American journal of public health
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In 2 successive decades since 1967, legal accommodation of abortion has grown in many countries. The objective of this study was to assess whether liberalizing trends have been maintained in the last decade and whether increased protection of women's human rights has influenced legal reform. ⋯ Progressive liberalization has moved abortion laws from a focus on punishment toward concern with women's health and welfare and with their human rights. However, widespread maternal mortality and morbidity show that reform must be accompanied by accessible abortion services and improved contraceptive care and information.
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Comparative Study
Method of linking Medicaid records to birth certificates may affect infant outcome statistics.
This study assessed how different methods of matching Medicaid records to birth certificates affect Medicaid infant outcome statistics. ⋯ Studies of birth outcomes in the Medicaid population may have variable results depending on the method of matching that is used to identify Medicaid births.
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This study investigated the association of intrapartum temperature elevation with cesarean delivery and assisted vaginal delivery. ⋯ Modest temperature elevation developing during labor was associated with higher rates of cesarean and assisted vaginal deliveries. More frequent temperature elevation among women with epidural analgesia may explain in part the higher rates of cesarean and assisted vaginal deliveries observed with epidural use.