Background Constant decline in maternal mortality ratio has given rise to the need of a new indicator. This search has motivated investigation of severe maternal morbidity-''maternal near-miss'' (MNM) event. World Health Organization (WHO) defines MNM as ''a woman who, being close to death, survives a complication that occurred during pregnancy, delivery or up to 42 days after the end of her pregnancy''. Methodology A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Sir Sayajirao General Hospital (SSGH), a tertiary care referral hospital in Vadodara, Central Gujarat, from May to September 2012. MNM events were identified according to either WHO or Mantel et al. criteria or both. Results During study period, 1929 live births, 18 maternal deaths and 46 ''near-miss'' cases were recorded. Among these 46 near-miss cases, 57 near-miss events were identified. Calculated MNM ratio was 23.85/1000 live births, MNM rate was 20.6/1000 obstetric admissions, the ratio of maternal death to MNM event was 1:2.6, and overall Mortality index was 28.1 %. Among near-miss cases, percentage of preterm delivery was 42 % and stillbirth rate was 35 % (16/46). Out of 46 MNM, pregnancies were continued in 3 while 43 pregnancies were terminated. (25 live births, 16 stillbirths, 2 abortions). 123Conclusion Identification of preventable factors and special preventive actions should be taken for management of complications in such near-miss cases.

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Objectives:To identify the reproductive health issues associated with adolescence and their readiness to avail services like Adolescent Friendly Clinic (AFC) among rural school going children.Materials and Methods:A quantitative survey was carried out using a self-administered structured questionnaire among 768 (428 boys and 340 girls) students from 15 schools by systematic random sampling from schools (3 schools from 5 talukas). Focus group discussions, 5 each with adolescent boys and girls and teachers were held.Results and Discussion:Only 31% of the boys and 33% of the girls mentioned that they had heard about contraception. More than half of the adolescent boys and girls knew correctly about various modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS. A large proportion of boys and girls have mentioned changes in the opposite sex such as increase in height, change in voice, breast development, and growth of facial hair, growth of hair in private parts, onset of menstruation in girls, etc. Nearly 70% of adolescents were ready to use AFC. Teachers perceived that adolescents become curious about the changes taking place in them, but they lack information and opportunities for open-discussions to get answers to their queries related to reproductive health. They are willing to take help from teachers but teachers are not equipped with knowledge nor are they comfortable discussing these issues with their students.Recommendations:Information on the human reproductive system and related issues on reproductive health need special attention. Teachers’ sensitization to “adolescent health care” is required.

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Background:As more and more people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) live longer and healthier lives because of antiretroviral therapy (ART), an increasing number of sexual transmissions of HIV may arise from these people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Hence, this study is conducted to assess the predictors of unsafe sexual behavior among PLWHA on ART in Western India.Materials and Methods:The current cross-sectional study was carried out among 175 PLWHAs attending ART center of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western India. Unsafe sex was defined as inconsistent and/or incorrect condom use. A total of 39 variables from four domains viz., sociodemographic, relationship-related, medical and psycho-social factors were studied for their relationship to unsafe sexual behavior. The variables found to be significantly associated with unsafe sex practices in bivariate analysis were explored by multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression in SPSS 17.0 version.Results:Fifty-eight percentage of PLWHAs were practicing unsafe sex. 15 out of total 39 variables showed significant association in bivariate analysis. Finally, 11 of them showed significant association in multivariate analysis. Young age group, illiteracy, lack of counseling, misbeliefs about condom use, nondisclosure to spouse and lack of partner communication were the major factors found to be independently associated with unsafe sex in multivariate analysis.Conclusion:Appropriate interventions like need-based counseling are required to address risk factors associated with unsafe sex.