Search

Background: Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI) are associated with significant morbidity. Data regarding induction of labor (IOL) and risk of OASI is conflicting. The objective of this study is to evaluate if IOL increases the odds of OASI when compared to spontaneous labor. Methods: This is a retrospective case–control study in women with term, singleton pregnancies, who had a vaginal delivery at a single, academic center in an urban setting from October 2015 to December 2021. Individuals with the primary outcome, OASI, were identified and matched with controls (no OASI) by delivery date. Results: 303 OASI individuals were identified and matched with 1106 controls. Women with OASI were more likely to be White or Asian, have commercial insurance, and have a previous cesarean delivery (CD). IOL increased the likelihood of OASI by 49% compared to spontaneous labor (OR 1.49, 95% CI [1.138, 1.949]). IOL was no longer significant when adjusting for confounding variables and known risk factors. Conclusion: IOL was not associated with OASI when accounting for known antepartum and intrapartum risk factors. Further investigation of modifiable and non-modifiable risks during labor is imperative to decrease the risk of OASI and associated pelvic floor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

California adopted the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulations in 2013, which mandate that companies that manufacture specific products containing designated chemicals of concern complete an Alternatives Analysis. Alternatives Analysis is a process to avoid regrettable substitution by identifying, comparing, and selecting safer alternatives based on technical functions, hazards, exposure pathways, life‐cycle multimedia impacts, and economic impacts. The SCP Alternatives Analysis builds upon and expands existing frameworks for alternatives assessments (AAs). The aim of this study was to identify practices from AA that facilitate the robust assessment of alternatives and that align with SCP requirements and identify gaps in the practice. We evaluated completed AAs for methods regarding transparency and careful documentation of information sources, data gaps, uncertainty, criteria, and justification for decision‐making. The AAs in this review demonstrate some of the challenges in the field. Most AAs have a constrained scope and only consider chemical substitutes rather than a broad array of functional alternatives. Their scopes were also limited in the hazard endpoints that were evaluated. This was most noted with ecotoxicity endpoints, which were generally confined to aquatic toxicity. The majority of AAs do not explicitly explain their decision‐making methods or adequately discuss tradeoffs across the adverse impacts. The AAs also lack the analysis in the exposure, life‐cycle impacts, and economic impacts that are required in the SCP Alternatives Analysis process. Further, we recommend strategies and research opportunities to address these challenges and strengthen the practice of AAs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1007–1019. © 2021 SETAC Key Points: The SCP Alternatives Analysis framework remains at the forefront of safer chemistry by embracing the hazard assessments at the core of AAs and extending those to examine both toxicological— and exposure—related hazard traits affecting human and ecological health, as well as the environment.Transparency is an attribute of a high‐quality AA, either under the SCP Alternative Analysis framework or any other AA frameworks.The challenges in AAs identified in our analysis represent opportunities for the Community of Practice (CoP) to provide guidance, agree on best practices, or research to resolve some of the challenges.The assessment of ecological toxicity, exposure, economics, uncertainty, and consideration of a broader scope of alternatives represent growth areas for AA; furthermore, decision‐making would benefit from greater transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several U.S. states have authorized carrying concealed firearms on campuses. These measures are controversial, with support falling along ideological lines. This study examines whether cultural proximity to the U.S., relative to Mexico, influences support for campus carry. Using a random sample of 1,447 college students from two Texas public universities, structural equation modeling results revealed that individuals more oriented toward U.S. culture were more likely to support campus carry than individuals oriented more toward Mexican culture. Besides this direct effect, acculturation also indirectly influenced support for campus carry through public attitudes toward the police. Specifically, individuals more oriented toward the U.S. held more favorable views of the police, which in turn predicted greater support for campus carry. Collectively, these findings suggest that cultural values influence support for public policies such as campus carry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]