Short birth/pregnancy interval and its association with adverse maternal outcomes in Asia Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Short interpregnancy/birth interval (SIBI) may be associated with greater risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesise the literature on the association between SIBI and adverse maternal outcomes in Asia-Pacific.

Methods: Five databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2023.

Person-centred maternity care during childbirth: a systematic review in low and middle-income countries.

Background: Improving the quality of intrapartum and immediate postnatal care is critical for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review aimed to assess the extent of Person-Centred Maternity Care (PCMC) practices during childbirth in LMICs.

Methods: We retrieved studies from four databases, including PubMed/Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Maternal and Infant Care, up to 30 May 2023 and updated 26 April 2024.

Effects of Women's Participation in Household Decision Making on Skilled Birth Attendants Supervised Delivery in Bangladesh.

Background: While the importance of women's participation in household decision making in enhancing access to healthcare services is widely acknowledged, limited evidence exists on the link between women's participation in household decision making and skilled birth attendants (SBA) supervised delivery. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the effects of women's participation in household decision making on SBA supervised delivery in Bangladesh.

Methods: Data of 3607 mothers who had given birth within 2 years of the survey date were extracted from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) and analyzed.

Spatiotemporal patterns and factors contributing to neonatal mortality in Ethiopia: Data from EDHS 2000 to 2019.

Background: Although Ethiopia has substantial improvements in various health indicators such as maternal and child mortality, the burden of neonatal mortality remains high. Between 2016 and 2019, neonatal mortality increased from 29 deaths per 1,000 live births to 33 deaths per 1,000 live births. This study aimed to explore the spatial patterns and factors contributing to neonatal mortality in Ethiopia.

Worldwide Wellness of Mothers and Babies (WWOMB): program overview and lessons learned from Ethiopia.

Background: Despite the progress made in improving maternal and child health in Ethiopia, it still has one of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the world. This is largely due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and a lack of comprehensive evidence-based maternal and reproductive health services. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets related to maternal and child health, it is essential to conduct culturally sensitive and policy-relevant research to identify areas for improvement.

Burden of 30 cancers among men: Global statistics in 2022 and projections for 2050 using population-based estimates.

Background: Men exhibit higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to greater cancer incidence and lower survival rates. Comprehensive evidence on global cancer burden among men, including disparities by age group and country, is sparse. To address this, the authors analyzed 30 cancer types among men in 2022, with projections estimated for 2050.

The intergenerational association of preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Around half of preterm births lack identifiable causes, indicating the need for further investigation to understand preterm birth risk factors. Existing studies on the intergenerational association of preterm birth showed inconsistency in effect size and direction.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review existing studies and provide comprehensive evidence on the intergenerational association of preterm births.

Effects of short inter-pregnancy/birth interval on adverse perinatal outcomes in Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Short inter-pregnancy or birth interval is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, some emerging evidence questions this association and there are also inconsistencies among the existing findings. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding the effect of short inter-pregnancy or birth intervals on adverse perinatal outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Correction: Exploration of modern contraceptive methods using patterns among later reproductive-aged women in Bangladesh.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Short birth interval is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence on short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, this study aimed to synthesise evidence related to the definition, classification, prevalence, and predictors of short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region.

Effects of short birth interval on child malnutrition in the Asia-Pacific region: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Child malnutrition remains a significant concern in the Asia-Pacific region, with short birth intervals recognised as a potential risk factor. However, evidence of this association is inconclusive. This study aimed to systematically review the existing evidence and assess the summary effects of short birth interval on child malnutrition in the Asia-Pacific region.

Short birth interval prevalence, determinants and effects on maternal and child health outcomes in Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Short birth interval (SBI) has been linked to an increased risk of adverse maternal, perinatal, infant and child health outcomes. However, the prevalence and maternal and child health impacts of SBI in the Asia-Pacific region have not been well understood. This study aims to identify and summarise the existing evidence on SBI including its definition, measurement prevalence, determinants and association with adverse maternal and child health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Global burden of 34 cancers among women in 2020 and projections to 2040: Population-based data from 185 countries/territories.

Globally women face inequality in cancer outcomes; for example, smaller improvements in life expectancy due to decreased cancer-related deaths than men (0.5 vs 0.8 years, 1981-2010).

Unmet Supportive Care Needs Among Cancer Patients in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Mixed Method Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Supportive cancer care is vital to reducing the current disparities in cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including poor survival and low quality of life, and ultimately achieving equity in cancer care. This is the first review aimed to evaluate the extent of unmet supportive care needs and identify their contributing factors among patients with cancer in SSA.

Methods: Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline [Ovid], PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library of Databases] were systematically searched.

Characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women hospitalized with severe maternal outcomes in eastern Ethiopia: Results from the Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify facility-based incidence of severe obstetric complications through a newly established obstetric surveillance system in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: Monthly registration of obstetric hemorrhage, eclampsia, uterine rupture, severe anemia and sepsis was introduced in 13 maternity units in eastern Ethiopia. At each hospital, a designated clinician reported details of women admitted during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy from April 01, 2021 to March 31, 2022 developing any of these conditions.

Determinants of neural tube defects among newborns in public referral hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious brain and spine birth defects. Although NTDs are primarily pregnancy complications, such as abortion and stillbirth, they also contribute to under-five morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term disability and psychological impact. Despite these negative outcomes, the determinants of NTDs are not widely studied in Ethiopia, particularly in the country's east.

Co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study.

Background: It is well known that the magnitude of undernutrition in Ethiopia is unacceptably high. The burden of co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency, on the other hand, has received less attention. Thus, in this study, we looked at the prevalence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia.

Anemia Among Women Using Family Planning at Public Health Facilities in Ambo Town, Central Ethiopia: Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Anemia affects more than a quarter of non-pregnant women over the globe, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate share. Although the use of family planning is beneficial in reducing anemia, lack of scientific study on anemia among family planning users of reproductive-age women is notable, particularly in the study setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of anemia and associated factors in women who used family planning.

Late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant women in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia: a facility based cross-sectional study.

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is the care given to pregnant women to prevent poor feto-maternal outcomes during pregnancy. The World Health Organization recommends first ANC visit be started as early as possible within in 12 weeks of gestation. Although there is improvement in overall ANC coverage, a sizable proportion of pregnant women in Ethiopia delay the time to initiate their first ANC visit.

Association of undernutrition and female infertility in East Africa: Finding from multi-country demographic and health surveys.

Introduction: Infertility is one of the public health problems affecting a significant number of women in the reproductive age group. Although female fertility is predominantly affected by gynecological and systemic diseases, lifestyle and nutritional factors also play an important role in secondary female infertility. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of secondary female infertility and its association with undernutrition using nationwide data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of eastern African countries.

Perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies among mothers who gave birth in Adama Hospital Medical College, Central Ethiopia.

Introduction: Twin pregnancy carries a high risk of pregnancy-related complications including adverse perinatal outcomes. Although evidence from international studies indicated an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies, little is known about the adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies and associated factors in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to estimate the incidence of twin pregnancies and related-adverse perinatal outcomes and identify factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies in Ethiopia.