Survey discloses NFP practices, preferences in U.S. Catholic hospitals

Criteria, prevalence, and phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Lizneva D et al., 2016 · Fertility and sterility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent disorder effecting reproductive-aged women worldwide. This article addresses the evolution of the criteria used to diagnosis PCOS; reviews recent advances in the phenotypic approach, specifically in the context of the extended Rotterdam criteria; discusses limitations of the current criteria used to diagnosis, particularly when studying adolescents and women in the peri- and postmenopause; and describes significant strides made in understanding the epidemiology of PCOS. This review recognizes that although there is a high prevalence of PCOS, there is increased variability when using Rotterdam 2003 criteria, owing to limitations in population sampling and approaches used to define PCOS phenotypes. Last, we discuss the distribution of PCOS phenotypes, their morbidity, and the role that referral bias plays in the epidemiology of this syndrome.

Evaluation of natural family planning programmes in Liberia and Zambia

Gray RH et al., 1993 · J Biosoc Sci

Studies to evaluate use-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of natural family planning (NFP) were conducted in Liberia and Zambia. The Liberian programme provided uni-purpose NFP services to 1055 clients mainly in rural areas; the Zambian programme provided NFP services integrated with MCH to 2709 clients predominantly in urban areas. The one-year life table continuation and unplanned pregnancy rates were 78.9 and 4.3 per 100 woman-years in Liberia, compared to 71.2 and 8.9 in Zambia. However, high rates of loss to follow-up mandate caution in interpretation of these results, especially in Zambia. More women progressed to autonomous NFP use in Liberia (58%) than in Zambia (35.3%). However, programme costs per couple-year protection were lower in Zambia (US$25.7) than in Liberia (US$47.1). Costs per couple-year protection were higher during learning than autonomy, and declined over time. These studies suggest that NFP programmes can achieve acceptable useand cost-effectiveness in Africa.

Natural Family Planning and Catholic Hospitals: A National Survey

Fehring RJ et al., 1993 · Linacre Q

A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Natural Family Planning (AANFP) found that over 55% of Catholic hospitals surveyed either provide or would like to provide some form of Natural Family Planning (NFP) services. In addition, over 60% of the respondents felt that NFP should be part of the mission of a Catholic hospital.

The Catholic Physician and Natural Family Planning

Fehring RJ, 2009 · Natl Cathol Bioeth Q

NFP programs provide consumer choice, benefit hospital

Daly KD et al., 1980 · Hosp Prog

Now that principles of NFP have been established specific programs are necessary to disperse information and to teach techniques. The hospital-based NFP program offers the community a needed service and benefits the hospital.

Spiritual Care of Couples Practicing Natural Family Planning

Fehring RJ et al., 2013 · Linacre Q · Free full text on PubMed Central

There are few studies that have investigated the spiritual problems of couples practicing natural family planning (NFP). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the spiritual problems and interventions of couples who were taught NFP by means of a professional online Web-based support system. Responses from this online system and its forums were categorized according to spiritual responses, spiritual problems, and spiritual interventions to the practice of NFP. Themes addressed included spiritual care in regards to decisions about the transmission of new life, difficulties in dealing with chastity and abstinence, bioethical problems related to pregnancy and illness, end of the reproductive life decisions, ethical treatment of women's health problems, sacrifice, and personal and relational struggles. Online community support, help in building confidence in NFP methods, and bioethicist referral are key interventions. The complexity of these spiritual responses, problems, and appropriate interventions require the expertise of health professionals in cooperation with bioethicists. We concluded that NFP can be viewed as both a spiritual practice and a means of spiritual growth.