Unsafe abortion: the silent scourge

Background: Unsafe abortions continue to cause maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The practice of unsafe abortions by quacks needs to be checked. Our study aims to emphasize upon the unmet needs of medical termination pregnancies (MTP) services in rural India and to recognize the complications due to it and the efficient management of such cases at tertiary care center.Methods: A two years retrospective study of septic abortions from December 2009 to November 2011.Results: Among 1080 abortions reported, 44 were septic-4.07%. More commonly in the age group of >20years (81.9%). 77.3% of them were multiparous and 22.7% were nulligravidae, with an increased incidence of unmarried nulliparous pregnancies. Greater numbers occurred during 1st trimester (77.2% versus 22.7%), with 54.5%-grade I, 29.5%-grade II, 15.9% grade III in severity. Majority of cases were due to evacuation by quacks (72.7%). Among the 44 cases, emergency laparotomy was done for 5 cases of grade III severity. The mortality rates due to septic abortion were 6.25% (3) among the total of 48 maternal deaths.Conclusions: Septic abortion is totally preventable. Majority of uneducated rural women are not aware of MTP services. The reproductive and child health (RCH) services should effectively reach the underprivileged population like slum dwellers and migrants.

Conocimiento del uso correcto del condón masculino en alumnos de preparatoria de una población indígena del estado de Michoacán / Knowledge of the correct use of the male condom in high-school students of an indigenous population of the state of Michoacan

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: las infecciones de trasmisión sexual y los embarazos no planeados son dos grandes problemas de salud pública. El condón masculino disminuye los riesgos a medida que las personas adquieren mayor experiencia y conocimiento de su uso correcto y sistemático. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio observacional, analítico, transversal y prospectivo, de tipo encuesta. El tipo de muestreo fue por conglomerados, se seleccionaron nueve grupos de la preparatoria, a quienes se les aplicó el cuestionario de "Conocimiento del uso correcto del condón masculino". RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 201 alumnos, de los que 105 eran hombres. El promedio de edad fue de 16 años; 191 eran solteros, 4 casados y 6 vivían en unión libre. Los resultados mostraron que menos de la mitad de los encuestados tenía conocimiento correcto del uso del condón masculino, independientemente de su sexo y estado civil. CONCLUSIONES: a pesar de la información que se ha proporcionado constantemente por los diversos medios de comunicación, los profesionales de salud y las instituciones académicas, un porcentaje muy bajo de los sujetos en este tipo de comunidad tiene conocimiento acerca del uso correcto del condón masculino.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies are two major public health problems. The male condom reduces the risks while as people acquire more experience and knowledge of their correct and consistent use. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An observational, analytical, transversal and prospective study was done. The type of sample was by conglomerates, selecting 9 groups of high school students. A questionnaire called "knowledge of the correct use of masculine condoms" was applied to these students. RESULTS: There were included 201 students, from which 105 were men. The mean age was 16 years old; 191 were single, 4 were married and 6 lived in free union. Results showed that less than a half of the people has a correct knowledge of the use of the masculine condom whether of their sex or marital status. CONCLUSION: Despite of the information given constantly by diverse media, professionals in health and academic institutions, a very low percentage of subjects have knowledge about the correct use of the male condom.

Sociodemographic Profile, Contraceptive Practice and Awareness of HIV Infection among Unmarried Postpartum Women in a Tertiary Centre in Malaysia

To describe the sociodemographic profile, contraceptive practice, and awareness of HIV infection among unmarried post partum women in the biggest government hospital in Pahang. Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire-proforma-based study was conducted for one year duration from August 2010 until July 2011 by identifying and recruiting all the unmarried women upon admission for delivery. Basic information were obtained from the use of patients’ case notes, and further related and necessary information were obtained from a direct face-to-face interview based on a proforma. Results: A total of 121 unmarried women were identified and recruited. The age ranged from 13 to 36 years with a mean age of 21.6 years. 31.4% were teenagers. Only 16% of patients have tertiary education, and 2.5% never had any formal education. About one third of the women were smokers or ex-smokers, 7.5% had consumed alcohol, but none denied ever use of any recreational drugs. Almost 9% has prior history of being sexually assaulted. About three quarter of the women never used any contraceptive method. Majority of the patients (85.1%) were aware of HIV transmission risk; 75% never had any antenatal checkup or booked at late gestation (> 20 weeks); and 45.8% were not aware of any support groups for single mothers. Conclusion: Single unmarried women are associated with disadvantaged sociodemographic profile. Contraceptive practice was also very low despite significant awareness towards risk of HIV infection. Further follow up, support and care should be offered to these women.