Introduction: Unsafe abortion is one of the major medical and public health problems in developing countries. However, there is a lack of up‑to‑date and reliable information on induced abortion distribution and its determinant factors in the country Objectives: This study determined the sociodemographic and clinical profile of women admitted for abortion at a tertiary government hospital in Cebu city from 2013‑2017 Methods: This study reviewed the charts in medical records of women diagnosed with abortion admitted at a government tertiary hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 with key words “abortion” in the final diagnosis Results: The results of this study showed that 86% of patients who had induced abortion discharged improved from this institution, 2 patients died due to medical complications and 12% were discharged against medical advice. Majority of abortions were within early ages of gestation. Primigravidas and primiparas had the highest incidence of induced abortion 20.44% and 27.73%respectively. Of the treatments employed, the major method of abortion employed was mechanical. Majority of induced abortions did not develop septic complications Conclusion The trend in admission of induced abortions from 2013 to 2017 showed a downward trend. This decrease in incidence may be attributed to improved access to family planning methods since the Reproductive Health Law was implemented in 2014 and the introduction of the Maternal Perinatal Statistics quarterly conferences headed by Department of Health (DOH) Region 7 and the different DOH‑retained hospitals as well as BEMONC/SEMONC facilities in Cebu Province. 17. These statistical events focuses the spotlight on the importance of health education and further improvement in the provision of health care in the local setting. Moreover, further improvement in post abortive care and adequate coverage should be provided to patients with abortion to reduce the incidence of complications and potential mortality
Contraception ; Abortion, Induced

Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Abortion, Induced ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Contraception ; Telemedicine

Introduction. Teen pregnancy in the Philippines is a public health concern. Contraception is viewed as key in controlling teen pregnancy brought by early sexual initiation. Unfortunately, among sexually active teenage girls, 68.7% are not using any form of contraception. Objectives. The study determined the predictors of Family Planning practice among teen mothers in Manila; specifically, regarding knowledge and attitude towards family planning, and social and informational support. Methods. The study utilized a descriptive correlational design. Purposive sampling was used for a target sample size of 188 teenage mothers from the City of Manila. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Multiple regression was employed to determine predictors of FP practice. Results. Of the 163 teenage mothers who participated, less than one-third (30.7%) were currently using a family planning method. Teen mothers who had two or more pregnancies were four times more likely to report FP practice, and those who received informational support on FP were six times more likely to report FP practice. Conclusion. The rate of FP practice among teen mothers is low. A comprehensive assessment of the physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors that impact teen mothers should be further studied.
Pregnancy in Adolescence ; Adolescent ; Family Planning Services ; Contraception

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic condition in women during the reproductive period. Severe dysmenorrhea pain affects their social activities, sleep, and quality of life. Nevertheless, the proportion of women with dysmenorrhea do not receive adequate medical counseling or pharmacological treatments. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed clinically, and the secondary causes that can cause pelvic pain should be identified. The treatment of choice for primary dysmenorrhea is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In order to maximize the therapeutic effect, it is necessary to ensure that the appropriate medication is administered in a proper way. NSAIDs can cause adverse effects, including gastrointestinal disorders. If side effects occur or are anticipated with NSAIDs, the use of hormonal contraceptives may be recommended when contraception is considered. In addition to these pharmacological treatments, heat, dietary, and behavioral therapies have been tried and reported to have some effects. However, further research is required for robust conclusions.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Contraception ; Contraceptive Agents ; Counseling ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Pelvic Pain ; Quality of Life ; Reproduction

OBJECTIVES: The perceptions of family-planning (FP) acceptors regarding contraception influence the reasons for which they choose to switch their method of contraception. The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of contraception and rationales for switching contraceptive methods among female FP acceptors in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. METHODS: This study involved the analysis of secondary data from the Improve Contraceptive Method Mix study, which was conducted in 2013 by the Center for Health Research, University of Indonesia. The design of the study was cross-sectional. We performed 3 stages of sampling using the cluster technique and selected 4819 women who were FP acceptors in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia as the subjects of this study. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The predominant pattern of switching contraceptive methods was switching from one non-long-term method of contraception to another. Only 31.0% of the acceptors reported a rational pattern of switching contraceptive methods given their age, number of children, and FP motivations. Perceptions of the side effects of contraceptive methods, the ease of contraceptive use, and the cost of the contraceptives were significantly associated (at the level of α=0.05) with rational patterns of switching contraceptive methods. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions among FP-accepting women were found to play an important role in their patterns of switching contraceptive methods. Hence, fostering a better understanding of contraception through high-quality counseling is needed to improve perceptions and thereby to encourage rational, effective, and efficient contraceptive use.
Child ; Contraception ; Contraceptive Agents ; Counseling ; Family Planning Services ; Female ; Foster Home Care ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Logistic Models ; Methods ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care

INTRODUCTION: This study explored attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students, and determined the association between their demographic characteristics, and attitudes and acceptance. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical-year medical students from a Malaysian private medical college using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: There were 330 participants with a female preponderance and a mean age of 22.0 ± 1.1 years. The largest proportion of respondents were from Year 3. The vast majority were ethnically Malay (91.8%) and followed Islam (92.4%). Overall, 60.9% of participants had a positive attitude towards vasectomy and 76.0% showed good acceptance. Gender, academic year, ethnicity and religion variables were not associated with attitudes and acceptance (p > 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of male respondents thought that vasectomy was religiously forbidden and would give a bad impression. A significantly higher proportion of Year 5 students agreed to the statement 'I would recommend vasectomy to relatives, friends and people close to me' compared to Year 3 and 4 students. CONCLUSION Students' perception of vasectomy as a contraceptive method was encouraging. Our results suggest that their knowledge improved as medical training progressed, and attitudes evolved for the better irrespective of their traditional, cultural and religious beliefs - highlighting the importance of providing students with evidence-based learning about male sterilisation, which is more cost-effective and is associated with lower morbidity than female sterilisation. A qualitative study involving students from different ethnicities and religions would provide a better understanding of this subject.
Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Contraception ; methods ; psychology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Malaysia ; Male ; Religion and Medicine ; Schools, Medical ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vasectomy ; psychology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To determine associations of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with sexual autonomy and identify factors influencing sexual autonomy among female university students of North Korean defectors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed with a total of 103 female students who completed a structured online self-report survey from January 7 to March 31, 2018. This study was conducted using questionnaires on interpersonal trauma scale, the Traumatic Scale for North Korean Refugees (TSNKR), and sexual autonomy measurement for college students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression with SPSS WIN 23.0 program. RESULTS: Traumatic events, PTSD, and sexual autonomy scores were 3.96±3.07, 31.47±10.75, and 52.66±6.89, respectively. PTSD was positively correlated with traumatic events (r=.22, p=.030). Sexual autonomy was inversely correlated with PTSD (r=−.25, p=.010). Contraceptive use, PTSD, and voluntary sexual debut explained 26% of sexual autonomy of participants. CONCLUSION: To improve sexual autonomy of young women from North Korea, reproductive intervention programs including contraception, sexual assertiveness training, and psychoeducation to reduce PTSD need to be developed and implemented.
Assertiveness ; Contraception ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Personal Autonomy ; Refugees ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Stress Disorders, Traumatic

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the attitude of Korean physicians toward women's access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and the reclassification of ECP to a behind-the-counter (BTC) drug. METHODS: This study involved 946 physicians who had prescribed ECP in South Korea. The written questionnaires were completed by obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians, internal medicine doctors, and pediatricians. RESULTS: Regarding the barriers limiting women's access to ECP, 24.8% of physicians responded that women lacked information about ECP and 22.5% felt that women were likely to be emotionally burdened by visits to clinics or hospitals to obtain ECP prescriptions. Ninety-two percent of physicians responded that ECP should remain a prescription drug while 6.1% stated preferences for a switch to a BTC drug. Physicians who opposed the switch were concerned about the potential abuse of ECP. In order to prevent ECP abuse, the most important factor to be considered was education on contraception. CONCLUSION: A majority of Korean physicians opposed the reclassification of ECP to a BTC drug owing to their belief in increasing the role of educational initiatives about contraception and contraceptive practices before improving the access to ECP. This study is also of the opinion that contraceptive education for youth and adults in Korea should be more realistic and active, with an emphasis on regular contraception use before reclassification. Furthermore, we believe that efforts are needed to ensure accuracy of information on contraception to facilitate women's access to ECP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Contraception ; Education ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Physicians, Family ; Prescriptions

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present experiences in localization and removal of non-palpable subdermal contraceptive implants with ultrasonography. METHODS: Medical records from January 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018, were retrospectively reviewed for 21 patients who were referred to a single institution and had an impalpable implant despite following the removal instruction. In all the cases, more than one attempt was made to remove the implant before referral. The rod was detected using radiography and ultrasonography. In all the cases, localization of the single implant was achieved with ultrasonography. The distal depth of the rod was measured, and skin marking was made following the echogenicity. The implants were subsequently removed under anesthesia. RESULTS: In 18 cases, the rods were localized using ultrasonography and successfully removed under local anesthesia. In the other three cases, removal with local anesthesia failed. Although the rod was detected successful with ultrasonography, the implants were removed under general anesthesia in the operating room. The depth from skin to rod, measured with ultrasonography, was >12.0 mm in all the cases and located deep in the muscular layer in the failure cases. The depth of the implants positively correlated with the time spent for removal (r=0.525; P=0.015). CONCLUSION: High frequency ultrasonography is a highly accurate tool for localization and measurement of the skin-to-rod depth. It is also useful for removing non-palpable implants. If the depth of the implant is >12.0 mm, removal of the implant in the operating room under general anesthesia is recommended.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Contraception ; Device Removal ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Operating Rooms ; Radiography ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Ultrasonography

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted from the hypothalamus and anti-GnRH antibodies are not formed under normal conditions. However, administration an excess of recombinant GnRH protein results in the formation of anti-GnRH. We evaluated the efficacy of the recombinant Salmonella typhimurium flagellin fljB (STF2)-GnRH vaccine in inducing infertility in 17 intact male cats. The first vaccination and a boosting vaccine was injected for examination. Serum was obtained from blood collected at monthly intervals and anti-GnRH antibodies and testosterone concentrations were determined. Six months after the vaccination, testicular samples are obtained and used for histological examination. Compared with sham control group, the injection groups showed an increase in anti-GnRH antibody titers and testosterone concentrations tended to be reduced in the injection groups and increased in the control group. Histological evaluations and Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores revealed testicular hypoplasia in the 2 injection groups. Consequently, normal sexual maturation with sperm production was observed in the control group. In contrast, the cats that received the GnRH vaccine showed weak (2 of 7 cats) or moderate (4 out of 7 cats) dose-dependent infertility effects. On the basis of the results, the STF2-GnRH vaccine was identified to be effective in inducing infertility in male cats. The results of this study thus indicate the possibility of immunological castration targeting feral cats.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Castration ; Cats ; Contraception, Immunologic ; Fertility Agents ; Flagellin ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; Infertility ; Male ; Salmonella typhimurium ; Sexual Maturation ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Vaccination ; Vaccines