Background: Obstetric violence (OBV), defined as mistreatment or abuse during childbirth, is a pervasive global issue, albeit with regional differences, affecting women's physical and emotional well‐being.Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to assess the prevalence of OBV to identify risk factors associated with OBV and to make suggestions for improving maternal healthcare practices and policies.Search Strategy: In a systematic review and meta‐analysis, we searched four electronic databases for studies published over 10 years up to 31 January 2024: Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (WOS). The search was conducted among English language papers using a carefully curated set of keywords.Selection Criteria: We conducted a comprehensive review, including all observational reporting data on the prevalence of and risk factors associated with OBV, irrespective of geographical location. The studies included in the review were required to be published in peer‐reviewed. journals and available in the English language.Data Collection and Analysis: The data of the studies were summarized in an Excel file (version 19) and analyzed using R (version 4.2.3). A meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the pooled prevalence of and identify risk factors associated with OBV.Main Results: The global prevalence of OBV estimated based on 25 studies, calculated with a random‐effects model, was 59% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48–0.70; I² = 99.5%). The most prevalent subdomain of OBV was non‐consented care (37%; 95% CI 0.23–0.50; I² = 99.7%). The following factors were found to be significantly associated with OBV: the presence of a midwife as skilled personnel beside the woman during childbirth (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI] = 0.4 [0.2–0.9]), which might reduce the likelihood of OBV; middle and high levels of income (OR [95% CI] = 0.5 [0.2–0.7]), which might also reduce the likelihood of OBV; and vaginal delivery (OR [95% CI] = 2.08 [1.1–3.08]), which is liable to increase the likelihood of OBV.Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis highlights the considerable prevalence and multifaceted nature of OBV, underscoring the urgent need for interventions at multiple levels to address this pervasive issue and ensure respectful, safe, and dignified maternal healthcare for all women.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is regarded as one of the most effective ways of preventing cervical cancer. Despite the massive burden of this disease, only two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have implemented a national HPV vaccination program. The aim of the present study was to assess the main barriers to the integration of HPV vaccination in the national vaccination programs of EMR countries. We performed a narrative review with no inclusion and exclusion criteria. The electronic databases we searched included Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (last update; December 2021). The search was not subject to any limitation in terms of time or method. Studies that dealt with the obstacles or the needs of vaccination programs in EMR countries were included in the investigation. After a full-text screening, the report comprised of 31 studies from 15 EMR countries. All of the studies were descriptive. The most common barriers to HPV vaccination are the following: a) lack of knowledge and awareness, b) economic barriers in terms of the cost-effectiveness of the HPV vaccination program, c) social insecurity in conflict zones, d) cultural norms and religion. EMR countries should focus on modifiable barriers to the vaccination program. Steps to improve HPV vaccination coverage in these countries should include enhancing social awareness and mobilization, ensuring the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization in eligible countries, using national resources in an optimal way, and addressing HPV vaccination in undergraduate medicine and paramedic curriculums.

Introduction: Postpartum anxiety may be associated with depression, postpartum blues, and maternal mood disorders. This systematic review investigated the effects of music therapy on postpartum anxiety and pain levels. Methods: English databases including Cochrane, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed and Persian databases including Scientific Information Database (SID) and the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) were searched. The data were analyzed in RevMan 5.3 and reported as forest plots. The present study was conducted on postpartum women (i.e., the participants). All randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of music (i.e., the intervention) and placebo or routine care (i.e., the control) on postpartum anxiety and pain (i.e., the outcome) were included in the study. Results: Out of a total of 60 retrieved articles, four eligible articles were selected and entered the meta-analysis process. According to the results, anxiety (MD=-0.68, 95% CI=-1.90 to -0.54, P<0.001) and pain (MD=-1.85, 95% CI=-3.96 to 0.26, P<0.001) levels of patients in the music therapy group were reduced more significantly than those in the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that music therapy can significantly reduce both postpartum anxiety and pain scores. However, due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, more randomized trials using a standard tool such as the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement are needed.

Background: The efficacy of continuous kangaroo mother care (C-KMC) in reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity among low birthweight and premature infants has been confirmed. Despite the recommendations of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health of Iran to use C-KMC for eligible hospitalized neonates, this type of care is not performed due to implementation problems. This protocol aims to describe the design, implementation, and assessment of C-KMC in one tertiary hospital by means of participatory action research. Methods: The objective of this study is to design and implement a C-KMC program for neonates that will be performed in two phases using a stages-of-change model. The first phase will be conducted in three consecutive activities of designing, implementing, and assessing the introduction of C-KMC. The second phase of the study has a before-and-after design to assess the effectiveness of C-KMC by comparing the length of preterm neonates’ stay in hospital and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge before and after implementing C-KMC. Discussion: KMC is an important component of neonatal developmental care as part of family-centered care. Applying this type of care requires creating appropriate strategies, budget allocation, and clear and coordinated planning at different levels of the health system. The stages-of-change model is one of the appropriate approaches to the implementation of C-KMC.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) by mother and her surrogate on nutritional behavior and physiological function of preterm neonates.Method: This study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted on 70 preterm infants admitted to the NICU. For the neonates of the intervention group, KMC was performed (by mother and surrogate) 3 times a day and the neonates of the control group received KMC by the mother 3 times a day for up to 4 days and 60 minutes each time. The primary outcome was to compare the effect of KMC by mother and surrogate on the feeding behavior measured by preterm infant breastfeeding behavior scale (PIBBS), and the secondary outcome was to compare the effect of KMC by mother and surrogate on physiological outcomes.Result: The score of the PIBBS in both groups increased significantly during 4 days, this difference was not significant between the groups. [Adjusted mean difference (95% Confidence interval), 0.66 (− 2.36 to 1.03),P = 0.438].Within the group, among the physiological functions, only O2 saturation had significantly increased during the study. This increase, however, was not statistically different between the two groups. [Adjusted mean difference (95% Confidence interval), 0.102 (− 0.68 to 0.88),P = 0.761].Conclusion: When the mother is unable to provide this type of care, it can be provided by the surrogate that is as effective as the mother in improving arterial oxygen saturation and the feeding behavior of the preterm neonates.Trial registration: IRCT20150424021917N10. Registered 22/04/ 2020