Publications by authors named "Mireille Merckx"
Single-Dose Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Low- and Middle-Income Countries-Time for Implementation?
J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol
October 2021
Although cervical cancer is becoming a rare disease in high income regions, it is still a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cervical cancer develops after infection with a high-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV), an infection against which vaccination has been possible since 2006. Large population immunization programs have been organized in many higher income countries, and yet they have not been implemented in most of the lower and middle-income nations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA multidisciplinary approach to clitoral reconstruction after female genital mutilation: the crucial role of counselling.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care
August 2016
Objectives: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is becoming more widely seen in the West, due to immigration and population movement. Health services are being confronted with the need to provide care for women with FGM. One of the more recent trends is the provision of clitoral reconstruction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been reimbursed in Belgium since 2007 for girls (12-15 years), extended to girls up to 18 years in 2008. This study assesses the trend of HPV 16/18 infections in women less than 25 years of age participating in opportunistic cervical cancer screening. A significant reduction in the prevalence of HPV 16 [relative risk (RR)=0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infections are causally related to cervical cancer and a range of other diseases, both in adults and in minors. Information on the frequency of genital HPV infections in adolescents is sparse. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the genotype-specific distribution of HPV genotypes in patients younger than 18 years of age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Current research on human papillomavirus (HPV) largely focuses on adult infections and sexual transmission, with emerging studies exploring HPV's presence in children and the potential for mother-to-child transmission.
- - A meta-analysis of 20 studies (3128 women/children pairs) reveals that children born to HPV-positive mothers have a 33% increased risk of being HPV positive, and that this risk rises to 45% for those born to high-risk HPV-positive mothers.
- - The study suggests that vertical transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or nursing might play a role in this increased risk, highlighting the need for more research to clarify transmission methods and the potential health effects on affected children.
Does structured counselling influence combined hormonal contraceptive choice?
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care
December 2011
Objective: To assess the effect of structured counselling on women's contraceptive decisions and to evaluate gynaecologists' perceptions of comprehensive contraceptive counselling.
Methods: Belgian women (18-40 years old) who were considering using a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) were counselled by their gynaecologists about available CHCs (combined oral contraceptive [COC], transdermal patch, vaginal ring), using a comprehensive leaflet. Patients and gynaecologists completed questionnaires that gathered information on the woman's pre- and post-counselling contraceptive choice, her perceptions, and the reasons behind her post-counselling decision.