Background Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is a vital maternal and neonatal practice that improves survival and promotes breastfeeding. Despite its benefits, SSC remains underutilised in low-resource settings, including Sierra Leone, where maternal and neonatal mortality rates are among the highest globally. Objectives To determine the prevalence and predictors of SSC among women aged 15–49 years in Sierra Leone using the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS). Design This population-based, cross-sectional analytical study used secondary data from the 2019 SLDHS. Methods A weighted sample of 7,377 women who had given birth within five years preceding the survey and had complete data on SSC practice was included. Maternal practice of SSC was defined as placing a naked newborn on the mother’s bare chest immediately after birth, assessed as a binary self-reported outcome. Predictors included individual, household, and community-level factors such as birth weight, delivery method, place of delivery, health insurance coverage, regional differences, and community literacy. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted, guided by the Health Belief Model, to identify predictors of SSC. Results The prevalence of SSC was 60.8%. Mothers of low-birth-weight infants (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67–0.86) and caesarean deliveries (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.27–0.61) were less likely to practice SSC. Facility-based deliveries increased SSC likelihood (AOR = 5.58, 95% CI: 4.50–6.93), while health insurance coverage doubled odds (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.54–3.18). Regional disparities and higher community literacy also positively influenced SSC, with mothers from other regions less likely to practice SSC compared to Eastern regions. Conclusion Although SSC prevalence in Sierra Leone is encouraging, barriers such as low birth weight, caesarean deliveries, and socio-economic inequalities hinder universal adoption. Strengthening facilities, expanding community education, and ensuring equitable healthcare access are essential to improve SSC and maternal–neonatal outcomes.
Background Prior studies have observed changes in parameters such as respiration rate, heart rate variability, and resting heart rate over the course of the menstrual cycle. However, prior studies have been limited in scale and have not considered concurrent variations in sleep duration or nocturnal oxygenation. Objectives To determine the variations in nocturnal respiration rate, heart rate variability, resting heart, main sleep duration and average nocturnal SpO 2 , associated with underlying menstrual cycle timing. Design This was a retrospective observational study based on wearable data and self-reported menstrual cycle timing and birth control usage. Methods Data was collected over 24 months in women using wearable devices (Fitbit and Pixel Watch) who also self-recorded their menstrual cycles and birth control usage. The study considered 1754 women on hormonal birth control (HBC) pills, and 7279 naturally cycling (NC) women. Self-reported menstrual cycle parameters were consistent with normal physiology, and participants recorded wearable data on greater than 70% of the nights. Results By averaging parameters relative to their day within a menstrual cycle, variations were seen in respiration rate (RR), resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV), dependent on cycle phase. For the NC cohort, RR varied between the assumed follicular and luteal phase by approximately 0.6 breaths/min (∼4% variation, p <0.05), RHR by 3.0 bpm (∼4.4%, p <0.05), and HRV by 6 ms (∼14%, p <0.05). RR was highest in the assumed premenstrual phase, and lowest near the assumed ovulation date. There were also variations in main sleep time (7 minutes longer in menses than pre-menstrual, p <0.05), and in average nocturnal SpO 2 (absolute increase of ∼0.1% in assumed late luteal phase, p <0.05). Similar patterns were seen in the HBC group with reduced amplitude of variation. At a cohort level, increased respiration rate was observed in the HBC group (about 0.2 breaths/min, p <0.05), as was increased main sleep time by approximately 7 minutes. Conclusion The menstrual cycle has a small but statistically significant effect on a number of cardiorespiratory variables over a typical cycle. The effect size is largest for changes in resting heart rate, followed by HRV and respiration rate, with effects on main sleep time and SpO 2 being negligible.
Background Plant-based diets have become popular worldwide especially among women and younger people. Recommendations for well-balanced vegan diets are available, but the risk of nutrient deficiencies among strict vegans is of particular concern, especially among children and pregnant or breast-feeding women. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare food and nutrition literacy, knowledge of selected potentially critical nutrients, and sources of nutritional information between a convenience sample of Austrian vegan women of reproductive age and a quota-based sample of non-vegan Austrian women. Design Cross-sectional online survey. Methods The survey was conducted in women aged 18 to 49 years adhering to a vegan diet and “vegans” (no consumption of foods of animal origin) recruited by convenience sampling were compared against “non-vegans” (any other diet) recruited through quota-based sampling. The survey included validated instruments for measuring nutrition and food literacy and self-developed items to assess the frequency of consumption of selected highly processed foods, knowledge of selected potentially critical nutrients, and health-promoting practices. Results The survey sample consisted of 463 vegan and 486 non-vegan women. Self-perceived food literacy score (4.52; 95%CI: 3.04 to 6.01; p<0.001) and the nutrition health literacy scores (2.99; 95%CI: 0.36 to 5.62; p=0.026) were, on average, higher in vegans compared to non-vegans. Vegans also reported lower frequency of consumption of the selected highly processed food categories and had higher scores for knowledge of selected potentially critical nutrients. Differences remained significant after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and in a restricted analysis on more health-promoting women, except for the nutrition health literacy score. Conclusion In this convenience sample of Austrian vegan women, participants had higher self-perceived food and nutrition literacy scores and greater knowledge of selected potentially critical nutrients than women in the quota-based non-vegan comparison sample. These findings should be interpreted in light of differences in recruitment strategies and potential residual confounding and potential differential reporting bias.
Background Incarcerated women are an overlooked population in women’s health research, particularly those who are mothers. Motherhood in prison intersects with systemic disadvantage, separation from children, and restricted access to mental health resources, yet little is known about how maternal identity and peer relationships impact mental health in these contexts. Objectives This study investigates how motherhood functions as a source of agency and social capital among incarcerated women in South Africa, and how these relational dynamics influence their mental health. Specifically, we examine (1) how maternal responsibility motivates coping and identity re-formation and (2) how peer support networks and caregiving ties act as informal infrastructures for emotional resilience within a carceral environment. Design A qualitative, interpretive study guided by feminist social capital theory. Methods In-depth life history interviews were conducted with 25 incarcerated mothers in a South African women’s correctional facility. Data collection explored maternal identity, peer relationships, and mental health experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of relational coping, support networks, and mental health impacts. Results Three interrelated themes emerged: (1) Motherhood as agency—women framed maternal identity as the motivation for personal transformation; (2) Mental health implications— maternal and relational resources were associated with greater resilience, yet the structural constraints of prison continued to pose significant risks to wellbeing; (3) Social capital in confinement—peer networks and co-mothering arrangements provided support that mitigated psychological distress. Conclusion Motherhood and relational networks function as critical sources of social capital that help incarcerated women maintain maternal identity and psychological resilience. A feminist lens reframes mothering in prison not as only a liability but as a potential locus of empowerment. These findings suggest the need for correctional policy and women’s health interventions to support peer-led networks and maternal-relational continuity as part of holistic mental health care for incarcerated mothers.
Background The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is rising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with estimates ranging from 8% to 40%, depending on diagnostic criteria. Despite its implications for maternal and neonatal health, research on public knowledge around GDM in the UAE remains limited, particularly in relation to gender equity and women’s health empowerment. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate GDM knowledge among adult women in the UAE and assess demographic variations in understanding health information. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted. Methods 1039 female UAE residents aged 18 and above completed an online questionnaire assessing GDM-related knowledge, perception, and access to information. Data were analysed using SPSS, and Chi-Square Tests and logistic regression model were used to identify associations between GDM-related knowledge levels and sociodemographic factors. Results Among participants, 72.2% had heard of GDM, and 52.3% demonstrated adequate knowledge. Adequate knowledge was significantly associated with older age, higher education, employment, abnormal BMI, prior pregnancy, chronic disease, knowing someone with GDM, and having experienced GDM (all p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, prior pregnancy (OR = 2.22, p = 0.003) and a history of GDM (OR = 2.10, p = 0.042) were the strongest predictors of adequate knowledge. The most common information sources were family and friends (57%), hospitals (43%), and social media (36%). Conclusion Although overall awareness of GDM in the UAE was moderate, knowledge levels varied significantly by age, education, employment status, and personal or familial experience with the condition. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored, nurse-led, community-based education programs to enhance GDM knowledge, particularly among younger and nulliparous women. Targeted interventions can reduce disparities, promote informed decision-making, and support equitable and sustainable maternal health in Arab societies.
