Role of general practitioners in primary maternity care in South Australia and Victoria.

Background: Recent policy debates about the challenges facing maternity services in Australia provide an opportunity to reflect on current care practices.

Aims: To identify the provision of primary maternity care models in two Australian states: South Australia (SA) and Victoria.

Methods: All public and private hospitals with maternity facilities in SA and Victoria were mailed a survey requesting information about the organisation and provision of maternity care.

Public health and health services development in postconflict communities: a case study of a safe motherhood project in East Timor.

Armed conflict causes suffering in many countries; it contributes to poor health and hinders health services development. The effects of conflict are evidenced by weakened community structures and can make reconstruction efforts challenging. East Timor has a history of prolonged conflict and saw a resurgence of internal violence in 2006.