Sexual Experiences of Infertile Women: A Qualitative Study

It is suggested that stress related to infertility causes marriage conflicts and decreases in the frequency of sexual intercourse. Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of the sexuality of infertile women. Patients and Methods: A phenomenological design was used in this study. We conducted face-to-face, semistructured, in-depth interviews with 11 infertile women. The interviews were audio-recorded, and a thematic approach was used to assess the data. Results: The average age of the women was 33.05 ± 3.40 years, and their age of first sexual intercourse was 23.0 ± 2.8 years and all of them are legally married. The durations of experiencing the problem of infertility were as follows; 3-5 years in 33%, 6-10 years in 27%, and 11 years and above in 38%. According to interpretative phenomenological analysis, two main themes emerge. Two main themes were determined: Perception of Sexuality and Sexual Problems. The results show that infertile women have a higher risk for sexual dysfunction than fertile women. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the diagnosis of infertility is an important factor in assessing the differences in the sexual satisfaction of women. In infertility counseling, health professionals must explain the gender differences. Also, infertile couples must encourage to share each other's feelings and this may help couples to cope with the communication problems they may experience.

Activity and participation experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), has committed to upholding the rights of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. There is little evidence, however, reflecting the impact of this commitment on the lived experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. Objectives: This study sought to uncover how the experiences of participation and activity shape the enactment of rights for Ethiopians with disabilities as enshrined in the UNCRPD. Method: Analysis of 25 qualitative interviews with people with disabilities and family members living in Ethiopia used a reflexive thematic analysis approach to arrive at central themes. Results: People with disabilities in Ethiopia experience marginalization, distress and practical challenges in both routine daily activities and participation in broader social roles and opportunities. These experiences affect their ability to claim many of the rights afforded by the UNCRPD. Conclusion: Despite legislative efforts to bring about change in Ethiopia, people with disabilities continue to live on the social margins. A meaningful change will require substantial allocation of needed resources by the Ethiopian government to support national-level programs and policy change. It is critical that people with disabilities and their families are engaged in receiving relevant support and serve as change leaders. Contribution: This study illustrates how marginalization, distress and practical challenges in daily activities and social participation arise and are sustained for people with disabilities in Ethiopia. The findings can help to inform the country's efforts to enact the rights of Ethiopians with disabilities as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Strategies employed in coping with physical disabilities acquired during adulthood in rural South Africa

Society places people with physical disabilities acquired during adulthood in disadvantaged positions, especially when they cannot participate in activities like their non-disabled counterparts. The situation can be worse for individuals who acquire disabilities during adulthood, where they have to learn to cope with the adulthood-acquired physical disabilities. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the types of physical disabilities acquired during adulthood and their causes and explore how participants defined their disabilities and the coping strategies they used. Methods: The study used a phenomenological research design. Five adults (three women, two men) with adulthood-acquired disabilities were purposefully selected from a rural area in Limpopo, South Africa. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes about coping strategies study participants used. Results: The results show four types of adulthood-acquired disabilities amongst the participants: visual impairment, paraplegia, weakened muscles which led to bilateral amputation, loss of function on both hands and legs. Participants' meanings of their physical adulthood-acquired disabilities ranged from a punishment, pain, not a bother, black magic, to results of doing wrong things to someone. In coming to terms with their adulthood-acquired disabilities, participants used problem- and emotion-focused strategies. Four themes from the participants' responses were spiritual support, social support, substance dependency, access to health and rehabilitation services. Conclusion: The study contributes to understanding the experiences of individuals who acquired disabilities in adulthood, how they define their disabilities and the divergent coping strategies they use. This study established that participants used problem-focused, positive emotion-focused and negative emotion-focused coping strategies.

Activity and participation experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), has committed to upholding the rights of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. There is little evidence, however, reflecting the impact of this commitment on the lived experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. Objectives: This study sought to uncover how the experiences of participation and activity shape the enactment of rights for Ethiopians with disabilities as enshrined in the UNCRPD. Method: Analysis of 25 qualitative interviews with people with disabilities and family members living in Ethiopia used a reflexive thematic analysis approach to arrive at central themes. Results: People with disabilities in Ethiopia experience marginalisation, distress and practical challenges in both routine daily activities and participation in broader social roles and opportunities. These experiences affect their ability to claim many of the rights afforded by the UNCRPD. Conclusion: Despite legislative efforts to bring about change in Ethiopia, people with disabilities continue to live on the social margins. A meaningful change will require substantial allocation of needed resources by the Ethiopian government to support national-level programmes and policy change. It is critical that people with disabilities and their families are engaged in receiving relevant support and serve as change leaders. Contribution: This study illustrates how marginalisation, distress and practical challenges in daily activities and social participation arise and are sustained for people with disabilities in Ethiopia. The findings can help to inform the country's efforts to enact the rights of Ethiopians with disabilities as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Health system strengthening for human capital development in Eswatini project. P168564

Description of the Strengthening the Health System and Nutrition for Human Capital Development in Eswatini Project The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is preparing a project, Health System Strengthening for Human Capital Development in Eswatini Project financed by an IBRD loan of US$20 million, using an Investment Project Financing (IPF) instrument, over a five-year period. The Project Development Objective (PDO) isto improve the coverage and quality of key reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), nutrition and NCD services (hypertension and diabetes) in Eswatini. To address key sector challenges and support the achievement of the PDO, the proposed project will focus on strengthening the health system and ramping up investments in RMNCAH services as well as nutrition and non-communicable diseases (hypertension and diabetes) to address critical human capital challenges, including stunting and child and adult mortality, applying a life course approach. The Ministry of Health will house the (PIU) the project implementing unit (PIU). The MOH will be supported by the Environmental Health Department (EHD) in the MOH.

The Development of an Instrument to Measure Women's Experience of an Aerobic Dance Class

The purpose of the study was to pilot an instrument to measure women's experience in an aerobic dance class with regard to their descriptions of the general atmosphere; the music; the dance moves and routines; and the instructor. In addition; the participants were asked to rate a list of exercise benefits in order of personal importance. A sample of 27 women; ranging in age from 25 to 60 years participated in this pilot study. The women responded with positive endorsements for all aspects of the overall dance experience; but their most affirming descriptions revolved around the instructor. There was an almost unanimous agreement amongst the participants about the importance of the instructor's role in their experience of the class. Their responses to the open ? ended questions supported these sentiments. The mental and physical benefits were rated as important for most of the women whilst a much lower percentage rated the social benefit as important. Two items in the semantic differential posed problems but the instrument showed promise in eliciting key aspects of women's experience in an aerobics dance class

Teenagers' Experiences of Sexual Health Dialogue in the Rural Villages of the Vhembe District; Limpopo Province

Dialogue with teenagers about sexual health is of global concern; as it is found mostly to be minimal; if not absent. This limitation is influenced by the cultural values; beliefs and norms of teenagers. To a great extent; culture influences which and how sexual health issues can be discussed between teenagers and adults. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teenagers' experiences of sexual health dialogue in the rural areas of the Vhembe district in Limpopo province; South Africa. A qualitative; explorative; descriptive and contextual research approach was used. Data were collected by means of in-depth; individual interviews and focus-group discussions. A purposive sampling method was used to select the 57 participating teenagers; based on criteria that were set. The findings of the study indicated that there was minimal dialogue between adults and teenagers about sexual health. Most teenagers reported that they learned about issues related to sexual health from friends; the media; initiation schools and relatives who; most often; were aunts. It was also noted with concern that the teenagers always equated sexual health to the act of intercourse and that no attention was paid to other aspects of sexual health. Recommendations to improve the current situation were made

Quality-of-Life Experiences From the Perspective of Patients Receiving Haemodialysis for Chronic Renal Failure

This study describes the experiences of patients receiving haemodialysis for chronic renal failure at the only dialysis centre in Windhoek; Namibia. A qualitative; explorative and descriptive design was used. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews and analysed using Tesch's process. Four themes emerged from the data; relating to (1) financial constraints; (2) loss of independence and spontaneous activities; (3) strain on relationships and (4) feelings of significant physiological changes and weakness. Based on the results; recommendations were submitted for psychosocial support and the establishment of support groups

The Lived Experiences of Late-Adolescent Female Suicide Survivors: 'A Part of Me Died'

People's thoughts often focus on the suicide victim immediately after a completed suicide. Yet; the real victims of such an event are those individuals who are left behind to cope with the aftermath of the suicide. This phenomenological psychological study explored the lived experiences of lateadolescent suicide survivors; particularly those negative experiences that seemed to worsen in the weeks and months after a significant other's completed suicide. The research participants were five female late-adolescents (aged 17-22 years) who were recruited by means of purposive sampling at a South African tertiary institution and at youth camps. Data collection consisted of collagefacilitated; face-to-face phenomenological interviews. In addition; some participants provided documentary material in the form of personal diaries; letters and poems. The data analysis was conducted according to Giorgi's phenomenological method. The following salient experiences emerged during the data analysis: guilt; self-blame; blaming others or God; anger; loss or restriction of 'self'; depression; suboptimal behavioural coping patterns; changes in relationship dynamics; and suicidality. The results of this study can be used by mental health professionals and caregivers to support adolescent suicide survivors effectively; in the midst of their mourning

"""Abortion? That's for women!"" Narratives and experiences of commercial motorbike riders in South-Western Uganda"

Although constitutionally illegal; induced abortion is a vital reproductive health option in Uganda. This paper analyses men's narratives about meanings of; and experiences with; abortion. Men play significant roles in abortion as instigators; facilitators; collaborators; transporters; advisors; informers; supporters or punishment givers. Many participants were knowledgeable about abortion. Attitudes were ambivalent; with initial reactions of denial and relegation of abortion to women's private domains. Further exploration; however; revealed active support and involvement of men. Interpretations of abortion ranged from 'dependable saviour' to 'deceptive sin'. Though a private action; abortion is socially scripted and often collectively determined by wider social networks of kinsmen; the community; peers; law and religion. A disjuncture exists between dominant public health discourse and the reality of local men who interact with women and girls as wives; lovers; sex sellers; mothers; daughters and sisters. Interventions targeting men about abortion should include safe sex education; provide safe abortion services and create stronger social support mechanisms. Policy and law should incorporate local knowledge and practice