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Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health
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Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 10671

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina Lindsay

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA
Interests: maternal and child health and nutrition; childhood obesity prevention; minority health; health disparities; community-based health promotion research; global health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal health is the health of the gestational parent during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Each stage has important short- and long-term health consequences to the gestational parent and the newborn. Maternal health is critical to the health and well-being of the gestational parent, children, families, and communities. Despite important progress made over recent decades, pervasive inequalities that affect health outcomes remain, with minoritized populations being disproportionally affected. Addressing inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and right and gender is fundamental to safeguarding maternal health. Ensuring maternal physical, mental, and social well-being is central to the advancing health equity. Access to adequate, timely, and quality maternal healthcare services is crucial to decrease disparities in maternal and child health outcomes. 

This Special Issue will focus on current psychological, socio-cultural, environmental, and structural factors that influence maternal health and innovative strategies to prevent and address multiple factors affecting maternal health across the globe. We are interested in topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Multi-level, factors influencing maternal health; with special interest in the social and structural determinants of health inequities in maternal health;
  • Innovative interventions;
  • Preventative maternal health care in various settings (e.g., home, schools, community, etc.);
  • Environmental, organizational, and/or policy changes designed to promote maternal health and equity.

Researchers are invited to contribute novel work to be considered for publication in this Special Issue. Submissions should include original articles, critical reviews (systematic reviews or meta-analyses), brief reports, or short communications. There are no restrictions on study design and methodology (i.e., secondary analyses, cross-sectional or longitudinal design, intervention studies, qualitative studies, etc.). Articles that focus on either the prevention or management of prevalent women’s reproductive and sexual health and reproductive health care, reproductive rights and mental health across the globe are welcomed. Additionally, articles that focus on underrepresented or disadvantaged populations are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina Lindsay
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • maternal
  • pregnancy
  • minority
  • reproductive rights
  • gender
  • immigrant
  • structural factors
  • social and cultural factors
  • environment
  • interventions
  • health promotion
  • health disparities
  • health equity
  • health policy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 329 KiB  
Article
Exploring Beliefs, Concerns, Prenatal Care Advice, and Sources of Information About Gestational Weight Gain Among Immigrant Central American Pregnant Women in the United States
by Virginia A. Moreno, Doris Lucero, Nachalie Rodriguez-Cruz, Qun Le, Mary L. Greaney and Ana Cristina Lindsay
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121672 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Gestational weight gain (GWG) is critical for maternal and neonatal health, but excessive GWG can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and increased obesity risk later in life. Minoritized and immigrant women often face higher risks of excessive GWG. This cross-sectional [...] Read more.
Gestational weight gain (GWG) is critical for maternal and neonatal health, but excessive GWG can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and increased obesity risk later in life. Minoritized and immigrant women often face higher risks of excessive GWG. This cross-sectional study assessed Central American women’s beliefs and concerns about GWG, the receipt of advice from healthcare providers, and sources of information for healthy weight management during pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 93 pregnant women from El Salvador (31.2%), Guatemala (46.2%), and Honduras (22.6%). Most participants were married (91.4%), and 91.2% had household incomes below $40,000. Self-reported pre-pregnancy weight status varied significantly (p = 0.03), with more Guatemalans self-reporting as overweight (34.9%) compared to Salvadorans (10.3%) and Hondurans (19.1%). Beliefs about GWG varied significantly; 72.1% of Guatemalan women accepted “eating for two”, while only 31.0% of Salvadorans did (p = 0.002). More Honduran women (90.5%) received weight gain recommendations from healthcare providers than Salvadorans (62.1%) and Guatemalans (60.5%) (p = 0.04). The Internet and family were common information sources on weight management, highlighting the need for culturally tailored health education. This study underscores critical differences in beliefs and access to prenatal care among pregnant Central American immigrant women, emphasizing the importance of culturally competent health education to support healthy pregnancy outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
15 pages, 304 KiB  
Article
Promoting Maternal Health in the Postpartum Period to Advance Birth Equity
by Ariella Levisohn, Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, Colette Dieujuste and Lisa Heelan-Fancher
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121628 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Black birthing people experience lower rates of postpartum follow-up care. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with postpartum follow-up care and explore suggestions for improving the quality and experience of care during the postpartum period. A survey was conducted [...] Read more.
Black birthing people experience lower rates of postpartum follow-up care. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with postpartum follow-up care and explore suggestions for improving the quality and experience of care during the postpartum period. A survey was conducted among Black birthing people in the Boston area who had delivered an infant within two years of the study. Our survey comprised the Jackson, Hogue, Phillips Contextualized Stress Measure (JHPCSM), the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT), and demographic questions. One hundred and twenty-one self-identified Black birthing people completed the survey. One-third of participants did not attend their postpartum appointment. Those with public insurance, an educational level of less than a college degree, or were working outside the home were significantly less likely to have a postpartum follow-up visit. Participants who attended postpartum visits had higher scores on the JHPCSM (lower stress) and PKPCT. Inability to take time off from work, COVID-19 concerns, and lack of childcare were the most frequently reported barriers to attending appointments. There is a need for better institutional and policy support for Black parents in the postpartum period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
17 pages, 593 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Infertility Among US Reproductive-Aged Women
by Valerie Martinez, Irene H. Yen, Camila Alvarez, Andrew D. Williams and Sandie Ha
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121541 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2392
Abstract
Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women [...] Read more.
Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years without a history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy (n = 2579) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2016). Environmental chemical exposure was assessed with biospecimens and dichotomized as high and low levels of exposure based on the median. Logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between high levels of exposure and infertility, adjusted for age, race, education level, family income, and smoking status. We observed associations between infertility and cadmium [aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02–3.47] and arsenic [aOR: 1.88 (1.05–3.36)]. Two pesticides hexachlorobenzene [OR: 2.04 (1.05–3.98)] and oxychlordane [OR: 2.04 (1.12–3.69)] were also associated with infertility in unadjusted analyses. There were negative associations with two Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with n-perfluorooctanoic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.30–0.86)] and n-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.26–0.97). Specific chemicals may contribute to infertility risk, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
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Review

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21 pages, 894 KiB  
Review
Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Needs of Refugee Women Exposed to Gender-Based Violence: The Case for Trauma-Informed Care in Resettlement Contexts
by Cherra M. Mathis, Jordan J. Steiner, Andrea Kappas Mazzio, Meredith Bagwell-Gray, Karin Wachter, Crista Johnson-Agbakwu, Jill Messing and Jeanne Nizigiyimana
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081046 - 8 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3374
Abstract
This paper assesses literature regarding the sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) needs of resettled refugee women who experienced gender-based violence (GBV) and trauma-informed care (TIC) principles utilized among SRH service providers. A systematic search identified relevant studies published between 2000 and 2021; no [...] Read more.
This paper assesses literature regarding the sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) needs of resettled refugee women who experienced gender-based violence (GBV) and trauma-informed care (TIC) principles utilized among SRH service providers. A systematic search identified relevant studies published between 2000 and 2021; no articles found reflected both SRH and TIC principles among refugee women. The search was therefore separated into two aims: to review the literature about SRH needs for refugee women in resettlement countries who experienced GBV (Aim 1) and to examine the use of TIC principles in SRH care among women who experienced GBV (Aim 2). Thematic analysis of the articles identified key themes. Twenty-six articles were included in the analysis across both aims (Aim 1 = 8, Aim 2 = 18). Aim 1 articles shared three factors shaping the SRH needs of resettled refugee women: the centrality of violence and trauma; structural barriers to SRH care; and actions, practices, and resources for service providers. Aim 2 articles illustrated seven key principles of TIC used in SRH service provision, such as empowerment; trauma-specific services and integrated care; connection; safety; collaboration; identity culture and context; and trustworthiness. Resettled refugee women’s experiences of violence necessitate trauma-informed SRH health care. While there is limited peer-reviewed literature regarding TIC-SRH care for refugee women, the findings regarding the SRH needs of refugee women and the findings regarding the implementation of TIC in SRH collectively frame recommendations for how SRH can be infused with TIC. An example from practice, in the form of the Refugee Women’s Health Clinic, is included as an exemplar of TIC SRH principles in action for the health of resettled refugee women who have survived gendered violence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
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Other

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9 pages, 284 KiB  
Essay
The Use of Haloperidol as a Sedative During Childbirth: An Extreme Form of Obstetric Violence in Spain
by Ibone Olza, Oscar Quintela and Araceli García-Martínez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1658
Abstract
Obstetric violence during pregnancy and childbirth is unfortunately a major problem throughout the world. Neuroleptanalgesia is a classic form of analgesia which consists in administering analgesics and neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, simultaneously. Haloperidol is still occasionally used during childbirth and, in most cases, [...] Read more.
Obstetric violence during pregnancy and childbirth is unfortunately a major problem throughout the world. Neuroleptanalgesia is a classic form of analgesia which consists in administering analgesics and neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, simultaneously. Haloperidol is still occasionally used during childbirth and, in most cases, without informed consent in Spain. It is used with the excuse of being an antiemetic, but the reality is that it is a form of obstetric violence called chemical submission. The combination of haloperidol with opioids leads to a potentiation of the sedative effects of both drugs, which may lead to multiplied risks for both mother and baby. At present, the use of haloperidol during childbirth is a practice exclusive to Spain. In fact, the association El Parto es Nuestro (Birth Is Ours) launched an awareness campaign in February 2021 aimed at eradicating the use of haloperidol during childbirth without informed consent. The present essay aims to bring awareness about the ongoing practice of using haloperidol. It is of great importance to eradicate this practice that is so harmful to mothers and their babies, as well as educate health personnel regarding this situation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
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