Maviso McKenzie, Potjepat Gracelyn, Namosha Elias, Geregl Nancy, Aines Paula Z, Vallely Lisa M
Division of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, Australia.
PLoS One. 2025 May 28;20(5):e0324255. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324255. eCollection 2025.
Correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies and improving women's reproductive health. However, the factors affecting this knowledge among women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determine the factors influencing women's knowledge of the ovulatory cycle in PNG.
Data from the PNG Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with women's knowledge of the ovulatory cycle. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were reported. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Of 12,580 women in this study sample, 22% (n = 2,773) had correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle. Women from the Highlands region (aOR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00-1.88) and the Momase region (aOR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.15-2.13), those who identified as Christians (aOR 3.01, 95% CI: 1.38-6.59), owned a mobile phone (aOR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04-1.59), read a newspaper or magazine (aOR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54), and had Internet access (aOR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.85) had higher odds of correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle. Similarly, those who knew any contraceptive method (aOR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.58-2.87) and currently used the modern method (aOR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.56) or traditional/folkloric method (aOR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.36-2.43) were more likely to have correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle. However, knowledge of the ovulatory cycle remained lower among women aged 15-24 and 25-34, those with lower education levels, and those from the Southern region.
In this study, less than a quarter of women had correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle. Promoting reproductive health knowledge and awareness through educational curricula and mass media platforms could enhance women's understanding of the ovulatory cycle, particularly among younger and less educated and empower them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
正确了解排卵周期对于预防意外怀孕和改善女性生殖健康至关重要。然而，巴布亚新几内亚（PNG）女性中影响这一认知的因素仍不明确。本研究旨在评估PNG女性对排卵周期认知的流行程度，并确定影响因素。
对PNG人口与健康调查（DHS）的数据进行分析。采用多变量逻辑回归确定与女性排卵周期知识相关的因素。报告调整后的优势比（aOR）及其95%置信区间（CI）。p≤0.05被认为具有统计学意义。
在本研究样本的12580名女性中，22%（n = 2773）对排卵周期有正确认知。来自高地地区（aOR 1.31，95% CI：1.00 - 1.88）和莫马塞地区（aOR 1.56，95% CI：1.15 - 2.13）的女性、认同自己为基督教徒的女性（aOR 3.01，95% CI：1.38 - 6.59）、拥有手机的女性（aOR 1.29，95% CI：1.04 - 1.59）、阅读报纸或杂志的女性（aOR 1.30，95% CI：1.10 - 1.54）以及能上网的女性（aOR 1.21，95% CI：1.00 - 1.85）对排卵周期有正确认知的几率更高。同样，了解任何避孕方法的女性（aOR 2.13，95% CI：1.58 - 2.87）以及目前使用现代避孕方法（aOR 1.26，95% CI：1.02 - 1.56）或传统/民间避孕方法的女性（aOR 1.82，95% CI：1.36 - 2.43）更有可能对排卵周期有正确认知。然而，15 - 24岁和25 - 34岁的女性、教育水平较低的女性以及来自南部地区的女性对排卵周期的认知仍然较低。
在本研究中，不到四分之一的女性对排卵周期有正确认知。通过教育课程和大众媒体平台推广生殖健康知识和意识，可以增强女性对排卵周期的理解，特别是在年轻和受教育程度较低的女性中，并使她们能够就自己的生殖健康做出明智的决定。
