Prevention and Control of Postpartum Hemorrhage: Validation of Rangel’s Technology for Huambo, Angola

In the immediate postpartum period, women need to be observed by the obstetric nurse so that measures can be taken to prevent hemorrhages and reduce its complications. Most maternal deaths from hemorrhage are preventable with support measures for clinical practice, such as: guiding protocols, training of professionals, organization and management of health services and provision of adequate conditions for the parturition process. Objective: To validate Rangel’s instrument with its application in the Maternity Ward of the General Hospital of Huambo, Angola. Methodology: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. This is the sixth stage, called pre-test, of the Translation and Cultural Adaptation process. This instrument was sent for evaluation by the validators using the electronic data collection form named Google forms, with a seven-point Likert-type scale (from 7—totally agree to 1—totally disagree). The analysis was performed with the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient index (>0.91) and the Content Validity Index (CVI > 0.98). Results: Of the 10 items of evaluation criteria of the instrument analyzed by the 20 validators, 100% of them obtained a Cronbach’s Alpha index rating of 0.91: clarity;coherence;scientific writing;relevance;sequence;uniqueness and updating. Coverage, item criticality and objectivity reached a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.95. The Content Validity Index was 0.95 for coverage, coherence, item criticality, scientific writing, relevance and updating. Conclusion: Rangel’s instrument for nursing care aimed at preventing and controlling hemorrhage in the third period of birth, translated into Angolan Portuguese and validated by nurses, through the statistical results obtained in the validation, was considered reliable and necessary for clinical nursing practice in Huambo, Angola. .

Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Technical Essay

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the main causes of maternal mortality, mainly in underdeveloped countries. Deaths are mostly preventable, and are related to socioeconomic development, organization of health services and professional training. Objective: To systematize alerts for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. Method: This is a technical essay developed from reflections on previously produced and published texts about maternal mortality and has hemorrhage as the focus of this study. Results: It presents the concept, classification of hemorrhage, risk factors and their classification, prevention strategies, universal recommendations, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions when hemorrhage already exists, bleeding assessment techniques;clinical evaluation, by laboratory examination and by shock index. Conclusions: Hemorrhage is a preventable cause of maternal death through the accomplishment of multiple care. Hospital care must be conducted by qualified professionals and in adequate numbers. The risk diagnosis must be carried out during prenatal care with the recording of clinical data accessible in the health care network. All references studied are not specific to nursing, as hemorrhage prevention requires multidisciplinary action.

Medical schools that received the PROMED (program for the encouragement of curricular changes in medical courses)—Preconditions and change process

Since the Curriculum Guidelines (CG) which were created in 2001 and PROMED (Program for the Encouragement of Curricular Changes in Medical Courses), several schools have applied for this incentive. Medical Schools (MS) have faced important changes in their curriculum throughout the years. The purpose is to verify if medical schools that received PROMED already had a historical of curricular changes. Several interviews, which were carried out with PROMED coordinators, were recorded, transcribed and analyzed according to the Bardin’s content analysis technique. Later, these interviews were later categorized into nine themes. This paper analyses the Medical School History category which encompasses three subcategories: existence of a former changing history;need to overcome the model and changing period. It is highlighted that medical schools that received PROMED had a previous changing historical which was sometimes located in anti-hegemonic niches. It is noticeable, however, that such changes were not enough to affect the comprehension of healthillness process and its consequent results. PROMED was, effectively, the reference for medical schools implementing the C.G. which represents, now, a benchmarking for all new and old schools in the country.

Sonography Cervical Assessment in Twin Pregnancy Correlation with Gestational Age at Delivery

Objective: Observe and correlate the funneling of upper cervical canal by ultrasound and likelihood of cervical incompetence and premature delivery in twin pregnancy. Materials and methods: Retrospective study in twin pregnancies deliveries in 1997, in king Faisal specialist hospital and research center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 67 twin pregnancies underwent routine ultrasound for fetal assessment, when the cervix closed, long;and short, funneling. The time of ultrasound was divided in three groups by gestational age: from 18 to 22 weeks;from 22 to 26 weeks and from 26 to 30 weeks. The gestational age at delivery was our outcome parameter and subdivided the patients in 4 groups, group 1: patients delivered before 24 weeks (n = 4);group 2: delivered between 24 and 34 weeks (n = 16);group 3: delivered between 34 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days (n = 18);and group 4: delivered with gestational age equal or above 37 weeks (n = 29). The data was analyzed statistically using Pearson chi square method and p value below 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant difference among the 4 subgroups in maternal age, body mass index, parity, previous history of preterm delivery or presence of urinary/vaginal infection in actual pregnancy. There was stronger history of mid trimester abortion in patients delivered before 34 weeks of gestational age. Considering the cervical sonographic findings, the diagnosis of funneling between 18 - 22 weeks was higher among the group delivered before 34 weeks of gestational age (1 and 2) comparing to other groups (3 and 4) with p value equal to 0.016. The finding in ultrasound justifies the results of higher aggressive management in patients from groups 1 and 2 comparing with groups 3 and 4;admission to hospital (p = 0.007);emergency cerclage (p = 0.04), complete hospital bed rest (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Cervical assessment during routine ultrasound in twins pregnancy seems to be useful for prediction of preterm delivery and counseling the patient without risk factors regarding cervical cerclage. Because of restricted number of patients, especially group 1 (11 = 4), we suggest further study with bigger sample and prospective trial for valued conclusion.

Good Practices in Strategic Environmental Assessment Processes under the Brazilian Practitioners’ Vision

The use of good practices (GP) can improve the technical quality and, as a consequence, the outcome of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, increasing its effectiveness. This study aimed to present GP pointed out by Brazilian practitioners (members of the SEA development teams) from the perspective afforded by their participation in processes of this tool. The data were collected through personal interviews with 11 professionals responsible for preparing a total of 17 SEAs, who were asked about what measures adopted in the SEA could be considered BP. The responses were audio-recorded, transcribed, and had their content assessed by Content Analysis technique. Nine GP were highlighted by practitioners. The GP indicated represent a valuable contribution to the improvement of future use of SEA, either in Brazil or in other countries, because they are the result of consolidated experience in real cases of application of the tool.