Objective:
This study examines the relationship between gender identity and high-risk sexual behaviors among students at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santiago, Dominican Republic, during the 2022–2023 academic year.

Methods:
This quantitative, cross-sectional study surveyed 353 students on sociodemographic factors, relationship status, and sexual behaviors using validated instruments, including the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation to explore gender-based associations.

Results:
Significant associations were found between gender identity and sexual behaviors. Androgynous individuals reported the highest prevalence of sexual activity, while non-schematic students, whose gender identities deviate from traditional categories, predominantly reported no sexual experience. Statistically significant differences in the age of sexual initiation were observed, with males, androgynous, and female students initiating sexual activity around age 12. Males reported a higher number of lifetime sexual partners, with 34.8% reporting six or more partners. Condom use was most prevalent among androgynous students, while non-schematic students showed lower use of contraceptives and protection against sexually transmitted infections. Non-schematic students were more likely to engage in sexual relationships with both male and female partners. Socio-demographic factors, such as religious affiliation, had minimal impact due to the predominantly Catholic sample. Additionally, students in the Health Sciences faculty exhibited lower rates of high-risk sexual behaviors, suggesting academic discipline as a protective factor.

Conclusion:
This study highlights significant associations between gender identity and high-risk sexual behaviors, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions that account for diverse gender identities.

Despite increasing awareness of contraception, unintended pregnancies among adolescents remain high in Accra, Ghana. This cross-sectional study investigates the cultural and socioeconomic barriers to contraceptive use among adolescents in selected communities. A total of 500 adolescents aged 15-19 were surveyed using structured questionnaires assessing their contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and access. Findings indicate that while 65% of respondents were aware of contraceptive methods, only 35% reported consistent use. Key barriers included cost (47%), stigma from family and peers (30%), and misconceptions about side effects (28%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents with higher parental support had significantly greater odds of contraceptive use (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.2-4.3, p < 0.001). Additionally, those with access to youth-friendly health services were more likely to use contraceptives (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9-3.9, p < 0.001). The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive reproductive health education and policy interventions to enhance contraceptive uptake among adolescents in Accra.

Between 1980 and 2015, the Chinese Communist Party enacted the one-child policy, which limited families to one child using widespread propaganda campaigns, auditing of family registrations, rewards for compliant families, fines for noncompliant ones, mandatory IUDs or sterilizations, and abortions for “unauthorized” pregnancies. While the policy is well studied, little is known about the continued reproductive impact on the current Chinese diaspora in the United States. This study examines these effects through semi-structured qualitative interviews with thirty reproductive age women of Chinese descent, either born in China or as first-generation immigrants. Participants were recruited from a larger validated survey on the same topic, and interviews were analyzed using the principle of thematic analysis. The mean age of participants was 33, and 6 participants (20%) used an interpreter. Eighteen participants (60%) were born in China. The range of pregnancies among participants was 0-5, and the range of births was 0-2. Key themes identified included financial strains of having more than one child, societal shame about increasing one’s family size, and a personal preference for smaller families to be able to fully dedicate resources and time towards one child. These themes closely echo the messages promoted during the one child policy’s enactment, in contrast to pronatalist countries that promote birth. These findings indicate a lasting multi-generational cultural shift towards having fewer children as a result of the one child policy, even after emigration. These findings underscore the role of historical policies in shaping contemporary family dynamics, even beyond geographic and political boundaries.

Contraceptive use is essential for family planning, reducing maternal mortality, and preventing unintended pregnancies. Despite the availability of modern contraceptives, cultural and religious beliefs influence usage patterns in Ghana. This study explores how sociocultural factors shape contraceptive adoption among 700 women aged 18–45 from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. Surveys and focus group discussions examined factors such as religious teachings, cultural norms, partner influence, and community perceptions of contraception.

Results indicate that 45% of women abstain from contraceptive use due to religious beliefs, while 37% cite male partner opposition as a deterrent. Women in Christian and Muslim communities were significantly less likely to use modern contraceptives compared to those practicing indigenous religions (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.6–2.8, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive family planning programs, increased male involvement, and community-level interventions to improve contraceptive acceptance and utilization in Ghana.

Adolescents are a key demographic for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions, yet their utilization of SRH services is shaped by socio-demographic factors, perceptions of care, and social barriers. This study explored the determinants of SRH service utilization among 422 adolescents in urban Ghana using structured questionnaires and a cross-sectional design. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Most respondents (84.1%) were aged 18–19, predominantly female (81.8%), and had tertiary education (65.9%). SRH service awareness was relatively high (61.6%), with schools serving as the main information source (42.3%). Key determinants of SRH service use included higher education (OR=3.04, p=0.001), independent income (OR=3.98, p<0.001), and awareness of services (OR=3.15, p<0.001). Privacy and confidentiality were primary motivators (73.2%), while stigma (28.9%) and long waiting times (19.4%) were noted as barriers. Cultural factors such as marital status and parental living arrangements also influenced utilization, with adolescents in relationships or living with parents less likely to seek services.

Perceptions of service quality were largely favorable: 75.6% described facility environments as welcoming and 83.2% rated provider attitudes as respectful. However, operational issues like long waits and limited service hours hindered access.

These findings highlight the need for stigma reduction, improved service delivery, and culturally sensitive outreach to enhance SRH utilization. A multi-dimensional strategy—emphasizing education, privacy, and access—is critical for meeting adolescents’ SRH needs. Future research should explore digital health solutions and longitudinal data to strengthen service reach and impact.

Background:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, identified by at least two of the following: hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and metabolic abnormalities. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in plastics and reported to cause endocrine disruption. Individuals are exposed to BPA via environmental contact, dermal absorption, ingestion through food packaging, in utero transmission, and breast milk. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the association between BPA exposure and PCOS and to assess its potential role in hormonal and metabolic deregulation.

Methods:
This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor. A comprehensive search was conducted across ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, PubMed, and MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost) for peer-reviewed human, animal, and in vitro studies published between 2019 and 2025. We included studies measuring BPA levels in women with and without PCOS. Exclusion criteria included human sample sizes <50 and conference abstracts. Data extraction targeted BPA concentrations, endocrine markers, and metabolic outcomes.

Results:
Human studies consistently reported elevated BPA levels in women with PCOS compared to controls, independent of BMI. BPA exposure was associated with increased androgens, altered gonadotropin ratios, and insulin resistance. Animal models showed BPA induced ovarian cysts, disrupted steroidogenesis, and impaired glucose-insulin metabolism.

Conclusion:
While causality cannot be confirmed in human studies alone, animal and mechanistic evidence support a plausible link. These findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies and stronger environmental regulation to reduce BPA exposure and protect reproductive health.

Background: Early Sexual Initiation (ESI) among adolescents has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased teen birth rates, unintended pregnancies and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Additionally, reliance on hormonal contraception may reduce condom use, further elevating STI risk.

Objective: The study examines trends and factors associated with hormonal contraceptive use among adolescents who initiate sex early.

Methods: We analyzed the Youth Risk Surveillance System datasets from 2015 to 2023 to assess overall trends in hormonal contraceptive use and ESI. Based on findings, we conducted an in-depth sub-analysis using the 2023 dataset. ESI was categorized as early (ages 11-15) versus late (ages 16 or older). Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the association between ESI and hormonal contraceptive use, adjusting for covariates.

Results: Overall hormonal contraceptive use among sexually active high school students declined from 20% in 2015 to 18.3% in 2021 before rising to 23.3% in 2023. Among early initiators, 60,4% reported using hormonal contraception; however, 66% were at risk for STIs. This study showed that students who initiated sex at 16 or older had higher odds of using hormonal contraception compared to early initiators (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.88-1.34, p=0.421), while those at risk for STIs were more likely to use hormonal contraception (OR=12.47, 95% CI: 1.85-3.29, p <0.001).

Conclusion: Despite the recent increase in hormonal contraceptive use, early initiators remain at high risk for STIs. Targeted sexual health education and improved access to comprehensive reproductive services are essential to protect this vulnerable population.

Introduction: Sexual communication interpretation (SCI), or the cues we interpret as signs of consent or refusals, are often examined in the context of one person being sober and the other being intoxicated or directly prior to sexual activity. Yet, young adults interpret a variety of cues, across an evening, as signs of consent or refusals. Thus, we examined women and men’s SCI during an alcohol involved sexual experience when both parties were intoxicated.

Method: Young adults (n = 95, 51.6% women) read a vignette depicting a sexual encounter and were asked to identify their partner's willingness at various stages of the experience.

Results: When first meeting and having a drink together, women perceived their partner as more willing (M = 5.2) than men (M = 4.1). As alcohol consumption increased, perceptions of willingness decreased for both women (M = 3.9) and men (M = 3.7). After transitioning to the participant’s house, perceptions of willingness increased for both (Women M = 5.0, Men M = 5.5). Following a make-out session, when the partner stopped the participant, women’s perceptions declined (M = 3.4), while men’s increased (M = 5.0). When a condom was introduced and the partner became less responsive, women’s perceptions of willingness dropped further (M = 2.7), while men’s increased (M = 5.5).

Discussion: SCI differs between women and men. Men seem to overperceive consent and minimize signs of refusals, whereas women appear more attentive to refusal cues. Enhancing consent education for men may be beneficial to address these misperceptions.