Pregnancy Risk Screening and Counseling for Women Veterans: Piloting the One Key Question in the Veterans Healthcare Administration.

OBJECTIVES: Women veterans have a high prevalence of comorbidities that increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Screening for pregnancy desires in primary care provider (PCP) visits offers an opportunity to optimize preconception health. This pilot quality improvement initiative sought to assess Veterans Healthcare Administration provider preferences on One Key Question (OKQ) implementation, identification of veterans' reproductive needs, and the effect of training on documentation in a women's primary care clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. METHODS: We hosted OKQ training sessions for providers and staff, audio recorded group discussions on implementation barriers, and explored themes. Women veterans presenting for a PCP visit in July 2018 self-completed a paper OKQ screening tool. We calculated summary statistics on responses. We conducted a pre-post analysis, with respect to training sessions, to measure for changes in family planning documentation during PCP visits. RESULTS: Nineteen providers and staff completed the training. They acknowledged the importance, but believed that the screening tool should be completed by veterans and not be provider prompted. Forty-two women veterans completed the screening tool: 21% desired pregnancy in the next year and 26% desired contraceptive information. Chart reviews found a nonsignificant increase in current contraceptive method documentation between periods (20% vs 37%; P = 0.08), a decline in documentation of reproductive goals (22% vs 3%; P = 0.02), and no significant change in counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans identify reproductive needs via the OKQ screening tool, but provider documentation did not reflect changes in care following training. Further study is necessary to develop an optimal, patient-centered tool and implementation plan to support women veterans in their reproductive goals.

An intervention in contraceptive counseling increased the knowledge about fertility and awareness of preconception health-a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Reproductive life plan counseling (RLPC) is a tool to encourage women and men to reflect upon their reproduction, to avoid unintended pregnancies and negative health behavior that can threaten reproduction. The aim was to evaluate the effect of RLPC among women attending contraceptive counseling. Outcomes were knowledge about fertility and awareness of preconception health, use of contraception, and women's experience of RLPC. Material and methods: Swedish-speaking women, aged 20-40 years, were randomized to intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). Participants (n = 1,946) answered a questionnaire before and two months after (n = 1,198, 62%) the consultation. All women received standard contraceptive counseling, and the IG also received the RLPC, i.e. questions on reproductive intentions, information about fertility, and preconception health. Results: Women in the IG increased their knowledge about fertility: age and fertility, chances of getting pregnant, fecundity of an ovum, and chances of having a child with help of IVF. They also increased their awareness of factors affecting preconception health, such as to stop using tobacco, to refrain from alcohol, to be of normal weight, and to start with folic acid before a pregnancy. The most commonly used contraceptive method was combined oral contraceptives, followed by long-acting reversible contraception. Three out of four women (76%) in the IG stated that the RLPC should be part of the routine in contraceptive counseling. Conclusions: Knowledge about fertility and awareness of preconception health increased after the intervention. The RLPC can be recommended as a tool in contraceptive counseling.

Patient Education About the Affordable Care Act Contraceptive Coverage Requirement Increases Interest in Using Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

BACKGROUND: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance to cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives at no cost to patients, including highly effective long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Our objective was to determine whether a brief educational intervention about these provisions would increase interest in LARC use. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey of women seeking contraceptive care in an urban outpatient obstetrics/gynecology clinic. We collected baseline contraceptive attitudes and knowledge of the ACA's contraceptive coverage provisions before the intervention. Our primary outcome was interest in using a LARC method before and after reading a short description of the ACA's contraceptive coverage provisions. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 316 participants. Most participants (52.8%) could not correctly identify any of the contraception coverage stipulations protected under the ACA. We observed a significant increase in LARC interest after the intervention in all participants (37.3% vs. 44.3%; p = .038), primarily among participants who did not originally identify any ACA provisions correctly (n = 167; 38.3% vs. 48.5%; p = .030). This subset also demonstrated a greater adjusted odds ratio of post-intervention LARC interest (odds ratio, 2.889; 95% CI, 1.234-6.723; p = .014). Interest in short-acting reversible contraception and contraception overall remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Most women seeking birth control lack comprehensive understanding of the contraceptive coverage protected by the ACA. Incorporating patient education about the ACA's no-cost contraception provision into routine contraceptive counseling may increase interest in LARC use and better enable women to make informed family planning decisions unrestrained by financial considerations.

Guía nacional de planificación familiar / National Family Planning Guide

Esta guía, es una actualización de la edición del 2010, y es el resultado de una compilación de información basada en evidencia científica sobre los métodos anticonceptivos y el proceso de planificación familiar. Está dirigida a proveedores de salud en general y contiene lineamientos técnico normativos y científicos que deben tomarse en cuenta para la consejería balanceada en métodos de planificación familiar. Incluye una descripción detallada de métodos y dispositivos anticonceptivos.

Progesterone vaginal ring: introducing a contraceptive to meet the needs of breastfeeding women.

BACKGROUND: The 2012 London Summit on Family Planning called for innovative solutions for increasing contraceptive access for 120 million women and girls by 2020. One way of contributing to this goal is to address the contraceptive needs of postpartum women, who have considerable unmet need especially during lactation. The progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) has been shown to be effective and safe for breastfeeding women and has the potential to enhance contraceptive choice. This user-controlled method reduces dependence on health care providers and has the potential to reduce some access-related barriers that users face. Postpartum women who have used the method have found it easy to use and find it acceptable. A well-designed introductory approach is important to ensure that the PVR is integrated into health systems. CONCLUSION: The PVR is a new technology that increases contraceptive options for breastfeeding women and has the potential to improve the health of women and their infants. Careful planning with attention paid to numerous factors can result in its successful introduction.

Considerations for the use of progestin-only contraceptives.

PURPOSE: To highlight the characteristics of progestin-only contraceptives (POCs) currently available in the United States, and to explore the potential of these agents as first-line contraceptive options for women seeking health promotion by prevention of an unwanted pregnancy. The progestin-only pills (Micronor and Ovrette), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injections (Depo-Provera and depo-subQ provera 104), levonorgestrel intrauterine system (IUS) (Mirena), and etonogestrel implant (Implanon) will be reviewed. The use of levonorgestrel (Plan B) as an emergency contraceptive will also be considered briefly. DATA SOURCES: Worldwide medical literature and the prescribing information for the specified products. CONCLUSIONS: A number of POCs are currently available for routine birth control in the United States, ranging from the daily progestin-only pill to nondaily contraceptive options such as injectable DMPA, the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS, and the etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant. Each of these methods has specific advantages, but also specific drawbacks that can result in discontinuation of treatment if users are not given adequate information about what to expect in terms of side effects. It is critical that clinicians provide adequate and accurate information along with detailed counseling to women who are considering using POCs, as well as providing periodic reinforcement of the information at regular clinic visits for those already using POCs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Given that a large number of pregnancies are unplanned and create a significant impact on social, economic, and health outcomes, it is important for the clinician to have a vast knowledge of contraceptive options. POCs offer significant choices in contraception. By proactively addressing common concerns (such as potential effects on weight, mood, menstrual bleeding patterns, and bone mineral density), clinicians may improve the likelihood of adherence and continuation with POCs for routine birth control.

Riesgo preconcepcional en mujeres del consultorio No.1 del Policlínico Carlos Verdugo. 2008 / Preconceptional risk in women at the doctor’s office No.1 of the Policlinic Carlos Verdugo. 2008

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, con la propuesta de proyecto de intervención para el manejo y control del riesgo preconcepcional en el consultorio 1 del policlínico Carlos Verdugo, de enero a junio del 2008, con el objetivo de caracterizar el mismo, así como diagnosticar el conocimiento que poseen estas mujeres sobre el riesgo preconcepcional, por lo que se seleccionó del total de mujeres en edad fértil dispensarizadas con riesgo preconcepcional del consultorio 1 una muestra de forma aleatoria simple, se les aplicó una encuesta para su caracterización y medir el nivel de conocimientos, encontrándose que las patologías más frecuentes fueron el Asma bronquial y la Hipertensión arterial, y entre otros riesgos el bajo peso y las añosas, el conocimiento fue inadecuado en un 80 por ciento de las mujeres encuestadas. Posteriormente se realiza una propuesta de un proyecto educativo para elevar el nivel de conocimientos en las mujeres en edad fértil, basado en las necesidades de aprendizaje, y así contribuir en el control del Riesgo Pre-concepcional, siendo esto importante ya que éste tiene como objetivo conseguir el óptimo estado de salud de la madre y su fruto. Concluimos que los riesgos predominantes fueron: padecer de HTA, AB, el bajo peso y edad mayor de 35 años, y que la gran mayoría de las mujeres encuestadas poseían un conocimiento inadecuado sobre el control del riesgo materno.

We carried out a descriptive study, proposing an intervention project to manage and control preconceptional risk at the doctor´s office Nr.1 of the policlinic Carlos Verdugo, from January to June 2008, with the objective of characterizing preconceptional risk, and also of diagnosing the knowledge these women have on the preconceptional risk. We selected a blind sample from the total of the women in fertile age registered with preconceptional risk at the doctor´s office Nr. 1. They answered an inquiry for us to characterize them and to measure their level of knowledge, finding as the most common diseases Bronchial asthma and arterial hypertension, and among other risks, low weight and elder women. 80 percent of the women had inadequate knowledge. Then, we elaborated a proposal of educative project to raise the level of knowledge in fertile age women, on the basis of learning necessities, contributing that way to the control of the preconceptional risk.This is important because its objective is reaching the optimal health status both of mother and her child. We concluded that predominant risks are suffering arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma, low weight and being more than 35 years old, and that most of the inquired women had inadequate knowledge on maternal risk control.

The reach and effect of radio communication campaigns on condom use in Malawi.

This study uses data from the 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey to assess the reach of selected radio programs about family planning and health in Malawi and their effect on condom use and discussion of family planning. The results show that such radio programs in Malawi reach a broad audience: eight of the 12 programs were heard by at least half of the respondents, although women were less effectively reached than men. For both women and men, the radio programs were found to have a significant impact on family planning discussion with one's partner. The programs' effect on condom use was limited, however. A positive association was found with ever use of condoms, but no association was found with condom use at last intercourse. This limited impact suggests that such radio communication campaigns need to be informed by research identifying the specific constraints to current condom use in Malawi.

Knowledge and practice of family planning and HIV-prevention behaviour among just delivered adolescents in Ecuador: the problem of adolescent pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents constitute a high risk population for the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases, among them HIV/AIDS. Knowledge regarding reproductive issues among them is a key point in order to establish appropriate prevention programs. OBJECTIVE: Obtain information regarding the knowledge and practice related to family planning and HIV-prevention behaviour among adolescents of low income. METHODS: Adolescents aged 19 or less delivering at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador were surveyed in the immediate postpartum period with a structured questionnaire designed for the purpose. RESULTS: During the study period, 357 pregnant adolescents were surveyed. Mean age was 17.2 +/- 1.4 years, 30.8% were aged 16 or less. Demographical and obstetrical history differences were found when comparing adolescents in relation to age and educational level. A high rate of mothers had unplanned pregnancies (63.3%) or did not know what family planning was (49.6%). Despite high knowledge of what a condom or an oral contraceptive was, few had used them in the past. The most frequently known family planning methods in this series, which was age dependent, were: oral contraceptives (90.2%), condoms (84.9%), parenteral (66.7%) and intrauterine devices (63.3%). The majority knew what HIV/AIDS infection was, the most important sources of knowledge being: television, high school source, and family or relatives. A high rate of adolescents had never had an HIV test performed in the past with one prior tested adolescent resulting in a positive result. There was a high rate of knowledge regarding the most frequent HIV transmission routes: sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood and vertical transmission. In this series, although condom use was the most known way for HIV protection, only 22.2% answered having intercourse protected with this method. CONCLUSION: In this adolescent series, older age was related to higher knowledge in family planning methods; in global despite finding a relatively high knowledge in family planning and HIV related issues, contraception use and HIV protection behaviour was low.

Guía Nacional de Planificación Familiar y Manejo de las Infecciones de Tratamiento Sexual / National guide of family planing and management of the sexually transmitted infections

El objetivo General es de contribuir a reducir la morbimortalidad materna y neonatal, el aborto, las necesidades insastifechas en planificación familiar y las infeciones de transmisión sexual mediante la adecuada oferta de servicios salud sexual y reproductiva y la entrega de información adecuada y oportuna a través de la consejería profesional.

Norma Nacional de Atención Prenantal / National standard of prenatal care

Trata sobre las normas para las actividades de atención prenatal

Self-esteem, stress and self-rated health in family planning clinic patients.

BACKGROUND: The independent effects of stress on the health of primary care patients might be different for different types of clinic populations. This study examines these relationships in a low-income female population of patients attending a family planning clinic. METHODS: This study investigated the relevance of different sources of personal stress and social support to self-rated health, adjusting for mental health, health behavior and demographic characteristics of subjects. Five hundred women who attended family planning clinics were surveyed and 345 completed the form for a response rate of 72 percent. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that liking oneself was related to good self-rated health (Odds ratio = 7.11), but stress or support from children, parents, friends, churches or spouses were not significant. White non-Hispanic and non-white non-Hispanic respondents had lower odds of reporting good self-rated health than Hispanic respondents (odds ratios were 2.87 and 2.81, respectively). Exercising five or more days per week also was related to good self-rated health. Smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day, and obese III were negatively related to good self-rated health (odds ratios were.19 and.22, respectively with corresponding p-values equal to.0043 and.0332). CONCLUSIONS: Among younger low-income women, addressing low self-esteem might improve health status.

O compromisso profissional na integração do homem no planejamento familiar: uma abordagem ética de enfermagem / The professional's health commitment with the man's integration in the activities of the program of family planning

O objeto deste estudo é o compromisso dos profissionais de saúde com a integração do homem nas atividades do programa de pla nejamento familiar, tendo a ética como um de seus fundamentos. A reflexão sobre a ética pode nos ajudar a compreender a crise que atravessam as sociedades hoje e a discutir alternativas para elas, podendo ter início pela conduta humanizante da equipe de saúde, inluindo educação (com a comunidade), integração e equidade de gênero, como explicitam os conceitos de Freire (2001), que podem ser trabalhados nas atividades educativas do programa de planejamento familiar.Os objetivos constituíram-se em caracterizar as atividades desenvolvidas pelos profissionais de saúde na efetividade do programa de planejamento familiar;....

Mejorando habilidades del equipo de salud en salud sexual y reproductiva / Improning abilities of the health team in sexual reproductive health

Es una guía desarrollada para facilitar la educación sexual y reproductiva en la comunidad