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Objective: To evaluate sleep quality among women using 2 different types of sanitary pad.Methods: Seventeen women (18-40 years) with menstrual cycles of 28-30 days and self-reported moderate-to-intense menstrual flow were enrolled in a crossover study from March to August 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sleep assessments were made by polysomnography and by means of validated questionnaires. The first evaluation of sleep (control condition) was performed during the follicular phase (7-10th day of cycle). There were subsequent evaluations during the 2nd and 3rd day of the menstrual period, and a different type of absorbent pad (A or B) was used on each day. The participants were randomly assigned to an order of pad use (AB or BA).Results: The use of absorbent pad A or B did not affect the parameters of sleep or the quality of sleep. The results obtained with use of either absorbent pad did not differ significantly from the control condition and were within the normal limits.Conclusion: There was no significant difference in sleep quality between the follicular phase and the menstrual period; in addition, the use of different absorbent pads over consecutive nights during the same menstrual cycle was not associated with changes in sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and preterm birth.Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study evaluated LTPA during pregnancy in 4147 mothers using data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Gestational age was determined by last menstrual period, or when not available, by ultrasound or the Dubowitz method. Type of LTPA, length of usual session, and frequency were determined for each trimester.Results: A total of 14.6% of all births were considered preterm. Only 13.3% of women reported engaging in LTPA during pregnancy. After adjusting for confounders, LTPA in all 3 trimesters (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.96), LTPA in the third trimester (PR 0.50; 95% CI 0.31-0.80), and minimum LTPA (> or = 90 min/week) in the third trimester (PR 0.58; 95% CI 0.34-0.98) showed a protective association with preterm birth in the adjusted analysis.Conclusion: LTPA, especially throughout pregnancy and in the third trimester, was associated with a lower chance of preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and risk groups of domestic violence during pregnancy among public health care users in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study focuses on violence perpetrated by both women and partners. Method: 526 women giving birth at term in public maternities from March to October 2000 were randomly selected and interviewers used the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). Results: 33.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 28.8–37.0%] of the respondents reported some form of physical violence and 16.5% (95% CI: 13.3–19.8%) referred to severe forms. A total of 78.3% (95% CI: 74.8–81.8%), 9.9% (95% CI: 7.5–12.7%) and 15.6% (95% CI: 12.6–18.9%) reported psychological aggression, sexual coercion and injuries, respectively. Physical violence mainly occurred among adolescent women with less schooling, who did not work outside the home, with fewer prenatal appointments, and with little social support. Families with more under-five children, alcohol and drug abuse, and low socio-economic status were also involved more frequently. Conclusion: High prevalence rates for various forms of domestic violence in Brazil suggest that the issue should be viewed as a major public health problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]