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Research Papers
Exploring the Influence of Sociocultural Factors on the Non-Utilization of Family Planning amongst Women in Ethiopia’s Pastoralist Regions
This study aimed to explore the sociocultural determinants of family planning (FP) utilization among women in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 682 reproductive-aged women selected from three regions in pastoralist districts. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with women who did not use FP. This study revealed that 47% of women did not use FP. Read More >>>
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Research Papers
Lessons from the deployment and management of public handwashing stations in esponse to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: A cross-sectional, observational study
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, 5,311 handwashing stations were distributed by the National Business Compact Coalition (NBCC) to help combat the virus. This study evaluated 316 of these stations across five counties, assessing functionality, usability, and accessibility. Despite initial success, only 61% of stations remained functional 6–8 months post-distribution, often due to relocation by caretakers. This study highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for public handwashing facilities in pandemic response efforts. Read More
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Research Papers
Viral load scale-up in South Sudan: Strategic implementation of tools to monitor HIV treatment success among people living with HIV
As access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) expands in South Sudan, achieving viral load (VL) suppression has become a key priority to sustain progress in the HIV response. Between 2017 and 2020, the PEPFAR-supported program implemented a comprehensive VL scale-up plan across 58 facilities, processing 59,600 VL samples. This initiative led to significant improvements, including reduced turnaround times (from 150 to 28 days), lower sample rejection rates (from 1.9% to 0.8%), and better documentation of ART and VL data. Notably, the average time from detecting a high VL to conducting a repeat test
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Research Papers
Determinants Of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Healthcare Workers In Oicha Health District, Democratic Republic Of Congo
A study conducted in the Oicha Health District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that 58% of healthcare workers were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Using a cross-sectional survey of 248 respondents, the research identified key determinants of vaccine hesitancy, including beliefs about vaccine safety, effectiveness, necessity, and availability. The findings underscore the need for targeted communication and behavior change strategies to improve vaccine uptake among healthcare workers, offering valuable insights for public health policymakers. Read More
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Research Papers
Changes in Solo and Partnered Sexual Behaviors following the First COVID-19 Wave: Data from an International Study of 26 Countries.
A global study from the International Sexual Health And REproductive Health during COVID-19 (I-SHARE) project, involving 19,654 adults across 26 countries, explored how solo and partnered sexual behaviors changed during the first wave of COVID-19. Using a three-point scale (decreased, no change, increased), participants reported on behaviors such as masturbation, cuddling, sex with partners, sexting, and viewing explicit media. These findings highlight the importance of considering both individual and structural influences on sexual behavior during public health crises to better support sexual
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Research Papers
Management of Psychosocial and Sexual Complains Among Cancer Patients in the African Context
The study aimed to assess the capacity of healthcare providers to manage these often-overlooked aspects of cancer care and to propose a culturally appropriate algorithm for psychosocial and sexual care. By systematically reviewing literature from 2000 to 2021, six eligible studies were identified and analyzed to chart the psychosocial and sexual complications associated with cancer and its treatment. The findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen healthcare systems and provider training to address these challenges. The proposed algorithm is designed to be integrated into primary healthc
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Research Papers
Amref Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) model for female genital mutilation/cutting, teenage pregnancies, and child, early and forced marriages in Kenya
The Amref Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) model, launched in 2009, has supported around 20,000 girls in rejecting female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and transitioning into adulthood through culturally sensitive, non-harmful ceremonies. Despite its long-standing implementation, there is limited evidence on ARP’s effectiveness in eliminating FGM/C. To address this, Amref has introduced a digital tracking tool to monitor outcomes for girls who have and haven’t participated in ARP, focusing on its impact on FGM/C, teenage pregnancy, and child, early, and forced marriages among adoles
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Research Papers
Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 Restrictions: A Study of 30 Countries From the I-SHARE Consortium
This cross-sectional study from the International Sexual Health and Reproductive Health (I-SHARE) project examined intimate partner violence (IPV) during COVID-19 restrictions across 30 countries between July 2020 and February 2021. Among 23,067 participants, 7% reported experiencing IPV during the restrictions, a decrease from 9.2% before the restrictions. The study found that sexual minorities and individuals facing economic hardship were more likely to experience IPV, especially those cohabiting with partners. Interestingly, stricter COVID-19 restrictions and living in urban or semi-urban a
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