scholarly journals The gap in contraceptive knowledge and use between the military and non-military populations of Kinshasa, DRC, 2016–2019

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254915
Author(s):  
Pierre Z. Akilimali ◽  
Henri Engale Nzuka ◽  
Katherine H. LaNasa ◽  
Angéle Mavinga Wumba ◽  
Patrick Kayembe ◽  
...  

Introduction The objective of this study is to assess change over time in the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) and related variables among married women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in the military population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, compared to women in the non-military population, based on cross-sectional surveys in 2016 and 2019. Methods Data among women living in military camps were collected as a special study of contraceptive knowledge, use, and exposure to FP messaging, for comparison to women in the non-military population from the annual PMA2020 survey. Both used a two-stage cluster sampling design to randomly select participants. This analysis is limited to women married or in union. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to compare the military and non-military populations. Results The socio-demographic profile of women in the military camps differed between 2016 and 2019, which may reflect the more mobile nature of this population. In both populations, knowledge of modern contraceptive methods increased significantly. Similarly, use of a modern contraceptive method also increased significantly in both, though by 2019 women in the military camps were less likely to use modern contraception (24.9%) than their non-military counterparts (29.7%). Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the amount of increase in MCPR for the two populations. Among contraceptive users in both populations, the implant was the leading method. Potential effects of FP programming were evident in the military population: exposure to FP messaging increased (in comparison to a decrease among the non-military population). Moreover, women who had lived in the camps for 4+ years had a higher MCPR than those living in the camps for less than four years. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of collecting data in military camps for better understanding contraceptive dynamics among this specialized population.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 351-360
Author(s):  
Zeina Khodr ◽  
Anna Bukowinski ◽  
Clinton Hall ◽  
Gia Gumbs ◽  
Natalie Wells ◽  
...  

AbstractAs the percentage of women serving in the active-duty military continues to grow, and as their roles continue to expand, the importance of monitoring reproductive health in the military community increases. The Department of Defense Birth and Infant Health Research (BIHR) program conducts ongoing epidemiologic studies to assess potential increased risks for adverse reproductive and infant health outcomes in the military population. Military personnel endure unique physical and mental demands as a part of their occupational duties (e.g., extensive preventive care, numerous trainings, and deployments), which require special consideration as parental exposures in reproductive health research that cannot be well assessed in the general population. From 2003 to 2014, the BIHR program captured 250,604 pregnancies among approximately 2.4 million active-duty women of reproductive age when limited to non-cadet Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel. Approximately 15,000 live births occurred each year, and the live birth rate ranged from 76.9 per 1,000 in 2003 to 71.0 per 1,000 in 2014. Safety of military-unique preventive measures, environmental exposures, and occupational hazards in pregnancy are summarized herein. Reproductive health is important to our service members and their families, and optimizing the health of military families ultimately contributes to force readiness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 231-249
Author(s):  
A. J. Ogbole ◽  
J. S. Bisji ◽  
S. J. Umar ◽  
I. M. Jallo ◽  
S. O. Ezeh ◽  
...  

The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and perception of Nigerian Military population towards the coronavirus outbreak. A web-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect from 216 data from military officers from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy. Majority of the study sample were males, 88.4% (n = 191) and more than half the respondents were between 21 to 30 years old (50.5%). Also, 82.4% of the sample were graduates and 54.2% married. 82.9% were from Nigerian Army and 57.9% were commissioned officers with 6-10 years’ work experience 49.5 (n=107). Results show that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors of gender, age, military type, religion, education and marital status and knowledge of COVID-19 (p>.05). Results further show that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors and perception of COVID-19 (p>.05), meaning there was no significant difference in perception of COVID-19 based on demographic factors. Finally, the results showed that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors and attitude to COVID-19 (p>.05).  Irrespective of gender or age for example, knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 was good among the military population. Despites high level of awareness among the study population, it was recommended that the military authorities in Nigeria further strengthen their health systems, as well as the knowledge of infectious diseases and pandemics which will help them to assist the government and in educating the general populace through their military-civilian interface.


Author(s):  
Adnan Muhammad Shah ◽  
KangYoon Lee ◽  
Javaria Nisa Mir

Background: Pakistan is the world’s sixth most populated country, with a population of approximately 208 million people. Despite this, just 25% of legitimate couples say they have used modern contraceptive methods. A large body of literature has indicated that sexual satisfaction is a complex and multifaceted concept, since it involves physical and cultural components. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of influencing factors in terms of contraceptive self-efficacy (CSE), contraceptive knowledge, and spousal communication on the adoption of modern contraceptive methods for family planning (FP) under the moderating role of perceived barriers. Methods: Data were collected using an adopted questionnaire issued to married women of reproductive age belonging to the Rawalpindi and Neelum Valley regions in Pakistan. The sample consisted of 250 married women of reproductive age. SPSS was used to analyze the respondents’ feedback. Results: The findings draw public attention towards CSE, contraceptive knowledge, and spousal communication, because these factors can increase the usage of modern methods for FP among couples, leading to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies and associated risks. Regarding the significant moderation effect of perceived barriers, if individuals (women) are highly motivated (CSE) to overcome perceived barriers by convincing their husbands to use contraceptives, the probability to adopt modern contraceptive methods for FP practices is increased. Conclusions: Policymakers should formulate strategies for the involvement of males by designing male-oriented FP program interventions and incorporating male FP workers to reduce communication barriers between couples. Future research should address several other important variables, such as the desire for additional child, myths/misconceptions, fear of side effects, and partner/friend discouragement, which also affect the adoption of modern contraceptive methods for FP practices.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sia Emmanuel Msuya ◽  
Caroline Amour ◽  
Michael J Mahande ◽  
Rachel N Manongi ◽  
Ahmad Makuwani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Contraceptive use reported to avert more than 1 million maternal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa due to decline in fertility rate and thus help to achieve MDG 4 and 5. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of modern contraceptive use, describe common methods used, source of methods and factors that predict contraceptive use among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Arusha City and Meru District Council (DC) in northern Tanzania. Methodology: The study is based on data from a cross-sectional survey conducted from January – May 2018. The study enrolled women aged 16-44 years from five selected wards in each district. Interviews were conducted at participant’s homes using electronic data collection system. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: A total of 3,938 women were enrolled, of whom 3,658 were sexually active at the time of survey. The mean age of 3,658 women was 30.5 (SD 7.3) years. The prevalence of modern contraceptive use (mCPR) was 47%, with no significant difference between Arusha City (47%) and Meru DC (44%). Implants (26.9%), injectables (21.5%) and pills (13.0%) were three of the common contraceptives currently used among the users. Public health facilities were the main source (72.6%) of contraceptive methods. Married/cohabiting women were significantly using modern method of contraceptives compared to single women (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR = 2.1) as were women with two or more children than others (aPR=1.5). Cost, distance, and time due to busy schedules were key challenges to access family planning (FP) services as reported by the women. Conclusion: Nearly half of WRA in the two districts were using modern contraceptives. Implants have become the most common method of contraceptives than injectables and pills. Health management teams in the two districts will need to come with strategies for improving use of other modern FP methods and improving community-based availability of contraceptive services to contribute in improving mCPR to the 60% target.


Author(s):  
W. Leontiev ◽  
E. Magni ◽  
C. Dettwiler ◽  
C. Meller ◽  
R. Weiger ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy of the conventional illumination method (CONV) and the fluorescence-aided identification technique (FIT) for distinguishing between composite restorations and intact teeth using different fluorescence-inducing devices commonly used for FIT. Materials and methods Six groups of six dentists equipped with one of six different FIT systems each independently attempted to identify composite restorations and intact teeth on a full-mouth model with 22 composite restorations using CONV and, 1 h later, FIT. The entire procedure was repeated 1 week later. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values, including 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated for CONV and FIT overall and for each device. The influence of examiner age, method, and device on each parameter was assessed by multivariate analysis of variance. Results The sensitivity (84%, CI 81–86%), specificity (94%, CI 93–96%), PPV (92%, CI 90–94%), and NPV (90%, CI 88–91%) of FIT was significantly higher than that of CONV (47%, CI 44–50%; 82%, CI 79–84%; 66%, CI 62–69%, and 69%, CI 68–71%, respectively; p<0.001). The differences between CONV and FIT were significant for all parameters and FIT systems except VistaCam, which achieved no significant difference in specificity. Examiners younger than 40 years attained significantly higher sensitivity and negative predictive values than older examiners. Conclusions FIT is more reliable for detecting composite restorations than the conventional illumination method. Clinical relevance FIT can be considered an additional or alternative tool for improving the detection of composite restorations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 005-011
Author(s):  
Amanda B. Reed-Maldonado ◽  
Kristin C. Madden

AbstractMale infertility is a condition that affects approximately 50% of infertile couples and about 30% of those couples have only male factor infertility identified. There has been speculation that male military service members may have an even greater lifetime prevalence of infertility as compared to the general population, but very few scientific publications focus on male factor infertility in the military population specifically. This review will discuss many of the unique considerations regarding male infertility in the military and highlight future opportunities for research. The military/federal health system has the potential to serve as a leader in both the delivery of health care for male factor infertility and in the clinical investigation into the etiologies of and treatments for male factor infertility.


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