International Conference on Reproductive Health December 01-02, 2016 San Antonio, Texas, USA

Biography:

Hyunsan Cho has completed his PhD in Sociology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and currently, he is a Research Scientist at Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) in Chapel Hill, NC. His primary research interests are centered on “Adolescent behavioral problems, HIV prevention research in Sub-Saharan Africa, research methods, and quantitative approaches”. Currently, he is a Principal Investigator of two grants titled “school support as structural HIV prevention for adolescent orphans in Kenya (R01)” and “pathways to HIV risk among orphan school dropouts in Kenya (R21)” funded by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Abstract:

Orphans, compared to non-orphans, face a higher risk for unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. However, there is a paucity of research on orphans’ reproductive behaviors such as family planning practices. For this study, we used a mixed methods approach and data from two studies funded by National Institute of Health (NIH) to examine sexual and reproductive behaviors and outcomes among orphan adolescents in Kenya. Quantitative data were obtained from the project “school support as a structural intervention among orphan adolescents in Kenya” (n=835) and qualitative data from the study “pathways to HIV risk among school dropouts in Kenya” (N=82). Respondents were orphan adolescents aged 11-23 in 2011-2014. By 2014, about 50% of participants had ever experienced sexual intercourse, 18% were ever married, 19% of females were ever pregnant, and 76% of males were circumcised. Among females, those who had a pregnancy ending in miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth increased from 4% to 14% from 2011 to 2014. Among sexually active participants, condom use at first intercourse increased from 32% to 63% over time, but females were less likely to report condom use than males. From the interviews, we found that many reported that condoms were easily available and that participants mostly used condoms to prevent HIV. Many also reported discontinuing condom use with regular sex partners when they were aware of their negative HIV status. Further, participants reported disagreements with sex partners as a reason for not using condoms. Few participants used any modern contraceptives for family planning purposes. More research is needed to better understand orphans’ unique reproductive behaviors to inform the development of effective family planning interventions for this vulnerable population.

Biography:

Reem A Ali has got her graduate degrees from Universities in Canada. Besides earning her academic degrees in Nursing, she had an international exposure to research studies and willing to continue collaboration with researchers from outside Jordan. She is an Assistant Professor at Maternal and Child Health department at Jordan University of Science and Technology for about six years. She has conducted a study examining the relationships between maternal attachment and infant sleep problems in preterm infants following discharge from hospital. Her work is fundamental to understand more about relationships between attachment, maternal settling behavior, and infant sleep. Also, she is conducting research studies on Health Promotion for newborn, children and their families, focusing on children’s eating behaviors and reproductive health for youth.

Abstract:

Introduction: Health promotion is the most cost-effective method to reduce and prevent health problems. Using interactive teaching approach showed positive results in changing lifestyles and adopting more healthy practices among students. Little information was found on students’ knowledge and attitudes of reproductive health in Jordan.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness of an interactive teaching approach in promoting health awareness of reproductive health in undergraduate non-medical students in Jordan.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental one group pretest and post-test design was employed to examine the change in university students’ knowledge and attitudes toward reproductive health. A purposive sample of 210 students aged 18-24 years was used for this study. Knowledge and attitudes regarding reproductive health issues were assessed using a computer-based questionnaire developed by the researchers. Ethical approval was obtained from JUST Board of Ethics. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 19. Descriptive and parametric analyses were conducted to analyze the data.

Results: A significant improvement in students’ level of knowledge and attitudes toward reproductive health was indicated by the analysis. The results of a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between gender and students’ knowledge (pretest and posttest), Wilks Lambda=0.98, F (1.208)=4.09, p=0.04, partial eta squared=0.19. While there was no significant interaction between gender and students’ attitudes toward reproductive health on pretest and posttest, Wilks Lambda=0.99, F (1.208) = 2.03, p=0.16, partial eta squared=0.01.

Conclusion: The implementation of health promotion courses tapping on reproductive health issues while using interactive style targeting university students is an influential method for students at this age to improve their knowledge and attitudes regarding reproductive health which ultimately will improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Biography:

Shamim Chandani is Senior Instructor at Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan. She has published many research articles on Reproductive Health. She has presented her research in various international conferences.

Abstract:

Introduction: Peri-conception period is defined as the period extending from three months before (preconception) to three months after conception. This phase gives opportunity to couple to prepare themselves for parenting role plan for child growth and development.

Aim: The objective of this paper is to propose strategies educating couples to manage challenges associated with early childhood development (ECD) issues neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Method: Literature was reviewed on current research articles on peri-conception teaching and its impact on parenting role. Electronic data base (PubMed, Elsevier and Google scholar) were searched. There were 1287 research articles found, 208 were selected on peri conception teaching to couple. Most of the literature found was from developed countries, however very few articles were written in context of developing countries.

Recommendations: Arrange classes for future couples, involvement of community leaders, seeking assistance of religious leaders/mosque imam, adding chapter on role of parenting in higher secondary curriculum, midwifery and nursing curriculum focus more on peri-conception classes and programs on fetus growth and parental worries in media may be few strategies to have healthier generation by minimizing early childhood deficiencies and from non-communicable diseases in future.

Conclusion: Educating/awareness of couple for parenting role and its anticipation can diminish child bearing stressors and can lead to healthier family. Educating the couple before conceive will help to decide for pregnancy and time to get ready for new role. The above mentioned strategies may help to reduce the rate of neonatal deaths of below five years and national financial burden on individual as well as on nation and this money can be utilized on education, insurance etc.

Biography:

Tshering Yangden has completed her two years Certificate Course in Nursing from Royal Institute of Health and Science Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan. She is working as Nurse under JDWNRH Hospital. She has carried out various functions under various departments like Medical, Surgical, Orthopedic, Maternal Child Health etc. She worked as a Nurse in Basic Health unit of Dechen Choling related to mother child health (MCH), family planning and nursing care.

Abstract:

Demography: Bhutan’s population was 672,425 in 2005 with women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) about 160000 with about 12500 live births per year (PHCB 2005). TFR has dropped from 5.6 in 1994 to 2.3 in 2012 (NHS 2012).

Major RMNH Components: Safe motherhood includes EmONC, P&M of complicated abortions and family planning P&M of infertility. Reproductive tract infections include HIV, screening and prevention of cervical and breast cancer, newborn care, adolescents’ health-teenage pregnancy reporting mechanism.

Issues/Challenges/Concerns: Disparity in the algorithm of maternal and child care–ANC, delivery, PNC, immunization, IMR and U-MR is two to three times higher in the poor quintile compared to the richest. Maternal deaths occur mostly in far flung areas. Home deliveries still take place predominantly in the rural settings. Recording and investigating deaths following home delivery remains a major challenge (under reporting, unrecorded). Emphasis/compliance of birth plans preparation by pregnant women still remains weak (draft institutional delivery study, 2016). Tracking of pregnant women and especially high-risk pregnancies is a challenge. PNC coverage and access in rural settings remain relatively lower as compared to other settings. Pap smear coverage is low for want of female health workers–environment, advocacy, among other reasons. Increasing number of CS is not need-based. Growing number of women seeks abortions in neighboring India. Use of family planning methods is concentrated on a few methods (supplies).

Way Forward: Web-based MCH tracking system would be major breakthrough to address spectra of maternal and child care–computers, internet connectivity, and nothing short of commitment by users! Healthcare providers should ensure every woman has a comprehensive birth plan in the health center. Training of healthcare providers on PPH–guideline being revised focusing on prevention and management. Training Packages are on KMC, neonatal resuscitation and ENAP! Underscoring our priorities, challenges and opportunities, let us work hard, invest our energy, time and resources channeling through right course, right direction towards right goals! But working together in the spirit of relentless coordination, consultation and collaboration on the international platform would be great help to the under developing countries like Bhutan.

Biography:

Winifred Wafula  has completed her graduation as Medical Doctor from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda in 1995. She also completed her Master of Science degree in Pharmacology from the same University in 2000 and then started working at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, Entebbe, Uganda. Currently, she is the Head of Department, Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Busitema University.

Abstract:

Background: Menstrual history can reveal important pointers to conditions in a woman’s life, ranging from a normal pregnancy to malignant disease. Failure to take menstrual history for a woman seeking health care is a serious omission as the quality of care that follows is suspect. As part of our study on drug use patterns in Uganda with emphasis on prescription of medications that are potentially harmful in pregnancy, we set out to assess if and how often prescribers consider the possibility of pregnancy while treating women of reproductive age in the general outpatient clinics (OPDs).

Methods: A prospective survey among women aged 14-45 years attending OPDs in two districts in Uganda in August 2016. Ethical approval was obtained from Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Research and Ethics Committee as mandated by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants.

Results: 94 exit interviews were conducted in eight health facilities. Only 24 (25.5%) of the respondents had their menstrual history taken. 48 of the women who did not have their menstrual history were from Mbale hospital OPD where only 10 (17.2%) had their menstrual history. Medications were prescribed to 64 (91.4%) of the women who did not have their menstrual history taken; 44 (69%) had at least one antibiotic.

Conclusion: A review of the training and supervision of the prescribers in Uganda may be required.