Articles: disease.
-
To compare outcome differences and responses to treatment in pregnancies complicated by either major fetal malformations or previous fetal death in the second trimester. ⋯ Patients who undergo second-trimester induction of labor for major fetal malformations using intravaginal PGE2 should be counseled that the dosage of the drug is greater and that labor may last longer than in pregnancies complicated by a previous fetal death.
-
Many surveys of adolescent behavior are dependent on self-reported data. We sought to assess the accuracy of adolescent self-report of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancies. ⋯ Our patients' histories of visits for STDs and pregnancies are often not substantiated by review of their medical records. The reason for the inaccuracies in self-report of sexual behaviors is unclear. Further research in this area should be done. Physicians must confirm patient history concerning sexual practices through appropriate record review and medical evaluation.
-
Clinical Trial
Effect of cleansing the birth canal with antiseptic solution on maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Malawi: clinical trial.
To determine if cleansing the birth canal with an antiseptic at delivery reduces infections in mothers and babies postnatally. ⋯ Cleansing the birth canal with chlorhexidine reduced early neonatal and maternal postpartum infectious problems. The safety, simplicity, and low cost of the procedure suggest that it should be considered as standard care to lower infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.
-
To assess the impact of pregnancy on maternal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among tribal women in India. ⋯ Pregnancy increased maternal and fetal mortality in these AIDS-infected women.
-
This study was carried out to determine the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors related to practice behaviors in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and to assess physicians' "ideal" history taking and service provision versus their actual practice in this clinical area. ⋯ Analysis of predisposing factors found that, for seven of 10 areas related to knowledge of the epidemiology of adolescent pregnancy and STDs, fewer than 50% of male physicians were able to give correct responses. All physicians believed this to be an important area for prevention, and 89% that prevention is possible, but only 62% believed that their own prevention efforts are effective. Respondents were about equally likely to view schools and physicians as having responsibility for prevention of adolescent pregnancy and STDs. Significant enabling factors included high levels of perceived personal comfort and skill, but time factors and opportunities to interact with adolescents sufficiently frequently to carry out prevention were seen as barriers. Most physicians (68%) agreed that the physician fee schedule was a negative reinforcing factor. Male physicians and those in rural practice were significantly more likely to have larger gaps between those preventive practices they saw as desirable and those they actually performed.