Networks for studies on reproductive and perinatal health: Searching for a consensus.

OBJECTIVE: To address the essential characteristics of a network and aspects related to network sustainability. METHOD: A descriptive study based on a two-round Delphi survey was conducted from 2016 to 2018. Researchers participating in maternal and perinatal health networks were identified by searching PubMed for network-based publications and invited to complete a two-round Delphi questionnaire by email. RESULTS: Among 529 eligible researchers identified, 54 (10.2%) and 46 (8.7%) responses were received in the first and second rounds, respectively. A consensus on 13 of 21 [OK] questions, and 5 of 10 questions was achieved in the first and second rounds, respectively. The results indicated that a responsible leader is required, and both coordinators and members have a role in decision-making within the network. Good communication and periodic face-to-face meetings are key factors in sustainability and motivation. Rules for secure access to the network database and definition of authorship of scientific papers are essential. Mentioning the name of the network in publications is important for strengthening its activities and the obtainment of funds. CONCLUSION: Although operational characteristics of the network may differ according to setting and collaborators, homogeneous and essential network characteristics were identified.

Gender and sexual violence among students at a brazilian university / Violência de gênero e sexual entre alunos de uma universidade brasileira

The prevalence of gender and sexual violence, its association with gender and ethical attitudes and the experience of suffering and perpetration of violence were evaluated among students at a public university in Brazil. METHODS: a cross-sectional study analyzed the answers given by 2430 students to a questionnaire sent by internet. RESULTS: among girls, 56.3 percent had been subjected to some kind of violence and 9.4 percent to sexual violence since university admission; 29.9 percent of men reported having perpetrated some kind of violence, 11.4 percent gender and 3.3 percent sexual violence. Multivariate analysis showed that living with parents/relatives was a protective factor for women being subjected to and men perpetrating sexual violence but not for 'any type of violence'. Lower scores for ethical attitudes were associated with a greater likelihood of men perpetrating any kind of or gender violence. Student for whom religion was important had a lower risk of being a perpetrator of any type and of sexual violence, but not gender violence. CONCLUSIONS: the findings may be useful for the discussion of this problem and to propose interventions to prevent or minimize the problems of gender and sexual violence on campus. Further studies in other university contexts need to be carried out to increase knowledge and explore possibilities for intervention...

Avaliar a prevalência de violência de gênero e sexual e sua associação com atitude de gênero e ética e a experiência de sofrer e perpetrar violência, entre alunos de uma universidade pública no Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal que analisou as respostas de 2430 alunos a um questionário enviado por internet. RESULTADOS: entre as alunas, 56,3 por cento sofreram algum tipo de violência e 9,4 por cento sofreram violência sexual desde seu ingresso na universidade; 29,9 porcento dos homens declararam ter perpetrado algum tipo de violência; 11,4 por cento violência de gênero e 3,3 por cento violência sexual. Análise multivariada apontou que viver com pais/parentes foi um fator que protegeu as mulheres de sofrerem e os homens de perpetrarem violência sexual, mas não 'qualquer tipo de violência'. Baixa pontuação no escore de atitude em ética esteve associada a alta probabilidade dos homens perpetrarem 'qualquer tipo de violência' e violência de gênero. Os alunos que davam importância à religião tiveram risco menor de serem perpetradores de 'qualquer tipo de violência' e de violência sexual, mas não de violência de gênero. CONCLUSÕES: os achados podem ser úteis para a discussão desse problema e para propor intervenções para prevenir ou minimizar os problemas de violência de gênero e sexual no campus. Além disso, requerem-se mais pesquisas para ampliar o conhecimento e as possibilidades de intervenção...

From planning to practice: building the national network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Improving maternal health is one of the Millennium Development Goals for 2015. Recently some progress has been achieved in reducing mortality. On the other hand, in developed regions, maternal death is a relatively rare event compared to the number of cases of morbidity; hence studying maternal morbidity has become more relevant. Electronic surveillance systems may improve research by facilitating complete data reporting and reducing the time required for data collection and analysis. Therefore the purpose of this study was to describe the methods used in elaborating and implementing the National Network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Brazil. METHODS: The project consisted of a multicenter, cross-sectional study for the surveillance of severe maternal morbidity including near-miss, in Brazil. RESULTS: Following the development of a conceptual framework, centers were selected for inclusion in the network, consensus meetings were held among the centers, an electronic data collection system was identified, specific software and hardware tools were developed, research material was prepared, and the implementation process was initiated and analyzed. CONCLUSION: The conceptual framework developed for this network was based on the experience acquired in various studies carried out in the area over recent years and encompasses maternal and perinatal health. It is innovative especially in the context of a developing country. The implementation of the project represents the first step towards this planned management. The system online elaborated for this surveillance network may be used in further studies in reproductive and perinatal health.