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Background: Although Ethiopia has substantial improvements in various health indicators such as maternal and child mortality, the burden of neonatal mortality remains high. Between 2016 and 2019, neonatal mortality increased from 29 deaths per 1,000 live births to 33 deaths per 1,000 live births. This study aimed to explore the spatial patterns and factors contributing to neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. Methods: Data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) for the years 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016, and 2019 were analyzed. The EDHS sampling design uses a two-stage cluster sampling technique, considering census enumeration areas as primary sampling units and households as secondary sampling units. We used the Spatial Scan analysis in SaTScan and Getis-Ord Gi* statistic in Geographic Information System (GIS), to analyse the spatiotemporal patterns of neonatal mortality. Maternal, newborn and health service-related factors contributing to neonatal mortality were also analyzed using a multilevel logistic regression model. Adjusted Odds Rios (AOR) with corresponding 95% CI were presented as a measure of association and a P-value of 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: During the initial three consecutive surveys, there was a consistent pattern of hot spot clusters in the Amhara and Benshangul Gumuz regions, along with certain parts of the Oromia region. However, in later surveys, these clusters shifted to the eastern parts of the country, notably including the Somali region. Early initiation of breast feeding was associated with reduced chances of neonatal death (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]) = 0.27; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.23, 0.32). Neonates born at home (AOR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.82) and male babies had a higher likelihood of mortality during the neonatal period compared to their counterparts (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.51). The odds of neonatal mortality increased with the number of children a mother had ever given birth to (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.51). In contrast, longer birth intervals were associated with a reduced risk of neonatal mortality (AOR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.83). Conclusion: The central southern, central-western, north-western, and northern parts of Ethiopia had most of the neonatal death clusters in the first three rounds of DHS while eastern Ethiopia had the highest neonatal mortality clusters in the latest two surveys. Our results underscore the importance for policymakers and health administrators to reassess intervention approaches and reallocate resources to regions identified as hot spots for neonatal mortality. Enhancing the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth would improve newborn survival rates. Special attention and care need to be given to babies born of smaller sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Men exhibit higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to greater cancer incidence and lower survival rates. Comprehensive evidence on global cancer burden among men, including disparities by age group and country, is sparse. To address this, the authors analyzed 30 cancer types among men in 2022, with projections estimated for 2050. Methods: The 2022 GLOBOCAN estimates were used to describe cancer statistics for men in 185 countries/territories worldwide. Mortality‐to‐incidence ratios (MIRs) were calculated by dividing age‐standardized mortality rates by incidence rates. Results: In 2022, a high MIR (indicating poor survival) was observed among older men (aged 65 years and older; 61%) for rare cancer types (pancreatic cancer, 91%) and in countries with low a Human Development Index (HDI; 74%). Between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases are projected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million (≥84%). Deaths are projected to increase from 5.4 million to 10.5 million (≥93%), with a greater than two‐fold increase among men aged 65 years and older (≥117%) and for low‐HDI and medium‐HDI countries/territories (≥160%). Cancer cases and deaths are projected to increase among working‐age groups (≥39%) and very‐high‐HDI countries/territories (≥50%). Conclusions: Substantial disparities in cancer cases and deaths were observed among men in 2022, and these are projected to widen by 2050. Strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing workforce quality and access, fostering national and international collaborations, and promoting universal health coverage are crucial to reducing cancer disparities and ensuring cancer equity among men globally. In 2022, notable cancer disparities were observed between men's age groups and between countries/territories, and these disparities are projected to widen by 2050. Strengthening health system infrastructure, improving access to universal health coverage, and multidisciplinary approaches are essential for narrowing existing and projected cancer disparities, ultimately ensuring cancer equity in men worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally women face inequality in cancer outcomes; for example, smaller improvements in life expectancy due to decreased cancer‐related deaths than men (0.5 vs 0.8 years, 1981–2010). However, comprehensive global evidence on the burden of cancer among women (including by reproductive age spectrum) as well as disparities by region, remains limited. This study aimed to address these evidence gaps by considering 34 cancer types in 2020 and their projections for 2040. The cancer burden among women in 2020 was estimated using population‐based data from 185 countries/territories sourced from GLOBOCAN. Mortality to Incidence Ratios (MIR), a proxy for survival, were estimated by dividing the age‐standardised mortality rates by the age‐standardised incidence rates. Demographic projections were performed to 2040. In 2020, there were an estimated 9.3 million cancer cases and 4.4 million cancer deaths globally. Projections showed an increase to 13.3 million (↑44%) and 7.1 million (↑60%) in 2040, respectively, with larger proportional increases in low‐ and middle‐income countries. MIR among women was higher (poorer survival) in rare cancers and with increasing age. Countries with low Human Development Indexes (HDIs) had higher MIRs (69%) than countries with very high HDIs (30%). There was inequality in cancer incidence and mortality worldwide among women in 2020, which will further widen by 2040. Implementing cancer prevention efforts and providing basic cancer treatments by expanding universal health coverage through a human rights approach, expanding early screening opportunities and strengthening medical infrastructure are key to improving and ensuring equity in cancer control and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Search Strategy Selection Criteria Data Collection and Analysis Main Results Conclusion Around half of preterm births lack identifiable causes, indicating the need for further investigation to understand preterm birth risk factors. Existing studies on the intergenerational association of preterm birth showed inconsistency in effect size and direction.This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to review existing studies and provide comprehensive evidence on the intergenerational association of preterm births.We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Maternity and Infant Care databases, from the inception of each database to 04 April 2024.Eligibility criteria included studies that reported on women who had given birth and had recorded information about a family history of preterm birth in one or both of the child's biological parents.Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. A random‐effects model was used to compute pooled estimates using odds ratios.Sixteen eligible studies with a total of 2 271 612 mothers were included. The findings indicated a 1.44 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.54) fold increase in odds of giving preterm births among women who were born preterm. Additionally, having a sibling born preterm (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.87) and having a partner born preterm (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.25) were associated with increased likelihood of giving preterm births among women.The study revealed that women with a family history of preterm birth face an increased risk of giving preterm births. Screening pregnant women for a family history of preterm birth is essential, with those having a positive family history requiring closer follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supportive cancer care is vital to reducing the current disparities in cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including poor survival and low quality of life, and ultimately achieving equity in cancer care. This is the first review aimed to evaluate the extent of unmet supportive care needs and identify their contributing factors among patients with cancer in SSA. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline [Ovid], PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library of Databases] were systematically searched. Studies that addressed one or more domains of unmet supportive cancer care needs were included. Findings were analyzed using narrative analysis and meta-analysis, as appropriate. Eleven articles out of 2732 were retained in the review. The pooled prevalence of perceived unmet need for cancer care in SSA was 63% (95% CI: 45, 81) for physical, 59% (95% CI: 45, 72) for health information and system, 58% (95% CI: 42, 74) for psychological, 44% (95% CI: 29, 59) for patient care and support, and 43% (95% CI: 23, 63) for sexual. Older age, female sex, rural residence, advanced cancer stage, and low access to health information were related to high rates of multiple unmet needs within supportive care domains. In SSA, optimal cancer care provision was low, up to two-thirds of patients reported unmet needs for one or more domains. Strengthening efforts to develop comprehensive and integrated systems for supportive care services are keys to improving the clinical outcome, survival, and quality of life of cancer patients in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postabortion family planning is a major primary prevention strategy for unwanted pregnancies at which contraceptive use reduces approximately 230 million births every year worldwide. However, evidence that assesses postabortion family planning utilization and associated factors among women who received abortion services at governmental and nongovernmental health facilities is limited., Objective: This study aimed to compare the rates of postabortion family planning utilization and associated factors among women who received abortion services at governmental and nongovernmental health facilities., Study Design: A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed among 324 women who received abortion services. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants, and data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Data were cross-checked, coded, and entered into EpiData (version 3.1; The EpiData Association, Odense, Denmark) and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 25; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) for analysis. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, proportion, and mean with standard deviation, were computed. The association between independent variables and postabortion family planning utilization was made using a binary logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used as a measure of association, and variables with a P value of ≤.05 were considered significant., Results: The rate of postabortion family planning utilization among women who received abortion services was 71.91% (95% confidence interval, 66.74-76.56). The rates of postabortion family planning utilization at governmental and nongovernmental health facilities were 55.6% (95% confidence interval, 47.75-63.10) and 88.27% (95% confidence interval, 82.27-92.43) respectively. Being counseled about contraceptive use (adjusted odds ratio, 33.130; 95% confidence interval, 6.089-180.243), not needing near-future pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 3.350; 95% confidence interval, 1.541-7.282), and receiving abortion service at nongovernmental health facilities (adjusted odds ratio, 4.732; 95% confidence interval, 1.900-11.787) were significantly associated with postabortion family planning utilization., Conclusion: The rate of postabortion family planning utilization was lower among women who received abortion services at governmental health facilities than among women who received abortion services at nongovernmental health facilities. Counseling about contraceptive use, need for near-future pregnancy, and type of health facility were significantly associated with postabortion family planning utilization. Therefore, efforts are needed to promote and strengthen the counseling of contraceptive use and birth spacing of women who are receiving abortion services., (© 2022 The Authors.)