ABSTRACT
Background: In spite of no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) being cheaper and safer, female sterilisations account for the majority of sterilisations performed worldwide. Research has focussed more on the “demand” and less on the “provider” side. Gynaecologists can be front-runners for the cause of population control in India. Hence, authors decided to estimate the knowledge of gynaecologists, their attitude and prevalent practice of NSV.Methods: Cross-sectional study. Interviewer-administered questionnaire used for face-to-face data collection from gynecologists registered with the Pune Obstetric and Gynecological Society.Results: Out of 447 gynecologists, 158 (35.3%) were males and 289 (64.7%) females. Mean age was 46.3 years ± 12.1 years, (range 24-80 years). Only 14 (3.1%) were trained in performing NSV. Only a minority knew about type of anaesthesia used (1.8%) and number of accesses needed (48.1%) for NSV. Only 40.7% and 18.1% knew about time to resume sexual activity and number of ejaculations to be covered by additional contraceptives after NSV respectively. More than half [258 (57.7%)] were willing to undergo training in NSV. Among those unwilling for training, female and older gynecologists (≥40 years) significantly outnumbered male and younger gynecologists (76.5% Vs. 23.5%; p=0.000 and 78.8% Vs. 21.2% respectively; p=0.000). Majority (79.9%) referred a couple willing for NSV to surgeons or urologists or advised female sterilization (17%).Conclusions: Knowledge of gynecologists about NSV was inadequate. Minority were trained in performing NSV. Male and younger gynecologists were willing to undergo training in NSV. Most preferred practices were referring couples elsewhere or advising female sterilization.
ABSTRACT
Garbha-Swasthya helpline is a telephone helpline run by a tertiary care private hospital to address issues related to pregnancy and its complications. A review of the helpline data from September 2010 to December 2012 was conducted to study caller characteristics, number of calls and related information, and the reasons to call. Out of the total 696 voice calls, 421 were new callers and 275 were repeat callers and they comprised mainly pregnant women (73.3%), their relatives (24.8%), and medical professionals (1.9%). Most calls were related to fi rst pregnancy and were mainly from Pune and other cities of Maharashtra. All calls by the medical professionals were regarding drug safety in pregnancy. The commonest category of questions (27.4%) was about exposures (drugs, alcohol, eclipse, radiation, etc.) and preexisting medical illness followed by pregnancy complications (18.5%), common medical issues such as nausea/vomiting during pregnancy, and delivery and postpartum period (14% each). Although the total number of calls received has steadily increased, efforts to create public and professional awareness to increase the usage of this helpline are warranted.
ABSTRACT
We report three sibs born to a third degree consanguineous Indian family affected with Bartsocas Papas Syndrome. All the three pregnancies were complicated by severe oligohydramnios, which is not commonly seen with Bartsocas-Papas syndrome.