Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Edouard.
Certified causes of perinatal mortality have been regrouped into 14 categories of clinical significance. Using data from official publications, trends over the years 1968 to 1978 in England and Wales have been described. Sharp falls from certain years are observed for some categories whereas others show a sustained fall.
A major challenge for public health services is to reach disadvantaged pregnant women with a relevant program that assists them to reduce modifiable risk factors. A community development approach was used to initiate an outreach program aimed at urban natives and other high-risk pregnant women. Community involvement in program planning, the use of native and non-native community health workers, the provision of social support and the tangible health benefits of the program contributed to its success in attracting women for service.
Parents, community health nurses (CHNs) and physicians in Saskatoon were surveyed to determine if specific components of well-baby services provided by CHNs and physicians were duplicated. A response was obtained from 348 (81%) of the parents, 34 (89%) of the CHNs and 129 (87%) of the physicians. Results of the study indicate that there is extensive duplication of measurements taken by CHNs and physicians at the two, four, six, and twelve-month well-baby visits, especially that of height and weight. Content of well-baby care was also examined. The percentage of both physicians and CHNs who "usually or always" perform specific tasks at each well-baby visit was very high, particularly screening tests and inquiries about nutrition. Assessments and inquiries regarding development were performed less frequently, as were inquiries about safety issues.
Canadian data on prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, psychoactive drugs, and caffeine are sparse. This study presents prevalence rates in Saskatoon for these four risk behaviours during the first trimester of pregnancy and their associations with sociodemographic factors. Personal interviews were conducted with 605 pregnant women (83% participation rate). The most commonly used substance was caffeine (87%), followed by alcohol (46%), tobacco (30%), and psychoactive drugs (7%). Overall, 36% of women reported using two substances, 16% three, and 4% all four substances. In general, risk behaviours were more prevalent among women with lower education and income levels, Aboriginal or Métis background, those not living with a partner, those with previous births, and, in some cases, younger women. The findings illuminate the needs of particular groups of pregnant women and the importance of understanding maternal risk behaviour within the structural and cultural realities of women's lives.