Neda Taghinejadi, Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen, Francis Ifeanyi Ayomoh, Wasim Ahmed, Trisha Greenhalgh, Anne-Marie Boylan
{"title":"Pain experiences during intrauterine device procedures: a thematic analysis of tweets.","authors":"Neda Taghinejadi, Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen, Francis Ifeanyi Ayomoh, Wasim Ahmed, Trisha Greenhalgh, Anne-Marie Boylan","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202011","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In June 2021, high-profile testimonials in the media about pain during intrauterine device (IUD) procedures in the UK prompted significant discussion across platforms including Twitter (subsequently renamed X). We examined a sample of Twitter postings (tweets) to gain insight into public perspectives and experiences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We harvested tweets posted or retweeted on 21-22 June 2021 which contained the search terms coil, intrauterine system, IUD or intrauterine. We analysed the dataset thematically and selected illustrative tweets with the authors' consent for publication.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following deduplication and screening, we included 1431 tweets in our analysis. We identified testimonials with descriptions of varied pain experiences. Twitter users reported that clinicians had not warned them that pain could be severe or explained the options for pain relief. Some raised concerns about pain being minimised or dismissed and linked this to the management of women's pain in medicine more broadly. Twitter users described connecting to an online community with shared experiences as validating and used this as a springboard for collective action.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While we acknowledge the limitations of our sample, this study highlights important perspectives and accounts relating to pain during IUD procedures. Our findings attest to the need for strategies to improve the patient experience for those opting for IUD as a clinical priority. Further research should explore IUD users' experiences, expectations and wishes around pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"271-277"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11503099/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141305484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ryan James Cory, Rebecca Mawson, Emma Linton, Dalal Y Al-Bazz, Kate Fryer, Richard Ma, Caroline Anne Mitchell
{"title":"Influences on ethnic minority women's experiences and access to contraception in the UK: a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis.","authors":"Ryan James Cory, Rebecca Mawson, Emma Linton, Dalal Y Al-Bazz, Kate Fryer, Richard Ma, Caroline Anne Mitchell","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202488","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accessible contraception is critical for promoting the health and well-being of women and their families. In the UK, contraception is free at the point of access, but only 55% of pregnancies are planned, with negative implications for maternal and infant outcomes. In general, women from ethnic minorities use contraceptives less than white women. Barriers to the uptake of contraceptives have been identified, including perceived poor information from healthcare professionals and concerns about side effects. However, most studies do not include representative proportions of women from ethnic minorities. Evidence suggests that ethnic minority (EM) women feel targeted and coerced by healthcare professionals regarding contraception.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO via Ovid, CINAHL, and Web of Science was conducted to identify primary qualitative and mixed-methods studies exploring ethnic minority women's experience of contraception in the UK. The data were charted using thematic analysis, using both summary and synthesis.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusions: </strong>16 studies met the inclusion criteria, including the perspectives of 717 participants from an ethnic minority. Four overarching themes were developed: contraceptive knowledge, beliefs, family, and services. Similar to women in general, ethnic minority women have concerns about side effects, especially infertility, value the perspectives of their peers and male partners, and express a preference for female healthcare professionals. Novel perspectives included conflicting ideas about the influence of religion and stereotyping of ethnic minority women. Culturally competent consultations and a better understanding of hormonal hesitancy are essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142364434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alison Edelman, Jon D Hennebold, Kise Bond, Jeong Y Lim, Ganesh Cherala, Steven W Blue, Shawn P Kraft, David W Erikson, David Archer, Jeffery Jensen
{"title":"Double dosing ulipristal acetate emergency contraception for individuals with obesity: a randomised crossover trial.","authors":"Alison Edelman, Jon D Hennebold, Kise Bond, Jeong Y Lim, Ganesh Cherala, Steven W Blue, Shawn P Kraft, David W Erikson, David Archer, Jeffery Jensen","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202401","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202401","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether increasing the dose of ulipristal acetate (UPA)-containing emergency contraception (EC) improves pharmacodynamic outcomes in individuals with obesity.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>We enrolled healthy, regularly-cycling, confirmed ovulatory, reproductive-age individuals with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and weight >80 kg in a randomised crossover study. We monitored participants with transvaginal ultrasound and blood sampling for progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), and estradiol every other day until a dominant follicle measuring >15 mm was visualised. At that point, participants received either oral UPA EC 30 mg or 60 mg and returned for daily monitoring up to 7 days. After a no treatment washout cycle, participants returned for a second monitored cycle and received the other UPA dose. Our primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with no follicle rupture 5 days post-dosing (yes/no). For reference, we also enrolled a control group with BMI <25 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and weight <80 kg who received UPA EC 30 mg during a single cycle. We also obtained blood samples for pharmacokinetic parameters for UPA and its active metabolite, <i>N</i>-monodemethyl-UPA (NDM-UPA) as an optional substudy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We enrolled a total of 52 participants with BMI >30 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and 12 controls, with the following cycles completed: 12 controls, 49 UPA 30 mg, and 46 UPA 60 mg. The entire cohort demographics were a mean (SD) age of 29.8 (3.4) years and BMI by group: controls 22.5 (1.4) kg/m<sup>2</sup>, group 1 37.9 (6.7) kg/m<sup>2</sup>, and group 2 39.3 (5.4) kg/m<sup>2</sup>. All 12 (100%) of controls had a delay of at least 5 days for follicle rupture. Among the high BMI group, dosing groups (UPA EC 30 mg vs 60 mg) were similar in the proportion of cycles without follicle rupture over 5 days post-UPA dosing (UPA 30 mg: 47/49 (96%), UPA 60 mg: 42/46 (91%), Fisher's exact test p=0.43). However, after excluding cycles where dosing occurred too late (after LH surge), a delay of at least 5 days occurred in all participants at both doses. The 60 mg UPA dose resulted in a twofold increase in maximum observed concentration and the area under the curve of both UPA and NDM-UPA levels compared with 30 mg.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A standard 30 mg dose of UPA is sufficient to delay ovulation regardless of BMI or weight. Results of our study do not support dose adjustment for body size.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141615921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Victoria Wilson-Lowe, Carrie Purcell, Ruth Lewis, Lisa McDaid
{"title":"Seeking support for abortion online: a qualitative study of women's experiences.","authors":"Rachel Victoria Wilson-Lowe, Carrie Purcell, Ruth Lewis, Lisa McDaid","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202083","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Social support can mitigate the impact of stress and stigma before or after an abortion. However, stigma anticipation can limit access to in-person support. Informal online spaces can offer opportunities to address unmet support needs including supplementing in-person support lacking within stigmatised contexts. While earlier studies have explored content of posts comprising personal accounts of abortion, little is known about the nuances of how and to what end online spaces are navigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely (online or by telephone) with 23 women living in Scotland (aged 20-54 years) recruited through social media and online advertisements. Reflexive thematic analysis was supported by NVivo12 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key themes: obtaining support that was unavailable from in-person networks; preparation for abortion; reducing feelings of isolation. The majority of participants independently searched online for accounts of abortion, with only three receiving any signposting to specific resources. Without guidance, finding relevant, supportive content was not straightforward. The search process was additionally complicated by the prevalence of abortion stigma online, which generated an additional burden at a potentially challenging time. Those who received direction towards particular resources reported primarily positive online experiences.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While online content could address perceived in-person support gaps, the process of finding supportive content without guidance can be complex. Online searching may also expose women to stigmatising material and interactions. Signposting by abortion services towards well-moderated and trustworthy online resources could be constructive in limiting exposure to stigma and misinformation, while allowing those seeking it to access better support.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"172-177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11287619/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139711521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ni Ning, Xiangmin Tan, Ying Li, Jingfei Tang, Lisa Lommel, Mei Sun
{"title":"Changes in fertility intention among married Chinese couples with two children during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ni Ning, Xiangmin Tan, Ying Li, Jingfei Tang, Lisa Lommel, Mei Sun","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201759","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A three-child policy was implemented in China to stimulate a rise in fertility levels and coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data suggested that COVID-19 has a negative impact on fertility intention.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To describe married couples' changes in intention to have a third child during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine factors associated with altered intentions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online survey was conducted in October 2021, including sociodemographic characteristics, change of intention to have a third child after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, reasons for increased or decreased intention, and the Fertility Intention Scale (FIS). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to test the potential factors associated with changes in intention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1308 participants provided responses. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, 35.8% of participants decreased their third-child intention, while 2.8% of participants increased their third-child intention. Males (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.54), youngsters (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.93) and those living in Estern China (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.98) were more likely to decrease their third-child intention. Perceived risk (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10) and policy support (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09) as measured on the FIS decreased couples' intention to have a third child. Social support (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98) as measured on the scale protected participants from decreased intention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>During severe public health emergencies, strong prevention and control policies, together with enhancing support from partners and healthcare professionals for women, are necessary to improve intentions to give birth.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"185-193"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140173800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"French Parliament ratifies the inclusion in the French Constitution of \"guaranteed freedom\" for abortion: but does this really prevent future restrictions?","authors":"Philippe Faucher","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202316","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202316","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"153-154"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140288202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elizabeth A Pleasants, Ruvani T Jayaweera, Ijeoma Egwuatu, Sybil Nmezi, Ika Ayu Kristianingrum, Ruth Zurbriggen, Belén Grosso, Chiara Bercu, Relebohile Motana, Caitlin Gerdts, Heidi Moseson
{"title":"Self-managed medication abortion trajectories: results from a prospective observational study in Argentina, Nigeria and Southeast Asia.","authors":"Elizabeth A Pleasants, Ruvani T Jayaweera, Ijeoma Egwuatu, Sybil Nmezi, Ika Ayu Kristianingrum, Ruth Zurbriggen, Belén Grosso, Chiara Bercu, Relebohile Motana, Caitlin Gerdts, Heidi Moseson","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201979","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201979","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Time is a crucial factor in abortion-seeking because options for care change with pregnancy duration, and most people prefer to access abortion care early in pregnancy. We aimed to collect data on the timing of steps in accompanied self-managed abortion-seeking experiences in legally restrictive settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective, observational, cohort study we recruited callers from three abortion accompaniment groups in Argentina, Nigeria and a country in Southeast Asia. Participants completed a baseline survey before starting a self-managed medication abortion (SMA) and two follow-up surveys (approximately 1 and 3 weeks after taking medication). Primary outcomes of interest included: (1) time from abortion decision to contacting the hotline, (2) time from contacting the hotline to obtaining pills and (3) time from obtaining pills to taking the first dose. We explored relationships between participant characteristics and each of these outcomes and evaluated differences in overall abortion time using survival analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between July 31, 2019 and October 01, 2020 we enrolled 1352 eligible callers; 1148 provided data for this analysis. After deciding to have an abortion, participants took 12.2 days on average (95% CI: 11.6, 12.9) to start medications for abortion. On average, participants at later pregnancy durations progressed through the SMA process more quickly (<4 weeks: 20.9 days, 4 weeks: 11 days, 5-6 weeks: 10.1 days, 7-9 weeks, 10.4 days, 10+ weeks: 9.1 days; p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, participants accessed accompaniment group support and started abortion regimens quickly and at relatively early pregnancy durations. SMA with accompaniment provided a time-efficient route for obtaining abortions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"155-164"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71420843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca Blaylock, Patricia A Lohr, Lesley Hoggart, Pam Lowe
{"title":"Patient experiences of undergoing abortion with and without an ultrasound scan in Britain.","authors":"Rebecca Blaylock, Patricia A Lohr, Lesley Hoggart, Pam Lowe","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202116","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Routine ultrasound scanning to determine gestational age and pregnancy location has long been part of pre-abortion assessment in Britain, despite not being legally required or recommended in national clinical guidelines. To support implementation of fully telemedical abortion care (implemented in Britain in April 2020), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued clinical guidance for an 'as-indicated' approach to pre-abortion ultrasound, removing the need for a clinic visit. We aimed to understand patient experiences of ultrasound in abortion care by conducting a qualitative study with individuals who had abortions with and without an ultrasound scan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between November 2021 and July 2022, we recruited patients who had a medical abortion at home without a pre-procedure ultrasound at 69 days' gestation or less at British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), and also had at least one other abortion with an ultrasound from any provider in Britain. We conducted interviews using a semi-structured interview guide to explore our participants' experiences and conducted reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We recruited 24 participants and included 19 interviews in our analysis. We developed three themes from our data. These were 'Ultrasound scans and their relationship with autonomy and decision-making', 'Intrusive and out of place: the ultrasound as an inappropriate technology' and 'Towards preference-centred, quality care'.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Further research and user-testing of strategies to improve the scan experience should be undertaken. Patient testimonies on the negative impact of ultrasound scans in abortion care should reassure providers that omitting them according to patient preference is a positive step towards providing patient-centred care.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"178-184"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139746146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nishadi Nethmini Withanage, Jessica R Botfield, Kirsten Black, Danielle Mazza
{"title":"Preconception health risk factors documented in general practice electronic medical records.","authors":"Nishadi Nethmini Withanage, Jessica R Botfield, Kirsten Black, Danielle Mazza","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202038","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Documenting medical and lifestyle preconception health risk factors in electronic medical records (EMRs) could assist general practitioners (GPs) to identify those reproductive-aged women who could most benefit from preconception care (PCC). However, it is unclear to what extent PCC risk factors are identifiable in general practice records. This study aimed to determine the extent to which medical and lifestyle preconception health risk factors are documented in general practice EMRs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an audit of the documentation of medical and lifestyle preconception risk factors in 10 general practice EMRs in Melbourne, Australia. We retrospectively analysed the EMRs of 100 consecutive women aged 18-44 years who visited each practice between January and September 2022. Using a template informed by PCC guidelines, we extracted data from structured fields in the EMR and conducted a descriptive analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the data extracted, the more commonly documented medical and lifestyle preconception health risk factors in the EMRs included smoking (79%), blood pressure (74%), alcohol consumption (63%) and body mass index (57%). Among the women audited, 14% were smokers, 24% were obese, 7% had high blood pressure, 5% had diabetes, 28% had a mental health condition, 13% had asthma, 6% had thyroid disease and 17% had been prescribed and could be using a potentially teratogenic medication.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Better documentation of medical and lifestyle preconception health risk factors in structured fields in EMRs may potentially assist primary care providers including GPs in identifying and providing PCC to women who could most benefit from it.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"165-171"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11287648/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139711520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}