Gender roles and imbalances in sexual power contribute to the heightened HIV-1 risk faced by women in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has led prevention research to focus on the development of female controlled methods. Despite the design of products such as vaginal rings to be used autonomously by women, male partners and women’s perceptions of relationships influence HIV prevention choices. To understand the influences […]
Despite being designed for autonomous use, research suggests partner approval is often in women’s microbicide use. Microbicide study participants have described many ways product use affects relationships, from improving sexual pleasure to increasing harm, including exacerbating intimate partner violence (IPV). As the dapivirine ring proceeds closer to licensure, supporting women’s agency to use microbicides safely is a priority. We conducted 42 in-depth interviews with former participants […]
Few data is available on cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery trends in low– and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze a prospective population-based registry including eight sites in seven low– and middle-income countries to observe trends in operative vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery rates over time, across sites. A prospective population-based study, including home and facility births among women enrolled from 2010 to 2016, was performed in communities in Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. Women were enrolled during […]
Young female sex-workers (FSW) aged 18-24 are at high risk of HIV due to high numbers of sexual partners, difficulty negotiating condom use, increased risk of gender-based violence, and limited access to services. Here we describe changes in sexual behaviours among young FSWs across Zimbabwe between 2013 and 2016, and risk factors for prevalent HIV in 2013 and 2016. FSW ≥ 18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in 14 sites across Zimbabwe in 2013 and 2016 as […]
Uncertainty is a challenging aspect of caring for children with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophies (DBMD). Although uncertainty is often perceived as a state to be avoided, hope may influence caregivers’ perceptions of uncertainty as opportunity. The goal of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to pilot a novel measure of state-based hope, and test relationships among uncertainty, hope, spirituality, and coping efficacy in mothers of children with DBMD. Mothers (n = 202) were recruited through DuchenneConnect, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, […]
Socio-cultural beliefs and practices surrounding menses influence women’s sexual and reproductive health behaviors and decision-making. We analyzed menstrual experiences within the context of the MTN-020/ASPIRE clinical trial during which women were asked to use a monthly vaginal ring for HIV prevention. The qualitative component of the trial was conducted during February 2013-June 2015, included interviews and focus […]
Gaining knowledge about opioid exposure and placental transfer of opioids is an important part of providing clinicians with the necessary information for therapeutic strategies during pregnancy in the rising opioid epidemic. Opioids exposure often includes a mixture rather than an exposure to an individual opioid. We investigated placental trophoblast permeability to opioids in vitro for six individual opioids and selected mixtures. The rate and concentration of opioid translocation across placental trophoblast monolayer varied considerably between the six investigated opioids. Oxycodone had the highest […]
This article identifies an acceptable and comprehensive substance use screening tool for pregnant women in the United States. This qualitative study sought to better understand prenatal practice staff perceptions of three existing substance use screening tools for use among pregnant women in an outpatient practice setting. Eight focus groups with 40 total participants were conducted with clinical and administrative staff of 2 diverse Maryland prenatal practices to determine the acceptability and usability of 3 substance use screening tools (4P’s Plus, NIDA-Modified Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, and the Substance Use Risk […]
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are at increased risk for tobacco use compared to those who are not LGBT. The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products launched the first U.S. large-scale tobacco public education campaign for LGBT young adults aged 18-24, This Free Life. The current study, using data from the evaluation of the This Free Life campaign, investigated the role of LGBT Identity Affirmation (i.e., the development […]
Eggs are nutrient rich and have the potential to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes, but cultural beliefs may inhibit consumption during pregnancy. This study had 3 phases. Phase I included in-depth interviews and free-listing and pile-sorting exercises with pregnant women (n = 36), husbands (n = 12), and mothers-in-law (n = 12) of pregnant women, and health providers (n […]