Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are highly conserved proteins that are part of the universal stress response of the cell. Their main function is to protect cells against structural and functional damage. Organisms exposed to different forms of stress, such as e.g. a lack of nutrients or water, hypoxia, infection or inflammation, demonstrated an increased gene expression of these proteins. Pregnancy complications cause stress conditions for maternal and fetal organism, which may result in an increased gene expression of Hsp. In my thesis, I examined the concentration of extracellular mRNA for five different heat shock proteins (Hsp27, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, HspBP1) in the plasma of pregnant women and wheather this concentration is affected by possible pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and gestational hypertension). I also investigated a possible correlation between mRNA plasma concentration for Hsp and pulsatility index values (PI) obtained by Doppler ultrasound. This research should help to invent a new predictive method for pregnancy complications, based on a detection of specific biomarkers in the first trimester of pregnancy. The research was conducted on plasma samples obtained from peripheral blood of pregnant women, whose collection was performed during clinical manifestations of...

In this study, the use of hypnotherapy in high-risk pregnancy is explored from an ecological systems perspective through two case studies. Each case study is described in detail. They explore the experiences of two women during their pregnancy and giving birth, with specific reference to the pregnancy risks and their use of hypnotherapy. The study provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of the use of hypnotherapy before, during and after birth. / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology)

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da rubéola durante a gestação, sobre o feto, o recém-nascido e a criança. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Analisamos 35 gestantes com suspeita de rubéola que foram divididas em dois grupos. Grupo 1: 15 pacientes que apresentaram quadro clínico com comprovação sorológica. Grupo2: 20 pacientes com IgM positiva na rotina pré-natal, na ausência de quadro clínico. O seguimento ultrasonográfico mensal foi realizado em todas as pacientes e as do grupo 1 foram encaminhadas também para propedêutica invasiva. Foram também realizadas a ecocardiografia fetal e a Dopplervelocimetria. As placentas foram submetidas a exame anátomo-patológico. Os recém-nascidos vivos foram avaliados através de exame clínico e sorológico, além do potencial evocado auditivo, ultra-sonografia de crânio, fundo de olho e ecocardiografia pós-natal. RESULTADOS: No grupo 1: a infecção fetal ocorreu em 9 casos, sendo que o risco de transmissão vertical entre 2 a 14 semanas foi de 64,9%. A malformação ocorreu em 37,5% dos infectados. A ultrasonografia revelou crescimento intra-uterino retardado simétrico em todos os fetos infectados que atingiram o terceiro trimestre, tendo se iniciado, em média com 25,1 semanas. A cordocentese foi realizada em 9 pacientes e, todos os casos infectados, apresentavam IgM positiva e eritroblastose no sangue de cordão. A PCR no líquido amniótico foi positiva em todos os 3 casos em que ela foi realizada. 50% das placentas dos fetos infectados apresentava sinais sugestivos de infecção viral. A idade gestacional média do parto entre os infectados foi de 33,8 semanas e o peso médio ao nascimento foi 1365,6g.Todos os 6 nascidos-vivos infectados foram classificados como pequenos para a idade gestacional e apresentaram disacusia. A sobrevida entre os infectados, num seguimento pós-natal médio de 35,2 meses, foi de 62,5%. No grupo 2: a infecção não foi comprovada em nenhum dos recém-nascidos vivos, porém em um caso pudemos demonstrar a infecção congênita pelo vírus de Epstein-Barr. CONCLUSÕES: A transmissão vertical da rubéola no primeiro trimestre parece poder variar entre as populações, bem como a presença dos defeitos associados à infecção. Tanto o diagnóstico invasivo, como o ultrasonográfico apresentaram boa sensibilidade e especificidade. Pudemos estabelecer o padrão de crescimento fetal associado à infecção. A presença isolada de IgM positiva para rubéola na gestação não teve boa correlação com a presença de infecção neonatal, porém pode se associar à presença de outras infecções congênitas. / OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyse rubella effects on the fetus, new-born and child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 35 patients with suspicious rubella during pregnancy. According to presence or absence of symptoms they were divided in two groups. Group 1: 15 patients presenting rash in which serology was positive. Grupo2: 20 symptomless patients found to have positive IgM during routine prenatal care. Monthly ultrasonographic evaluation was accomplished in all patients and in group 1 they were also offered prenatal invasive testing. Fetal echocardiography and Dopplers were performed. After birth, the placentas were submitted to pathological examination. The liveborn babies had clinical and serological examination. Auditory tests, brain scan, fundoscopy and postnatal echocardiography were also performed. RESULTS: In group 1: fetal infection occurred in 9 cases and vertical transmission between 2 to 14 weeks was 64,9%. Malformation was present in 37,5% of infected cases. Ultrasound revealed symmetrical intra-uterine growth retardation in all infected fetuses that reached the third trimester, and started around 25,1 weeks. Cordocentesis was accomplished in 9 cases and all the infected ones, presented positive IgM and erythroblastosis in cord blood. PCR in the amniotic fluid was positive in all 3 cases it was performed. 50% of the infected fetuses placentas presented signs of viral infection. The average gestacional age of delivery among infected cases was 33,8 weeks and medium birth weight was 1365,6g. All 6 liveborn infected babies were small for gestacional age and presented deafness. Survival among infected cases was 62,5%, medium follow-up was 35,2 months. In group 2: the infection was not demonstrated in any of neonates, although we could demonstrate a congenital infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical transmission of the rubella in the first trimester seems to vary among different populations, as well as the presence of the associated defects in the new-born. Invasive diagnosis and ultrasonographic follow-up presented good sensitivity and specificity. We could establish the pattern of fetal grown associated to the infection. The isolated presence of a positive rubella IgM in pregnancy did not correlated with congenital rubella, but it can be related to other congenital infections.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a mortalidade perinatal em gestações trigemelares, e analisar os fatores preditores dos seguintes desfechos: número de crianças vivas no momento da alta hospitalar, nenhuma criança viva no momento da alta hospitalar (desfavorável) e pelo menos uma criança viva no momento da alta hospitalar (favorável). Realizado de forma retrospectiva, envolveu pacientes com gestações trigemelares que apresentavam três fetos vivos na primeira ultrassonografia realizada após 11 semanas, no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), no período de 1998 a 2012. Foram incluídas 67 pacientes das quais 77,6% referiam concepção espontânea. Quanto à corionicidade, 49,2% eram tricoriônicas e 50,8% eram não tricoriônicas; 16,4% apresentavam antecedente clínico prévio à gestação e 49,2% eram nulíparas. Em relação às intercorrências, a incidência de complicações obstétricas e/ou clínicas na gestação foi de 52,2%, e de intercorrências fetais, 25,2%, dentre as quais: 13,4% mal formações, 7,5% sindrome da transfusão feto fetal (STFF), 5,9% óbito fetal (OF), 4,5% insuficiência placentária, 4,4% fetos unidos, 1,5% feto acárdico. A idade gestacional média do parto foi de 31,9 ± 3,1 semanas, dos quais 83,5% foram cesáreas. O peso médio dos recém-nascidos vivos de 1.683 ± 508 g. Em relação à discordância de peso ao nascer: 57% apresentaram até 20%, 23,2% entre 20 e 30% e 19,6% acima de 30%. A taxa de óbitos fetais foi de 31,7%o nascimentos (IC95%: 11,7 - 67,8) e a mortalidade perinatal 249%o nascimentos (IC95%: 189 - 317). O tempo médio de internação dos recém-nascidos, que foram de alta vivos, foi de 29,3 ± 24,7 dias. A predição dos desfechos foi investigada por meio de regressão logística \"stepwise\", e incluiu as seguintes variáveis: idade materna, paridade (nulípara ou um ou mais partos anteriores), antecedente clínico, idade gestacional do primeiro ultrassonografia no HCFMUSP, corionicidade (gestações tricoriônicas e gestações não tricoriônicas), presença de complicação obstétrica ou clínica durante a gestação, intercorrência fetal e idade gestacional do parto. O nível de significância estatística utilizado foi de 0,005. Foram fatores significativos para predição do número de crianças vivas no momento da alta hospitalar: presença de intercorrência fetal (OR 0,1, IC95%: 0,03 - 0,36; p < 0,001) e idade gestacional do parto (OR 1,55, IC95%: 1,31-1,85; p < 0,001). Para a predição dos desfechos favoráveis e desfavoráveis a idade gestacional do parto apresentou significância estatística (OR 1,84, IC95%: 1.26 - 2.7; p=0,002 e OR 0.54, IC 95%: 0.37-0.79; p=0.002, respectivamente) / The present study, involving triplet pregnancies, describes perinatal mortality and investigates predictors of the following outcomes: number of children alive, no child alive (unfavorable outcome) and at least one child alive (favorable outcome) at hospital discharge. It is a retrospective study involving triplet pregnancies with live fetuses at the first ultrasound scan, performed after 11 weeks of gestation, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, São Paulo University Medical School Hospital, between 1998 and 2012. Final sample included 67 women, 77.6% reported spontaneous conception. Regarding the chorionicity, 49.2% were trichorionic; 16.4% had a medical complication prior to pregnancy, and 49.2% were nulliparous. The incidence of obstetric and/or clinical complications during pregnancy was 52.2%, and fetal complications occurred in 25.2%, (13.4% of major fetal abnormalities, 7.5% twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, 5.9% stillbirth, 4.5% placental insufficiency, 4.4% conjoined twins and 1.5% acardic twin). The average gestational age at delivery was 31.9 ± 3.1 weeks, and 83.5% were cesarean. The average birthweight was 1683 ± 508 g and birth weight discordance up to 20% occurred in 57% of the cases; 23,2% had 20 to 30% discordance and 19.6%, was greater than 30%. The rate of stillbirth was 31.7%o births (95%CI: 11.7 - 67.8) and the perinatal mortality was 249%o births (95%CI: 189 - 317). The average hospital stay was 29.3 ± 24.7 days amongst children that were discharged alive. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to investigate prediction according to: maternal age, parity (nuliparous/multiparous), prior clinical history, gestational age at the first ultrasound scan at HCFMUSP, pregnancy chorionicity (trichorionic/non trichorionic), occurrence of clinical and/or obstetric complications during pregnancy, occurrence of fetal complications and gestational age at delivery. Significance level was set at 0.05. The number of children alive at hospital discharge was correlated with the occurrence of fetal complications (OR 0,1, 95%IC: 0,03 - 0,36; p < 0,001) and gestational age at delivery (OR 1,55, IC95%: 1,31-1,85; p < 0,001). Whereas favorable and unfavorable outcome were associated with gestational age at delivery (OR 1.84, 95%CI: 1.26 - 2.7-; p=0,002 and OR 0.54, 95%CI: 0.37-0.79; p=0.002, respectively)

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da rubéola durante a gestação, sobre o feto, o recém-nascido e a criança. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Analisamos 35 gestantes com suspeita de rubéola que foram divididas em dois grupos. Grupo 1: 15 pacientes que apresentaram quadro clínico com comprovação sorológica. Grupo2: 20 pacientes com IgM positiva na rotina pré-natal, na ausência de quadro clínico. O seguimento ultrasonográfico mensal foi realizado em todas as pacientes e as do grupo 1 foram encaminhadas também para propedêutica invasiva. Foram também realizadas a ecocardiografia fetal e a Dopplervelocimetria. As placentas foram submetidas a exame anátomo-patológico. Os recém-nascidos vivos foram avaliados através de exame clínico e sorológico, além do potencial evocado auditivo, ultra-sonografia de crânio, fundo de olho e ecocardiografia pós-natal. RESULTADOS: No grupo 1: a infecção fetal ocorreu em 9 casos, sendo que o risco de transmissão vertical entre 2 a 14 semanas foi de 64,9%. A malformação ocorreu em 37,5% dos infectados. A ultrasonografia revelou crescimento intra-uterino retardado simétrico em todos os fetos infectados que atingiram o terceiro trimestre, tendo se iniciado, em média com 25,1 semanas. A cordocentese foi realizada em 9 pacientes e, todos os casos infectados, apresentavam IgM positiva e eritroblastose no sangue de cordão. A PCR no líquido amniótico foi positiva em todos os 3 casos em que ela foi realizada. 50% das placentas dos fetos infectados apresentava sinais sugestivos de infecção viral. A idade gestacional média do parto entre os infectados foi de 33,8 semanas e o peso médio ao nascimento foi 1365,6g.Todos os 6 nascidos-vivos infectados foram classificados como pequenos para a idade gestacional e apresentaram disacusia. A sobrevida entre os infectados, num seguimento pós-natal médio de 35,2 meses, foi de 62,5%. No grupo 2: a infecção não foi comprovada em nenhum dos recém-nascidos vivos, porém em um caso pudemos demonstrar a infecção congênita pelo vírus de Epstein-Barr. CONCLUSÕES: A transmissão vertical da rubéola no primeiro trimestre parece poder variar entre as populações, bem como a presença dos defeitos associados à infecção. Tanto o diagnóstico invasivo, como o ultrasonográfico apresentaram boa sensibilidade e especificidade. Pudemos estabelecer o padrão de crescimento fetal associado à infecção. A presença isolada de IgM positiva para rubéola na gestação não teve boa correlação com a presença de infecção neonatal, porém pode se associar à presença de outras infecções congênitas. / OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyse rubella effects on the fetus, new-born and child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 35 patients with suspicious rubella during pregnancy. According to presence or absence of symptoms they were divided in two groups. Group 1: 15 patients presenting rash in which serology was positive. Grupo2: 20 symptomless patients found to have positive IgM during routine prenatal care. Monthly ultrasonographic evaluation was accomplished in all patients and in group 1 they were also offered prenatal invasive testing. Fetal echocardiography and Dopplers were performed. After birth, the placentas were submitted to pathological examination. The liveborn babies had clinical and serological examination. Auditory tests, brain scan, fundoscopy and postnatal echocardiography were also performed. RESULTS: In group 1: fetal infection occurred in 9 cases and vertical transmission between 2 to 14 weeks was 64,9%. Malformation was present in 37,5% of infected cases. Ultrasound revealed symmetrical intra-uterine growth retardation in all infected fetuses that reached the third trimester, and started around 25,1 weeks. Cordocentesis was accomplished in 9 cases and all the infected ones, presented positive IgM and erythroblastosis in cord blood. PCR in the amniotic fluid was positive in all 3 cases it was performed. 50% of the infected fetuses placentas presented signs of viral infection. The average gestacional age of delivery among infected cases was 33,8 weeks and medium birth weight was 1365,6g. All 6 liveborn infected babies were small for gestacional age and presented deafness. Survival among infected cases was 62,5%, medium follow-up was 35,2 months. In group 2: the infection was not demonstrated in any of neonates, although we could demonstrate a congenital infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical transmission of the rubella in the first trimester seems to vary among different populations, as well as the presence of the associated defects in the new-born. Invasive diagnosis and ultrasonographic follow-up presented good sensitivity and specificity. We could establish the pattern of fetal grown associated to the infection. The isolated presence of a positive rubella IgM in pregnancy did not correlated with congenital rubella, but it can be related to other congenital infections.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a mortalidade perinatal em gestações trigemelares, e analisar os fatores preditores dos seguintes desfechos: número de crianças vivas no momento da alta hospitalar, nenhuma criança viva no momento da alta hospitalar (desfavorável) e pelo menos uma criança viva no momento da alta hospitalar (favorável). Realizado de forma retrospectiva, envolveu pacientes com gestações trigemelares que apresentavam três fetos vivos na primeira ultrassonografia realizada após 11 semanas, no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), no período de 1998 a 2012. Foram incluídas 67 pacientes das quais 77,6% referiam concepção espontânea. Quanto à corionicidade, 49,2% eram tricoriônicas e 50,8% eram não tricoriônicas; 16,4% apresentavam antecedente clínico prévio à gestação e 49,2% eram nulíparas. Em relação às intercorrências, a incidência de complicações obstétricas e/ou clínicas na gestação foi de 52,2%, e de intercorrências fetais, 25,2%, dentre as quais: 13,4% mal formações, 7,5% sindrome da transfusão feto fetal (STFF), 5,9% óbito fetal (OF), 4,5% insuficiência placentária, 4,4% fetos unidos, 1,5% feto acárdico. A idade gestacional média do parto foi de 31,9 ± 3,1 semanas, dos quais 83,5% foram cesáreas. O peso médio dos recém-nascidos vivos de 1.683 ± 508 g. Em relação à discordância de peso ao nascer: 57% apresentaram até 20%, 23,2% entre 20 e 30% e 19,6% acima de 30%. A taxa de óbitos fetais foi de 31,7%o nascimentos (IC95%: 11,7 - 67,8) e a mortalidade perinatal 249%o nascimentos (IC95%: 189 - 317). O tempo médio de internação dos recém-nascidos, que foram de alta vivos, foi de 29,3 ± 24,7 dias. A predição dos desfechos foi investigada por meio de regressão logística \"stepwise\", e incluiu as seguintes variáveis: idade materna, paridade (nulípara ou um ou mais partos anteriores), antecedente clínico, idade gestacional do primeiro ultrassonografia no HCFMUSP, corionicidade (gestações tricoriônicas e gestações não tricoriônicas), presença de complicação obstétrica ou clínica durante a gestação, intercorrência fetal e idade gestacional do parto. O nível de significância estatística utilizado foi de 0,005. Foram fatores significativos para predição do número de crianças vivas no momento da alta hospitalar: presença de intercorrência fetal (OR 0,1, IC95%: 0,03 - 0,36; p < 0,001) e idade gestacional do parto (OR 1,55, IC95%: 1,31-1,85; p < 0,001). Para a predição dos desfechos favoráveis e desfavoráveis a idade gestacional do parto apresentou significância estatística (OR 1,84, IC95%: 1.26 - 2.7; p=0,002 e OR 0.54, IC 95%: 0.37-0.79; p=0.002, respectivamente) / The present study, involving triplet pregnancies, describes perinatal mortality and investigates predictors of the following outcomes: number of children alive, no child alive (unfavorable outcome) and at least one child alive (favorable outcome) at hospital discharge. It is a retrospective study involving triplet pregnancies with live fetuses at the first ultrasound scan, performed after 11 weeks of gestation, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, São Paulo University Medical School Hospital, between 1998 and 2012. Final sample included 67 women, 77.6% reported spontaneous conception. Regarding the chorionicity, 49.2% were trichorionic; 16.4% had a medical complication prior to pregnancy, and 49.2% were nulliparous. The incidence of obstetric and/or clinical complications during pregnancy was 52.2%, and fetal complications occurred in 25.2%, (13.4% of major fetal abnormalities, 7.5% twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, 5.9% stillbirth, 4.5% placental insufficiency, 4.4% conjoined twins and 1.5% acardic twin). The average gestational age at delivery was 31.9 ± 3.1 weeks, and 83.5% were cesarean. The average birthweight was 1683 ± 508 g and birth weight discordance up to 20% occurred in 57% of the cases; 23,2% had 20 to 30% discordance and 19.6%, was greater than 30%. The rate of stillbirth was 31.7%o births (95%CI: 11.7 - 67.8) and the perinatal mortality was 249%o births (95%CI: 189 - 317). The average hospital stay was 29.3 ± 24.7 days amongst children that were discharged alive. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to investigate prediction according to: maternal age, parity (nuliparous/multiparous), prior clinical history, gestational age at the first ultrasound scan at HCFMUSP, pregnancy chorionicity (trichorionic/non trichorionic), occurrence of clinical and/or obstetric complications during pregnancy, occurrence of fetal complications and gestational age at delivery. Significance level was set at 0.05. The number of children alive at hospital discharge was correlated with the occurrence of fetal complications (OR 0,1, 95%IC: 0,03 - 0,36; p < 0,001) and gestational age at delivery (OR 1,55, IC95%: 1,31-1,85; p < 0,001). Whereas favorable and unfavorable outcome were associated with gestational age at delivery (OR 1.84, 95%CI: 1.26 - 2.7-; p=0,002 and OR 0.54, 95%CI: 0.37-0.79; p=0.002, respectively)

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the world. However, a profuse number of cases are unreported, as the infection is often asymptomatic. Sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease, an increased risk of cervical cancer, premature birth, and perinatal infections in pregnant women can occur. Inflammation occurs in the body in response to infection or injury. Although inflammation can lead to some unwanted secondary effects, such as pain, it serves to return the body to homeostasis by restoring injured tissues and eliminating pathogens. One recently identified connection between the central nervous system and the immune system that regulates inflammation is the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). In the CAP, pathogen-associated molecular patterns stimulate the vagus nerve to activate the pathway, which ultimately results in acetylcholine (ACh) release, which down regulates inflammation. We hypothesized that genital chlamydial infection would increase the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme that synthesizes ACh, in the female murine genital tract, therefore down regulating inflammation and promoting chlamydial infection. Transgenic female mice carrying a ChAT-promoter driven GFP reporter gene were vaginally infected with C. muridarum. Mice were sacrificed on days 3, 9, 15, and 21 post infection; cervical, uterine horn, and ovarian tissues were removed and embedded in paraffin. Small sections of each tissue were cut and mounted onto slides. The tissue sections were then stained for the expression of ChAT using immunohistochemical techniques. Finally, tissue sections were viewed under a microscope for positive staining and the data was analyzed. The results indicated that there is a significant increase in the number of cells that express ChAT in genital tract of chlamydia-infected mice versus non-infected mice.

Background Reproductive health and health events associated with pregnancy including induced abortions are among the most important factors for the health of fertile women. Adverse outcomes have an impact on women’s reproductive health and their overall health as well as the health of their offspring. Pregnancy and child bearing take place within a cultural context. Risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes depend on factors both associated with the individual woman as well as contextual factors. Aims This thesis investigates reproductive health indicators and their determinants for women in a rural district in Vietnam with special focus on adverse pregnancy outcomes and their determinants. In addition, this thesis explores the perspectives and experiences among pregnant women and health care professionals on maternal health care in Vietnam and risks during pregnancy and delivery. Methods The studies used quantitative and qualitative methods.  In the quantitative studies a total of 4,396 women reporting 5,838 pregnancies, and 5,521 infants were included. Parametric and non parametric tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.   For the estimation of small for gestational age a population-specific reference curve was constructed based on the mean birth weight at term in the study population. In the qualitative studies data were collected from eight focus group discussions, four with pregnant women and four with health care professionals. Manifest and latent content analysis was applied.  Main findings Women belonging to an ethnic minority or women giving birth at home were at increased risk of stillbirth.  The risk of induced abortion increased with maternal age. Neonatal mortality was estimated to 11.6 per 1000 live births and perinatal mortality to 25.0 per 1000 births. The prevalence of small for gestational age was estimated to 6.4%. Risk factors for small for gestational age included women in farming occupations and post-term birth. There was a marked decrease in perinatal mortality after 33 weeks of gestation. Contextual conditions influenced both pregnant women’s use of maternal health care and the performance of the health care professionals. The use of maternal health care was influenced by economical conditions as well as cultural norms that impeded women’s autonomy. Structural constraints included inadequate financing of the health system, including lack of staff, insufficient professional re-training, and inadequate equipment. Pregnant women in rural Vietnam created a strategy to promote a healthy pregnancy through lifestyle adjustments, gathering of information, and seeking timely medical care. Insights in pregnancy-related conditions were sought from various sources and were influenced both by Vietnamese traditions and modern medical knowledge. Conclusions Knowledge about pregnancy complications and their related signs and symptoms, and a high confidence in the maternal health care probably contribute to the relatively good maternal health status and pregnancy outcomes in Vietnam. To improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes there is a need to ensure access for all pregnant women to delivery units with surgical capacity in case of an obstetrical emergency. Also, a higher proportion of premature infants need to be born at units with access to neonatal care. This may be achieved by an improved system for referral including capacity of medical care during transportation. Other desirable improvements include antenatal identification of small for gestational age foetuses. In our study the induced abortion rate increased with maternal age and was highest among married women, indicating that induced abortions may be used as a method for family planning. The cultural norms in Vietnam limit women’s autonomy and reduce their possibility to make independent decisions about their reproductive health. Our studies emphasize the importance of adequate access for all women to maternal health care adjusted for their individual needs. A better understanding is needed of context-specific factors that influence couples’ choice of family planning methods, place of birth, and maternal health care. The communication between pregnant women and health care professionals needs further investigation. This knowledge is essential in order to develop reproductive health services that are accessible, acceptable and affordable to all.

A quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted in four (4) health care facilities to determine whether pregnant women attending antenatal care are aware of danger signs of obstetric complications. The objectives of the study were to assess awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications and to associate demographic and obstetric factors with awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Eastern Wollega zone. Data was collected by means of structured questionnaire from 384 pregnant women attending antenatal care in the 4 health facilities and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16 computer program. The findings revealed that the proportion of women who were aware of danger signs of obstetric complications was inadequate. Recommendations were made in line with the research findings / Health Studies / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remain the major causes of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe. Based on this problem, factors associated with maternal mortality due to abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were investigated to improve pregnancy outcomes. Cases and controls were selected from 4895 abortion and 318 severe preeclampsia/ eclampsia obstetric records to conduct a retrospective case-control study. Significant risk factors identified for reducing maternal mortality due to postabortion complications included the administration of oxytocic drugs and evacuations of the uterus whilst anaemia and sepsis apparently reduced these women's chances of survival. No significant factors could be identified which influenced maternal deaths among women suffering from severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate was not routinely administered, as recommended internationally. In both groups, cases apparently received better reported quantitative care than controls. Recommendations based on this research report include improved midwifery education and in-service training, regular audits of patients' records and changed policies for managing these conditions more effectively in Zimbabwe. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)