Womens Health

Traditionally, Japanese women endure labor pain. They are then pleased by the sense of accomplishment
after a successful vaginal childbirth, a concept based on the Japanese Buddhism.
Therefore, Japanese midwives place importance on the process and devote care for pregnant
women throughout the experience. Professional midwives in Japan strive to monitor the childbirth
process with devotion and identify any abnormality with modern scientific knowledge in
the small midwifery rooms of hospitals and clinics, in cooperation with obstetricians. Recently
a new midwifery category has evolved called “advanced midwife” that do not work under a
physician’s direct supervision, but rather practice independently and in harmony with the doctors.

This paper discuss about the burden and importance of leucorrhoea, the causes of leucorrhoea, the clinical features of conditions causing leucorrhoea, diagnosis and traditional management of leucorrhoea, limitations of traditional management and need for Syndromic Approach in the management of this condition.

Mammograms are known to cause breast cancer. Wearing tight bras for long hours daily is also known to cause breast cancer. Tight bras also worsen the damage caused by radiation from mammograms. Women are advised to not use bras,  and to avoid mammograms, if possible.

Abstract
Question: Are women in semi-urban city of Nigeria aware of alternative route of  ultrasound scanning in early pregnancy aside trans-abdominal route(TAS) and what is the  level of acceptance of trans-vaginal ultrasound scanning(TVS) among them?
Summary Answer: Only about one-fifth (16.4%) of women who have been pregnant  ever are aware of TVS as an option in pregnancy assessment, among which only 52.6% of  them know that TVS is preferred in some pregnancy conditions over TAS. Less than one third (28.8%) will accept to have TVS done.
Known Already: Several studies in western world have looked at acceptability of  TVS among women for various indications with a wide range acceptability of 43% to 96%  depending on the content of questionnaire. Very few studies have looked at acceptability in  Nigeria. Willingness to have TVS done was quoted by Atalabi et al. as 84%. Study Design, Size and Duration: This was a cross-sectional study over 8-week  period among unselected women who came for routine ante-natal clinic in two tertiary hospitals in Osogbo, Nigeria. The plan was to administer at least 300 questionnaires. Verbal
consent was secured after due counselling by research assistant.
Participants, Settings, Method: Pregnant women attending booking clinics of  Lautech teaching hospital and Asubiaro general hospital were approached as convenient  to participate in the study using self-administered questionnaire though queries about  questionnaire were answered on spot by research assistant. Verbal consent after due
counsel was accepted. Descriptive and multivariate analysis done using SPSS Statistics  version 20 software. Main results: Total of 347 participants. Response rate was 94.3%. Two out of three  participants (68%) had tertiary level of education. Of the participants 83.6% think ultrasound  scanning is not harmful. Only about one-fifth (16.4%) of women who have been pregnant  ever are aware of TVS as a tool in women assessment. Among those who are aware of  TVS over 80% are unsure of conditions when TVS is preferred to TAS. The leading negative
expected feeling among participants (74.7%) who responded if they were asked to do TVS  was expectation of more pain compared to TAS 41.2% will consider giving consent only  after discussing it with husband. Less than one-third (28.8%) of women who have ever been
pregnant will accept to have TVS done.
Limitation: Participants are within semi-urban area even though two-third of them has  tertiary level of education. The environment of study may be a strong factor in limiting  exposure & thus awareness of TVS.
Wider Implications of Findings: There is urgent need to educate the populace  including men via various media houses including social media on the safety & advantages  of TVS in assessment of women either in pregnancy or outside of pregnancy.  Only about one-fifth (16.4%) of women who have been pregnant ever are aware of TVS
as a tool in women assessment, Less than one-third (28.8%) of women who have ever been  pregnant will accept to have TVS done.
Keywords: Awareness TVS, Pregnant Women

SNEHA, a non-profit organisation, implements a program on prevention of gender
based violence in informal urban settlements of Mumbai. This article highlights the strategies
adopted to carry out prevention work on gender-based violence in a complex urban setting. It
puts forth a rationale for a comprehensive service delivery and a pragmatic approach to community
mobilization for prevention of gender-based violence. It delves on ethical concerns of
executing programs on gender based violence and adds to the discourse of developing measures
and indicators of success of the program. The impact of the prevention strategies is realised
through the extent and number of cases of gender based violence being referred from the community.
It aims to share lessons learned that could be contextualised in other settings where
non- profit or governmental organisations propose to implement programs on prevention of
gender based violence. The review concludes that convergence approach is crucial for communities,
non-government organisations and public systems to synergise together to prevent
gender based violence.

Several body systems, including the circulatory system, lymphatic system and kidneys, help
maintain the appropriate balance of fluids in the body. A problem with any of these systems can
contribute to the retention of fluid. Leg and foot edema, caused by the accumulation of fluids
in tissue, is known as peripheral edema. Many women have been suffering from leg and foot
edema reportedly. In the present review, we describe several methods of treating leg and foot
edema in women, such as leg elevation, water immersion, bandage, stocking, foot massage,
intermittent pneumatic compression, taking rutoside, reflexology and monitoring the interstitial
fluid movement.

Background and objectives: Patient satisfaction is a significant indicator of the quality of care. Understanding mother's level of satisfaction with their child birth experience is relevant to health care providers, administrators and policy makers as an indicator of the quality of maternity care. The objectives of the study were finding out the mother's satisfaction from nursing care during labor, delivery and postpartum and relationship between mother's satisfaction and some demographic and obstetrical characteristics. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 150 mothers (convenience sampling) who attended delivery room of the Maternity Teaching Hospital /Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Data were collected by an direct interview, using a questionnaire designed by the researchers. Chi-square test was used to study the significance of association between mother's satisfaction attitude and demographic and obstetrical characteristics. Results: The overall mother's satisfaction from nursing care during labor, delivery and postpartum were 82% and 67%, respectively. There were significant association between mother's satisfaction and some nursing care activities during labor and immediate postpartum, while there is no significant association between mother's satisfaction and demographic and obstetrical characteristics. Conclusions: Nursing care during labor, delivery and postpartum play important role in satisfying mothers with their child birth experience.

Background and objective:Labor is a life-changing event and is a high-risk time for both the fetus and the mother which affects them physically and emotionally, so proper care during labor and delivery is important. The study assessed the quality of the labor and de-livery care by nurse/midwives. Methods: A study was carried out to observe nurse/midwives’ practices during the stages of labor and delivery. The study was conducted in the delivery room of the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil City, during the period 28th February 2013 to 20th May 2013. The non-probability sample included 15 midwives who gave care to mothers during labor. Data were collected through a questionnaire format and observation checklist. Results: Midwives did not perform the following practice during labor and delivery: pre-paring the mother (84%), checking vital signs (93.3%), using aseptic technique for fixing a cannula (96.6%), providing privacy for the mother (84%), and using sterile technique for vaginal examination, catheterization, and episiotomy (91.6%) (91.7%) (92.5%) respectively, monitoring uterine contraction (98.3%), checking the progress of labor (93.4%) and se-lecting a suitable position for delivery (93%).Conclusion: Nurse/midwives did not provide proper care during labor and delivery. Im-provements in their practice through training courses and changing hospital and delivery room policies is recommended.Keywords: Midwife; Practice; Quality; Labor; Delivery.

ABSTRACT
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR WOMEN WITH CHRONIC LYME DISEASE:
A SOCIOECONOMIC INVESTIGATION

                                        MAY 2022

B.A., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

M.Ed., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

Ed.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

Directed by: Professor Linda Griffin

This is a mixed methods investigation of how chronic Lyme disease, including Lyme-like diseases and co-infections, affects the quality of life of women who have chronic Lyme. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used during three phases of research: a 91-question survey instrument followed by focus group discussions and written narratives. The research considered the socioeconomic impact on quality of life in five areas: obtaining a diagnosis, relationships and personal support systems, struggles with the medical system, the ability to work, and access to treatment. There were 500 responses to the survey, of which 373 were analyzed; 11 participants in the focus groups; and 22 written narratives. The data collected during the quantitative phase supported the design of the qualitative phases and added validity to the findings. The research demonstrated that chronic Lyme disease has a predominantly negative impact on women’s quality of life across all five domains. Among the consequences highlighted by the survey responses were difficulty obtaining a timely diagnosis (72% had multiple misdiagnoses before being diagnosed); stressed relationships (57% reported that family and friends do not understand the impact of the disease); difficulty securing appropriate treatment (86% indicated that primary physicians did not know numerous treatment options); adverse impact on professional lives (75% reported that Lyme interfered with their ability to work); and difficulty finding and paying for treatment (54% did not see a specialist due to affordability). Through collecting and analyzing the data, it also became increasingly apparent that the medical industry operates in a way that does not believe chronic Lyme disease exists. In both focus groups and narratives, most participants recounted experiences of repeatedly having their concerns and symptoms trivialized, dismissed, or disbelieved by health care providers; the combination of deteriorating health and gaslighting led to a sense of worthlessness, feelings of hopelessness, episodes of depression, and more. Financial stability and relationships suffered, sometimes with devastating impact. While my own struggle with chronic Lyme disease was the impetus for this study, the research findings demonstrate how pervasive and deep the challenges are, with consistently negative socioeconomic consequences for women’s quality of life.

The abortion rate in Cuba is staggering--in 2008, official records indicated that 60.7 abortions were performed for every 100 live births. Information gathered from news outlets, personal interviews, and available literature suggests that economic instability and liberal abortion legislation are the principal driving forces of this controversial trend.

We build on the theoretical framework of communicative forms and memetic dimensions to examine how obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) doctors' TikTok videos function as digital artifacts to educate and engage with youth culture. The framework of communicative forms defines TikTok as a communicative environment with unique practices, technological affordances, aesthetics, and digital culture. The three memetic dimensions of content, form, and stance refer to the ideas, configurations, and positions conveyed by memes that are shown on TikTok. We identified interrelated memetic ways OBGYN TikTok Docs deliver sexual health information using five communicative forms (explanatory, documentary, comedic, communal, and interactive). Our findings show that the relatability of OBGYN TikTok Docs was a key element in each communicative form and was crafted by a combination of the three memetic dimensions. In using various communicative forms, the boundaries of health education and entertainment are blurred. Through this blurring, the videos portray a dual-sided presentation of OBGYN TikTok docs, showing them as authentic health professionals and relatable people.

Background: Over the counter medicines are drugs that are brought without a medical prescription. The use of many OTC medicines in children is usually initiated by parents. Self medication in developing countries from a biological point of view point the risks that are involved in developing countries are reportedly higher than in industrialized countries. This can be related to the fact that in many developing countries drugs are available over the counter. In a study conducted in Pokhara, western Nepal found that 59% had taken self medication including OTC medicines.

This research examines the underlying ethos of health and wellbeing journalism, with specific reference to Women’s Health magazine. In particular, this dissertation questions the tacit assumptions that women are somehow juvenile. Inquiries such as this have not been sufficiently carried out on modern women’s magazines. Based on content and discourse analysis, it is suggested that Women’s Health, despite the appearance of adult and active emancipation, endorses the therapeutic culture in which women are taken to be in need of support and guidance. This research draws on the radical traditions stretching from Wollstonecraft (1759) to Greer (1971).

Introduction/Objective
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths world over. Screening and early detection of disease is the cornerstone for disease prevention. Breast Self Examination is a screening technique that involves examining ones breasts for lumps. The practice when regularly done enables one to get familiar with their normal breast structure which in turn helps women to detect abnormal lumps in order to seek prompt medical assistance. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and Practices of women on Breast cancer and BSE in Kisaasi, Kawempe.

Methodology
The study was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out in Kisaasi, a village in Kawempe division of Kampala district. Quantitative Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires from 100 respondents who were selected by the systematic random sampling method. Analysis of data collected was done using SPSS.

Results
Almost all the respondents (96%) were aware of Breast cancer. The respondents generally had good knowledge on Breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms. 69% of the sample was aware of Breast Self Examination. The commonest source of information was the health worker. 83% of the respondents thought BSE is necessary which indicated an overall positive attitude towards the technique. Only 58% were practicing BSE.

Conclusion
Much as attitude of women towards BSE is high, practice of BSE was low. It is recommended that public awareness on the importance of BSE and the proper technique of BSE be conducted using mass medi

Introduction: Globally, there is decline trend of breastfeeding reasons for declining breastfeeding includes lack of knowledge and confidence regarding breastfeeding techniques. The current study is designed to determine the effectiveness of educational package on knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding techniques. Methods: An evaluative research approach was used for this study. The study was carried out among 60 postnatal mothers in selected maternity hospital, Mangalore Via structured interview schedule and observation checklist. Results: The overall mean percentage of pre- test level of knowledge and practice is 37.33 and 47.79. The calculated „t‟ value is 29.34  and  20.21  for knowledge and practice respectively. The mean percentage of post-test is 74.5 and 80.55for knowledge and practice.  The present study reveals that the computed „r‟ value is 0.83 which is significant at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion:  Educational package on knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding techniques among postnatal mothers was found effective.

This research examines the underlying ethos of health and wellbeing journalism, with specific reference to Women’s Health magazine. In particular, this dissertation questions the tacit assumptions that women are somehow juvenile. Inquiries such as this have not been sufficiently carried out on modern women’s magazines. Based on content and discourse analysis, it is suggested that Women’s Health, despite the appearance of adult and active emancipation, endorses the therapeutic culture in which women are taken to be in need of support and guidance. This research draws on the radical traditions stretching from Wollstonecraft (1759) to Greer (1971).

Key words: Feminism, emancipated, autonomous, therapy culture, psychoanalysis, robust, therapist, Freudian, Freud, Women’s Health, Health, Fitness, Sport, feminism, liberated, women’s rights, equality

In this work, we provide a proposal for the transliteration and translation of the text of the Voynich Manuscript.  Based upon our findings, the language of the Voynich Manuscript is a Vulgar Latin dialect, likely affected by a contemporary Italian dialect.  We also provide evidence regarding the origin of the writing system of this manuscript: it appears to be a late modified subset of a once widespread shorthand known as Tironian Notes.  In this work, we provide transliterations and translations of two pages of continuous text, an analysis of the language reflected in the text, and a proposal for the content and purpose of the manuscript: it is a late Medieval manual for medical practices regarding women's health matters.  We also provide an epigraphic analysis of the Voynich writing system: orthographic principles of this system, punctuation, and the sound values of the Voynich writing system characters. We also provide a proposal for the location of the authorship of this manuscript, based upon iconographic and linguistic materials: the Veneto region of northern Italy, in the vicinity of the provinces of Verona, Padova, and Vicenza.  In this work, we also provide prescriptive materials for future work on the translation of the Voynich Manuscript; namely, that further work on the Voynich Manuscript will require a team of individuals with advanced and specialized knowledge in Vulgar Latin, epigraphy, paleography, late Medieval northern Italian culture, Medieval medical practices, medical botany, and medical practices regarding women's health.

-- Tim King PhD, Alessandra Andrisani, Bryce Beasley, and Julian Condo

Ang mga katutubong Ifugao na dating nagmula sa bayan ng Kordilyera ay bumaba sa Nueva Vizcaya ng Lambak Kagayan upang maghanap ng bagong oprtunidad para sa mas maayos na kabuhayan, sila ay bahagi ng Pambansang Minorya ng bansa. Sila ay patuloy na nakararanas ng iba at ibang pang-aabuso at isyu sa kanilang lupain. Ang kanilang laban para sa kanilang demokratikong karapatan para sa lupa at maayos na lugar-paggawa ay nagsimula nang pumasok ang iba at ibang malalawak na dayuhang minahan sa kanilang bayan. Ito ay bilang resulta ng iba at ibang mga polisiyang pangmina na naimplementa sa Pilipinas. Sa pamamagitan ng isang kalitatibong pagsisiyasat, layunin ng pananaliksik na ito na alamin ang kasalukuyang estado ng kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga manggagawang kababaihan o minero ng mga maliitang-iskalang minahan sa Lambak Kagayan. Ang mga minera ay pangunahing nakararanas ng mga isyung pangkalusugan at kaligtasan buhat ng kanilang natural na mga genetiko, gayon na rin, sila rin ay patuloy na kumakaharap sa isyu ng dobleng-responsibilidad. Patuloy ang atake sa mga maliitang-iskalang minahan sa Lambak Kagayan. Sa pagpasok ng mga malalawak na dayuhang minahan, maraming mga maliit na minahan at maging mga komunidad ang naipasara at nasira. Mayaman ang Pilipinas, ngunit tila ba ay nakikipag-agawan ang mga Pilipino sa mga likas na yaman nito. Sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral na ito, bibigyang linaw ang kasalukuyang estado ng mga maliit na minahan at maging ng mga manggagawa nito, partikular ang mga kababaihan, sa kabila ng mga epekto ng mga pambansang polisiya patungkol sa pagmimina.

Article Information The purpose of this study was to identify those factors associated with late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in public health centers in Kembata Tembaro Zone, Ethiopia. A facility based cross-sectional study with supplement of qualitative data was carried out to collect data from 401 pregnant women who were attending antenatal care service at five randomly selected governmental health centres in Kembata Tembaro Zone from March 10 to May 8, 2012. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and data were entered onto a computer using Epi-info 3.5.1 statistical program then exported to SPSS Windows version 16.0 for further analysis. Binary descriptive statistics and multiple variable regressions were done.This study showed that prevalence of late entry to antenatal care was 68.6%. The mean timing was 5.5±1.8 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, maternal education, family income, parity, previous utilization of antenatal care and type of pregnancy remained significant factors influencing late booking. The findings of this study showed that most women book antenatal care late. This seems to be because antenatal care is viewed primarily as curative rather than preventive in the study population. Public enlightenment, health education coupled with women empowerment would be helpful in reducing the problem. In addition to that incorporation of the benefits of early booking in the routine antenatal care education.

This paper explores the origins of single-sex specialist violence against women (VAW) services ‘by and for women’, argues for their retention as an essential element in Scotland’s strategic response to VAW prevention and demonstrates that such provision is vital to upholding women’s sex-based human rights and eliminating their long-standing structural inequality in the twenty-first century.

Background: Delivery by skilled birth attendance serves as an indicator of progress towards reducing maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, the proportions of births attended by skilled personnel were very low 15 % and Oromia region 14.7 %. The current study identified factors associated with utilization of institutional delivery among married women in rural area of Western Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was employed from January 2 to January 31, 2015 among mothers who gave birth in the last 2 years in rural area of East Wollega Zone. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 798 study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data and female high school graduates data collectors were involved in the data collection process. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was fit and statistical significance was determined through a 95 % confidence level. Results: The study revealed that 39.7 % of the mothers delivered in health facilities. Age 15–24 years (AOR 4.20, 95 % CI 2.07–8.55), 25–34 years (AOR 2.21, 95 % CI 1.32–3.69), women's educational level (AOR 2.00, 95 % CI 1.19–3.34), women's decision making power (AOR 2.11, 95 % CI 1.54–2.89), utilization of antenatal care (ANC) during the index pregnancy (AOR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.08–2.23) and parity one (AOR 2.20, 95 % CI 1.10–4.38) showed significant positive association with utilization of institutional delivery. Conclusion and recommendation: In this study proportion of institutional delivery were low (39.7 %). Age, women's literacy status, women's decision making power, ANC practice and numbers of live birth were found important predic-tors of institutional delivery. The findings of current study highlight the importance of boosting women involvement in formal education and decision making power. Moreover since ANC is big pillar for the remaining maternal health services effort should be there to increase ANC service utilization.

This paper explores the global health implications of the refugee and migrant crisis, highlighting what U.S. government agencies are doing in four key areas: maternal health, reproductive health, nutrition, and immunizations. It reviews the funding mechanisms
available to address the needs of displaced populations and specific initiatives related to global health. It also highlights the work of United Nations agencies that are key multilateral partners the United States invests in to address this global challenge, with examples of how
U.S. policies and programs can better meet the needs of women and adolescent girls in crisis. Lastly, the paper provides recommendations to the U.S. government about ways to leverage U.S. leadership on humanitarian crisis to increase women’s access to family
planning and reproductive health services.

Abstract.
Having delivered Traditional Spoon Fed (TSF) weaning information across the local community for a number of years, parents have frequently asked me about Baby Led Weaning (BLW) and how they should proceed with this method. Having little knowledge about the actual concept, I have offered what information I could and then directed them to their health visitor for further advice. Personally I have also been rather disdainful of this method believing it to be a fanciful and deceitful notion by those trying to make money out of parents. Therefore the purpose of this small scale study was to determine; to what extent is BLW a legitimate concept, what evidence supports the theory and do parents who trial the method, have extensive knowledge and understanding of the theory?
Using an action research approach and semi-structured interviews I sampled ten participants to explore their experiences of weaning their infants and to investigate how much knowledge they had about BLW as a theory.
My findings based on the available literature proved to be interesting and biased at times but what struck me most was the lack of substantial evidence in some elements of the concept. Parallel to this is the inconsistent messages that parents are receiving around what is fundamentally one of the most crucial transitions in an infants’ life.
Wendy Bajrami

Presenting in her late twenties, this case report examines a G6P2 patient at 11-weeks gestation that was diagnosed with a blighted
ovum, as well as the subsequent outcome and methods of additional management. A blighted ovum refers to a fertilized egg that
does not develop, despite the formation of a gestational sac. The most common cause of a blighted ovum is of genetic origin.
Trisomies account for most first trimester miscarriages, while consanguineous marriages result in recurrent miscarriages due to
a blighted ovum. Additionally, a higher percentage of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in sperm carries a higher rate of
miscarriage. Nutritional factors that may lead to a blighted ovum include low-levels of copper, prostaglandin E2, and anti-oxidative
enzymes. High body mass index (BMI), especially in women with a BMI≥30 kg/m2
has been shown to be linked to a blighted
ovum. Globally, it has been shown that a blighted ovum is a serious adverse event related to vaccination against dengue fever.

This research explores the history of the birth control pill in America and its ties to feminism and women's reproductive rights. The Research highlights the 1970 Nelson Pill Hearings and the movements for women to have the autonomy to make their own reproductive decisions.

Depuis la fin des années 1990, on ne compte plus les initiatives en matière de promotion de l’allaitement maternel. Les autorités québécoises en santé publique ne ménagent aucun effort : transformation des pratiques professionnelles, cours prénatals, visites à domicile, groupes de soutien, porte-parole, dépliants, capsules vidéo et sites Internet. Et les résultats sont palpables : en 2011-2012, 89% des mères avaient initié l’allaitement à la naissance. Cette intensification de la promotion n’est toutefois pas sans conséquence pour celles qui ne désirent pas allaiter ou qui n’y arrivent pas, souvent aux prises avec un fort sentiment de culpabilité. Trop peu d’attention est accordée à la façon dont l’allaitement est préconisé dans le réseau de la santé et, surtout, aux répercussions sur les mères. Cet ouvrage aborde enfin la question dans une perspective critique, en tenant compte des dimensions sociales et de la diversité des expériences. Avec des textes de Denyse Baillargeon, Chantal Bayard, Martina Chumova, Kathleen Couillard, Emmanuelle Dennie-Fillion, Sylvie Louise Desrochers, Francine de Montigny, Pascale de Montigny Gauthier, Manon Niquette et Lise Renaud.

The present study evaluated the level of support and satisfaction among parents of stillborn babies in Australian hospitals. One-hundred and eighty-nine mothers and fathers completed an online survey designed by the researcher based on the guidelines designed by the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand. Support was inconsistent with guidelines implemented on average only 55% of the time. Areas of support regarding creating memories, birth options and autopsy were most problematic. A significant positive correlation was found between support and satisfaction and there is indication that there has been some increase in support and satisfaction over time. There has been a significant increase in both support and satisfaction since the release of the guidelines in 2009. Creating memories was regarded by parents as the most influential to their grief. It is recommended that health professionals review guidelines and seek feedback from parents as to how they can improve the support they provide.

Background  Victims of violent assault experience diverse post-event emotional problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they may have multiple emotional problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of PTSD in a longitudinal design. Methods  The levels of physical injury, perceived life threat, prior experience of violence, peritraumatic dissociation (PD), acute PTSD, perceived self-efficacy

Though researchers have hotly debated the phenomenon of menstrual synchrony—women menstruating in tandem when living in close quarters with one another—no conclusive evidence has proven or disproven its existence. In this theoretical article, we draw from sociological theories of collective identities, psychological research on menstrual synchrony, and relevant literatures on menstrual activism and sisterhood to examine the frequent occurrence of women’s belief in menstrual synchrony
despite the lack of evidence that this phenomenon actually occurs. We propose a theoretical explanation for women’s beliefs in menstrual synchrony by arguing that these beliefs serve several functions that enhance gender solidarity: (a) reduction of shame and taboo related to menstruation; (b) a socially acceptable way of constructing modern “sisterhood”; (c) a method for marking women’s relationship to nature; and (d) a pathway to fight back against sexism and sexist assumptions about menstruation
and menstruating women. We argue that women’s belief in menstrual solidarity has blocked efforts to debunk “myths” associated with menstrual synchrony, as women continue to validate, perpetuate, and endorse their menstrual solidarity with other women in a culture that largely devalues both menstruation and women’s social bonds.

Introduction: The outcome of pregnancy depends, to a large extent, on the availability and effectiveness
of antenatal care. Unskilled care before, during and after child birth, late start and
inconsistent attendance of Antenatal care (ANC), and poor ANC package are seen frequently.
However, the extent to which these practices affect pregnancy outcome are not known in Fako
Division, South West Region, Cameroon.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the outcome
of pregnancy and the quality of ANC in the aforementioned setting.
Patients and Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study that involved 300 immediate
post-partum women in three hospitals in Fako Division, Cameroon. Data was collected
using a structured questionnaire in a two-step manner; face-to-face interview, and from women’s
case notes during ANC and their delivery records. Data was analyzed using Epi Info™
version 7.1.4.0 (CDC, Atlanta, USA, 2015) statistical software.
Results: Mean gestational age at start of ANC was 19.2 weeks (SD 4.2 years), 99% of participants
attended at least one ANC consultation, 15.5% started ANC early; 58% attended ≥4
ANC visits. Six-seven percent of them received adequate care. There was a strong negative
correlation between gestational age at start of ANC and overall adequate care (p-value 0.001).
Inadequate care, being a teenager, and single were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Inadequate care was also associated with pre-term birth, post-term birth, labour induction,
dystocia, labour augmentation, stillbirth, low APGAR score, and low birth weight. (All
p-values <0.05).
Conclusion: Adverse pregnancy outcomes in this region were associated with poor quality
ANC. Sensitization of women on the benefit of quality ANC, better health care services with
well-trained health care personnel, and research to find out a more precise diagnosis of causes
of adverse foeto-maternal outcomes will lead to reduced fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.