequent intake of protein rich foods and vitamin and minerals rich foods in a week. Nutritional status assessment revealed that, 2.1% were underweight, 28.6% had a normal weight, 30.8% overweight, and 38.5% obese. The grass field regions presented the highest prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity. Higher malnutrition levels were linked to low intakes of pulses and beans;milk and dairy products;vegetables and fruits food groups. Conclusion: Women of the study population had an unhealthy dietary pattern and a poor nutritional status. Therefore, strategies such as nutritional education are warranted and should be age and region specific, so as to target specific groups of women and ensure adequate nutritional status and health.

Fertility Intentions of Childbearing Age Couples in Shanghai

ＦｅｒｔｉｌｉｔｙＩｎｔｅｎｔｉｏｎｓｏｆＣｈｉｌｄｂｅａｒｉｎｇＡｇｅＣｏｕｐｌｅｓｉｎＳｈａｎｇｈａｉＤｉｒｅｃｔｅｄｂｙｔｈｅＳｈａｎｇｈａｉＰｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎＩｎｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎＣｅｎｔｒｅ，ｔｈｅｆｅｒｔｉｌｉｔｙｉｎｔｅｎｔｉｏｎｓｏ...

Role of genetic screening in a chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of genetic screening in a Chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods and Results One 39 year-old woman with presyncope for 10 years was admitted.Both of her father and her son died of sudden death and she strongly desire to get another baby. A series of clinical and laboratory studies were performed. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed finally and implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator was implanted to prevent sudden cardiac death for her.Genomic DNA was isolated and the most common causal genes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were screened.A known pathogenetic heterozygous mutation c.700 g】a(p.Argl86Gln) in TNNI3 was found,which was not found in 100 normal control individuals matched for age,sex and geographical region.Because 50%probability of the pathogenetic mutation is inherited to the offsprings,she will get a healthy baby in vitro fertilization which the egg comes from a healthy female donor to prevent from the inherited HCM.Conclusions We found a pathogenetic TNNI3 mutation in a Chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.The genetic screening definite DNA-based diagnosis and help to design a healthy fertilization in vitro for female with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Psychological Cognition of Women of Childbearing Age on the Use of Cosmetics During Pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the psychological cognition of women of childbearing age on the use of cosmetics during pregnancy,so as to provide guidance for women of childbearing age to correctly use cosmetics during pregnancy.Methods:A total of 180 women of childbearing age who underwent gynecological examination in Dezhou People’s Hospital from October 2020 to October 2021 were selected as the research subjects.Questionnaires were used to investigate the psychological cognition of women of childbearing age on the use of cosmetics during pregnancy.Results:Among the 180 women of childbearing age,48(26.67%)felt that cosmetics cannot be used during pregnancy,60(33.33%)felt that it did not matter,and 72(40.00%)agreed that cosmetics can be used during pregnancy.In addition,urban women,highly educated women,unmarried women,and enterprise employees agreed with the use of special cosmetics for pregnant women or the selective use of cosmetics during pregnancy.Conclusion:Most women of child-bearing age felt that cosmetics can be used during pregnancy;this cognition is related to their education level,occupation,and registered residence.

Ideal and actual childbearing in China: number, gender and timing

This paper uses a cross-temporal meta-analysis to summarize information about the ideal number of children,gender composition,and timing of childbirths during the years 1980-2015 in China.This allows a comparison between ideas about the ideal number of children and actual childbearing behavior.The results show that fertility and the ideal number of children both decreased,but that fertility was higher than the ideal number of children before 1990,and that fertility was lower than the ideal number of children thereafter.Gender preference weakened;however,the preference for sons decreased slowly.The timing of childbearing became significantly later over the study period,while the ideal age of childbearing remained relatively stable.The findings provide evidence to aid understanding of the changes in childbearing in China.

Association between Metal(loid)Exposure and Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mediated by Anti-Müllerian Hormone among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Objective To investigate the relationship and potential pathways between metal(loid)exposure and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in women of childbearing age.Methods This case-control study included 200 patients with PCOS(cases)and 896 non-PCOS controls with the age of 25-37 years.The concentrations of 29 metal(loid)s in the follicular fluid(FF)and clinical indicators in the serum were measured in all participants.Logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to evaluate the associations between metal(loid)exposure and PCOS risk and investigate the possible roles of clinical indicators,respectively.Results Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between high copper levels in FF and increased PCOS risk(highest vs.lowest quartile:adjusted odds ratio=2.94,95%confidence interval:1.83-4.72).A high luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio and elevated levels of testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)were strongly associated with increased PCOS risk induced by high copper exposure.The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of AMH in the association between copper exposure and PCOS risk.Conclusion Copper may affect PCOS risk through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis,mediated by AMH.Copper exposure and internal AMH levels are important indicators for early warning of PCOS development.

Childbearing intention and childbearing behavior in low fertility society: evidence from Shanghai

Exploring the patterns of population change under low fertility is a historical mis­sion for demographic research in the 21st century.Taking Shanghai as an example,this paper discusses the new patterns and characteristics of people’s childbearing intention and behavior under low fertility settings.The results show that Shanghai,as a typical society with ultra-low fertility,people’s childbearing intention and be­havior demonstrate the characteristics such as“downward inconsistency”between childbearing intention and childbearing behavior,“convergence”of childbearing intention and childbearing behavior between different sub-groups,“inversion”in childbearing intention and childbearing behavior with education and income,and the“decoupling”between marriage and childbearing.The childbearing intention and behavior of low fertility society as seen in the case of Shanghai show the pat­terns as somehow different from what was observed in a high fertility society.It suggests that many of the childbearing patterns shown in the high-fertility era may not necessarily be applicable in low fertility settings,and urges more research to be carried out in this regard.

Association between iron deficiency and prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age: a cross-sectional study

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is prevalent among women of reproductive age and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between iron nutritional status and the prevalence of TAI in women during the first trimester of pregnancy and in non-pregnant women of childbearing age. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 7463 pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy and 2185 non-pregnant women of childbearing age nested within the sub-clinical hypothyroid in early pregnancy study, a prospective collection of pregnant and non-pregnant women’s data, was conducted in Liaoning province of China between 2012 and 2015. Serum thyrotropin, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs), serum ferritin, and urinary iodine were measured. Iron deficiency (ID) was defined as serum ferritin <15 μg/L and iron overload (IO) was defined as ferritin >150 μg/L. TPOAb-positive was defined as >34 U/mL and TgAb-positive was defined as >115 U/mL. Multilevel logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between TAI and different iron nutritional status after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of isolated TPOAb-positive was markedly higher in women with ID than those without ID, in both pregnant and non-pregnant women (6.28% vs. 3.23%,χ^2 = 10.264, P = 0.002;6.25% vs. 3.70%,χ^2 = 3,791, P = 0.044;respectively). After adjusting for confounders and the cluster effect of hospitals, ID remained associated with TPOAb-positive in pregnant and non-pregnant women (odds ratio [OR]: 2.111, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.241–3.591, P = 0.006;and OR: 1.822, 95% CI: 1.011–3.282, P = 0.046, respectively). Conclusion: ID was associated with a higher prevalence of isolated TPOAbs-positive, but not with isolated TgAb-positive, in both pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy and non-pregnant women of childbearing age, while IO was not associated with either isolated TPOAb-positive or isolated TgAb-positive.

Periodontal status and associated risk factors among childbearing age women in Cixi City of China

Objective:To investigate the periodontal status and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age to increase the awareness of oral health.Methods:The study was conducted on childbearing age women in Cixi,a city in Zhejiang Province in the southeast of China.A total of 754 women participated in periodontal examination while receiving prenatal care.Data of the women were collected from the Cixi Family Planning Commission and during an interview.Clinical periodontal indices,such as bleeding on probing(BOP),probing depth(PD),and clinical attachment level(CAL) were measured during the examination.Statistical analysis on subject-based data was performed.Results:The prevalence of periodontal disease among childbearing age women in Cixi was high(84.7%).A significant association was found between the disease and educational level,pregnancy,taking oral contraceptives,stress,alcohol consumption,overweight,dental visit,and teeth brushing(P<0.05).Women who suffered periodontal disease showed deep PD,obvious BOP,and clinical attachment loss.Among this population,pregnancy was closely associated with higher BOP percentage;teeth brushing no more than once per day or brushing for less than 1 min(P<0.001) after adjusting for age and stress.Conclusions:The periodontal status of childbearing age women in Cixi needs to be improved urgently.Attention towards the periodontal health should be warranted,especially for those in special statuses and with poor awareness.

Appearance of Inflammation in Peripheral Blood during Menstrual Cycles in Women of Childbearing Age

Background:Chronic inflammation has been reported as a triggering and driving factor in the pathogenesis of various diseases and is believed to be closely associated with tumor pathogenesis.In this study,we aimed to explore the changes of the inflammatory stress-related indexes during the menstrual period.Methods:Cytokines and tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens from 76 childbearing-age women during the follicular phase,luteal phase,and menstrual period were measured.Results:The expression of inflammatory indexes,such as platelets(PLT),lymphocytes(Lym),the percentage of Lym(Lym%),neutrophils(Neu),the percantage of Neu(Neu%),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),interleukin-6(IL-6),and cancer antigen 125(CA125),reached the highest level during the menstrual period.Conclusions:Female genital organs are under inflammatory stress during menstruation,which hints that the changes of the inflammatory state of the body play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases.

Managing reproductive problems in women with epilepsy of childbearing age

Girls and women constitute nearly 50%of all epilepsy cases.Apart from the disease symptoms,epilepsy and antiseizure medications(ASMs)may also affect the reproductive function,pregnancy and even the health of their offspring.Therefore,it is very important to identify and summarize the problems and risks for women with epilepsy(WWE)of childbearing age,and offer internationally recognized methods through multidisciplinary collaboration.In this review,we summarize the reproduction-related problems with WWE and propose multidisciplinary management by epileptologists,gynecologists and obstetricians,as well as other experts,from preconception to delivery.Large,multicenter registries are needed to advance our knowledge on new ASMs and their effects on WWE and their offspring.