Assessment of professional empowerment among midwives in selected LAC: A multisite descriptive study.

Objective: to identify the perception of professional empowerment among midwives in selected Latin American countries (LA). Specifically, this study aimed to compare i) the global level of empowerment among midwives in different LA countries, ii) the scores according to the different dimensions of the scale, and iii) scores according to area the of expertise.

Design: A quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional and multisite study using an adaptation of the Perceptions Midwifery Empowerment Scale (PEMS).

Autonomy in labour and delivery in a Latin American urban centre: a qualitative phenomenological analysis.

The medicalisation of childbirth has diminished the role of labouring people. We conducted an exploratory phenomenological qualitative study, using purposive sampling, and then conducted 17 semi-structured interviews between December 2016 and October 2017 with people who had recently given birth in a public hospital in the Northern Metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile. The sufficiency of the study group was determined according to saturation criteria.

[Prevalence and factors associated with partner violence among pregnant and puerperal women in Santiago, Chile].

Background: Violence against women (VAW) is a violation of women's fundamental rights and special attention must be paid during the gestational and postpartum period.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of violence against women attending antenatal and postpartum controls in Primary Health Centers.

Material And Method: The Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) for early detection of VAW was applied to 279 pregnant and 102 puerperal women attending five public primary health centers in metropolitan Santiago.

Midwives' experiences with screening for intimate partner violence in Santiago, Chile.

Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is well-established as a highly prevalent global issue, research examining the experience of health providers who screen women at risk for IPV is scarce. We aimed to explore the experience of midwives in primary health care centers in Santiago, Chile, regarding identification of at-risk women and barriers to screening. We highlight the intersection of complex issues of global relevance, such as culture, language, provider-patient relationships, and allocation of time and resources.

Variations in use of childbirth interventions in 13 high-income countries: A multinational cross-sectional study.

Background: Variations in intervention rates, without subsequent reductions in adverse outcomes, can indicate overuse. We studied variations in and associations between commonly used childbirth interventions and adverse outcomes, adjusted for population characteristics.

Methods And Findings: In this multinational cross-sectional study, existing data on 4,729,307 singleton births at ≥37 weeks in 2013 from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany (Hesse), Malta, the United States, and Chile were used to describe variations in childbirth interventions and outcomes.

Status of national policy on companion of choice at birth in Latin America and the Caribbean: Gaps and challenges.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a companion of choice during labor and birth, to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes and women's satisfaction with health services. To better understand the status of companion of choice in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), an online survey was conducted with members of a midwifery virtual community of practice and with key informants, aiming to identify: 1) existing regulatory instruments related to companion of choice in the countries where the members are practicing; and, 2) key characteristics of implementation of companion of choice, where regulation exists. Responses ( = 112) were received from representatives of 20 of the 43 countries of LAC.

Comparison of bio-sociodemographic, obstetric and perinatal characteristics among immigrant and native women in the Metropolitan Region in Chile.

Background: International migration is an increasing public health concern, particularly regard to maternal and neonatal health.

Objective: To compare obstetric and neonatal variables among native and immigrant childbearing women in a clinical hospital in Santiago, Chile.

Method: A cross-sectional, analytic study with 2598 childbearing women and their newborn examined between January and July 2015.

Dimensions of childbirth care associated with maternal satisfaction among low-risk Chilean women.

The authors of this study aimed to describe the level of maternal satisfaction during labor reported by a national sample of low-risk childbearing women in Chile by identifying the dimensions of intrapartum care most determinant for overall satisfaction. Maternal satisfaction was measured in the postpartum period with an instrument previously validated in Chile. Almost half of the participants (49.

[Cultural adaptation and translation of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool].

Background: The Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) is a screening tool for domestic violence used in Unites States.

Aim: To carry out the cultural adaptation of the WAST instrument for early detection of domestic violence in primary health care.

Material And Methods: Qualitative techniques for cultural adaptation were used in stages 1 and 2 and quantitative techniques were used in stage 3.

Clinical nursing and midwifery research in Latin American and Caribbean countries: A scoping review.

Aim: To identify and describe published, nursing-led and midwifery-led, clinical research that has been conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Background: Peer-reviewed published research may correspond to and elucidate country's realities, priorities, and needs.

Design: A 6-stage scoping review methodology was used to search scientific databases using an applied search strategy.

Variations in childbirth interventions in high-income countries: protocol for a multinational cross-sectional study.

Introduction: There are growing concerns about the increase in rates of commonly used childbirth interventions. When indicated, childbirth interventions are crucial for preventing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, but their routine use in healthy women and children leads to avoidable maternal and neonatal harm. Establishing ideal rates of interventions can be challenging.

Labor and Birth Care Satisfaction Associated With Medical Interventions and Accompaniment During Labor Among Chilean Women.

Introduction: Satisfaction with care during labor and birth has been associated with various obstetric variables. The purpose of this study was to determine which labor and birth procedures are significant predictors of maternal patient satisfaction in a large cross-sectional sample.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study of 1660 women giving birth in Chilean public hospital facilities was conducted from 2012 to 2013.

Midwifery practice and maternity services: A multisite descriptive study in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objective: over the past three decades there has been a social movement in Latin American countries (LAC) to support humanised, physiologic birth. Rates of caesarean section overall in Latin America are approximately 35%, increasing up to 85% in some cases. There are many factors related to poor outcomes with regard to maternal and newborn/infant health in LAC countries.

Assessment of the implementation of the model of integrated and humanised midwifery health services in Chile.

Objective: in 2010, a pilot study was conducted among women who were attended by midwives in the public sector in Santiago, Chile. The purpose of that study was to evaluate the implementation of the 'Model of Integrated and Humanized Health Services', and the Clinical Guide for Humanized Attention during Labour and Childbirth. Results of that study indicated 92.

Exploring historical conflicts between midwives and nurses: a perspective from Chile.

This article explores issues of historical disputes between nurses and midwives based in Chile. The interaction of these two professions in that country has become an arena of competition which leads to conflicts periodically, such as those related to the ownership of the care of new-borns, and that of projects aimed at relieving nurse shortages by enhancing midwives' nursing skills. Specifically, this article aims to build on historical and contemporary resources analysed from a sociological perspective, and present comparatively a rationale concerning nursing/midwifery jurisdictional conflicts through a social history account.

Assessment of the implementation of the model of integrated and humanised midwifery health services in Santiago, Chile.

Objectives: during 2007 the Chilean Ministry of Public Health introduced the Model of Integrated and Humanized Health Services, in addition to the Clinical Guide for Humanized Care during Delivery. Three years after its implementation, a study was conducted (i) to describe selected clinical outcomes of women who received care within this model, (ii) to identify the degree of maternal-newborn well-being and (iii) to explore the perception of this humanised attention during labour and delivery by both the professional staff (obstetricians and midwives) and consumers.

Design And Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive study using both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted with 508 women who delivered in two major hospitals within the National Health System in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile, from September 2010 until June 2011.

Chilean midwives and midwifery students' views of women's midlife health-care needs.

Objective: to determine Chilean midwives' views with regard to Chilean women's health-care needs in midlife. The aim was also to explore Chilean midwifery students' views on the clinical care provided to women in midlife.

Design: a qualitative study using focus group discussions and narratives which were analysed using thematic manifest and latent content analysis.

"We are always asked; 'where are you from?'": Chilean women's reflections in midlife about their health and influence of migration to Sweden.

Aim: This study explored how Chilean immigrant women living in Sweden perceived and related their life situations and health status during midlife to their migration experiences.

Method: Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were performed with 21 middle-aged Chilean women (40-60 years) who had lived in Stockholm for at least 15-20 years. In-depth interviews were held with three key informants.

Chilean women's reflections about womanhood and sexuality during midlife in a Swedish or Chilean context.

In order to learn about Chilean women's reflections about womanhood and sexuality during midlife, we held focus group discussions (FGDs) with middle-aged Chilean women living in Stockholm, Sweden, or in Santiago, Chile. We used thematic content analysis for the qualitative data. Emerging themes follow; societal expectations on women, perceptions about sexual relationships, and women's social stigmatization.

Relationship between psychological complaints and vasomotor symptoms during climacteric.

Background: It has been suggested that hormonal changes and environmental alterations during the climacteric period are important in the development of psychological symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the role of biological and psycho-social factors in the prevalence of climacteric symptoms.

Design: Open, cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study.

Influence of psycho-social factors on climacteric symptoms.

Background: It has been suggested that psycho-social factors may be crucial in the development of climacteric symptoms.

Material And Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of psycho-social and biological factors on menopausal symptoms, Greene (climacterical symptoms), Cooper (psychosomatic symptoms of stress), Smilkstein (family dysfunction), Duke-UNC (social support) and Israel (life events) tests were passed to 300 Chilean women between 40 and 59 years of age. Data were evaluated with ANOVA, chi2 and logistic regression using the Epi-info package.

Patients' and clinicians' attitudes after the Women's Health Initiative study.

Objective: To assess the effect of the publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on patients' and physicians' attitudes in relation to hormone therapy (HT).

Design: A survey focused on the degree of knowledge and on the reactions to the WHI study was administered to 600 women allocated in two groups according to their socioeconomic status, high (HSES) or low (LSES). Additionally, 283 physicians were surveyed to determine their attitudes regarding HT after the publication of the WHI study.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of middle-aged women].

Background: It is generally accepted that menopause significantly modifies cardiovascular risk. The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on this risk remain controversial.

Aim: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in middle-aged women and their changes with aging, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).