Prevalence of diabetes and its associated factors in Cape Verde: an analysis of the 2020 WHO STEPS survey on non-communicable diseases risk factors.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a significant global health challenge, with its prevalence steadily rising across diverse populations. Understanding the factors associated with T2DM is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies. In Cape Verde, an archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa, the burden of T2DM is of particular concern, yet comprehensive studies investigating its determinants in this context remain sparse.

Dynamics of violence disclosure among women in Kenya: trends, changes and associated factors.

Background: Kenya has ratified and enacted several frameworks and laws in a bid to reduce the incidence of IPV and improve disclosure of violence experience. With these legal and structural mechanisms in place, women's disclosure of IPV is expected to show a positive trend over the years. We examined the trends and factors associated with disclosure of IPV among women in Kenya.

Age at first menstruation and clinical breast cancer screening utilization: insights from the 2021 Côte d'Ivoire demographic and health survey.

Background: There is a strong evidence showing that women who start menstruation early are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer. Recognizing that women will seek breast cancer screening when they have a high perceived risk, we hypothesized that women who experienced early menarche will be more likely to utilize clinical breast examination (CBE). Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between age at first menstruation and women's utilization of CBE in Côte d'Ivoire.

Association between experience of emotional violence and hypertension among Kenyan women.

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) face increased risks of reproductive health issues and psychological distress. There is also a growing scholarly interest in its effect on cardiovascular health. About 30% of Kenyan women experience emotional violence, and 9.

Clicks and checks: investigating the association between internet usage frequency and women's uptake of clinical breast examination in Ghana.

Background: In resource-constrained settings, availability and access to mammography is a challenge. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends clinical breast examination (CBE) for women in such settings. Yet, CBE uptake remains low.

Factors associated with age at first screening for cervical cancer among adult Cape Verdean women: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Cervical cancer ranks third in terms of cancer incidence and mortality in Cape Verde. Understanding the factors associated with the age of cervical cancer screening (CCS) is essential because it helps identify populations at risk of delayed screening, enabling targeted interventions to ensure timely detection and treatment, ultimately reducing the burden of cervical cancer. We examined the factors associated with age at first screening for cervical cancer among adult Cape Verdean women.

Spatial distribution and determinants of physical intimate partner violence among women in Kenya: Evidence from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: Despite global, regional, and national efforts to address intimate partner violence (IPV), physical IPV persists as a significant challenge in Kenya. This study employs geospatial analysis to examine the spatial distribution and determinants of physical intimate partner violence among women, aiming to inform targeted interventions and policies.

Methods: The study used a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study design based on the 2022 Kenya demographic and health survey.

Unveiling Shadows: Investigating women's experience of intimate partner violence in Ghana through the lens of the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue, predominantly among women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. Existing evidence indicates high rates of IPV perpetration and its associated adverse health outcomes. Despite previous studies, reliance on old data underscores the need for current, nationally representative data to inform policy-making and interventions.

Social determinants of child abuse: Evidence from seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Child abuse is a dominant public health concern that permeates race, varied social contexts and culture. Child abuse comprises any act of omission or commission perpetrated by a child's parent, caregiver, or other adult leading to harm, potential for, or any threat of harm to a child (below age 18), either intentional or unintentional. This subject has usually been explored by focusing on men.

Burden of non-communicable diseases among women of reproductive age in Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women of reproductive age in Kenya, highlighting the prevalence and risk factors.

Design: Cross-sectional design based on the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.

Setting: Kenya.

Place of residence and blood sugar testing practices among men: insights from the 2021 Madagascar demographic and health survey.

Background: In 2021, Madagascar had approximately 13,919 people living with diabetes, with 66.1% of cases being undiagnosed. The implication is that this population are at high risk of developing diabetes complications which will affect their quality of life.

Hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from 12 countries.

Objectives: Given the well-established link between hormonal contraceptives and hypertension risk, and the paucity of research on hormonal contraceptive use dynamics in this particular demographic, we hypothesize that there is a likelihood of low utilization of high-risk hormonal contraceptives among women living with hypertension in SSA. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in the SSA.

Results: Only 18.

Influence of type of cooking fuel on risk of hypertension among reproductive-age women in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys.

Background: Nearly one-third of the world's population (2.4 billion people) rely on unclean cooking fuel sources. The study assessed the association of the type of cooking fuel and hypertension risk in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Cervical cancer screening among women with comorbidities: evidence from the 2022 Tanzania demographic and health survey.

Background: The aim of this study is to examine cervical cancer screening (CCS) uptake among women living with hypertension and HIV in Tanzania.

Methods: We used the recently released 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. The outcome variable assessed in the study was CCS, whereas chronic morbidities constituted the main explanatory variable.

Exposure to pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco media messages and events and smoking behaviour among adolescents in Gambia.

Background: Despite the widespread prevalence of adolescent smoking in Gambia, a West African country, there is limited research exploring the relationships between exposure to pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco media messages and events and smoking behaviour among young people. This study investigates the interplay of these exposures and smoking behaviour among 11-17-year-old adolescents in Gambia.

Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2017 Gambia Global Youth and Tobacco Survey (GYTS), which included a total of 9,127 respondents.

Early age at menarche and history of sexually transmitted infections significantly predict cervical cancer screening uptake among women aged 25-49 years: evidence from the 2021 Côte d'Ivoire demographic and health survey.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second dominant type of cancer among Ivorian women with an estimated age-standardised incidence and mortality rate of 31.2 cases and 22.8 deaths per 100,000 women in 2020, respectively.

Influence of type of violence on women's help-seeking behaviour: Evidence from 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern that mostly impacts women's health and social well-being. This study explored how the various types of IPV (physical, sexual, and emotional) including women's experience of childhood violence influence their help-seeking behavior in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We analyzed data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), carried out between 2018 and 2021.

Mediating effects of hypertension in association between household wealth disparities and diabetes among women of reproductive age: analysis of eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Diabetes prevalence appears to be increasing in low- and middle-income countries, yet little is known about how hypertension status mediates the association between household wealth and diabetes. This study examined the mediation effects of hypertension in associations between household wealth and diabetes in eight sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 71 577 women from recent Demographic and Health Surveys for eight SSA countries.

Perceived discrimination, anxiety and mood disorders among university students during the COVID-19 era: evidence from a cross-sectional survey in a Ghanaian public university.

Introduction: Before 2020 and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, were considered the leading causes of the global disease burden. There is evidence from multiple countries and social contexts that suggest the high risk of anxiety and mood disorders among students. Yet, there is a knowledge gap concerning understanding the association between the experience of discrimination and the risk of anxiety and mood disorders.

Examining the influence of wealth status on prehypertension risk in women aged 30-49: evidence from the 2018 Benin demographic and health survey.

Background: There is an interest in the extent to which the wealth status of women predicts their risk of being pre-hypertensive. This understanding is lacking in the current body of empirical literature, particularly within the context of Benin. Thus, indicating a knowledge gap that must be filled.

University Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Best Practices.

Aims: Addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in educational settings across the globe, particularly in institutions of higher education, requires strong institutional framework and policy guidelines. Most research about university SGBV policies has focused on high-income countries with little or no recourse to universities in low- and middle-income countries. This policy analysis aims to analyze existing policies related to SGBV from select sub-Saharan African universities to provide guidance on best practices toward addressing SGBV at universities in Africa.

Fruits and vegetable consumption, and its association with hypertension among women in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) and the risk of hypertension among women in Ghana.

Design: Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey were used. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata version 14.

Non-use of diabetes medication and its associated factors: a comparative analysis of female and male patients in four Sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Globally, the burden of disease is shifting towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces an increasing prevalence of diabetes, hindering the achievement of global health goals. This study investigates the determinants of non-use of diabetes medication, specifically exploring potential sex differences in four SSA countries.

Geospatial disparities and predictors of anaemia among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Anaemia has become a major public health concern among women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, little is known about the spatial disparities in anaemia prevalence and their associated factors among pregnant women in the region. This study analysed the spatial disparities in anaemia and their associated factors among pregnant women in rural and urban settings in SSA.

Spatial distribution and factors associated with health insurance subscription among women in Ghana.

Background: This study examined the spatial distribution and factors associated with health insurance subscription among women in Ghana.

Methods: We analysed a representative sample of 9380 women aged 15-49 y from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive and multilevel regression analyses were performed.