Publications by authors named "Angela Taft"
Experiences of abortion care in Australia: a qualitative study examining multiple dimensions of access.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- The United Nations wants everyone to have access to sexual and reproductive health services, but in Australia, people still face problems when trying to get abortions, like laws and stigma.
- Researchers talked to 24 people who sought abortions during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand their experiences and the challenges they faced.
- Many participants didn't know where to find help, felt judged, and had to travel far and spend money, making it hard for them to get the care they needed.
Article Synopsis
- Public transport is a significant area where sexual violence and harassment occur, affecting women and gender-diverse individuals.
- Through interviews, it was revealed that these individuals engage in extensive "safety work" to avoid danger, which adds stress and requires considerable effort.
- Participants called for major reforms in public transport to help minimize their safety concerns and to focus on preventing gender-based violence.
Article Synopsis
- Uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in Australia is lower than in other high-income countries, and only 11% of GPs offer early medical abortion (EMA).
- The AusCAPPS Network supports primary care practitioners by creating a community for sharing resources and addressing clinician needs regarding LARC and EMA care.
- Data from July 2021 to July 2023 showed 1911 members in AusCAPPS, primarily GPs, with the most popular resources being concise point-of-care documents; GPs expressed a significant need for clinical education and support for providing LARC and EMA services.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the effectiveness of the Healthy Relationships training program for general practitioners in addressing intimate partner abuse.
- Post-training results showed that the intervention group felt better prepared and more knowledgeable compared to the control group, with significant improvements in their confidence and awareness of related issues.
- Challenges such as time constraints and limited referral options were identified as barriers that still hindered their ability to address cases of abuse effectively.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of induced abortions among women giving birth in Victoria from 2010 to 2019 and identify socio-demographic factors associated with it.
- A total of 766,488 women were included, with 12.2% reporting a history of induced abortion; factors such as age, parity, and living situation influenced the likelihood of having one.
- While overall prevalence declined over the study period, the findings suggest that access to abortion care improved, highlighting the need for further research on the relationship between contraceptive use and unintended pregnancies, especially in different geographic areas.
Social determinants and exposure to intimate partner violence in women with severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit: a systematic review.
Beatriz Paulina Ayala Quintanilla Angela Taft Susan McDonald Wendy Pollock Joel Christian Roque Henriquez
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- This study examines the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) and social determinants of health on maternal health outcomes, particularly in women experiencing severe acute maternal morbidity in the ICU.
- A systematic review process was conducted, analyzing a significant number of studies (156 out of 52,866) published between 2000 and 2021 that focused on IPV and social determinants affecting severely ill pregnant individuals.
- Findings reveal that women who faced IPV before or during pregnancy are approximately four times more likely to require ICU care for severe maternal health issues.
Article Synopsis
- Sexual violence is a pervasive public health issue affecting women and gender-diverse individuals throughout their lives, particularly in public transport settings in Australia.
- A study involving interviews with 41 victim-survivors from two Australian universities revealed that experiences of sexual violence and harassment on public transport can significantly affect their confidence and travel behaviors.
- The research emphasizes the need for targeted prevention efforts at public transport systems to effectively address and reduce incidents of sexual violence and harassment.
Article Synopsis
- Despite recommendations, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), particularly IUDs, are not commonly offered as first-line options by general practitioners (GPs) in Australia, limiting women's access to these methods.
- The study analyzed data from the Australian Contraceptives ChOice pRoject (ACCORd) involving 57 practices, highlighting that 37% of GPs had IUD training, but only 12% performed insertions, while the majority inserted contraceptive implants instead.
- The findings suggest a need for increased GP training and the establishment of LARC rapid referral clinics to improve IUD access, as women often traveled long distances (up to 90km) for these services.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the rates of unintended pregnancy among young Australian women and examines related socio-demographic and health factors.
- It uses data from a longitudinal study involving women born from 1989 to 1995, with significant findings showing a 12.6% lifetime prevalence of unintended pregnancy in women aged 19-24.
- Results indicate higher rates of unintended pregnancies among women facing structural disadvantages, such as lower education levels and experiences of sexual coercion, highlighting the need for better access to reproductive health services.
Pharmacy dispensing of abortion pills in Ghana: experiences of pharmacy workers and users.
BMJ Sex Reprod Health
October 2023
Article Synopsis
- Self-managed medical abortions are common in Ghana, despite the legality issues surrounding pharmacy provision of abortion pills, which often leads women to seek care in hospitals post-use.
- Interviews with pharmacy workers and women revealed that the criminalization of abortion pills pushes their use underground, resulting in unregulated dispensing practices and misinformation about dosages.
- The study suggests that, while legal access to medical abortion pills is ideal, a practical immediate solution is to provide pharmacy workers with better training to ensure safer practices for women seeking these services.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the impact of heavy episodic drinking (HED) on fathers' involvement in parenting across five countries, while also examining the influence of fathers' childhood trauma.
- Researchers analyzed survey data from over 4,500 fathers aged 18-49 from diverse countries, focusing on how HED affects parenting activities, controlling for factors like gender attitudes, age, and education.
- Results indicated that HED correlates with less positive fathering involvement, highlighting the need for interventions aimed at reducing HED to promote better parenting engagement.
Article Synopsis
- The study aims to establish and evaluate an online community of practice (called AusCAPPS Network) to enhance the provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and early medical abortion (EMA) in Australian primary care settings.
- Key goals include certifying more general practitioners and pharmacists in EMA services, increasing prescription rates for LARC and EMA, and improving the knowledge and attitudes of primary care providers toward these services.
- Evaluation methods include a stakeholder workshop, health service data analysis, online surveys, and interviews to assess changes in certification, prescription practices, and participant experiences, guided by established frameworks for effective implementation.
Article Synopsis
- Migrant and refugee women facing domestic violence often encounter unique challenges when seeking help due to compounded sociocultural and sociopolitical factors.
- Health-care providers play a crucial role in identifying and supporting these victims, but many lack the necessary training and confidence to do so effectively.
- The scoping review of literature highlights the need for improved awareness, education, and systemic changes in health care to better assist this marginalized group in seeking help.
The preferences of women in Australia for the features of long-acting reversible contraception: results of a discrete choice experiment.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- LARC methods, such as IUDs and implants, are effective but not widely used in Australia, with the oral contraceptive pill (OC) being the most common option among women.
- A study involving 621 women aged 18-49 used a discrete choice experiment to analyze preferences for LARC features, focusing on effectiveness, low side effects, and GP recommendations.
- Results showed that women prefer contraceptives that are effective, safe, and endorsed by healthcare providers, highlighting the need for targeted information and discussions about LARC options.
Article Synopsis
- Pregnancy and motherhood increase the risk of long-term intimate partner violence (IPV), leading to mental health issues like depression and PTSD among affected women.
- The study aims to develop and evaluate the MOSAIC Plus intervention, which combines mentor support with interpersonal psychotherapy to improve mental health and reduce IPV risk among pregnant women and mothers with young children.
- By conducting a pilot trial, the research seeks to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention, with goals including reducing symptoms of depression and PTSD, and ultimately improving the well-being of participants.
Article Synopsis
- Most Australian women prefer oral contraceptives over long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), leading to a study (ACCORd) that tested ways to improve LARC uptake among patients visiting general practitioners (GPs).
- The study, conducted in 57 GP clinics in Melbourne, involved checking how well the intervention was implemented and gathering feedback from GPs and patients a year later, which highlighted the value of effectiveness-based contraceptive counseling (EBCC).
- Key findings indicate that while GPs recognized the importance of promoting LARCs and appreciated quick referral options, some faced challenges like costs and training for certain procedures; overall, both GPs and patients found the ACCORd model effective and sustainable for improving access to LAR
Article Synopsis
- Healthcare providers are crucial touchpoints for women seeking help after experiencing violence, but there's limited research on this in low-income and rural areas.
- A study in Timor-Leste aimed to determine what information and interventions women who faced domestic violence or sexual assault wanted from their health providers.
- Findings revealed that women prioritized emotional support and safety, valued empathy and kindness from providers, and highlighted the importance of balancing mandatory reporting with a woman-centered approach in care.
Article Synopsis
- The study systematically reviews qualitative research on the roles of home-visiting nurses dealing with women facing family violence, identifying key themes and challenges in their work.
- Utilizing a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies from various scientific databases, the research included 26 papers that met strict inclusion criteria from 1985 to 2021.
- Findings highlighted two main themes: the importance of relationship building and the multifaceted nature of family violence practice, illustrating the evolving roles of these nurses and the critical skills they need to effectively support and safeguard vulnerable clients.
Article Synopsis
- Prenatal intimate partner violence (IPV) poses significant health risks for mothers and infants, and providing information on IPV and safety behaviors may improve quality of life during pregnancy.
- A multicentre trial in Norway involved screening pregnant women for IPV and testing the effects of a video intervention on IPV awareness and safety behaviors compared to a control video focused on general pregnancy health.
- Results showed no significant differences in quality of life, IPV frequency, or safety behaviors between the intervention and control groups three months postpartum, suggesting the need for further strategies to address IPV during pregnancy.
Article Synopsis
- The study aims to investigate the roles and characteristics of home visiting nurses who deal with family violence, focusing on how their personal and professional traits impact their work.
- Conducted through semi-structured interviews with 37 nurses and nurse managers in Victoria, Australia, the research uncovered two main themes regarding the skills and qualities needed for effectively addressing family violence.
- The findings suggest that understanding these traits can help managers recruit the right nurses, improve job satisfaction, and enhance the effectiveness of support programs for women affected by family violence.
Article Synopsis
- Nurses and healthcare providers are crucial in addressing family violence, but many lack the necessary knowledge and preparation for this issue.
- A study evaluated a pilot program on Family Violence Best Practice Response for nursing students, using pre- and post-surveys to measure changes in knowledge and preparedness.
- Results showed significant improvements in students' confidence and understanding of family violence, highlighting the need for ongoing training for healthcare professionals in this area.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the Australian Contraceptive ChOice pRoject (ACCORd) by comparing its implementation costs and health outcomes to usual care (UC).
- Over a 10-year period, while the ACCORd intervention resulted in higher costs per woman, it provided slightly better outcomes in terms of unintended pregnancies and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
- The findings suggested that, if used properly and with the estimated cost thresholds, the ACCORd intervention could be considered a cost-effective approach to improving contraceptive uptake in Australia.
Article Synopsis
- Family violence is a major public health concern impacting women and children, and Enhanced Maternal and Child Health nurses (EMCH) in Victoria, Australia, support these affected individuals.
- A qualitative study involving 25 EMCH nurses explored their challenges and methods in addressing family violence, highlighting key practices such as validating experiences, offering non-judgmental support, and balancing guidance with autonomy.
- The findings underscore the complexity of the nurses' roles and their critical contributions to assisting women facing domestic abuse, providing valuable insights into effective nursing strategies in this sensitive area of care.
Article Synopsis
- Existing culturally competent care models are guiding healthcare providers in serving diverse populations, but their application to primary care for family violence victims is under-researched.
- A systematic review synthesized evidence on the culturally competent primary care response for women facing family violence, specifically focusing on migrant, Indigenous, and ethnically diverse women.
- The review identified 11 essential components of care and proposed a coordinated model that connects practice-level and provider-level strategies to improve support for these women, with implications extending beyond just family violence care.