Women's experiences of induced abortion resulting from unplanned pregnancy: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to synthesize qualitative evidence on the experiences of women undergoing an induced abortion resulting from an unplanned pregnancy.More specifically, the review question is: how do women experience induced abortions resulting from an unplanned pregnancy?

Access to Contraceptives in Countries With Restrictive Abortion Laws: The Case of Brazil.

We aimed to determine whether current contraceptive use is affected by a history of abortion for women from a country with abortion-restricted laws. This is an analysis of 2006 Brazil Demographic and Health Survey. Nonpregnant women whose first pregnancy occurred in the previous 5 years were selected for this study (n = 2,181). We used propensity score matching to compare current contraceptive use among women with induced or spontaneous abortion and women with no abortion. We found differences in the use, but women with a history of abortion did not report more effective contraceptive than women with no abortion, as we expected.

Contraceptive use following spontaneous and induced abortion and its association with family planning services in primary health care: results from a Brazilian longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that post-abortion contraceptive use is high when family planning services are provided following spontaneous or induced abortions, this relationship remains unclear in Brazil and similar settings with restrictive abortion laws. Our study aims to assess whether contraceptive use is associated with access to family planning services in the six-month period post-abortion, in a setting where laws towards abortion are highly restrictive. METHODS: This prospective cohort study recruited 147 women hospitalized for emergency treatment following spontaneous or induced abortion in Brazil. These women were then followed up for six months (761 observations). Women responded to monthly telephone interviews about contraceptive use and the utilization of family planning services (measured by the utilization of medical consultation and receipt of contraceptive counseling). Generalized Estimating Equations were used to analyze the effect of family planning services and other covariates on contraceptive use over the six-month period post-abortion. RESULTS: Women who reported utilization of both medical consultation and contraceptive counseling in the same month had higher odds of reporting contraceptive use during the six-month period post-abortion, when compared with those who did not use these family planning services [adjusted aOR = 1.93, 95 % Confidence Interval: 1.13-3.30]. Accessing either service alone did not contribute to contraceptive use. Age (25-34 vs. 15-24 years) was also statistically associated with contraceptive use. Pregnancy planning status, desire to have more children and education did not contribute to contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: In restrictive abortion settings, family planning services offered in the six-month post-abortion period contribute to contraceptive use, if not restricted to simple counseling. Medical consultation, in the absence of contraceptive counseling, makes no difference. Immediate initiation of a contraceptive that suits women's pregnancy intention following an abortion is recommended, as well as a wide range of contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible methods, even in restrictive abortion laws contexts.

Experiences and daily life attitudes of women with severe mental disorders: integrative review of associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to identify the factors that influence the experiences and daily life attitudes of women with severe mental disorders (SMD). METHOD: A search for studies published from 2000 to 2014 was conducted in electronic databases. All relevant primary studies were screened using integrative methods. Findings were synthesized thereafter. RESULTS: Fifteen articles were included. A total of 21 factors were identified as being associated with experiences and daily life attitudes of women with SMD. These factors consisted of the following five categories: strengths and limitations regarding self-care behavior and healthcare delivery, unmet healthcare needs, psychosocial vulnerabilities underlying SMD, gains and challenges of motherhood, and adoption of coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers can greatly contribute to improving the quality of healthcare for women with SMD, but several barriers need to be overcome.

Domestic violence against pregnant women / Violência doméstica na gravidez

Objective:To characterize domestic violence in pregnancy.Method:Cross-sectional, exploratory and analytical study of domestic violence with 385 women who attended a public maternity. The Chi-square test of Pearson and Fisher exact test were used to verify associations and considering significant results p<0.05. Data of the sociodemographic characteristics of women, partners and family members and items of “Abuse Assessment Screen-AAS” were collected.Results:Domestic violence compromised 36.9% of women at some point in life and 34.6% during pregnancy. Prevalence rates were due to psychological (97.1%), physical (48.7%) and sexual (4.9%) violence and the partner was the main aggressor. The following variables were signifcantly associated with domestic violence: protestant religion (p=0.0022), lack of planning of pregnancy (p=0.0196), low family income (p=0.0215) and partner drinking habit (p=0,0002).Conclusion:Domestic violence should be systematically investigated during pregnancy, with special attention to protestant pregnant women, women who did not plan their pregnancy and women whose partners are alcoholics.

Objetivo: Caracterizar violência doméstica na gravidez. Métodos: Estudo transversal, exploratório e analítico da violência doméstica com 385 mulheres atendidas em maternidade pública. Testes de Qui-Quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fisher foram utilizados para verificar associações e considerados significantes resultados p<0,05. Dados das características sociodemográficas das mulheres, parceiros e familiares e itens do “Abuse Assessment Screen- AAS” foram coletados. Resultados: A violência doméstica acometeu 36,9% das mulheres em algum momento da vida e 34,6% na gravidez. As prevalências foram para violência psicológica (97,1%), física (48,7%) e sexual (4,9%) e oparceiro foi o principal agente. Houve associação significante da violência doméstica com religião protestante (p=0,0022), ausência de planejamento da gravidez (p=0,0196), baixa renda familiar (p=0,0215) e hábito do etilismo do parceiro (p=0,0002). Conclusão: A violência doméstica deve ser investigada sistematicamente na gravidez, com atenção especial nas grávidas protestantes, sem planejamento da gravidez e as mulheres cujos parceiros são etilistas.

Self-esteem of adult women living in a peripheral area of São Paolo city, Brazil.

Our purpose was to determine the level of self-esteem (SE) and its associations with women's sociodemographic characteristics and social status. Adult women (N = 120) living in a peripheral area of Sao Paulo City in Southeastern Brazil were randomly included in our study. We found significant associations between higher SE scores and higher schooling (p =.02), participation in religious meetings in the church (p =.022), and practice of leisure activities (p <.001). The inclusion of a broader range of activities should be provided in health care and educational settings aiming at the improvement of women's SE levels.

Use of medicinal plants by black women: ethnography study in a low-income community.

Objective To explore beliefs, values and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Method The research method was ethnography and the participant observation process was done in a low-income community in the peripheral area of the City of São Paulo. Twenty black women were interviewed. Results Two cultural sub-themes, I do use medicines that I learned to make with my mother and with religious practitioners to care for diseases and Home medicines are to treat problems that are not serious, and the cultural theme I do use home medicines to treat simple diseases because I always have them at my disposal, they are free and I don't need a medical prescription represent beliefs, values, and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Conclusion The development of such practices, which can hide ethnic and social vulnerability, reveals the resilience of low-income black women in the process of confronting problems during the health-illness process.

[Knowledge of emergency contraception among adolescents in public and private Brazilian high schools]. / Conhecimento sobre anticoncepção de emergência entre adolescentes do Ensino Médio de escolas públicas e privadas.

This study aimed to analyze the level of knowledge concerning emergency contraception among adolescents in public and private high schools. This was a cross-sectional study with 705 students 15 to 19 years of age enrolled in public and private high schools in a municipality in São Paulo State, Brazil. The authors used stratified probabilistic sampling by type of school and systematic sampling by class. Sexual initiation and use of emergency contraception were reported by 24.9% of private school students and 32% of public school students. The mean score on knowledge was 3.87 (SD = 2.12) in public schools and 5.14 (SD = 2.00) in private schools. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher scores on knowledge concerning emergency contraception were associated with: enrollment in private schools, female gender, older adolescents, sexual initiation, previous use of emergency contraception, and knowing someone who had used the method. The study concludes that few adolescents are properly informed about the method and that many harbor persistent misconceptions.

Use of medicinal plants by black women: ethnography study in a low-income community / Uso de las plantas medicinales por las mujeres negras: estudio etnográfico en una comunidad de bajos ingresos / Uso de plantas medicinais por mulheres negras: estudo etnográfico em uma comunidade de baixa renda

Objective To explore beliefs, values and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Method The research method was ethnography and the participant observation process was done in a low-income community in the peripheral area of the City of São Paulo. Twenty black women were interviewed. Results Two cultural sub-themes, I do use medicines that I learned to make with my mother and with religious practitioners to care for diseases and Home medicines are to treat problems that are not serious, and the cultural theme I do use home medicines to treat simple diseases because I always have them at my disposal, they are free and I don’t need a medical prescription represent beliefs, values, and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Conclusion The development of such practices, which can hide ethnic and social vulnerability, reveals the resilience of low-income black women in the process of confronting problems during the health-illness process. .

Objetivo Explorar las creencias, valores y prácticas sobre el uso de las plantas medicinales entre las familias negras de bajos ingresos. Método El método de investigación fue la etnografía y el proceso de observación participante fue desarrollado en una comunidad de bajos ingresos en las afueras de la Ciudad de São Paulo. Se entrevistó a veinte mujeres negras. Resultados Dos subtemas culturales Uso remedios que aprendí a hacer con mi madre y con los religiosos para cuidar de enfermedades y Remedios caseros se utilizan para resolver problemas que no son graves y el tema cultural Uso remedio casero para resolver enfermedades simples porque tengo todo lo que necesito, es gratuito y no necesita una receta médica simbolizam las prácticas de las mujeres. Conclusión Estas prácticas, que pueden estar enmascarando vulnerabilidades étnicas y sociales, ponen de manifiesto la resiliencia de las mujeres negras de bajos ingresos en el confrontamiento de los problemas del proceso salud-enfermedad. .

Objetivo Explorar crenças, valores e práticas relativas ao uso das plantas medicinais entre famílias negras de baixa renda. Método Pesquisa etnográfica cujo processo de observação participante foi desenvolvido em uma comunidade de baixa renda da periferia da Cidade de São Paulo. Vinte mulheres negras foram entrevistadas. Resultados Dois subtemas culturais, Uso remédios que aprendi a fazer com minha mãe e com os religiosos para cuidar das doenças e Remédios caseiros servem para resolver problemas que não são graves, e o tema cultural Uso remédio caseiro para resolver doenças simples, pois tenho sempre que preciso, é de graça e não precisa de receita médica representam as crenças, valores e práticas relativos ao uso das plantas medicinais entre famílias negras de baixa renda. Conclusão O desenvolvimento dessas práticas, que pode estar mascarando vulnerabilidades étnicas e sociais, revela a resiliência das mulheres negras de baixa renda no enfrentamento dos problemas que encontram no processo saúde-enfermidade. .

Conhecimento sobre anticoncepção de emergência entre adolescentes do Ensino Médio de escolas públicas e privadas / Knowledge of emergency contraception among adolescents in public and private Brazilian high schools / Conocimiento sobre anticoncepción de emergencia en adolescentes de escuela secundaria en escuelas públicas y privadas

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o nível de conhecimento sobre anticoncepção de emergência entre adolescentes do Ensino Médio de escolas públicas e privadas. Estudo transversal com a participação de 705 estudantes de 15 a 19 anos, matriculados no Ensino Médio de escolas públicas e privadas de um município do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Utilizou-se amostragem probabilística estratificada por tipo de escola e sistemática por turma. Cerca de 24,9% dos adolescentes das escolas privadas e 32% das escolas públicas haviam iniciado a vida sexual e usado a anticoncepção de emergência. A média de escore de conhecimento foi de 3,87 (DP = 2,12) nas escolas públicas e 5,14 (DP = 2,00) nas escolas privadas. Análise de regressão linear múltipla mostrou que adolescentes de escolas privadas, do sexo feminino, com mais idade, que já tinham iniciado a vida sexual, usado a anticoncepção de emergência e conheciam alguém que já usou o método, foram as que alcançaram o maior escore de conhecimento. Conclui-se que poucos adolescentes estão corretamente informados sobre o método e muitos têm ideias equivocadas.

This study aimed to analyze the level of knowledge concerning emergency contraception among adolescents in public and private high schools. This was a cross-sectional study with 705 students 15 to 19 years of age enrolled in public and private high schools in a municipality in São Paulo State, Brazil. The authors used stratified probabilistic sampling by type of school and systematic sampling by class. Sexual initiation and use of emergency contraception were reported by 24.9% of private school students and 32% of public school students. The mean score on knowledge was 3.87 (SD = 2.12) in public schools and 5.14 (SD = 2.00) in private schools. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher scores on knowledge concerning emergency contraception were associated with: enrollment in private schools, female gender, older adolescents, sexual initiation, previous use of emergency contraception, and knowing someone who had used the method. The study concludes that few adolescents are properly informed about the method and that many harbor persistent misconceptions.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el grado de conocimiento sobre la anticoncepción de emergencia en adolescentes de escuela secundaria en escuelas públicas y privadas. Se trata de un estudio transversal con la participación de 705 estudiantes, de 15 a 19 años, matriculados en educación secundaria en un municipio de São Paulo, Brasil. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio estratificado por tipo de escuela y sistemático por clase. Cerca de un 24,9% de los estudiantes de escuelas privadas y el 32% de las escuelas públicas habían iniciado su vida sexual, usando anticoncepción de emergencia. La puntuación media de los conocimientos fue 3,87 (DP = 2,12) en las escuelas públicas y 5,14 (DP = 2,00) en las privadas. El análisis de regresión lineal múltiple mostró que los adolescentes de las escuelas privadas, mujeres, mayores, que habían iniciado su vida sexual, utilizaban anticoncepción de emergencia y quienes utilizaron el método fueron los que lograron mejores resultados en conocimientos. Llegamos a la conclusión de que pocos adolescentes están informados sobre es método anticonceptivo.

[Integrative review: concepts and methods used in nursing]. / Revisão integrativa: conceitos e métodos utilizados na enfermagem.

UNLABELLED: Integrative review (IR) has an international reputation in nursing research and evidence-based practice. This IR aimed at identifying and analyzing the concepts and methods recommended to undertaking IR in nursing. Nine information resources,including electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Seventeen studies were included. The results indicate that: primary studies were mostly from USA; it is possible to have several research questions or hypotheses and include primary studies in the review from different theoretical and methodological approaches; it is a type of review that can go beyond the analysis and synthesis of findings from primary studies allowing exploiting other research dimensions, and that presents potentialities for the development of new theories and new problems for research. CONCLUSION: IR is understood as a very complex type of review and it is expected to be developed using standardized and systematic methods to ensure the required rigor of scientific research and therefore the legitimacy of the established evidence.

Cultural experiences of immigrant nurses at two hospitals in Chile / Vivências culturais de enfermeiras imigrantes em dois hospitais do Chile / Vivencias culturales de enfermeras inmigrantes en dos hospitales de Chile

OBJECTIVE: to explore the cultural experiences of nurses who immigrated to Chile. The study´s theoretical framework was the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. METHOD: Leininger's Observation-Participation-Reflection method was developed at two hospitals in the city of Santiago, and ethnographic interviews were held with 15 immigrant nurses. RESULTS: among Purnell's 12 domains, the following were identified: Overview/heritage, Communication, Workforce issues, Family roles and organization, Biocultural ecology and Health-care practices. The difficulties were related to the language and its semantic meaning, the new responsibilities and the difficult relationship with colleagues. "In search of better horizons - the decision to immigrate", "Gaining confidence and establishing a support network - employability and professional performance" and "Seeking for people´s acceptance - professional adaptation in a new cultural scenario" are cultural themes that represent their experiences. CONCLUSIONS: the competence to offer cultural care demands the development of public policies and continuing education programs at health institutions, specifically focused on immigrant nurses. .

OBJETIVO: pesquisar as experiências culturais de enfermeiros que imigraram para o Chile. O referencial teórico utilizado foi o Modelo de Competência Cultural de Purnell. MÉTODO: o método de Observação-Participação-Reflexão, proposto por Leininger, foi desenvolvido em dois hospitais da Cidade de Santiago, e entrevistas etnográficas foram realizadas com 15 enfermeiras migrantes. RESULTADOS: dos 12 domínios de Purnell, foram identificados: herança e visão geral, comunicação, força de trabalho, função e organização familiar, diversidade biocultural e práticas de cuidado na área de saúde. As dificuldades foram relativas ao idioma e seu significado semântico, às novas responsabilidades e ao difícil relacionamento com os colegas. "Em busca de melhores oportunidades - a decisão de imigrar", "ganhar confiança e estabelecer rede de apoio, inserção laboral e desempenho profissional" e "conquistar pessoas, com o intuito de ser aceita - a adaptação ao trabalho em um novo cenário cultural" são temas culturais que representam a vivência desses profissionais. CONCLUSÕES: a competência para prestar cuidado cultural requer o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas e programas de treinamento contínuo nas instituições de saúde, especificamente direcionados aos enfermeiros imigrantes. .

OBJETIVO: explorar las experiencias culturales de las enfermeras que inmigraron a Chile. El referencial teórico utilizado fue el Modelo de Competencia Cultural de Purnell. MÉTODO: el método de Observación-Participación-Reflexión propuesto por Leininger fue desarrollado en dos hospitales de la ciudad de Santiago, y realizadas entrevistas etnográficas con 15 enfermeras migrantes. RESULTADOS: de los 12 dominios de Purnell, fueron identificados: Herencia y visión general, Comunicación, Fuerza de trabajo, Rol y organización familiar, Ecología biocultural y Prácticas de cuidado en salud. Las dificultades fueron relativas al lenguaje y su significado semántico, las nuevas responsabilidades y el relacionamiento difícil con los colegas. "En busca de mejores horizontes - la decisión de inmigrar", "Ganar confianza y establecer red de apoyo - inserción laboral y desempeño profesional" y "Ganar a la gente para ser aceptada - la adaptación laboral en un nuevo escenario cultural" son temas culturales que representan sus vivencias. CONCLUSIONES: la competencia para brindar cuidado cultural requiere el desarrollo de políticas públicas y programas de educación continuada en las instituciones de salud, específicamente direccionadas a los enfermeros inmigrantes. .

Integrative Review: Concepts And Methods Used In Nursing / Revisión Integradora: Conceptos Y Métodos Utilizados En Enfermería / Revisão integrativa: conceitos e métodos utilizados na enfermagem


Integrative review (IR) has an international reputation in nursing research and evidence-based practice. This IR aimed at identifying and analyzing the concepts and methods recommended to undertaking IR in nursing. Nine information resources,including electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Seventeen studies were included. The results indicate that: primary studies were mostly from USA; it is possible to have several research questions or hypotheses and include primary studies in the review from different theoretical and methodological approaches; it is a type of review that can go beyond the analysis and synthesis of findings from primary studies allowing exploiting other research dimensions, and that presents potentialities for the development of new theories and new problems for research. Conclusion: IR is understood as a very complex type of review and it is expected to be developed using standardized and systematic methods to ensure the required rigor of scientific research and therefore the legitimacy of the established evidence.
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Resumen 
La Revisión Integradora (RI) tiene una reputación internacional en la investigación en enfermería y en la práctica basada en la evidencia. Esta RI tuvo como objetivo identificar y analizar los conceptos y los métodos indicados para la realización de una RI en enfermería. Fueron consultados nueve recursos de información y fuentes de literatura gris. Se incluyeron diecisiete estudios de RI. Los resultados indican que: la mayoría de los estudios primarios fueron realizados en EE.UU.; es posible tener varias preguntas de investigación o hipótesis e incluir estudios primarios de diferentes perspectivas teóricas y metodologías; es un tipo de análisis que puede ir más allá de la síntesis de las conclusiones de los estudios primarios, permitiendo abarcar otras dimensiones de la investigación y finalmente presenta potencial para el desarrollo de nuevas teorías y problemas de investigación. En conclusión, la RI es comprendida como un tipo de revisión de naturaleza compleja que demanda métodos normalizados y sistemáticos para garantizar el rigor requerido en la investigación científica y por lo tanto la legitimidad de las evidencias establecidas. .

A revisão integrativa (RI) apresenta reputação internacional na pesquisa em enfermagem e na prática baseada em evidências. Esta RI objetivou identificar e analisar conceitos e métodos indicados para desenvolver uma RI na enfermagem. Nove recursos informacionais bibliográficos, incluindo fontes de literatura cinzenta, foram consultados. Dezessete estudos foram incluídos. Os resultados indicam que os estudos foram desenvolvidos majoritariamente nos EUA; é possível ter várias questões de pesquisa ou hipóteses e incluir investigações desenvolvidas através de diferentes referenciais teóricos e metodológicos; trata-se de um tipo de revisão que permite realizar análises que extrapolam a síntese dos resultados dos estudos primários, abrangendo outras dimensões da pesquisa e que apresenta potencialidade para o desenvolvimento de novas teorias e problemas de pesquisa. Em conclusão, a RI é compreendida como um tipo de revisão de natureza complexa, que demanda métodos normatizados e sistemáticos para garantir o necessário rigor requerido na pesquisa científica e a legitimidade das evidências estabelecidas.
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Post-abortion contraception: care and practices / Anticoncepção pós-abortamento: atenção e práticas / Anticoncepción postaborto: atención y prácticas

OBJECTIVE: to analyze assistance regarding contraception methods received by women during hospitalization due to abortion, and contraceptive practices the month after this episode. METHODS: a longitudinal study of women hospitalized due to abortion in a public hospital in the city of São Paulo. Face-to-face interviews (n=170) followed by telephone interviews in the subsequent month (n=147) were conducted between May and December of 2011. RESULTS: a small number of women reported they received guidance on, and prescription for, contraceptive methods at hospital discharge. A trend of statistical significance was identified for prescription of contraceptive methods at discharge and its use in the following month, when adjusted for age. Most women reported sexual intercourse (69.4%) with the use of contraceptive method (82.4%), but no health professional guidance (63.1%). CONCLUSION: despite the fact that post-abortion contraception assistance was lower than the recommended guidelines by public health policies, women demonstrated willingness to use contraceptive methods. .

OBJETIVO: analisar a atenção em anticoncepção recebida por mulheres durante a hospitalização por abortamento e suas práticas contraceptivas, no mês subsequente a esse episódio. MÉTODO: estudo longitudinal com mulheres hospitalizadas por abortamento, em uma maternidade pública da cidade de São Paulo. Foram feitas entrevistas face a face (n=170) e, após um mês, por contato telefônico (n=147) entre maio e dezembro de 2011. RESULTADOS: as orientações em anticoncepção e a alta hospitalar com método anticonceptivo prescrito foram referidas por proporção reduzida de mulheres. Houve tendência de significância estatística para a prescrição de método anticonceptivo, ajustado pela idade, na alta hospitalar e o seu uso no mês subsequente. A maioria das mulheres teve relações sexuais (69,4%) com uso de método anticoncepcional (82,4%), mas sem orientação de profissional de saúde (63,1%). CONCLUSÃO: apesar da atenção em anticoncepção pós-abortamento estar aquém das diretrizes estabelecidas pelas políticas públicas, as mulheres demonstraram disponibilidade para usar métodos anticonceptivos. .

OBJETIVO: analizar la atención en anticoncepción recibida por mujeres durante la hospitalización por aborto y sus prácticas anticonceptivas en el mes subsecuente a ese episodio. MÉTODO: estudio longitudinal con mujeres hospitalizadas por aborto en una maternidad pública de la Ciudad de Sao Paulo. Fueron hechas entrevistas frente a frente (n=170) y después de un mes por contacto telefónico (n=147) entre mayo y diciembre de 2011. RESULTADOS: las orientaciones en anticoncepción y el alta hospitalaria con método anticonceptivo prescrito fueron referidas por una proporción reducida de mujeres. Hubo tendencia de significación estadística para la prescripción de método anticonceptivo, ajustado por la edad, en el alta hospitalaria y su uso en el mes subsecuente. La mayoría de las mujeres tuvo relaciones sexuales (69,4%) con uso de método anticonceptivo (82,4%), pero sin orientación de profesional de la salud (63,1%). CONCLUSIÓN: a pesar de la atención en anticoncepción postaborto estar fuera de las directrices establecidas por las políticas públicas, las mujeres demostraron disposición para usar métodos anticonceptivos. .

Men's perceptions and attitudes toward the partner with premenstrual syndrome.

This study focused on the young adult men's perceptions and behavior toward their women partners who they acknowledged as experiencing the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A qualitative study was conducted, framed by social constructivism, where individual interviews with 20 young Brazilian men aged 21 to 29 years were analyzed thematically. Four descriptive categories to express the men's experiences: (a) men's observations on partner's behavior changes, (b) early in the relationship: apprehension and confusion, (c) knowledge about PMS led men to better understanding about changes, and (d) need for support from a health care provider and medication. The men's perceptions and behavior toward their partners were strongly influenced by biomedical conceptions of PMS. Participants believed that their partners' emotions and behaviors were determined by PMS during some days of the month, consequently PMS had affected the couple's relationship. Another consequence of such medicalization was that women's complaints about PMS were rendered invisible except when viewed as a serious medical problem requiring cure, rather than a part of women's cyclical patterns. It is the case that the systematic description of men's perceptions about their partner's PMS provides an approach to this topic in educational and health care activities, with the potential to improve gender relations.

Cultural experiences of immigrant nurses at two hospitals in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: to explore the cultural experiences of nurses who immigrated to Chile. The study's theoretical framework was the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. METHOD: Leininger's Observation-Participation-Reflection method was developed at two hospitals in the city of Santiago, and ethnographic interviews were held with 15 immigrant nurses. RESULTS: among Purnell's 12 domains, the following were identified: Overview/heritage, Communication, Workforce issues, Family roles and organization, Biocultural ecology and Health-care practices. The difficulties were related to the language and its semantic meaning, the new responsibilities and the difficult relationship with colleagues. "In search of better horizons - the decision to immigrate", "Gaining confidence and establishing a support network - employability and professional performance" and "Seeking for people's acceptance - professional adaptation in a new cultural scenario" are cultural themes that represent their experiences. CONCLUSIONS: the competence to offer cultural care demands the development of public policies and continuing education programs at health institutions, specifically focused on immigrant nurses.

Post-abortion contraception: care and practices.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze assistance regarding contraception methods received by women during hospitalization due to abortion, and contraceptive practices the month after this episode. METHODS: a longitudinal study of women hospitalized due to abortion in a public hospital in the city of São Paulo. Face-to-face interviews (n=170) followed by telephone interviews in the subsequent month (n=147) were conducted between May and December of 2011. RESULTS: a small number of women reported they received guidance on, and prescription for, contraceptive methods at hospital discharge. A trend of statistical significance was identified for prescription of contraceptive methods at discharge and its use in the following month, when adjusted for age. Most women reported sexual intercourse (69.4%) with the use of contraceptive method (82.4%), but no health professional guidance (63.1%). CONCLUSION: despite the fact that post-abortion contraception assistance was lower than the recommended guidelines by public health policies, women demonstrated willingness to use contraceptive methods.

[Women's narratives on care received in a birthing center]. / Narrativas de mulheres sobre a assistência recebida em um centro de parto normal.

Women's perception of childbirth care in a birthing center, the focus of this study, should be considered to assess and improve quality of care. The study method was narrative analysis. Inductive and interpretative analysis of narratives by 17 women produced the following descriptive categories: distinct experiences with care received upon arrival at the hospital; diversity of experiences with patient's self-care and procedures performed by healthcare staff; conflicting opinions on the husband or partner's presence during childbirth; and degree of satisfaction with follow-up, interpersonal relations, and orientation by the healthcare team. Childbirth care was evaluated positively by mothers, and this result supports the current Brazilian public policy recommending expansion of birthing centers.

Narrativas de mulheres sobre a assistência recebida em um centro de parto normal / Women's narratives on care received in a birthing center / Narrativas de mujeres sobre el cuidado recibido en un centro de parto normal

A perspectiva das mulheres que receberam assistência em um centro de parto normal, foco deste estudo, deve ser considerada para avaliar e melhorar a qualidade desse serviço. Diante disso, objetivou-se explorar a experiência relativa à assistência ao parto recebida em um centro de parto normal. Como método de pesquisa, utilizou- se a análise indutiva e interpretativa das narrativas de 17 mulheres, que resultou nas seguintes categorias descritivas: distintas experiências no atendimento recebido na chegada ao hospital; diversidade de experiências em relação às práticas de autocuidado e aos procedimentos realizados pelos profissionais; divergência de opiniões relativas à presença do acompanhante; satisfação com o acompanhamento contínuo, com o relacionamento interpessoal estabelecido pelos profissionais e com as orientações fornecidas. A assistência ao parto foi avaliada positivamente pelas mulheres, e este resultado fornece sustentação à política pública de expansão dos centros de parto normal.

Women's perception of childbirth care in a birthing center, the focus of this study, should be considered to assess and improve quality of care. The study method was narrative analysis. Inductive and interpretative analysis of narratives by 17 women produced the following descriptive categories: distinct experiences with care received upon arrival at the hospital; diversity of experiences with patient's self-care and procedures performed by healthcare staff; conflicting opinions on the husband or partner's presence during childbirth; and degree of satisfaction with follow-up, interpersonal relations, and orientation by the healthcare team. Childbirth care was evaluated positively by mothers, and this result supports the current Brazilian public policy recommending expansion of birthing centers.

La perspectiva de las mujeres que recibieron atención en un centro de parto normal, foco de este estudio, debe ser considerada para evaluar y mejorar la calidad de la atención. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo explorar la experiencia de la atención al parto recibida en un centro de parto normal. El análisis de la narrativa de mujeres fue el método de investigación. El análisis inductivo y interpretativo de las narraciones de 17 mujeres resultó en las siguientes categorías descriptivas: distintas experiencias en la atención recibida durante la llegada al hospital; diversidad de experiencias en relación con las prácticas de autocuidado y procedimientos realizados por profesionales; divergencia de opiniones con respecto a la presencia de compañero; satisfacción con la supervisión continua, con la relación interpersonal establecida por profesionales y con la orientación recibida. La atención al parto fue evaluada positivamente por las mujeres y este resultado proporciona apoyo a la política pública de ampliación de los centros de parto normal.

Religiosity and sexuality: counseling provided by Brazilian Protestant pastors.

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study aimed to explore counseling about sexuality and contraception provided to the church community. METHODS: The oral history method was performed. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews with 18 Brazilian Protestant pastors and were examined using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified from the data: (a) Counseling based on Christian doctrine provided to preserve the integrity of the family; (b) Adequate performance of gender roles is essential to preserve harmony in the family; (c) Recommendations for sex with pleasure and the free use of contraceptives in marriage; (d) Distinct positions regarding abortion: clearly forbidden versus permissible when authorized by law. CONCLUSIONS: The pastors provide traditional counselings regarding sexuality and the use of contraceptives is stimulated within the marriage. The main aim of the counselings given to the church community is the preservation of family integrity. The exploration of patients religious backgrounds and its consideration is essential in the planning and implementation of a culturally meaningful and non-conflicting healthcare.