PLOS ONE

Abstract Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common health issue during pregnancy, often lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes if left untreated, low knowledge contribute to high UTI rates, particularly in resource-limited settings like Jordan. To assess the knowledge levels about UTIs among pregnant women in Jordan and its association with socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending anten...

BackgroundLipedema is a chronic condition characterized by disproportionate adipose tissue accumulation, pain, and sensitivity, often influenced by hormonal fluctuations. Despite its prevalence, the specific impact of exogenous hormones on the disease course remains understudied. ObjectiveTo investigate the association between hormonal contraceptive use and the presence and severity of lipedema in Brazilian women. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Amato - Instituto de Medicina A...

IntroductionAnemia is a common and debilitating complication in cancer patients, affecting prognosis, quality of life, and treatment response. The burden of anemia may be higher in resource-limited settings due to nutritional deficiencies and limited healthcare access. However, data on anemia among newly diagnosed cancer patients in Ethiopia remain scarce. This study was aimed to determine the magnitude and predictors of anemia in newly diagnosed adult solid cancer patients in Hawassa, Ethiopia....

PurposeWhile research has improved understanding of prosthetic use in Cambodia, little is known about how individuals with lower limb amputation and their families experience access to prosthetic and rehabilitation services. This qualitative study explores these experiences to inform equitable and contextually appropriate service provision. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with adult lower-limb prosthetic users and their family members attending prosthet...

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of relaxation interventions on anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life in women with infertility. A comprehensive search of PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL(R), Google Scholar, and Korean databases was conducted for articles published through March 2025. Keywords included combinations of terms related to infertility, ART, and nursing or psychotherapeutic interventions. The search identified 759 records, of which 13...

BackgroundAdverse birth outcomes are a common health problem consisting of several health effects on postnatal mothers. Maternals with one or more adverse birth outcomes are at greater risk for maternal mortality. Despite ongoing government efforts to improve maternal care, the magnitude of adverse birth outcomes is a remarkable health concern. Maternal mortality is still a major public health challenge in Tanzania. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of adverse ma...

IntroductionPostpartum hemorrhage is the leading contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the burden greatest in low-resource settings. In Zambia, maternal mortality remains above national and global targets, and PPH is a major contributor. While most studies emphasize predictors and prevalence, limited evidence exists on maternal outcomes across different levels of care. This study aimed to examine maternal outcomes of Postpartum hemorrhage following vaginal delivery in f...

IntroductionTraditional bone-setting remains a culturally significant healthcare practice in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in regions like Sudan where modern orthopedic services are often inaccessible or unaffordable .This study examines the role of traditional healing practices in orthopedic care in White Nile State, Sudan, assessing patient perceptions, treatment effectiveness, and sociocultural factors influencing healthcare choices. MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study...

BackgroundHIV and malnutrition act synergistically to weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections, morbidity, and mortality. HIV destroys the body ability to fight infections, while malnutrition hinders recovery, accelerating the progression of AIDS related illnesses. This combination also undermines the adherence to and effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly in resource limited settings. Accordingly, this study assessed the prevalence of ...

ObjectiveTo investigate the attitude and behavior intention of community medical staff towards respite services and analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for the development of respite services. MethodsA multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 348 community medical staff to conduct a survey through the questionnaire star. Single factor and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the factors affecting the attitude and behavior intention of ...

BackgroundRisk screening for pre-eclampsia relies on accurate gestational age assessment, but routine access to ultrasound-based gestational dating remains challenging in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As part of the formative work for the "Preventing pre-eclampsia: Evaluating AspiRin Low-dose regimens following risk Screening" (PEARLS) trial, we aim to validate and implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for estimation of gestational age, using blind sweeps don...

BackgroundIt is known that cyclic menstruation imposes significant burdens on a large portion of the female population with a plethora of symptoms, including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and psychological distress. The effects are widespread, impacting the quality of life, ability to work and function, finances, and education. For the most part, previous studies have been surveys administered through social media channels such as pelvic pain and endometriosis societies, which, by defi...

Objectivedetermine the prevalence of Obstetric Violence (OV) and its correlates in Bafoussam. Methodologywe conducted a quantitative hospital-based survey at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH) and the Mifi District Hospital (MDH) from October 15th to December 15th 2023.Our sampling was consecutive and exhaustive including women in post-partum wards. We conducted face-to-face interviews using a pretested questionnaire and completed data using medical records. We performed chi square test of i...

Social support, which is an essential aspect influencing health, has resulted in the development of several approaches for assessment in cancer patients. The Illness-Specific Social Support Scale Short Version-8 (ISSS-8) effectively evaluates social support among diverse patient demographics; however, its psychometric validity has yet to be established in Asian cultural contexts. The objectives of this study were to translate and culturally adapt the ISSS-8 for the Thai setting and to assess its...

Medical management of pregnancy loss and termination has evolved considerably over the past decade, with misoprostol-based protocols emerging as a cornerstone of care in many settings. Standardized regimens, such as the FIGO 2017 recommendations, aim to improve outcomes by ensuring effectiveness, safety, and reproducibility across diverse clinical contexts. Evaluating their real-world performance is essential, particularly in resource-constrained environments where protocol adherence can directl...

BackgroundPelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition among multiparous and postmenopausal women. In North Africa, delayed gynecological consultation often results in presentation at advanced stages requiring surgical management. ObjectiveTo describe the clinical profile, surgical management, and short-term postoperative outcomes of women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse at a tertiary care hospital in Algiers, Algeria. MethodsA retrospective descriptive cohort study was condu...

This study explores the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH) on follow-up behavior among patients referred to community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Emergency Department (ED) of Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data collected from 342 patients who were screened for SDOH between February and July 2023. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests were used to identify potential associations between demographic and social factors ...

IntroductionSickle cell disease is a chronic hematologic disorder associated with significant physical and psychological challenges, including depression. Children with SCD experience recurrent pain crises, hospitalizations, and social limitations, which can contribute to mental health issues. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and associated factors among school-age children with SCD at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH), Eastern Uganda. MethodsA cross-sectional st...

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide and is frequently associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. While overall pain after cesarean delivery is well described, evidence comparing pain intensity and analgesic use between primary and repeat cesarean sections remains limited. Objective: To compare postoperative pain severity and total analgesic consumption within the first 24 hours among women undergoing primary versus repeat c...

BackgroundUndernutrition during pregnancy is a major public health issue and may lead to negative pregnancy outcomes. The body mass index (BMI), considered widely used as the reference method for assessing nutritional status due to its established population-based cut-off points; however, it can be misleading in pregnancy. This study aimed to validate the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a screening tool for identifying undernourished pregnant women (PW) in an urban slum, compared to BMI. ...