Contraceptive experience and factors associated with desire for postpartum family planning among pregnant women of the nkongsamba health district, Littoral Region, Cameroon by Atem Bethel Ajong, Martin Ndinakie Yakum, Fulbert Nkwele Mangala, Cavin Epie Bekolo, Valirie Ndip Agbor, Larissa Matcha Waffo, Bruno Kenfack

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Season of conception and risk of hypertensive disorder during pregnancy by Yanxia Xie, Yi Mu, Peiran Chen, Yanping Wang, Xiaohong Li, Li Dai, Zheng Liu, Qi Li, Mingrong Li, Juan Liang, Jun Zhu

“…Abstract Background Hypertensive Disorder during Pregnancy (HDP) is the most prevalent obstetric conditions in maternal health, but the etiology of most cases remains unexplained. …”
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Determinants of poor access to health care among women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study by Augustus Osborne, Peter Bai James, Camilla Bangura

“…This women has specific healthcare needs related to sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and family planning. Despite improvements in national healthcare coverage, disparities persist, with women of reproductive age, especially those in rural areas and lower socio-economic brackets, experiencing significant barriers to accessing essential services. …”
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Research on the application effect of self-transcendence nursing model in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomised controlled trial by Mengpei Xu, Ying Wu, Yaqing Zhou, Zhongmei Lv, Wei Chen, Jingjing Fan

“…Abstract Background Gestational diabetes mellitus is hyperglycemia in special populations (pregnant women), however gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) not only affects maternal health, but also has profound effects on offspring health. …”
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A perinatal psychiatry access program to address rural and medically underserved populations using telemedicine by Courtney King, Marie Hayes, Lizmarie Maldonado, Elizabeth Monter, Rubin Aujla, Erin Phlegar, Claire Smith, Liz Parker, Kerry Blome, Amanda Sandford, Edie Douglas, Constance Guille

“…Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs have emerged as a successful model to increase the capacity of front-line maternal health care providers to address perinatal mental health conditions through education, consultation, and increased resources and referrals. …”
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Barriers and facilitators to maternal healthcare in East Africa: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of perspectives from women, their families, healthcare providers, and... by Manaye Yihune Teshale, Agegnehu Bante, Abebe Gedefaw Belete, Rik Crutzen, Mark Spigt, Sarah E. Stutterheim

“…This review identified barriers at various levels: individual barriers included a lack of awareness and knowledge, fear of being treated poorly, and financial constraints; interpersonal barriers comprised limited family support, communication challenges, and a lack of decision-making autonomy; health facility barriers included poor quality of healthcare, poor infrastructure, limited medical supplies, provider shortages, abusive behaviors from healthcare providers, lack of transportation, and high service costs; community-level barriers involved socio-cultural norms, societal stigma, and gender-based disparities; and policy-level barriers included poor focus on maternal health, a lack of male accompaniment policies, and conflicts. …”
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The impact of marriage on breastfeeding duration: examining the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities by Anna Charlotta Kihlstrom, Tara Stiller, Nishat Sultana, Grace Njau, Matthew Schmidt, Anastasia Stepanov, Andrew D. Williams

“…Models were adjusted for maternal health and sociodemographic factors. Results Overall, married women consistently had 2-fold higher odds of breastfeeding across all durations during both pre-COVID and COVID eras. …”
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Translation and Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for Eritrea: A Screening Tool for Postpartum Depression in Primary Health Care Facilities by Gebregziabher NK, Netsereab TB, Alazar FA, Fessaha YG, Sium AH, Ghebrehiwet NK

“…The successful validation of the EPDS for Eritrean mothers is a significant advancement for maternal health care in Eritrea. Healthcare providers can now use this culturally and linguistically appropriate tool to screen for postpartum depression, leading to early detection and intervention. …”
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Obstetric risk profiles and causes of death: Estimating their association with cesarean sections among maternal deaths in Mexico. by Pablo Martínez-Garrido, Jimena Fritz, Alejandra Montoya, Mayra J Garza, Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa

“…The importance of accurate data systems and further research with control groups to understand C-section practices' impact on maternal health is emphasized.…”
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Incidence and predictors of adverse birth outcomes among women who gave birth at Assosa general hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study by Habtamu Tadesse Gudeta, Shalama Lekasa Nagari, Dessalegn Emana Jabana, Mustefa Aflegn Legese, Demekisa wondimu Biyena, Fantahun Cheklie Kassie

“…Governments and health authorities should prioritize policies and programs that are aimed at reducing adverse birth outcomes. Improving maternal health services, nutrition education, early diagnosis, and treatment can help to manage most of these predictors.…”
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Trends and factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Zimbabwe, 2005 - 2015 by T Chibura, H Twabi, K Maluleke, A Musekiwa

“…There is a need to reduce these outcomes through integration of social issues into maternal health programmes, as well as ensuring accessibility and availability of comprehensive reproductive health services that target high-risk groups such as women aged 35 - 49 years. …”
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Assessing gut barrier integrity and reproductive performance following pre-mating oral administration of solid-lipid-nanoparticles designed for drug delivery by Valentina Lacconi, Valentina Lacconi, Micol Massimiani, Micol Massimiani, Giulia Antonello, Paolo Gasco, Roberta Bernardini, Cristiana Ferrari, Lorenzo Ippoliti, Gina La Sala, Antonio Pietroiusti, Ivana Fenoglio, Chiara Riganti, Luisa Campagnolo

“…In conclusion, these data suggest that administering SLNs, as a drug delivery vehicle, prior to conception does not affect either maternal health or fetal development, posing no risk to future pregnancy.…”
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Evaluation de la qualité de vie des femmes souffrant d’une fistule obstétricale à Kinshasa [Evaluation of the quality of life of women with obstetric fistula in Kinshasa] by Jonathan Enguta Mwenzi, Ruth Bukabau Babuya, Francine Manyonga Sabowa

“…English Abstract: Background-Obstetric fistula is a major maternal health problem that significantly affects women both physically and mentally. …”
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Gestational weight gain and increased risk of cesarean delivery across body mass index categoriesAJOG Global Reports at a Glance by Pearl A. McElfish, PhD, Britni L. Ayers, PhD, Nicola L. Hawley, PhD, Aaron Caldwell, PhD, Austin Porter, DrPh, Michael D. Macechko, MD, Donya Watson, MD, Jennifer A. Callaghan-Koru, PhD, James P. Selig, PhD, Jennifer A. Andersen, PhD, Nirvana Manning, MD, Lanita White, PharmD, Enrique Gomez-Pomar, MD, Clare C. Brown, PhD

“…Reducing cesarean deliveries is a national goal of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy People 2030, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine if excessive gestational weight gain is associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery across multiple body mass index categories. …”
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Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy among rural reproductive age women in Ethiopia by Melak Jejaw, Kaleb Assegid Demissie, Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh, Kaleab Mesfin Abera, Yawkal Tsega, Abel Endawkie, Wubshet D. Negash, Amare Mesfin Workie, Lamrot Yohannes, Mihret Getnet, Nigusu Worku, Adina Yeshambel Belay, Lakew Asmare, Hiwot Tadesse Alemu, Demiss Mulatu Geberu, Asebe Hagos

“…Hence, demographer and public health practitioners has to give great emphasis on designing an intervention with implementation strategies to increase accessibility of media for reproductive-age women’s and improve women financial capacity, and strengthen maternal health services. These strategies helps to decrease adverse birth outcomes associated with unintended pregnancy in rural areas.…”
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Evaluation de la qualité de vie des femmes souffrant d’une fistule obstétricale à Kinshasa [Evaluation of the quality of life of women with obstetric fistula in Kinshasa] by Jonathan Enguta Mwenzi, Ruth Bukabau Babuya, Francine Manyonga Sabowa

“…English Abstract: Background-Obstetric fistula is a major maternal health problem that significantly affects women both physically and mentally. …”
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Study protocol for an observational cohort study of heat stress impacts in pregnancy in The Gambia, West Africa [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] by Jane E Hirst, Ana Bonell, Abdul Sesay, Leonidas G. Ioannou, Bubacarr Bah, Kris A. Murray, Andy Haines, Sophie E. Moore, David Jeffries, Neil S Maxwell, Ana Vicero-Cabrera, Apolline Saucy, Cally Tan, Emmanuel Okoh, Dorothy Watters, Bakary Sonko, Williams Oluwatosin Adefila, Yahaya Idris, Mam Leigh-Nabou, Jarra Manneh, Andreas Flouris, Sainabou Bojang, Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri, Andrew Prentice

“…The key objectives of the study are to 1) map exposure to heat stress in the cohort and understand what environmental, social and community factors increase the risk of extreme heat exposure; 2) assess the impact of heat stress on maternal health, e.g. heat strain, subjective psychological well-being, sleep and activity level; 3) evaluate how heat stress impacts placenta structure and function; 4) determine how chronic heat exposure impacts birth outcomes; and 5) explore the epigenetic changes in the placenta and infant by heat stress exposure per trimester. …”
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Antenatal Care - How to ensure quality! by Lubna Ejaz

“…It is pertinent to add that effective ANC should ensure optimum feto-maternal health outcomes according to the available healthcare facilities. …”
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Maternal prepregnancy overweight/obesity increase the risk of low Apgar scores in twins: a population-based cohort study in China by Zhoushan Feng, Zhoushan Feng, Xiaohong Wu, Xiaomei Tong, Zheng He, Chunxia Yang, Wei Shen, Yueqin Ding, Jin Liu, Qiong Meng, Aiqin Zhang, Hong Jiang, Wenkang Yan, Jianwu Qiu, Xian Wei, Yayu Zhang, Xiaobo Lin, Lijun Liu, Ya Jin, Youfen Wei, Xiufang Yang, Yitong Wang, Yangfan Cai, Xinzhu Lin, Qiliang Cui

“…ObjectiveWhile prepregnancy overweight or obesity is known to negatively impact maternal health, its effect on twin infants is not well understood. …”
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mHealth knowledge and usage in maternal healthcare delivery: perspectives and experiences of healthcare practitioners in Ghana by Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Pascal Agbadi, Aikins Amoako Asiama

“…In each of these regions, one urban and one rural setting were selected to ascertain pertinent data from a wide range of maternity health practitioners and directors of health services operating within these regions.Participants Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 32 participants, who fall into two primary groups: directors of health services (n=9) and maternity health practitioners (23).Results The findings revealed that maternal healthcare providers were familiar with and frequently used mHealth technologies (typically video calls/conferences and text messages). mHealth was considered a useful tool in maternal healthcare as it enhanced the efficiency of service delivery and improved practitioners’ performance. mHealth facilities eased access to digital medical information, user-friendly interfaces and the ability to facilitate remote consultations. …”
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