Are there differences in the impact of partner violence on reproductive health between postpartum women and women who had an elective abortion?

The aim of this study was to determine if the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the previous 12 months (current IPV) on newborn's health, pregnancy outcomes and couple's reproductive behaviours were different for postpartum (PP) women as compared to women who had undergone an elective abortion (EA) in Trieste (Italy). This study is part of an unmatched case-control study. The major findings are that current IPV was positively associated with previous stillbirth among both groups of women, but the association was only marginally significant.

Evaluation of a community intervention for promotion of safe motherhood in Eritrea.

Introduction: We evaluated a community-based intervention to promote safe motherhood, focusing on knowledge and behaviors that may reduce maternal mortality and birth complications. The intervention aimed to increase women's birth preparedness, knowledge of birth danger signs, use of antenatal care services, and birth at a health care facility.

Methods: Volunteers from a remote rural community in Northern Eritrea were trained to lead participatory educational sessions on safe motherhood with women and men.

Violence in the lives of women in Italy who have an elective abortion.

Background: Violence is an important health problem for pregnant women, with numerous studies showing that it may compromise maternal and infant health. Many women who seek an elective abortion (EA) live in difficult personal and social circumstances, in which violence often has a central role, yet few studies have analyzed the relationships between violence and having an EA.

Objectives: To analyze the role of family and partner violence among women seeking an EA, exploring the role of women's age, and controlling for sociodemographic factors.

The relationships between physical violence, verbal abuse and women's psychological distress during the postpartum period.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between violence in the post-partum period and mothers' psychological distress.

Method: Three hundred and fifty two women responded to a questionnaire after the birth, at the Trieste Hospital (Italy), and 292 of them responded to a telephone interview 8 months later. Psychological distress was evaluated with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); partner and family violence were evaluated with a 28-item scale.

Violence and women's psychological distress after birth: an exploratory study in Italy.

Our aim in conducting this study was to analyze the relationships between violence and maternal psychological distress 8 months after a birth, taking into account other important psychosocial factors, known to be associated both with violence and with new mothers' mental health. A total of 352 women responded to a questionnaire after the birth at a maternity hospital in northern Italy, and 292 also participated in a telephone interview 8 months later. We evaluated psychological distress with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and partner and family violence with a 28-item scale.

Education for expectant fathers in workplaces in Turkey.

Worldwide, there is increasing recognition that if family and reproductive health programmes are to be successful, the involvement of men is essential. As part of the problem, men also have to be seen as part of the solution. The reality is that in many countries, including Turkey, men generally do not accompany their partners to health facilities for family planning, antenatal and postnatal services and are not expected to attend the labour or birth of their child.

Experiences of women seeking medical care for obstetric fistula in Eritrea: implications for prevention, treatment, and social reintegration.

This article presents findings from qualitative interviews with women seeking medical care for obstetric fistula in Eritrea. The interviews were designed to inform programme design for the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula. Interviews were conducted with 11 new fistula repair patients, 15 women returning for follow-up for their fistula repairs, and five accompanying family members at Massawa Hospital in the Northern Red Sea Zone of Eritrea during November-December 2004.

Experiences of mothers of children with Down syndrome.

This qualitative study explored the experiences and lifestyles of families in Turkey with children with Down syndrome, including the impact on family members. Twelve mothers with a Down syndrome child (three from each of the age groups 1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-12 years and 13-18 years of age) participated in the study. The data were collected during in-depth interviews and were evaluated using qualitative data analysis methods.

The quality of hospital-based antenatal care in Istanbul.

The aim of this study was to gather comprehensive data from three hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, in order to gain in-depth understanding of the quality of antenatal care in this setting. The Bruce-Jain framework for quality of care was adapted for use in evaluating antenatal care. Methods included examination of hospital records, in-depth interviews, exit questionnaires, and structured observations.

Challenges for the adoption of evidence-based maternity care in Turkey.

Evidence-based medicine is an important tool for improving the quality of maternity care. However, getting providers to change their practices may not be an easy or rapid process, and other factors, in addition to knowledge of the literature, may be important. This study documents the current state of obstetric practices at three maternity hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, and identifies attitudes, social pressures, and perceptions that, according to the theory of planned behavior, may pose challenges for adoption of evidence-based practices.

The impact of current and past interpersonal violence on women's mental health.

Violence against women, and more particularly male partner violence, is frequent. Although there are many studies on the consequences of violence on women's mental health, a number of aspects are still unclear. The impact of violence is seldom studied in the context of other risk factors of mental distress, psychological abuse is rarely considered, and older women are generally excluded from the sample.

Community-based antenatal education in Istanbul, Turkey: effects on health behaviours.

In this article we describe the implementation and evaluation of a community-based antenatal education programme for first-time expectant mothers carried out in Istanbul, Turkey, as part of the Healthy Beginnings Project. We hypothesized that women participating in an antenatal education programme would be more likely to have a vaginal birth, practice recommended maternal and infant health-related behaviours, and adopt a contraceptive method after the birth than a control group, even after statistically controlling for differences in background characteristics. Methods used to evaluate the antenatal education programme included pre- and post-tests with programme participants and a household survey with participants and a control group.

Community participation for perinatal health in Istanbul.

This study aimed to evaluate the success of a project in achieving community participation in efforts to improve perinatal health. A 10-step structured process was used to work with a community in Istanbul, Turkey. To evaluate the success of the project in achieving community participation, five key indicators were selected: (i) participation of the community group in decision making; (ii) gains in knowledge and skills of the community group; (iii) continuity of the community group; (iv) continuation of the health program by the community group; and (v) initiation of new support and advocacy activities.