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Biomedical subjects

B Schei

Publications and source records attributed to B Schei.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Traumatic events and predictive factors for posttraumatic symptoms in displaced Bosnian women in a war zone.

A study was conducted among 209 displaced women attending a Women's Center in a war zone in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1994. Information on war-related traumatic events, sociodemographic factors and posttraumatic symptomatology was collected by means of a questionnaire. Post-traumatic symptoms were registered by using a 10-item Posttraumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS-10). Women with six or more symptoms were classified as a "posttraumatic symptom case" (PTS-case). Among women who had survived the most severe traumas (concentration camps or other kinds of detention) the proportion of PTS-cases was highest: 71% compared to 47% of the women without this kind of traumatic background. High numbers of traumas, having children, being over 25 years of age, and the reporting of an absent husband, were characteristics associated with being a PTS-case. In the multivariate analysis, severe trauma and reporting of an absent husband remained significantly associated with PTS-cases. Clinical implications were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Factors predicting antenatal hospital admission in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predicting hospital admission in pregnancy before the delivery. DESIGN: A case-control study within a cohort study of pregnant women admitted and not admitted to hospital during pregnancy. SETTING: University obstetric departments in three Scandinavian cities. SUBJECTS: 451 parous pregnant women attending antenatal care. Eighty-eight women were admitted to hospital before delivery, and 363 women were not hospitalized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antepartum hospital admission in pregnancy. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups with respect to health-related characteristics to explain the observed difference in hospital admission. Furthermore, significantly more women hospitalized in pregnancy had experienced severe life events. CONCLUSION: Factors predictive of hospital admission were identified as pregnancy complications, adverse reproductive health history, and severe life events.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ex-smokers and risk of hip fracture.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the reversibility of the effect of smoking on hip fracture incidence rates. METHODS: A 3-year follow-up cohort study was conducted involving 35,767 adults 50 years of age or older. Of these individuals, 421 suffered a hip fracture. RESULTS: Among participants less than 75 years of age, the relative risk (RR) of hip fracture was elevated for ex-smokers, even for those who had quit smoking more than 5 years previously (men: RR = 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2, 15.3; women: RR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.6, 3.0), but was not as high as that for current smokers (men: RR = 5.0, 95% CI = 1.5, 16.9; women: RR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2, 3.1). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of smoking on risk of hip fracture was not reversed completely 5 years after smoking cessation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Abuse history and health risk behaviors in pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between a history of physical abuse and consumption of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy. METHODS: In a case-control study, 83 women who delivered a low birthweight (<2500 g) infant (cases) and 92 women with a newborn with birthweight > or =2500 g (controls) were interviewed about a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse by a partner, and about health behaviors during pregnancy. RESULTS: In all, 46 (26%) had a history of abuse. Birth of a low birthweight infant was not associated with a history of abuse. At time of first prenatal visit 35% of the women were daily smokers, 50%) of the abused and 29%, of the nonabused were smokers. An abuse history was associated with daily smoking when controlled for educational level (OR 2.29, 95%, CI 1.08-4.85). Ninety (51%) of the women reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abuse was associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy when controlled for educational level (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22-5.39). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy were associated with a history of abuse. Health care professionals should consider this potential correlation when use of tobacco and alcohol in pregnancy is brought up.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1997

Physical abuse and low birthweight: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether physical abuse of a woman by her partner was associated with low birthweight. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway. PARTICIPANTS/SAMPLE: Eighty-six women who were delivered of a low birthweight (< 2500 g) infant (cases) and 92 women who were delivered of an infant with birthweight > or = 2500 g (controls). METHODS: An in-depth interview, either postpartum at the maternity ward or one year after delivery. Information about abuse was obtained by direct questioning and a modified version of the Conflict Tactics Scales. RESULTS: A total of 17% of the women had experienced abuse by a partner. While 7% had been abused by their current partner before the index pregnancy only one woman reported abuse during pregnancy. Relatively more mothers of low birthweight infants were abused (20%) compared with controls (15%), but the association was not statistically significant (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.63-2.99). Abused women reported a higher consumption of alcohol and cigarettes in pregnancy compared with nonabused women. CONCLUSION: Abuse was not found to be a risk factor for low birthweight in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Gynecological complaints and war traumas. A study from Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina during the war.

BACKGROUND: During the war in former Yugoslavia people endured great suffering. Although many had sought refuge in other countries, the majority remained within Bosnia-Herzegovina. Special service for women within the war zone was urgently needed. A Women's Therapy Center was established in Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina offering reproductive health services and psychosocial assistance. The aim of the study was to establish the most commonly occurring gynecological problems during different periods in the war and relate these to war traumas. METHODS: Information from 486 records of consecutive gynecological consultations in four different periods during in 1993/94 were retrospectively recorded. RESULTS: Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and amenorrhea were the most commonly occurring problems. A higher proportion of pregnant women requested legal abortion in the first period compared to later periods when the situation was improved. In 14 (3%) of the consultations a history of rape during the war was recorded. Additionally 42 (9%) had suffered from other types of war traumas. The reporting of war traumas was significantly related to suffering from pelvic pain (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The focus on the need of victims of rape during war has highlighted the need for reproductive services as part of emergency situations. The suffering of war traumas has to be taken into account in the handling of gynecological problems in this situation.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of endometriosis in a Norwegian county.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of endometriosis in Norwegian women aged 40 to 42, and to evaluate reproductive events and life-style as risk factors for endometriosis as well as to evaluate related health-problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed partly as a cross-sectional study to estimate occurrence of endometriosis, partly as a case-control study to look for factors associated with endometriosis. The study group consisted of all female inhabitants--born 1950 to 1952--living in the county of Sør-Trøndelag. In connection with a cardiovascular screening program information about reproductive events and gynecological problems including endometriosis and infertility was obtained. RESULTS: Totally 5139 women were asked to participate, and a questionnaire was completed by 4034 (78.5%). Endometriosis was reported by 2.0% of the women. Life-time risk for endometriosis was estimated to 2.2%. The annual incidence of new cases of endometriosis in this age group is less than 0.3%. There was a significant association between endometriosis and menarche before age 13, and frequent menstrual periods. Nulliparity was more common in women with endometriosis as were infertility problems and pelvic pain. No significant association was found between endometriosis and exercise, smoking, body mass index and education. There was a high risk for women with endometriosis having had cervical conization or gynecological laparotomies such as infertility surgery, operations on ovaries as well as hysterectomies. CONCLUSION: In Sør-Trøndelag county the prevalence of endometriosis is 2.0% and the annual incidence is less than 0.3% for women in their early forties. A woman's life-time risk for endometriosis might be 2.2%. Early menarche, frequent menstruations, pelvic pain, infertility and nulliparity are associated with endometriosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Sociodemographic characteristics and gynecological disease in 40-42 year old women reporting musculoskeletal disease.

The study, which was part of a cardiovascular screening programme of 40-42 year old women organised by the National Health Screening Service, wanted to assess the prevalence of locomotor complaints in Middle-Norway. Forty-nine percent of the respondents reported the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain and myalgia was the most and chronic inflammatory joint diseases the least frequent. Between healthy women and some groups of women reporting musculoskeletal disorders, significant differences in sociodemographic background, workload, working ability, and health care utilisation emerged. Among lifestyle factors, smoking was significantly more frequent for women reporting fibromyalgia. Analysing the occurrence of symptoms and diseases in the genital tract revealed that a significantly higher proportion of women reporting musculoskeletal disease answered positively. Differences between healthy women and women reporting pelvic joint syndrome, fibromyalgia, whiplash, or arthritis were significant in bleeding disorders chronic pelvic pain and inflammatory pelvic disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported oophorectomy significantly more often than healthy women. In conclusion, a high rate of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders was reported by middle-aged women. A strong association between musculoskeletal disorders and gynecological disease was found.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychosocial factors and small-for-gestational-age infants among parous Scandinavian women.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to analyze the association between small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, defined as a newborn with a birthweight below the 15th percentile-for-gestational age, and socioeconomic and psychosocial risk factors. METHODS: Information on social background, psychological status, and life events was collected prospectively by use of questionnaires in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The respondents were 1552 women who expected their second or third child and took part in a Scandinavian multicenter study of fetal growth and perinatal outcome. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in relational stress, state and trait anxiety, depression, and physical strain between SGA and non-SGA births, whereas smoking around time of conception and low prepregnant body mass were significant SGA birth predictors. Maternal and paternal education of nine years or less increased the SGA birth risk (RR 1.46 (95% CL 1.12; 1.92) and RR 1.34 (95% CL 1.01; 1.79), respectively. The increased risk from a low maternal education was still significant when body mass and low paternal education were controlled, but not after adjustment for maternal smoking. A protective effect of paternal, but not maternal, education of 12 years or more was also observed and retained its effect when maternal smoking and body mass were controlled. CONCLUSION: In this seemingly homogeneous Scandinavian population, parental education and maternal body proportion and life style influenced the prevalence of small-for-gestational-age births. Relational stress, anxiety, depression, and physical strain did not influence birth outcome.

Educational Status↗
PubMed1996

Ethnicity and use of obstetrical analgesia: do Pakistani women receive inadequate pain relief in labour?

OBJECTIVE: To study whether the use of analgesic treatment in labour is influenced by ethnicity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of hospital patients. Setting; the two municipal hospitals, Ullevål and Aker, in Oslo, Norway. Subjects; a total of 137 obstetrical patients, 67 Pakistani women and 70 Norwegian women. Main outcome measure; use of analgesics in labour. RESULTS: 30% of the Pakistani and 9% of the Norwegian women received no analgesia in labour. Pethidine injection was the preferred analgesic administered to Pakistani women. Women of Pakistani origin received epidural infusion or nitrous oxide and oxygen gas less frequently than Norwegian women. They also received fewer combinations of other analgesic methods. When adjusted for the mothers' age, parity and duration of delivery, Pakistani origin was the only significant predictor for receiving no analgesia in labour. CONCLUSION: Women of Pakistani origin were more than three times as likely not to receive analgesia in labour as Norwegian women. The health services offered to Pakistani women in labour were different from those offered to Norwegian women. These results indicate that women of Pakistani origin may be offered insufficient obstetrical analgesia, or that Norwegian women received unnecessary pain relief in labour.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Infertility and subfertility in Norwegian women aged 40-42. Prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: There are few population estimates of the prevalence of infertility that also include some information about medical conditions and social classification of study objects. This is a study of 4034 out of a total of 5139 (78% of all invited) women in one county of Norway. METHODS: All female inhabitants born 1950 to 1952 living in the county were invited to participate in a health screening. The screening comprised a clinical screening and two questionnaires; one about reproductive history and infertility. RESULTS: This survey found permanent primary infertility in 2.6% of the women. Subfertility, as at least one year's delay of pregnancy, was reported by 7.7%. A history of different reproductive problems was associated with impaired fertility. Thirty-two percent of primary infertile women had a history of PID, 13% had experienced amenorrhea and almost 40% reported premenstrual tension, compared with lower frequencies in women with normal fertility (11.0%, 3.3% and 29.4% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Up to 10% of the female population may experience infertility at one stage in their reproductive career. Clinicians should pay special attention to women presenting any genital or reproductive disorder regarding risks for future fertility impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Medical and legal aspects of rape. Referrals to a team for care of rape victims at the regional hospital in Trondheim during the period 1989-1992].

Since 1989 a special team of nurses and gynaecologist have taken care of rape victims at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Trondheim. Information on cases during the period 1989-92 was recorded retrospectively in a preformulated system. During this period, 141 persons were examined. In 23% of the cases the victim did not want to press charges. Most of the victims were young, 38% were below 20 years of age. A considerable proportion (40%) reported alcohol intake. 78% of the sexual assaults involved penile-vaginal contact. Severe physical violence, more severe assaults than physical restraint, were reported by 24%. Signs of non-genital injuries were documented in 35% of all the victims. 13% showed genital injury. Presence of sperm was documented in 16% of all the examinations. In 67 of the cases there was an identified assailant and a victim who had pressed charges. The conviction rate was 48%. Characteristics of the assault and findings at the examination were related to judicial outcome. Reporting of severe violence (OR (odds ratio) = 5.3), documented genital injuries (OR = 6.5) and the presence of sperms (OR = 5.6) were associated with conviction. These associations were statistically significant. Reported alcohol intake by the victim was negatively associated with conviction (OR = 0.3). Adjusted for lapse of time between the event and the examination and the victim's age, the only factor that still showed a statistically significant association with conviction was the report of severe violence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Can maternal antiphospholipid antibodies predict the birth of a small-for-gestational age child?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the maternal level of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPA) measured by anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and fetal growth retardation (SGA). METHODS: A nested case control design was carried out in a prospective cohort study of 1552 para I and para II women. The study group consisted of all 138 women who gave birth to a SGA-child (defined as birthweight < 10th percentile). A control group of 276 women was randomly selected from mothers of non-SGA children. Levels of aPA were measured in banked sera drawn from the women in the 33rd week of pregnancy and compared between cases and controls. RESULTS: There were 3 (2.5%) sera with aPA above 97.5 percentile among the cases and 3 (1.2%) among the controls. This difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Antiphospholipid antibody measurements obtained at 33 weeks of gestation cannot be used to assess the risk of birth of a small for gestational age infant among parous women.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed1995

Health consequences of severe life events for pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between severe life events and disorders in pregnancy. DESIGN: Cohort study of pregnant women with and without life events. SETTING: Three Scandinavian cities, Uppsala (Sweden), Bergen and Trondheim (Norway). SUBJECTS: 451 parous women (para 1 and para 2) attending antenatal care. 107 women did and 344 did not experience severe life events just prior to or during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy disorders, frequency of sick leave and admission to hospital. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pregnancy disorders between pregnant women with and without severe life events. However, women with life events were relatively more on sick leave and significantly more often admitted to hospital than pregnant women without this kind of distress in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Severe life events seem largely unrelated to the incidence of specific pregnancy disorders, but seem to have an adverse influence on the pregnant women's general health, as indicated by the use of sick leave and hospitalization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Psychosocial factors and heavy smoking during pregnancy among parous Scandinavian women.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse how psychosocial and social factors are associated with heavy smoking in the third trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Data were collected from a prospective study primarily initiated to study fetal growth retardation. (NICHD Study of successive small for gestational age births). SETTING: Uppsala in Sweden, Bergen and Trondheim in Norway. SUBJECTS: Study subjects were 775 para I and II, referred from GPs or maternity wards to the University Hospitals in Uppsala, Bergen and Trondheim. All women smoked at the time of conception. "Heavy smokers" were defined as women who smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day during the third trimester. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Psychosocial factors and potentially associated heavy smoking in the third trimester. RESULTS: Young women and women without a partner smoked heavily more often than older women and married/cohabitant women. Growing up with just one parent and the experience of a difficult childhood were also significantly associated with heavy smoking before delivery. If the woman's family (except partner) did not approve of the pregnancy, the woman was more often a heavy smoker. The women who smoked heavily in the third trimester had started smoking at an earlier age than the rest of the smokers. CONCLUSION: The pregnant woman's previous and present psychosocial conditions are related to her heavy smoking in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Adult↗