DOCSLIB.ORG

Prevalence of Sexual Initiation and Associated Factors in Late Adolescence: a Study in Selected Tertiary Level Institutions in Malaysia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Prevalence of Sexual Initiation and Associated Factors in Late Adolescence: a Study in Selected Tertiary Level Institutions in Malaysia PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL INITIATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN LATE ADOLESCENCE: A STUDY IN SELECTED TERTIARY LEVEL INSTITUTIONS IN MALAYSIA SHAZIMAH BT. ABDUL SAMADMalaya of FACULTY OF MEDICINE UniversityUNIVERSITY OF MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR 2016 PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL INITIATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN LATE ADOLESCENCE: A STUDY IN SELECTED TERTIARY LEVEL INSTITUTIONS IN MALAYSIA SHAZIMAH BT. ABDUL SAMADMalaya of THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FACULTY OF MEDICINE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR University2016 UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA ORIGINAL LITERARY WORK DECLARATION Name of Candidate: Shazimah Binti Abdul Samad Registration/Matric No: MHC110008 Name of Degree: Doctor of Public Health Title of Project Paper/Research Report/Dissertation/Thesis (“this Work”): Prevalence of Sexual initiation and Associated Factors in Late Adolescence: A Study in Selected Tertiary Level Institutions in Malaysia Field of Study: Public Health I do solemnly and sincerely declare that: (1) I am the sole author/writer of this Work; (2) This Work is original; (3) Any use of any work in which copyright exists was done by way of fair dealing and for permitted purposes and any excerpt or extract from, or reference to or reproduction of any copyright work has been disclosed expressly and sufficiently and the title of the Work and its authorship have been acknowledged in this Work; (4) I do not have any actual knowledge nor do I ought reasonably to know that the making of this work constitutesy an of infringement Malaya of any copyright work; (5) I hereby assign all and every rights in the copyright to this Work to the University of Malaya (“UM”), who henceforth shall be owner of the copyright in this Work and that any reproduction or use in any form or by any means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of UM having been first had and obtained; (6) I am fully aware that if in the course of making this Work I have infringed any copyright whether intentionally or otherwise, I may be subject to legal action or any other action as may be determined by UM. UniversitCandidate’s Signature Date: Subscribed and solemnly declared before, Witness’s Signature Date: Name: Designation: ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Susceptibility to Peer Pressure Scale as well as the prevalence of sexual initiation and its risk factors among late adolescents attending tertiary level institutions. The temporal gap which exists between the maturation of the adolescents’ prefrontal cortex and their socio- emotional system predisposes them to engage in sexual initiation. The newly discovered independence that is associated with college environment further increases the propensity among late adolescents to initiate sexual intercourse. As this behaviour may result in negative consequences, such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion or sexually transmitted infections, it is important to identify the crux of the matter in enabling the design and the implementation of risk reduction strategies. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase I comprised the establishment of the psychometric properties and the factorial invariance across gender of the Susceptibility to Peer Pressure Scale, one of the instruments used in Phase II. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were utilized. A cross-sectional study, employing a multistage stratified sampling method was conducted to establish the prevalence of sexual initiation and other related sexual behaviours as well as the correlates of engagement in sexual initiation in Phase II. A self- administered questionnaire based on adaptation of the Urie Bronfenbrenner’s social- ecological model which comprised several instruments to assess the characteristics of individual’s, familial and peer characteristics as well as school engagement was utilized. TheUniversity correlates of sexual initiation were determinedof Malaya via multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusting for complex samples. A total of 1652 unmarried adolescents aged 18 and 19 years from six public and private institutions of higher learning in the Central region of Malaysia participated in this study. Overall, the Malaysian version of the Susceptibility to Peer Pressure Scale displayed good psychometric properties in terms of its construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability in measuring iii susceptibility to peer pressure. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses established the invariance of this scale across gender. The prevalence of sexual initiation among late adolescents was 9.8% (95% CI [8.3, 11.6]) with males reporting a higher rate of sexual engagement. Higher likelihood of sexual initiation was associated with perception of close friends have had sex, higher susceptibility to peer pressure and living in non-intact families among males and females. However, some gender differences were identified. As for males, Malays, current smokers, lifetime alcohol consumers, lifetime illicit drug use, early puberty, involvement in a relationship, and higher peer attachment were associated with sexual initiation. Sexual engagement among females, on the other hand, was linked to lifetime cigarette use and higher self-esteem. Females who reported higher religiosity and higher peer attachment were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse. The established risk factors originated from the elementsMalaya of the adolescents’ immediate environment and their interactions. Thus, risk reduction strategies should conflate these elements in securing better outcomes. It isof imperative to tailor these strategies based on gender differences. Future studies should contemplate qualitative research in exploring these risk factors. University iv ABSTRAK Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengenalpasti ciri-ciri psikometrik Skala Kecenderungan terhadap Tekanan Rakan Sebaya dan kadar inisiasi aktiviti seksual pranikah serta faktor-faktor berkaitan dengannyadi kalangan remaja berumur 18 dan 19 tahun di institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi. Di kalangan remaja, wujud jurang di antara kematangan korteks prefrontal dan sistem sosio-emosi yang mungkin mempengaruhi penglibatan mereka dalam seks pranikah. Kebebasan daripada kongkongan ibu bapa setelah melanjutkan pelajaran ke institusi pengajian tinggi turut meningkatkan kecenderungan remaja untuk mengadakan hubungan seks. Punca penglibatan remaja dalam aktiviti ini perlu dikenalpasti bagi merangka strategi pencegahan agar kesan-kesan negatif seperti kehamilan, pengguguran yang tidak selamat atau penyakit jangkitan kelamin dapat dihindari. Kajian ini dijalankan dalamMalaya dua fasa. Fasa I merangkumi penentuan sifat-sifat psikometrik dan faktor invarians merentasi jantina bagi Skala Kecenderungan terhadap Tekanan Rakan Sebaya,of satu instrumen yang digunakan dalam Fasa II dengan penggunaan analisa faktor penerokaan dan pengesahan.Fasa II pula melibatkan kajian rentas yang menggunakan pensampelan rawak berperingkatuntuk menentukan kadar inisiasi seksual pranikah dan tingkah-laku seksual berkaitan, serta faktor-faktor yang berkait dengan penglibatan dalam seks pranikah di kalangan remaja. Data untuk kajian ini telah dikumpul menggunakan borang soal selidik isi sendiri, berpandukan adaptasi daripada model ekologi sosial Urie Bronfenbrenner, yang merangkumiUniversity beberapa instrumen untuk menilai ciri-ciri individu, kekeluargaan, dan rakan sebaya serta penglibatan sekolah. Analisis regresi logistik bergandayang disesuaikan untuk sampel kompleks telah digunakan. Sejumlah 1,652 remaja yang belum berkahwin, berumur 18 dan 19 tahun daripada enam institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta di wilayah Tengahdi Malaysia telah menyertai kajian ini. Skala Kecenderungan terhadap Tekanan Rakan Sebayamemaparkan sifat-sifat psikometrik yang baik dari segi v kesahihan, konsistensi, dan kebolehpercayaan dalam mengukur kecenderungan terhadap tekanan rakan sebaya. Selain itu, analisis faktor pelbagai kumpulan mengesahkan kesahihan penggunaan skala ini bagi pelajar lelaki dan perempuan. Kadar inisiasi seksual pranikah di kalangan remaja adalah 9.8% (95% CI [8.3, 11.6]) di manapelajar lelaki melaporkan kadar inisiasi seks yang lebih tinggi. Bagi pelajar lelaki dan perempuan, inisiasi seksual berkait dengan persepsi pengalaman mengadakan hubungan seks di kalangan rakan karib, kecenderungan yang lebih tinggi terhadap tekanan rakan sebaya, dan tinggal bersama keluarga yang tidak lengkap.Terdapat perbezaan dalam faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi aktiviti ini antara jantina. Bagi lelaki, bangsa Melayu, perokok semasa, remaja yang pernah mengambil minuman beralkohol, penggunaan dadah haram, pencapaianakil baligh yang lebih awal, penglibatan dalam sesuatu hubungan, dan lebih rapat dengan rakan sebaya adalah berkait dengan seksMalaya pranikah. Sebaliknya, perhubungan seksual bagi pelajar perempuan, adalah berkait dengan mereka yang pernah menghisap rokok dan mempunyai harga diri yang lebihof tinggi. Pelajar perempuan yang melaporkan penglibatan dalam aktiviti keagamaan yang lebih kerap dan lebih rapat dengan rakan sebaya adalah kurang berisiko untuk melibatkan diri dalam hubungan seks. Selain itu, faktor risiko didapati berpunca daripadaelemen-elemen persekitaran dan interaksi di antara faktor-faktor ini dengan remaja. Oleh itu, strategi-strategi pengurangan risiko perlu menggabungkan elemen-elemen ini bagi memperolehi hasil yang lebih baik. Selain itu, adalah penting untuk menyesuaikan strategi-strategi ini dengan perbezaan
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Migrant Women's Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Migrant Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study Tharani Loganathan 1,* , Zhie X. Chan 2 , Allard W. de Smalen 2,3,4 and Nicola S. Pocock 2,5 1 Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia 2 International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), United Nations University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; [email protected] (Z.X.C.); [email protected] (A.W.d.S.); [email protected] (N.S.P.) 3 Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University, 6211 AX Maastricht, The Netherlands 4 Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT), United Nations University, 6211 AX Maastricht, The Netherlands 5 Gender Violence & Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 25 June 2020; Accepted: 24 July 2020; Published: 26 July 2020 Abstract: Providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to migrant workers is key to fulfilling sustainable developmental goals. This study aims to explore key informants’ views on the provision of SRH services for migrant women in Malaysia, exploring the provision of SRH education, contraception, abortion, antenatal and delivery, as well as the management of gender-based violence. In-depth interviews of 44 stakeholders were conducted from July 2018 to July 2019. Data were thematically analysed. Migrant workers that fall pregnant are unable to work legally and are subject to deportation. Despite this, we found that insufficient SRH information and contraceptive access are provided, as these are seen to encourage promiscuity.
    [Show full text]
  • CAMPAIGN REPORT the Law, Trials and Imprisonment for Abortion In
    CAMPAIGN REPORT The law, trials and imprisonment for abortion in Malaysia Nirmala and her lawyer. SOURCE: Malay Mail by Nandini Archer Edited by Marge Berer June 2018 1 Introduction In spite of sustained advocacy from sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and human rights advocates, and penal code amendments in 1971 and 1989, which opened up more grounds for abortion, access to safe, legal abortion remains heavily restricted in Malaysia. Before these changes, several prosecutions were taken against medical professionals. Since them, only one woman has been prosecuted for abortion – a Nepali migrant worker named Nirmala in 2014, who spent four months in prison and was acquitted on appeal. This report looks at the abortion law and access to abortion in Malaysia and reviews calls to change the law and access by SRH and human rights advocates. The report ends with a discussion of the cases against medical professionals, prosecutions of women for infanticide and the case of Nirmala.1 Abortion law in Malaysia Abortion law originally came to Malaysia under the British Empire’s Indian 1871 penal code, which criminalised abortion on all grounds.2 Other laws and regulations have come in since then. For example, the 1956 Medicines Advertisement and Sale Act prohibited the publication of advertisements relating to abortion. This carries a sentence of up-to two years’ imprisonment, and/or a fine of US$1,316.3 There have been two ground-breaking amendments to section 312 of the penal code – one in 1971 to permit abortion to save a woman’s life, and another in 1989 to allow abortion to preserve a woman’s physical and mental health.4 Since these reforms, section 312 of the penal code states that apart from these grounds, those who cause an abortion with a woman’s consent can be sentenced up to three years’ imprisonment, and/or fined.
    [Show full text]
  • ABORTION: an INFRINGEMENT of the FOETUS' RIGHT to LIFE in ISLAMIC LAW Alhaji Umar Alkali*1 Azizah Mohd**2 Nora Abdul Hak***3 R
    (2015) 23 IIUMLJ 85 ABORTION: AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE FOETUS’ RIGHT TO LIFE IN ISLAMIC LAW Alhaji Umar Alkali*1 Azizah Mohd**2 Nora Abdul Hak***3 Roslina Che Soh @ Yusoff****4 ABSTRACT Under Islamic law, the life of a human being is sacred and as such, no one is allowed to kill or bring an end to the life of another except in accordance with the law. Whether a foetus under Islamic law is entitled to enjoy this protection or not is a subject that is hotly debated by Muslim scholars. Abortion has a direct link to the right of the child to life because when abortion is done, it simply brings an end to the life of the human being in the womb that is in the process of development. Abortion is generally prohibited under Islamic law because it is tantamount to killing a human being that has not fully developed. Muslim jurists are not unanimous on the stage and conditions that can warrant the permissibility of abortion. This study therefore intends to employ a doctrinal analysis in its methodology to examine the respective views of jurists on abortion. The study examines the definition of abortion from the juristic and medical perspectives, the concept of abortion under Islamic law and authorities from the Qur’an, sunnah and scholars’ views concerning abortion, situations under which abortion may be permitted under Islamic law and the position of the law in some Muslim states. The article ends with a conclusion and recommendations on the practical steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that children’s right to life are well protected even before they are born.
    [Show full text]
  • Regulating Abortion in Malaysia by Noor Aqilah Binti Aris Noor Atiqah Binti Zainal Abidin Noraiman Amalina Binti Zainordin (2010
    REGULATING ABORTION IN MALAYSIA BY NOOR AQILAH BINTI ARIS (2010643478) NOOR ATIQAH BINTI ZAINAL ABIDIN (2010205568) NORAIMAN AMALINA BINTI ZAINORDIN (2010608126) Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Bachelor in Legal Studies (Hons) Universiti Teknologi MARA Faculty of Law December 2012 The students/authors confirm that the work submitted is their own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. ABSTRACT This project paper is concern on recommending a law of abortion in Malaysia. Basically in Malaysia, abortion is illegal however there are certain circumstances in which abortion can be carried out. However, most women in Malaysia do not have knowledge on the legality of abortion. As a result, illegal abortion keeps on increasing day by day. The problem become worse when there is no specific act governing abortion in Malaysia other than Section 312 of Penal Code. This project will focus on scrutinizing Section 312 of Penal Code, Indian Penal Code and also Indian Medical Termination of Pregnancy act 1971. A study and research had been conducted in determining the strength and weaknesses of the laws. It also will determine the practicability and effectiveness of these laws. We also include our recommendation and conclusion at the end of our project paper which we hope it would help to make a new law which is more effective regarding to this issue. in TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement ii Abstract hi Table of Content iv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1
    [Show full text]
  • Download Publication
    ACCESS TO SAFE ABORTION IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION Sivananthi Thanenthiran 2019 • ISBN 978-967-0339-50-4 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non- Commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. ABOUT THIS BRIEF Any part of the text of the publication may be photocopied, This brief is part of ARROW’s State of the Region Report on Sexual and reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form Reproductive Health and Rights: International Conference on Population by any means, or adapted and translated to meet local needs, for and Development (ICPD+25), developed as a result of monitoring of 25 non-commercial and non-profit purposes. However, the copyright years of implementing the ICPD programme of Action in the region by for images used remains with respective copyright holders. All ARROW and our partners. This is the fifth five-yearly review, research forms of copies, reproductions, adaptations, and translations and monitoring report contributing to insights on progress, gaps and through mechanical, electrical, or electronic means should challenges to ICPD PoA implementation in the region. This brief provides acknowledge ARROW as the source. A copy of the reproduction, an overview of the status of SRHR in Asia and the Pacific region with adaptation, and/or translation should be sent to ARROW. In cases a focus on 19 countries. The monitoring series also includes country of commercial usage, ARROW must be contacted for permission at level research findings around the status of ICPD implementation in 13 [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Llm Human Rights Thesis
    THE CONCEPT OF ‘BODILY AUTONOMY’: SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR FEMALE SURVIVORS OF RAPE IN PAKISTAN, INDIA AND MALAYSIA. By Maha Ali Submitted to the Central European University department of Legal Studies, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of LLM in Human Rights LLM HUMAN RIGHTS THESIS CEU eTD Collection SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR JUDIT SANDOR CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY 1051 BUDAPEST, NADOR UTCA 9. HUNGARY 1 DEDICATIONS This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Naila Nazir and Lutuf Ali Uqaili, and my brother, Shanyal Uqaili, who have always been my pillars of strength, and believed in me. You inspire and encourage me to pursue my dreams. Thank you for selflessly supporting all my academic endeavors – I dedicate this thesis to you. CEU eTD Collection 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis could not have been completed without the invaluable guidance of Professor Judit Sandor, who trusted me and provided me the direction in which I wished to conduct my research. I am deeply indebted to her for providing me with her valuable input and guiding me with her criticisms and insights. I am grateful to the Legal studies department, of Central European University, for providing me the opportunity to be a part of the Human Rights program. This year has been an immense learning experience, and has enriched my capabilities as a human rights lawyer and activist. To Mohini, Rabia, Zainab, Claire and Silke – Thank you for your friendship, for being the best examples of strength and resilience, and for showering me with your love, in this past one year. I will always treasure the beautiful moments that we shared.
    [Show full text]
  • Family Planning Strategies Across Selected Muslim Countries: a Review to Inform Malaysia's Next Steps
    Family Planning Strategies across selected Muslim countries: A review to inform Malaysia’s next steps Prepared by UNU-IIGH for the LPPKN Technical Working Committee October 2020 1 | P a g e Contents Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 7 i) Summary of results across selected countries ....................................................................................... 7 ii) Specific lessons for Malaysia ................................................................................................................. 9 1. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................... 13 1.1 Malaysia’s Family Planning context ................................................................................................... 13 1.2 The need to develop a Family Planning Policy for Malaysia ............................................................. 14 2. CONCEPTUALISING FAMILY PLANNING ................................................................................................... 15 2.1 International Family Planning commitments
    [Show full text]
  • Safe Abortion Action Fund
    Safe Abortion Action Fund Fifth Annual Report 2013 The Safe Abortion Action Fund is supported by the governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom and an anonymous donor, and is administered by the International Planned Parenthood Federation Safe Abortion Action Fund • Annual report • 2013 Acronyms D&C Dilation & curettage IEC Information, education, and communication IPPF International Planned Parenthood Federation IWAC International Congress on Women’s Health and Unsafe Abortion MVA Manual vacuum aspiration NGO Non-government organisation SAAF Safe Abortion Action Fund UK United Kingdom This report was prepared by the SAAF Secretariat (Maïté Matos-Ichaso, Hanna Lindley-Jones, Judy Gold) and the chair of the SAAF board (Manuelle Hurwitz) in October 2013. The report covers the period October 2012 – September 2013. Please contact [email protected] for any questions or comments on the report Image on cover of flags corresponds to the locations of projects supported under SAAF Round Two funding - Page 2 of 42 - Safe Abortion Action Fund • Annual report • 2013 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 4 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 5 ROUND TWO PROJECTS .................................................................................................... 6 Advocacy Achievements ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Abortion Game: Writing a Consciously Political Narrative Nonfiction Work
    The Abortion Game: Writing a Consciously Political Narrative Nonfiction Work A PhD research thesis (Creative Writing), with manuscript (creative component) and exegesis (analytical component), submitted for the College of Arts, Victoria University Jacinda Woodhead June 2015 Woodhead | PhD manuscript and exegesis i The Abortion Game: Writing a Consciously Political Narrative Nonfiction Work Abstract In this creative‐writing research project, I set out to create a narrative nonfiction manuscript that investigates the contemporary politics surrounding abortion. The fundamental question driving the creative manuscript was, ‘Why is abortion largely invisible in Australia?’ Abortion is the second‐most common therapeutic surgical procedure in Australia, yet the history, the politics and the practice of abortion remain hidden from view. This invisibility allows us to avoid grappling with and confronting the complicated issues abortion raises. Using techniques commonly associated with fiction writing, such as narrative arc, characterisation, dialogue and scenes, the 69,000‐word manuscript investigates the factors, tiers and characters involved with abortion in Australia. The narrative nonfiction manuscript should be read first. The manuscript is accompanied by a 31,500‐word exegesis analysing the production, lineage and ethical implications of consciously political narrative nonfiction, a term that refers to works that make deliberate political interventions. Similarly to Hartsock (2000), I argue that when writing a consciously political narrative nonfiction work, the writer does not objectify the world as something different or alien from the reader, and instead strives to render characters as complex human beings. The exegesis reviews theories of ethics, objectivity and narrative within a form that is fundamentally journalism, yet can never fit within this narrow definition as it is primarily about mapping the cultural other (Sanderson 2004).
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Legal Studies of Abortion Policies in Indonesia
    Article Info: Received : 20-01-2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.18196/iclr.2114 Revised : 18-05-2020 Accepted : 30-05-2020 A Comparative Legal Studies of Volume 2 No 1, December 2019 P-ISSN: 2655-2353, E-ISSN: 2655-6545 Abortion Policies In Indonesia, Malaysia and England Nur Ras Firzaa International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia Email: [email protected] Abstract This paper aims to address abortion Keywords: Abortion; Malaysian law; Indonesian law; English law; from the perspective of Malaysian law, Islamic jurisprudence. Indonesian law, English law and Islamic Jurisprudence. It will look into the three national laws to extricate 1. Introduction ruling in regards to abortion and Generally, abortion means the termination of a simultaneously making an effort to pregnancy before the fetus is viable or able to survive have knowledge on the ruling of outside the uterus. The Oxford Dictionary of Law defines abortion taking into consideration of Islamic Jurisprudence mentioned by abortion as the termination of a pregnancy or premature the highest source of Islamic law (The expulsion of a fetus from the womb before the normal Holy Book of Al- Quran), scholars and period of gestation is complete.1 There are two types of jurists. This paper also critically abortion which are spontaneous or induced. 2 A discussed the law cases that had been spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) occurs naturally decided by courts in each without interference. Meanwhile an induced abortion is jurisprudence in order to understand one that is caused by artificial means such as medications more on the law of abortion and this followed by comparing the three laws and surgical procedures.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving the Accuracy of Maternal Mortality and Pregnancy Related Death Burk Schaible ………………………………………………………………… 231
    A peer-reviewed publication of the Watson Bowes Research Institute and the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent & Disabled, Inc. Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Barry A. Bostrom, M.Div., J.D. Donna Harrison, M.D. dip. ABOG ! Referees Kirk C. Alison, Ph.D., M.S., Professor ! Henk Jochemsen, M.D., Director!G.A. University of Minnesota, School!of Public Lindeboom Institute, The Netherlands Health Marshall Kapp, J.D., M.P.H., Professor Florida Watson A. Bowes Jr., M.D., Emeritus State College of Medicine, Tallahassee Professor University of North Carolina!at Chapel Hill John Keown, M.A., D.Phil., Ph.D., Professor Kennedy Institute of Ethics,!Georgetown Gerard V. Bradley, J.D., Professor University University of Notre Dame Law School William E. May, Ph.D.!Pope John Paul II Byron Calhoun, M.D. FACOG, FACS, MBA Institute, Washington, D.C. West Virginia University Charleston ‐ Patrick Quirk, LL.B., LL.M., Professor Ave Steve Calvin, M.D., Maternal Fetal Medicine Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida Minneapolis, Minnesota Philippe Schepens, M.D., Director, World Priscilla K. Coleman, Ph.D., Professor Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Bowling Green State University Life, Belgium Arthur J. Dyck, Ph.D., Professor Harvard John W. Seeds, M.D., Maternal Fetal Medicine Divinity School, Cambridge Richmond, Virginia Richard Fenigsen, M.D., Ph.D. Cambridge, Bradford Short, J.D., LL.M., Ass’t Professor Massachusetts North South University, Bangladesh Curtis E. Harris, M.D., J.D. Oklahoma City, John M. Thorp, M.D., Professor University of Oklahoma North Carolina, Chapel Hill Herbert Hendin, M.D., Professor New York Lynn D.
    [Show full text]
  • Abortion Safety: at Home and Abroad
    Abortion Safety: At Home and Abroad Ingrid Skop, M.D.* ABSTRACT: In the U.S., legal abortion is considered extremely safe, and abortion-related mortality is reported to be far lower than mortality asso- ciated with term childbirth. Yet, the voluntary nature of abortion compli- cation reporting and ideological selection biases obscure the poor quality of the data used to support these assumptions. Worldwide, the World Health Organization reports that illegal abor- tion is extremely unsafe, killing and injuring vast numbers of women year- ly. They advocate for the liberalization of abortion laws so that women can access safer abortions. Yet, their calculations are based largely on subjec- tive opinions from a limited number of health care providers, with little objective verification from external sources. The limitations in the data should prompt calls for improved studies and more objective estimates of complications and deaths resulting from abortion, both legal and illegal. “Abortion is safer than childbirth.” “Legal abortion is extremely safe, and illegal abortion is extremely dangerous.” These assumptions drove the widespread legalization of abortion in the United States in 1973, and they continue to drive the effort to overturn all legislative safety restrictions on the procedure within our country, and to liberalize abortion laws internationally today. But are these assumptions true? How Could Pregnancy Pose a Risk to a Woman? During pregnancy, dramatic anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes occur in every organ of a woman’s body. Pregnancy-related hormones cause changes in metabolism, stress response, immune action, electrolyte balance and even neuro- logic function. Growth of the uterus causes a shift in position of intra-abdominal and * Partner of Northeast OB/GYN Associates; M.D., Washington University School of Medicine, St.
    [Show full text]