International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics : the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
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Several recent studies in low-resource countries have claimed that training in-and increased use of-newborn resuscitation resulted in reduced stillbirth rates. In the present article, we explore the ability of various types of birth attendant in some low-resource country locations to gather data that accurately differentiate a stillbirth from a live birth/early neonatal death. We conclude that, in many situations, it cannot be determined whether the infant was a stillbirth or a live birth/early neonatal death, and therefore the least-biased description of study outcomes includes a combined stillbirth and live birth/neonatal death outcome. However, because defining the burden of stillbirth and neonatal death is important from a public health perspective, every effort should be made, in low-income countries and elsewhere, to distinguish between stillbirths and live births/neonatal deaths and to report the results independently.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Dec 2013
ReviewConscientious objection to provision of legal abortion care.
Despite advances in scientific evidence, technologies, and human rights rationale for providing safe abortion, a broad range of cultural, regulatory, and health system barriers that deter access to abortion continues to exist in many countries. When conscientious objection to provision of abortion becomes one of these barriers, it can create risks to women's health and the enjoyment of their human rights. To eliminate this barrier, states should implement regulations for healthcare providers on how to invoke conscientious objection without jeopardizing women's access to safe, legal abortion services, especially with regard to timely referral for care and in emergency cases when referral is not possible. In addition, states should take all necessary measures to ensure that all women and adolescents have the means to prevent unintended pregnancies and to obtain safe abortion.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Dec 2013
ReviewAnatomical causes of female infertility and their management.
The main female anatomical causes of infertility include post-infectious tubal damage, endometriosis, and congenital/acquired uterine anomalies. Congenital (septate uterus) and acquired (myomas and synechiae) diseases of the uterus may lead to infertility, pregnancy loss, and other obstetric complications. Pelvic inflammatory disease represents the most common cause of tubal damage. ⋯ Specific combinations of medical, surgical, and psychological treatments can ameliorate the quality of life of women with endometriosis. In the majority of cases, surgical treatment of endometriosis has promoted significant increases in fertilization rates. There are obvious associations between endometriosis and the immune system, and future strategies to treat endometriosis might be based on immunologic concepts.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Nov 2013
ReviewScientific publications in obstetrics and gynecology journals from China, 2000-2009.
To analyze the output of scientific publications in obstetrics and gynecology journals from 3 principal regions of China: mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. ⋯ The annual number of articles published in obstetrics and gynecology journals from the 3 regions of China increased during the past decade, especially for mainland China. However, the quality of articles from mainland China arouses attention because the average citation of articles from Hong Kong and Taiwan was higher than that of articles from the mainland.