Background/Objectives: Maternal overweight and obesity are critical factors increasing the risk of various pregnancy complications. Maternal obesity can lead to fetal macrosomia and a heightened risk of intrauterine death, with long-term implications for the child’s health. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of obesity and its impact on pregnancy outcomes in women who delivered by cesarean section at the University Hospital “St. George”, Plovdiv. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. The documentary method was used for gathering data. Records were randomly selected. The statistical methods used included mean values, confidence intervals (of mean), frequency, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normality of distribution. Data comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney test. Mean values of numerical variables were compared using the independent samples t-test. Results: In total, 46.36% of women in this study were affected by obesity to varying degrees, and the proportion of women who were overweight at the end of their pregnancy was 37.85%. In the studied cohort, 15.99% of women were affected by hypertensive complications. This significant prevalence of obesity highlights concerns regarding body weight among women of reproductive age. This study emphasized a strong correlation between maternal obesity, particularly severe obesity, and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Conclusions: In this study among women who delivered by cesarean section, a significant proportion of them were affected by overweight and obesity. Data for our country are insufficient, and a more in-depth study of this problem is needed. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of maternal obesity on the health of the mother and the newborn.

Introduction: Population reproduction and family planning are highly dependent on sexual culture and sexual behavior. In this study, we seek to determine whether, over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, there have been any changes in the sexual culture of nursing students in relation to the knowledge of risk factors for unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions. Materials and methods: A group anonymous survey was used to gather primary data from 219 nursing students from the Medical College at the Medical University of Plovdiv in 2009 and 210 nursing students from the Faculty of Public Health at the same institution in 2019. The studies in both cohorts were cross-sectional. Results and discussion: We found that students’ perceptions of sexual culture did not change significantly in the study period. There were some changes in the students’ attitudes toward voluntary abortion in the ten years between 2009 and 2019. Age and marital status were found to be essential factors in determining whether an unplanned pregnancy would be maintained or aborted. Future medical professionals are aware of how having an abortion affects a woman’s health and ability to reproduce. Conclusions: In promoting sexual and reproductive health, medical professionals play a crucial role. It is, therefore, essential that a course on sexual health be added to the curriculum of medical universities training healthcare professionals.

Introduction: Cervical cancer causes major morbidity and mortality around the world. This makes prophylactic vaccines a significant tool for preventing the disease. As these vaccines become more widely available, they have the potential to drastically lower the cancer’s prevalence and burden in the future. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes toward awareness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Materials and methods: A pilot, cross-sectional, medicosocial survey was conducted using a structured, anonymous online questionnaire, including self-assessment questions on awareness and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Sixty-four adult female parents of female children participated in the study between June and August 2023. The design and conduct of the study was done with the personal involvement of the researchers. SPSS v. 23.0 was used to analyze the primary statistical information. The results obtained were presented graphically using MS Excel 2010. Results: We found significantly good awareness and negative attitude towards vaccination as prevention against HPV. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that respondents had a relatively good awareness of cervical cancer, the risk factors associated with the disease, and the virus that causes it. There was a correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of the study population. The respondents had a certain distrust of the vaccine. The dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that vaccination was not a substitute for routine cervical screening, was not 100% effective, and did not provide protection against any type of papilloma virus or against pre-existing HPV infections. The low vaccination coverage in Bulgaria leads the authors to believe that our country urgently needs new strategies and approaches in the fight against cervical cancer, through continuous training of medical personnel, inclusion of immunization programs in school health care, and improved health education and awareness of HPV vaccination among adolescent girls and their parents.

Introduction: The share of unwanted pregnancies and voluntary abortions among women from Central and Eastern Europe is still quite high, and Bulgaria is no exception to this statistic. This might be accounted for by the low frequency of use of contraceptives or their improper use. Our country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, with Roma being one of the most numerous, ranking third in population behind Bulgarians and Turks. This determines the influence of this ethnic group on the demographic indicators of the country. Aim: To study the knowledge of contraceptive use and the frequency of use of contraceptive methods and means among Roma women from the Plovdiv region and the factors influencing it. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 70 Roma women via structured, anonymous interviews in 2019. Statistical data analysis was performed using non-parametric methods, descriptive and correlation analyses. Results: The main method of preventing unwanted pregnancies for the Roma is the interrupted intercourse. The husband and his mother influence the decision to use contraception. Higher education and financial security have a positive effect on the frequency of contraceptive use. Conclusions: Reproductive behaviour among Roma is largely determined by their ethnic traditions. Characteristic features were observed, such as early marriages, early sexual intercourse, short pro- and intergenetic interval. Roma women have little knowledge of the various methods and means of preventing unwanted pregnancies. The frequency of contraceptive use is very low.

Background/Objectives: Maternal overweight and obesity are critical factors increasing the risk of various pregnancy complications. Maternal obesity can lead to fetal macrosomia and a heightened risk of intrauterine death, with long-term implications for the child’s health. The study aimed to analyse the incidence of obesity and its impact on pregnancy outcome in women delivered by caesarean section from 2021 to 2023 at the University Hospital "St. George", Plovdiv. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined the prevalence of obesity and its effects on pregnancy outcomes among 494 women undergoing caesarean sections between 2021 and 2023. The documentary method was used for gathering data. Inclusion criteria were applied. Data were statistically analysed with SPSS v.23. Results: A significant prevalence of obesity in the studied cohort was revealed, highlighting concerns regarding body weight among women of reproductive age. The presence of preeclampsia in these mothers was associated with increased risks to newborns, including prematurity and low birth weight. The study emphasized a strong correlation between maternal obesity, particularly severe obesity, and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Conclusions: There is a noticeable trend towards increasing rates of pregnancy complications associated with maternal obesity. A substantial proportion of women delivered by caesarean section is affected by obesity and overweight. This study indicated a clear trend towards a rise in the frequency of preterm births linked to preeclampsia, as well as an increased incidence of hypertensive disorders in women with elevated BMI. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of maternal obesity on health.