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Objective: To obtain descriptive measures of maternal and perinatal health in the Ba Men Region of Inner Mongolia, China.Methods: Data collected from the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women for approximately 22,000 pregnancies in a three-county area of Inner Mongolia, China from December 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999 were analyzed for maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes.Results: Compared to selected developing countries, a higher percentage of women (99%) in this region received at least one prenatal care visit. This region was also characterized by a low percentage of low birthweight (<2.5 kg) infants (1%) and neonatal mortality rate (5 deaths per 1000 live births).Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal health outcomes in this region of Inner Mongolia were better than those in selected developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the availability and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) received by women in a rural Chinese province.Methods: The study was conducted in 7 rural counties and townships in Shanxi Province, China. Data sources included interviews with 7 hospital leaders, 5 maternal and child health workers, and 7 obstetricians; 118 records of complicated delivery were audited, 21 Maternal and Child Health Annual Reports analyzed, and observations conducted of facilities and advanced labor care.Results: The number of comprehensive EmOC facilities was adequate in all counties. Three counties had fewer basic EmOC facilities than recommended and only 4 counties reached the recommended level. Most of the existing township hospitals did not provide birthing services. All the county hospitals could perform cesarean deliveries with rates from 6.8%-40.8%. The management of complications was not evidence-based. For example, women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were given too little magnesium sulfate; women were not closely monitored for hemorrhage after birth and the partograph was used incorrectly with consequences for obstructed labor.Conclusion: Basic EmOC facilities are not adequate and township hospitals should be upgraded to provide birthing services. The quality of EmOC is poor and needs improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women in Jiangsu Province, eastern China, 17years after vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) was introduced.Methods: From August 2002 to July 2004, serum samples from 6398 women between 15 and 20weeks of pregnancy and from 6 urban and 8 rural areas across Jiangsu Province were tested for markers of HBV. The results were then compared with the rates before 1980.Results: The overall rates of 6.71% for HBsAg and 36.84% for anti-HBs were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than the prevaccination rates. The rate for HBsAg was lower in urban areas than in rural areas (5.75% vs 7.14%, P=0.04). Although the rate used to be much higher in the northern part of Jiangsu Province, which is less prosperous than the southern part, the rates are now similar in both parts (6.60% vs 6.97%).Conclusion: These findings demonstrate a drop in the prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women in Jiangsu Province since the introduction of vaccination programs in 1980, and indicate that HBV infection can also be controlled in less prosperous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate links between psychologic distress and levels of maternal hormones and cortisol during pregnancy and post partum.Method: The study population of 308 pregnant or recently delivered women was divided into 4 equal groups, 3 representing each pregnancy trimester and the fourth one representing the first week of the postpartum period. The women were screened for psychological distress and had blood drawn to measure serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, and total cortisol on the same day.Results: The rates of anxiety and depression were higher in the first trimester and the postpartum groups. Depression was correlated with sharp changes in estradiol and progesterone levels; anxiety was correlated with total cortisol level; and there was a correlation between depression and anxiety.Conclusion: Sharp changes in maternal hormone levels were correlated with depression; depression was correlated with anxiety; and anxiety was correlated with elevated cortisol levels, which may adversely affect the health of mother and offspring. Measuring maternal hormones may be a diagnostic tool to evaluate psychologic stress and associated risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the Chinese maternal mortality surveillance system in an inland province and identify how it can be improved.Methods: The review process and Chinese Maternal Deaths Reporting Form were compared with standards recommended by the UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health using interviews with key personnel, field observations, and reports and audits from 2003-2005.Results: The Chinese Maternal Deaths Reporting Form does not provide anonymity for the deceased woman, the health workers, or hospitals. The information collected is often insufficient to identify substandard care. The Review Committee was not multidisciplinary and the review was not confidential. The review findings were only available to the Review Committee.Conclusion: Confidentiality should be a requirement in the maternal mortality surveillance system. The anonymous findings should be available to health workers, and be used to improve the system and inform the community about performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the need for integrating postabortion care with family planning services in China.Method: We collected data from a clinic-based study of 24 abortion clinics in 3 large cities in China.Results: There was a total of 287 (10.3%) high-risk abortions among the 2780 respondents, 974 (35%) of whom had had repeated abortions and 48.4% had had 2 abortions within 1 year; 63.7% of the current pregnancies resulted from not using contraceptives; 28.8% and 19.8% of these new pregnancies, respectively, were due to the failure of the rhythm or the withdrawal method; only 9.7% of the respondents consistently used condoms; and only 9.1% could identify the correct time of their first ovulation following an abortion.Conclusion: Contraceptive neglect and the high rates of repeated and high-risk abortions call for the integration of postabortion care with family planning services in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the factors affecting uptake of cervical cancer screening among women born in China now living in Auckland, New Zealand.Method: A community-based pilot study of 260 women surveyed by questionnaire between November 2006 and February 2007 to ascertain the uptake of cervical screening.Results: Of 234 returned questionnaires, 152 women (65%) reported being screened in New Zealand and 56% had been screened in the last 3 years. The 4 most important predictive factors affecting uptake were the women's belief that cervical smear tests are necessary for asymptomatic women, having a family doctor, having received gynecologic, obstetric, and family planning services in New Zealand, and having ever received a recommendation for a cervical smear test.Conclusion: The most important influential factors affecting uptake of cervical screening among Chinese women in New Zealand are women's belief in its value and their engagement in general and women's health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]