Practicas de cuidado y experiencias con los servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires / Care practices and experiences with sexual and reproductive health services in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires

INTRODUCCIÓN En Argentina, los programas de salud sexual y procreación responsable no discriminan entre mujeres heterosexuales o no heterosexuales de manera explícita, pero la mayor parte de las políticas públicas se concentra en el cuidado de la salud anticonceptiva o reproductiva desde la presunción de heterosexualidad. Resulta difícil, por lo tanto, saber cuál es la relación que las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales tienen con los servicios de ginecología y obstetricia y cuáles podrían ser las barreras o facilitadores que encuentren para su acceso. OBJETIVOS Analizar y comparar las prácticas de cuidado en torno a la salud sexual y reproductiva de jóvenes lesbianas y bisexuales de sectores medios y bajos y sus experiencias con los servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. MÉTODOS Se realizó una investigación cualitativa en base a 12 entrevistas semiestructuradas a jóvenes lesbianas y bisexuales de 18 a 29 años de sectores medios y bajos residentes en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. RESULTADOS La existencia de un sistema de salud que opera bajo la presunción de heterosexualidad restringe el acceso a la información en materia de prevención y de cuidado de la salud sexual y reproductiva de mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales. Frente a un Estado que no logra proveer servicios de atención adecuados, las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales entrevistadas despliegan una serie de estrategias individuales y colectivas para enfrentar dicha carencia.. DISCUSIÓN Resulta menester avanzar en políticas públicas que recuperen las voces, desmandas y necesidades de mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales en pos de alcanzar un sistema de salud más democrático y una atención de salud integral, desde una perspectiva de género y derechos. Con tal fin, el Estado debe trabajar en conjunto con los actores y actrices de la sociedad civil interesados/as en esta problemática.

Percepciones sobre aborto y mujeres en una consejería pre y post aborto / Perceptions of abortion and women in abortion counseling

INTRODUCCIÓN En contextos de legalidad restrictiva como el argentino, las consejerías pre y post aborto se configuran como dispositivos óptimos para el abordaje del aborto inseguro en el ámbito de la salud pública. Las percepciones y prácticas de los profesionales en torno al aborto y a las mujeres condicionan la accesibilidad y el impacto de estas consejerías. OBJETIVOS Conocer las prácticas y sentidos de los profesionales en torno al aborto y a las usuarias en una consejería pre y post aborto que funciona en una Unidad Sanitaria del conurbano bonaerense, considerando tanto al equipo de salud (médicos/as, psicólogas y trabajadoras sociales) como a otros actores que influyen en la accesibilidad: encargados de la administración, de la seguridad (policía) y de la asignación de turnos. MÉTODOS Se diseñó un estudio exploratorio-descriptivo desde una perspectiva cualitativa. Se pensó intencionalmente la combinación de dos técnicas de recolección de datos entrevistas semiestructuradas con observación participante como fuente primaria y revisión de bibliografía relevante sobre el tema y recolección y análisis de documentos escritos por el equipo profesional como fuente secundaria. RESULTADOS Los resultados arrojaron un amplio abanico, que va desde nociones más autónomas a otras más ambivalentes y tutelares respecto a las usuarias y la práctica del aborto, como derecho, como elección, como un mal menor o "reparación de un error". DISCUSIÓN La existencia de las consejerías en el ámbito público de salud ha sido un avance en el reconocimiento de derechos a las mujeres al instaurar la opción del aborto ante un embarazo no planificado/no deseado/no aceptado. Tiene amplias repercusiones, como evitar riesgos irreversibles para la salud o la vida de quienes eligen interrumpir su embarazo, así como fomentar las maternidades elegidas. Las consejerías contribuyen a visibilizar la magnitud real del aborto, desplazando los discursos (y vivencias de muchas mujeres) de lo oficioso a lo oficial, del ámbito privado hacia el ámbito público y de ciudadanía.

Reproductive steroid hormones and ovarian activity in felids of the Leopardus genus.

Reproductive endocrine patterns were characterized in female ocelots (Leopardus pardalis; n = 3), tigrinas (Leopardus tigrinus; n = 2), and margays (Leopardus wiedii; n = 2) housed in captivity in southern Brazil. Females were maintained as singletons and exposed to natural fluctuations in photoperiod. Cyclic changes in ovarian steroids were monitored by analyzing estrogen and progestogen metabolites in fecal samples collected five times weekly for 14 to 18 months. Based on intervals between fecal estrogen peaks, mean (+/- SEM) duration of the estrous cycle was 18.4 +/- 1.6 days for the ocelots (range, 7-31 days; n = 75 cycles), 16.7 +/- 1.3 days for the tigrinas (range, 11-27 days; n = 23 cycles), and 17.6 +/- 1.5 days for the margays (range, 11-25 days; n = 32 cycles). Fecal progestogen analyses combined with two laparoscopic observations of the ovaries confirmed that ocelots and tigrinas did not ovulate spontaneously. In contrast, non-mating-induced luteal phases of 40.1 +/- 6.3 days in duration (range, 30-60 days) were observed frequently in both margays. There was no evidence of gonadal seasonality in margays in either follicular or luteal activity. In ocelots, cyclic changes in estrogen excretion were observed during each month of the year; however, only one female cycled continuously. In the other two ocelots, periods of acyclicity of several months' duration were observed. It was not possible to conclude whether tigrinas were aseasonal because estrous cyclicity was observed in only one of two individuals. In the female that cycled, a 3-month period of acyclicity was observed in the late fall/early winter. These data demonstrate similarities among three felid species of the genus Leopardus, including evidence they are polyestrous but experience unexplained periods of ovarian inactivity. Only the margays differed by exhibiting occasional spontaneous, non-mating-induced ovulations. Historically, these species have not bred well in captivity. However, it is hoped that understanding the biological similarities and differences among them could lead to improved management strategies that may one day result in increased reproductive success. Zoo Biol 20:103-116, 2001. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

High frequency of extrapair fertilization in a plural breeding bird, the Mexican jay, revealed by DNA microsatellites.

We used tetra-nucleotide microsatellite DNA typing to estimate the frequency of extrapair fertilization (EPF) in a plural breeding species, the Mexican jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina, in Arizona. We found EPF in 32 of 51 complete broods (63%) and 55 of 139 nestlings (40%) for which the putative father had been identified (one of the highest rates of EPF known for birds). At least 96.1% of EPF fathers came from within the group. This is by far the highest known within-group EPF rate among socially monogamous, communally rearing species. Most (70%) males of breeding age (3+ years) had no genetic paternity in a given year. Social fathers (i.e. those with nests and mated females) rarely obtained EPFs; of 25 social fathers, 23 had young in only one nest and only two had young in two nests by virtue of EPF. Of the 27 males known to be EPF fathers without a nest of their own, none had young in more than one nest. Only 7% of EPF fathers had their own broods reaching banding age (day 14), compared with 29.7% of social fathers. The proportion of EPF young was significantly larger in smaller broods. Breeding females in all age classes were equally likely to have EPF young. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Testosterone and social and reproductive behaviour in Aphelocoma jays.

When there is a direct relationship between testosterone level and payoff in reproductive success through aggression, testosterone levels should be elevated. Elevated testosterone, however, has fitness costs, particularly a decreased tendency to display parental care. Thus the pattern of testosterone secretion in males should vary with the social and mating system. Western scrub-jays, Aphelocoma californica woodhouseii, form monogamous pairs on territories during the breeding season. Mexican jays, A. ultramarina, live in large, stable groups and up to five females within a group attempt nesting each spring. In both species, testosterone levels rose rapidly in March and peak levels did not differ. Elevated testosterone levels were only observed for about 3 weeks in the monogamous western scrub-jay, but were observed into May in Mexican jays, a reflection of prolonged opportunity for males to mate with multiple females and continual interaction with other competing males. In Mexican jays, nonbreeding yearlings had lower testosterone levels than all other age groups. Testosterone in males owning nests did not differ from that in other adult males, many of whom engage in extrapair fertilizations. Testosterone was elevated throughout the incubation phase, but was significantly lower when chicks were present in any nest in the group. Nearly all birds in the group fed all chicks. These observations support the hypothesis that testosterone is elevated when male-male competition is frequent and mating opportunities depend on the outcome of that competition, and testosterone is decreased when the necessity for parental or alloparental care would make its effects deleterious. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.