ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate sexual behavior longitudinally in the postpartum period by mode of delivery. METHODS: In this prospective study, five groups were defined: women who delivered vaginally without an episiotomy (n = 16), women who delivered vaginally with an episiotomy (n = 14), women who delivered by instrumental delivery (n = 16), women who delivered by an emergent cesarean section (n = 19), and women who delivered by an elective cesarean section (n = 17). Sexual behavior was assessed by the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum and by the timing of resumption of sexual intercourse. RESULTS: The mean ± SD self-reported timing of resumption of sexual activity was 4.5 ± 1.8, 7.9 ± 3.0, 7.3 ± 3.4, 6.1 ± 2.6, and 6.1 ± 2.4 weeks in the vaginal delivery without an episiotomy group, in the vaginal delivery with an episiotomy group, in the instrumental delivery group, in the elective cesarean delivery group, and in the emergent cesarean delivery group, respectively (p = 0.013). The FSFI total score in the entire study group (n = 82) was 14.1 ± 10.8, 24.6 ± 7.6, and 27.7 ± 5.1 at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum, respectively (p < 0.05). The FSFI total score did not differ significantly across types of mode of delivery at 6, 12, or 24 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION: The significance by delivery mode difference in the postpartum resumption of sexual activity was not accompanied by difference in sexual function scores. Specifically, elective cesarean delivery was not associated with a protective effect on sexual function after childbirth.
Subject(s)
Coitus , Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects , Postpartum Period , Puerperal Disorders/etiology , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Cesarean Section , Delivery, Obstetric/methods , Episiotomy , Extraction, Obstetrical , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Puerperal Disorders/diagnosis , Self Report , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/diagnosis , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of an extended free-of-fee strategy on the rate of cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening in Israel. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from a computer-generated list of women aged 15-74 years who attended appointments with Clalit Health Services between January 1, 2008, and November 30, 2011, during which Pap smears were taken. The basic strategy allowed a no-fee Pap smear once every 3 years between the ages of 35 and 54 years; the extended strategy allowed a no-fee Pap smear once every 3 years between the ages of 25 and 54 years. RESULTS: In all, 65 565 Pap smears were taken. The mean monthly study population was 161 438 women. The mean monthly Pap smear rate for the basic strategy was 0.64% ± 0.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.68) versus 0.75% ± 0.6% (95% CI, 0.70-0.79) for the extended strategy (P=0.004). Age group (P<0.001), Pap smear strategy type (P<0.001), and combined age group and strategy type (P=0.028) each predicted the monthly rate of Pap smear screening in a univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the extended free-of-fee strategy increased the rate of Pap smear screening among Israeli women.
Subject(s)
Fees and Charges , Papanicolaou Test , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Vaginal Smears/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Female , Humans , Israel , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Vaginal Smears/economics , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the decision to delivery interval (DDI) in our obstetric unit in comparison to current recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of all non-elective cesarean sections during a 10 months period in a delivery ward of a university tertiary health care facility was performed. The DDI was compared between emergency and non-urgent cesarean sections. RESULTS: The DDI was 25.8 +/- 10.8 +/- and 46.2 +/- 19.9 min in the emergency and non-urgent cesareans, respectively (P < 0.01). In the emergency group, 71% delivered within 30 min compared to 35% in the non-urgent group (P < 0.05) and in the emergent-crash group 100% delivered within 30 min compared to 59% in the emergent-non-crash group (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the DDI and umbilical artery pH or Apgar score at 1 or 5 min in infants of each cesarean group. CONCLUSION: The proposed 30 min DDI standard was achieved in 100, 71, 47 and 35% of emergent-crash, emergent, emergent-non-crash and non-urgent cesareans sections, respectively.
