International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 14 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influencing Factors on Perceived Social Support Among First-Time Expectant Mothers

Mahin Nazari¹*, Sahar Ghasemi¹, Homeyra Vafaei² and Mohammad Fararouei³

¹Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
²Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
³Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Accepted 24 August, 2025

Though a joyful event for most women, pregnancy is often a stressful period both physically and mentally, and pregnant women need social support from husband, family, friends, health professionals, and other important people in order to facilitate, adapt with, and obtain mental balance. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived social supports and some demographic characteristics in Primigravida women. This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on the Primigravida women referred to obstetrics and gynecology clinics of Shahid Ayatollah Motahari and Hafez hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for receiving prenatal care in 2014. The data were gathered by demographic characteristics questionnaire and multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Then, the data were analyzed by the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), version 20 using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis. The results showed that the highest and lowest mean scores were related to perceived social support from husband and perceived social support from friends, respectively. Besides, the majority of the participants had high levels of perceived social support. However, no significant correlation was found between perceived social support from husband and total perceived social support and husband’s age, pregnant woman’s age, age at marriage, and gestational age. Moreover, the results showed that husband’s education level, husband’s occupation, pregnant woman’s education level, pregnant woman’s occupation, and socioeconomic class could not predict perceived social support from husband and total perceived social support. The results of the present study revealed no significant association between demographic variables and perceived social support. This might be attributed to the fact that perceived social support is more a subjective phenomenon, and depends on an individual’s level of perception but not to the amount received.

Key words: Pregnancy, primiparity, social support, perception.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 14 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-Economic Determinants of Academic Performance Among Teenage Mothers in Bungoma County, Kenya

Catherine Barmao-Kiptanui¹*, Jonah Nyaga Kindiki² and Joseph K. Lelan³

¹Moi University, Box 72-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
²School of Education, Moi University, Kenya.
³Moi University, Department of Education Management and Policy Studies, Kenya.

Accepted 25 November, 2025

Teenage pregnancy and motherhood are a concern in both developed and developing countries and is a complex reality of contemporary society however the re-entry of teenage mothers into the school system continues to demand attention as society’s negative attitude towards pregnant girls and teenage mothers persists. Those who do return to school suffer from stigmatisation, ridicule, and abuse from both teachers and other learners. This study sought to investigate the impact of teenage motherhood on the academic performance in public primary schools in Bungoma County. The study was guided by social integration model on student retention in schools whose primary purpose was to explain how the interactions among different individuals within the academic, social systems and the communities which comprised them lead individuals of different characteristics to withdraw from that institution prior to completion. Descriptive survey was adopted for the study and employed both quantitative and qualitative technique where quantitative relies on the principle of verifiability and the researcher wants to obtain a large body of data or to perform statistical analysis in order to produce results that can be generalized to the target population while qualitative involves systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data in order to provide description on selected issues hence the researcher used both techniques in order to maximize the strengths and minimize the limitation of each. The study employed stratified sampling, simple random and purposive sampling. A sample of 35 respondents (teenage mothers) and 3 head teachers from public schools in Kopsiro division were sampled for the study. The research instruments used were questionnaire and interview schedule and document analysis. The semi structured questionnaire were administered to the teenage mothers while closed ended interview schedule were administered to head teachers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive analyses was summarized using frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations. The study found out that education prepares girls for jobs, livelihoods, and raises their self-esteem and that teenage motherhood leads to low educational attainment. The study recommended that by supporting teenage mothers would help them achieve their goals in education.

Key words: Teenage, Teenage Motherhood, Academic, Performance, public primary.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Key Challenges in Linking HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health Services: Evidence from Southwestern Nigeria

Adebimpe Wasiu Olalekan¹, Adeleke Najemdeen Ajao², Farinloye Emmanuel Oludele² and Efuntoye Adeola Ebun³

¹Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences Osun State University Osogbo, PMB 4494 Osogbo, Nigeria

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Health Sciences Osun State University Osogbo, PMB 4494 Osogbo, Nigeria

³Family Health International/SIDHAS project, Abuja Nigeria

Accepted 21 October, 2025

Services integration ensures easy access to multiple services in a cost effective way. Integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services is poor in Nigeria. Removing bottlenecks to successful integration has been of high programmatic priority most especially in resource poor settings. This study determined bottlenecks to effective SRH/HIV services integration in Osun State in Southwestern Nigeria. This study combined descriptive cross sectional and retrospective study designs by collecting validated routine data on SRH/HIV integration from 100 randomly selected health care facilities. Research instruments for descriptive data collection were semi structured self administered questionnaires for health care workers, and exit interviews for patients using a designed checklist. Data was analyzed using a combination of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel software(s). The study found that only 31.9% of the health facilities had been trained on SRH/HIV integration, 42.1% of the health facilities were providing services within reach of the communities served, while 32.4% said they regularly complete the integrative referral process. Using the World Bank model of the bottlenecks analysis (BNA) process, three major bottlenecks to SRH/HIV services integration were determined. These include inadequate capacity building and poor access to SRH/HIV integrated services on the supply side. On the demand side, the major bottleneck identified was poor continuous utilization of services. Commodity challenges, poor initial utilization and poor quality of services were not among the leading bottlenecks identified. Several reasons were given as causes of these bottlenecks. Circumventing identified bottlenecks would strengthen SRH/HIV integration in order for patients to benefit from the two services simultaneously. All efforts should be geared towards removing these evidence based bottlenecks.

Key words: Sexual and reproductive health/ human immunodeficiency virus (SRH/HIV) integration, bottlenecks analysis (BNA), health facilities, Osun State, Nigeria.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Awareness and Practice Patterns of Emergency Contraception in a Non-Residential Tertiary Setting in Nigeria

Wright, Kikelomo Ololade¹, Fabamwo, Adetokunbo Olusegun²* and Akinola, Oluwarotimi Ireti²

¹Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 November, 2025

This study assessed the knowledge and use of emergency contraception among female undergraduates of a non-residential tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross- sectional study conducted in March, 2011 amongst 363 consenting female undergraduates using pre- tested, structured questionnaires. Respondents were recruited by multistage sampling technique whilst data analysis was done using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 Statistical Software with level of significance set at P<0.05. About 26.7% of the respondents were aware of emergency contraceptives, with their major sources of information being friends (55.7%) and doctors (34%). Few (16.5%) respondents were aware that emergency contraceptives are effective within 72 h of use. The proportion of usage of emergency contraceptives amongst respondents who had heard of emergency contraceptives was 21.7%. It was concluded that information sharing strategies on emergency contraception may prove useful in deterring untoward consequences of unprotected sexual experiences amongst the youths.

Key words: Contraceptives, emergency, female, undergraduates, tertiary.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Oxidative Stress in Geophagy during Pregnancy: Toxicological Implications and Molecular Mechanisms

Mossanda K. S.1* and Asare G. A.2

1Department of Research Development, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern C ape, South Africa. 2Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of Ghana.

Received 12 October, 2024; Accepted 4 February, 2025

Geophagia, or eating earth, soil, or clay, has both benefits and risks. While natural clay has absorbent properties that can detoxify phytotoxins and reduce nausea, its long-term consumption can be toxic. Research has linked oxidative stress to pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase, are associated with the severity of pre-eclampsia. Some studies suggest clay eating may protect pregnant women from pre-eclampsia by inhibiting iron uptake, reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, in iron overload conditions, clay eating may exacerbate oxidative stress. The presence of free iron in soil can contribute to ROS production, activating nuclear factor NF-kB and inducing inflammatory cytokines. This may lead to pre-eclampsia complications. Supplementation with zinc or consuming clay containing zinc may help alleviate this condition. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying geophagia-induced pre-eclampsia and the role of oxidative stress. By exploring these mechanisms, scientists can better understand the risks and benefits of geophagia during pregnancy.

Key words: Geophagia, pregnancy, molecular mechanism , oxidative stress, Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), OH radical, 8-hydroxyl deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Effects of Breastfeeding on Postpartum Weight Retention

Hadeel Fadhil Farhood

Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Babylon University, Iraq.

Received 8 October, 2024; Accepted 23 February, 2025

Women are often advised that lactation accelerates loss of the excess weight gained during pregnancy, but the evidence underlying this advice is sparse and conflicting. The aim of this study is to show the relation of full breast feeding with mothers' weight change, and to assess traditional practices in Iraqi population during breast feeding period. Longitudinal study was conducted in Babylon governorate, Iraq, during the period of 1 September, 2013 to 30 February, 2014. The collected baseline data at the time of requirement was 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery. The study sample was divided into two groups: full breast feeding (FBF) and mixed feeding group (MF). The sample was convenient, while the questionnaires include socio-demographic factors, parity, gender of baby, type of delivery, history of previous infertility, birth space, pre-pregnancy body weight, and her weight at 6 months after delivery. The questionnaires also include dietary habit during full breast feeding that includes: use of herb remedies, favorite and food they avoided. Weight (kg) and Height (cm) were measured. 175 mothers participated in the study, and they were divided into 2 groups: FBF group and MF. Full breast feeding group were younger than mixed or non- full breast feeding group. 66% of FBF had history of normal vaginal delivery with significant difference between them regarding type of delivery, and 80% of FBF group had no history of infertility compare to 63% in MF group who had history of infertility with significant difference regarding history of infertility and birth interval between 2 groups. There was no significant difference regarding pre- pregnancy body mass index between the groups and the weight change from 6 weeks to 6 months. 39.3% of FBF group reported the use of herb remedies during breast feeding fully. The most common food item avoided during full breast feeding was onion and Dates was the most favorite food. This result provide further evidence that full breast feeding promotes greater weight loss than mixed feeding among mothers even in the early months after delivery.

Key words: Weight loss, dietary habits, breast feeding.