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0000-0002-1300-6327
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James Cook University
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Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 05-05-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0267700
Abstract: The death of children under-five years is one of the critical issues in public health and improving child survival continues to be a matter of urgent concern. In this paper, we assessed the proximate and socio-economics determinants of child mortality in Guinea. Using the 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), we extracted demographic and mortality data of 4,400 children under-five years. Both descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Under-five mortality was 111 deaths per 1,000 live births in Guinea. The likelihood of death was higher among children born to mothers who belong to other religions compared to Christians (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.10–7.41), smaller than average children compared to larger than average children (aOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.28–3.04) and those whose mothers had no postnatal check-up visits after delivery (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.13–2.63). Conversely, the odds of death in children with 2–3 birth rank & years of birth interval compared to ≥4 birth rank and ≤2 years of birth interval were low (aOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.83). We found that household/in idual-level socioeconomic and proximate factors predict under-five mortality in Guinea. With just about a decade left to the 2030 deadline of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), concerted efforts across all key stakeholders, including government and development partners, need to be geared towards implementing interventions that target these predictors.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-10-2022
DOI: 10.1136/SEXTRANS-2022-055424
Abstract: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute major public health problems because of their prevalence and contribution to mortality and morbidity worldwide. Healthcare seeking for STIs plays a significant role in the global prevention of STIs. We examined the prevalence and factors associated with healthcare seeking for STIs or STI symptoms among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data on 38 394 women of reproductive age from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 28 countries in SSA were analysed. Percentages were used to summarise the prevalence of healthcare seeking for STIs or STIs symptoms. The factors associated with healthcare seeking for STIs or STI symptoms were examined using multilevel binary logistic regression analysis. We presented the results using adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall, the proportion of women with STIs or STI symptoms who sought healthcare was 66.1%, with the highest and lowest proportion found in Liberia (85.6%) and Ethiopia (37.9%) respectively. The likelihood of seeking healthcare for STIs or STI symptoms increased with increasing wealth quintile and level of education. Working women, older women, cohabiting women, women with comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge, women exposed to mass media, those who had no barrier to healthcare access, and those covered by health insurance had greater odds of seeking treatment for STIs or STI symptoms. On the contrary, the odds of seeking treatment for STIs or STI symptoms was lower among married women and women who lived in rural areas. The findings of the study call for strengthening of policies, programmes, and interventions geared towards improving thehealthcare-seeking behaviour of women with STIs, taking into consideration the factors identified in this study.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 22-05-2023
DOI: 10.1017/S002193202300007X
Abstract: There is a demonstrated link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and pregnancy termination, and this association has received much attention in developed settings. Despite the high prevalence of IPV in Papua New Guinea (PNG), little is known about the association between these experiences and pregnancy termination. This study examined the association between IPV and pregnancy termination in PNG. The present study used population-based data from the PNG’s first Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2016–2018. The analysis involved women aged 15–49 years who were in intimate unions (married or co-habiting). We used binary logistic regression modelling to analyse the association between IPV and pregnancy termination. Results were reported as crude odds ratios (cOR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall, 6.3% of women involved in this study had ever terminated a pregnancy, and 6 in 10 women (61.5%) reported having experienced IPV in the last 12 months preceding the survey. Of those women who experienced IPV, 7.4% had ever terminated a pregnancy. Women who had experienced IPV had a 1.75 higher odds of reporting pregnancy termination (cOR: 1.75 95% CI: 1.29–2.37) than women who did not experience IPV. After controlling for theoretically and empirically relevant socio-demographic and economic factors, IPV remained a strong and significant determinant of pregnancy termination (aOR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.22–2.30). The strong association between IPV and pregnancy termination among women in intimate unions in PNG calls for targeted policies and interventions that address the high prevalence of IPV. The provision of comprehensive sexual reproductive health, public education, and awareness creation on the consequences of IPV, regular assessment, and referral to appropriate services for IPV may reduce the incidence of pregnancy termination in PNG.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-05-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13690-022-00889-0
Abstract: Justification of intimate partner violence (IPV) has several implications, including reduced likelihood of help-seeking, increased experiences episodes of partner abuses, and poor health status and outcomes. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where IPV is among the highest globally, little is known about factors influencing IPV justification among women in union. This study aimed at examining the prevalence of IPV justification and associated factors among women in union in PNG. Data from the nationally representative cross-sectional demographic and health survey conducted among women aged 15–49 years during 2016–2018 in PNG were used. In all 9,943 women aged 15–49 years who were married or cohabiting during the survey were included. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed and the results reported as crude odds ratios (cOR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, almost 7 in 10 women (68.9%, 95%CI:68.0–69.9) justified IPV. Multiple regression analysis revealed that co-habitation (aOR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.17–1.50, p 0.001), polygyny (aOR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.20–1.53, p 0.001), exposure to television (aOR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.08–1.42, p = 0.002) and richer wealth status (aOR: 1.19, 95%CI: 1.01–1.40, p = 0.035), significantly increased the odds of justifying IPV. We found significantly lower odds of IPV justification among women aged 45–49 years (aOR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.37–0.77, p = 0.001) and those with higher level of education (aOR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.42–0.74, p 0.001). The prevalence of IPV justification was high among women in union in PNG. Women’s justification of IPV was associated with socio-demographic and economic factors. Our findings call for appropriate strategies including public education and empowerment programmes that target IPV in PNG. Moreover, strategies and interventions to address IPV justification should target the women’s socio-economic and demographic contexts that influence IPV justification.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-11-2021
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932021000560
Abstract: This study investigated the association between comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data were taken from the most recent (2010–2019) Demographic and Health Survey men’s recode files of 29 countries in SSA. A total of 104,398 men who had complete information on all the variables of interest were included in the study. The outcome variable was HIV testing. A multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and HIV testing. The results of the fixed effects model were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The average prevalences of HIV testing and comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among men in SSA were 53.5% and 50.8% respectively. Rwanda and Niger recorded the highest (93.6%) and lowest prevalences (9.8%) respectively. The prevalence of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among men in the 29 countries was 50.8%, with the highest in Rwanda (76.4%) and the lowest in Benin (31.1%). Men who had no comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge were less likely to test for HIV compared with those who had comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge (AOR=0.59, CI: 0.57–0.60). Men who were older than 20 years, married or cohabiting, with at least secondary education, in the richest wealth quintile, exposed to mass media, used condoms and with multiple sexual partners were more likely to test for HIV. To improve HIV testing among men in SSA, this study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders step up comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge sensitization and education using effective tools such as mass media.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 24-09-2021
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932021000493
Abstract: Globally, HIV/AIDS remains a public health issue, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the increased advocacy and dissemination of comprehensive HIV/AIDS information in SSA, it appears that little progress has been made to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the sub-region. This study, therefore, examined the association between comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and safer sex negotiation among adolescent girls and young women in SSA. Data were taken from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2010 and 2019 in 30 countries in SSA. The study s le comprised 37,364 adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to test the hypothesis that there is a positive association between comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and safer sex negotiation. Adolescent girls and young women who had comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS were more likely to negotiate for safer sex compared with those who had no comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS (AOR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.22–1.41). At the country level, the positive association between comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and safer sex negotiation was significant in Chad, Congo DR, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Ethiopia and Malawi. On the other hand, in Togo, adolescent girls and young women who had comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge were less likely to negotiate for safer sex. These findings can inform policies and programmes on the crucial role of comprehensive HIV/AIDS education and knowledge in increasing safer sex negotiation among adolescent girls and young women in SSA. The study recommends that Togo needs to address certain practices such as intimate partner violence against adolescent girls and young women, which prevent them from negotiating for safer sex, despite their higher knowledge on comprehensive HIV/AIDS. Lessons can be learnt from Chad, Congo DR, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Ethiopia and Malawi about the scale-up of programmes and interventions targeted at young women.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0278373
Abstract: Cigarette smoking during breastfeeding is reported to contribute to significant changes in the composition of breast milk not only by reducing its protective features but also affecting infants’ response to breastfeeding and breast milk. However, studies on the prevalence of cigarette smoking and associated factors during breastfeeding are limited in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This study estimates the prevalence of cigarette smoking and its association with demographic and economic factors among breastfeeding women in PNG. We used weighted survey data from the 2016–2018 PNG Demographic and Health Survey (PNGDHS). A weighted s le of 3,822 women who were breastfeeding during the survey were included in the study. The outcome variable in the present study is current cigarette smoking. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between current cigarette smoking status and socio-demographic and economic variables of breastfeeding women. The regression analysis results were reported using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). From the weighted s le, the prevalence of cigarette smoking among breastfeeding women was 21.9% of which 60.8% smoked daily. The mean number of cigarettes smoked in the last 24 hours preceding the survey was 6.05(SD = 5.99). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that breastfeeding women who were from the Momase (aOR: 2.337, CI: 1.786–3.058, p .001) and Highlands (AOR: 1.589, CI: 1.213–2.082, p = 0.001), had no religious affiliation (aOR: 3.665, CI: 1.235–10.877, p = 0.019), and households with daughters as household heads (aOR: 1.901, CI: 1.231–2.935, p = 0.004) and being in more than one union (aOR: 2.374, CI: 1.805–3.123, p .001) were significantly more likely to smoke cigarette compared to women from southern region, those affiliated to Anglican church, those with husband as household heads, and being in one union respectively. Cigarette smoking among breastfeeding women in PNG is relatively high, and region of residence, religion, relationship to household head, and the number of unions remain independent predictors. Interventions should target the in idual socio-economic and cultural contexts within which breastfeeding occurs.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-11-2022
DOI: 10.1093/INTHEALTH/IHAC071
Abstract: Globally, maternal and neonatal health remains a public health priority, particularly for resource-constrained regions like sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Skilled birth attendance (SBA) is essential in promoting maternal and neonatal health. This study investigated the inequalities in the prevalence of SBA in Ghana using data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) between 1993 and 2014. Data were analysed using the World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software. In analysing the data, we first disaggregated SBA by four inequality stratifiers: wealth index, education, residence, and region. Second, we measured the inequality through summary measures, namely difference, population attributable risk, ratio, and population attributable fraction. A 95% confidence interval was constructed for point estimates to measure statistical significance. Throughout the period, SBA was highest among women in the highest wealth quintile and those with a secondary or higher level of education. The analysis also indicated that SBA was highly concentrated among urban residents in 1993 (80.78 [95% uncertainty interval {UI} 76.20-84.66]) and persisted to 2014 (91.55 [95% UI 88.80-93.68]). In 1993, Northern region recorded the lowest prevalence of SBA in Ghana (15.69 [95% UI 11.20-21.54]) and the region consistently recorded the lowest SBA prevalence even into 2014 (38.21 [95% UI 27.44-50.27]). There are significant inequalities in SBA across education, wealth, residence, and region in Ghana. To enhance SBA, there is the need for policymakers and interventionists to design and develop targeted policies and programs that are tailored to the needs of the subpopulations at risk of low SBA: women with no formal education, those within the poorest wealth quintile, rural-dwelling women and women in the Northern region. This will facilitate the uptake of SBA and ultimately translate into the realization of Sustainable Development Goals 3.1 and 3.2.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-04-2021
DOI: 10.3390/BS11050063
Abstract: (1) Background: Improving sexual autonomy among women in sexual unions comes with various benefits, including the reduction of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. We examined the relationship between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (2) Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of 29 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 224,647 women aged 15–49 were included in our analyses. We examined the association between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation using binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented using a crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in SSA was 71.6% (71.4–71.8). Women exposed to mass media had higher odds of negotiating for safer sex compared with those who had no exposure (aOR = 1.94 95% CI = 1.86–2.02), and this persisted after controlling for covariates (maternal age, wealth index, maternal educational level, partner’s age, partner’s educational level, sex of household head, religion, place of residence, and marital status) (aOR = 1.40 95% CI = 1.35–1.46). The disaggregated results showed higher odds of safer sex negotiation among women exposed to mass media in all the in idual countries, except Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia. (4) Conclusions: The findings could inform policies (e.g., transformative mass media educational seminars) and interventions (e.g., face-to-face counselling small group sensitization sessions) in SSA on the crucial role of mass media in increasing safer sex practice among women in sexual unions. To accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal five’s targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights, the study recommends that countries such as Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia need to intensify their efforts (e.g., regular sensitization c aigns) in increasing safer sex negotiation among women to counter power imbalances in sexual behaviour.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-066543
Abstract: The study examined high-risk fertility behaviour and its association with under-five undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 32 sub-Saharan African countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys. A weighted s le of 110 522 mother-child pairs was included in final analysis. Multilevel binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between high-risk fertility behaviour and undernutrition. The results were presented using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Thirty-two countries in SSA. Stunting, wasting, and underweight. The pooled prevalence of stunting was 31.3%, ranging from 15.0% in Gabon to 51.7% in Burundi. Wasting was highest among children from Burkina Faso (19.1%) and lowest among those from South Africa (1.6%). The overall prevalence of wasting was 8.1%. The prevalence of underweight was 17.0%, with the highest among children in Niger (37.1%) and lowest in South Africa (4.8%). Mothers who gave birth at the age less than 18 years and those with short birth interval were more likely to have their children being stunted, wasted, and underweight. The odds of stunting and wasting were high among children born to women with high parity. However, maternal age at birth more than 34 was associated with lower odds of childhood underweight as against those with age at birth less than 34. Countries in SSA are encouraged to address the issue of maternal age at birth less than 18, high parity, and shorter birth intervals in order to meet the Global Nutrition targets, which aim to achieve a 40% reduction in the number of stunted children under the age of 5 and to reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5% by 2025.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 07-02-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932021000687
Abstract: Two commonly linked harmful practices that negatively impact the health of girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa, and threaten their development and quality of life, are female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage. The central focus of the study was to investigate the association between female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. Data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of twelve sub-Sahara African countries were pooled. A total of 14,748 women aged 20–24 were included in the study. A multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed, with reported adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall prevalence of FGM in the twelve countries was 52.19%, with the highest prevalence in Guinea (97.17%). The overall prevalence of girl-child marriage in the twelve countries was 57.96%, with the highest prevalence in Chad (78.06%). Women who had never experienced female genital mutilation were less likely to experience girl-child marriage (aOR=0.76, CI=0.71–0.82) compared with those who had ever experienced female genital mutilation. Age 24 (aOR=0.47, CI=0.43–0.52), secondary/higher level of education (aOR=0.31, CI=0.28–0.35), richest wealth quintile (aOR=0.56, CI=0.47–0.66), exposure to mass media (aOR=0.81, CI=0.74–0.88) medium community literacy level (aOR=0.63, CI=0.57–0.69) and low community socioeconomic status (aOR=0.67, CI=0.49–0.92) were found to be protective against girl-child marriage. The findings reveal that female genital mutilation is associated with girl-child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. The continued practice will adversely affect the reproductive health outcomes of girls in the sub-region. Policies aimed at eliminating female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage should focus on compulsory basic education, poverty alleviation and increasing access to mass media. Further, c aigns should cover more communities with lower literacy levels and medium socioeconomic status.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-05-2022
DOI: 10.1093/INTHEALTH/IHAC032
Abstract: One of the key reasons for the high prevalence of intimate partner violence among women is the justification of intimate partner violence. Socio-economic status of women plays a key role in intimate partner violence justification. This study investigated the socio-economic inequalities in the justification of intimate partner violence among Ghanaian women. Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey were used in this study. The study involved a total of 9267 women. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the socio-economic disparities in intimate partner violence justification. The findings were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) demonstrating precision. Statistical significance was set at p& .05. The prevalence of intimate partner violence justification among women in Ghana was 28.2%. Compared with women with no formal of education, those with a higher level of education (aOR 0.17 [95% CI 0.10 to 0.30]) were less likely to justify intimate partner violence. In terms of wealth status, women in the richest quintile had lower odds of justifying intimate partner violence compared with women in the poorest wealth quintile (aOR 0.44 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.67]). Interventions, policies, strategies and programs such as women's equitable access to formal education, formation of stronger social networks to improve women's socio-economic status, advocacy to stop intimate partner violence and empowerment interventions among women should be focused toward contextualizing intimate partner violence in terms of the acceptance of this behaviour, since this can play a significant role in victimization and perpetration.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 06-01-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932021000651
Abstract: Women’s ability to negotiate for safer sex has effects on their sexual and reproductive health. This study investigated the association between safer sex negotiation and parity among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The data were sourced from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 28 sub-Saharan African countries conducted from 2010 to 2019. A total of 215,397 women aged 15–49 were included in the study. Multilevel logistic analysis was conducted to examine the association between safer sex negotiation and parity among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and the significance level set at p .05. The overall prevalences of safer sex negotiation and high parity among women in sub-Saharan Africa were 82.7% and 52.1%, respectively. The prevalence of high parity ranged from 32.3% in Chad to 72.1% in Lesotho. The lowest prevalence of safer sex negotiation was in Chad (16.8%) while the highest prevalence was recorded in Rwanda (99.7%). Women who had the capacity to negotiate for safer sex were less likely to have high parity compared with those who had no capacity to negotiate for safer sex (aOR = 0.78, CI: 0.75–0.81). Other factors that were associated with high parity were age, educational level, marital status, exposure to media, contraceptive use, religion, wealth quintile, sex of household head, and place of residence. The study identified significant association between safer sex negotiation and high parity among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. It is worth noting that women’s ability to negotiate for safer sex could reduce high parity among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, policies and programmes aimed at birth control or reducing high parity among women could be targeted at improving their capacity to negotiate for safer sex through education.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-068805
Abstract: To examine the uptake of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) and its associated factors among women in Benin. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2017–2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey. A weighted s le of 5517 women was included in the study. We used percentages to present the results of the uptake of HTC. Multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of HTC uptake. The results were presented using adjusted odds ratios (aORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Benin. Women aged 15–49. Uptake of HTC. The overall uptake of HTC among women in Benin was found to be 46.4% (44.4%–48.4%). The odds of HTC uptake was higher among women covered by health insurance (aOR 3.04, 95% CI 1.44 to 6.43) and those with comprehensive HIV knowledge (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.21). The odds of HTC uptake increased with increasing level of education, with the highest odds among those in the secondary or higher level (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.61). Also, the age of the women, mass media exposure, region of residence, high community literacy level, and high community socioeconomic status were associated with higher odds of HTC uptake. Women residing in rural areas were less likely to use HTC. Religious affiliation, number of sexual partners, and place of residence were associated with lower odds of HTC uptake. Our study has shown that the uptake of HTC among women in Benin is relatively low. There is a need to enhance efforts to empower women, as well as reduce health inequities as they all have a substantial impact on HTC uptake among women in Benin, taking into consideration the factors identified in this study.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-04-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13690-022-00853-Y
Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy has negative physical and psychological health consequences on the pregnant women. As such, women who experience IPV during pregnancy are likely to have challenges accessing maternal healthcare services. In this study, we examined the influence of exposure to IPV on timely antenatal care (ANC) visits in sub-Saharan Africa. Cross-sectional data from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey of twenty-two countries in sub-Saharan Africa between 2012 and 2020 were analysed. Data were obtained from 61,282 women with birth history in the five years prior to the survey. A multilevel logistic regression was used to determine the association between IPV and timely ANC visits while controlling for significant covariates. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used to present results from the multilevel logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of timely ANC visit and IPV were 38.1% and 34.9% respectively. The highest and lowest prevalence of IPV were found in Sierra Leone (52.9%) and Comoros (8.1%), respectively. Timely ANC attendance among pregnant women was more prevalent in Liberia (74.9%) and lowest in DR Congo (19.0%). Women who experienced IPV during pregnancy were less likely to utilize timely ANC (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.86–0.92) compared to those who did not experience IPV. In terms of the covariates, the odds of timely ANC were higher among women aged 40–44 compared to those aged 15–19 (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.21–1.51). Higher odds of timely ANC was found among women who were cohabiting (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10–1.20), those from the richest wealth quintile (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.28–1.48), those exposed to watching television (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.18–1.30), and those with health insurance (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.37–1.56). Findings from the study indicate the role of IPV in timely ANC visit in sub-Saharan Africa. To enhance timely ANC visits, there is the need for policy makers to strengthen and enforce the implementation of policies that alleviate IPV during pregnancy. Education and sensitization of married and cohabiting women and men on the negative effects of IPV on timely ANC should be done using media sources such as television. Inequalities in timely ANC can be eliminated through the provision and strengthening of existing maternal health policies such as health insurance.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 26-06-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PGPH.0000688
Abstract: The choice of caesarean section (CS) plays a significant role in maternal and neonatal health. However, suboptimal CS uptake suggests unmet obstetric care leading to adverse maternal and neonatal health. Considering that maternal health problems in Nigeria remain a public health problem, this present study aims to assess the prevalence and multilevel factors associated with caesarean section among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Our analyses included 19,964 women of reproductive age, with their last birth within five years preceding the survey. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the predictors of the caesarean section in Nigeria. The prevalence of CS among women of reproductive age in Nigeria was 3.11%. Women from the Yoruba ethnic group [aOR = 0.52 95%(CI = (0.32–0.84)], with two children [aOR = 0.67 95%(CI = 0.52–0.88)], three children [aOR = 0.49 95%(CI = 0.36–0.66)], four children and above [aOR = 0.34 95%(CI = 0.26–0.46)], those who practised Islam [aOR = 0.74 95%(CI = (0.56–0.99)], and those that had a normal weighted baby [aOR = 0.73 95%(CI = 0.60–0.99)] were less likely to report having a CS in Nigeria compared to those from Hausa/Fulani ethnic group, those who had one child, those who practised Christianity, and those who had a high weighted baby. Also, women residing in rural areas [aOR = 0.79 95% (CI = (0.63–0.99)] and the South-South [aOR = 0.65 95%(CI = (0.46–0.92)] were less likely to have CS compared to those residing in urban areas and North Central. The study concluded that several in idual and community-level factors, such as religious belief, number of children, ethnicity, place of residence, and region of residence, were associated with CS utilisation in Nigeria. Our study highlights the need for different regional, local, and cultural contexts for evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts to facilitate equitable access to a caesarean section in Nigeria.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-07-2023
DOI: 10.1093/INTHEALTH/IHAD049
Abstract: The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of unmet need for contraception among women in sexual unions in Benin. Data for the study was extracted from the recent 2017–2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey. A weighted s le of 9513 women of reproductive age was included in the study. We used multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis to examine the factors associated with unmet need for contraception. The prevalence of unmet need for contraception was 38.0% (36.7, 39.2). The odds of unmet need for contraception was higher among women with ≥4 births compared with those with no births, and among those who reported that someone else or others usually made decisions regarding their healthcare compared with those who make their own healthcare decisions. Wealth index was associated with a higher likelihood of unmet need for contraception. Also, the region of residence was associated with unmet need for contraception, with the highest odds being among women from the Mono region (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.18, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.58). Our study shows that the unmet need for contraception among women in Benin is relatively high. Our findings call on relevant stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organisations, to enhance women's empowerment as part of interventions that seek to prioritise contraceptive services for women.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 28-06-2021
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-639480/V1
Abstract: Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge worldwide. Despite the importance of sexual autonomy in the prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health disorders such as STIs, there are limited studies on the possible relationship between women’s sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study, therefore, examined the association between sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA. Methods Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 31 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2019 were analysed. A total of 234,310 women in sexual unions were included in the study. Data were analysed using binary logistic regression models and the results were presented as crude odds ratios (cORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA was 5.8%. Approximately 83.0% of the women surveyed had sexual autonomy. Women who had no sexual autonomy were less likely to have self-reported STIs (cOR=0.52, CI: 0.46-0.54), compared to those who had sexual autonomy. Additionally, higher odds of self-reported STIs were found among women aged 25-29, compared to those aged 15-19 (aOR= 1.21, CI: 1.09-1.35) those who reside in urban areas, compared to those who reside in rural areas (aOR= 1.51, CI: 1.37-1.66) and those who were cohabiting, compared to those who were married (aOR= 1.65, CI: 1.52-1.79). On the other hand, lower odds of self-reported STIs were found among women who were exposed to newspapers (aOR= 0.89, CI: 0.82-0.95), those whose partners had primary education (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.78-0.91), those who were not exposed to radio (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.79-0.89), and working women (aOR= 0.86, CI: 0.80-0.93). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that sexual autonomy is a significant predictor of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA. Thus, instituting policies and programs that empower women and improve their levels of sexual autonomy may result in increased self-reporting of symptoms associated with STIs which subsequently help in minimising STI-related complications. Also, policies aimed at enhancing women’s sexual autonomy may reduce the burden of STIs in SSA, especially among women in sexual unions.
No related grants have been discovered for COLLINS ADU.