ABSTRACT
Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), a common problem among adolescent girls, is associated with various physical, mental and behavioral symptoms that lead to social and occupational impairment. Stress has also been hypothesized to be an important etiologic factor. Examination stress may also be responsible for affecting the premenstrual symptoms. The objectives of this study was to study the impact of exam stress on the menstrual cycle and the relationship of perceived stress with the severity of premenstrual symptoms. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted among female medical students of final MBBS, who were candidate of upcoming exams. They were assessed on semi structured socio-demographic and menstrual history proforma, ACOG guidelines, DSM-5 criteria, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool (PSST).Results: As per ACOG guidelines, 66% participants had PMS and 6% participants had PMDD according to DSM-5 criteria. On PSST total 88% participants had premenstrual symptoms and out of them 58% had mild/no PMS while 30% had moderate to severe PMS. 5% participants also fulfilled criteria for PMDD on PSST. Stress was found to be mild in 26% and moderate in 74% participants on PSS. PMS was found in 93.75% participants who had painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and this association was statistically significant. Data wise 73.1% participants having mild stress had PMS, while 93.2% participants having moderate stress, had PMS and this association was found to be statistically significant. Surprisingly not a single participant consulted to any health care provider for their menstruation related problems.Conclusions: Premenstrual Syndrome is common in adolescent girls and exam stress is an important etiological factor. PMS/PMDD was found significantly higher in participants who had dysmenorrhea and moderate stress. A positive and highly significant correlation was also found between the severity of stress and severity of premenstrual symptoms.
ABSTRACT
Background: Backache is a common cause of morbidity among doctors and 50% of the obstetricians and gynaecologists suffering from this attribute it to working posture. Occupational injuries are poorly analyzed amongst these professionals. Work related injuries have adverse effect on health and work performance due to discomfort caused by pain. Awareness of ergonomics, correct posture and strategical assessment of risk factors is needed for the prevention of work related musculoskeletal injuries amongst obstetricians and gynaecologists.Methods: A survey based study was performed. Informed consent was taken for participation. The questionnaire included 16 questions categorised into: demographics; injury data; impact of injury; and general mental health. Hard copy of the questionnaire and online forms of the questionnaire were used to complete the data collection.Results: The response rate for the survey was 85% of the doctors who reported to have experienced pain in the last year. The most common site was back, which was followed by the neck and knees. 71.4% of doctors reported injuries attributed to work.Conclusions: The result demonstrates the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal injuries and their effects. These injuries are highly underreported. Ergonomics and work related injury prevention in this profession is a suggestion for solution as more data is needed regarding the analysis and risk factor assessment.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Postpartum Depression (PPD) and psychosis (PPP) are diseases that have detrimental impact to the patient and their family. Prenatal and postpartum screening are important to decrease its morbidity, hence obstetricians and gynaecologists’ (OBGYN) role in the diagnosis is vital. However, studies showed that the screening rate of PPD and PPP are low, which may be caused by several barriers.@*Objective@#This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitude and practices of the OBGYN’s practicing in a local tertiary hospital using a survey created by Leddy et al. in 2011.@*Methodology@#This survey is a 5-section questionnaire that tackled the clinical practice, knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of the subjects. It was given to 160 consultants with a response rate of 40% (n=64) during the time period of May 17, 2018 to June 27, 2018.@*Results@#The results showed that most OBGYN do not routinely screen for PPD and PPP (54.69%), which is analogous to literature but contrary to the original study. Most OBGYN agree that all the specified barriers to screening were limiting, the most cited among of which were their limited knowledge in the diagnostic criteria (PPD: 79.69%, PPP: 79.56%) and treatment options (PPD: 76.56%; PPP: 78.13%) and their lack in training in postpartum mental illnesses (PPD: 78.13%; PPP: 84.38%). These barriers were paralleled by the low scores in the knowledge section, despite the higher accuracy in diagnosing patients in the clinical cases. However, there was a low frequency screening rate among OBGYN’s with recent and personal experience with the disease.@*Conclusion@#This gap in knowledge can be addressed by organizing events for continuing medical education, focusing on peripartum mental health illnesses, creating avenues for research to increase knowledge among residents-in-training and fellows of the local organizing body, and establishing clear guidelines to incorporate screening in local practice during prenatal and postpartum care.
Subject(s)
Depression , Obstetricians , Postpartum Period , Psychotic DisordersABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Reflexionar sobre el rol de los tocoginecólogos/as en torno a las políticas públicas en salud reproductiva en Argentina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Combinación de métodos cuantitativos (encuesta, n=467) y cualitativos (entrevista semiestructurada, n=35; grupos focales, n=6). RESULTADOS: Para los profesionales, el aborto y la anticoncepción son problemas muy relevantes. Siete de 10 otorgaron máxima prioridad a implementar servicios de planificación familiar y consejería anticonceptiva pos-aborto. Uno de 2 propuso promover el debate social sobre aborto. La gran mayoría acordó que despenalizar el aborto contribuiría a disminuir la mortalidad materna y que la ley no debería penalizarlo ante riesgo de vida o salud, violación o incesto y malformación incompatible con la vida extrauterina. CONCLUSIONES: Las cuestiones más críticas del campo de la salud reproductiva forman parte de la agenda de los médicos. Las acciones de abogacía deben profundizar una visión integral de la salud y destacar la responsabilidad social de estos actores.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of obstetricians and gynaecologists in reproductive public health policies in Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Combination of quantitative methods (survey, n=467) and qualitative methods (semistructured interview, n=35; focus groups, n=6). RESULTS: The great majority of respondents believe that abortion and contraception are serious public health issues. Seven out of 10 considered the implementation of family planning services and post-abortion contraceptive counseling to be priorities. One-half favored promoting social debate on abortion. The great majority thought that de-criminalization of abortion would help to diminish maternal mortality and that abortion should not be penalized when the womans life or health is at risk, or in cases of rape or fetal malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Abortion and contraception are important issues for physicians. Advocacy efforts within this community need to focus on an integral vision of health, emphasizing their social responsibility.