Individuals with genetic conditions are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes; therefore, effective postpartum contraception is essential. Limited data exists regarding postpartum LARC counseling and uptake in this population. A retrospective chart review was used to evaluate documentation of LARC counseling in pregnancies of individuals with genetic diagnoses who delivered at two delivery sites from 2011 to 2024. LARC counseling was documented in 83.3
Contraceptive intention is an important precursor to future contraceptive adoption and provides valuable insight into potential demand for family planning services. Although previous studies have examined determinants of contraceptive use and intention in Nigeria, limited evidence exists regarding state-level disparities in contraceptive intention among women who are not currently using any contraceptive method. This study examined state-level disparities and socio-demographic determinants of intention to use contraception among non-using women in South-West Nigeria. This study utilized data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The analysis was restricted to 3,307 women aged 15–49 years residing in South-West Nigeria who were not using any contraceptive method at the time of the survey. The outcome variable was intention to use contraception, categorized as intending or not intending to use contraception in the future. Weighted descriptive statistics and survey-adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of contraceptive intention and identify associated factors. Results were presented as crude odds ratios (CORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95
Modern contraceptives are pertinent to the reduction of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and maternal mortality. Unfortunately, the prevalence rate of modern contraceptive use is low in most Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries including Rwanda. The use of internet promotes access to information on the need for childbearing postponement, prevention of unintended pregnancy, child spacing, and limiting family size. However, there is dearth of knowledge on the link between internet use and modern contraceptive use among Rwandan women. This study was therefore designed to fill the gap by assessing the relationship between exposure to the internet and uptake of modern contraceptives in Rwanda. This cross-sectional design study was a secondary data analysis of the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. Sexually active women aged 15–49 years (n = 7290) were included in the study. The outcome variable and key independent variable was modern contraceptive use and internet use respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regression model (α0.05). Modern contraceptive prevalence rate was 58.8
Contraceptive methods vary in effectiveness, side effects, cost, and other characteristics that influence individuals’ preferences. Understanding these preferences is essential for supporting patient-centered care and improving contraceptive decision-making. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive synthesis of the key attributes driving contraceptive choices across diverse populations. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the key attributes that are most important to individuals when selecting a contraceptive method. This review follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and includes studies published between 2000 and 2024. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Studies that employed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), conjoint experiments, surveys, or structured interviews to assess contraceptive preferences were included. A total of 22 studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing 53,730 participants. We identified 44 distinct attributes related to contraceptive choice, which were grouped into eight categories: effectiveness and safety, convenience and suitability, economy and cost, social and interpersonal relationships, privacy and control, information and advice, lifestyle and behavior, and services and support. Among the most frequently assessed attributes were effectiveness, side effects, cost, convenience, safety, and privacy. Effectiveness and safety were consistently rated as the most important factors in contraceptive choice, followed by cost and privacy considerations. Variations were observed in preferences across regions, with cost being a primary concern in the United States and privacy being particularly important in African countries. This review identifies several key attributes associated with contraceptive choice, with consistent emphasis on effectiveness, safety, cost, and privacy. These findings may provide reference points for contraceptive counseling and the development of decision-support tools. However, further research is needed to better understand socio-cultural and emotional determinants of contraceptive decision-making, as well as the temporal dynamics of preference formation across life stages. The findings suggest several factors that may be associated with contraceptive choice and may inform the development of more individualized counseling approaches. Psychological, emotional, and socio-cultural influences, as well as regional heterogeneity in preferences, may interact in complex and not yet fully understood ways, limiting the direct applicability of simplified counseling frameworks. Further mixed-methods research, including qualitative approaches and discrete choice experiments, is warranted to better elucidate preference formation and to assess the robustness and transferability of these findings across settings before they can be reliably integrated into routine contraceptive counseling strategies.
Repeat induced abortion remains a major reproductive health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although abortion is legal in Vietnam up to 22 weeks of gestation, the country continues to report high abortion rates in Southeast Asia, with limited recent data on repeat abortion. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and identify associated demographic, reproductive, and contraceptive factors among women seeking abortion services in Vietnam. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2025 at the Department of Family Planning, Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Women aged 18–49 years presenting for induced abortion were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Repeat induced abortion was defined as a history of one or more previous induced abortions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with repeat abortion. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95
Male involvement in family planning is a critical yet underexplored factor influencing contraceptive uptake and decision-making, particularly for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). In Kampala, Uganda, socio-cultural norms and misconceptions may limit men’s participation in reproductive health services. This study assessed the extent, determinants, and barriers to male involvement in LARC decision-making among couples. A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2025 in Makindye Division and Kisugu Health Centre III. Quantitative data were collected from 362 women using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained from six focus group discussions (FGDs) with men and women, and five key informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare providers. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data were thematically analyzed in NVivo. Instruments were pre-tested and assessed for reliability. While 96
Family planning is a foundational component of reproductive health that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about childbearing. In Afghanistan, where maternal mortality remains critically high and contraceptive prevalence is low, understanding family planning dynamics is essential for improving reproductive outcomes. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and contraceptive use among married women attending a major maternity hospital in Kabul. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 356 married women attending Rabia Balkhi Maternity Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, from October 2024 to March 2025. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured, validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed for analysis using SPSS version 26. Statistical significance was set at p <.05. Out of 356 women, 86.2
Contraceptive use and family planning have traditionally been viewed as women’s responsibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite growing evidence highlighting the positive impact of male involvement in improving contraceptive uptake, continuation, and reproductive health outcomes, the participation of male partners remains limited. This review explores the critical role of male partners in contraceptive decision-making and synthesizes current evidence on the barriers impeding their participation. It further identifies strategies and interventions to foster shared responsibility in family planning and promote equitable reproductive health practices. A narrative review approach was adopted to collate global and regional evidence from peer-reviewed literature, policy reports, and relevant case studies. The review is structured around five core themes: sociocultural and gender norms, knowledge and educational barriers, limitations within healthcare systems, misconceptions around male contraceptive methods, and systemic challenges to implementation. The review also presents innovative, context-sensitive strategies for male engagement and future directions to enhance male participation in family planning. The analysis reveals that male involvement remains suboptimal due to persistent patriarchal norms, misinformation, stigma, and limited access to male-centric contraceptive options. Existing family planning programs often lack couple-focused counseling and fail to provide inclusive services for men. However, interventions such as couple-based education, male-friendly clinics, community advocacy, gamified digital tools, and AI-enabled reproductive health platforms show promise in shifting attitudes and improving engagement. Success stories from countries including Tanzania, Vietnam, and India provide evidence for scalable, culturally adaptive models that facilitate male involvement. Strengthening male participation is pivotal for achieving equitable reproductive health outcomes. Multi-level strategies, such as spanning education, service delivery, community norms, and policy integration, are essential to promote shared responsibility. Addressing systemic barriers, expanding male contraceptive choices, and leveraging technology can catalyze behavioral change and contribute to more inclusive, effective, and sustainable family planning programs.
Saudi Arabia has experienced a marked fertility decline alongside health-system reforms under Vision 2030, yet evidence on healthcare workforce readiness for fertility and reproductive health (RH) counselling remains limited at the provincial level. Most Saudi studies have examined community demand, married women in primary care, or specialist groups in major urban centres. Demand-side evidence from Al-Baha indicates limited exposure to family-planning counselling and greater reliance on media than healthcare providers for RH information, highlighting the need to assess provider-side readiness in transitional provinces. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from December 2024 to February 2025 among healthcare students enrolled at Al-Baha University and active healthcare workers employed by Al-Baha Health Cluster across Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Laboratory Medicine. A 23-item instrument assessed four domains: Knowledge and Education, Access and Practice, Beliefs/Attitudes/Cultural Norms, and Lifestyle and Health Status. Among 577 respondents, the mean age was 25.7 ± 9.0 years and 406 (70.4
One of the most important methods for reducing fertility and improving maternal health is the use of modern contraceptives. However, modern contraceptives were not widely used in developing countries, including Lesotho. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among women in Lesotho. The 2023–2024 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data were used for analysis. The study comprised 6,413 women of reproductive age from 400 enumeration areas in 10 districts. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model was built to identify individual and community-level factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization. Significant risk factors were determined by odds ratio with 95
Unplanned pregnancy continues to pose a major challenge to public health, frequently resulting in negative maternal outcomes and delayed healthcare utilization. In developing nations, its occurrence is influenced by restricted access to contraception, cultural and societal norms, and inadequate awareness of reproductive health. This study primarily aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with unplanned pregnancies with a comparative group of planned pregnancies. Secondary objectives included exploring pregnancy outcomes and health-seeking behavior in unplanned pregnancies. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 430 ever-married women who conceived in the last three years, recruited using convenient sampling from rural and urban areas of Khordha District, Odisha. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify associated factors, outcomes, and health-seeking behavior in unplanned pregnancies. Nearly one-fourth of women (26
This study evaluated Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Structural Rearrangements (PGT‑SR) outcomes in carriers of complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs). Four CCR couples underwent PGT‑SR, and 20 karyotypically normal couples underwent Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT‑A) as controls. Embryo biopsies were analyzed by next‑generation sequencing (NGS), and Mapping Allele with Resolved Carrier Status (MaReCs) was used for breakpoint mapping. Literature data from 31 additional CCR carriers (222 embryos) were also summarized. Among the four CCR couples in this study, 14 blastocysts were biopsied. The high‑quality blastocyst rate (57.1
Traditional contraceptive methods (TCM) use is common in areas with limited access to modern options, or in settings where cultural practices discourage the use of modern methods. TCM, including folk methods, rhythm, withdrawal, and lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) beyond six months postpartum, are less effective than modern contraceptive methods. TCM are entrenched as an initial contraceptive method in many settings. We examined the trends and social-demographic factors associated with TCM use among women of reproductive age (WRA) (15–49 years) in Uganda to gain an in-depth understanding of the method-specific determinants of use, and to inform the development of targeted interventions to improve the use of the modern contraceptive method that are more effective than the TCM, and address unmet need for family planning. A secondary data analysis was performed on multiple cross-sectional datasets obtained from the nationally representative Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) Surveys conducted between 2017 and 2024. The surveys were based on a multi-stage cluster design, typically using urban-rural and major regions as the strata. Enumeration areas were sampled to create a representative list of households. Data were collected using PMA Collect based on Open Data Kit (ODK), an open-source application with data collection tools designed, programmed and installed on mobile smartphones. We determined the prevalence of and trends in TCM use across the four surveys. Determinants of use were ascertained using the prevalence ratio (PR)_ as a measure of association. PRs, with corresponding 95
TikTok is a key source of contraceptive information, including female permanent contraception (FPC), for young adults. Therefore, this cross-sectional study seeks to assess the quality of health information regarding FPC as presented in top-viewed TikTok videos. Two independent reviewers analyzed 101 most viewed videos with the hashtags #tubal, #tuballigation, and #tubestied for creator demographics, tonality, and content. Statistical analysis using the two sample Wilcoxen rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test was performed to compare DISCERN and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) scores between medical professionals and laypeople. Many videos portray personal experiences and have a negative tone, highlighting distrust, side effects, and tubal failure resulting in pregnancy. Educational content has a significantly higher average medical accuracy (p = 0.003) and content accessibility (p = 0.02) scores when created by medical professionals as compared to laypeople. As TikTok promotes engagement over shared concerns, many videos portray a narrative of dissatisfaction and complication following permanent contraception procedures. Healthcare professionals may find value in utilizing the platform to intentionally share credible content and counter misinformation regarding permanent contraceptive methods.
Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, but its use requires good knowledge and a positive attitude. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and experience of EC among female students of childbearing age at the University of Sierra Leone. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the three colleges of the University of Sierra Leone: Fourah Bay College, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, and the Institute of Public Administration Management. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the 320 female undergraduate students. Knowledge about EC was measured and scored as “good knowledge” and “poor knowledge”. An independent sample t-test was used to determine the significant difference between the socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge score, with statistical significance shown from a p-value < 0.05. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21. The mean age of the participants was 24.1 years. More than half of the participants (58.9
BACKGROUND:Family planning is typically given less priority by policymakers, service providers, and users. Family planning is widely acknowledged as a women's and children's health-improving and life-saving intervention. Due to the dearth of accurate and up-to-date national data on Somali women of reproductive age's postpartum intention to use contraception, this research aimed to assess the factors affecting postpartum women's intention to use contraceptives in Mogadishu, Somalia. METHODS:This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study used quantitative data collection among 334 reproductive-aged women (19-49 years). Participants were selected by simple random sampling from two Wadajir health centers and Banadir Hospital. Women aged 19-49 years who were postpartum within the previous 12 months and who consented to participate were included. Women who delivered more than 12 months prior, were too ill to participate, or did not provide consent were excluded. Five trained research assistants collected the data. Quantitative data were coded, entered, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, means, and medians were generated and presented in tables and graphs. RESULTS:Of 334 women approached, 332 consented (response rate: 99.4%). The median age was 25.5 years (IQR: 23-31). Only 44.9% (95% CI: 39.5-50.3) had ever heard of modern contraceptives. Postpartum contraceptive use was reported by 37.7% of participants. The most commonly used methods were progestogen-only pills (22.4%) and combined oral contraceptives (18.4%). Despite low awareness, 87.3% expressed readiness to use modern contraceptives. Intention to use contraception was significantly associated with type of marital union and perceived importance of partner discussion. CONCLUSION:Awareness of modern contraceptives among postpartum women in Mogadishu remains limited; however, readiness to use them is high. Marital structure and partner communication play significant roles in contraceptive intention. Strengthening culturally sensitive counseling and promoting male involvement may improve postpartum contraceptive uptake in Somalia.
Unintended pregnancies are still a public health concern, particularly among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia in particular. This study explored the drivers of unmet need for modern contraception among sexually active parous AGYW in Zambia. The study was cross-sectional using national data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), focusing on fecund, sexually active adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years. Unmet need for contraception refers to women of reproductive age who are sexually active and fertile, who wish to postpone their next birth or stop childbearing altogether, but are not using any method of contraception. A sample of 2,466 parous AGYW was included in the analysis. The outcome variable for this study is unmet need for contraception. A multilevel binary logistic regression models were fitted to examine the influence of individual and community level factors on unmet need for contraception. The prevalence of unmet need for contraception for spacing births among parous AGYW in Zambia in 2018 was 17.7
Family planning (FP) is a key public health intervention with broad health, social, and economic benefits. However, access and sustained use remain limited in many low- and middle-income countries. In Uganda, rapid urbanization presents new challenges, including inequities in modern contraceptive access and continuity. We examined how demand- and supply-side factors influence method mix and discontinuation in the urban settings of Jinja and Iganga in Eastern Uganda. We used secondary data from the Urban Thrive Project collected from November 2021 to March 2022 in Jinja City and Iganga Municipality. The dataset included 1,023 women (15–49 years), a health facility assessment (N = 150), and qualitative data from 24 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions. Quantitative analysis assessed modern contraceptive method mix using method skew and the average deviation (AD) index, with logistic regression used to identify factors associated with discontinuation. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach to explore factors shaping modern contraceptive method choice and discontinuation. Demand-side modern contraceptive method mix was dominated by injectables (36
Family planning is essential in promoting reproductive health and improving overall well-being. However, male involvement in modern family planning remains relatively low, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and limited male participation has been associated with challenges in women’s mental health due to lack of partner support. To determine the level of male partner involvement in modern family planning utilization and its effect on women’s mental health in the Northern Region of Ghana. A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected from 1,684 respondents via structured questionnaires and the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis, were performed using STATA v17. The study found that 68.2
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a major challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF). The window of implantation (WOI) is the endometrium’s receptive period for embryos, and endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) is a potential intervention for transfer failure, requiring further validation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ERA in improving clinical outcomes for patients with RIF and to identify clinical factors that influence WOI displacement in this patient population. A total of 284 RIF patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) were divided into ERA (n = 131) and non-ERA (n = 153) groups; the ERA group was subclassified into WOI displacement (n = 87) and normal (n = 44) subgroups. Collected clinical data were compared across these groups to analyze differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes. Results showed ERA-guided personalized transfer significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate (88.55
