0000000000235207
AUTHOR
Ilze Viberga
Risk factors for unwanted pregnancy and subsequent abortion among women aged 16 to 25 years in Latvia
Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with unwanted pregnancy in 16- to 25-year-old women in Latvia. Methods Case-control study of 16- to 25-year-old, sexually active women who did not want to get pregnant: the cases were 144 women who underwent their fi rst abortion whereas 278 nulliparous women served as controls. Data concerning them were obtained by using a semi-structured anonymous questionnaire that included questions about education, sexual life habits, contraceptive practice and a multiple-choice test to assess knowledge about contraception. Results Women who underwent an abortion had had more lifetime sexual partners, had more often not used any contraception, and we…
Professionals’ role in implementing a cervical cancer screening program
The objectives of this study were to investigate the awareness, motivation, and readiness of medical staff to take part in a cervi cal cancer screening program (CSP), with the ultimate aim of increasing the response rate to invitation letters and improving CSP effectiveness and coverage. Certified gynecologists (GYNs) and general practitioners (GPs) practicing in the national and private healthcare systems in Latvia were given specially designed multiple-choice questionnaires. Of 213 questionnaires distributed to GYNs, 74% were completed (32% response rate of all 486 GYNs in Latvia). GPs were sent 933 questionnaires, 24% were returned (15% response rate of all 1,455 GPs in Latvia). GPs regi…
Barriers and motivators for uptake of cervical cancer prevention strategies in Eastern Europe: Perspective from Latvia
Introduction The incidence of cervical cancer (CC) in eastern European countries is high; however, uptake of available prevention strategies is suboptimal. We explored knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes toward CC prevention strategies in Latvian women. Methods A mixed-methods study of Latvian women, consisting of surveys and semi-structured interviews, was conducted in Riga, Latvia in September and October 2015. Results Altogether, 158 surveys were completed and 10 interviews were conducted. In total, 87% (n = 135) had previously had a smear test, and 67% (n = 105) correctly identified that cervical cytology was performed to identify precancerous changes. The practice of annual gynecologic…