Association between state-level medical marijuana legalization and marijuana use during pregnancy: A population-based study.

Background And Objectives: Despite marijuana's association with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, its use during pregnancy increased over the last two decades. During this period, medical marijuana has been legalized in 38 states and the District of Columbia. States with legalized medical marijuana have observed increased marketing of marijuana and related products.

Female Circumcision and Sexual Negotiation Ability of Ethiopian Women.

The following study attempts to assess the link between the circumcision status of Ethiopian women and their ability to negotiate sex. From the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed a subsample of 3,445 women aged 15 to 49. Women's sexual negotiation ability was measured by their ability to ask for condom and their ability to refuse sex.

Association Between Exclusive Breastfeeding and Acute Respiratory Infections Among Infants Under the Age of 6 Months.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Exclusive breastfeeding is considered the cornerstone of child health; however, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is suboptimal in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the association between exclusive breastfeeding and ARI among infants under the age of 6 months in a LMIC.

Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth.

Background: Ghanaian female youth aged 15-24 years are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to their male counterparts.

Objectives: This study examined the association between educational attainment and risky sexual behavior among Ghanaian female youth.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a nationally representative sample of youth from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n=1702).

Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits by HIV index and antenatal care clients: implementation and costing results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa.

Background: Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, positivity, linkage and cost per kit distributed.

Association between premarital HIV testing and ability to negotiate sexual relations among married women in Ethiopia: a population-based study.

HIV/AIDS prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa remains an issue of concern and young women are disproportionately affected by the disease. Premarital HIV testing is one of the key strategies used in HIV prevention since heterosexual sex remains the primary mode of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey to examine the association between premarital HIV testing and the ability to negotiate sexual relations among married women aged 15 to 49 years (N = 3,672).

Influence of the Quality of Antenatal Care on Early Breastfeeding Initiation and Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Haitian Women.

Objective: To assess the influence of the quality of antenatal care on early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding among Haitian women.

Design: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional household survey.

Setting: Haiti Demographic and Health Survey, 2016 to 2017.

Factors associated with receipt of adequate antenatal care among women in Rwanda: A secondary analysis of the 2019-20 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: Every year, antenatal care (ANC) remains a life-saving health intervention for millions of pregnant women worldwide. Yet, many pregnant women do not receive adequate ANC, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to determine the factors associated with the receipt of adequate ANC among pregnant women in Rwanda.

The Impact of Receipt of Information on Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing on Screening with the Prostate-Specific Antigen Test.

There is controversy on prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in the USA, and as a result, there has been an increased push for physicians to have a thorough discussion with patients on the advantages and disadvantages of prostate cancer screening with the PSA blood test. Prior studies showed that pre-screening discussions increased the likelihood of PSA testing. This study is aimed at examining the impact of discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test among men that fit the prostate cancer screening guidelines determined by the American Urological Association (AUA).

Association between receipt of nutritional counselling during antenatal care visits and anaemia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is associated with premature births, low birth weight and increased susceptibility to infection. Almost one-quarter (24.34%) of Ethiopian pregnant women suffer from anaemia.

Development and Interrater Reliability of the Lactation Assessment Care Tool.

Background: There have been no comprehensive predictive measurement instruments published that account for the dynamic interaction between maternal, infant, and functional factors related to breastfeeding difficulty. The Lactation Care Assessment Tool (LACT) was developed by the authors as a predictive measure of lactation acuity to identify families at risk for breastfeeding difficulty and facilitate access to the most effective level of care.

Research Aim: To describe the development, content validation, and interrater reliability of the LACT.

Association between place of birth and timely breastfeeding initiation among Cambodian women: a population-based study.

Background: Enhancing timely breastfeeding initiation within the first hour postpartum is a goal the WHO's Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) and Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) aim to achieve globally. However, many health professionals and facilities have yet to adopt these guidelines in Cambodia, impeding timely initiation progress and maternal-infant health goals.

Methods: This secondary data analysis used the 2014 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) data of 2,729 women who gave birth in the two years preceding the survey to examine the association between place of birth and timely breastfeeding initiation.

Association Between a History of Hookah Use and Breastfeeding Duration.

There is limited evidence on the relationship between hookah use and breastfeeding. This study examines the association between a history of hookah use and breastfeeding duration among women in the United States. This cross-sectional study examined 96,392 women from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS) 2016-2019 data.

Factors associated with men's opinion about female genital mutilation in Ethiopia.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered a human rights violation against women and girls causing serious short and long-term health complications. Despite being a criminal offence in Ethiopia since 2004, the practice continues. Minimal research has been published on factors associated with men's opinion about FGM in Ethiopia.

Association Between Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Duration.

Prenatal vaccination and breastfeeding are both health promotional behaviors. The benefits of breastfeeding are widely investigated and well established, as well as the effectivity and the safety of the influenza vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the association between the prenatal health behavior of influenza vaccination and breastfeeding duration for at least 3 months in the United States.

Prevalence of Glucose Metabolic Disorders and Associated Inflammatory Markers Among People Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Glucose metabolic disorder (GMD) is closely related to inflammation among those living with HIV. However, there are extant studies regarding this phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that bears the burden of HIV infection. Therefore, we assessed the associations between inflammation biomarkers and GMD on a cohort of HIV+ individuals in SSA.

Correlates of Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Residents of Ohio: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Recent studies in the United States have shown that between 56 to 74% are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A significant portion of the population should be vaccinated to avoid severe illness and prevent unnecessary deaths. We examined correlates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a representative sample of adults residing in Ohio.

Association between antenatal care utilization pattern and timely initiation of postnatal care checkup: Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: Despite significant public health intervention, maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Effective postnatal care is a critical service to reduce maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, only 17% of mothers received postnatal care services in 2016.

Association between serum zinc levels and basic physical functioning: secondary data analysis of NHANES 2011-14.

Background: Serum zinc (Zn) levels have been shown to be associated with functional status; however, it is not clear whether this association differs by other sociodemographic characteristics. We examined the association between serum Zn levels and physical functioning difficulty in a representative sample of older adults in the US.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on participants 50 years and older from the 2011-12 and 2013-14 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 1136).

Association between maternal high-risk factors and anemia among women in Ethiopia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the association between maternal high-risk factors and anemia among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (N = 5282). Hemoglobin levels were used to determine anemia status.