Understanding the Impacts of the Supreme Court Case FDA v Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.

This Viewpoint outlines the potential effects of the Supreme Court case regarding mifepristone restrictions: a decision for the FDA would allow current dispensing, while ruling against the FDA would severely curtail access to reproductive health options.

Informe de rotación electiva

Rotación electiva que tuvo lugar entre el Lunes 14 de marzo y el Viernes 27 de Mayo en el CAPS 24 Hs. de Pozo Azul, Departamento de San Pedro en la provincia de Misiones. El mismo es un establecimiento de salud sin internación de diagnóstico y tratamiento, que posee un servicio de guardia permanente y se encuentra ubicado en la intersección de la Ruta Provincial 17 KM 2 (desde Irigoyen) y la Ruta Provincial 20. Este CAPS pertenece a la Zona Sanitaria Noreste, cuyo Director Ejecutivo es el Dr. Cristian Cristaldo y pertenece al Área programática XVIII "San Pedro - Pozo Azul". La referente fue la Médica y Directora de dicha institución, la Dra. Mercedes Fabre, que permitió asistir y acompañar distintas actividades que permitieron enriquecer el tránsito por dicho espacio. (AU)

Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age: An Overview of Global Burden, Trends, Determinants, and Drivers of Progress in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Relatively little progress has been made in reducing anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA anemia). Interventions, policies and programs aimed at reducing WRA anemia have the potential to improve overall not only women's, but also children's health and nutrition outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aimed to compile evidence on the determinants and drivers of WRA anemia reduction in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We synthesized the available evidence on the determinants and drivers, including government policies and programs, of WRA anemia and their mitigation strategies across a wide range of countries and geographies, thus contributing to the complex and multifactorial etiology of anemia. We carried out a systematic review of published peer-reviewed and grey literature assessing national or subnational decline in WRA anemia prevalence and the associated drivers in LMICs. Among the 21 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, proximal determinants of healthcare utilization, especially during pregnancy and with the use of contraceptives, were strong drivers of WRA anemia reduction. Changes in other maternal characteristics, such as an increase in age at first pregnancy, BMI, birth spacing, and reduction in parity, were associated with modest improvements in anemia prevalence. Access to fortified foods, especially iron-fortified flour, was also a predictor of a decrease in WRA anemia. Of the intermediate determinants, an increase in household wealth, educational attainment and access to improved sanitation contributed significantly to WRA anemia reduction. Although several common determinants emerged at the proximal and intermediate levels, the set of anemia determinants and the strength of the association between each driver and WRA anemia reduction were unique in each setting included in this review. Further research is needed to provide targeted recommendations for each country and region where WRA anemia prevalence remains high.

Regulating reproductive genetic services: dealing with spiral-shaped processes and techno-scientific imaginaries.

PURPOSE: We have been inquiring into the diffusion process of reproductive genetic services (RGS) and the viability of geneticization in human reproduction. METHOD: A 2-round modified-Delphi survey was applied amongst Israeli and Spanish experts to analyze regulatory attitudes and expectations about the future applications of RGS. We argue that an explanation of RGS diffusion based on a 'technology-push' impulse should be complemented by a 'demandpull' approach, which underscores the importance of regulatory frameworks and demand-inducing policies. The diffusion of RGS is advancing in a 'spiralshaped' process where technology acts as a cause and effect simultaneously, modulating social acceptance and redefining the notions of health and responsibility along the way. RESULTS: We suggest that there is a 'grey-zone' of RGS regulations regarding four procedures: the use of germline genome modification (GGM) for severe monogenic disorders, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for detection of chromosomal abnormalities, PGT for multifactorial diseases, and PGT with whole-exome screening. CONCLUSIONS: Although far from the geneticization of human reproduction, our findings suggest that, since techno-scientific imaginaries tend to shape regulations and thus favor the diffusion of RGS, policymakers should pay attention to those procedures by focusing on good practices and equity while providing sound information on potential risks and expected success rates. A broad and inclusive societal debate is critical for overcoming the difficulty of drawing a clear line between medical and non-medical uses of genetic selection and engineering while searching for the right balance between allowing reproductive autonomy and protecting the public interest.

Reproductive Health Services for Adolescents With Hearing Impairment in Indonesia: Expectations and Reality.

OBJECTIVES: Reproductive health education is essential for adolescents with hearing impairment. Since they communicate using specialized language (i.e., sign language), specialized reproductive health services in sign language is a necessity. This study aimed to describe the needs, availability, and expectations of reproductive health services among adolescents with hearing impairment. METHODS: This study used a qualitative approach. It was carried out at a school for children with special needs in the city of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. The informants were 6 adolescents with hearing impairment aged 16-17 years and 4 other key informants, including school staff and health officers. The data were then analyzed using the thematic method. RESULTS: We found that the informants had insufficient knowledge regarding reproductive health. There was no specific subject in the curriculum regarding this issue. Teachers did not specifically provide reproductive health information. The health service unit in the school had not been utilized well for this purpose. Furthermore, no reproductive health services were provided due to the limited number of healthcare workers who could use sign language. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness and intentions of adolescents with hearing impairment regarding access to reproductive health services remain low. Health service units at schools should be optimized to enable schools to provide reproductive health information and services for these adolescents.

Travel Time to Title X Facilities and Teenage Birth Rates in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, Title X facilities are understood to be an effective starting point for improving teenagers' reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancy. We investigate geographic accessibility of Title X facilities and the relationship between geographic accessibility of Title X facilities and teenage birth rates in the state of North Carolina (NC). METHODS: Vehicular travel time from each ZCTA to its nearest Title X facility was calculated using a geographic information system and summarized as the indicator of geographic accessibility. We used bivariate and multiple spatial lag regressions to evaluate the relationship between ZCTA-level teenage birth rates (n = 754) in 2016 and geographic accessibility to a Title X facility, as well as socioeconomic and demographic factors. RESULTS: Nearly 60% of teenage women lived 30 min or less from a Title X funded facility, while approximately 12% of women lived 60 min or more from the nearest facility. In the regression models, percent non-Hispanic White, percent Hispanic, percent in Poverty, percent not enrolled in school, and population density were associated with teenage birth rates; however, geographic accessibility was only associated in the bivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that geographic accessibility of Title X facilities is lower in NC than in other states. However, our results suggest that geographic accessibility is not related to teenage birth rates. Overall, these findings may indicate that publicly funded family planning facilities are underutilized by proximal populations or factors other than proximity act as a barrier to utilization.

What can be learned from the Chinese experience in response to infertility.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to reviews the history of China's population policy since 2011, and draw lessons from the Chinese experience in response to infertility. METHODS: Data from the Chinese infertility status survey report (2009) and national statistical yearbooks (2009-2019) are used to assess the severity of infertility and reproductive centers shortage in China. Lessons from China was informed by a review of existing literature. RESULTS: The proportion of couples suffering from infertility in China increased to 12.5% (166.8 million in 2009) from just 6.89% (86.6 million in 1988) two decades earlier, while the number of reproductive centers was one for every 3.1 million citizens. The total costs per live birth for medically assisted reproduction in Chinese public fertility clinics was 30,000 yuan in 2012. Among infertile couples, unemployed patients accounted for the largest proportion (21.9% in 2014). Currently in China, health regulations permit oocyte donation only from infertility patients who have 20 or more mature oocytes, of which at least 15 must be kept for their own treatment. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to integrate the reproductive health care of infertile people into the national public health service. In addition to relieving their economic burden, national policies should guide and support enterprises to guarantee employee medical leave for infertility. Growing numbers of bereaved older women who have lost their only child make it imperative to reconsider liberalizing the regulation of oocyte donation in China.

[Trends of female reproductive health status in Bangladesh from 1999 to 2018].

Objective: To analyze the changes of relevant indicators in reproductive health status among Bangladeshi women from 1999 to 2018 and to assess whether the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved. Methods: Data were obtained from both the Bangladesh Demographic and Health as well as from the Maternal Mortality and Health Care Surveys. The trends of SDGs indicators related to reproductive health from 1999 to 2018 were analyzed and compared, and the average annual rate of change was calculated. Development index was used to assess the difficulty of achieving the SDGs. Results: The maternal mortality rate increased first and then leveled off from 2001 to 2016. From 1999 to 2018, the coverage of reproductive health care services and the proportion of women who had the right to make the decision on their own health care service, were generally increasing. Proportion of the following areas as: "contraceptive needs, women who consider that partner violence is justified, the rate of early marriage, and the rate of early childbearing etc.", were declining at various degrees. Development index of the antenatal care coverage, rate of delivery in medical facilities, percentage of live births attended by medically trained providers and the rate of postnatal care etc., were less than 1. The development indices of the maternal mortality rates were close to 1, while all the other indicators were greater than 1. Conclusions: The reproductive health-related SDGs indicators in Bangladesh appeared somehow degrees of progress from 1999 to 2018. However, for most indicators, the average annual rate of change was still lower than the expected to achieve the 2030 target which called for acceleration in the next few years.

Nursing work in assisted human reproduction: between technology and humanization.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the social representations of nurses who work with assisted human reproduction about the operation with reproductive biotechnologies. METHODS: Qualitative approach, supported by the Theory of Social Representations, with sixteen participants. Individual, semi-structured interviews, analyzed through the Alceste software. RESULTS: Pragmatic elements related to nurses' performance from a professional, institutional, and public policy perspective in reproductive biotechnologies emerged, demonstrating the practical dimension of these representations. The characteristics of the professional to act in this area were addressed, showing the lack of information and search for scientificity; precarious perception of the organizational structure of health services; and attributions of nursing care arising from the health care practice in assisted human reproduction. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Social representation is anchored in the link between technology/medicalization and humanization/reception regarding reproductive biotechnologies. Working in assisted human reproduction involves a new and challenging nursing care, requiring specific and ethical knowledge.

What consultation resources are available to support delivery of integrated sexual and reproductive health services? A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive and sexual healthcare is increasingly delivered in an integrated setting in the UK and worldwide, requiring staff to be competent in differing styles of delivery, and to have a wide knowledge base. OBJECTIVES: We did a scoping review of the literature for evidence of the resources that exist for healthcare professionals to guide or structure the process of conducting an integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) consultation. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Articles were included in the review if (1) their primary focus was a consultation resource related to one or more aspects of an SRH consultation and (2) they provided details of the resource and/or its application including evaluation of use. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Peer-reviewed articles published in English, published non-peer-reviewed guides, and web-based guidelines addressing the conduct of a contraception or sexual health consultation were included. Date range: 1998-December 2018. Searches were carried out in the databases AMED (Ovid), ASSIA (ProQuest), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), Cochrane Library (Wiley), HMIC (NHS Evidence), Medline (EBSCO), PsycINFO (Proquest) and Scopus (Elsevier) on 10 February 2017, and incremental searching performed until December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 12 peer-reviewed journal articles, two web-published guidelines from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare and three published, non-peer-reviewed resources were included. CONCLUSION: Many resources exist to guide either the contraceptive or sexual health consultations, but there is a lack of a comprehensive consultation resource to guide the conduct of an integrated consultation.

Nursing work in assisted human reproduction: between technology and humanization / El trabajo del enfermero en reproducción humana asistida: entre la tecnología y la humanización / Trabalho do enfermeiro em reprodução humana assistida: entre tecnologia e humanização

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the social representations of nurses who work with assisted human reproduction about the operation with reproductive biotechnologies. Methods: Qualitative approach, supported by the Theory of Social Representations, with sixteen participants. Individual, semi-structured interviews, analyzed through the Alceste software. Results: Pragmatic elements related to nurses' performance from a professional, institutional, and public policy perspective in reproductive biotechnologies emerged, demonstrating the practical dimension of these representations. The characteristics of the professional to act in this area were addressed, showing the lack of information and search for scientificity; precarious perception of the organizational structure of health services; and attributions of nursing care arising from the health care practice in assisted human reproduction. Final considerations: Social representation is anchored in the link between technology/medicalization and humanization/reception regarding reproductive biotechnologies. Working in assisted human reproduction involves a new and challenging nursing care, requiring specific and ethical knowledge.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Analizar las representaciones sociales del enfermero que trabaja con reproducción humana asistida acerca del trabajo con biotecnologías reproductivas. Métodos: Estudio de tipo cualitativo basándose en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, realizado con 16 participantes. Las entrevistas individuales, semiestructuradas, se analizaron por medio del software Alceste. Resultados: Se desvelaron los elementos pragmáticos relacionados al desempeño del enfermero desde la perspectiva profesional, institucional y de conformación de las políticas públicas en biotecnologías reproductivas, demostrando la dimensión práctica de esas representaciones. Se abordaron las características del profesional para actuar en este campo, demostrando carencia de información y búsqueda del valor científico; la percepción precaria de la estructura organizativa de los servicios de salud; y las funciones del cuidado del enfermero provenientes de la práctica asistencial en reproducción humana asistida. Consideraciones finales: La representación social se fundamenta en el enlace entre la tecnología/medicalización y la humanización/acogida con relación a las biotecnologías reproductivas. El trabajo en reproducción humana asistida implica un nuevo y desafiante cuidado de la enfermería y le exige un conocimiento específico y de la ética.

RESUMO Objetivos: Analisar as representações sociais do enfermeiro que trabalha com reprodução humana assistida acerca da atuação com biotecnologias reprodutivas. Métodos: Abordagem qualitativa sustentada pela Teoria das Representações Sociais com dezesseis participantes. Entrevista individual, semiestruturada, analisada pelo software Alceste. Resultados: Emergiram elementos pragmáticos relacionados à atuação do enfermeiro na perspectiva profissional, institucional e de conformação das políticas públicas em biotecnologias reprodutivas, demonstrando a dimensão prática dessas representações. Abordaram-se as características do profissional para atuar nesta área, demonstrando carência de informação e busca pela cientificidade; percepção precária da estrutura organizacional dos serviços de saúde; e atribuições do cuidado do enfermeiro que advêm da prática assistencial em reprodução humana assistida. Considerações finais: A representação social ancora-se no elo entre a tecnologia/medicalização e a humanização/acolhimento em relação às biotecnologias reprodutivas. O trabalho em reprodução humana assistida envolve um novo e desafiador cuidado de enfermagem e exige conhecimento específico e ético.

Forward, Together: A Collaborative Path to Comprehensive Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Our Time.

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development established a basis for the advancement of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) that endures today. Twenty-five years later, our vision for the future warrants reflection based on a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges before us. Inclusion of adolescents on global, regional, and national agendas; increased investment in ASRHR policies and programs; renewed commitments to universal health coverage; increased school enrollment; and advances in technology are all critical opportunities we can and must leverage to catalyze progress for adolescents. At the same time, a range of significant challenges remain, have newly emerged, or can be seen on the horizon, including persistent denial of adolescent sexuality; entrenched gender inequality; resistance to meaningfully engaging adolescents and young people in political and programmatic processes; weak systems, integration, and multisectoral coordination; changes in population dynamics; humanitarian and climate crises; and changes in family and community structures. To achieve as much progress toward our vision for ASRHR as possible, the global ASRHR community must take strategic and specific steps in the next 10 years within five areas for action: (1) mobilize and make full use of political and social support for ASRHR policies and programs; (2) increase and make effective use of external and domestic funding for ASRHR; (3) develop, communicate, apply, and monitor enabling and protective laws and policies for ASRHR; (4) use and improve available ASRHR data and evidence to strengthen advocacy, policies, and programs; and (5) manage the implementation of ASRHR strategies at scale with quality and equity.

Annual report of Reproductive Endocrinology Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2019.

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive Endocrinology Committee summarizes the activities of each subcommittee below from April 2017 to March 2019. Current important issues regarding reproductive medicine were examined and discussed from social, political, ethical and scientific viewpoints. A nation-wide survey targeted at OB/GYN facilities revealed the usual procedure in diagnosis and management of fertility-desiring POI patients and fertility outcomes of the patients. How to introduce and adapt FIGO AUB systems to obstetric and gynecologic practices in Japan was examined and discussed.

A reproductive justice approach to understanding women's experiences with HPV and cervical cancer prevention.

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. HPV infection has been linked to more than 90% of cervical cancers. A vaccine to prevent the acquisition of HPV has been available since 2006. The purpose of this study was to investigate women's perceptions of cervical cancer prevention, including HPV vaccination. A reproductive justice framework guided data collection and analysis. In 2016, researchers conducted 70 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with women aged 19-78 years in South Carolina. A purposive sampling approach was employed to maximize requisite variety based on social, economic, and environmental axes of inequality. Participants self-identified as white (53%), African American (33%), and Hispanic (9%). Data analysis included an inductive constant comparative method to identify patterns and themes across the interviews. Misinformation about the prevalence and risk of HPV and cervical cancer led to "othering" of women with HPV-related diagnoses based on the flawed assumption of not being at risk. Participants described a lack of knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of the HPV vaccine. Social norms influenced participants' perceptions of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer, including concerns about sexual activity and intergenerational communication. Participants' social construction of identity, including race/ethnicity, socioeconomic position, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status, impacted their perceptions of cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccine. In particular, participants believed that the HPV vaccine was "only for girls" and identified gender norms that limited uptake. Participants described barriers to accessing health care and cervical cancer screening, including cost, health insurance, and life changes (e.g., pregnancy, relocating). Many participants experienced an abnormal Papanicolaou test and described follow-up care, including biopsies and treatment for cervical dysplasia. Findings from this study offer insight into women's identity and perceptions of cervical cancer prevention. Results provide practical recommendations to increase women's agency in the development of successful public health interventions.