Influence of cultural factors on choice of childbirth place among women in Oyigbo Local Government Area,Rivers State,Nigeria

Objectives:This study aims to ascertain if cultural factors influence the childbirth place choice of women in Oyigbo.Materials and Methods:The study used a cross‑sectional study design using a self‑structured questionnaire as the instrument to collect data from 384 volunteers through simple random sampling,and these data were analyzed using frequency and percentage for descriptive statistics while Chi‑square was used for inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.Results:The influence of cultural factors such as family traditions(χ^(2)=12.56,P=0.006),beliefs(χ^(2)=70.66,P=0.000),lack of confidence in health facilities(χ^(2)=367.83,P=0.000),and the presence of male skilled birth attendants(χ^(2)=50.85,P=0.000)were statistically significant to the choice of childbirth place,while patriarchal system(χ^(2)=2.99,P=0.393)was not statistically significant to the choices of childbirth places of women in Oyigbo.Religion had a statistically significant influence on childbirth place(χ^(2)=125.46,P=0.000).Conclusion:This study shows that religious and cultural factors have a significant influence on the childbirth place choices of women in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Mechanisms and Associated Factors of Nocturia in Women Attending Two Urogynecology Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Nocturia has a multifactorial etiology, and its diagnostic approach involves, in addition to medical history and physical examination, the use of a bladder diary to define the pathophysiological mechanisms present in each case. Methods: This study investigated the prevalence of nocturia, its mechanisms, and associated factors in women with lower urinary tract symptoms attending two urogynecology clinics in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anamnesis, physical examination, and a 24-hour bladder diary were conducted. Two definitions of nocturia were considered: one or more nighttime voids and two or more nighttime voids. Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used, with p-value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 133 participants were included. The majority were aged 60 years or older (61.4%) and had three or more comorbidities (66.7%), with systemic arterial hypertension being the most prevalent (59.1%). Of the total participants, 54 (41.4%) completed the bladder diary. Among those with one or more nighttime voids (70.7%), the prevalence of nocturnal polyuria was 69.1%, reduced nocturnal bladder capacity was 17.3%, and global polyuria was 12.9%. Among participants with two or more nighttime voids (56.4%), the prevalences were respectively 68.2%, 19.1%, and 13.6%. Among the mechanisms, associations were found only with global polyuria, namely: use of insulin, body mass index and tobacco consumption. An association was also found between recurrent urinary tract infection and global polyuria in participants with two or more nighttime voids. Conclusions: The prevalence of nocturia was higher than that reported in general population studies and specialized services for lower urinary tract symptoms. Nocturnal polyuria was the most prevalent mechanism. Associations were observed between the use of insulin, body mass index, tobacco consumption, and recurrent urinary tract infection with global polyuria. No associations were found between any clinical or demographic variables and nocturnal polyuria or reduced nocturnal bladder capacity.

Examining the relationship between sport and health among USA women:An analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background：Research has been conducted linking sports participation and health in childhood and adolescence;however,little is known about the contribution of sport to women＇s health.The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport and women＇s health in the USA by analyzing data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System（BRFSS）.Methods：This study was a secondary data analysis of the 2013 national BRFSS survey.Unlike the BRFSS core component from previous years,in2013,participants were questioned extensively about their physical activity behaviors.Seventy-six different activities were identifie by the participants.Two researchers categorized the 76 activities as sport,conditioning exercise,recreation,or household tasks based on previously identifie categories.Logistic regression was utilized to calculate odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios for chronic diseases based on physical activity category.Results：Women who participated in sport had better health outcomes with significant y lower odds for all chronic diseases except asthma and better general health than women who participated in conditioning exercise,household tasks,or recreation,and many of the significan differences remained after controlling for demographic characteristics.Conclusion：Sport participation was associated with more positive health outcomes among women in the USA compared with the other categories.As a means to improve health of women,the USA could focus on efforts to increase sport participation among women.

A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Climate Change on Menopause: Altering the Age, Severity of Symptoms and Long-Term Effects

Objective: This systematic review investigates the impact of climate change on menopause, focusing on the correlation between geographical location—considering altitude, temperature, humidity, and annual temperature range—and women’s menopausal experiences. This study aims to interpret how these environmental factors influence the age of onset, severity of symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, and other long-term effects of menopause. Understanding these relationships addresses a significant gap in current knowledge and could guide future public health strategies. Methods: Through a comprehensive analysis of three cross-continental studies involving 1500 postmenopausal women from Spain, South American countries (Ecuador, Panama, Chile), various climates in Türkiye (Black Sea, Mediterranean, Continental), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this review evaluates diverse environmental impacts. Studies were selected based on their methodological rigor, geographical diversity, and focus on the unique and personal experiences of menopause. Data was collected via questionnaires and routine medical checkups, analyzing demographic, lifestyle, mood, symptom severity, and onset age variables. Results: Preliminary analysis indicates that 52.5% of participants from Spanish-speaking countries and the UAE reported vasomotor symptoms, with those in higher temperatures and lower altitudes experiencing exacerbated symptoms. Notably, Mediterranean climates were associated with an earlier menopause onset. Seasonal changes had minimal impact across all regions, suggesting lifestyle and other environmental factors play a more significant role. Conclusions: The findings highlight a clear link between climate-related geographical factors and the menopausal experience. Women in warmer, lower-altitude regions suffer more severe symptoms, while those in Mediterranean climates face earlier onset. The absence of significant seasonal variations across the studies underscores the predominance of lifestyle and environmental factors over purely climatic conditions. These insights pave the way for targeted interventions and support the need for further public health research into the complex interactions between climate change and menopause.

Therapeutic termination of pregnancy and women’s mental health:Determinants and consequences

The therapeutic termination of pregnancy(TToP)is an induced abortion following a diagnosis of medical necessity.TToP is applied to avoid the risk of substantial harm to the mother or in cases of fetal unviability.This type of induced abortion is provided after the second semester of gestation if fetal illness or the pregnancy cause physical danger or pathological mental distress to the mother.Sociocultural and economic determinants could influence the desire for children and family planning in couples,as well as the use of effective contraception and the choice to perform an induced abortion.Also,pre-existing mental health problems could affect the decision between carrying on a problematic pregnancy or having TToP.Furthermore,the TToP is a reproductive event with an important traumatic burden,but also with an intrinsic therapeutic effect and it can produce different psychological and psychopathological effects on women and couples.The aim of this review is to evaluate what demographic,reproductive and psychopathological determinants are involved in the choice of undergoing a TToP in women.Also,we will examine both positive and negative consequences of this procedure on women’s mental health,underlying which factors are related to a worse outcome in order to provide the best clinical support to vulnerable groups.

A New Page for Women's Reproductive Health in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

The integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) of obstetrics and gynecology (OBS/GYN) emerged eventually with more than 40 years’ hard struggle, and one of the most promising articles is the integration of the masterpieces of menstrual disorder and infertility in TCM and the virtual explosion of new knowledge and methods in

Magnesium in Women’s Health and Gynecology

Magnesium is well known in the world of obstetrics for many important uses. It has been utilized in treating pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and preventing preterm labor, though it has been found recently that prolonged magnesium administration in pregnant women may result in adverse outcomes to fetal bone metabolism, resulting in a new FDA warning [1]. Outside of obstetrics, magnesium is recommended for treating the arrhythmias torsades de pointes and rapid atrial fibrillation, treating severe acute asthma, improving migraine symptoms, and for treating dyspepsia and constipation [2]. Many women in our modern society are magnesium deficient due to low dietary intake, and low dietary magnesium intake resulting in hypomagnesaemia has recently been shown to have many deleterious effects. Magnesium’s uses are wide-reaching, touching many areas of women’s health and gynecology from pre-menstrual syndrome to menopause, PCOS to endometriosis, and beyond.

Women’s Motivation and Associated Factors for Herbal Medicine Use during Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Systematic Review

Background: Herbal medicines use has prevailed over the past decades in both low-middle-income and high-income countries over the years. The use among women has increased with increased risks of ill-health. There is extensive literature on herbal medicine use among women in pre/pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum periods. Therefore, this study aimed to understand women’s purposes, experiences, and motivation for using herbal medicines during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, and the experiences associated with the use. Methods: Four critical databases were predetermined and searched: CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE. These databases were chosen for their comprehensiveness and relevance to the review aims. We considered peer-reviewed published articles from January 2000 to December 2018. We chose these databases because we found that they are dominant in the medical and healthcare-related literature. All references were pooled to Endnote reference management software for screening. Quality appraisal of articles was conducted using the Mixed-Method Assessment Tool (MMAT). Content analysis approach was used to extra the data from the articles. Globally, twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, and thus, formed the dataset for this review. Results: Most articles (n = 10, 47.6%) reported solely HM uses on only pregnancy whiles the rest evaluated HM uses in labour, pre-pregnancy, and the postpartum periods. The results have shown that the majority of women received information about HM from friends, family, the “black markets,” and drug outlets. Overall, the results were presented in seven broad themes: 1) sociodemographic characteristics of HM users, 2) perceived threat of health problem, 3) sources and quality of the information received, 4) susceptibility to health complications, 5) potential limitations to the use of HM, 6) the motivation for HM utilization, 7) concerns on the combined use of herbal and allopathic medicines. Conclusion: The study recommends the further research into the toxicity of herbal products, to ensure that accurate information can be provided to women before use.

The men’s health center:Disparities in gender specific health services among the top 50“best hospitals”in America

Objective:Gender-specific integrated health services have long existed in the arena of women’s health care,but men’s health centers(MHCs)have only recently emerged as a novel practice model.Here,we seek to evaluate the prevalence and format of MHCs found in the leading academic medical centers in the United States.Methods:The US News&World Report’s Top 50 Ranked Hospitals for Urology was used as our cohort.Data were gathered on the presence of MHCs and types of providers and conditions treated.An equivalent search was performed for women’s health centers(WHCs).Results:Sixteen of 50(32%)promoted some type of MHC,compared to 49 of 50(98%)offering a WHC.Eight of the top 15 ranked institutions(53%)had an MHC compared to eight of 35(23%)remaining programs.Six of 16 MHCs incorporated providers from a variety of medical disciplines,including urologists,internists,endocrinologists,cardiologists,and psychologists,while another six of 16 MHCs were staffed solely by urologists.Eight of 16 provided services for exclusively urologic issues,four of 16 offered additional services in treatment of other medical conditions,and four of 16 did not specify.

Utilization of Artificial Intelligence for Diagnosis and Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women Residing in Areas with Low Resources: An Overview

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a distressing condition involving involuntary loss of urine from the body. Urinary incontinence can negatively impact a person’s overall quality of life and lead them into stages of embarrassment and depression. It is an underrepresented and undertreated condition prevalent in women, especially in low socioeconomic regions where women may not be able to express their concerns due to unawareness of diagnosis and treatment/management options. There are different diagnostic and management protocols for UI;however, utilizing artificially intelligent systems is not standard care. This paper overviews the use of artificial intelligence in women’s health and as a means of cost-effectively diagnosing patients, and as an avenue for providing low-cost treatments to women that suffer from urinary incontinence in low-resource communities. Studies found that these systems, mainly utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), served to be an effective method in diagnosing patients and providing an avenue for personalized treatment for improved patient outcomes. A simple artificial intelligence (AI) model utilizing Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) Networks was proposed to diagnose and manage urinary incontinence.

Use of the Scar Acceleration Method - Mac^®in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Proposal for Treatment in Public Health in Sus, Brazil

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an infection of the genital mucosa, which involves the vulva and vagina caused by yeast. It is considered a recurrent pathology and a public health problem that causes discomfort by the triggers and that, when left untreated, can lead to health problems. The present study is a report of two cases treated with the MAC® - Scar Acceleration Method - (MAC®) methodology at the Physiotherapy School Clinic of Teaching Center of Campos Gerais (CESCAGE) as a pilot for the proposal to implement the protocol at the Municipal Center for Women’s Health—CMM in the municipality of Ponta Grossa—PR, Brazil. The patients were referred by Basic Health Units in the city with complaints of pruritus, vaginal discharge and local burning with the diagnosis of candidiasis evidenced by culture and antibiogram. Patients were treated with photodynamic therapy using the MAC® method for 14 consecutive days with 660 nm red laser phototherapy, 100 mW of power, 9 joules of energy, photosensitizing the drug Turmeric Long in one of the participants and propolis in the other, using 1% methylene blue dye. Both patients and researchers did not have access to which drug was being used for each participant. Photodynamic therapy potentiated the effects of drugs considering that patients showed gradual improvement with the applied application, which was proven in the analysis of sample secretions performed before and after treatment. The MAC® method had a positive effect in the protocol used and is strengthened as a possibility for treatments aimed at women’s health with regard to vulvovaginal diseases. It is suggested and intended to carry out further research with a greater number of patients using the referred method.

Attention Model for Chronic Conditions:Blind Women and Their Sons

It aimed to analyze the assistance to the blind woman during prenatal care, childbirth, and child-care in light of the Model of Attention to Chronic Conditions. This is a descriptive, qualitative study. A collection was done through semi-structured interview and analysis of the speeches, conducted by content technique proposed by Bardin, emerging from the screening process. Ten mothers aged between 21 and 42 years old participated in the study. Three categories were identified: prescriptive and focused attention on the disease;for collaborative and focused attention on the person;uniprofessional attention to the multidisciplinary attention;establishment of relationship between the family health strategy and the specialized outpatient care. The women experienced chronic conditions according to the Model in addition to blindness. Study results show that for blind women, attention in the health service has weaknesses in service, both in the prenatal period and childbirth, and in childcare. It deems necessary transformation in assisting the blind woman.

Depression in Climacteric Women:Most Meaningful Symptoms

Background: With population aging occurring worldwide, promoting climacteric women’s health has become the object of important studies. Purpose: Observing the prevalence of depression in climacteric women and their self-evaluation of the depression factors is the main goal of this study. Design: This cross-sectional research is enquiry descriptive. Methods: The sample was composed of 48 climacteric women (between 45 and 65 years old) non-selected volunteers, served by the Centers for Psycho and Social Attention (CAPS) of Specialized Mental Medicine, in Sorocaba, via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire. Results: Checking the mean and frequency distribution, the climacteric women presented a prevalence of 37.5% of moderate depression (BDIindex = 24.39 ± 3.13), and 47.92% of severe depression (BDIindex = 38.13 ± 6.78). Concerning the symptoms, Spearman rank order correlation was found as the highest concerns, hierarchically: indecision (r = 0.72, p Conclusions: The prevalence of depression in these CAPS climacteric women was considered very high (86% ranking from moderate to severe) caused mostly by indecision, anhedonia, guilt, crying and self-esteem, followed by inutility, self-criticism and loss of concentration.

Changes in the Rate of Human Papilloma Virus Serotypes after Vaccine Implementation: A Descriptive Study

Background: The main objective of this study is to describe the rate of the different serotypes of HPV in cervical cytologies and biopsies in three different periods: 2002-2006 (prior to the implementation of the vaccination programs in Spain), 2009-2011 (shortly after this implementation) and 2020 (almost 15 years after introduction of the vaccine) at a single hospital. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, retrospective study based on the review of the results of the determination of the HPV serotype using the commercial kit (Genomica®;PharmaMar LTD) in cervical liquid-based cytologies and biopsies at a single large tertiary hospital, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, in Madrid, Spain. We have collected the data from three different time periods: 2002-2006;2009-2011, and 2020 to try to understand the potential changes associated with the use of the vaccine. Results: In these time periods we have reviewed the data from 1420 women. In the three periods the most frequent serotype was HPV 16, followed by HPV 18 or a combination of both. The most frequent low risk serotype was HPV 6 followed by the combination of HPV 6 and 11. It has been verified in our study that the prevalence of the category “others”, constituted by the three risk groups, has undergone a progressive increase, beginning with an infection rate of 65.43% in 2002-2006 to finally rise up to 90.92% in the year 2020. Conclusions: Our study reveals an increase in the number of infections by the HPV serotypes that are not included in the tetravalent vaccine.

Evolution of Cervical Lesions Associated with Human Papillomavirus Infection after the Introduction of Vaccination

Background: The main objective of this study is to analyse the change in the type of lesions developed by HPV-infected patients after the introduction of the vaccine in three different periods;2002-2006 (years previous to the implementation of the vaccine in Spain), 2009-2011 (shortly after the vaccination) and 2020-2021 (years where the vaccine was well established) at a single hospital. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, retrospective study based on the review of the results of the biopsies of patients with HPV lesions at a single large tertiary hospital, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, in Madrid, Spain. We have collected the data from three different time periods: 2002-2006, 2009-2011, 2020-2021 to try to understand the potential changes in these lesions after vaccine introduction. Results: In this time we have reviewed the data from 946 women. In these three periods, a decreasing trend in the rate of squamous cell carcinoma was noted, the rate of adenocarcinoma remains stable, and the rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 - 3 (CIN 2-3) lesions shows an increasing trend. We have also found a change in the mean ages of the patients with these lesions, as this increased in the three lesions caused by HPV after the implementation of the vaccine. Our study indicates that the identification of other high risk serotypes, apart from 16 and 18, as well as those with indeterminate risk, has undergone a progressive increase, increasing from 24.24% and 14.11% respectively in 2002-2006 to 40.42% and 28.34% in 2020-2021. Conclusion: Our study confirms the effectiveness of the vaccines developed so far, against the HPV serotypes they contain. This is demonstrated by the evidence, in our population, of a decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in uterine cervix. In parallel, an increase in the mean age of diagnosis has been verified, for both squamous cell carcinoma and its CIN 2-3 precursor lesions, as well as a change in the infective trend of HPV serotypes that are not included in the current vaccines.

线上直播联合回馈教学法在孕妇学校中的应用

目的 探讨线上直播联合回馈教学法在孕妇学校中的应用效果。方法 选择2019年1月至2022年8月在该院产检及分娩的584例孕产妇作为研究对象,其中2019年1月至2021年8月产检及分娩的孕产妇(308例)为对照组,2021年9月至2022年8月产检及分娩的孕产妇(276例)为试验组。对照组采用传统孕妇学校模式进行健康教育,试验组采用线上直播联合回馈教学法进行健康教育。分别对2组孕产妇听课情况、课程满意度、健康教育效果及分娩自我效能进行评价对比。结果 试验组孕产妇在听课次数、分娩自我效能、操作类课程满意度方面优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2组孕产妇理论课程满意度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。试验组孕产妇健康教育效果相较于对照组有待提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 线上直播联合回馈教学法能提高孕妇的健康教育参与度及其分娩自我效能,但学习效果及学习满意度仍有待提高。

北京协和医院面向全科医师的女性健康管理MOOCs建设

为响应国家政策的号召及基层全科医师培养的需求,北京协和医院(PUMCH)将线上课程(MOOCs)教学模式引入全科医师女性健康管理,进行了一次大胆的尝试。通过对项目的背景、过程、优势、展望等的分析,以期由一次小规模尝试的成功来使这种教学模式得以逐步推广,并最终使基层全科医生女性健康管理水平得以逐步提升。

基于B/S模式的孕妇儿童体检系统的设计与实现

为了改善孕妇、儿童体检流程的繁重手工管理,提高保健质量和体检效率,同时实现系统在妇幼保健等医疗单位更好地共享。参照《国家基本公共卫生服务规范(2011年)》提出基于B/S模式的孕妇儿童体检系统。介绍系统的总体结构,开发环境、数据库及功能模块设计,并以医生平台为例详细说明儿童体检模块的具体实现过程。系统基本上实现了妇幼保健机构孕妇儿童体检信息及工作考核等的无纸化、规范化和高效化管理,具有较好的实用价值。

最低工资标准提升对女性育儿时间的影响研究

当前我国经济面临着较为复杂的外部发展环境和内部多重挑战,这使我国低收入家庭尤其女性家庭成员存在较大的收入不确定性,这些变化将会对女性的工作(有酬劳动)和育儿(照料子女)的选择产生深刻影响。尽管已有研究广泛探讨了女性所面临的工作-育儿冲突问题,但现实生活中我国女性在二者之间究竟会作何选择并可能引致何种后果则少有文献涉及。文章借助最低工资政策的实施,构建理论模型刻画女性在面临增收机会情境下育儿时间的选择机制,以期加深理解低收入女性在工作和育儿之间的权衡难题。文章还利用子女的未来健康状况变化进一步考察女性育儿时间决策的后果,为上述问题的分析提供补充证据。在此基础上,采用2004—2015年中国健康与营养调查数据和同期各区县的最低工资标准进行系统的实证检验。结果显示最低工资标准提升对低收入女性育儿时间具有显著负向影响,该结论在经过一系列内生性分析和稳健性检验后依然成立。机制分析表明最低工资标准提升主要通过提高女性参与劳动的概率和工作时间产生作用,这一结论为低收入女性用工作替代育儿的事实提供了直接证据。异质性分析表明:处于生育平稳期、子女年龄为4~6岁或父辈健康状况较好的女性因具有更高的育儿弹性,育儿时间受到的负向影响更强,同时技能水平更低或工作搜寻难度更小的女性育儿时间同样也更容易受到最低工资政策的不利影响。进一步研究发现最低工资标准提升对短期内子女的身心健康具有显著负向影响,且均可归因于女性育儿时间的减少,这也为文章中的核心结论提供了补充性证据。据此建议政府部门推动建立父亲育儿假制度,加强对托儿机构的普遍监管和支持,鼓励企业为女性群体提供灵活的工作时间和工作模式,聚焦低技能、低学历女性群体的职业技能培训和教育提升,增强其就业竞争力,同时加强最低工资政策的执行力度,确保小时工资标准得到遵守,防止企业延长工作时间。这些措施有助于弥补女性育儿时间减少导致的不利后果,构建合理的生育支持政策体系。