COVID-19 mitigation measures increase preterm birth and low birth weight in the public healthcare system in Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth (PB) and low birth weight (LBW), comparing public and private healthcare systems of the National Integrated Health System in Uruguay, where the mitigation measures for the COVID-19 pandemic generated an immediate socioeconomic and psychological crisis, which caused a sharp widening of existing socioeconomic inequalities. METHODS: A national observational study was conducted comparing perinatal outcomes in the first 6 months of 2020 (period of the pandemic without pregnancy infections), which was the beginning of the pandemic, with the same period of the previous year 2019 (pre-pandemic period with no mitigation measures) among pregnant women from the public and private health systems. Data were retrieved from the national database (Informatic Perinatal System) and analyzed by healthcare system category. RESULTS: A total of 36 559 deliveries were assessed: 18 563 in the 2019 study period and 17 996 in the 2020 study period. In the public system, there was a significant increase in the risk of LBW (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.36) and of the composite outcome (PB or LBW) (aRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.26). In the private system, by contrast, there was a non-statistically significant decrease of LBW and there were no changes in the incidence of PB and the composite outcome in 2020. CONCLUSION: The different evolution of birth outcomes in the public and private systems suggests an unequal impact of mitigation measures on populations of different socioeconomic levels. Given that no COVID-19 infections were identified in pregnant women during the study period, this research offers an opportunity to differentiate the biologic effects of the virus from the psychological and social impacts derived from containment measures. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05087160.

Effect of the unfavorable maternal-fetal environment cause by mitigation measures of the covid-19 pandemic in the public maternity of reference of Uruguay.

INTRODUCTION: The mitigation measures to face the health emergency due to the COVID 19 pandemic generated a deep economic, social, and psychological crisis at the community level. This effect is greater in the people, who are the most violated in their rights. In relation to the social crisis and gender perspective, women are particularly affected by the pandemic. Given the disadvantaged situation of women socially, economically, and politically, their self-care is diminished. OBJECTIVE: To identify whether there is an association between the classic risk factors for prematurity and fetal growth restriction and the increase in these pathologies in the period March-September 2020, in a maternity hospital that assists women from low resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, with a comparative analysis of the periods between 15 March and 30 September 2019 and the same period in 2020. The data were obtained from an electronic clinical database. The prevalence of preterm birth and small-for-gestational age newborn was analyzed. Indicators available in the database that reflect maternal conditions that lead to an unfavorable maternal environment were selected and they were classified into categories. RESULTS: In the period of 2019, 3225 births were registered and in the period of 2020, 3036 births. In the 2019 period, 12.2% of prematurity was evidenced, while in the 2020 period, 14.5% (RR = 1.19, IC 95% = 1.05-1.35, p = .005). In relation to PEG 5.5% in the first period versus 6.9% in the second (RR = 1.26, CI 95% = 1.04-1.53, p = .01). No increases were found in the indicators that are traditionally related to the etiologies proposed to explain the increase in prematurity and small-for-age gestational, there was no evidence of an increase in inflammatory or vascular conditions. CONCLUSION: The economic, psychological and social crises, in the 1st semester of the health emergency, seriously affected the social determinants of the health of pregnant women who use the Public Maternity of reference in Uruguay. This situation is at the base of the poor perinatal results in the period of the maximum mediated mitigation of the pandemic.

Justicia reproductiva en Uruguay: resultados materno perinatales en el Sistema Nacional Integrado de Salud

Introducción: la justicia reproductiva es la capacidad de las personas y las sociedades de poder concretar los derechos sexuales y reproductivos. Por el contrario, la injusticia reproductiva (IR) expone la presencia de riesgos para el proceso de desarrollo durante el embarazo y la primera infancia. Objetivo: describir la evolución de un conjunto de indicadores vinculados a la justicia reproductiva en el Sistema Nacional Integrado de Salud (SNIS) de Uruguay en los últimos 12 años y comparar las tendencias entre el subsector público y el subsector privado. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de un conjunto de indicadores incluidos en los objetivos de desarrollo sostenibles (ODS) y de los objetivos sanitarios nacionales. Se analizaron razón de mortalidad materna (MM), incidencia de parto pretérmino (PPT), bajo peso al nacer (BPN) y sífilis congénita (SC), en el subsector público y privado del SNIS, durante los últimos 12 años. Resultados: la razón de MM en el período de tiempo analizado ha sido siempre superior en el subsector público, salvo en el año 2015. La incidencia de PPT en el período de tiempo ha oscilado entre 8,6% y 10%. Ésta es superior en el subsector público, salvo en algunos períodos donde es mayor en el subsector privado. La incidencia de BPN es superior siempre en el subsector público, con su mayor incidencia en 2022, de 9,3. La SC siempre fue superior en el subsector público desde 1,3 a 7,1, mientras que en el subsector privado los valores van de 0,2 a 0,6. Conclusiones: la diferencia en estos indicadores de salud perinatal entre los dos subsectores de atención de nuestro país refleja que a pesar de contar con un SNIS, existe una disparidad que impacta sobre los resultados de indicadores finales e intermedios, determinando así la existencia de una IR.

Introduction: Reproductive justice is the ability of individuals and societies to realize sexual and reproductive rights. On the contrary, reproductive injustice (RI) exposes the presence of risks to the developmental process during pregnancy and early childhood. Objective: To describe the evolution of a set of indicators related to reproductive justice in the Integrated National Health System (SNIS) of Uruguay over the last 12 years and compare trends between the public and private subsectors. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study of a set of indicators included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national health objectives was conducted. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR), incidence of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and congenital syphilis (CS) were analyzed in the public and private subsectors of the SNIS over the past 12 years. Results: During the analyzed period the maternal mortality ratio has always been higher in the public subsector, except in the year 2015. The incidence of preterm birth during the period has ranged between 8.6% and 10%. It is higher in the public subsector, except in some periods where it is higher in the private subsector. The incidence of low birth weight is always higher in the public subsector, with its highest incidence in 2022 at 9.3. Congenital syphilis has always been higher in the public subsector, ranging from 1.3 to 7.1, while in the private subsector, the values range from 0.2 to 0.6. Conclusions: The difference in these perinatal health indicators between the two healthcare subsectors in our country reflects that despite having an Integrated National Health System, there is a disparity that impacts the results of final and intermediate indicators, thus determining the existence of reproductive injustice.

Introdução: A justiça reprodutiva é a capacidade dos indivíduos e das sociedades de poderem realizar seus direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. A injustiça reprodutiva (IR), por outro lado, expõe a presença de riscos ao processo de desenvolvimento durante a gravidez e a primeira infância. Objetivo: descrever a evolução de um conjunto de indicadores relacionados à justiça reprodutiva no Sistema Nacional Integrado de Saúde (SNIS) do Uruguai nos últimos 12 anos e comparar as tendências entre os subsetores público e privado. Metodologia: estudo descritivo e retrospectivo de um conjunto de indicadores incluídos nos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (SDGs) e nas metas nacionais de saúde. A taxa de mortalidade materna (MM), a incidência de parto prematuro (PTB), baixo peso ao nascer (BPN) e sífilis congênita (SC) foram analisadas no subsetor público e privado do SNIS nos últimos 12 anos. Resultados: A taxa de mortalidade materna foi maior no subsetor público durante o período analisado, exceto em 2015. A incidência de nascimento pré-termo no período variou entre 8,6 e 10%. Ela é maior no subsetor público, exceto em alguns períodos em que é maior no subsetor privado. A incidência de baixo peso ao nascer é sempre maior no subsetor público, com sua maior incidência em 2022, com 9,3. A sífilis congênita sempre foi mais alta no subsetor público, de 1,3 a 7,1, enquanto no subsetor privado os valores variam de 0,2 a 0,6. Conclusões: A diferença nesses indicadores de saúde perinatal entre os dois subsetores de atendimento em nosso país reflete que, apesar da existência de um Sistema Nacional de Saúde Integrado, há uma disparidade que impacta nos resultados dos indicadores finais e intermediários, determinando assim a existência de uma injustiça reprodutiva.

Proyecto ECHO Uruguay: fortalecimiento de la formación de profesionales en el abordaje del cáncer ginecológico

En Uruguay existe una desigual distribución de médicos entre la capital y el resto del país, determinando que los pacientes deban ser referidos a centros asistenciales fuera del área en la que residen. El Proyecto ECHO (del inglés: Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) busca mejorar el acceso a atención especializada para poblaciones rurales mediante la utilización de tecnologías de la comunicación, democratizando el conocimiento. Objetivo: evaluar los resultados en lo referente a competencias y habilidades profesionales en los participantes de las teleclínicas ECHO sobre cáncer ginecológico en Uruguay. Método: evaluación retrospectiva de impacto con línea de base y línea de impacto mediante un censo vía web. Período: setiembre 2020- mayo/2021. Se relevaron 22 variables, 14 indicadores dependientes que miden autopercepciones sobre incremento de capacidades en forma retrospectiva a partir de una escala Likert de 5 valores y, 8 independientes que abordan aspectos generales de la población. Teniendo en cuenta que no hay una distribución normal se aplica el test no paramétrico de Wilkoxon. Resultados: se obtuvieron 36 respuestas. Los resultados, muestran que todos los pares tienen una significación bilateral, pudiendo afirmar que existe una diferencia significativa entre las capacidades previas y posteriores a la participación en el programa ECHO. Conclusiones: se objetiva una mejora en la autopercepción de las capacidades de los participantes luego de la implementación de las teleclínicas ECHO.

Summary: In Uruguay there is an unequal distribution of doctors between the capital and the rest of the country, determining that patients must be referred to healthcare centers outside the area in which they reside. The ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Project seeks to improve access to specialized care for rural populations through the use of communication technologies, democratizing knowledge. Objective: to evaluate the results regarding professional competencies and skills in the participants of the ECHO teleclinics on gynecological cancer in Uruguay. Method: retrospective impact evaluation with baseline and impact line through a web census. Period: September 2020- May/2021. 22 variables were surveyed, 14 dependent indicators that measure self-perceptions of increased capabilities retrospectively based on a Likert scale of 5 values, and 8 independent indicators that address general aspects of the population. Taking into account that there is no normal distribution, the non-parametric Wilkoxon test is applied. Results: 36 responses were obtained. The results show that all pairs have a bilateral significance, being able to affirm that there is a significant difference between the capabilities before and after participation in the ECHO program. Conclusions: an improvement in the self-perception of the participants' capabilities was observed after the implementation of the ECHO teleclinics.

No Uruguai existe uma distribuição desigual de médicos entre a capital e o resto do país, determinando que os pacientes sejam encaminhados para centros de saúde fora da área em que residem. O Projeto ECHO (de Inglês: Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes)procura melhorar o acesso a cuidados especializados para as populações rurais através do uso de tecnologias de comunicação, democratizando o conhecimento. Objetivo: avaliar os resultados relativos às competências e habilidades profissionais dos participantes das teleclínicas ECHO sobre câncer ginecológico no Uruguai. Método: avaliação retrospectiva de impacto com linha de base e linha de impacto através de censo web. Período: Setembro 2020- Maio/2021. Foram levantadas 22 variáveis, 14 indicadores dependentes que medem retrospectivamente as autopercepções de aumento de capacidades com base em uma escala Likert de 5 valores, e 8 indicadores independentes que abordam aspectos gerais da população. Levando em consideração que não existe distribuição normal, aplica-se o teste não paramétrico de Wilkoxon. Resultados: foram obtidas 36 respostas. Os resultados mostram que todos os pares têm um significado bilateral, podendo afirmar que existe uma diferença significativa entre as capacidades antes e depois da participação no programa ECHO. Conclusões: observou-se melhora na autopercepção das capacidades dos participantes após a implantação das teleclínicas ECHO.

Tamizaje con citología anal en mujeres con lesiones premalignas del cuello uterino / Anal cytology screening in women with premalignant lesions of the uterine cervix / Rastreamento de citologia anal em mulheres com lesões pré-malignas do colo do útero

Objetivo: nuestro objetivo principal fue evaluar la prevalencia de citología anal patológica en mujeres con antecedentes de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical. Métodos: se trata de un estudio de cohorte transversal desde mayo de 2018 a agosto de 2020 en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Se estudiaron dos cohortes: una de mujeres que tenían diagnóstico de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical y otra de control de mujeres sanas que asistieron al control, con una proporción de 2:1. Se calculó un tamaño muestral total de 205 pacientes, siendo 135 pacientes con NIC con un IC del 95%, suponiendo una prevalencia del 10% de lesiones preneoplásicas anales. El tamaño muestral de la cohorte control fue de 70 pacientes según la relación preestablecida. Resultados: se encontró asociación entre la presencia de lesiones premalignas cervicales y anomalías epiteliales detectadas en la citología anal, con un cociente de prevalencia de 1,77 (IC del 95%: 1,19-2,62) y un odds ratio de 2,69 (1,36-5,30). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en las variables de raza, tipo de relación sexual o tabaquismo. Conclusiones: nuestro estudio concluye que existe una asociación entre la neoplasia intraepitelial cervical relacionada con el VPH y la citología anal patológica.

Objective: the main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of anal cytology in women with a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Method: cohort transversal study conducted from May, 2018 until August, 2020 at Pereira Rossell Hospital. Two cohorts were studied, one of which included women with a diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and the other one included healthy women who attended their routine follow up, in a 2:1 ratio. The total size of the sample was 205 patients, 135 of which were patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (confidence interval being 95%), presuming a 10% prevalence of anal pre-neoplasic lesions. The sample size of the control cohort was 70 patients as per the pre-defined ratio. Results: a association was found between the presence of malignant lesions of the cervix and epithelial anomalies detected in the anal cytology, with a prevalence coefficient of 1.77 (CI: 95%: 1,19 - 2,62) and odds ratio of 2,69 (1,36 - 5,30). No significant differences were found between race, type of sexual relationships or smoking variables. Conclusions: our study concludes there is an association between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia related to HPV and pathological anal screening.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de citologia anal patológica em mulheres com história de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte transversal de maio de 2018 a agosto de 2020, no Hospital Pereira Rossell. Foram estudadas duas coortes, uma de mulheres com diagnóstico de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical e outra de controle de mulheres saudáveis que compareceram ao controle na proporção de 2:1. Foi calculada uma amostra total de 205 pacientes, 135 pacientes com NIC com um IC de 95%, assumindo uma prevalência de 10% de lesões pré-neoplásicas anais. O tamanho da amostra da coorte controle foi de 70 pacientes de acordo com a relação pré-estabelecida. Resultados: Foi encontrada associação entre a presença de lesões pré-malignas cervicais e anormalidades epiteliais detectadas na citologia anal, com razão de prevalência de 1,77 (IC 95%: 1,19 - 2,62) e odds ratio 2,69 (1,36-5,30). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas variáveis raça, tipo de relação sexual ou tabagismo. Conclusões: Nossos resultados mostram uma associação entre neoplasia intraepitelial cervical relacionada ao HPV e citologia anal patológica.

Comportamiento del Parto Pretérmino durante un período de crisis socioeconómica en los diferentes sectores sociales en Uruguay / Pretermina Delivery Behavior During a period of socioeconomic crisis in the different social sectors in Uruguay

Introducción : El parto de pretérmino (PP) es un síndrome complejo que se da en los diferentes sectores sociales con factores asociados diversos. En Uruguay los subsectores de atención -público y privado del Sistema nacional integrado de salud (SNIS) diferencian a los sectores sociales de acuerdo al poder adquisitivo y los determinantes sociales adversos. La prevalencia del PP ha variado en ambos subsectores en la última década de acuerdo a múltiples circunstancias, sin embargo, las crisis socioeconómicas afectan de manera diferente a los diferentes sectores sociales. Se puede evaluar esto por el impacto de la crisis socio económica aguda que afectó a las embarazadas en el periodo de la parapandemia COVID 19 antes del comienzo de la 1era ola de infecciones por el SARS - Cov2 en Uruguay. Objetivos: Analizar la prevalencia del PP de acuerdo al subsistema de asistencia de las mujeres embarazadas (público o privado) durante el periodo marzo - octubre 2020. Describir las principales características diferenciales de estas 2 poblaciones y su eventual relación con la prevalencia del PP. Metodología: estudio descriptivo de nacimientos pretérminos y caracterización de estos embarazos en los dos subsectores de salud, durante el 15 de marzo y el 30 de septiembre del 2020, mediante análisis de la base de datos nacional del SIP. Resultados : La incidencia de PP fue 11.4% en el subsector público y 9,6% en el sector privado, lo cual es significativo estadísticamente. El perfil de las madres de pretérmino en el subsector público tuvo mayor incidencia de adolescentes (22,3% vs 5,0%), consumo de alcohol (2,2% vs 0,7%) y violencia de género (1,3% vs 0,5%), mientras que en el subsector privado mayor incidencia de madres añosas (28,4% vs 18,2%), patologías maternas (85,9% vs 65,8%) y embarazo múltiple (18,8% vs 11,0%). Conclusiones: El perfil de la mujer asistida en el sector privado que tiene un PP es diferente al del sector público, lo que sugiere la existencia de 2 modelos de PP: el del sector público, relacionado con un medio socio económico adverso y vulneración de derechos, y otro, el del sector privado, donde no se aprecian estas vulneraciones de derechos. Esto tiene implicancias en el abordaje fisiopatológico, preventivo, diagnóstico y terapéutico del PP.

Introduction. Pretérmina delivery (PP) is a complex syndrome that occurs in different social sectors with diverse associated factors. In Uruguay, care subsectors -public and private from the National Integrated Health System (SNIS) differentiate social sectors according to purchasing power and adverse social determinants. The prevalence of the PP has varied in both subsectors in the last decade according to multiple circumstances, however, socioeconomic crises affect differently from the different social sectors. This can be evaluated due to the impact of the acute socio -economic crisis that affected the pregnant women in the Covid 19 parapandemics period before the start of the 1st wave of SARS - COV2 infections in Uruguay. Objectives: Analyze the prevalence of the PP according to the assistance subsystem of pregnant women (public or private) during the March - October 2020 period. Describe the main differential characteristics of these 2 populations and their eventual relationship with the prevalence of the PP. Methodology: Descriptive study of preterm births and characterization of these pregnancies in the two health subsectors, during March 15 and September 30, 2020, through analysis of the National Database of the SIP. Results: The incidence of PP was 11.4% in the public subsector and 9.6% in the private sector, which is statistically significant. The profile of preterm mothers in the public subsector had a greater incidence of adolescents (22.3% vs 5.0%), alcohol consumption (2.2% vs 0.7%) and gender violence (1.3 % vs 0.5%), while in the private subsector greater incidence of old mothers (28.4% vs. 18.2%), maternal pathologies (85.9% vs 65.8%) and multiple pregnancy (18, 8% vs 11.0%). Conclusions: The profile of the assisted woman in the private sector that has a PP is different from the public sector, which suggests the existence of 2 PP models: that of the public sector, related to an adverse socio -economic medium and violation of rights , and another, that of the private sector, where these violations of rights are not appreciated. This has implications in the pathophysiological, preventive, diagnosis and therapeutic approach of the PP.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis and pregnancy.

The following is the case of a 36-year old pregnant woman reaching term, suffering from advanced pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. To our knowledge, this is the first record of such a case.

From risk and harm reduction to decriminalizing abortion: The Uruguayan model for women's rights.

OBJECTIVE: To describe public policies, social actions, particularly those of obstetricians/gynecologists, and changes in abortion-related legislation in the different historical periods between 1990 and 2015, and to analyze temporal correlations with a reduction in maternal mortality. METHODS: The 1990-2015 period was divided into three different stages to permit evaluation of the legislation, health regulations, healthcare system, and professional practices related to the care provided in cases of unsafe abortion: 1990-2001, characterized by illegality and the healthcare system's denial of abortion; 2001-2012, when the model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions was developed; and 2012-2015, when abortion was finally decriminalized. RESULTS: Changes in public policies and expansion of the risk reduction model coincided with changes in the social perception of abortion and a decrease in maternal mortality and abortion rates, probably due to a set of public policies that led to the decriminalization of abortion in 2012. CONCLUSION: Changes in public policies and health actions such as the model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions coincided with a marked reduction in abortion-related maternal mortality. The challenges still to be faced include managing second trimester abortions, ensuring the creation of multidisciplinary teams, and offering postabortion contraception.

From risk and harm reduction to decriminalizing abortion: The Uruguayan model for women's rights.

OBJECTIVE: To describe public policies, social actions, particularly those of obstetricians/gynecologists, and changes in abortion-related legislation in the different historical periods between 1990 and 2015, and to analyze temporal correlations with a reduction in maternal mortality. METHODS: The 1990-2015 period was divided into three different stages to permit evaluation of the legislation, health regulations, healthcare system, and professional practices related to the care provided in cases of unsafe abortion: 1990-2001, characterized by illegality and the healthcare system's denial of abortion; 2001-2012, when the model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions was developed; and 2012-2015, when abortion was finally decriminalized. RESULTS: Changes in public policies and expansion of the risk reduction model coincided with changes in the social perception of abortion and a decrease in maternal mortality and abortion rates, probably due to a set of public policies that led to the decriminalization of abortion in 2012. CONCLUSION: Changes in public policies and health actions such as the model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions coincided with a marked reduction in abortion-related maternal mortality. The challenges still to be faced include managing second trimester abortions, ensuring the creation of multidisciplinary teams, and offering postabortion contraception.

Implementation of the risk and harm reduction strategy against unsafe abortion in Uruguay: From a university hospital to the entire country.

The history of the creation of the risk and harm reduction model applied to unsafe abortion is reviewed, from its initial implementation by a small group of gynecologists at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center in Uruguay to its spread to the rest of the country. Its ethical rationale, its successful application in the hospital, the decision to disseminate it with the cooperation of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the intervention procedures are explained. It was evaluated from the epidemiological and anthropological viewpoints, from the changes in professionals' and users' perception of the care offered and its impact on complications and maternal deaths. A very favorable change was seen in the number and quality of the services, the providers' attitude, and maternal morbidity and mortality were reduced. It also brought visibility to women with unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and an improved understanding of their problems, which contributed to the legislative changes that were made subsequently.

Implementation of the risk and harm reduction strategy against unsafe abortion in Uruguay: From a university hospital to the entire country.

The history of the creation of the risk and harm reduction model applied to unsafe abortion is reviewed, from its initial implementation by a small group of gynecologists at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center in Uruguay to its spread to the rest of the country. Its ethical rationale, its successful application in the hospital, the decision to disseminate it with the cooperation of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the intervention procedures are explained. It was evaluated from the epidemiological and anthropological viewpoints, from the changes in professionals' and users' perception of the care offered and its impact on complications and maternal deaths. A very favorable change was seen in the number and quality of the services, the providers' attitude, and maternal morbidity and mortality were reduced. It also brought visibility to women with unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and an improved understanding of their problems, which contributed to the legislative changes that were made subsequently.

Overall and abortion-related maternal mortality rates in Uruguay over the past 25years and their association with policies and actions aimed at protecting women's rights.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in maternal mortality rates in Uruguay over the past 25years, as well as their distribution by cause, and their temporal relationship with social changes and Human Development Index (HDI) indicators. METHODS: Data on maternal mortality obtained directly from the Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health for the 2001 to 2015 period were analyzed together with data from the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation for the 1990 to 2015 period. The swiftness of the decrease in maternal mortality per five-year period, the variation in the percentage of abortion-related deaths, and the correlation with HDI indicators were evaluated. RESULTS: Maternal mortality decreased significantly, basically due to a reduction in the number of deaths from unsafe abortion, which was the principal cause of maternal mortality in the 1990s. The reduction in maternal mortality over the past 10years also coincides with a reduction in poverty and an improvement in the HDI. CONCLUSION: A rapid reduction occurred in maternal mortality in Uruguay, particularly in maternal mortality resulting from unsafe abortion. This coincided with the application of a model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions, which finally led to the decriminalization of abortion.

Conscientious objection as a barrier for implementing voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay: Gynecologists' attitudes and behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitudes and behavior of gynecologists in Uruguay with respect to the right to conscientious objection that is included in the law concerning voluntary termination of pregnancy. METHODS: The relevant laws and decrees, academic articles, legal or administrative claims, and the positions published by the institutions representing physicians or by groups of gynecologists were analyzed. RESULTS: In general, the institutions positioned themselves in favor of correct application of conscientious objection and the immense majority of gynecologists followed this conduct. Small groups mounted a strong opposition and in one department (province) all gynecologists declared themselves to be objectors. CONCLUSION: Most gynecologists, whether or not they are objectors, proved to have a "loyalty to duty," fulfilling their primary obligation to abide by the ethical duty to give treatment to the persons who need it. A small group used conscientious objection to impede the provision of care to the women who needed the service, some group members being genuine objectors and others pseudo-objectors.

Legal termination of pregnancy as an opportunity for expanding postabortion contraception: Experience at the Pereira Rossell Hospital, Montevideo, Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To determine to what extent women adopted highly effective contraceptive methods after a legal abortion. METHODS: The data available during a period before and another period after liberalization of the abortion law were reviewed. The data gathering was incomplete and reliable only during certain periods, which were used in the study. RESULTS: There was an increase in the proportion of women who returned for contraception and in the proportion who used any method and long-acting methods; however, no contraception was administered immediately after abortion and only 16% of all women treated started to use a long-acting method during the period after the law was liberalized. CONCLUSION: The proposed objective was not being achieved, the recommended guidelines were not being followed, and data gathering was incomplete. Good intentions are not enough and it is always necessary to evaluate the performance of a program. The results indicate that immediate reforms are necessary in postabortion contraception services.

Overall and abortion-related maternal mortality rates in Uruguay over the past 25 years and their association with policies and actions aimed at protecting women's rights.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in maternal mortality rates in Uruguay over the past 25 years, as well as their distribution by cause, and their temporal relationship with social changes and Human Development Index (HDI) indicators. METHODS: Data on maternal mortality obtained directly from the Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health for the 2001 to 2015 period were analyzed together with data from the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation for the 1990 to 2015 period. The swiftness of the decrease in maternal mortality per five-year period, the variation in the percentage of abortion-related deaths, and the correlation with HDI indicators were evaluated. RESULTS: Maternal mortality decreased significantly, basically due to a reduction in the number of deaths from unsafe abortion, which was the principal cause of maternal mortality in the 1990s. The reduction in maternal mortality over the past 10 years also coincides with a reduction in poverty and an improvement in the HDI. CONCLUSION: A rapid reduction occurred in maternal mortality in Uruguay, particularly in maternal mortality resulting from unsafe abortion. This coincided with the application of a model for reducing the risk and harm of unsafe abortions, which finally led to the decriminalization of abortion.

Legal termination of pregnancy as an opportunity for expanding postabortion contraception: Experience at the Pereira Rossell Hospital, Montevideo, Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To determine to what extent women adopted highly effective contraceptive methods after a legal abortion. METHODS: The data available during a period before and another period after liberalization of the abortion law were reviewed. The data gathering was incomplete and reliable only during certain periods, which were used in the study. RESULTS: There was an increase in the proportion of women who returned for contraception and in the proportion who used any method and long-acting methods; however, no contraception was administered immediately after abortion and only 16% of all women treated started to use a long-acting method during the period after the law was liberalized. CONCLUSION: The proposed objective was not being achieved, the recommended guidelines were not being followed, and data gathering was incomplete. Good intentions are not enough and it is always necessary to evaluate the performance of a program. The results indicate that immediate reforms are necessary in postabortion contraception services.

Conscientious objection as a barrier for implementing voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay: Gynecologists' attitudes and behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitudes and behavior of gynecologists in Uruguay with respect to the right to conscientious objection that is included in the law concerning voluntary termination of pregnancy. METHODS: The relevant laws and decrees, academic articles, legal or administrative claims, and the positions published by the institutions representing physicians or by groups of gynecologists were analyzed. RESULTS: In general, the institutions positioned themselves in favor of correct application of conscientious objection and the immense majority of gynecologists followed this conduct. Small groups mounted a strong opposition and in one department (province) all gynecologists declared themselves to be objectors. CONCLUSION: Most gynecologists, whether or not they are objectors, proved to have a "loyalty to duty," fulfilling their primary obligation to abide by the ethical duty to give treatment to the persons who need it. A small group used conscientious objection to impede the provision of care to the women who needed the service, some group members being genuine objectors and others pseudo-objectors.

The role of medical abortion in the implementation of the law on voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of the law that liberalizes voluntary abortion in Uruguay and enables health services to offer these services to the population. METHODS: The legal and regulatory provisions are described and the national data-provided by the Ministry of Public Health's National Information System (SINADI)-on the number of voluntary terminations of pregnancy, the abortion method (medical or surgical), and whether it was performed as an outpatient or inpatient are analyzed. To determine complications, the number of maternal deaths and admissions to intensive care units for pregnant women was used. The study period ran from December 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 15 996 abortions were performed during the study period; only 1.2% were surgical and 98.8% were medical. Of the latter, only 3.4% required hospitalization. Less than half of the pregnancies were terminated up to 9weeks of gestation and 54% were at 10 to 12weeks in a sample from the Pereira Rossell Hospital. CONCLUSION: The rapid nationwide rollout of voluntary termination of pregnancy services to all women was possible to a large degree thanks to the availability and broad acceptance of medical abortion, facilitated by the prior experience in applying the risk and harm reduction strategy.

The role of medical abortion in the implementation of the law on voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of the law that liberalizes voluntary abortion in Uruguay and enables health services to offer these services to the population. METHODS: The legal and regulatory provisions are described and the national data-provided by the Ministry of Public Health's National Information System (SINADI)-on the number of voluntary terminations of pregnancy, the abortion method (medical or surgical), and whether it was performed as an outpatient or inpatient are analyzed. To determine complications, the number of maternal deaths and admissions to intensive care units for pregnant women was used. The study period ran from December 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 15 996 abortions were performed during the study period; only 1.2% were surgical and 98.8% were medical. Of the latter, only 3.4% required hospitalization. Less than half of the pregnancies were terminated up to 9 weeks of gestation and 54% were at 10 to 12 weeks in a sample from the Pereira Rossell Hospital. CONCLUSION: The rapid nationwide rollout of voluntary termination of pregnancy services to all women was possible to a large degree thanks to the availability and broad acceptance of medical abortion, facilitated by the prior experience in applying the risk and harm reduction strategy.

Abordaje obstétrico integral de la prematurez y restricción del crecimiento fetal y su relación con las enfermedades crónicas del adulto / Obstetric comprehensive approach to pre-term birth and growth restriction and its relationship with chronic adult diseases / Abordagem obstétrica integral da prematuridade e restrição do crecimiento fetal e sua relação com as doenças crônicas do adulto

Resumen: Los síndromes obstétricos de parto de pretérmino (PP) y restricción de crecimiento fetal (RCIU) comparten mecanismos etiopatogénicos y fisiopatológicos que muchas veces interactúan y se retroalimentan. Desde el punto de vista etiológico, las condiciones específicas que los generan esquemáticamente se pueden clasificar en inflamación, estrés materno, déficit en las condiciones socioeconómicas y vulnerabilidad de derechos, actuación de disruptores endocrinos, alteraciones de la dieta y de la microbiota y afecciones vasculares. Estas condiciones, actuando aislada o más frecuentemente combinadamente, generan un entorno materno desfavorable para el desarrollo del embarazo provocando efectos específicos como son la reacción inmune materna, mediada o no por la presencia de infecciones, la activación del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-adrenal, la disminución de la acción de la progesterona, las disbiosis, tanto intestinales como vaginales, y la disfunción por envejecimiento placentario. El entorno desfavorable así generado impactará en la unidad útero-placento-fetal, produciendo, bien el PP o bien el RCIU, de acuerdo a la primacía de diferentes respuestas; independientemente de cuál de las respuestas sindromáticas predomine, ambos, el PP y el RCIU, tienen en común el desarrollo del feno-genotipo ahorrador, imprescindible para la sobrevida fetal. El costo de esta modulación epigenética es el aumento de las enfermedades crónicas del adulto, que conceptualmente son enfermedades transmisibles por la vulnerabilidad social donde se desarrolla el ciclo de vida de esas personas.

Summary: Preterm birth and growth restriction are obstetric syndromes which share etiopathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms that often interact and feed from each other. Etiologically, they may be classified into inflammation, maternal stress, low socio-economic background and vulnerability of rights, endocrine disruptors, diet and microbiota alterations and vascular conditions, depending on specific conditions. These conditions, either in isolation or more often combined, create an unfavorable environment for the development of pregnancy, causing specific effects such as maternal immune response that may be mediated by infections, the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, drop in progesterone levels, dysbiosis, both intestinal and vaginal, and placental dysfunction caused by ageing. The unfavorable environment has an impact on the utero-feto-placental unit resulting in either preterm birth of growth restriction, depending on the predominance of the different responses. Regardless of the prevailing syndromic response, both preterm birth and growth restriction share the development of the thrifty pheno-genotype, essential for fetal survival. The cost of this epigenetic modulation is an increase in chronic adult diseases, which, conceptually, are transmissible diseases due to social vulnerability where these people live.

Resumo: As síndromes obstétricas de parto de pré-termo (PP) e de restrição do crescimento fetal (RCIU) compartem mecanismos etiopatogênicos e fisiopatológicos, que muitas vezes interagem e se retroalimentam. Do ponto de vista da etiologia, as condições específicas que as geram podem ser classificadas esquematicamente em inflamação, estresse materno, déficit nas condições socio econômicas e vulnerabilidade de direitos, ação de disruptores endócrinos, alterações da dieta e da microbiota e afecções vasculares. Estas condições, agindo de forma isolada ou mais frequentemente combinada, geram um ambiente materno desfavorável para o desenvolvimento da gravidez provocando efeitos específicos como a reação imune materna, mediada ou não pela presença de infecções, a ativação do eixo hipotálamo - hipófiso - adrenal, a diminuição da ação da progesterona, as disbioses, tanto intestinais como vaginais e a disfunção por envelhecimento placentário. Esse ambiente desfavorável impactará na unidade útero-placento-fetal, produzindo PP ou RCIU, de acordo com a preferência de diferentes respostas. Independentemente de qual das respostas sindromáticas predomine, ambos PP e RCIU, têm em comum o desenvolvimento do feno-genótipo poupador, imprescindível para a sobrevida fetal. O custo desta modulação epigenética é o aumento das doenças crônicas do adulto, que conceitualmente, são patologias transmissíveis pela vulnerabilidade social na qual o ciclo de vida dessas pessoas se desenvolve.