Human papillomavirus infection. Frequency and association with cervical neoplasia in a young population

One million, six hundred thirty-two thousand, eight hundred forty-seven women from two independent populations in the United States received cytologic screening during a two-year period. Condylomatous lesions (human papillomavirus [HPV] infections) were the most frequent cytologic abnormality in women in both the Planned Parenthood and private sector groups (prevalence rates of 18.6 to 19.0 in women between ages 15 to 19). The prevalence rates of mild-to-moderate dysplasia were also similar in both populations, with the highest frequencies being between ages 25 to 29. Severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ were most frequent between ages 35 to 39. In both populations, women with condylomatous changes coexisting with dysplastic changes were about ten years younger, grade-for-grade of severity of the lesion, than women without evidence of HPV infection. Since HPV infection is believed to represent the soil from which neoplasm develops, both the frequency of condyloma and the occurrence of dysplasia and cancer in young women suggest that women should begin regular screening programs while in their teens or after they become sexually active.

[Sociologic problems of contraception in the opinion of women from urban and rural areas]

The paper, having a diagnostic character, discusses the problems of birth control, family planning and contraception methods. The methods of the investigation were a questionnaire, interview and analysis of documentation. The investigation was carried out in two areas: urban--Katowice and rural--Istebna. The investigation was carried out among a group of 100 women between 20 and 55 years of age. All the women questioned have been married for 1-30 years. Most of them have two children--30%. Most women from both the urban and rural areas use natural methods of contraception, in. the town--Billings method and in the country--conjugal diary. Thermal method is less popular as it is time-consuming. The main reasons for choosing a natural method of contraception control are moral, religious and biological aspects, which give the women a psychic comfort and a strong feeling of attachment to the husband. Women from the urban area say that they started to use contraceptive methods after getting married whereas women from the rural area--after giving birth to a child. Contraceptive devices are used by about 30% of women. The most popular are: among women from the town--coitus interruptus, artificial abortion and less popular contraceptive devices such as oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and chemical substances. Among women from the rural area the most common is coitus interruptus and then 2-1 cases of each of the remaining methods. Women applying contraceptive devices are aware of their harmful effects, their unreliability, immorality and violating nature. Women in the country face a lot of difficulties in buying contraceptive devices and they also (22%) use artificial abortion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Organized family planning services in the United States, 1976-1977

In 1977, an estimated 4.2 million women received contraceptive services from organized family planning programs in the United States. The number of patients has grown each year since the late 1960s, but since 1973, growth has slowed concurrently with a diminished increase in the level of federal funding for family planning services. The proportion of clinic patients who are teenagers increased from 20 percent in 1969 to 31 percent in 1977. An estimated 1.3 million adolescents received services in 1977, compared with just 214,000 in 1969. Contraceptive services were provided during 1977 by 2,574 agencies at some 5,300 clinic sites. Health departments served 42 percent of all family planning patients; Planned Parenthood affiliates served 27 percent; hospitals served 13 percent; and community action groups, free clinics, neighborhood health centers and women's health programs together served 18 percent. Federal expenditures for medical family planning services provided by organized clinics and private physicians rose from an estimated $13.5 million in 1968 to $239.1 million in 1977. Estimated federal expenditures for clinic services were $192.5 million--three-quarters of the total $252.6 million in public and private expenditures for such programs. Federal project grant funds under Title X of the Public Health Services Act accounted for 42 percent of all medical family planning expenditures in clinics, and for 55 percent of all federal funds expended for this purpose. These findings are based on data from the most recent study of the organized family planning service network conducted by The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI) for 1977.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Survey of a medically indigent population in South Dallas, Texas, 1969

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