Measuring a Critical Component of Contraceptive Decision Making: The Contraceptive Concerns and Beliefs Scale.

Introduction: Concerns about safety and side effects from contraceptives are widespread and related to reluctance to use them. Measuring these concerns is an essential component of understanding contraceptive decision-making and guiding contraceptive and interpregnancy clinical care.

Methods: We used qualitative research and item response theory to develop and test a psychometric instrument to measure contraceptive concerns and beliefs.

Understanding how COVID-19 affected black pregnant women early in the pandemic: A cross-sectional survey.

Objective: Previous research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased anxiety among pregnant women, and at the same time, COVID-19 has disproportionately affected communities of color in the United States. We sought to understand how self-identied Black pregnant women in the United States were affected in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional, online survey distributed via social media SETTING: Online PARTICIPANTS: Non-probability, convenience sample of self-identified Black pregnant women in the United States between April 3 and 24, 2020 who responded to an online inquiry seeking women who were pregnant at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concern that contraception affects future fertility: How common is this concern among young people and does it stop them from using contraception?

Objectives: This study examines the concern that contraception affects future fertility among community college students and its association with contraceptive use.

Study Design: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial with 2060 community college students assigned female at birth. We used mixed-effects multivariate logistic regression adjusted for clustered data to assess sociodemographic factors associated with concerns about contraception affecting future fertility and to test the association between this concern and contraceptive use.

The association between abortion training and obstetrics and gynecology resident competence and intention to provide abortion care before Dobbs.

Objective: To assess the role of abortion training in fourth-year obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residents' abortion care competence and practice intentions before the Dobbs decision.

Study Design: This is a planned secondary analysis of survey data of fourth-year U.S.

Unique microbial diversity, community composition, and networks among Pacific Islander endocervical and vaginal microbiomes with and without infection in Fiji.

() is the most common sexually transmitted bacterium globally. Endocervical and vaginal microbiome interactions are rarely examined within the context of or among vulnerable populations. We evaluated 258 vaginal and 92 paired endocervical samples from Fijian women using metagenomic shotgun sequencing.

Male circumcision uptake and misperceived norms about male circumcision: Cross-sectional, population-based study in rural Uganda.

Background: Over the past decade, 15 high-priority countries in eastern and southern Africa have promoted voluntary medical male circumcision for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. The prevalence of male circumcision in Uganda nearly doubled from 26% in 2011 to 43% in 2016, but remains below the 2020 target level. Little is known about how common male circumcision is perceived to be, how accurate such perceptions are, and whether they are associated with men's own circumcision uptake.

Associations between state-level general population alcohol policies and drinking outcomes among women of reproductive age: Results from 1984 to 2020 National Alcohol Surveys.

Background: Policies specific to alcohol use during pregnancy have not been found to reduce risks related to alcohol use during pregnancy. In contrast, general population alcohol policies are protective for the general population. Here, we assessed whether US state-level general population alcohol policies are related to drinking outcomes among women of reproductive age.

Support for criminalization of self-managed abortion (SMA): A national representative survey.

Objective: Since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal right to abortion, there is a heightened need to understand public opinion about the criminalization of people who attempt to end their pregnancies outside the formal healthcare setting, referred to as self-managed abortion (SMA).

Access to Reproductive Health Services Among People With Disabilities.

Importance: People with disabilities face inequitable access to reproductive health (RH) services, yet the national prevalence of barriers to access experienced across disability types and statuses is unknown.

Objective: To assess the national prevalence of barriers to RH access experienced by people with disabilities.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed results of an online probability-based national survey of RH experiences that was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022.

Perceptions and experiences of the prevention, detection, and management of postpartum haemorrhage: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), defined as blood loss of 500 mL or more after childbirth, is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It is possible to prevent complications of PPH with timely and appropriate detection and management. However, implementing the best methods of PPH prevention, detection and management can be challenging, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Effects of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization Decision on Obstetrics and Gynecology Graduating Residents' Practice Plans.

Objective: To explore the association of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ( Dobbs ) decision on future practice locations of graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods survey study of obstetrics and gynecology residents graduating from sites with Ryan Program abortion training programs (109 sites) between March 8, 2023, and April 25, 2023. We conducted both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors that were associated with post- Dobbs change in career plans, particularly location.

Food Insecurity and Mental Distress Among WIC-Eligible Women in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Women living in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-eligible households may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Stress during pregnancy and breastfeeding may influence women's mental health making them more vulnerable to higher rates of food insecurity (FI).

Objective: Determine whether or not FI is associated with moderate-to-severe mental distress among women living in WIC-eligible households, and whether or not the strength of the association differs among WIC participants compared with eligible nonparticipants with low income.

A novel approach to estimate the impact of health workforce investments on health outcomes through increased coverage of HIV, TB and malaria services.

Background: Globally, HIV, TB and malaria account for an estimated three million deaths annually. The Global Fund partnered with the World Health Organization to assist countries with health workforce planning in these areas through the development of an integrated health workforce investment impact tool. Our study illustrates the development of a user-friendly tool (with two MS Excel calculator subcomponents) that computes associations between human resources for health (HRH) investment inputs and reduced morbidity and mortality from HIV, TB, and malaria via increased coverage of effective treatment services.

Stakeholders' perceptions on improving women's health after obstetric fistula repair: results from a qualitative study in Guinea.

The holistic care of obstetric fistula remains a significant public health concern in developing countries. Improving women's outcomes after repair requires perspectives on post-surgical period within which women have to fulfil their social roles and expectations, mainly becoming pregnant, cooking, resuming farming activities or sexual intercourse. Our objective was to explore stakeholders' perceptions of women's health and well-being after fistula repair, and their perspectives on strategies for improving their quality of life in Guinea.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales of sexual and reproductive health products: an ecological study of pharmacies in Kenya.

Objectives: To examine how sales of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) products varied among pharmacies in Kenya using administrative data, leveraging natural variation in the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying policy restrictions between 2019 and 2021.

Design And Setting: Ecological study of pharmacies in Kenya.

Participants: 761 pharmacies using the Maisha Meds product inventory management system (capturing 572 916 products sold).

Awareness of medication abortion among a nationally representative U.S. sample, 2021-2022.

Objectives: Assess public awareness of medication abortion in the U.S.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2021-2022 with a probability-based sample, calculating the prevalence of medication abortion awareness and assessing its associations with participant characteristics using multivariable logistic regression.

Impact of Sumadhur intervention on fertility and family planning decision-making norms: a mixed methods study.

Background: Mindful of social norms shaping health among women pressured to prove early fertility in Nepal, a bi-national research team developed and piloted a 4-month intervention engaging household triads (newly married women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law) toward advancing gender equity, personal agency, and reproductive health. This study evaluates the impact on family planning and fertility decision-making.

Methods: In 2021, Sumadhur was piloted in six villages with 30 household triads (90 participants).

Perceived norms about male circumcision and personal circumcision status: a cross-sectional, population-based study in rural Uganda.

Introduction: Over the past decade, 15 high-priority countries in eastern and southern Africa have promoted voluntary medical male circucmsion for HIV and STI prevention. Despite male circumcision prevalence in Uganda nearly doubling from 26% in 2011 to 43% in 2016, it remained below the target level by 2020. Little is known about perceived norms of male circumcision and their association with circumcision uptake among men.

Perspectives on Alternative Models of Medication Abortion Provision Among Abortion Patients in the United States.

Objective: Restrictions on the availability of medication abortion are a barrier to accessing early abortion. People seeking medication abortion may be interested in obtaining the medications through alternative models. The purpose of this study was to explore patient perspectives on obtaining abortion medications in advance of pregnancy or over the counter (OTC).

Sexually Transmitted Human Papillomavirus: Update in Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management.

This review presents the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prevention, and management of sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated diseases. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Prevalence varies regionally.

Factors Associated With Knowledge and Experience of Self-managed Abortion Among Patients Seeking Care at 49 US Abortion Clinics.

Importance: Patients attending US abortion clinics may consider or try self-managing their abortion before coming to the clinic, yet little is known about the factors associated with self-management behavior.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with considering or attempting a self-managed abortion before attending a clinic.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This survey study included patients obtaining an abortion at 49 independent, Planned Parenthood, and academic-affiliated clinics chosen to maximize diversity in geographic, state policy, and demographic context in 29 states between December 2018 and May 2020.

Changes in the Frequency and Type of Barriers to Reproductive Health Care Between 2017 and 2021.

Importance: Previous research has documented individual-level barriers to reproductive health services, but few studies have examined national trends.

Objective: To determine whether the number and type of barriers to reproductive health care experienced by US women of reproductive age changed from 2017 to 2021.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used serial survey data, weighted to be nationally representative, collected in August 2017 and December 2021 from members of Ipsos's KnowledgePanel who were aged 18 to 49 years and assigned female at birth.

Social support and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Western Kenya.

As coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in 2020, countries around the world implemented various prevention strategies, such as banning of public and social gatherings, restriction in movement, etc. These efforts may have had a deleterious effect on already vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH were concerned about contracting COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on their social networks that provide social support, and the continued availability of antiretroviral medications during the pandemic.