Exploring the Influence of Fistula-Related Stigma on Post-repair Antenatal Care Utilization

Uganda has one of the highest rates of female genital fistula globally, with 1% of women reporting having experienced fistula-related symptoms in their lifetimes. Fistula repair availability has increased, prompting the need to attend to protecting health and well-being in the post-repair period, which may include safely achieving reproductive goals. Genital fistula symptoms can lead to lasting social, economic, and psychological consequences, including stigma, all of which are linked to domains of successful antenatal care utilization, though post-repair pregnancy health behaviors have yet to be studied extensively. This study aims to investigate the relationship between consequences of fistula-related stigmatization and antenatal care across four key dimensions of stigma: enacted stigma, anticipated stigma, internalized stigma, and perceived community stigma.

Adaptation of the Person-Centered Maternity Care Survey in the Dominican Republic: Informing Policy and Practice to Support Respectful Maternity Care Locally and Globally 

The Dominican Republic (DR) has achieved nearly universal coverage of institutional childbirth, yet maternal/infant mortality remain high. The DR has the highest cesarean section rate in the world and is one of only two countries with rising maternal mortality. However, experiences of childbirth in the DR have not been systematically examined. Global policy relating to respectful maternity care has largely been shaped by experiences from low-resource settings in Africa and Asia. This mixed-methods study presents a practical approach to contextual adaptation/application of the Person-Centered Maternity Care (PCMC) survey to measure respectfulness/responsiveness of care in a middle-income Caribbean country.

Improving Early and Exclusive Breastfeeding through Engaging Fathers in a Humanitarian Context in Nigeria 

FHI 360 is working in northeast Nigeria to improve the survival and nutritional status of newborns and infants amidst the ongoing conflict. Breastfeeding is a determining factor for the survival, growth, and development of infants in humanitarian contexts. A child who is exclusively breastfed is 14 times less likely to die in the first six months of life, however, cultural barriers and social factors influence recommended breastfeeding practices. The Father-to-Father Support Groups (FtFSGs) initiative was created in recognition of the critical role that men play in decision-making around infant feeding. During the meetings, members share experiences, support each other, and learn from counselling cards, various demonstrations, and roleplay.