L’objectif de cette thèse est d’établir une ethnographie des formes de la mémoire de l’interdiction de l’avortement dans le régime totalitaire de Ceausescu. Entre 1966 et 1989, le régime communiste roumain a imposé des politiques pronatalistes, au nom du : binele natiunii socialiste (« le bien de la nation socialiste »). Une construction de la maternité comme « tradition roumaine » a été ainsi développée, en parallèle d’une stricte interdiction de l’IVG, et de la mise à l’écart des moyens contraceptifs modernes. La remémoration sociale de ce passé difficile reste encore un tabou dans la société roumaine d’aujourd’hui. Il semblerait qu’en Roumanie actuelle cette remémoration-faible joue un rôle important dans la santé reproductive, et qu’elle est déterminée par des relations d’intersubjectivité entre les différentes formes de la mémoire du pronatalisme, c'est-à-dire la mémoire officielle, la mémoire culturelle (publique) et la mémoire sociale-partagée. L’analyse développée sur ces formes et leurs relations d’intersubjectivité a pour base un terrain anthropologique (2004-2009) sur la mémoire de l’avortement en Roumanie communiste, et fut réalisée dans le domaine interdisciplinaire des Études mémorielles. / Taking the pronatalism of Ceausescu’s regime as a case study, this thesis is an an ethnography of the memory-formes of a recent delicat past, such as the banning of abortion in a totalitarist regime. From 1966 to 1989, the communist regime imposed extreme policies of controlled demography in Romania, as it was imputed, for ‘the good of the socialist nation’. A construction of maternity as ‘Romanian tradition’ was developed in parallel to the banning of abortion on request and the making of contraception almost inaccessible. The social remembering of such a difficult past is still a taboo in contemporary Romanian society. This law-remembering, which is maybe playing an important role in the current situation of Romania’s reproductive health, is influenced by the intersubjectivities devellopped between the different forms of pronatalist memory, i.e. its official memory, its cultural memory and its social memory. The analysis of those memory-formes and their intersubjectivities is based on an anthropological fieldwork (2004-2009) on the memory of abortion in Communist Romania, and is theoretically informed by the interdisciplinary field of Memory Studies.

Chuuk, one state of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), experiences significant transnational migration to the United States (U.S.), particularly to the Territory of Guam. This migration is facilitated by the Compact of Free Association (COFA), an agreement with several Micronesian countries previously under U.S. administration that allows for free movement of their citizens into the U.S. Although part of Micronesia, Guam's colonized residents resist an identity connected to rest of Micronesia. With very poor health outcomes, the Chuukese represent a political and social body of bodies that bring sickness, babies and increased costs to the Guam government without adequate compensation by their colonizer sanctioning the migration. In order to better understand why Chuukese women suffer disproportionately poor reproductive health outcomes as compared to the rest of Guam's residents, this multi-sited dissertation examines how Chuukese women's reproduction is constructed and conceptualized by women, their families, and their "home" and "host" communities, and how these meanings are mediated by transnational migrant experiences between Chuuk and Guam. Using a critical interpretive framework, this study utilized participant observation in the clinics and communities, interviews with health care workers, and in-depth life history interviews with fifteen Chuukese women. This dissertation situates Chuukese women's reproduction in the context of transnational migration through an analysis of social, economic and political processes, health and social services policies and practices, postcolonial migration and sociocultural meanings of reproduction for Chuukese women in both Chuuk and Guam.

The Title X Family Planning Program (Public Law 91-572), enacted by President Richard Nixon in 1970, provides federal funds for voluntary, confidential family planning services to all women, regardless of their age or economic status. This federal legislation aspired to prevent unintended pregnancies and poor birth outcomes to those in most need. However, over the past three decades, Title X has faced political, financial and social challenges. Despite its enormous success in improving the health and well-being of women and children by decreasing unintended pregnancies, the need for abortions and providing key comprehensive preventive services, without a newfound political will similar to that during which it was conceived, the future of Title X may be in jeopardy. This study grounded theoretically and methodologically in a feminist policy analysis approach, critically examined the maturation of Title X by employing a mixed methodology design that consisted of a thematic analysis on Title X's legislative history and the conduction and analysis of oral histories. In Phase I, themes were extracted from the federal bills included in Title X's legislative history, which assisted in the identification of the issues that this policy has endured. In Phase II, a semi-structured interview guide was developed based upon the themes and findings from the thematic analysis as well as from pre-determined constructs from McPhail's Feminist Policy Analysis Framework, to explore key informants' perceptions, recollections and experiences regarding the Title X program. By examining Title X through a feminist lens, various issues were exposed and critically examined, including issues that are typically ignored by traditional policy analyses. Moreover, understanding the historical underpinnings and evolutions of a policy and recognizing past failures and achievements are necessary in order to make informed future decisions. Implications for research, practice and policy are discussed.

<p>The main purpose of this stydy was to evaluate the Aurora clinic (for women afraid of birth/delivery) in the south of Sweden. Questionnaires were sent to 197 women who had contact with the Aurora clinic during 2007 and 2008. The group of participants contained both pregnant women and women who have given birth. A total of 136 women replied. The results showed that both the average age and the level of education of the women were high. Nulli-paras and multi-paras had different reasons for fearing delivery. The study also showed that most women felt that the contact with an Aurora midwife helped them to feel secure and to be better prepared before delivery, that the midwife understood them and took them seriously and that the content of the meetings was satisfactory. Three out of four women, who initially wished for a caesarean section, subsequently accepted a normal delivery. This study supports previous research that shows the importance of the supportive conversation provided at the Aurora clinic for women with fear of delivery.</p>

<p>Bakgrund: Preeklampsi är en allvarlig graviditetskomplikation som drabbar kvinnor över hela världen. Sjukdomen är den största orsaken till gravida kvinnors ohälsa och dödlighet.</p><p>Syftet: Syftet med studien var att kartlägga vilka övervakningsmetoder som används vid preeklampsi samt studera evidensen av metoderna.</p><p>Metod: Författarna har genomfört en litteraturstudie. Detta har genomförts genom granskning och sammanställning av litteratur samt databassökning i PubMed för att finna vetenskapliga artiklar. Till resultatet valdes femton vetenskapliga studier.</p><p>Resultat. Evidens finns för att följa blodtryck- och urinkontroller som påvisar förändringar i sjukdomen. Kontrollerna bör följas av blodprover om kvinnan har konstaterad preeklampsi eftersom dessa visar försämring av sjukdomen. Att mäta flödet i arteria uterina via doppler kan bedöma kvinnans risk att utveckla preeklampsi. Mer forskning behövs för att låta kvinnan själv mäta sitt blodtryck hemma via självövervakning. Stark evidens finns för att fortsätta kontrollera preeklampsitillståndet postpartum.</p><p>Slutsats:  Att mäta flödet i arteria uterina via doppler i graviditetsvecka 22-24  ger möjlighet till riskbedömning speciellt för tidig preeklampsi. Regelbunden kontroll av blodtrycket och proteinuri är effektivt för att upptäcka  preeklampsi både under graviditeten, förlossningen och postpartum och för övervakning av tillståndet. Blodprover kan användas som komplement   för att upptäcka koagulationsrubbningar, försämrad njurfunktion och leverpåverkan.</p>

<p>Objectives: This descriptive epidemiological dissertation aims to identify conditions of Swedish women’s sexual well-being. The focus is on the relationship between their idiosyncratically reported levels, during the last 12 months, of 5 sexual functions/dysfunctions per se and distressing and their socio-psychological situation, including aspects of their sexual history. Levels of sexual functions/dysfunctions are also related to levels of sexual satisfaction and to other aspects of life satisfaction.</p><p>Methods: Data on a randomized cross-sectional national sample of 1335 women aged 18-74 (59% of target sample) were gathered in 1996 using a combination of structured interviews and questionnaires/checklists. Analyses were performed for the total sample or for sub-samples aged 18-65 years. In 3 of the 4 dissertational articles, trichotomies of a 6-grade scale characterizing level of sexual dysfunctions into No/Mild/Manifest dysfunction were used.</p><p>Main results: Mild sexual dysfunctions were, generally, much more common than were manifest, and dysfunctional distress was considerably less common than were dysfunctions per se. All dysfunctions, and in particular orgasmic dysfunction, were closely associated with level of sexual well-being. Four factors independently pair-wise linking levels of dysfunctions per se with levels of distressful dysfunction were identified. These were Sexual interest/Desire, Genital function (lubrication and dyspareunia), Orgasm, Vaginismus. Three of these (not vaginismus) were powerful classificators of gross level of sexual well-being. Many of socio-demographic and socio-psychological contextual life-conditions were significantly associated with the different sexual functions/dysfunctions. However, the most prominent contextual variables were satisfaction with partner relationship and partner’s levels of sexual functions.</p><p>In conclusion, many different socio-psychological aspects must be taken into account to optimize treatment modalities and resources when dealing with women’s sexual dysfunction in order to secure a good level of sexual well-being.</p>

<p>The reproductive health of individuals is severely compromised by HIV infection, with candidiasis being the most prevalent oral complication in patients. Although not usually associated with severe morbidity, oropharyngeal candidiasis can be clinically significant, as it can interfere with the administration of medications and adequate nutritional intake, and may spread to the esophagus. Azole antifungal agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment and prophylaxis of candidal infections. However, the emergence of drug resistant strains and dose limiting toxic effects have complicated the treatment of candidiasis. Consequently, safe and effective and affordable medicine is required to combat this fungus. Commercial garlic (Allium sativum) has been used time since immemorial as a natural antibiotic, however very little is known about the antifungal properties of two indigenous South African species of garlic, namely Tulbaghia alliacea and Tulbaghia violacea, that are used as folk medicines for a variety of infections. This study compares the in vitro anti-candidal activity of Tulbaghia alliacea, Tulbaghia violacea and Allium sativum extracts. It was found that the greatest concentrations of inhibitory components were extracted by chloroform or water. The IC50 concentrations of Tulbaghia alliacea were between 0.007 &ndash / 0.038% (w/v). Assays using S. cerevisiae revealed that the T. alliacea extract was fungicidal, with a killing half-life of approximately 2 hours. This inhibitory effect of the T. alliacea extracts was observed via TLC, and may be due to an active compound called Marasmicin, that was identified using NMR. This investigation confirms that extracts of T.alliacea exhibit anti-infective activity against candida species in vitro.</p>

Objectives: This descriptive epidemiological dissertation aims to identify conditions of Swedish women’s sexual well-being. The focus is on the relationship between their idiosyncratically reported levels, during the last 12 months, of 5 sexual functions/dysfunctions per se and distressing and their socio-psychological situation, including aspects of their sexual history. Levels of sexual functions/dysfunctions are also related to levels of sexual satisfaction and to other aspects of life satisfaction. Methods: Data on a randomized cross-sectional national sample of 1335 women aged 18-74 (59% of target sample) were gathered in 1996 using a combination of structured interviews and questionnaires/checklists. Analyses were performed for the total sample or for sub-samples aged 18-65 years. In 3 of the 4 dissertational articles, trichotomies of a 6-grade scale characterizing level of sexual dysfunctions into No/Mild/Manifest dysfunction were used. Main results: Mild sexual dysfunctions were, generally, much more common than were manifest, and dysfunctional distress was considerably less common than were dysfunctions per se. All dysfunctions, and in particular orgasmic dysfunction, were closely associated with level of sexual well-being. Four factors independently pair-wise linking levels of dysfunctions per se with levels of distressful dysfunction were identified. These were Sexual interest/Desire, Genital function (lubrication and dyspareunia), Orgasm, Vaginismus. Three of these (not vaginismus) were powerful classificators of gross level of sexual well-being. Many of socio-demographic and socio-psychological contextual life-conditions were significantly associated with the different sexual functions/dysfunctions. However, the most prominent contextual variables were satisfaction with partner relationship and partner’s levels of sexual functions. In conclusion, many different socio-psychological aspects must be taken into account to optimize treatment modalities and resources when dealing with women’s sexual dysfunction in order to secure a good level of sexual well-being.

Bakgrund: Preeklampsi är en allvarlig graviditetskomplikation som drabbar kvinnor över hela världen. Sjukdomen är den största orsaken till gravida kvinnors ohälsa och dödlighet. Syftet: Syftet med studien var att kartlägga vilka övervakningsmetoder som används vid preeklampsi samt studera evidensen av metoderna. Metod: Författarna har genomfört en litteraturstudie. Detta har genomförts genom granskning och sammanställning av litteratur samt databassökning i PubMed för att finna vetenskapliga artiklar. Till resultatet valdes femton vetenskapliga studier. Resultat. Evidens finns för att följa blodtryck- och urinkontroller som påvisar förändringar i sjukdomen. Kontrollerna bör följas av blodprover om kvinnan har konstaterad preeklampsi eftersom dessa visar försämring av sjukdomen. Att mäta flödet i arteria uterina via doppler kan bedöma kvinnans risk att utveckla preeklampsi. Mer forskning behövs för att låta kvinnan själv mäta sitt blodtryck hemma via självövervakning. Stark evidens finns för att fortsätta kontrollera preeklampsitillståndet postpartum. Slutsats:  Att mäta flödet i arteria uterina via doppler i graviditetsvecka 22-24  ger möjlighet till riskbedömning speciellt för tidig preeklampsi. Regelbunden kontroll av blodtrycket och proteinuri är effektivt för att upptäcka  preeklampsi både under graviditeten, förlossningen och postpartum och för övervakning av tillståndet. Blodprover kan användas som komplement   för att upptäcka koagulationsrubbningar, försämrad njurfunktion och leverpåverkan.

An efficient referral system is essential in providing access to emergency obstetric care at higher levels of care by supporting antenatal and delivery services in the primary level of care facilities (PLCF). The aim of this thesis was to assess community and health service factors affecting the quality of maternal referrals in rural Tanzania. Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with health workers and community members were conducted to describe their perceptions on maternal referrals. Women (n=1118) were interviewed to determine awareness of obstetric danger signs and associated factors. Compliance with referral advice was analysed for 1538 women referred from PLCF. Counselling on danger signs and adherence to referral criteria was observed in 438 antenatal consultations. FGDs indicated that women had limited influence, especially on emergency referrals. The process of deciding to seek referral care considered the perception of seriousness and past experience of referral, access to transport, and the cost involved. Women had low awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications: higher years of schooling increased the likelihood of being aware of danger signs. Demographic risks accounted for 70% of referred women but less than half complied with the advice. Compliance was higher for historical obstetric risks, prenatal, natal, and postnatal complications groups. Few women were counselled on pregnancy danger signs and a significant number with ≥5 pregnancies and primigravidae &lt;20 years were not informed of the risk factors. This thesis demonstrated a need for reviewing referral guidelines and an increase in supportive supervision for health workers counselling on obstetric danger signs to enhance acceptance of referrals advices. Women’s education should be given priority for increasing participation in decisions and becoming more aware of danger signs. Costs involved in maternal referrals can be relieved by improving family income, infrastructure, and alleviating the cost of referral through mobilising community transport and financial schemes.