'Like fumbling around in the dark': Young people's perceptions and realities of healthy relationships.

Learning to negotiate relationships is a key feature of adolescence, yet insight into young people's perspectives on what constitutes healthy relationships is lacking. In this study, therefore, insights were sought on healthy relationship qualities, common issues encountered, and relevant educational experiences. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 18 young people (11 self-identified as female, 5 male, and 2 trans/gender-diverse) aged 14-20 years, residing in Adelaide, South Australia.

Changes in use of hormonal long-acting reversible contraceptive methods in Australia between 2006 and 2018: A population-based study.

Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are promoted internationally as a key strategy for reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.

Aims: To examine trends in use of hormonal LARCs among reproductive-aged women in Australia between 2006 and 2018 and explore trends according to age groups and state/territory of dispensing.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective population-based study using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dispensing claims of a 10% random sample of females aged 15-44.

Improving the professional support for parents of young infants.

The objective of this study was to discuss ideas for improving child health services on the basis of findings of an observational study that was designed to explore the role of child health nurses in supporting parents during the first 6 months following the birth of an infant. As part of a larger study in a child health service in urban Australia, surveys were used to collect data from two independent samples of both parents and nurses at an 8-month interval. Data were condensed using factor analysis; regression analyses were used to determine which aspects of care were most important for the parents, and importance-performance analysis was used to determine which aspects of care needed improvement.

The role of child health nurses in supporting parents of young infants.

Objective: As a part of an action research project to determine a model of service to meet the needs of parents, this non-experimental study explored the role of child health nurses in supporting parents of young infants. It also examined whether changes to the service altered parents' views of that support.

Methods: Two surveys were conducted at eight month interval during which changes had been implemented in the child health service.

Emergency contraception - knowledge and attitudes in a group of Australian university students.

Objective: To explore first year Australian university students' knowledge and attitudes about emergency contraception and their understanding of the risk for pregnancy.

Method: A self-report questionnaire was completed by a convenience sample of 627 first year on-campus students from both health and non-health disciplines.

Results: Knowledge about emergency contraception (EC) was generally poor including misunderstanding that it can only be used the 'morning after', as well as where it may be accessed.

Comprehensive review of conventional and non-conventional methods of management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a condition what causes women a great deal of discomfort, inconvenience, and sometimes has psychological sequelae.(1) This condition is notoriously difficult to manage. Conventional management is generally favoured by medical practitioners.

Cost savings from use of emergency contraceptive pills in Australia.

Background: Emergency contraception, which prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, has the potential to reduce significantly the incidence of unintended pregnancy and the consequent need for abortion and to reduce medical care costs.

Aim: To determine the savings generated by use of Postinor-2, the levonorgestrel regimen of emergency hormonal contraception, in Australia.

Methods: We modelled the cost savings when women obtain Postinor-2 directly from a pharmacist where cost savings are measured as the cost of pregnancies averted by use of Postinor-2 per dollar spent on Postinor-2.

Emergency contraception: a qualitative study of young women's experiences.

Emergency contraception has the potential to greatly reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. Experiences in the use of emergency contraception have rarely been reported in the literature. Thirteen young women (a subset of a larger study cohort), were individually interviewed in a variety of settings about their personal experiences in relation to the use of emergency contraception.