Continuation Rates of the 52-mg Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System according to the Primary Reason for its Use.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether continuation rates with the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) up to 5 years after placement differed between women using the method exclusively for contraception and those using the device for medical reasons alone. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a family planning clinic with 5,034 LNG-IUS users: 4,287 using the method exclusively for contraception and 747 for medical reasons alone. The continuation rate at 1 to 5 years of use was calculated by life table analysis. RESULTS: Initially, the continuation rate was significantly higher in the contraception group: 85.8 versus 83.4 and 77.4 versus 76.0 per 100 women-years in the 1st and 2nd years of use, respectively. There were more discontinuations due to bleeding/spotting in the medical reasons group in the first two years. The discontinuation rate according to reason for use was not significantly different from the third to the fifth year of use. No women discontinued due to amenorrhea in either group. CONCLUSION: The continuation rate was significantly higher in the contraception group in the first two years of use. Amenorrhea was not a reason for discontinuation in either group, suggesting that counselling in this respect was adequate. Nevertheless, counselling could perhaps have been better with regards to the expected long period of bleeding and spotting in the first two years after placement.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a taxa de continuação até 5 anos de uso do sistema intrauterino liberador de 52-mg levonorgestrel por dia (SIU LNG) -IUS) é diferente entre mulheres que o usam exclusivamente como anticoncepcional que entre as que usam exclusivamente por razões médicas. MéTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo realizado em uma clínica de Planejamento Familiar 5.034 usuárias de SIU LNG, 4.287 que optaram pelo método apenas como anticoncepcional e 747 que o usavam somente por razoes médicas. A taxa de continuação de um até cinco ano foi calculada por meio de análise de tabela de vida RESULTADOS: No início a taxa de continuação foi significativamente maior no grupo da anticoncepção: 85,8 versus 83,4 e 77,4 versus 76,0 por 100 anos-mulher no 1° e 2° ano de uso, respectivamente. Houve mais descontinuações por sangrado-manchado no grupo de razões médicas nos dos primeiros anos. A taxa de continuação não foi significativamente diferente desde o terceiro até o quinto ano de uso. Nenhuma mulher de ambos os grupos descontinuou por amenorreia. CONCLUSãO: A taxa de continuação foi significativamente maior no grupo de anticoncepção durante os dos primeiros anos de uso. Amenorreia não foi motivo de descontinuação em ambos os grupos, sugerindo que a orientação a esse respeito foi adequada. Entretanto, a orientação referente ao longo período de sangramentos irregulares nos dois primeiros anos após a inserção, precisaria ser melhorado.

[Probabilistic record linkage: an application to severe maternal morbidity (near miss) and maternal mortality]. / Relacionamento probabilístico de registros: uma aplicação na área de morbidade materna grave (near miss) e mortalidade materna.

This article presents an experience with record linkage from the Brazilian Hospital Information System (SIH) with the Mortality Information System (SIM), and the SIH with itself, applied to severe maternal morbidity (near miss) and maternal mortality. This was an empirical study using Brazilian data for the state capitals and Federal District in 2002. For the two linkages separately applied in each capital, a three simple step blocking strategy was established, plus related multiple steps and also two clerical review strategies. From the total number of true pairs found after the two linkages, simple steps failed to find fewer than 8%, while the multiple step strategy failed to find only 0.7%. This approach allowed exploring the issue of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in these databases. The number of pairs found and reviewed under the multiple steps strategy was lower than the sum of pairs obtained with the three simple steps, and fewer pairs were lost. However, for the record linkage of the SIH with itself, both strategies are suggested.

Self-reported maternal morbidity and associated factors among Brazilian women.

PURPOSE: Demographic health surveys may constitute a valuable source of information on maternal morbidity, particularly in locations where an integrated system of epidemiological surveillance with wide geographic coverage has not yet been developed. METHODS: This study analyzed the database obtained from a national Demographic Health Survey carried out in Brasil in 1996. Data regarding how the survey was conducted, characteristics of the women interviewed who had given birth to live infants in the five preceding years, characteristics of the obstetrical care received and complications reported were evaluated. RESULTS: Responses from a weighted total of 3,635 women were analyzed. Statistically significant differences (p<0.001) were found between geographic domains for most characteristics studied. Deliveries were predominantly hospital-based throughout the whole country. Prevalence of self-reported maternal morbidity ranged from 15.5-22.9% in the various geographic domains analyzed. This geographic factor was found to be associated to differences in the occurrence of complications, generally and specifically, for cases of prolonged labour. CONCLUSION: Differences in morbidity may reflect the intricate relationship between determinants of human development and maternal health conditions.

[The opinion of women on menopause and treatment of its symptoms]. / Depoimentos de mulheres sobre a menopausa e o tratamento de seus sintomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of a group of women from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, with respect to menopause and its treatment. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data from a population-based, cross sectional study carried out with 378 Brazilian born women between 40 and 65 years of age, with 11 years or more of formal education. Some women added spontaneous comments to the end of the questionnaire on sexuality handed out by research assistants and self-responded anonymously. There were those who provided comments at the end of the questionnaire and those who did not. The groups were compared with respect to sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics using Pearson's chi-square test. Comments were transcribed in their entirety to a computerized file for thematic content analysis, and units of meaning were identified and classified. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the women (114/378) provided comments. Significantly more women with lower income levels provided comments as compared to those with higher income levels. The principal identified categories of analysis were: a) uncertainty and/or confusion, mainly with regard to anguish, stress and doubts about menopause; b) symptoms that lead to negative feelings, such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and mood changes; and c) hormone replacement therapy, fears and perception of a lack of conviction in the physicians who prescribe it. CONCLUSION: The comments indicate that more attention must be given to the problems perceived in climacteric women with a special emphasis on those of the lower incomes levels.

[Declared maternal death and the linkage between health information systems]. / Morte materna declarada e o relacionamento de sistemas de informações em saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of maternal mortality according to the Mortality Information System in relation to the data corresponding to these records that are in other systems. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using two information systems on vital data and another on the hospital system, for the 26 state capitals and the Federal District of Brazil, in 2002. Initially, the maternal mortality ratios were calculated and information on declared maternal deaths were obtained. From these data, the Mortality Information System was probabilistically linked with the Live Birth Information System and the Hospital Information System, using the "Reclink II" software, with a multiple-step blocking strategy. For paired records, the diagnoses and hospital procedures brought together by the best-known criteria for severe maternal morbidity were detailed. RESULTS: A total of 339 maternal deaths were recorded in 2002. The official and adjusted maternal mortality ratios were, respectively, 46.4 and 64.9 (deaths per 100,000 live births). By correlating with data from the live birth system, 46.5% of the maternal deaths could be located; and from the hospital information, 55.2%. The most frequent admission diagnosis was infection (13.9%) and the most frequent procedure was intensive care unit admission (39.0%). CONCLUSIONS: There were low percentage linkages between the records from the three sources studied. However, the possible failures and/or impossibilities in the linkages indicated may separately or jointly explain these low percentages.

Educação médica em reanimação cardiopulmonar: transposição didática do presencial-tradicional para o remoto-interativo com simulação / Medical education in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Didactic transposition from traditional-presential to remote-interactive with simulation

Resumo: Introdução: A transposição didática do processo de ensino-aprendizagem presencial-tradicional para o remoto-interativo com simulação em reanimação cardiopulmonar foi uma estratégia implementada por docentes para promover a educação cognitiva, psicomotora e reflexiva sobre aspectos éticos de estudantes de Medicina primeiranistas em tempos de pandemia. Relato de experiência: Trata-se de um relato de experiência de abordagem descritiva e reflexiva, resultado colaborativo multiprofissional e multidisciplinar de oito docentes, visando atingir objetivos educacionais. Ocorreu em 2021, na Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí (FMJ), nas disciplinas de Fundamentos Assistenciais e Noções de Primeiros Socorros, e Bioética e Humanidades Médicas. As atividades foram planejadas para serem realizadas com os 120 estudantes matriculados, por meio da plataforma Google Sala de Aula, vinculada à conta institucional, de maneira síncrona e assíncrona. Combinaram-se diferentes estratégias de ensino, materiais, mídias e linguagens com materiais didáticos on-line hipermidiáticos e off-line multimidiáticos, compostos por diferentes tipos/formatos. Discussão: A transposição foi singular e desafiadora para docentes e discentes. Fundamentou-se o trabalho colaborativo interprofissional docente na integração das duas disciplinas e na materialização da educação nas dimensões teóricas e práticas simuladas. Acredita-se que a abordagem utilizada, combinando alguns meios tecnológicos, simuladores artesanais, possibilitou, no contexto das restrições impostas pela pandemia em curso, o ensino e a aprendizagem em suporte básico de vida, na temática reanimação cardiopulmonar. Os estudantes tiveram a oportunidade de desenvolver competências cognitivas, técnicas e comportamentais, e avaliar o seu progresso, realizando e recebendo feedbacks imediatos, bem como por meio de avaliação formativa sem atribuição de nota. Conclusão: A transposição didática do processo de ensino e aprendizagem mediada por tecnologias possibilitou que os estudantes se aproximassem do conteúdo teórico e participassem de simulações clínicas em seus lares com segurança. Porém, não há um estudo comparativo que mostre que o desenvolvimento foi semelhante ao presencial. Consequentemente, será necessário que a assessoria pedagógica avalie as possíveis lacunas de aprendizagem e como poderão ser superadas ao longo do curso.

Abstract: Introduction: The didactic transposition of the traditional in-person teaching-learning process to the remote-interactive one with simulation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation was a strategy implemented by teachers to promote cognitive, psychomotor, and reflective education on the ethical aspects of first-year medical students in times of pandemic. Experience report: This is an experience report with a descriptive and reflective approach, which is a multiprofessional and multidisciplinary collaborative result of eight teachers, aiming to achieve educational goals. It took place in 2021, at the School of Medicine of Jundiaí (FMJ), in the disciplines of Basic Care and First Aid Notions and Bioethics and Medical Humanities. The activities were planned to be carried out with the 120 enrolled students, through the Google Classroom platform, linked to the institutional account, synchronously and asynchronously. Different teaching strategies, materials, media, and languages ​​were combined with online hypermedia and offline multimedia teaching materials, consisting of different types/formats. Discussion: The transposition was unique and challenging for teachers and students. The collaborative interprofessional teaching work was fundamental for the integration of the two disciplines and the materialization of education in the simulated theoretical and practical dimensions. It is believed that the approach used, combining some technological means, craft simulators, allowed the teaching and learning in basic life support in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation topic in the context of the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic. The students had the opportunity to develop cognitive, technical, and behavioral skills, as well as assess their progress, performing and receiving immediate feedback, as well as through formative assessment without grade assignment. Conclusion: The didactic transposition of the teaching and learning process mediated by technologies allowed students to approach the theoretical content and safely participate in clinical simulations in their homes. However, there is no comparative study that shows that the development was similar to in-person teaching. Consequently, it will be necessary for the pedagogical advisory board to evaluate the possible learning gaps and how they can be overcome throughout the course.

[Knowledge of contraceptive methods among adolescent students]. / Conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais por estudantes adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the knowledge of contraceptive methods as well as to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge among public and private school adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising 1,594 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old from 13 public and five private schools in the city of São Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from June to December 2003. Schools were randomly selected and students filled out a questionnaire about sociodemographic, reproductive and contraceptive methods. The prevalence ratios were estimated with a 95% confidence interval for each question on their knowledge of contraceptive methods and by school group. Each question correctly answered received a half score, and the cut-off value was 50% of correct answers. Statistical tests utilized were Chi-square and Wilcoxon-Gehan tests and Poisson multiple regression model. RESULTS: Of all respondents, 61% were of females in both school groups. Most students had low socioeconomic condition in public schools while they had mostly high socioeconomic condition in private schools (p<0.001). Nearly 18.6% private and 28.6% public school students were sexually active (p<0.002). In regard to their knowledge, 25.7% of public and 40.8% of private school students had a score equal to or above five. Factors associated with higher knowledge were: being female, at high school of a private school, having high socioeconomic condition, having had sexual intercourse and being older. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of contraceptive methods was low in both public and private school students. The study results show that both underprivileged as well as high socioeconomic adolescents need to have adequate information about family planning to improve their knowledge and change their behavior.

[Ideal number of children and regret after tubal ligation in a cohort of women]. / Número ideal de filhos e arrependimento pós-laqueadura.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between the ideal number of children (INC) and post tubal ligation regret. METHODS: A nested case-control study was carried out with a total of 3878 women interviewed. Of these 1012 had been surgically sterilized at the time of the interview of the original study and as such comprise the sample of this study. These are constituted by women who stated that they would not undergo tubal ligation again and who regretted the procedure (103--10.8%) if they were to face the same circumstances. The Ideal Number of Children INC--was divided into two groups according to the relationship with the number of live births (LB): INC > LB and INC < LB. The proportion of women who regretted was calculated and the risk of regret estimated according to the relation INC/LB by means of Odds Ratios with the respective 95% confidence interval. Then the analysis was stratified according to control variables. Two multiple logistic regression models were developed in order to identify the independent risk factors associated with regret among women with INC>LB. RESULTS: The independent risk factors identified for post tubal ligation regret are INC > LB (OR=12.7), for performance of tubal ligation with the intention of just waiting some time before having more children (OR=8.0) and for having had more than two deliveries at the time of sterilization (OR=2.4). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that a previous evaluation of the INC could help identify women with a higher risk for post ligation regret.

Continuation rates of the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system according to the primary reason for its use / Taxas de continuação com o sistema intrauterino de liberação de levonorgestrel de 52mg de acordo com o motivo principal de seu uso

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether continuation rates with the 52-mg levonorgestrelreleasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) up to 5 years after placement differed between women using the method exclusively for contraception and those using the device for medical reasons alone. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a family planning clinic with 5,034 LNG-IUS users: 4,287 using the method exclusively for contraception and 747 for medical reasons alone. The continuation rate at 1 to 5 years of use was calculated by life table analysis. Results Initially, the continuation rate was significantly higher in the contraception group: 85.8 versus 83.4 and 77.4 versus 76.0 per 100 women-years in the 1st and 2nd years of use, respectively. There were more discontinuations due to bleeding/spotting in the medical reasons group in the first two years. The discontinuation rate according to reason for use was not significantly different from the third to the fifth year of use. No women discontinued due to amenorrhea in either group. Conclusion The continuation rate was significantly higher in the contraception group in the first two years of use. Amenorrhea was not a reason for discontinuation in either group, suggesting that counselling in this respect was adequate. Nevertheless, counselling could perhaps have been better with regards to the expected long period of bleeding and spotting in the first two years after placement.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a taxa de continuação até 5 anos de uso do sistema intrauterino liberador de 52-mg levonorgestrel por dia (SIU LNG) -IUS) é diferente entre mulheres que o usam exclusivamente como anticoncepcional que entre as que usam exclusivamente por razões médicas. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo realizado em uma clínica de Planejamento Familiar 5.034 usuárias de SIU LNG, 4.287 que optaram pelo método apenas como anticoncepcional e 747 que o usavamsomente por razoesmédicas. A taxa de continuação de um até cinco ano foi calculada por meio de análise de tabela de vida Resultados No início a taxa de continuação foi significativamente maior no grupo da anticoncepção: 85,8 versus 83,4 e 77,4 versus 76,0 por 100 anos-mulher no 1° e 2° ano de uso, respectivamente. Houve mais descontinuações por sangrado-manchado no grupo de razões médicas nos dos primeiros anos. A taxa de continuação não foi significativamente diferente desde o terceiro até o quinto ano de uso. Nenhuma mulher de ambos os grupos descontinuou por amenorreia. Conclusão A taxa de continuação foi significativamente maior no grupo de anticoncepção durante os dos primeiros anos de uso. Amenorreia não foi motivo de descontinuação em ambos os grupos, sugerindo que a orientação a esse respeito foi adequada. Entretanto, a orientação referente ao longo período de sangramentos irregulares nos dois primeiros anos após a inserção, precisaria ser melhorado.

Perspectivas de graduandos em saúde sobre a temática minorias sexuais e de gênero na formação / Perspectives of undergraduate health students on the theme of sexual and gender minorities in training / Perspectivas de estudiantes de licenciatura en salud sobre el tema de las minorías sexuales y de género en formación

Objetivo: Caracterizar as perspectivas de graduandos da área de saúde sobre a temática minorias sexuais e de gênero na formação profissional. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com análise secundária dos dados qualitativos de 262 estudantes de graduação em saúde de duas Instituições de Ensino Superior no Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Resultados: A maioria era solteiro (66%), do sexo feminino (83,4%), identidade de gênero feminina (81,2%) e heterosexual (90,6%). A maioria dos estudantes referiu não ter sofrido violência motivada pela identidade de gênero ou orientação sexual (95,4%), já ter tido essa temática durante a formação (61,7%), estar preparado profissionalmente frente a isso (88,4%) e para cuidar dessa população (77,5%). Dos discursos analisados frente à pergunta "Como você acha que a sua formação acadêmica poderia contribuir para lidar com as minorias sexuais?" emergiram duas categorias centrais: "saber lidar com as minorias sexuais e de gênero" e "tornar-se um profissional de saúde aberto à diversidade humana". Conclusão: Evidenciam-se áreas potenciais para a construção de competências sensíveis às minorias sexuais desde a graduação em saúde. (AU)

Objective: To characterize the perspectives of undergraduate students in the health field on the theme of sexual and gender minorities in professional training. Methods: This is a descriptive study with secondary analysis of the qualitative data of 262 undergraduate health students from two Higher Education Institutions in the State of São Paulo (Brazil). Results: Most was single (66%), female (83.4%), female gender identity (81.2%) and heterosexual (90.6%). Most students reported not having suffered violence motivated by gender identity or sexual orientation (95.4%), having already had this theme during training (61.7%), being professionally prepared for it (88.4%) and to care for the population (77.5%). From the speeches analyzed before the question "How do you think your academic training could contribute to dealing with sexual minorities?" two central categories emerged: "knowing how to deal with sexual and gender minorities" and "becoming a health professional open to human diversity". Conclusion: Potential areas for the construction of skills sensitive to the sexual minorities are evident since graduation in health. (AU)

Objetivo: Caracterizar las perspectivas de los estudiantes de pregrado en el campo de la salud sobre el tema de las minorías sexuales y de género en la formación profesional. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo con análisis secundario de los datos cualitativos de 262 estudiantes del área de salud de dos Instituciones de Educación Superior en el Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Resultados: La mayoría era soltero (66%), mujer (83,4%), identidad de género femenina (81,2%) y heterosexual (90,6%). La mayoría de los estudiantes refirió no haber sufrido violencia motivada por identidad de género u orientación sexual (95,4%), haber tenido ya esta temática durante la formación (61,7%), estar preparados profesionalmente para ello (88,4%) y atender a la población (77,5%). De los discursos analizados antes de la pregunta "¿Cómo crees que tu formación académica podría contribuir al trato con las minorías sexuales?" Surgieron dos categorías centrales: "saber lidiar con las minorías sexuales y de género" y "convertirse en un profesional de la salud abierto a la diversidad humana". Conclusión: Las áreas potenciales para la construcción de habilidades sensibles a las minorías sexuales son evidentes desde la graduación en salud. (AU)

Outcomes of three different models for sex education and citizenship programs concerning knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Brazilian adolescents.

Three different school-based sex education and citizenship programs in public schools in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador, Brazil, were evaluated in a cross-sectional study comparing knowledge, attitudes, and practices in sexuality, citizenship, and gender issues among adolescents participating in the programs' activities as compared to adolescents enrolled in schools without such programs (controls). Results showed that Salvador's program achieved good results, with significant changes in knowledge on sexuality and reproductive physiology, attitudes regarding citizenship, and current use of modern contraceptives; Rio de Janeiro's program succeeded in improving students' knowledge of reproductive physiology and attitudes towards sexuality; Belo Horizonte's participants showed greater knowledge of reproductive physiology and STI/HIV prevention but had less positive attitudes towards gender issues, while reporting greater sexual activity. The main difference between Salvador's program and the others was the focus on creative and cultural activities; Belo Horizonte's main difference was its lack of interaction with health services and professionals. However, after the evaluation Belo Horizonte reframed its educational strategies and launched a scaling-up process in a joint effort with the health and school systems.

[Ideal number of children as a risk factor for tubal ligation]. / Número ideal de filhos como fator de risco para laqueadura tubária.

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the association between ideal number of children (INC) and female sterilization. A nested case-control study was performed through a secondary analysis of data from a cohort study on the reproductive health of women in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 3,878 women were included, 1,012 being sterilized (cases). The relationship between INC and number of live births (LB) was divided in two categories (INC > LB and INC < or = LB). The relative risks of performing tubal ligation were calculated (odds ratio) with their respective 95% confidence intervals for the relation INC/LB and all control variables. All predictor variables were included in a logistic regression model in order to identify the factors independently associated with female sterilization. The results showed that the risks of tubal ligation were higher among women with INC < or = LB, higher age, with partners, higher family income, more than two previous pregnancies, more deliveries, fewer abortions, and without paid work.

[Estimates from a complex survey]. / Estimativas obtidas de um levantamento complexo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of sampling design and the effect of weighting on data from the 1996 Brazilian National Survey on Demography and Health. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was performed using a sample of 1,355 interviewed women of the state of São Paulo. The sampling design of the National Survey of Household Sampling (PNAD) was used as a reference, and the municipality as primary sampling unit. The ratio estimator and Taylor's approximation for variance were calculated using the primary sampling units and several modalities of weighting. The indicators used to evaluate precision and validity were confidence intervals, design effects (Deff) and biases. RESULTS: For the four procedures, the differences between upper and lower point estimates for prevalence were not greater than 10%. The differences on ranges of confidence intervals were less than 20%. Use of condom and hormone injection were the variables that showed design effects greater than 1.5 and biases greater than 0.20. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it could be said that the cluster sampling had an impact on the precision of the estimates for two out of six variables. The impact of weighting was not significant.

[Brazilian women and physicians' viewpoints on their preferred route of delivery]. / Opinião de mulheres e médicos brasileiros sobre a preferência pela via de parto.

OBJECTIVE: To describe women's preferred route of delivery and physicians' viewpoint on that. METHODS: A total of 656 women who gave birth in the National Health System hospitals of the state of São Paulo and Pernambuco and were enrolled in the Latin American Cesarean Section Study (ELAC) were interviewed. Of them, 230 women were selected from three intervention hospitals where patients routinely sought a second opinion when faced with the decision of undergoing a cesarean section, and 426 women were selected from control hospitals. Also, 72 physicians in the intervention hospitals and 70 in the control hospitals filled out a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Mantel-Haenszel's chi-square test, Yates' test and Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: The majority of women reported preferring vaginal delivery than a cesarean section in both groups of hospitals. This preference was significantly higher among women who had had both vaginal delivery and cesarean section (nearly 90% in both groups of hospitals) compared to those who had cesarean sections only (72.8% in intervention hospitals and 77.8% in control hospitals). According to 45% physicians from intervention hospitals and 55% from control hospitals, most women who underwent cesarean sections are satisfied with that; 81% and 85% physicians from intervention and control hospitals, respectively, believed women prefer a cesarean sections out of fear of vaginal deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: The belief that the main reason for increasing cesarean section rates is fulfilling women's desire by their doctors seems to have no support. Better communication between physicians and pregnant women could possibly contribute to improve the current situation.

[SUS users' knowledge of and attitude to HPV virus and vaccines available in Brazil]. / Conhecimento e atitude de usuários do SUS sobre o HPV e as vacinas disponíveis no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines in men and women, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System, and the intention to get themselves and their teenage children vaccinated. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with 286 women (18-49 years old) and 252 men (18-60 years old), users of five primary health units and two polyclinics in Campinas, SP, Southeastern Brazil, was carried out. Participants were interviewed in 2011 using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and Poisson regression analysis were performed to identify variables associated with knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines, and participants vaccination intentions. RESULTS: Almost 40.0% of the participants reported having heard of HPV and 28.9% mentioned adequate information. The main information source was the media (41.7%). Only 8.6% of the participants had heard of the HPV vaccines. Once the participants were informed of the existence of HPV vaccines about 94% of them said they would get vaccinated and/or vaccinate their teenage children, if the vaccines were available in the public health system. Schooling of over 8 years and being female were the variables independently associated with having heard of HPV, the vaccines and having adequate knowledge of the virus. Advanced age was associated with having heard of HPV vaccines. There were no variables associated with the vaccination intentions. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce the need for educational activities that provide the population with adequate information on HPV and preventive measures.

Self-perception of sexual life and associated factors: a population study conducted in women aged 50 or more years.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of women aged 50 years or more who are sexually active and their self-perception with respect to their sexual lives. Associated factors were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based, self-reported household survey involving 622 Brazilian women aged 50 years or more. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors were evaluated. The sexual life self-perception was classified as very good, good, fair, poor, or very poor. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, Fisher's exact test, and Poisson multiple regression analysis. Prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. RESULTS: Of the women in this sample, 228 (36.7%) reported having a sexual life and, of these, 53.5% classified it as very good or good, while 46.5% considered it fair, poor, or very poor. The bivariate analysis indicated that being postmenopausal (p=0.025) and using natural remedies to treat the menopause (p=0.035) were factors associated with the woman classifying their sexual lives as fair, poor, or very poor. Multiple regression analysis showed that more women who had used or were currently using natural remedies for the menopause scored their sexual lives as fair, poor, or very poor. CONCLUSIONS: More than half the women aged 50 years or more in this study were not sexually active. A poorer sexual life self-perception was associated with the use of natural remedies to treat menopausal symptoms. This may indicate a need to improve the way in which these women are evaluated and treated. Women's assessment of their own sexual lives may prove a useful tool in clinical practice.

Brazilian abortion law: the opinion of judges and prosecutors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the opinion of judges and prosecutors concerning Brazilian abortion law and situations in which the abortion should be allowed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,493 judges and 2,614 prosecutors in Brazil between 2005 and 2006. Participants completed a structured questionnaire approaching sociodemographic characteristics, opinions about abortion law, and circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of data were carried out through Poisson regression. RESULTS: The majority of participants (78%) found that the circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful should be broadened, or even that abortion should not be criminalized. The highest rates of pro-abortion opinions resulted from: risk to the life of the mother (84%), anencephaly (83%), severe congenital malformation of fetus (82%), and pregnancy resulting from rape (82%). Variables related to religion were strongly associated to the opinion of participants. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend in considering the need of changing the current abortion law, in the sense of widening the circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful, or even toward decriminalizing abortion, regardless of the circumstances in which it takes place.

[Abortion in Brazil: a demographic approach]. / Aborto no Brasil: um enfoque demográfico.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion reported by a sample of Brazilian women interviewed in the National Demographic Health Survey of 1996. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the Brazilian DHS-96 database, with information from interviews with a representative sample of 12,612 women about their reproductive life, focusing on the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion in the last five years and the associated factors for the various regions of the country and for Brazil as a whole. The sampling method was implemented with a strategy selection in two stages, one for the households and the other for women. The prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion was estimated for Brazil and regions, and the socio-demographic characteristics of the women were analyzed as a function of the abortion's experience. A multinomial regression model analysis was used for the identification of factors independently associated with both types of abortion; their OR and respective 95% CI are reported. RESULTS: The prevalence of reported spontaneous abortion was 14% and the prevalence of induced abortion was 2.4% for the country as a whole. The state with the highest prevalence of induced abortion was Rio de Janeiro with 6.5%, followed by the Northeast region with 3.1%. The places with the lowest prevalence were the state of São Paulo and the South region. Both spontaneous and induced abortion showed higher prevalences with increasing age of the women studied. Being from the urban area (OR=1.5; 95%CI=1.0-2.3), having had more than one live child (OR=2.2; 95%CI=1.5-3.2) and being non-white (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.0-1.8) were the main risk factors for induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: The non-modifiable risk factors for induced abortion identified in this study indicate the need for improvement of educational and contraceptive actions, with priority for these specific demographic groups.

Preenchimento da notificação compulsória em serviços de saúde que atendem mulheres que sofrem violência sexual / Filling out the compulsory notification in health services that care for women who suffer from sexual violence

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a proporção de serviços de saúde (SSs) que preenchem a notificação compulsória e quais os principais obstáculos para o preenchimento de tal documento. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo com abordagem mista. Para a abordagem quantitativa, foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal, com coleta de dados por telefone. Foram identificados 291 SSs no Estado de São Paulo que referiam dar atendimento a mulheres que sofrem violência sexual. A amostra foi composta por 172 serviços que referiram prestar atendimento de emergência às mulheres. Na abordagem qualitativa realizaram-se estudos de casos, com amostra intencional e de conveniência. Foram escolhidos seis municípios, nos quais foram entrevistados profissionais de dois SSs. Realizaram-se 45 entrevistas semiestruturadas. Para os dados quantitativos, realizou-se uma análise descritiva simples. Para os dados qualitativos, realizou-se análise temática do conteúdo das entrevistas. RESULTADOS: A proporção de serviços que referiram sempre preencher a ficha de notificação em casos de violência sexual foi de 79,1%. Mais da metade (53,5%) referiu dificuldades relativas às mulheres atendidas, um terço referiu motivos referentes à ficha e 29,7% reportaram dificuldades relacionadas aos profissionais. Na etapa qualitativa, as dificuldades mais referidas foram o tamanho da ficha, os problemas para se obter as informações da mulher e a dificuldade do profissional em obter essas informações. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a maior parte dos SSs tenha referido preencher a ficha de notificação compulsória, mencionou também várias dificuldades para fazê-lo, especialmente relacionadas à sobrecarga de trabalho dos profissionais e à incompreensão acerca da importância dessa notificação no contexto da atenção integral às mulheres que sofrem violência sexual. .

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of health services that fill out the compulsory notification and what the main difficulties to fill it out are. METHODS: A study was carried out with two different approaches. For the quantitative approach, a cross sectional study was performed, with telephone data collection. In the state of São Paulo, 291 health services that had reported providing care to women who suffer from sexual violence were identified. The sample was composed of 172 services that reported providing emergency care to women. In the qualitative approach, case studies were conducted. Six cities were chosen by intention and convenience. For each of them, professionals from two health services were invited to participate. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted. For quantitative data, a descriptive analysis was carried out. For qualitative data, a thematic analysis of content was performed. RESULTS: The proportion of health services which reported always filling out the notification in cases of sexual violence was 79.1%. More than half (53.5%) reported difficulties concerning the assisted women, one third reported reasons related to the form, and 29.7%, to the professionals. In the qualitative approach, the main difficulties were the size of the form, the problems to obtain the information about the woman and the difficulty for the professional to obtain this information. CONCLUSION: Although most health services claimed to fill out the compulsory notification, they also mentioned several difficulties to do so, especially with regard to the workload of professionals and the misunderstanding about the importance of the notification in the context of comprehensive care to women who suffer from sexual violence. .

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of health services that fill out the compulsory notification and what the main difficulties to fill it out are. METHODS: A study was carried out with two different approaches. For the quantitative approach, a cross sectional study was performed, with telephone data collection. In the state of São Paulo, 291 health services that had reported providing care to women who suffer from sexual violence were identified. The sample was composed of 172 services that reported providing emergency care to women. In the qualitative approach, case studies were conducted. Six cities were chosen by intention and convenience. For each of them, professionals from two health services were invited to participate. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted. For quantitative data, a descriptive analysis was carried out. For qualitative data, a thematic analysis of content was performed. RESULTS: The proportion of health services which reported always filling out the notification in cases of sexual violence was 79.1%. More than half (53.5%) reported difficulties concerning the assisted women, one third reported reasons related to the form, and 29.7%, to the professionals. In the qualitative approach, the main difficulties were the size of the form, the problems to obtain the information about the woman and the difficulty for the professional to obtain this information. CONCLUSION: Although most health services claimed to fill out the compulsory notification, they also mentioned several difficulties to do so, especially with regard to the workload of professionals and the misunderstanding about the importance of the notification in the context of comprehensive care to women who suffer from sexual violence. .

Conhecimento e atitude de usuários do SUS sobre o HPV e as vacinas disponíveis no Brasil / SUS users? knowledge of and attitude to HPV virus and vaccines available in Brazil / SUS users? knowledge of and attitude to HPV virus and vaccines available in Brazil

OBJETIVO : Analisar o conhecimento de homens e mulheres acerca do HPV e das vacinas e sua intenção de serem vacinados e de vacinarem seus filhos adolescentes. MÉTODOS : Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, com 286 mulheres (18 a 49 anos) e 252 homens (18 a 60 anos), usuários de cinco unidades básicas de saúde e duas policlínicas do Sistema Único de Saúde, em Campinas, SP, em 2011. Foi realizada entrevista estruturada. Realizou-se análise bivariada e regressão de Poisson para identificar variáveis associadas ao conhecimento sobre HPV e vacinas e à intenção de vacinação. RESULTADOS : Quase 40,0% dos entrevistados referiram ter ouvido falar do HPV e 28,9% mencionaram informações adequadas; a principal fonte de informação foi a mídia (41,7%); 8,6% tinham ouvido falar das vacinas. Depois de informados da existência das vacinas, cerca de 94,0% dos participantes disseram que se vacinariam e/ou vacinariam filhos adolescentes se as vacinas estivessem disponíveis na rede pública de saúde. Escolaridade > 8 anos e ser do sexo feminino estiveram independentemente associados a ter ouvido falar do HPV e das vacinas e a ter conhecimento adequado sobre o vírus. Maior idade associou-se a ter ouvido falar das vacinas. Não houve variáveis associadas à intenção de vacinação. CONCLUSÕES : Os resultados reforçam a necessidade de haver intervenções educativas na população para prover informação adequada sobre o HPV e sobre medidas de prevenção. .

Objetivo : Analizar el conocimiento de hombres y mujeres sobre el VPH y de las vacunas y su intención de ser vacunados y de vacunar sus hijos adolescentes. Métodos : Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, con 286 mujeres (18 a 49 años) y 252 hombres (18 a 60 años), usuarios de cinco unidades básicas de salud y dos policlínicas del Sistema Único de Salud, en Campinas, SP – Brasil, en 2011. Se realizó entrevista estructurada. Se utilizó el análisis bivariado y regresión de Poisson para identificar variables asociadas al conocimiento sobre VPH y vacunas y la intención de vacunación. Resultados : Casi el 40,0% de los entrevistados mencionaron haber oído hablar del VPH y 28,9% relataron informaciones adecuadas; la principal fuente de información fueron los medios de comunicación (41,7%); 8,6% habían oído hablar de las vacunas. Después de informados de la existencia de las vacunas, cerca de 94,0% de los participantes dijeron que se vacunarían y/o vacunarían hijos adolescentes si las vacunas estaban disponibles en la red pública de salud. Escolaridad > 8 años y ser del sexo femenino estuvieron independientemente asociados al haber oído hablar del VPH y de las vacunas y tener conocimiento adecuado sobre el virus Mayor edad se asoció al haber oído hablar de vacunas. No hubo variables asociadas a la intención de vacunación. Conclusiones : Los resultados refuerzan la necesidad de haber intenciones educativas en la población para proveer información adecuada sobre el VPH y sobre medidas de prevención .

OBJECTIVE : To investigate knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines in men and women, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System, and the intention to get themselves and their teenage children vaccinated. METHODS : A descriptive, cross-sectional study with 286 women (18-49 years old) and 252 men (18-60 years old), users of five primary health units and two polyclinics in Campinas, SP, Southeastern Brazil, was carried out. Participants were interviewed in 2011 using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and Poisson regression analysis were performed to identify variables associated with knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines, and participants vaccination intentions. RESULTS : Almost 40.0% of the participants reported having heard of HPV and 28.9% mentioned adequate information. The main information source was the media (41.7%). Only 8.6% of the participants had heard of the HPV vaccines. Once the participants were informed of the existence of HPV vaccines about 94% of them said they would get vaccinated and/or vaccinate their teenage children, if the vaccines were available in the public health system. Schooling of over 8 years and being female were the variables independently associated with having heard of HPV, the vaccines and having adequate knowledge of the virus. Advanced age was associated with having heard of HPV vaccines. There were no variables associated with the vaccination intentions. CONCLUSIONS : These results reinforce the need for educational activities that provide the population with adequate information on HPV and preventive measures. .