Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

Maternal Programming: Application Of A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective, Laura M. Glynn, Mariann A. Howland, Molly Fox

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The fetal phase of life has long been recognized as a sensitive period of development. Here we posit that pregnancy represents a simultaneous sensitive period for the adult female with broad and persisting consequences for her health and development, including risk for psychopathology. In this review, we examine the transition to motherhood through the lens of developmental psychopathology. Specifically, we summarize the typical and atypical changes in brain and behavior that characterize the perinatal period. We highlight how the exceptional neuroplasticity exhibited by women during this life phase may account for increased vulnerability for psychopathology. Further, we discuss several modes …

An Approach To Identify A Minimum And Rational Proportion Of Caesarean Sections In Resource-Poor Settings: A Global Network Study., José M. Belizán, Nicole Minckas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Sarah Saleem, Janet L. Moore, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Fabian Esamai, Archana Patel, Elwyn Chomba, Ana L. Garces, Fernando Althabe, Margo S. Harrison, Nancy F. Krebs, Richard Derman, Waldemar A. Carlo, Edward A. Liechty, Patricia L. Hibberd, Pierre M. Buekens, Robert L. Goldenberg

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Caesarean section prevalence is increasing in Asia and Latin America while remaining low in most African regions. Caesarean section delivery is effective for saving maternal and infant lives when they are provided for medically-indicated reasons. On the basis of ecological studies, caesarean delivery prevalence between 9% and 19% has been associated with better maternal and perinatal outcomes, such as reduced maternal land fetal mortality. However, the specific prevalence of obstetric and medical complications that require caesarean section have not been established, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to provide information to inform the approach to the …

Predictors Of Death Including Quality Of Positive Pressure Ventilation During Newborn Resuscitation And The Relationship To Outcome At Seven Days In A Rural Tanzanian Hospital, Robert Moshiro, Jeffrey M. Perlman, Hussein Kidanto, Jan Terje Kvaløy, Paschal Mdoe, Hege L. Ersdal

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Effective positive pressure ventilation (PPV) of non-breathing newborns is crucial in facilitating cardio-respiratory adaptation at birth. Identifying predictors of death in newborns receiving PPV is important in order to facilitate preventative strategies.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perinatal predictors of death including the quality of PPV administered among admitted newborns.

Methods An observational study of admitted newborns who received PPV after birth was conducted. Research assistants observed all deliveries and recorded perinatal events on data collection forms. Measured heart rate (HR) and ventilation parameters were then compared between newborns who died and survivors.

Results …

Influence Of Body Mass Index And Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome On Icsi/Ivf Treatment Outcomes: A Study Conducted In Pakistani Women, Rehana Rehman, Rozina Mustafa, Rabiya Ali, Saeeda Shaharyar, Faiza Alam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: Obesity may establish a crucial barrier for effective fertility treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) females.
Objective: To compare results of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in females with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome and further appraise the effect of obesity in PCOS females.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study from June 2015 to July 2016 included non-PCOS and PCOS (recognized by Rotterdam criteria) females who underwent ICSI. The PCOS were further stratified into non-obese and Obese according to the South Asian criteria for body mass index. Results were categorized on the basis of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and transvaginal …

Clear Cell Carcinoma Of The Pelvic Side Wall Arising From Endometriosis., Lisa N Abaid, John S Cupp, Miles Chang, Steven R Beanes, Bram H Goldstein

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Endometriosis is a condition wherein an ectopic layer of endometrial tissue arises in an extra-uterine location, often effecting significant pelvic pain and infertility. While very uncommon, there have been reported cases of endometriosis undergoing malignant transformation, frequently involving the ovaries and seldom in extra-gonadal regions. We recount a case depicting a 63 year-old woman who presented with an apparent inguinal hernia in 2017; she was ultimately diagnosed with a pelvic side wall clear cell carcinoma and attendant metastatic disease to the medial groin, which emanated from endometriosis. Malignant transformation of endometriosis identified in the pelvic side wall is a very …

Comparison Of Neonatal Outcomes Between Category-1 And Non-Category-1 Primary Emergency Cesarean Section: A Retrospective Record Review In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Dureshahwar Kanwar, Iffat Ahmed, Azra Amerjee, Zahra Hoodbhoy

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To compare neonatal outcomes between Category-1 and Non-Category-1 Primary Emergency Cesarean Section.
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis, conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from January 1st 2016 till December 31st 2016. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. A sample size of 375 patients who had primary Emergency Caesarean Section (Em-CS) was identified by keeping CS rate of 41.5% and 5% bond on error. Data was collected from labor ward, operating theatre and neonatal ward records by using structured questionnaire.
Results: In the current study, out of 375 participants who underwent primary Em-CS; majority (89.3%) were booked cases. …

An Approach To Identify A Minimum And Rational Proportion Of Caesarean Sections In Resource-Poor Settings: A Global Network Study, José M. Belizán, Nicole Minckas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Sarah Saleem, Janet L. Moore, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Fabian Esamai, Archana Patel, Elwyn Chomba, Ana L. Garces

Community Health Sciences

Background: Caesarean section prevalence is increasing in Asia and Latin America while remaining low in most African regions. Caesarean section delivery is effective for saving maternal and infant lives when they are provided for medically-indicated reasons. On the basis of ecological studies, caesarean delivery prevalence between 9% and 19% has been associated with better maternal and perinatal outcomes, such as reduced maternal land fetal mortality. However, the specific prevalence of obstetric and medical complications that require caesarean section have not been established, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to provide information to inform the approach to …

Epigenetics In Ovarian Cancer: Premise, Properties, And Perspectives., Qilian Yang, Yuqing Yang, Nianxin Zhou, Kexin Tang, Wayne Bond Lau, Bonnie Lau, Wei Wang, Lian Xu, Zhengnan Yang, Shuang Huang, Xin Wang, Tao Yi, Xia Zhao, Yuquan Wei, Hongjing Wang, Linjie Zhao, Shengtao Zhou

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Malignant ovarian tumors bear the highest mortality rate among all gynecological cancers. Both late tumor diagnosis and tolerance to available chemical therapy increase patient mortality. Therefore, it is both urgent and important to identify biomarkers facilitating early identification and novel agents preventing recurrence. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that epigenetic aberrations (particularly histone modifications) are crucial in tumor initiation and development. Histone acetylation and methylation are respectively regulated by acetyltransferases-deacetylases and methyltransferases-demethylases, both of which are implicated in ovarian cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the most recent discoveries pertaining to ovarian cancer development arising from the imbalance of histone acetylation …

Improving Postoperative Pain Control After Cesarean Delivery With Enhanced Recovery In Patients On Buprenorphine Therapy, Kevin D. White, Shirin Azadi, Nadim Bou Zgheib, Brenda L. Mitchell

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Abstract:

Introduction:

Prescription drug abuse presents a significant challenge to the management of post operative pain.Pain control amongst the opioid addicted patient can be especially challenging. We aimed to improve pain control after caesarian delivery with enhanced recovery in patients who are on buprenorphine medication-assisted therapy for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a pilot study by implementing a protocol using liposomal bupivacaine injected at the time of cesarean delivery. Patients were then given 500mg acetaminophen every 4 hours, 800mg ibuprofen every 8 hours and 0.3mg IV buprenorphine every 6 hours as needed. The patients’ maintenance …

Prophylactic Antibiotic Use In Female Patients With Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery: A Retrospective Comparative Effectiveness Study, Courtney E. Turnbough

Dissertations

Problem: The purpose of this project was to determine the most effective prophylactic antibiotic to decrease the number of patients who have urinary tract infections (UTIs) after pelvic floor reconstructive surgery in a gynecological reconstructive surgery practice.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review from 2015-2017 that included 732 subjects from a single practice. All patients underwent pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, with or without a midurethral sling placed. Patients also had a catheter and vaginal packing postoperatively. Patients who had a culture-proven UTI within the six-week postoperative period were noted.

Results: There were less UTIs (χ2 = 12.119, df = …

Psoriasiform Sarcoidosis Presenting In Pregnancy And Treatment Considerations, Christian A. Albornoz, Jordan Wang, Matthew Keller

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Cutaneous sarcoidosis is a common presentation for patients with sarcoidosis. Rarely, patients can present with psoriasiform lesions mimicking chronic plaque psoriasis. Here, we present a case of psoriasiform sarcoidosis in a pregnant patient. Pregnancy represents a unique challenge to systemic treatments if topical management fails. Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors warrant special consideration during pregnancy.

Consensus On Molecular Subtypes Of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, Gregory M. Chen, Lavanya Kannan, Ludwig Geistlinger, Victor Kofia, Zhaleh Safikhani, Deena Ma Gendoo, Giovanni Parmigiani, Michael Birrar, Benjamin Haibe-Kains, Levi Waldron

Publications and Research

Purpose: The majority of ovarian carcinomas are of high-grade serous histology, which is associated with poor prognosis. Surgery and chemotherapy are the mainstay of treatment, and molecular characterization is necessary to lead the way to targeted therapeutic options. To this end, various computational methods for gene expression-based subtyping of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) have been proposed, but their overlap and robustness remain unknown.

Experimental Design: We assess three major subtype classifiers by meta-analysis of publicly available expression data, and assess statistical criteria of subtype robustness and classifier concordance. We develop a consensus classifier that represents the subtype classifications of …

Journey Interrupted: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Miscarriage, Marit A. Watson, Vanessa D. Jewell, Sarah L. Smith

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Miscarriage is a significant life event that impacts occupational performance, identity, and competence and that influences perceptions of motherhood. Because of the lack of social rituals often attributed to the death of a loved one, miscarriages may result in disenfranchised grief, which impedes coping.

Methods: This phenomenological study explored the impact of miscarriage on relationships, perceptions of motherhood, and the meaning of occupation in the context of grief. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews (N = 4) and completion of a brief demographic questionnaire. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed to ensure accuracy. Using inductive thematic …

Tracking Facility-Based Perinatal Deaths In Tanzania: Results From An Indicator Validation Assessment, Marya Plotkin, Dunstan Bishanga, Hussein Kidanto, Mary Carol Jennings, Jim Ricca, Amasha Mwanamsangu, Gaudiosa Tibaijuka, Ruth Lemwayi, Benny Ngereza, Mary Drake

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Globally, an estimated 2.7 million babies die in the neonatal period annually, and of these, about 0.7 million die from intrapartum-related events. In Tanzania 51,000 newborn deaths and 43,000 stillbirths occur every year. Approximately two-thirds of these deaths could be potentially prevented with improvements in intrapartum and neonatal care. Routine measurement of fetal intrapartum deaths and newborn deaths that occur in health facilities can help to evaluate efforts to improve the quality of intrapartum care to save lives. However, few examples exist of indicators on perinatal mortality in the facility setting that are readily available through health management information …

The Fight For Birth, Jessica E. Brown

Research Briefs

No abstract provided.

Pregnancies Complicated By Maternal Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type Iii: A Case Report And Review Of Literature., Tetsuya Kawakita, Melissa Fries, Jasbir Singh, Huda B. Al-Kouatly

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

The restrictive lung disease can be exacerbated by growing fundus in women with osteogenesis imperfecta type III. Regional anesthesia can be performed in these women. Mode of delivery for women with osteogenesis imperfecta type III is generally cesarean delivery. Neonatal outcomes are complicated due to indicated preterm deliveries.

Early Gestational Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Attenuates Experimental Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia In Part Via Exosome-Associated Factor Tsg-6., Sushma Chaubey, Sam Thueson, Devasena Ponnalagu, Mohammad Afaque Alam, Ciprian P. Gheorghe, Zubair Aghai, Harpreet Singh, Vineet Bhandari

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising tools for the treatment of human lung disease and other pathologies relevant to newborn medicine. Recent studies have established MSC exosomes (EXO), as one of the main therapeutic vectors of MSCs in mouse models of multifactorial chronic lung disease of preterm infants, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, the mechanisms underlying MSC-EXO therapeutic action are not completely understood. Using a neonatal mouse model of human BPD, we evaluated the therapeutic efficiency of early gestational age (GA) human umbilical cord (hUC)-derived MSC EXO fraction and its exosomal factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6).

METHODS: Conditioned …

Early Pregnancy Loss In Belagavi, Karnataka, India 2014-2017: A Prospective Population-Based Observational Study In A Low-Resource Setting., Sangappa M. Dhaded, Manjunath S. Somannavar, Jane P. Jacob, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Sunil S. Vernekar, S. Yogesh Kumar, Avinash Kavi, Umesh Y. Ramadurg, Janet L. Moore, Dennis P. Wallace, Richard J. Derman, Robert L Goldenberg, Shivaprasad S. Goudar

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of early pregnancy loss through miscarriage and medically terminated pregnancy (MTP) is largely unknown due to lack of early registration of pregnancies in most regions, and especially in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the rates of early pregnancy loss as well as the characteristics of pregnant women who experience miscarriage or MTP can assist in better planning of reproductive health needs of women.

METHODS: A prospective, population-based study was conducted in Belagavi District, south India. Using an active surveillance system of women of childbearing age, all women were enrolled as soon as possible during pregnancy. We evaluated …

Trends And Determinants Of Stillbirth In Developing Countries: Results From The Global Network's Population-Based Birth Registry., Sarah Saleem, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Janet L. Moore, Syed Iqbal Azam, Sangappa M. Dhaded, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Ana Garces, Lester Figueroa, Irene Marete, Constance Tenge, Fabian Esamai, Archana B. Patel, Sumera Aziz Ali, Farnaz Naqvi, Musaku Mwenchanya, Elwyn Chomba, Waldemar A. Carlo, Richard Derman, Patricia L. Hibberd, Sherri Bucher, Edward A. Liechty, Nancy Krebs, K. Michael Hambidge, Dennis D. Wallace, Marion Koso-Thomas, Menachem Miodovnik, Robert L. Goldenberg

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Stillbirth rates remain high, especially in low and middle-income countries, where rates are 25 per 1000, ten-fold higher than in high-income countries. The United Nations' Every Newborn Action Plan has set a goal of 12 stillbirths per 1000 births by 2030 for all countries.

METHODS: From a population-based pregnancy outcome registry, including data from 2010 to 2016 from two sites each in Africa (Zambia and Kenya) and India (Nagpur and Belagavi), as well as sites in Pakistan and Guatemala, we evaluated the stillbirth rates and rates of annual decline as well as risk factors for 427,111 births of which …

The Feasibility Of Task-Sharing The Identification, Emergency Treatment, And Referral For Women With Pre-Eclampsia By Community Health Workers In India., Umesh Charanthimath, Marianne Vidler, Geetanjali Katageri, Umesh Ramadurg, Chandrashekhar Karadiguddi, Avinash Kavi, Anjali Joshi, Geetanjali Mungarwadi, Sheshidhar Bannale, Sangamesh Rakaraddi, Diane Sawchuck, Rahat Qureshi, Sumedha Sharma, Beth A. Payne, Peter Von Dadelszen, Richard Derman, Laura A. Magee, Shivaprasad Goudar, Ashalata Mallapur, Mrutyunjaya Bellad, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Sheela Naik, Anis Mulla, Namdev Kamle, Vaibhav Dhamanekar, Sharla K. Drebit, Chirag Kariya, Tang Lee, Jing Li, Mansun Lui, Asif R Khowaja, Domena K. Tu, Amit Revankar

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders are the second highest direct obstetric cause of maternal death after haemorrhage, accounting for 14% of maternal deaths globally. Pregnancy hypertension contributes to maternal deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to a scarcity of doctors providing evidence-based emergency obstetric care. Task-sharing some obstetric responsibilities may help to reduce the mortality rates. This study was conducted to assess acceptability by the community and other healthcare providers, for task-sharing by community health workers (CHW) in the identification and initial care in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

METHODS: This study was conducted in two districts of Karnataka state in …

Availability And Use Of Magnesium Sulphate At Health Care Facilities In Two Selected Districts Of North Karnataka, India, Geetanjali Katageri, Umesh Charantimath, Anjali Joshi, Marianne Vidler, Umesh Ramadurg, Sumedha Sharma, Sheshidhar Bannale, Beth A. Payne, Sangamesh Rakaraddi, Rahat Qureshi

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Magnesium sulphate is accepted as the anticonvulsant of choice in these conditions and is present on the WHO essential medicines list and the Indian National List of Essential Medicines, 2015. Despite this, magnesium sulphate is not widely used in India for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. In addition to other factors, lack of availability may be a reason for sub-optimal usage. This study was undertaken to assess the availability and use of magnesium sulphate at public and private health care facilities in two districts of North Karnataka, India. Methods: A …

The Feasibility Of Task-Sharing The Identification, Emergency Treatment, And Referral For Women With Pre-Eclampsia By Community Health Workers In India, Umesh Charanthimath, Marianne Vidler, Geetanjali Katageri, Umesh Ramadurg, Chandrashekhar Karadiguddi, Avinash Kavi, Anjali Joshi, Geetanjali Mungarwadi, Rahat Qureshi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Hypertensive disorders are the second highest direct obstetric cause of maternal death after haemorrhage, accounting for 14% of maternal deaths globally. Pregnancy hypertension contributes to maternal deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to a scarcity of doctors providing evidence-based emergency obstetric care. Task-sharing some obstetric responsibilities may help to reduce the mortality rates. This study was conducted to assess acceptability by the community and other healthcare providers, for task-sharing by community health workers (CHW) in the identification and initial care in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Methods: This study was conducted in two districts of Karnataka state in …

Endometrial Response To Conceptus-Derived Estrogen And Interleukin-1Β At The Time Of Implantation In Pigs, Hakhyun Ka, Heewon Seo, Yohan Choi, Inkyu Yoo, Jisoo Han

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

The establishment of pregnancy is a complex process that requires a well-coordinated interaction between the implanting conceptus and the maternal uterus. In pigs, the conceptus undergoes dramatic morphological and functional changes at the time of implantation and introduces various factors, including estrogens and cytokines, interleukin-1β2 (IL1B2), interferon-γ (IFNG), and IFN-δ (IFND), into the uterine lumen. In response to ovarian steroid hormones and conceptus-derived factors, the uterine endometrium becomes receptive to the implanting conceptus by changing its expression of cell adhesion molecules, secretory activity, and immune response. Conceptus-derived estrogens act as a signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy by changing the …

Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity Based On The Body Mass Index; A Cross-Sectional Study In Alkharj, Saudi Arabia, Sameer Al-Ghamdi, Mamdouh M. Shubair, Abdulrahman Aldiab, Jamaan M. Al-Zahrani, Khaled K. Aldossari, Mowafa Househ, Shanila Nooruddin, Hira Abdul Razzak, Ashraf El-Metwally

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Obesity and overweight are accompanied with several different chronic diseases. Overweight and obesity can be measured by using body mass index (BMI) and is also used widely as an index of relative adiposity among any population. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among general population in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was undertaken from a representative sample (N = 1019) of the Al Kharj population. Anthropometric measurements including the waist circumference (in centimeters), height (in meters), and weight (in kilograms) of the subjects were undertaken by means of standard apparatus. …

Women And Maternal Health Care Providers’ Perceptions, Beliefs And Attitudes Towards Use Of Epidural Analgesia For Labour Pain Relief, Stella Njenga

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background: Epidural analgesia (EA) is considered the gold standard for relief of labour pains due to its effectiveness, safety and flexibility of use. There is a disparity of utilization between high and low & middle income countries with lack of knowledge and resources implicated. Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi is a well-resourced facility with a well-established EA service. This study explores the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes of women seen at the facility towards EA and how these affect their decision to use the method. It also explores health care providers’ views on the method and how they influence the women’s …

Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Nadia Nawaz, Ahmed Raheem Buksh

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and severe problem in obstetric patients. We experienced a 21-year primigravida who underwent emergency cesarean section due to sudden collapse and fetal distress after rupture of membranes in labour. Subsequently, she developed intraoperative coagulopathy, hemorrhage, hypotension, and respiratory collapse requiring ventilation. Both maternal and neonatal lives were saved with full recovery and discharged in stable condition. The clinical diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) was made, which is a very rare complication of pregnancy/puerperium with varying presentation, ranging from cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse and death through mild degrees of organ system dysfunction with or …

Incidence Of Postpartum Infection, Outcomes And Associated Risk Factors At Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital In Uganda, Joseph Ngonzi, Lisa M. Bebell, Yarine Fajardo, Adeline A. Boatin, Mark J. Siedner, Ingrid V. Bassett, Yves Jacquemyn, Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden, Jerome Kabakyenga, Blair J. Wylie, David R. Bangsberg, Laura E. Riley

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: There is a paucity of recent prospective data on the incidence of postpartum infections and associated risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa. Retrospective studies estimate that puerperal sepsis causes approximately 10% of maternal deaths in Africa.

Methods: We enrolled 4231 women presenting to a Ugandan regional referral hospital for delivery or postpartum care into a prospective cohort and measured vital signs postpartum. Women developing fever (> 38.0 °C) or hypothermia (< 36.0 °C) underwent symptom questionnaire, structured physical exam, malaria testing, blood, and urine cultures. Demographic, treatment, and post-discharge outcomes data were collected from febrile/hypothermic women and a random sample of 1708 normothermic women. The primary outcome was in-hospital postpartum infection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors independently associated with postpartum fever/ hypothermia and with confirmed infection.

Results: Overall, 4176/4231 (99%) had ≥1 temperature measured and 205/4231 (5%) were febrile or hypothermic. An additional 1708 normothermic women were randomly selected for additional data collection, for a …

Incidence Of Unintended Pregnancy Among Female Sex Workers In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Frances H. Ampt, Lisa Willenberg, Paul A. Agius, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Megan S. C. Lim

Population Health, East Africa

Objectives: To determine the incidence of unintended pregnancy among female sex workers (FSWs) in lowincome and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Design: We searched MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Embase and Popline for papers published in English between January 2000 and January 2016, and Web of Science and Proquest for conference abstracts. Meta-analysis was performed on the primary outcomes using random effects models, with subgroup analysis used to explore heterogeneity.

Participants: Eligible studies targeted FSWs aged 15–49 years living or working in an LMIC.

Outcome measures: Studies were eligible if they provided data on one of two primary outcomes: incidence of unintended pregnancy and incidence …

The Project To Understand And Research Preterm Pregnancy Outcomes And Stillbirths In South Asia (Purpose): A Protocol Of A Prospective, Cohort Study Of Causes Of Mortality Among Preterm Births And Stillbirths, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Sarah Saleem, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Sangappa Dhaded, G. Guruprasad, Yogesh Kumar, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Jamal Raza, Haleema Yasmin

Community Health Sciences

Background: In South Asia, where most stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur, much remains unknown about the causes of these deaths. About one-third of neonatal deaths are attributed to prematurity, yet the specific conditions which cause these deaths are often unclear as is the etiology of stillbirths. In low-resource settings, most women are not routinely tested for infections and autopsy is rare.
Methods: This prospective, cohort study will be conducted in hospitals in Davengere, India and Karachi, Pakistan. All women who deliver either a stillbirth or a preterm birth at one of the hospitals will be eligible for enrollment. …

What Influences Family Planning In Rural Pakistan: Franchised Service Provider And Community Health Worker Perspective, Waqas Hameed, Junaid-Ur-Rehman Siddiqui, Muhammad Ishaque, Sharmeen Hussain, Xaher Gul, Hina Najmi, Shehla Noorani, Ghulam Mustafa, Asma Balal

Community Health Sciences

Background: Pakistan has a low modern contraceptive prevalence rate, 26%, leading family planning (FP) programmes to explore partnerships with local private providers to improve access to quality FP services. This study aims to understand the socio-cultural and organizational factors that influence delivery of quality family planning services.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with private service providers and community health workers (CHW) in Marie Stopes Society's (MSS) social franchise network. A total of 31 providers and 28 CHWs from Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The study used thematic content analysis to …