Although there is variation in the proportion of women colonised with GBS, the range of colonisation, the serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility reported from European countries appears to be similar to that identified in overseas countries.
Aims: To investigate the prevalence, persistence and risk factors of high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (HPV) among urban and rural women of reproductive age coming to consult a gynaecologist. Methods: A prospective cohort study in urban (Kaunas) and rural (Marijampole) regions of Lithuania. The data were collected in 8 healthcare institutions from women seeking consultation of gynaecologists using a questionnaire for finding out demographic, social, behavioural and biomedical factors. HPV DNA was determined by molecular hybridization method (hybrid capture version II) determining HPV of high oncogenic risk. Result: 1,120 women participated in the study. The prevalence of high-risk HPV among the studied women was 25.1%. It was higher among the urban women than among the rural women. The prevalence of high-risk HPV was increased if the subjects had 2 or more sexual partners during the last 12 months (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.83–4.32), were 19 years of age or younger (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.47–4.91), were smoking (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.16–2.81), and had secondary or lower education level (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.01–2.04). This infection was obviously associated with high- and low-grade squamous intraepithelial changes of the cervix (OR 1.66, 95% CI = 1.08–2.53). Conclusion: The incidence rate for cervical cancer in Lithuania is one of the highest in comparison with other European countries. HPV infection was also particularly common in the studied population. About one-fourth of the women were infected with high-risk HPV infection. Young and less educated women were found to be the group that was most exposed to HPV, and therefore public health interventions and education seem to be essential in programs aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
BackgroundTo determine the cesarean section (CS) rate in Lithuania, identify the groups of women that influence it using the Robson classification and to determine the impact of implementing the use of the Robson classification on the CS rate.MethodsThe Robson classification was introduced in Lithuanian hospitals prospectively classifying all the deliveries in 2012. The overall CS rate, sizes of the Robson groups of women, CS rate in each group and contribution to the overall CS rate from each group was calculated and the results were discussed. The analysis was repeated in 2014 and the data were compared using MS EXCEL and SPSS 23.0.ResultsNineteen Lithuanian hospitals participated in the study. They represented 84.1% of the deliveries (23,742 out of 28,230) in 2012 and 88.5% of the deliveries (24,653 out of 27,872) in 2014. The CS rate decreased from 26.9% (6379/23,742) in 2012 to 22.7% (5605/24,653) in 2014 (p < 0.001). The greatest contributions to the overall CS rate were made by groups 1, 2 and 5. The greatest decrease in the CS rate was detected in group 2. The absolute contribution to the overall CS rate decreased from 4.9% to 3.8%.ConclusionThe Robson classification can work as an audit tool to identify the groups that have the greatest impact on the CS rate. It also helps to develop a strategy focussing on the reduction of the CS rate.
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