Fertility status and depression: A case-control study among women in Herat, Afghanistan.

Background And Aim: On a global scale, an estimated 17.5% of the reproductive-aged population experiences clinical infertility. Beyond its categorization as a reproductive health concern, infertility emerges as a substantial independent risk factor for the development of various mental health disorders.

Difficulties leaving home: a cross-sectional study of delays in seeking emergency obstetric care in Herat, Afghanistan.

This study used an analytical cross-sectional design to identify risk factors associated with delays in care-seeking among women admitted in life-threatening conditions to a maternity hospital in Herat, Afghanistan, from February 2007 to January 2008. Disease-specific criteria of 'near-miss' were used to identify women in life-threatening conditions. Among 472 eligible women and their husbands, 411 paired interviews were conducted, and information on socio-demographic factors; the woman's status and social resources; the husband's social networks; health care accessibility and utilisation; care-seeking costs; and community characteristics were obtained.