[The prevalence of infertility and the importance of nursing work in this field]. / Prevalencia de la infertilidad e importancia de la labor de enfermería en este campo.

A survey in the health area of "Héroes del Moncada" Polyclinics in Plaza de la Revolución municipality from Havana City was carried out by means of a multistage sampling in which 352 women in reproductive age (15-49 years old) were randomly chosen. A questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization for this kind of investigation was applied and a work of information and orientation was carried out for the infertile women. Prevalence of infertility in this health area was moderate and was found in 9.1% of the total number of women studied (12.1% of married women). Primary infertility was found in 0.6% of the total number of the women studied (12.1% of married women) and secondary infertility was found in 8.5% (11.3% of married women). A 43.8% of infertile women wanted to be pregnant what inversely correlated with the age and the number of children. The efficacy of the educational work of nursing was evidenced because 85.7% of infertile women who wanted to be pregnant attended the specialized consultation after the interview by the nurse. It is recommended to increase the nursing activity in the field of human reproduction.

[The obstetrical history and use of contraceptive methods by women in urban health area]. / Historia obstétrica y uso de métodos contraceptivos de las mujeres de un área de salud urbana.

A study is made on some significant aspects of the obstetric history and contraceptive practice in an urban health area by means of a random sample that selected 352 women of reproductive potential. They were interviewed by means of a questionnaire designed for that purpose. Most women in all age groups had a male partner, except for the 15-19 age group, and it seems that often marriage duration is not low. Pregnancy average per woman was high (3.04) and high rates for induced abortion per live birth (0.99) and of induced abortion per woman (1.44) were found, which is indicative of inappropriate contraceptive practice. The contraceptives most commonly used were intrauterine devices (74%) and oral tablets (51%); much less frequent is the use of condoms (5.8%), diaphragms (2.9%), periodic abstinence (2.5%) and breast feeding (2.5%). Results indicate an abuse of abortion as a family planning method, as well as a poor contraceptive practice.