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Reproductive Health Care for Women

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 693

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM-58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas HC-FMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
Interests: women’s health services; women’s health; contraception; contraceptives; HPV; HPV vaccines; prevention health services; infection disease; long action reversible contraception; perimenopause; female adolescent

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM-58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas HC-FMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
Interests: gynecological endocrinology; PCOS; infertility; menopause
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Women's sexual and reproductive health requires a positive and respectful approach to their experience of their own sexuality. The possibility of having sexual experiences safely and free from any coercion, discrimination, violence, and/or issues related to culture or gender can be guaranteed by upholding women’s human rights. The scientific literature’s findings about sexual and reproductive healthcare issues still show inequities and a lack of public policy initiatives that promote equity, express the need for global understanding, promote demystification, discuss discrimination, and support women’s free will and autonomy. Even so, it is known that having low income and educational levels are associated with a high risk of sexually transmitted infections as well as cervical cancer and poor maternal and child health indicators. Indeed, the maintenance of social and economic inequities is associated with the perpetuation of violence, poverty, and gender differences. In developed and developing countries, there is still a lack of access to free sexual and reproductive healthcare services and governmental and non-governmental financial investment aimed at the adequate and effective treatment of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and cervical cancer in the health services center. Therefore, research about prevention and health promotion that considers the life cycle, especially during the menacme, the prevention of infectious diseases, such as through the HPV vaccine, and reproductive life planning is essential for gender equality and women's empowerment, in addition to being a key factor in reducing poverty and improving, developing, and supporting women’s health policies.

Dr. Isabel C. Espósito Sorpreso
Prof. Dr. Jose Maria Soares Junior
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • contraception
  • HPV vaccine
  • HPV
  • contraceptives
  • women’s health services
  • prevention health services
  • health education
  • reproductive health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Living in a Constant State of Fear: Phenomenological Study on Experiences of Women with High-Risk Pregnancy Waiting for Childbirth in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
by Zodwa Joyce Mphego, Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle and Sphiwe Madiba
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020192 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
Research and obstetric medicine often ignore the emotional aspect of high-risk pregnant women in clinical management and care. Even more so, research does not adequately address psychosocial well-being in high-risk pregnancies, particularly in low and middle-income countries, including South Africa. Thus, this study [...] Read more.
Research and obstetric medicine often ignore the emotional aspect of high-risk pregnant women in clinical management and care. Even more so, research does not adequately address psychosocial well-being in high-risk pregnancies, particularly in low and middle-income countries, including South Africa. Thus, this study aimed to explore and describe the experiences and psychosocial support needs of women waiting for childbirth in high-risk pregnancies. We conducted a descriptive phenomenological inquiry in special clinics in two hospitals in the Nkangala District Municipality of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A purposive sampling strategy was used to select 15 women aged 22 to 43 years, and in-depth interviews were conducted. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used. The women experience high levels of negative emotions such as shock and disbelief, fear, pain and sorrow, lack of control and hopelessness, and anxiety following a diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy. Fear was the most expressed feeling by the women; their thoughts were dominated by fear, and they lived in constant fear throughout the pregnancy journey due to the unpredictable pregnancy outcomes and the potential risks in high-risk pregnancies. Overall, the negative emotions are interlinked and bonded in the experiences of women with high-risk pregnancies, are experienced throughout the journey of waiting for childbirth, and contribute to high levels of stress and anxiety. Further exploration is needed to identify effective ways to support these women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Health Care for Women)
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