Women's Health Commons^™

Europe–Africa Collaboration: Working Together To Strengthen Health Research, Implementation, And Equitable Systems, Lara Pandya, Irene Norstedt, Martin Seychell, Emer Cooke, Isabel Barranco, Niklas Blomberg, Marleen Temmerman, Michael Makanga

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Analyzing High-Risk Fertility Behavior For Sustainable Maternal-Child Health: A 2017 Sociodemographic Study In Urban And Rural Indonesia, Asti Annisa Utami, Fadhaa Aditya Kautsar Murti, Popy Yuniar, Milla Herdayati

Kesmas

Indonesia's goal of achieving Indonesia Emas 2045 hinges on improving Maternal-Child Health (MCH), essential for building a healthy and competitive population. Despite some advancements, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Under-five Mortality Rate (U5MR) remain high, particularly because of High-Risk Fertility Behavior (HRFB). The HRFB poses significant risks to MCH, affecting both urban and rural women. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with HRFB in these areas to enhance MCH outcomes and support Indonesia's sustainable health goals. This cross-sectional study used a secondary dataset from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic Health Survey. A total of 20,530 women of reproductive …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Higher Plasma Afb1 Concentration Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Hpv 16 And Hpv 18 Detection And Persistence Among Ugandan Women, Yan Tong, Miriam Nakalembe, Collins Mpamani, Carolyn Nakisige, Jane Namugga, Grace Banturaki, Philiph Tonui, Elkanah Orang'o

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Introduction: Aflatoxins are environmental hazards; potent carcinogenic and immunosuppressive agents that contaminates corn and other crops. A high proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma cases are caused by exposure to dietary aflatoxins. Cervical cancer is common among Ugandan women; this malignancy is caused by persistent infection with oncogenic HPV types. An analysis was performed to examine associations between plasma aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) detection and oncogenic HPV detection (HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) and persistence among Ugandan women.

Methods: Ugandan women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Annual cervical swabs …

Common Sources, Perceived Communication Efficacy And Sufficiency Of Cervical Cancer Information, Education And Communication Materials For Women With Hiv/Aids In Rural Kenya, Scholastic Musakali Adeli, Elkanah Orang'o, Violet Naanyu, Ann Mwangi, Peter Itsura, Barry Rosen, Patrick Loehrer

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the greatest cause of cancer-related death among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particularly high incidence and mortality rates in rural regions. In Kenya, Women with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer though screening rate remains low. Information, education and communication (IEC) materials play a crucial role in raising awareness, promoting screening, and supporting early detection and treatment; however, little is known about the accessibility, content, and perceived effectiveness of these materials from the perspective of WLHA.

Methods: The objective of this study was to determine the common sources, perceived communication efficacy …

Exploring Covid-19 Vaccination Behavior: A Cross-Country Study Among Pregnant And Postpartum Women In Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, And Pakistan, Rupali Limaye, Berrhaun Fesshaye, Emily Miller, Prachi Singh, Saleem Jessani, Muhammad Asim, Ferdinand Okwaro, Sarah Saleem, Marleen Temmerman, Muhammad Asim

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV2 are more likely to be hospitalized and require ventilation, compared to non-pregnant women. Although the development of the COVID-19 vaccine was regarded as a scientific breakthrough among many, the pace of development in combination with delayed and unclear recommendations for maternal vaccination led to slower vaccine uptake among this population. We explored the decision-making process for COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and postpartum women in four countries: Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan through 201 in-depth interviews. A grounded theory approach was used for analysis, and a socio-ecological framework was used to synthesize emerging themes. Four levels …

The Answer To Perimenstrual Distress Is Not Automatically Prescription: Review Of Allopathic And Integrative Approaches To Mental Health Care For Pms & Pmdd Symptoms, Grace Oja

University Honors Theses

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affect a notable percentage of people who menstruate. PMS/PMDD have a wide range of symptoms that negatively impact mental well-being and quality of life. This review is the culmination of a database search to review current allopathic treatments for PMS/PMDD, which often include oral contraceptives and antidepressants, and explore evidence-based methods for integrative and alternative treatments to address some of the limitations of standard allopathic care, including limitations on which symptoms they address and side effects. This paper aims to examine how integrative medicine may expand existing treatments for PMS and PMDD …

Exploring Covid-19 Vaccination Behavior: A Cross-Country Study Among Pregnant And Postpartum Women In Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, And Pakistan, Rupali Limaye, Berhaun Fesshaye, Emilly Miller, Prachi Singh, Saleem Jessani, Muhammad Asim, Ferdinand Okwaro, Caroline Badzi, Emefa Amoah, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV2 are more likely to be hospitalized and require ventilation, compared to non-pregnant women. Although the development of the COVID-19 vaccine was regarded as a scientific breakthrough among many, the pace of development in combination with delayed and unclear recommendations for maternal vaccination led to slower vaccine uptake among this population. We explored the decision-making process for COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and postpartum women in four countries: Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan through 201 in-depth interviews. A grounded theory approach was used for analysis, and a socio-ecological framework was used to synthesize emerging themes. Four levels …

Contribution Of Maternal Adherence To The Effect Of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review And Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Emily R. Smith, Filomena Gomes, Seth Adu-Afarwuah, Victor M. Aguayo, Shams El Arifeen, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Ellen C. Caniglia, Parul Christian, Arjumand Rizvi, Sajid Bashir Soofi

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) in pregnancy reduces risk of infant low birthweight (LBW) and improves other maternal and infant outcomes compared with iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements alone. However, the impact of timing of initiation and adherence on the MMS effectiveness in real-world programs remains unclear. To address this, we conducted a 2-stage individual participant data meta-analysis that included 15 randomized trials (61,204 pregnant women) and assessed whether the relative effect of MMS differed by the following: adherence alone; adherence in combination with gestational age at initiation; and the total number of tablets taken. We also evaluated the observational …

Covid-19 Vaccine Attitudes And Behaviors Among Pregnant Women In Nairobi, Kenya With Diverse Socio-Economic And Educational Backgrounds, Jessica Schue, Ferdinand Okwaro, Ingrid Gichere, Daizy Cherono, Mandeep Sura, Emilly Miller, Berhaun Fesshaye, Prachi Singh, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction: Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe manifestations of COVID-19, resulting in ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death compared to non-pregnant women. COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use in pregnant women in early 2022 by the World Health Organization, but permissive policies toward vaccine women differed by country. As education has been associated with vaccine uptake, this study sought to examine the association between socio-economic or educational status and vaccination behaviors, including reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination among pregnant women seeking health care services in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: This study administered a survey to pregnant women at the …

Systemic Exogenous Progestins With Or Without Estrogens Are Associated With Decreased Rates Of Venous Procedures For Varicose Veins, Paarth Jain, Adam M. Ostrovsky, Paul J Dimuzio, Luis H. Eraso, Michael Nooromid, Dawn Salvatore, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Risk factors for varicose veins (VVs) such as female sex, pregnancy, and obesity are high estrogen states, yet the role of systemic progestins with or without estrogens (SPEs) in VV management is not well characterized. This study investigates how SPE use affects rates of venous procedures for patients with VV.

METHODS: The TriNetX database was queried for subjects with International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, diagnoses of asymptomatic VV, chronic venous insufficiency, and complicated VV (inflammation or ulceration). Patients were divided into a control cohort with no subsequent SPE use, a progestin-only cohort, and a combined estrogen-progestin (CEP) cohort. …

Covid-19 Vaccine Attitudes And Behaviors Among Pregnant Women In Nairobi, Kenya With Diverse Socio-Economic And Educational Backgrounds, Jessica Schue, Ferdinand Okwaro, Ingrid Gichere, Daizy Cherono, Mandeep Sura, Emily Miller, Berhaun Fesshaye, Prachi Singh, Grace Belayneh Belayneh, Rupali Limaye, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction

Methods

Placental Transfer Of Sars-Cov-2 Antibodies In Mother-Neonate Pairs: A Prospective Nested Cohort Study, Alex Mugo, Angela Koech, Liberty Cantrell, Moses Mukhanya, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Merryn Voysey, Rachel Craik, Marleen Temmerman, Geoffrey Omuse

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Newborns depend on the transfer of IgG across the placenta to acquire protection against pathogens. We assessed the placental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, primarily derived from infection, from seropositive pregnant women enrolled in a pregnancy cohort in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods :The study was nested within a prospective observational multi-country cohort study. All available paired maternal delivery and cord blood samples were selected. Maternal sera were tested for SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) IgM/IgG total antibodies using the Wantai assay. For positive samples, maternal and corresponding cord blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the spike (anti-spike) and …

Placental Transfer Of Sars-Cov-2 Antibodies In Mother-Neonate Pairs: A Prospective Nested Cohort Study, Alex Mugo, Angela Koech, Liberty Cantrell, Moses Mukhanya, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Merryn Voysey, Rachel Craik, Peter Dadelszen, Marleen Temmerman, Geoffrey Omuse

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background

Newborns depend on the transfer of IgG across the placenta to acquire protection against pathogens. We assessed the placental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, primarily derived from infection, from seropositive pregnant women enrolled in a pregnancy cohort in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods

The study was nested within a prospective observational multi-country cohort study. All available paired maternal delivery and cord blood samples were selected. Maternal sera were tested for SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) IgM/IgG total antibodies using the Wantai assay. For positive samples, maternal and corresponding cord blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the spike (anti-spike) and …

Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional Pada Ibu Bersalin: Sebuah Studi Cross Sectional Di Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia, Amanda Firdausya Bahaji, Faris Muhammad, Putri Ayu, Rizani Alia Davina, Vetty Yulianty

Jurnal Ekonomi Kesehatan Indonesia

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Indonesia remains high, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This study analyzes the relationship between National Health Insurance (JKN) ownership and mothers choosing childbirth facilities in NTT. This study employs a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach, utilizing secondary data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS), which was conducted from October to November 2024. The study population includes mothers who gave birth in NTT during the 2017 IDHS period, with a sample of 1,236 respondents selected using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test to …

Inadequate Healthcare For Women In The United States, Grace Loveless

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Barriers to adequate healthcare for women stem from a lack of research on their specific health needs, gender-based biases in healthcare, and harmful societal norms. One key aspect highlighting these disparities is the menstrual cycle—a topic unique to women. Menstrual health, defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, illustrates the urgent need for greater focus on reproductive health. Despite its significance, the dialogue and knowledge about reproductive health remain limited; an issue which is exacerbated by societal attitudes of secrecy and shame. These attitudes create barriers that hinder many women in the United States from accessing …

How Different Forms Of Exercise Affect Bone Mineral Density In Postmenopausal Women, Jonathan Mccanless

University Honors Theses

This paper analyzed 20 studies to understand how bone health in postmenopausal women is impacted by different forms of exercise. The primary aspect of bone health examined in this paper is bone mineral density (BMD). Resistance and impact training demonstrated clear signs of maintenance and increases in BMD, particularly in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Aquatic exercise demonstrated mixed results in positively impacting BMD in a significant way, but it’s worth noting that there were still some signs of increased BMD. Impact exercise on its own can maintain BMD, and these effects can be seen in total hip BMD. …

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancy And Intergenerational Interventions: A Scoping Review Protocol, Zamasomi Luvuno, Wilbroda Hlolosile Chiya, Silingene Joyce Ngcobo, Deshini Naidoo, Serwaa Omowale, Tracy Zhandire, Elizabeth Musili Joseph-Shehu, Busisiwe Purity Ncama, Sinegugu E Duma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy remains a critical global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The intergenerational transmission of teenage pregnancy underscores the need for targeted interventions. Existing research on intergenerational approaches is fragmented, with varying methodologies and outcomes. This scoping review seeks to address this gap by answering the following research questions: What are the available intergenerational interventions for teenage pregnancy, and what are the associated risks and protective factors for early and late teenage pregnancy?

Methods and analysis: This study does not involve primary data collection and therefore does not require ethical approval. The review will be conducted …

The Ecology Of Gender-Based Violence For Syrian Refugee Women In Tripoli And Akkar, Dima Masoud

Dissertations and Theses

Lebanon is a country that suffers from multiple economic, political, and health crises. Additionally, the mass displacement of Syrian refugees to Lebanon after the war in Syria over a decade ago has left Syrian refugees vulnerable, including the vulnerability of Syrian refugee women to gender-based violence (GBV). While these conditions have affected all of Lebanon, this dissertation focuses on the regions of Tripoli and Akkar in northern Lebanon. Tripoli and Akkar are regions that border Syria, which means that an influx of Syrian refugees, mostly unregistered, comes in. While other regions in Lebanon also border Syria, Tripoli and Akkar are …

Quality Of Life And Patient Experience In Black Women With Alopecia, Annyella Douglas, Jayson Suriano, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

The Ethnobotany And Pharmacology Of Medicinal Plants For Caribbean Women’S Health, Ella Thomas Vardeman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Approximately 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, and the United Nations estimates that this number will rise to 68% by 2050. Urban ethnobotany, the study of people’s traditional knowledge and use of plants in cities, is increasingly important as people adapt their cultural traditions to changing environments. In New York City (NYC), there have been several urban ethnobotany investigations in collaboration with Caribbean immigrant groups. However, there has yet to be an ethnobotanical survey that documents and botanically authenticates the medicinal plants used in the Haitian community. Previous collaborative research with women from the Caribbean in NYC has …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Gender Differences In Perception And Response To Stress, Zoe M. Shankland

University Honors Theses

It is well established that psychological stress, whether acute, chronic, or recurring, creates an imbalance in the body’s ability to regulate itself, leading to the potential for long-term disease. This paper looks at the possibility that women (anyone who identifies as a woman) experience more general mental stress than men (anyone who identifies as a man) due to women experiencing unique stressors under a patriarchal society. Men and women live different lives in modern society due to differing societal expectations and biological processes for women (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause). These extra feelings of stress may be tied to traditional gender roles …

Geographic Inequalities, And Social-Demographic Determinants Of Reproductive, Maternal And Child Health At Sub-National Levels In Kenya, Janette Karimi, Anitah Cherono, Victor Alegana, Martin Mutua, Hellen Kiarie, Rose Muthee, Marleen Temmerman, Peter Gichangi

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background; Global initiatives have emphasized tracking indicators to monitor progress, particularly in countries with the highest maternal and child mortality. Routine data can be used to monitor indicators for improved target setting at national and subnational levels. Our objective was to assess the geographic inequalities in estimates of reproductive, maternal and child health indicators from routine data at the subnational level in Kenya.

Methods; Monthly data from 47 counties clustered in 8 regions, from January 2018 to December 2021 were assembled from the District Health Information Software version 2 (DHIS2) in Kenya. This included women of reproductive age receiving family …

Implementation Of An Opt-Out And Rapid Point-Of-Care Syphilis Testing Program For Pregnant Patients Presenting To The Emergency Department, Irene Stafford, Carrie Bakunas, Joe Haydamous, Ana Mosqueda, Jeffrey D Klausner, Leandro Mena, Sean C Blackwell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Adult and congenital syphilis rates are rising in the United States. The aim of this pre- and post-implementation study was to determine whether implementation of an opt-out laboratory-based and rapid syphilis point-of-care testing program in the emergency department (ED) improves the detection and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy in a high-prevalence region.

Methods: This pre- and post-implementation study was conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX. During the pre-implementation phase (November 1, 2023-February 29, 2024), pregnant patients presenting to the ED underwent laboratory-based syphilis testing using the reverse algorithm only when clinically indicated. In the …

Born Too Soon: Every Story Counts: Lessons In Ethical, Inclusive Storytelling From Born Too Soon, Mary V. Kinney, Amy Reid, Mercy Juma, Anna Gruending, Olufunke Bolaji, Doris Mollel, Denise Suguitani, Silke Mader, Karen Walker, Marleen Temmerman, Joy Lawn

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Storytelling is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool in public health communication, particularly for addressing complex and stigmatized health issues. In the context of pregnancy and childbirth, personal narratives have proven effective in shaping perceptions, empowering women, complementing health education, and driving policy and legal reforms. Preterm birth remains a significant global challenge, and lived experiences of affected families offer critical insights that illuminate systemic gaps and advocate for the rights of babies, mothers, families, and healthcare workers. The Born Too Soon 2023 campaign placed people—especially women, families, communities, and healthcare workers—at the core of its advocacy efforts. This commentary …

Supporting The Mental Health Of Adolescent Mothers In Kenya And Mozambique: Pilot Protocol For The Thriving Mamas Programme, Tatiana Taylor Salisbury, Maria Suzana Bata Maguele, Fernando Chissale, Málica De Melo, Margrette Hanselmann, Kethakie Lamahewa, Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Flávio Mandlate, Lucy Nyaga, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Poor mental health among adolescent girls during pregnancy and the year after birth (the perinatal period) has been found to have a significant detrimental effect on girls and their children. The Innovative approaches to adolescent perinatal wellbeing (INSPIRE) project co-designed an intervention (Thriving Mamas) to improve adolescent perinatal mental health in Kenya and Mozambique. The aim of the current study is to pilot test the co-designed intervention to understand how it can be adapted for further testing or scale-up.

Methods :A mixed-method, pilot cluster-randomised, efectiveness-implementation Hybrid Type II trial will be conducted among 80 adolescent girls (aged 15–19 years) …

Epidemiology Of Shigella Species And Serotypes In Children: A Retrospective Substudy Of The Mal-Ed Observational Birth Cohort Study, Elizabeth T. Rogawski Mcquade, Jie Liu, Mustafa Mahfuz, Alexandre Havt, Furqan Kabir, Adil Kalam, Fatima Aziz, Sahrish Muneer, Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Shigellosis is a leading cause of diarrhoea in children globally. We aimed to assess the burden of specific Shigella species and Shigella flexneri serotypes, characterise their clinical syndromes and natural immunity, and evaluate their relevance as causes of diarrhoea and linear growth faltering.
Methods: In the MAL-ED birth cohort study, children younger than 17 days were enrolled from Nov 3, 2009, to Feb 29, 2012, in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Tanzania, and South Africa and were followed up for 2 years. In this retrospective substudy, we retested Shigella quantitative PCR-positive diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal stool samples with molecular …

Intersectoral Interventions: Integration For Impact On Preterm Birth, Etienne V. Langlois, Maria El Bizri, Kelly Thompson, Amy Reid, Merette Khalil, Giulia Gasparri, Joy E. Lawn, Teesta Dey, Judith Robb-Mccord, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Progress: The last two decades have seen a growing focus on intersectoral interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and well-being outcomes, as refected in eforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Preterm births are linked to cross-sectoral determi‑ nants that afect health outcomes and human capital across the life-course, necessitating an intersectoral approach that addresses these multifaceted challenges.

Programmatic priorities: Recognizing that social, biological and economic determinants signifcantly infuence health outcomes, it is critical that robust health systems are reinforced by a comprehensive intersectoral approach. Evidence suggests that the factors infuencing …

The Impact Of Implementing The Women's Reproductive Rights Agenda On Climate Change, Marleen Temmerman, Emilie Peeters, Celine Delacroix, Malachi Arunda, Sara Khalid, Claudia Hanson, Samuel Ojong

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) established sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as foundational to sustainable development. Thirty years later, advancing women's reproductive rights (WRR), encompassing agency, decision-making autonomy, and universal access to family planning—remains critical not only for health and gender equity but also for mitigating environmental degradation. By reducing unintended pregnancies and empowering women to align childbearing with personal and ecological capacity, WRR alleviates ecological stressors such as deforestation while enhancing health resilience in climate-vulnerable communities. Yet, despite well-documented linkages between population dynamics and environmental change, contemporary climate policies and funding mechanisms persistently …

A Farewell Message, Misty L. Rhoads

Journal of Transformative Touch

No abstract provided.