'once they see blood then the mood for sex is spoiled' A qualitative exploration of female sex worker's male client views of menstruation, sex during menses and the menstrual disc.

To continue working during menses, female sex workers (FSW) may use unhygienic absorbents to hide their menstrual status. The menstrual disc may provide a solution. Little is known about men's knowledge and views, specifically around sex during menstruation with FSW, a population who are particularly vulnerable to violence which may be heightened during menses.

Water source, latrine type, and rainfall are associated with detection of non-optimal and enteric bacteria in the vaginal microbiome: a prospective observational cohort study nested within a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Less than one-third of sub-Saharan Africans have access to improved water sources. In US, Indian, and African studies, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is increased among women with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We examined water source, sanitation (latrine type), and rainfall in relation to the vaginal microbiome (VMB).

The Plasmodium transmission-blocking symbiont, Microsporidia MB, is vertically transmitted through Anopheles arabiensis germline stem cells.

Microsporidia MB is a promising candidate for developing a symbiont-based strategy for malaria control because it disrupts the capacity of An. arabiensis to transmit the Plasmodium parasite. The symbiont is predominantly localized in the reproductive organs and is transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and horizontally (sexually) during mating.

Menstrual cups to reduce bacterial vaginosis and STIs through reduced harmful sexual and menstrual practices among economically vulnerable women: protocol of a single arm trial in western Kenya.

Background: In western Kenya, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a pervasive problem. Challenges are compounded for economically constrained women who continue to engage in sex during menses and resort to practices such as vaginal insertion of tissue and cotton to maintain dryness during sex. These practices can be harmful to the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and can lead to high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

Digital communication between mothers and community health workers to support neonatal health (CHV-NEO): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Provision of essential newborn care at home, rapid identification of illness, and care-seeking by caregivers can prevent neonatal mortality. Mobile technology can connect caregivers with information and healthcare worker advice more rapidly and frequently than healthcare visits. Community health workers (CHWs) are well-suited to deliver such interventions.