Mulheres, flores e suas prisões: reflexões sobre botânica, gênero e ciência com alunas privadas de liberdade

Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa realizada em aulas de ciências desenvolvidas com base na vertente da História Cultural da Ciência com foco nas práticas botânicas durante os séculos XVIII e XIX. A investigação ocorreu junto ao grupo de pesquisa NIEHCC e com alunas privadas de liberdade, quando do estudo de temas do conteúdo de Biologia na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (ecologia, nomenclatura científica, botânica). O recorte histórico suscitou discussões sobre as relações entre gênero e ciência, a partir da discussão da participação feminina na Botânica no recorte histórico selecionado. A pesquisa histórica indicou que as práticas científicas em que as mulheres se envolveram, em geral, eram restritas ao espaço privado e derivaram de um interesse do contato das mulheres com a ciência. O método etnográfico foi escolhido para análise das intervenções em sala de aula. As alunas trouxeram para as aulas temáticas como homossexualidade, machismo, maternidade na adolescência, papel da mulher, diferenças entre os gêneros, opressões, violência masculina no seio familiar e barreiras no acesso da mulher à escola e ao trabalho, apontando que a abordagem da História Cultural da Ciência possibilitou conectar discussões sobre práticas científicas com o contexto das alunas.Women, flower and their prisons: reflections about botany, gender, science and the social condition of women with female students inmatesAbstractThe paper reports the results of a study carried out in science classes from the Cultural History of Science approach, focusing on Botanical practices during the 18th and 19th centuries. The investigation was carried out with the NIEHCC research group and with students deprived of liberty when studying topics of Biology in Youth and Adult Education's mandatory curriculum (ecology, the scientific terminology, botany). The historical episode aimed to raise discussions about the relations between gender and science with the students, as many women participated in Botany in the selected historical section. The historical research indicated that the scientific practices in which women were involved, in general, were restricted to the private space and derived from an interest in women's contact with science. The ethnographic method was chosen to give voice to the speech of the participating students. Themes as homosexuality, sexism, adolescent motherhood, women's role, gender differences, oppression, male violence within the family, and barriers to women's access to school and work emerged in class, which indicates that the historical discussions were related to the students' context. Keywords: Science Education; Gender and Science; Cultural History of Science; Prison Education.

Adolescent Motherhood and HIV in South Africa: Examining Prevalence of Common Mental Disorder

The mental health of adolescents (10–19 years) remains an overlooked global health issue, particularly within the context of syndemic conditions such as HIV and pregnancy. Rates of pregnancy and HIV among adolescents within South Africa are some of the highest in the world. Experiencing pregnancy and living with HIV during adolescence have both been found to be associated with poor mental health within separate explorations. Yet, examinations of mental health among adolescents living with HIV who have experienced pregnancy/parenthood remain absent from the literature. As such, there exists no evidence-based policy or programming relating to mental health for this group. These analyses aim to identify the prevalence of probable common mental disorder among adolescent mothers and, among adolescents experiencing the syndemic of motherhood and HIV. Analyses utilise data from interviews undertaken with 723 female adolescents drawn from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of adolescents living with HIV (n = 1059) and a comparison group of adolescents without HIV (n = 467) undertaken within the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Detailed study questionnaires included validated and study specific measures relating to HIV, adolescent motherhood, and mental health. Four self-reported measures of mental health (depressive, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and suicidality symptomology) were used to explore the concept of likely common mental disorder and mental health comorbidities (experiencing two or more common mental disorders concurrently). Chi-square tests (Fisher’s exact test, where appropriate) and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to assess differences in sample characteristics (inclusive of mental health status) according to HIV status and motherhood status. Logistic regression models were used to explore the cross-sectional associations between combined motherhood and HIV status and, likely common mental disorder/mental health comorbidities. 70.5% of participants were living with HIV and 15.2% were mothers. 8.4% were mothers living with HIV. A tenth (10.9%) of the sample were classified as reporting a probable common mental disorder and 2.8% as experiencing likely mental health comorbidities. Three core findings emerge: (1) poor mental health was elevated among adolescent mothers compared to never pregnant adolescents (measures of likely common mental disorder, mental health comorbidities, depressive, anxiety and suicidality symptoms), (2) prevalence of probable common mental disorder was highest among mothers living with HIV (23.0%) compared to other groups (Range:8.5–12.8%; Χ2 = 12.54, p = 0.006) and, (3) prevalence of probable mental health comorbidities was higher among mothers, regardless of HIV status (HIV & motherhood = 8.2%, No HIV & motherhood = 8.2%, Χ2 = 14.5, p = 0.002). Results identify higher mental health burden among adolescent mothers compared to never-pregnant adolescents, an increased prevalence of mental health burden among adolescent mothers living with HIV compared to other groups, and an elevated prevalence of mental health comorbidities among adolescent mothers irrespective of HIV status. These findings address a critical evidence gap, highlighting the commonality of mental health burden within the context of adolescent motherhood and HIV within South Africa as well as the urgent need for support and further research to ensure effective evidence-based programming is made available for this group. Existing antenatal, postnatal, and HIV care may provide an opportunity for mental health screening, monitoring, and referral.

Prevalence, socioeconomic factors and obstetric outcomes associated with adolescent motherhood in Ceará, Brazil: a population-based study

Background Adolescent motherhood (AM) remains a public health problem, especially in low and middle income countries, where approximately 95% of these births occur. Evidence from studies with population representativeness about events associated with AM is limited. We assessed the prevalence of AM, as well as its association with Socioeconomic Factors and Obstetric Outcomes. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study on maternal and child health of women aged 10 to 49 years, living in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil was carried out to assess the prevalence of AM, as well as its association with Socioeconomic Factors and Obstetric Outcomes. The definition of adolescence used in the study was the one utilized by the WHO. In addition to the interview, data were double-checked according to the information in the government’s pregnancy health booklet. Sample-adjusted logistic models to determine the association of socioeconomic factors and AM, as well as the association of AM with obstetric outcomes, with a causal approach to multivariate analyses, were used. Results The prevalence of adolescent motherhood was 18.6%. Poverty and household crowding were associated with greater chances of AM (p values of 0.038 and < 0.001, respectively), as well as not being in a stable relationship (OR 2.26 (95%CI: 1.67, 3.07), p < 0.001). AM showed a greater chance of not using community health services (p < 0.001), had fewer prenatal consultations (β − 0.432 (95%CI: − 0.75, − 0.10)) and started prenatal care at a later date (β 0.38 (95%CI: 0.21, 0.55), p < 0.001)). AM are also less likely to be tested for HIV and more likely to have urinary tract infections. Conclusions Interventions aimed at socially-vulnerable adolescents are suggested. However, if pregnant, adolescents should receive proactive and differentiated prenatal care.

The "good" mother: experiences of Canadian adolescent mothers living in rural communities.

Adolescent mothers and their children are at risk for suboptimal health outcomes making adolescent motherhood a public health concern. However, the experiences of rural-living adolescent mothers are not well understood. Using Lieblich, Tuval-Mahiach, and Zilber's (1998) narrative methodology approach, the experiential accounts of three rural-living adolescent mothers was explored. Reflecting Goffman's (1959) presentation of self, the findings of this study revealed how adolescent mothers attempted to construct and present their notion of being a good mother, while coping with complicating rural factors. The need to present as a good mother, the lack of anonymity associated with rural living, and geographical barriers had particular implications for the way in which adolescent mothers access and use professional and personal supports. Maintaining relationships with the infants' fathers, even when that relationship exhibited unhealthy characteristics, was important for study participants. Implications for practice, education, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

The "good" mother: experiences of Canadian adolescent mothers living in rural communities.

Adolescent mothers and their children are at risk for suboptimal health outcomes making adolescent motherhood a public health concern. However, the experiences of rural-living adolescent mothers are not well understood. Using Lieblich, Tuval-Mahiach, and Zilber's (1998) narrative methodology approach, the experiential accounts of three rural-living adolescent mothers was explored. Reflecting Goffman's (1959) presentation of self, the findings of this study revealed how adolescent mothers attempted to construct and present their notion of being a good mother, while coping with complicating rural factors. The need to present as a good mother, the lack of anonymity associated with rural living, and geographical barriers had particular implications for the way in which adolescent mothers access and use professional and personal supports. Maintaining relationships with the infants' fathers, even when that relationship exhibited unhealthy characteristics, was important for study participants. Implications for practice, education, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Predictors of Adolescent Motherhood in Romania

The objective of the present study was to explore what demographic and socioeconomic factors were associated with adolescent (younger than 20 years) and adult mothers living in Romania. In total, 274 adolescent and adult mothers were recruited from two maternity wards Romanian maternity wards. The mean age of the sample was 24.64 years (SD = 6.907, range: 13–44 years). Independent samples t-tests, Pearson’s chi square, Cramer’s V, and risk ratios were used to assess differences in continuous and categorical demographics variables between adolescent and adult mothers. This study has shown that maternity among adolescent mothers younger than 20 years has broad sociodemographic determinations, and, consequently, the socio-economic implications could be long-term as well as costly.

Child Marriage and Adolescent Motherhood: A Nationwide Vulnerability for Women in Bangladesh

The persistently high prevalence of girl-child marriage and adolescent motherhood is a public health concern in Bangladesh. This study investigated the division-wise prevalence and the influence of education and religious affiliation on child marriage and adolescent motherhood among women in Bangladesh along with their consequences using 15,474 women aged 15–49 years from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18. Staggeringly, 82.5% women were married before 18, 43.1% were married before 15, and 61.8% gave birth before 18 years of age. Binary logistic regression models for the complex survey showed that girl-children with primary, secondary, and higher secondary or above education were 16% (95% CI: 0.69, 1.03), 32% (95% CI: 0.55, 0.84), and 87% (95% CI: 0.10, 0.17) less likely to get married <18 years of age, respectively, compared to the uneducated. Also, girl-children with secondary and higher education were 21 and 83% less likely to become adolescent mothers, respectively, than the uneducated. Women married during childhood (<18 years) and adolescent mothers were 36 and 55% less likely to continue studies after marriage, respectively, and expressed that they significantly preferred a late marriage. Policy interventions need to address culturally-laden social norms influenced by religious-related beliefs, especially in rural areas.

A bioecocultural approach to supporting adolescent mothers and their young children in conflict-affected contexts

An estimated 12 million girls aged 15–19 years, and 777,000 girls younger than 15 give birth globally each year. Contexts of war and displacement increase the likelihood of early marriage and childbearing. Given the developmentally sensitive periods of early childhood and adolescence, adolescent motherhood in conflict-affected contexts may put a family at risk intergenerationally. We propose that the specifics of normative neuroendocrine development during adolescence, including increased sensitivity to stress, pose additional risks to adolescent girls and their young children in the face of war and displacement, with potential lifelong consequences for health and development. This paper proposes a developmental, dual-generational framework for research and policies to better understand and address the needs of adolescent mothers and their small children. We draw from the literature on developmental stress physiology, adolescent parenthood in contexts of war and displacement internationally, and developmental cultural neurobiology. We also identify culturally meaningful sources of resilience and provide a review of the existing literature on interventions supporting adolescent mothers and their offspring. We aim to honor Edward Zigler's groundbreaking life and career by integrating basic developmental science with applied intervention and policy.

Comparison of the course of labour in adolescent mothers (aged ≤17 years) and young women (aged 18-19 years)

Introduction: Adolescent motherhood is associated with a high risk of health problems due to the unfinished process of biological development of the body. Aim: To compare the course of labour among adolescent mothers (aged up to 17 years) and young women (aged 18–19 years). Material and methods: The study was performed on the basis of a retrospective analysis of medical records from 2010 to 2018 in one of the clinical hospitals in Poland. The analysis included the births given by 133 adolescent mothers and 169 young women. Results and discussion: There was a downward trend in the percentage of births given by adolescent mothers and young women over a 9-year period. The placenta of adolescent women was lighter, by 25 g on average (P = 0.011), and had a smaller size (P = 0.038) than the placenta of young women. In adolescent women, pregnancy-related complications were significantly more often associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (P = 0.037), and in young women with gestational diabetes (P = 0.003). The rapture of membranes was observed significantly more often at the first stage of labour among mothers aged 18–19 years than in mothers aged up to 17 years (P = 0.043). Conclusions: A decrease in the number of births given by adolescent mothers and young women over 9 years was demonstrated. Among adolescent mothers a pregnancy-related complication was pregnancy-induced hypertension. The placenta of adolescent mothers was significantly lighter and smaller than of young women. The rapture of membranes (in the first stage of labour) concerned more often women aged 18–19 years.