The effect of the national demonstration project Healthy Respect on teenage sexual health behaviour.

Background: As part of the independent evaluation of Healthy Respect (a national demonstration project to improve teenage sexual health in Scotland) this study examined the effect of the school-based sexual health education intervention comprising multiprofessional classroom delivery and alongside drop-in clinics on teenage sexual behaviour outcomes.

Methods: Before-and-after cross-sectional surveys of secondary school pupils (average age 14 years and 6 months) were used in 10 Healthy Respect intervention schools in Lothian region and 5 comparison schools without intervention in Grampian region (2001 and 2003).

Results: By 2003, the proportion of pupils in Lothian feeling confident about getting condoms and using condoms properly significantly increased, more Lothian pupils (particularly boys) showed improved knowledge about condoms being protective against sexually transmitted infections.

Terminology in early pregnancy loss: what women hear and what clinicians write.

Objective: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that patient-focused terminology be used in early pregnancy care. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether inappropriate terminology is continuing to be used in Scottish gynaecology services.

Methods: A case note review (1259 records) and a patient survey (648 replies) assessed usage of four inappropriate terms ('abortion', 'blighted ovum', 'incompetent cervix' and 'pregnancy failure') in 18 Scottish hospitals providing secondary care to women with early pregnancy loss.

The acceptability of home medical abortion to women in UK settings.

Objective: To assess the acceptability of home medical abortion to women in UK settings.

Design: Questionnaire survey.

Setting: Four NHS gynaecology units in England and Scotland.

Are national recommendations regarding examination and disposal of products of miscarriage being followed? A need for revised guidelines?

Background: National guidance documents advise that tissue obtained from treatment of miscarriage should be submitted for histological examination to exclude trophoblastic disease and ectopic pregnancy, and require sensitive disposal of human tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which health professionals have adopted these recommendations.

Methods And Results: Fifteen Scottish Obstetric and Gynaecology services participated in an audit of early pregnancy loss care.

The impact of guidelines on mild hypertension in pregnancy: time series analysis.

Objective: To determine the impact of a national strategy to promote implementation of a guideline on the management of mild, non-proteinuric hypertension in pregnancy.

Design: Simple, interrupted time series analysis.

Setting: Four maternity units in Scotland.

Outcomes of pregnancies in women with type 1 diabetes in Scotland: a national population-based study.

Objective: To determine the outcomes of pregnancies in women with pre-existing, type 1 diabetes.

Design: Prospective, population-based cohort.

Setting: Scotland.