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Objectives Mother's health and wellbeing significantly affects child health. Women's autonomy can improve healthcare-seeking behaviour, utilisation of healthcare services, and planned pregnancy, thereby improving child health. The global under-five mortality rate (U5MR) has seen the fastest decline in the past two decades, but the influence of gender equality on child mortality remains unaddressed. A strategic approach addressing gender equality is needed to reduce the U5MR further. The study aimed to identify and investigate the association between indicators of gender equality and U5MR using a human rights-based approach. Methods We analysed open-source secondary data from international agencies comprising 521 gender-sensitive variables for 193 countries. Nine variables were included for the final Structural Equation Model based on the theoretical model. Model 1 consisted of 193 countries, and Model 2 comprised a subgroup analysis of 11 variables for 158 countries. Gender equality was a latent variable, and the U5MR was the outcome variable. Results Gender equality was significantly associated with U5MR (Z = - 7.47, 95% CI = - 754.67 to - 440.98, p < 0â§001, n = 193 for Model 1, and Z = - 7.71, 95% CI = - 808.26 to - 480.72, p < 0â§001, n = 158 for Model 2). Female education, women's waged and salaried employment, women as employers, and women's representation in leadership and parliament enhanced gender equality, whereas the prevalence of child marriage and intimate partner violence (IPV) negatively affected gender equality. Improvement in gender equality significantly reduced U5MR. Conclusions for practice Improving women's economic, educational, and social position and increasing female representation in higher leadership and policymaking positions is the key to reducing child mortality. Notably, eliminating child marriage and IPV is the key to achieving gender equality and is needed at the forefront of national policies. Gender equality can significantly improve women's reproductive autonomy, a critical factor in improving healthcare utilisation for women and their children., Author(s): Tanmay Bagade [sup.1] , Catherine Chojenta [sup.1] , Melissa Harris [sup.1] , Christopher Oldmeadow [sup.2] , Deborah Loxton [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.266842.c, 0000 0000 8831 109X, Centre For [...]

Background: Short inter-pregnancy or birth interval is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, some emerging evidence questions this association and there are also inconsistencies among the existing findings. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding the effect of short inter-pregnancy or birth intervals on adverse perinatal outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A comprehensive search of five databases was conducted targeting studies published between 2000 to 2023. Studies that reported on short inter-pregnancy or birth interval and examined adverse perinatal outcomes, such as low birthweight (LBW) preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), and neonatal mortality were included and appraised for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Three reviewers independently screened the studies and performed data extraction. Narrative synthesis and meta-analyses were conducted to summarise the key findings. Results: A total of 41 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. A short-interpregnancy interval was associated with an increased risk of low birthweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95%CI:1.39, 1.95), preterm birth (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.35, 1.66), and small for gestational age (OR = 1.24; 95%CI:1.09, 1.41). We also found elevated odds of early neonatal mortality (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.11, 3.29) and neonatal mortality (OR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.25, 2.55) among women with short birth intervals. Conclusion: This review indicates that both short inter-pregnancy and birth interval increased the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. This underscores the importance of advocating for and implementing strategies to promote optimal pregnancy and birth spacing to reduce the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes. Reproductive health policies and programs need to be further strengthened and promote access to comprehensive family planning services and increase awareness about the importance of optimal pregnancy and birth spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility information is an important component of comprehensive sexuality education, but the extent to which adolescents are taught or informed about fertility is unknown in Australia. This study examined knowledge of fertility using an anonymous, online survey of > 2,600 adolescents aged 15–18 across Australia. Respondents represented diverse backgrounds, including sexuality and gender diversity (>60% identifying other than heterosexual, 17% gender identity other than man/woman). Average knowledge of fertility was significantly poorer compared to average knowledge of reproductive and sexual health content linked to the national curriculum (p < .001). Linear regression and LASSO variable selection modelling identified significant, but small associations between some sociodemographic factors and knowledge about fertility or overall reproductive and sexual health. Over 80% of respondents considered their sexual health education insufficient, which was associated with poorer knowledge on all outcomes measured in linear regression models. These findings suggest that including fertility content explicitly within the Australian national curriculum will likely increase adolescent understanding of fertility. The strong participation of the adolescent LGBTQ+ community in the survey demonstrates their interest in contributing to reproductive and sexual health education reform. Inclusivity, particularly of sexuality and gender should be a key consideration in reproductive and sexual health education delivery in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]