Search

Abstract: Maternal mortality constitutes a major problem in the context of women’s health. All regions experienced a decline in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) between 1990 and 2010. Among those women who do not die, 300million are currently living with health problems and disabilities caused by complications of pregnancy and childbirth. MMR in sub-Saharan Africa remains high, at more than 450 maternal deaths per 100000 live births. It is currently accepted that in many areas the Millennium Development Goals will not have been achieved by 2015 and in some countries, if current trends continue, they will not be reached until after 2040. Maternal mortality is much more than just a health problem. It involves lack of respect for women’s basic human rights and failure to show the disadvantages and risks to which they are exposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) has been overlooked historically despite the high risks that countries face for its neglect. Some of the challenges faced by adolescents across the world include early pregnancy and parenthood, difficulties accessing contraception and safe abortion, and high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Various political, economic, and sociocultural factors restrict the delivery of information and services; healthcare workers often act as a barrier to care by failing to provide young people with supportive, nonjudgmental, youth-appropriate services. FIGO has been working with partners and its member associations to break some of these barriers-enabling obstetricians and gynecologists to effect change in their countries and promote the ASRH agenda on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Obstetric fistula is a complication of childbirth that often follows obstructed labor and is almost exclusive to low-resource countries. The original Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 1990 Study) reported an incidence of 8.68 per 100000 and a prevalence of 51.35 per 100 000 for women aged 15–44years in low-resource regions. The most cited global prevalence estimate is 2 million women. Although the global burden of obstetric fistula remains unclear, the number of women suffering from the condition is increasing, while surgical treatment remains limited. There are few experienced fistula surgeons and past surgical training approaches have been inconsistent. The Global Competency-Based Fistula Surgery Training Manual developed by FIGO and partners contains a set curriculum and, to ensure its implementation, a global strategy and training program have been developed. This paper describes key elements of the training program and its implementation. The anticipated impact of the training program is a reduction in global morbidity caused by obstetric fistula. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]