Menstrual Patterns among Upper Secondary School Students, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Objective:To determine the prevalence of abnormal menstrual bleeding and effects of menstrual bleeding on academic and daily life among upper secondary students in Khon Kaen, Thailand.Material and Method: 339 Secondary school students were randomly selected and asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire included data on demographics, menstrual patterns, impact of menstruation on academics and daily life and any related menstrual symptoms.Results: We surveyed 339 students between 15 and 19 years of age. Mean age of menarche was 12.3±1.1. Majority of students (75%) had regular menstrual cycles while 25% had irregular menstrual cycles. Four patterns of menstrual irregularity predominated: metrorrhagia, polymenorrhea, menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea and oligomenorrhea (37.6 %, 35.3%, 17.7% and 9.4%, respectively). Menstrual irregularity affected activity such as poor studying concentration (48.2%) and limit sport activities (42.3%). False negative perception of abnormal menstruation was 17.9%. The two most common sources of consultation were mothers (90.5%) and internet and social media (22.7%).Conclusion: Abnormal menstrual bleeding is common in menstrual disorders. Metrorrhagia and polymenorrhea are also high prevalence. Academic and daily life activities are affected by menstrual irregularity. Consequently, health promotion programs in secondary school should be provided for improving their menstrual health

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in 6-week Postpartum Women

Objective:To determine the prevalence of and potential risk factors for postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) in Thai women.Materials and Methods: Total of 363 women delivered in University Hospital and attended 6-week postpartum check-up visits were recruited. Self-administered questionnaires and structural interviews were used to collect data. Logistic regression was used to test the independence of variables.Results: The prevalence of UI in 6-week postpartum women was 17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.19- 20.97). They were classified into three groups; stress incontinence in 12.1%, urgency incontinence in 0.6%, and mixed incontinence in 4.4%. The risk for postpartum UI rose significantly among pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 (OR 3.75; 95%CI 1.47-9.58). Risk for postpartum UI was significantly lower among those who performed pelvic floor muscle exercise (OR 0.005; 95%CI 0.001-0.028).Conclusion: Urinary incontinence was prevalent at 6 weeks, postpartum, in Thai women. The significant independent predictors were pre-pregnancy BMI and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise

The outcomes of midline versus medio-lateral episiotomy

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From research to practice: the example of antenatal care in Thailand.

The rationale for providing antenatal care is to screen predominantly healthy pregnant women to detect early signs of, or risk factors for, abnormal conditions or diseases and to follow this detection with effective and timely intervention. The recommended antenatal care programme in most developing countries is often the same as the programmes used in developed countries. However, in developing countries there is wide variation in the proportion of women who receive antenatal care. The WHO randomized trial of antenatal care and the WHO systematic review indicated that a model of care that provided fewer antenatal visits could be introduced into clinical practice without causing adverse consequences to the woman or the fetus. This new model of antenatal care is being implemented in Thailand. Action has been required at all levels of the health-care system, from consumers through to health professionals, the Ministry of Public Health and international organizations. The Thai experience is a good example of moving research findings into practice, and it should be replicated elsewhere to effectively manage other health problems

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Iodine Deficiency Disorder among Pregnant Women at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and supplementation among pregnant women at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Materials and Methods:We performed a cross sectional study. A total of 363 first antenatal-visit pregnant women at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University during October 2014 to April 2015 were included. Data was collected using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and interview. Descriptive analysis was conducted and univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with practice regarding IDD.Results: Among 363 pregnant women, only 121 (33.33%) participants had good knowledge, only 128 (35.26%) participants had good attitude regarding iodine deficiency, and only 86 (23.69%) participants reported good practice of iodine supplementation. There were 309 (85.12%) pregnant women received information regarding IDD. Pregnant women with good knowledge of IDD had significantly better practice (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.09, 5.01). Women with good attitude toward IDD had significantly better practice (AOR = 5.41, 95% CI 1.53, 19.05). Also, receiving IDD information significantly associated with good practice (AOR = 5.61, 95% CI 1.29, 24.29).Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding IDD and supplementation among pregnant women were insufficient. Healthcare providers at all levels should put more intensive effort in addressing this very important health problem