Randomized comparison of different prostaglandin analogues and laminaria tent for preoperative cervical dilatation. World Health Organization Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction: Task Force on Prostaglandins for Fertility Regulation.

In an eleven-centre study, 627 nulliparous subjects in the 8th to 12th week of gestation admitted for termination of pregnancy were allocated to one of five treatments to induce pre-operative cervical dilatation. The treatments were: 0.5 mg PGE2 methyl sulphonylamide; 1.0 mg PGE1 methyl ester; 30 mg 9-methylene PGE2 free acid, 0.5 mg 15-methyl PGF2 alpha; a single medium-sized laminaria tent. The results indicate that the three PGE analogues are at least equally effective as one medium sized laminaria tent and more effective than 0.5 mg 15-methyl PGF2 alpha in producing adequate pre-operative cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration. It is concluded that both pre-treatment with prostaglandin analogues and laminaria tent are effective methods for preoperative cervical dilatation and both types of treatment are associated with a low incidence of side effects. Prostaglandin analogue treatment can be administered by paramedical personnel but laminaria tent insertion has to be performed by medical staff.

Women in difficult circumstances: war victims and refugees.

The majority of problems that women are confronting today originate from a lack of respect for human and reproductive rights. Escalating war crises are producing an enormous number of civilian victims, of whom women and children comprise the major part. Rape used as a war tactic in Bosnia has proven to be a very powerful tool. War in Bosnia has provided a tragic incentive to work on strategies and tactics for reaching the victims in such chaotic and unpredictable circumstances.

[Abortion in the world and in Slovenia]. / Splav po svetu in pri nas.

PIP: Global abortion trends are reviewed, with some reference to the abortion situation in Slovenia. (SUMMARY IN ENG)^ieng

Fertility survey in Slovenia, 1989.

PIP: Slovenia, an independent state since January 1992, conducted a KAP-type survey of 1117 male and female respondents aged 15-44 years between August 1989 and March 1990. The aim of the survey was to assess the social, medical, and demographic factors in low fertility and to identify fertility determinants. An explanation was needed for inadequate use of contraceptives, which were easy and inexpensive to obtain, and for reliance on abortion. The questionnaire included 180 questions on 16 topics; the same questions were asked of men and women with a few exceptions. There was a mean age of 30 years and 59% were married. 77% were employed and 59% had finished secondary school. The average number of children was 1.3; desired number of children was 2.4. 43% of women with children wished to stop childbearing. 13% desired an additional child; 32% wanted 2 or more children and 12% wanted 3 or more children. 62% believed that every woman should have a child. The ideal family of 2 children was reported by 60%. 31% favored 3 children. 58% considered a family size of 2 children appropriate for their own family. Over 75% reporting 2 children appropriate for their family size thought 2 children were ideal. 99% considered family planning as a mutual decision. 24% thought men's participation in decision making was inadequate, because men did not have sufficient opportunity to speak with a doctor. Women did not have confidence in men and wanted to make decisions alone. There were significant differences in attitudes by sex. 87% of men and 90% of women were sexually active. 41% reported that at the beginning of their sexual activity there was little discussion of contraception. Of those discussing contraception, 57% decided to use contraceptives of which 71% decided on regular use and 20% on use only during the fertile phase of the cycle. 33% of women who decided alone relied on regular use of withdrawal, and a larger number of joint decisions involved withdrawal as a method of choice. The greatest differences in subjective and objective knowledge were for condoms, diaphragm, and foam/jelly. Ever use of contraception was 85% for women and 56% for a reliable method. There were big differences between characteristics of women who used or did not use contraception. Traditional sexual behavior occurs for most Slovenians; family planning is not an accepted part of their lives.^ieng