RESUMEN

RESEARCH QUESTION: Would a properly designed educational programme offered to young women improve their awareness and fundamental knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis? DESIGN: A multinational cross-sectional study using a pen-and-paper questionnaire among women aged 19-24 years was conducted between 2017 and 2019 to assess fundamental knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis. Improvement in knowledge was also analysed using a separate questionnaire completed before, and 1-3 months after, a group discussion, lecture on menstrual pain and endometriosis, or both. RESULTS: Among three groups of students (college [n = 271], medical [n = 877] and nursing [n = 763]), knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis was lowest among college students, modest among nursing students and fair among medical students (P < 0.001 for each). The experience of cyclical pain, even when painkillers were taken, was reported by 15.5%, 4.6% and 3.8% of students, respectively. Most students managed their cyclical pain by enduring it or by taking over-the-counter medication. An informative education programme with group discussions, lectures, or both, was successful in improving knowledge and consequences of menstrual pain and endometriosis. Proper education and dissemination of knowledge to college students failed to motivate them to visit gynaecologists; however, medical and nursing students became highly interested in visiting gynaecologists. CONCLUSIONS: An educational programme can improve awareness and knowledge of endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea among young women. The programme motivated nursing and medical students, but not college students, to seek medical attention for early detection and management of endometriosis.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: The effect of COVID-19 disease during pregnancy is still under investigation, however scientific studies have shown that pregnant women with COVID-19 infection are at increased risk for severe illness or complications [1]. Risk factors for severe disease and death in pregnancy include maternal age (especially ≥35 years), obesity, preexisting medical comorbidities (particularly hypertension and diabetes or more than one comorbidity), and being unvaccinated [2]. Many societies of obstetricians and gynecologists recommend that all pregnant patients undergo COVID-19 vaccination [1]. The aim of this study is to observe demographic characteristics, including education, place of residence and type of employment of women who chose to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Lithuania, as well as to investigate any adverse reactions following the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and compare the results to published scientific data. Materials and methods: An online questionnaire for pregnant women primarily located in Lithuania who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine before giving birth has been launched in July, 2021. Data were entered via Google Forms and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics. Literature review was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar search engines on inclusion criteria: publication date 2019-2021, used keywords pregnancy, COVID-19, vaccination, side effects. Results: Data were collected from 227 women vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy. It was observed that the most chosen vaccine was Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 (196 out of 227 individuals (86%)). More pregnant women confirmed having fever after the second dose compared to the first dose (p=0.006). In addition, injection site pain was the most common local side effect after both doses (98%) and more common after the first dose compared to the second (p=0.002). Regarding systemic reactogenicity more women experienced fatigue after the second dose comparing to the first dose (p=0.01). Furthermore, more women were unable to engage in daily activities after the second dose (p=0.03). All other symptoms did not differ after doses 1 and 2. Conclusions: Overall findings of this study did not suggest any obvious safety signals among pregnant individuals who received COVID-19 vaccine and all the side effects were comparable to the general population. Completed literature review indicates that pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19 experience the same side effects as individuals in general population and no specific postvaccination reactions among pregnant individuals are observed.

RESUMEN

Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as a condition when intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy occur simultaneously. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate and accurate diagnostics and treatment. We present a case of a 28-year-old primigravida female who conceived spontaneously and at her seventh week of gestation and was presented to the emergency department with weakness and acute pain in lower abdomen. Laboratory tests and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy. Urgent laparoscopic salpingotomy was chosen as a treatment option. The ectopic pregnancy was successfully removed with the preservation of the intrauterine embryo and fallopian tubes. The course of pregnancy after the surgery was without complications, and a healthy baby was delivered at the 39th week of gestation. When treated properly and on time, a heterotopic pregnancy can result in live childbirth with favorable outcomes for both the child and the mother.

Asunto(s)