Posts

Mifepristone With Buccal Misoprostol for Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review

Publisher: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2015

Status – CURRENT

This journal article by Chen and Creinin provides a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of mifepristone followed by buccal misoprostol in pregnancies for early medical abortion.  Early medical abortion, medical termination of pregnancy, medical abortion, MTOP, systematic review.

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Pap smear rates among Australian community-attached lesbian and bisexual women: some good news but disparities persist

Publisher: CSIOR 2015

Status – CURRENT

Background: Research in the US and UK shows lesbian women are less likely than their heterosexual peers to attend for routine Pap smear tests. This study examined Pap smear test rates among community-attached lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women in New South Wales, to investigate if rates had changed between 2002 and 2012, compare rates to the general NSW population and identify predictive factors for Pap smear test attendance. Method: Data was taken from the Sydney Women and Sexual Health (SWASH) survey, a self-completed biennial questionnaire of LBQ women’s health and wellbeing. Results: Of the 4083 respondents, 83% had ever had a Pap smear test. Recent attendance rates were slightly higher than the general population. Significant predictors for ever having attended for a Pap smear test were older age, post-year 12 education, ever having had an STI test, being out about sexuality to a regular doctor and ever having had sex with men. Conclusions: Pap smear rates for LBQ women are encouraging when compared to rates in similar countries. A significant proportion of LBQ women are never receiving Pap smear tests. Predictive factors suggest a continued perception that women who have not had sex with men are not at risk of HPV, and highlight the importance of health providers providing a safe and welcoming environment for LBQ women to openly discuss their health.  LBQ, LBTI, lesbian, bisexual, queer, Pap smear, cervical cancer, reproductive health

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Women in contact with the gay and lesbian community in Sydney: Report of the Sydney Women and Sexual Health (SWASH) Survey 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014.

Publisher: ACON & University of Sydney, 2015

Status – CURRENT

The Sydney Women and Sexual Health (SWASH) survey is a comprehensive survey of important health issues relevant to lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women including sexual health and wellbeing, violence, mental health, tobacco use, illicit drug use, alcohol consumption, and cancer screening behaviours. SWASH is run by a collaboration of ACON Health and university researchers since 1996. This report presents results from surveys conducted at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day and other community events and venues during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras seasons in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. It highlights several areas of particular concern – many of which have persisted over time – where mainstream preventive health interventions that are inclusive of this group or targeted to LBQ, are needed.

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Early medical abortion using low-dose mifepristone followed by buccal misoprostol: a large Australian observational study

Publisher: Medical Journal of Australia, 2012

Status – CURRENT

This article by Goldstone et al provides evidence of the efficacy and safety of mifepristone in combination with buccal misoprostol for early medical abortion in Australia.  Medical abortion, abortion, medical termination of pregnancy, MTOP, early medical abortion

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Australia’s Mothers and Babies 2011

Publisher: AIHW National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, 2011

Status – CURRENT

Provides national information on births, the women who gave birth and the babies who were born in 2011.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: its impact on Australian women and their babies

Publisher: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010

Status – CURRENT

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-existing diabetes complicating pregnancy,grouped as ‘diabetes in pregnancy’, have implications for the health of the mother and her baby in the immediate, short-term and long-term. This work aims to provide baseline information on pregnancy, labour and delivery for women affected by diabetes in pregnancy, and their babies, compared with those not affected by diabetes.

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Reproductive health: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Publisher: Prepared for the Australian Government Department of Health, 2009

Status – CURRENT

Findings show that for women from the 1973-1978 cohort, having children corresponds to changes in employment. Having a first birth was associated with changes from full-time to part-time paid employment, and other employment changes. Part-time employment remains an alternative for women managing both paid work and family. This report helps provide the some understanding on the needs of women with the hope that best practice work-family policies would be developed.

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Report of the APA Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion

Publisher: American Psychological Association, 2008

Status – CURRENT

This report summarises the available evidence on the mental health factors associated with abortion. While the data is related to the United States, this evidence is still relevant to the Australian policy context.

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Health and Experience of Violence Among Young Australian Women

Publisher: Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, 2004

Status – CURRENT

Violence against women is associated with serious reproductive outcomes. These include unwanted and unplanned pregnancies, high rates of abortion, low birth-weight, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, and the murder of both mother and child. Violence against women also impacts on their general physical and mental health.

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