RESUMEN
Introduction Inter-hospital emergency obstetric transfers should be carried out effectively and efficiently to avoid any complications to either mother or pregnancy. To date, no relevant data are available in Brunei Darussalam. This study prospectively assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the inter-hospital transfer process to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. Materials and Methods Obstetric patients (n = 92) who were transferred from other hospitals to RIPAS Hospital over a six month period (1st September 2009 to 28th February 2010) were studied. Results The prevalence of emergency obstetric transfers was 3.65% of total obstetric admissions to the labour ward and this consisted of 60 antenatal, 30 intrapartum, and two postpartum cases. The most common reason for transfer was gestational hypertension followed by labour pain. Multiple reasons led to 25% of referrals. Sixteen patients (17%) arrived without any accompanying medical personnel and 10 patients (11%) used their own transport. Duration from referral to arrival ranged from 25 minutes to 72 hours. Twenty-one patients (23%) and 18 (19%) arrived without any investigation or medications and without referral letters respectively. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. Two cases with singleton pregnancy were referred for intrauterine foetal deaths. Another 59 were born alive. There were no early neonatal deaths. Conclusions Our study revealed deficiencies in the transfer procedures that can be improved. Fortunately, there were no adverse outcomes during the study period. Further improvements need to be implemented to ensure effective and efficient transfers of emergency cases.
RESUMEN
A hundred currently married women of 20-49 years were interviewed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of male condoms among family planning clinic attenders of Waybagi in North Okkalapa Township and to identify their acceptance and perception towards male condoms. The majority of wives were 30 to 34 years ole and primary school level whereas the majority of husbands were between 35 to 39 years of age, educated up to high school level. Most wives (75 per cent) were dependents whereas majority of husbands (38 per cent) were semi-skilled workers. although 75 per cent have heard of condoms only 36 per cent had actually seen one. Most knew that condoms were meant for contraception (86.7 per cent). Sixty-eight per cent knew condoms could prevent transmission of sexually transmissible diseases; 8 per cent thought condoms were meant for extra-marital sex; 77.3 per cent knew that condoms were meant for single use only. Over half thought condom is important for family planning and prevention of STD, less than half thought it was good for sexual relationship, that every adult male should use it, that it was good for male use, and that it would not create any problem between husband and wife. as regards statements with negative view, more than half disagreed with statements that condoms could disturb sexual relationship and that it could not be used for monogamous marriage. Overall, the respondents seemed to regard condoms positively rather than negatively. Only 5 per cent had ever used condoms out of which only one liked it whereas one disliked it due to condom rupture. None were currently using condoms. It indicated that proper counselling and appropriate training is essential to promote condom acceptability.