ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and to identify the factors associated with vaginal infection among the married women between the ages of 15-49 years residing in the Khyber Agency (FATA), Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of July 2005 on 1084 mothers by using random sampling strategy in Khyber Agency Pakistan by trained nurses. The descriptive and multivariate statistics were computed. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis showed that the associated factors with vaginal infection were the use of unhygienic material to soak up the lochia [aOR = 3.45, 95% CI (1.36, 8.75)], bathing after 40 days [aOR = 2.10, 95% CI (1.55, 3.14)], and women who did not receive antenatal care [OR = 3.87, 95% CI (1.93, 7.75)]. Also women who did not have medical facilities available [OR = 2.45, 95% CI (1.23, 5.06)] reported of vaginal infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that there is considerable need for health education among women and the entire community for the maintenance of hygiene, safe delivery through medical personnel and improvement in the mobility of mothers and female education.
Subject(s)
Maternal Health Services/standards , Postpartum Period , Puerperal Infection/epidemiology , Vaginal Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Middle Aged , Pakistan/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Public Health Administration , Puerperal Infection/ethnology , Puerperal Infection/etiology , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vaginal Diseases/ethnology , Vaginal Diseases/etiologyABSTRACT
Although numerous health care interventions have been implemented in Pakistan, the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates still remain a challenge. Developed countries have reduced maternal and neonatal mortality rates by improving the skill and knowledge levels of nurse-midwives. This paper reviews maternal and neonatal health issues, challenges in current midwifery education, and the role of government and international agencies in Pakistan. The exact maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Pakistan are unknown; a census has not occurred since 1998, and data provided in more recent studies were presented in summary format. A number of factors that contribute to the high mortality rate could easily be controlled by using competent nurse-midwives throughout all levels of the Pakistani health care system. A reduction in the maternal mortality rate is likely to occur if the Pakistan government and international agencies work together to implement specific recommendations in maternal and neonatal health. These recommendations include: 1) holding an invitational conference; 2) strengthening the existing midwifery and Lady Health Visitor curricula; 3) pilot testing an expanded midwifery program; and 4) advocating for and obtaining political commitments and resources for midwifery education.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Infant Welfare , Maternal Welfare , Maternal-Child Health Centers/organization & administration , Midwifery/education , Adult , Clinical Competence , Female , Health Policy , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Midwifery/standards , Nurse's Role , Pakistan , Pregnancy , Primary Health Care/organization & administrationABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Pakistan has a marked discrepancy between reported and unreported maternal mortality, morbidity and reproductive health figures. Pakistan's figures are listed in the "E" category by the World Health Organization meaning there is no official means of data collection and reporting. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop the standardized "Midwifery Nursing Reproductive Health Data Set (MN-RHDS)" to provide systematic information about Pakistan's maternal mortality, morbidity, reproductive health, midwifery practices, and patient outcomes. METHOD: The descriptive data elements and definitions were generated and validated through Delphi survey and consensus conference of 25 experts. DATA COLLECTION: The experts rated each element on necessity, clarity of definition, and collectability. FINDINGS: Elements were categorized as follows: 1) Antenatal, 2) Labor and Delivery, 3) Postnatal, 4) Demographics, 5) Service Data, 6) Maternal Death, 7) Referral, and 8) Maternal Status. Elements related to task work compared to psychosocial nursing care achieved higher means with lower standard deviation. CONCLUSIONS: The MN-RHDS impacts data collection, storage, retrieval, and linkage of standardized information about reproduction interventions and outcomes in developing nations.
