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Introduction In the Latin America and Caribbean region, Haiti is one of the countries with the highest rates of HIV. Therefore, this study examined the factors associated with HIV testing among women in Haiti and trends in HIV testing in 2006, 2012, and 2016/17. Methods Data from the last three Haitian Demographic and Health Surveys (2006, 2012, and 2016/17) were used. The analysis was restricted to women aged of 15–49 years who made their sexual debut. STATA/SE 16.0 was employed to analyze the data by computing descriptive statistics, Chi‑square, and multilevel regression model to describe the trends and identify factors associated with HIV testing in Haiti. P -value less than 0.05 was taken as a significant association. Results HIV testing prevalence increased more than twofold from 2006 (8.8%) to 2017 (21.3%); however, it decreased by 11.6% between 2012 and 2016/17. Additionally, the results indicated that age, place of residence, region, education level, wealth index, mass media exposure, marital status, health insurance, age at first sex and number of sexual partners were significantly associated with HIV testing. Conclusions To significantly increase HIV testing prevalence among women, the Haitian government must invest much more in their health education while targeting vulnerable groups (youth, women in union, and women with low economic status).

Background Young women in Haiti remain vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. However, little is known about condom use among this population. This study examined the prevalence and the factors associated with condom use among sexually active young women in Haiti. Methods Data from the 2016/17 Haiti demographic and health survey were used. The prevalence and the factors associated with condom use among sexually active young women in Haiti were assessed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of condom use was 15.4% (95% CI 14.0–16.8). Being teenage (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.74), living in urban areas (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.04–1.90), having higher education level (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44–4.00), being in the middle or rich category of household wealth index (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.53–3.53 and AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.90–4.52), having correct knowledge of ovulatory cycle (AOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.30–2.10), having 2–3 lifetime sexual partners and one lifetime sexual partner (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.36–3.06 and AOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.35–3.17) had significantly higher odds of using condom. In addition, sexually active young women whose last partner was their boyfriend (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 2.82–6.81), and those whose last partner was a friend/casual acquaintance/commercial sex worker (AOR = 5.29; 95% CI: 2.18–12.85) were associated with increased likelihood of using condom compared with their counterparts whose partner was their spouse. Conclusion The Haitian government as well as institutions involved in sexual health should consider these factors when designing sexual and reproductive health interventions targeting young women. More specifically, to increase condom use and reduce risky sexual behaviors, they should combine efforts to raise awareness and induce sexual behavioral changes at two levels. In the education system, they should reinforce sexual education in primary and secondary schools while paying special attention to rural areas. In the whole society, it is important to deepen efforts toward increased awareness on family planning and condom use, through mass media and local organizations including religious ones. Priority should be given to the poorer households, young people and women, and rural areas, in order to maximize reduction in early and unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. Interventions should include a condom price subsidy and a campaign to destigmatize condom use which is actually a “male affair”.

Introduction For several decades, the rate of caesarean section (CS) has been increasing in the world. In some countries, the CS rate is below the WHO recommended range (10–15%), while in other countries, it is significantly higher. The aim of this paper was to identify individual and community-level factors associated with CS in Haiti. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted on nationally representative cross-sectional survey data from the 2016–2017 Haitian Demographic and Health Survey (HDHS). The analysis was restricted to 6303 children born in 5 years prior the survey (of the interviewed women). The study population’ characteristics, and the prevalence of CS were analysed using descriptive analysis (univariate/bivariate). In addition, multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with CS. Both descriptive and multivariate analysis were conducted using STATA 16.0 software (Stata Corp, Tex, USA). Statistical significance was declared at p  < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of CS delivery was estimated at 5.4% (95% CI 4.8–6.0) in Haiti. Results also revealed that mothers aged 35 and above (aOR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.00–1.96); who attended secondary (aOR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.39–2.76) and higher education level (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI 1.92–5.49); who were covered by health insurance (aOR = 2.57; 95% CI 1.57–4.19); with less than 3 children (aOR = 4.13; 95% CI 2.18–7.85) or 3–4 children (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.09–3.94); who received 9 or more antenatal visits (aOR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.40–3.50) were significantly more likely to deliver by CS. Children in communities with high preponderance of private health facilities had greater odds to be delivered through CS (aOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.25–2.85). Furthermore, children with an average birth weight (aOR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.48–0.91) were less likely to be delivered through CS than their counterparts with high birth weight. Conclusions While the CS prevalence was low in Haiti, it masks significant geographic, social and economic disparities. To better develop and implement maternal and child health programs that address CS deliveries, the government authorities and NGOs operating in the field of women’s health in Haiti should take these disparities into account.

Physical abuse during pregnancy has been linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of intimate partner physical violence (physical IPV) during pregnancy in Kenya and assess its associated sociodemographic factors. Secondary data analysis was performed on cross-sectional Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data conducted in 2014. The sample size for this study was 3193 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) who completed the domestic violence module, after excluding missing values and applying the weight factor. Descriptive analysis was carried out and a ReLogit model was used to assess the relationship between physical IPV during pregnancy and sociodemographic characteristics. About six percent of women reported physical IPV during pregnancy. The study finds that the probability of physical IPV during pregnancy is higher among young women aged < 25 years (ME = 0.035; 95% CI 0.0124–0.0631) with a primary education level (ME = 0.011; 95% CI 0.0005–0.0218) who have five children or more (ME = 0.048, 95% CI 0.0271–0.0739) and whose partner was an alcoholic (ME = 0.064, 95% CI 0.0457–0.0847) and/or exhibited coercive control (ME = 0.037, 95% CI 0.0241–0.0512). Even though quantitative research is crucial in determining factors that influence physical IPV during pregnancy, there is a need for qualitative inquiries into women’s experiences of physical IPV as well as related negative pregnancy outcomes in Kenya.

Plants produce a number of compounds that are vital to the growth and development processes (primary metabolites) of cells and plant health. In addition to this type of metabolism, plants perform various processes that lead to taxonomically specific formation of compounds (secondary metabolites) that are a vital part of the human diet. Historically, plants have been used for their multiple benefits for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Rubus species are cultivated on all continents, at various altitudes, from temperate forests to tropical climates, and have edible and economically important fruits. The present review describes the polyphenols as the group of chemical substances that is most frequently found in species of the genus Rubus. Additionally, reference is made to nutritional components such as proteins, fats, calories, vitamins, fiber and minerals. Biochemical characteristics such as pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity, and phytochemical compounds such as fatty acids, anthocyanins, total phenols, ellagitannis and saponins, among others, are presented. The uses of these compounds found in fruits, leaves, stems and seeds of Rubus species plants are considered, in regard to prevention and management of diseases and agroindustrial and pharmaceutical potential.