Women, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 9 articles

This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge regarding the benefits and practice of antenatal perineal massage (APM) and their acceptance of APM. A descriptive cross-sectional correlation design was applied to a convenience sample of 104 pregnant women who completed an online questionnaire. The online questionnaire was divided into four categories: (1) sociodemographic and obstetric history and general information about APM, (2) knowledge regarding the benefits of APM, (3) knowledge regarding the practice of APM, and (4) acceptance of APM. Data analysis was performed in SPSS v.26. Frequencies and percentages were taken from all qualitative variables. Most pregnant women had good knowledge: 78.8% had knowledge regarding the benefits of APM, 85.6% had knowledge regarding the practice of APM, and 54.8% reported acceptance of APM. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice of APM, indicating that a higher knowledge level leads to good practice of APM. This study highlighted participants’ significantly high amount of knowledge regarding the benefits and practice of APM. Additionally, based on the percentage of participants who had not heard about APM, the study revealed the failure of health-care providers to provide education regarding APM to pregnant women. Further research is needed to establish interventions that improve knowledge and encourage APM practice among pregnant women. Full article

Physical activity is recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, including reducing sedentary behavior and improving mood, anxiety, and self-esteem. Individuals with severe mental illness tend to be more sedentary, contributing to poorer health outcomes. Water aerobic exercise has shown promise in improving physical and mental health, but sex differences in response to such interventions remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of a water aerobic exercise intervention on 74 individuals with severe mental illness, focusing on sex differences. Participants engaged in a 45–60 session, once a week for 6 months. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention and included measures of clinical, functioning, quality of life, and sedentary behavior outcomes. Both men and women significantly reduced sedentary behavior. Men showed significant improvements in self-stigma, functioning, and general quality of life. In contrast, women demonstrated significant improvements in self-esteem. These findings suggest that water aerobic exercise may be effective in reducing sedentary behavior and improving mental health outcomes in individuals with severe mental illness. However, the benefits appear to differ by sex. These results underscore the importance of sex-tailored physical activity interventions in mental health care. Full article

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare fetal lung anomaly characterized by benign multicystic masses that can lead to severe complications, such as pulmonary hypoplasia, fetal hydrops, and neonatal death. This literature review examines current knowledge on antenatal therapies for CCAM, focusing on pharmacological, procedural, and surgical interventions. Betamethasone, the first-line pharmacological treatment, has shown efficacy in reducing lesion size and resolving hydrops, particularly in microcystic CCAM. Procedural options, such as thoracoamniotic shunting, are effective for macrocystic lesions but carry risks including preterm labor and thoracic deformities. Open fetal surgery remains a last-resort intervention for severe cases, while emerging techniques, like percutaneous laser ablation and sclerotherapy, offer promising minimally invasive alternatives. A proposed treatment algorithm emphasizes individualized care based on lesion type, gestational age, and the presence of complications. The authors searched the US National Library of Medicine Database, Google Scholar, and PubMed Central to gather information on antenatal therapies for CCAM. This review emphasizes that, despite significant advancements, considerable challenges persist, underscoring the need for prospective studies to refine therapeutic protocols and assess long-term outcomes. Full article

Human milk is recognized as the optimal nutrition for infants, with evidence showing it can prevent childhood death. While there are approximately 756 milk banks worldwide, predominantly located in high-income countries, human milk banking remains limited in Africa, where infant mortality rates are highest. The purpose of this review was to examine the current landscape of human milk banking in Africa, analyzing its potential to decrease infant mortality and enhance neonatal health outcomes. We explore implementation challenges, opportunities for expansion, and strategies for establishing sustainable milk banking systems across the continent. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature, case studies, and reports from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online databases through 2024. Results: South Africa leads the continent, with over 20 milk banks, while countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda have recently established programs. Significant challenges include cultural barriers and a lack of infrastructure and funding. Despite current limitations, evidence supports the significant potential of human milk banking to reduce infant mortality in Africa. Success requires addressing cultural barriers, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and developing sustainable funding models by integrating existing maternal and child health services. Full article

Physical inactivity is a significant global health challenge, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Regular physical activity (PA) improves both physical and mental health, particularly for women, who are at higher risk of chronic conditions associated with inactivity. This study examines barriers and enablers to PA participation among women aged 18–65 in port and coastal communities in East England, a population disproportionately affected by socioeconomic and logistical challenges. Using a mixed-methods convergent parallel design, data were collected from 112 women recruited through local PA and weight loss programmes. Quantitative data were gathered using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression in SPSS. Qualitative data obtained through scenario-based and open-ended questions were thematically analysed in NVivo. Key findings indicate that healthcare professionals were the primary source of PA information (40%), while health benefits (36%) were the most frequently cited motivator for participation. Barriers to engagement included family responsibilities (45%), low self-confidence (31%), and limited access to facilities (27%). Women with caregiving roles or chronic health conditions were significantly less likely to engage in PA. Qualitative analysis highlighted additional psychological and environmental barriers but also identified motivators such as social support, medical advice, and personal goals. The study concludes that addressing socioenvironmental and psychological barriers to PA requires community-based, multilevel interventions. Leveraging support networks and culturally relevant programming can play a crucial role in sustaining PA engagement among women in these underserved port and coastal communities. Full article

Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, affects millions of women worldwide, yet it remains poorly understood and under-addressed in healthcare. Despite the availability of treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal alternatives, the awareness and utilization of these options vary significantly among women. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 1000 adults, both men and women, from the United States and Canada. We evaluated the perceived familiarity of participants with the timing, duration, and symptoms of perimenopause, as well as their satisfaction with their treatment options and communication with their healthcare providers. We found that, in general, women and older people were more likely to feel familiar with perimenopause, although the youngest age group surveyed also reported relatively high familiarity. We also found that there is a disconnect between people reporting high familiarity with perimenopause and its symptoms but overall middling and lower familiarity with the age and duration of onset and satisfaction with treatment options. Our results suggest further investigation into where people obtain their information concerning perimenopause, as well as into how knowledge of perimenopause may vary based on demographics. Full article

Black mothers with preterm infants face unique challenges during their stay in the NICU and after discharge. Racism-related barriers impact access to care for Black preterm infants. Understanding their experiences in caring for preterm infants is crucial to developing equity-focused interventions to address racism in the NICU and promote Black preterm infant health outcomes. The purpose of this scoping review is to shed light on Black mothers’ experiences of having a preterm infant. A search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline, Maternity and Infant Care, and Google Scholar. A total of 287 articles were retrieved and screened. Twelve (12) articles included in the final review were from the United States. The findings highlight the need to address racism among healthcare providers in the NICU through training and education. Gaps in understanding the experiences of Black parents with preterm infants from other Western contexts remain and require further research. Full article

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective long-acting contraceptives. However, pain associated with insertion deters some women and impacts satisfaction. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of local anesthetics, misoprostol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and conscious sedation for managing pain associated with IUD insertion. A comprehensive database search including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest was conducted from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs assessing interventions for IUD insertion pain were included. Case reports, non-randomized studies, and non-English papers were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data on pain outcomes and adverse effects. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. Thirty-nine RCTs (n = 12,345 women) met the inclusion criteria. Topical lidocaine effectively reduced pain on consistent findings across multiple high-quality RCTs. Misoprostol pretreatment facilitated easier insertions through cervical ripening. However, evidence for NSAIDs was inconclusive, with some RCTs finding no additional benefits versus placebo. Results also remained unclear for nitrous oxide conscious sedation due to variability in protocols. Nulliparity predicted higher reported pain consistently. Lidocaine and misoprostol show promise for minimizing IUD insertion pain and difficulty. Further optimization is required to standardize conscious sedation and fully evaluate NSAIDs. Improving pain management may increase favorable experiences and uptake of this reliable method. Full article

Spontaneous rupture of the utero-ovarian vessels is an exceptionally rare but potentially life-threatening condition, especially in the case of non-pregnant women with a history of complex gynecological conditions. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman presenting with severe abdominal pain and hemoperitoneum, 15 years after surgical eradication of stage IV endometriosis. Diagnostic imaging revealed significant free fluid and vascular disruption near the uterus. Emergency laparotomy confirmed blood in the peritoneal cavity and identified a rupture of the left paracervical vessels. This case underscores the critical role of timely surgical intervention and the challenges of diagnosing spontaneous vascular rupture in the context of chronic conditions such as endometriosis and fibromyalgia. A review of the literature revealed very limited cases with similar presentations, emphasizing the rarity of such vascular events, although without active endometriotic lesions. This report highlights the importance of considering spontaneous vascular rupture in differential diagnoses for acute abdominal pain with hemoperitoneum. Advanced imaging and multidisciplinary management are pivotal in ensuring favorable outcomes. Full article