Access and utilisation of maternity care for disabled women who experience domestic abuse:a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Although disabled women are significantly more likely to experience domestic abuse during pregnancy than non-disabled women, very little is known about how maternity care access and utilisation is affected by the co-existence of disability and domestic abuse. This systematic review of the literature explored how domestic abuse impacts upon disabled women’s access to maternity services. METHODS: Eleven articles were identified through a search of six electronic databases and data were analysed to identify: the factors that facilitate or compromise access to care; the consequences of inadequate care for pregnant women’s health and wellbeing; and the effectiveness of existing strategies for improvement. RESULTS: Findings indicate that a mental health diagnosis, poor relationships with health professionals and environmental barriers can compromise women’s utilisation of maternity services. Domestic abuse can both compromise, and catalyse, access to services and social support is a positive factor when accessing care. Delayed and inadequate care has adverse effects on women’s physical and psychological health, however further research is required to fully explore the nature and extent of these consequences. Only one study identified strategies currently being used to improve access to services for disabled women experiencing abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Based upon the barriers and facilitators identified within the review, we suggest that future strategies for improvement should focus on: understanding women’s reasons for accessing care; fostering positive relationships; being women-centred; promoting environmental accessibility; and improving the strength of the evidence base

Viewpoints on Factors for Successful Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article explores the key factors for successful employment from the viewpoints of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and employers. Two groups of individuals participated in this study, 40 adults with ASD and 35 employers. Q method was used to understand and contrast the viewpoints of the two groups. Data were analysed using by-person varimax rotation factor analysis. Results showed that although both groups appear committed to the employment process, the difference in their understanding regarding the type of workplace support required, job expectations and productivity requirements continues to hinder successful employment. These results highlight the need to facilitate communication between employees and employers to ensure a clear understanding of the needs of both groups are met. The use of an ASD-specific workplace tool may assist in facilitating the necessary communication between these two groups

Information, Advocacy and Signposting as a Low-Level Support for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Example from the UK

‘Low-level’ support is championed to support adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) to achieve good quality health and social care, yet research in the area is sparse. Drawing on semi-structured interview data, this paper considers the efficacy of an intervention to provide low-level support to adults with HFASD with little or no funded support. The intervention led to a number of perceived positive outcomes for adults with HFASD, their families, and service providers in the city, including increased access to education, volunteering, support and information, socialising, improved health and wellbeing, and managing day-to-day. Although many of life’s difficulties still persisted, the intervention helped service users overcome barriers to availing further support, possibly leading to beneficial outcomes down the line

Concentração de lactato e glicemia em cadelas e neonatos nascidos de cesariana

Avaliaram-se a concentração de lactato e a glicemia em sete cadelas em trabalho de parto submetidas à cesariana e em seus respectivos neonatos. O lactato materno foi mensurado utilizando-se medidor portátil e pelo método enzimático colorimétrico. Nos neonatos avaliou-se também o peso ao nascimento. Os valores de lactato materno e neonatal foram estatisticamente diferentes, sendo mais elevado nos neonatos. Ao nascimento, as cadelas e os neonatos encontravam-se normoglicêmicos, e não se observou correlação entre a glicemia de ambos. Os valores de lactato obtidos pelo o analisador portátil (3,5±0,6mmol/L) foram mais altos do que os obtidos pelo método enzimático colorimétrico (1,6±0,6mmol/L). Observou-se correlação significativa entre o peso do neonato e a concentração de lactato, isto é, os filhotes de menor peso apresentaram maior concentração de lactato

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Aurachin D Analogues as Inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cytochrome <i>bd</i> Oxidase

A revised total synthesis of aurachin D (1a), an isoprenoid quinolone alkaloid that targets Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cytochrome bd (cyt-bd) oxidase, was accomplished using an oxazoline ring-opening reaction. The ring opening enabled access to a range of electron-poor analogues, while electron-rich analogues could be prepared using the Conrad–Limpach reaction. The aryl-substituted and side-chain-modified aurachin D analogues were screened for inhibition of Mtb cyt-bd oxidase and growth inhibition of Mtb. Nanomolar inhibition of Mtb cyt-bd oxidase was observed for the shorter-chain analogue 1d (citronellyl side chain) and the aryl-substituted analogues 1g/1k (fluoro substituent at C6/C7), 1t/1v (hydroxy substituent at C5/C6) and 1u/1w/1x (methoxy substituent at C5/C6/C7). Aurachin D and the analogues did not inhibit growth of nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis, but the citronellyl (1d) and 6-fluoro-substituted (1g) inhibitors from the Mtb cyt-bd oxidase assay displayed moderate growth inhibition against pathogenic Mtb (MIC = 4–8 μM)