2026-03-27
Miwako Okamoto, Sunila Shakya, Subasna Shrestha, Eiko Kaneda, Seira Kawada, Kenji Ohishi
BackgroundPostpartum emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, is a public health concern affecting maternal well-being and child development. Although several studies have identified risk factors among Nepalese women, little is known about the multifactorial pathways underlying postpartum emotional distress. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postpartum emotional distress and to examine the pathways and interrelationships among factors associated with postpartum emotional distress among women in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in central Nepal. A total of 381 postpartum women (4–12 weeks after delivery) were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Sociodemographic, perinatal, childcare-related, and psychosocial data were collected. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to identify latent factors and the relationships among them.ResultsThe prevalence of postpartum emotional distress was 40.2% (95% CI: 35.2–45.3). Factor analysis identified seven latent factors: Childcare Experience, Mother's Economic Strength, Age of Parents, Extended Family Support, Emotional Distress, Help from Husband, and Satisfaction with Married Life. SEM demonstrated good fit (CFI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.043). Satisfaction with Married Life (standardized coefficient: −0.66, p < 0.01), Help from Husband (−0.15, p < 0.01), Extended Family Support (−0.15, p < 0.05), and Mother's Economic Strength (−0.16, p < 0.05) were inversely associated with emotional distress.ConclusionsPostpartum emotional distress is highly prevalent among Nepalese women. Strengthening family and partner support, promoting community-based interventions, and enhancing routine mental health screening by health professionals are essential to both reduce distress and improve the psychological well-being of mothers and long-term outcomes for children.
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.17235562026-03-25
Anne Achieng, Sarah C. Blake, Ramatou Ouedraogo, Caroline Kabiru, Marni Sommer
IntroductionType III female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), or infibulation, negatively impacts girls' and women's health and well-being. Some evidence suggests women who have experienced infibulation may have distinct menstrual health challenges. However, the intersection of infibulation and menstrual health is under-explored. The present study documented women's and providers' perspectives on menstrual health and infibulation among Somali communities in Wajir County, Kenya.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study including in-depth interviews (n = 23) with Somali women ages 18–45, and key informant interviews (n = 10) with healthcare providers. Interviews with women explored their reflections on and experiences of FGM/C, including infibulation, menstrual health, and perceived connections between the two. Interviews with healthcare providers explored their perspectives on women's healthcare needs in relation to menstrual health and infibulation.ResultsThematic analysis identified three themes: (1) informal discussion among women shapes their menstruation and infibulation knowledge; (2) multiple factors that shape women's care-seeking for menstrual health concerns; and (3) healthcare providers lack the necessary preparation to address menstrual health concerns among women who have undergone infibulation.DiscussionThis study's findings provide insights into the intersections of menstrual health and infibulation within the broader educational, social and healthcare context of Somali communities in rural Kenya. While women learn, interpret, and describe infibulation as a source of acute menstrual health problems, including menstrual pain and irregular bleeding, clinical evidence on this relationship is needed. Findings illuminated multiple factors inhibiting Somali women's receipt of adequate care for menstrual health needs. Additional challenges included women's perceptions of healthcare quality, distrust of formal healthcare providers, and gendered family decision-making processes around healthcare. Healthcare providers' inadequate training and support hindered diagnosis and care for menstrual disorders for women who have and have not experienced infibulation, while confusion about Kenya's FGM/C ban further complicates provider engagement.
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.17534592026-03-23
Panpan Duan, Chengcheng Zhang, Qianqian Yang
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between vaginal microbiota indicators and HPV infection, providing a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of HPV-related diseases.MethodsClinical data of 5,362 female patients who underwent vaginal microbiota testing and HPV detection were retrospectively analyzed. The distribution of vaginal microbiota indicators and their association with HPV infection were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test. Three hundred fifty-five patients infected with HPV 16/18 were enrolled, followed up their HPV re-detection results at 12 months, and performed univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for persistent HPV infection.ResultsAmong the 5,362 subjects, the positive rates of hydrogen peroxide, sialidase, leukocyte esterase, Trichomonas vaginalis, mold, and clue cells were 96.38%, 16.51%, 59.29%, 0.93%, 16.09%, and 8.65% respectively. 63.19% of the subjects had vaginal cleanliness of III-IV, and 71.73% had a vaginal pH value >4.5. Statistical analysis showed that sialidase (χ2 = 4.13, P = 0.04), and vaginal cleanliness (χ2 = 8.32, P = 0.00) were significantly associated with HPV infection; Vaginal Cleanliness(χ2 = 8.32, P = 0.04) and pH(χ2 = 14.63, P = 0.00) were significantly associated with HPV Genotypes. Vaginal pH value (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.55–4.52, P < 0.001), N-acetylglucosaminidase positive (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.12–4.08, P = 0.021), and fungus detected (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.06–3.35, P = 0.032) were identified as independent risk factors for persistent HPV infection.ConclusionVaginal microbiota imbalance, as indicated by abnormal sialidase, poor vaginal cleanliness, and elevated pH value, may be related to HPV infection. Vaginal pH value, N-acetylglucosaminidase positive and fungus detected were identified as independent risk factors for persistent HPV infection.
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.18094492026-03-23
Miranda Atembeshu, Dirk Lafaut
IntroductionThis article examines the maternity care experiences of Black Sub-Saharan African migrant women living in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT). It explores how women describe their interactions with maternal healthcare providers and how intersecting factors-race, migration status, language, and gender - shaped their maternity care.MethodsThe study employed a qualitative, narrative design combining semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 women who gave birth in Belgium between 2020 and 2022, alongside participant observation at a Born House. The data were analyzed through a multi-phase thematic analysis that, in line with CRT, focused on counter-stories.ResultsFindings show that the pandemic and the measures to contain it compounded and exacerbated experiences of stereotyping, linguistic racism, and obstetric violence among Black migrant women. Stereotyping contributed to inadequate pain management, delayed diagnoses, and a lack of emotional support. COVID-19 measures - such as mask mandates, teleconsultations, and reduced availability of interpreters - intensified existing language barriers in interaction with maternal healthcare providers, enabling the expression of racist attitudes and reinforcing systemic exclusion from pregnancy-related decision-making. As a result, many women reported feeling wronged or coerced during and after childbirth. Mechanisms of redress did not accompany processes of blame attribution.DiscussionFrom a CRT perspective, we argue that pandemic measures without consideration of the specific needs of racialized migrants and linguistic minorities constitute a form of institutional neglect, reinforcing pre-existing inequities in maternity care. Tackling structural racism is not only a long-term imperative, but also requires acute awareness of the needs of racialized minorities when introducing new, ostensibly universal public health measures in times of crisis. View less
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.16929452026-03-16
Camille Drouillard, Ana García Navarro
Violence against women is an urgent public health and human rights issue. This study evaluated the effectiveness of forensic dentistry in diagnosing, preventing and comprehensively addressing domestic violence, identifying challenges and proposing improvements. A search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted until December 2024 selecting 9 studies including 949 female victims and 1,274 professionals. The most frequent injuries were maxillofacial and dental fractures, and the aggressors were mainly intimate partners. There was evidence of insufficient training of professionals, with moderate knowledge of physical signs and limited knowledge of behavioural indicators. The main barriers were fear of intervention, lack of protocols and the presence of the aggressor during care. Forensic dentistry plays a crucial role, but it is essential to improve professional training and incorporate specific protocols in clinical practice.
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1745030