Unraveling the Impact of Widowhood Duration on Depression: Does Time Heal All Wounds?

China's aging population has witnessed a surge in widowed older adults, raising concerns about their mental health. Losing a spouse is a profoundly distressing experience with enduring effects on well-being. Despite the proverbial belief in time's healing power, existing studies often neglect the potential decline in depressive symptoms during widowhood.

Determinants of functional disability trajectories: An assessment of the disablement model and life-course perspective.

Aim: Functional disability is a widespread challenge faced by the older population in China, where those with functional disabilities demand greater healthcare and geriatric services. This study performs a longitudinal analysis examining the effects of physiological conditions, intra-, and extra-individual factors, and life-course socioeconomic status risk factors on the disability levels and change rates of functional disability trajectories in old age.

Methods: Data for this study came from the four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey.

Intimate Partner Violence and Unmet Need for Family Planning in Selected South Asian Countries.

This article analyzes the relationship between various forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) and unmet need for family planning (FP) in South Asia. The data were obtained from the latest wave of the Demographic and Health Survey in Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan. Binary logistic regression analyses show mixed results, with a significant association between at least one type of IPV and unmet need for FP in all countries under study, except Maldives.

Midwives as Drivers of Contraceptive Uptake: Evidence From Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys.

Midwives play an important role in maternal and child health in developing countries, but they are rarely involved in providing family planning services, except in Indonesia. This article underscores midwives' crucial role in supplying modern contraceptive methods in Indonesia. Data for this analysis came from eight waves of the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS).

Utilization of Private Sector Family Planning Services in Malaysia.

Background: The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in family planning services globally. The active participation of private providers is associated with a higher contraceptive prevalence rate.

Objectives: To examine the differentials and determinants of the utilization of private providers for family planning services.

Contraceptive use in Cambodia: does household decision-making power matter?

In Cambodia, the growth of family planning services and socio-economic development have resulted in a spectacular rise in contraceptive prevalence rate and an equally remarkable reduction in contraceptive use differentials. With rising educational levels and increased participation in the modern labour market, Cambodian women are playing an increasingly pivotal role in household decision-making. This study used data from three rounds of Cambodia Demographic and Health Surveys to elucidate trends and patterns of contraceptive use.

AGE AT MENARCHE AND SEXUAL DEBUT AMONG YOUNG FILIPINO WOMEN.

There has been a secular decline in age at menarche since the 19th century. Early-maturing women are more likely to have their sexual debut at a younger age, which in turn gives rise to a host of reproductive health and social problems. This study used data from five waves of National Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in the Philippines between 1993 and 2013 to examine the trends and socioeconomic differentials in age at menarche and sexual debut.

The debilitating effects of chronic diseases among the oldest old in China.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the current sharp rise in chronic diseases and disabilities with advancing age, and to examine the debilitating effects of chronic diseases among the oldest old in China.

Study Design And Outcome Variables: This study used data from four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey (CLHLS) conducted in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. The sample comprised 2137 older adults who were interviewed in 2002 and re-interviewed in the following waves.

Correlates of and barriers to the utilization of health services for delivery in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa can be attributed to the lack of access and utilization of health services for delivery. Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania show that more than half of the births in these countries were delivered outside a health facility. Institutional delivery was closely associated with educational level, family wealth, place of residence, and women's media exposure status, but it was not influenced by women's work status and their roles in decision-making (with the exception of Nigeria).

Medical students' attitudes toward abortion education: Malaysian perspective.

Background: Abortion is a serious public health issue, and it poses high risks to the health and life of women. Yet safe abortion services are not readily available because few doctors are trained to provide such services. Many doctors are unaware of laws pertaining to abortion.