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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

The evolution of sexual health nursing in Australia: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to describe and encapsulate the elements of the sexual health nurse's role in Australia. In Australia, sexual health nursing is a fast evolving speciality operating within a climate of diverse role expectations, settings and population groups. Today's health care climate demands that nurses' roles and their impact on patient care be held up to scrutiny. METHODS: A literature review was conducted that used descriptive analysis to elicit the recurrent themes appearing in the Australian sexual health nursing literature that would describe the role. RESULTS: A model of sexual health nursing was evident with the two primary themes of professional responsibility and patient care. The professional role included a philosophy of sharing nursing experiences, collaboration, employment in multiple settings, and the development of the role into advanced practice, appropriate academic and clinical preparation and a commitment to research. The patient care role included the provision of individual and holistic patient care, ability to access specific at-risk groups, clinical effectiveness, patient education and community development roles. CONCLUSION: Australian sexual health nurses make a specific and measurable contribution to the health care system. They are likely to continue to advance their role supported by appropriate research that validates their models of practice, continues their philosophy of sharing their experiences and that documents the impact they have on the health outcomes of individuals and populations.

Australia↗
PubMed2005

Twenty-five years.

Having returned to Australia from the United Kingdom in late 1979, it has been my privilege to witness first-hand the quite dramatic changes in Sexual Health Medicine which have taken place during the final 25 years of my professional life. In this article I give a snapshot of my early experiences at the Melbourne Communicable Diseases Centre, highlighting some of the deficiencies that needed urgent attention. I wish I could say that this picture was an exaggeration to make the article more interesting but unfortunately that is not the case. I also attempt to examine some of the factors that brought about the much-needed improvements, especially the effect human immunodeficiency virus had on sexual health practice. It is impossible to mention all the individuals most involved in initiating change, but I have mentioned a couple of names, only because of close personal knowledge about their contribution.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

One stop fertility clinic.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of out-patient based investigation of infertile couples using a prospective observational study based in a large undergraduate teaching hospital. We studied couples referred to secondary care for investigation of their infertility. Investigations involved pelvic ultrasound, diagnostic hysteroscopy and culdoscopy. The main outcome measures were feasibility of investigations, findings, patient views, and a management plan. RESULTS: 199 of 347 (57.3%) couples referred met our selection criteria, and 162 of this group have attended. Thirty-one (19.1%) were judged to be unsuitable for culdoscopy, and culdoscopy failed in a further 29 (17.9%). The average time for the three procedures was 41.2 (SD 17.2) minutes, and over 1/3 of patients were found to have pelvic pathology. The investigations were well tolerated and there was only one complication necessitating admission to hospital. Most patients appreciated the need for a single hospital visit and the availability of immediate results. CONCLUSIONS: A One Stop approach to the investigation of infertility is attractive but not suitable for or desired by all infertile couples. Organisational issues were also identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Modern and traditional practices of Turkish infertile couples.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was carried out to determine modern and traditional practices of infertile couples in Kayseri, Turkey. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-two infertile couples were selected from the study area. Modern and traditional practices of the infertile women and their husbands were investigated through a questionnaire. The effects of some factors on the utilization of traditional methods were analysed through the logistic regression method. RESULTS: It was found out that 92.5% of the infertile women and 71.8% of their husbands had consulted a physician for infertility and 92.1% of the women and 32.6% of their husbands had applied for medical or surgical intervention. However, only 11.1% of the couples had attempted in vitro fertilization. In contrast, 61.5% of the infertile couples admitted to carrying out traditional practices. All traditional practices were more prevalent among the women than the men. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that traditional practices were more prevalent in the rural areas and among the older couples.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The role of primary care in infertility management.

Women frequently present to their general practitioner (GP) stating they have been trying for some time to get pregnant and failed. All GPs must be able to deal with the range of initial presentations in terms of history taking, examination and routine investigation. Treatment may be initiated in primary care, although at present most GPs are likely to refer to secondary care. In the future more GPs will undertake treatment themselves or refer to a GP with a special interest at Primary Care Trust (PCT) level. Both clomiphene and metformin either separately or together can be used in appropriate cases in primary care and are likely to lead to a high success rate and the prevention of unnecessary referrals to secondary care. GPs need to provide ongoing care throughout investigation and treatment for infertility and deal with subsequent outcomes both positive and negative. GPs as well as women themselves must be involved in the development of local guidelines from the outset together with secondary care specialists and those working on behalf of the PCT. It has yet to be shown that any guideline reduces NHS costs or improves patient outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Multiple pregnancy--the evidence for single-embryo transfer.

With the introduction of numerous new technologies, human reproduction has undergone considerable development during the last 25 years. The possibilities for treating both female and male infertility are today less of a medico-technical and more of a socio-economic problem. The high incidence of multiple pregnancy is the problem that causes most concern, with impact upon the infertile couple, offspring and society. Attempts to solve this problem have been made but more work is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Influence of study population on the identification of risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases using a case-control design: the example of gonorrhea.

The population prevalence of many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is low. Thus, most epidemiologic studies of STDs are conducted among STD clinic populations to maximize efficiency. However, STD clinic patients have unique sociobehavioral characteristics. To examine the potential effect of study population on identification of risk factors, the authors compared 1) STD clinic patients with a random digit dialing telephone sample, 2) general population cases with random digit dialing controls, and 3) STD clinic cases with STD clinic controls (Seattle, Washington, 1992-1995). Risk factors for gonorrhea identified among STD clinic patients formed a subset of those identified in the general population. In both populations, risk decreased with age (odds ratio for the general population (OR(GP)) = 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.59; odds ratio for the clinic population (OR(clinic)) = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.81) and was increased among Blacks (OR(GP) = 15.5, 95% CI: 4.93, 49.0; OR(clinic) = 10.5, 95% CI: 4.51, 24.68) and persons whose partner had been jailed (OR(GP) = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.07, 13.9; OR(clinic )= 3.1, 95% CI: 1.32, 7.30). Additional factors associated with gonorrhea in the general population included secondary education (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.70), anal intercourse (OR = 10.5, 95% CI: 2.01, 54.7, STD history (OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 1.76, 19.5), meeting partners in structured settings (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.50), no condom use (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.30, 7.89), and divorce (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.07, 11.9). Risk factors identified in STD clinics will probably be confirmed in a general population sample, despite overcontrolling for shared behaviors; however, factors associated with both disease and STD clinic attendance may be missed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for neonatal mortality in rural areas of Bangladesh served by a large NGO programme.

Neonatal deaths account for about half of all deaths among children under 5 years of age in Bangladesh, making prevention a major priority. This paper reports on a study of neonatal deaths in 12 areas of Bangladesh served by a large NGO programme, which had high coverage of reproductive health outreach services and relatively low neonatal mortality in recent years. The study aimed to identify the main factors associated with neonatal mortality in these areas, with a view to developing appropriate strategies for prevention. A case-control design was adopted for collection of data from mothers whose children, born alive in 2003, died within 28 days postpartum (142 cases), or did not (617 controls). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated as estimates of relative risk for neonatal death, using 'neighbourhood' controls (241) and 'non-neighbourhood' controls (376). A similar proportion of case and control mothers had received NGO health education and maternal health services. The main risk factors for neonatal death among 122 singleton babies, based on the two sets of controls, were: complications during delivery [AOR, 2.6 (95% CI: 1.5-4.5) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.8-5.3)], prematurity [AOR, 7.2 (95% CI: 3.6-14.4) and 8.3 (95% CI: 4.2-16.5)], care for a sick neonate from an unlicensed 'traditional healer' [AOR, 2.9 (95% CI 0.9-9.5 and 5.9 (95% CI: 1.3-26.3)], or care not sought at all [AOR, 23.3 (95% CI: 3.9-137.4)]. The strongest predictor of neonatal death was having a previous sibling not vaccinated against measles [AOR, 5.9 (95% CI: 2.2-15.5) and 12.0 (95% CI: 4.5-31.7)]. The findings of this study indicate the need for identification of babies at high risk and early postpartum interventions (40.2% of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of delivery). Relevant strategies include special counselling during pregnancy for mothers with risk characteristics, training birth attendants in resuscitation, immediate postnatal check-up in the home for high-risk babies identified at delivery, advice for mothers on appropriate care-seeking for sick babies, improving the capacity of sub-district hospitals for emergency obstetric and newborn care, and promotion of institutional deliveries.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Feminist theory confronts US Supreme Court rhetoric: the case of abortion rights.

The research presented below analyses the rhetoric of abortion jurisprudence from the perspective of fundamental principles of feminist theory. While focused primarily on the American experience, it addresses and raises questions that are on the political agenda in a significant number of contemporary societies. The feminist principles identified, and against which judicial rhetoric is assessed, include: the importance of actual life experience over abstract principles, the significance of the distinction between the public and private realms and the understanding of society as a web of relationships. Demonstrated by the relevant data is that the decisions of the judiciary restrictive of reproductive choice are characterized by a distinctly non-feminist rhetoric.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed2004

Thinking ahead about reproductive health: contingency planning and emergency preparedness in crisis situations (Iraq and West Africa).

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) coordinated efforts to integrate RH into contingency planning for the 2003 Iraq crisis and the 2003 regional response for displaced populations in West Africa. Using UNFPA's network of country offices in the Middle East, staff developed logistics plans, conducted workshops and pre-positioned RH supplies. Though refugee movements did not occur, the contingency planning enhanced the response capacity of UNFPA offices and made it possible to rapidly provide assistance inside Iraq. In West Africa, multi-country workshops and follow-up resulted in country-level and regional action plans useful during the renewed crises of 2003; scarce funding, however, limited their full implementation. UNFPA's experiences show that contingency planning requires committing resources for crises, some of which will not occur; new staff skills; and follow-up. Moreover, RH is considered by some to be additional to the core elements of contingency planning. RH's political sensitivity, particularly with certain donors, further complicated integrated planning.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed2005

Gynecologic health care for the adolescent solid organ transplant recipient.

The improved survival of pediatric recipients of solid organ transplants has prompted increased attention to quality of life issues. These include attainment of normal growth, involvement in romantic relationships, and the desire to control fertility. As an increasing number of adolescent transplant recipients are involved in normal social and sexual relationships, they require careful attention to their gynecologic and reproductive health care needs. Anticipating the onset of sexual activity before it occurs may help to prevent a mistimed pregnancy by providing or prescribing condoms and emergency contraception in advance. In addition, many transplant recipients can safely use the currently available methods of hormonal contraception provided there is careful attention to organ function, other medical problems, and concurrently prescribed medications. In adolescent patients, issues such as pubertal development and menstruation, contraception, and routine gynecologic health care are typically addressed by the patient's primary care provider. However, the complexity of the adolescent transplant recipient's medical care necessitates close collaboration among all health care providers caring for the patient. This review is intended to help the transplant team better understand the gynecologic health care needs and treatment options of their adolescent patients.

Adolescent↗