Differences in uterine and serum metabolome associated with metritis in dairy cows

Objectives were to evaluate differences in the uterine and serum metabolomes associated with metritis in dairy cows. Vaginal discharge was evaluated using a Metricheck device (Simcro) at 5, 7, and 11 d in milk (DIM; herd 1) or 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 DIM (herd 2). Cows with reddish or brownish, watery, and fetid discharge were diagnosed with metritis (n = 24). Cows with metritis were paired with herdmates without metritis (i.e., clear mucous vaginal discharge or clear lochia with ≤50% of pus) based on DIM and parity (n = 24). Day of metritis diagnosis was considered study d 0. All cows diagnosed with metritis received antimicrobial therapy. The metabolome of uterine lavage collected on d 0 and 5, and serum samples collected on d 0 were evaluated using untargeted gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Normalized data were subjected to multivariate canonical analysis of population using the MultBiplotR and MixOmics packages in R Studio. Univariate analyses including t-test, principal component analyses, partial least squares discriminant analyses, and pathway analyses were conducted using Metaboanalyst. The uterine metabolome differed between cows with and without metritis on d 0. Differences in the uterine metabolome associated with metritis on d 0 were related to the metabolism of butanoate, amino acids (i.e., glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate), glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. No differences in the serum metabolome were observed between cows diagnosed with metritis and counterparts without metritis on d 0. Similarly, no differences in uterine metabolome were observed between cows with metritis and counterparts not diagnosed with metritis on d 5. These results indicate that the establishment of metritis in dairy cows is associated with local disturbances in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism in the uterus. The lack of differences in the uterine metabolome on d 5 indicates that processes implicated with the disease are reestablished by d 5 after diagnosis and treatment.

Days in the prepartum group are associated with subsequent performance in Holstein cows

Our objective was to evaluate the association between days in the prepartum group (DPG) with performance and survival in Holstein cows. Data from 18,657 Holstein cow-lactations (6,993 nulliparous and 9,390 parous prepartum) were collected. Cows with a gestation length shorter than 256 d (n = 267) or longer than 296 d (n = 131) and cows that spent 0 DPG (n = 238) were removed, resulting in 18,021 cow-lactations. Data were collected for the first 300 d postpartum, and responses included milk yield, incidence of diseases by 90 d postpartum, reproduction, and survival. Days in the prepartum group were analyzed as a continuous variable, and regression coefficients were used to estimate the responses when cows spent 7, 28, or 42 DPG, representing cows with a short, moderate, or an extended time in the prepartum group, respectively. An interaction between DPG as a quadratic covariate and parity-diet was observed for milk yield by 300 d postpartum. Means were 9,331; 9,665; and 9,261 kg for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively, in nulliparous cows, and 9,886; 10,939; and 10,117 kg for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively, in parous cows. Also, the interaction between DPG and parity-diet affected retained placenta, metritis, mastitis, and morbidity. Morbidity affected 49.5, 52.9, and 59.5% of nulliparous and 49.7, 26.5, and 47.4% of parous cows that spent 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively. A linear association between DPG and pregnancy at first artificial insemination was observed with estimates of 37.0, 32.6, and 29.8% for 7, 28, and 42 DPG, respectively. On the other hand, a quadratic association was observed between DPG and the proportion of pregnant cows at 300 d postpartum, and estimates for 7, 28, and 42 DPG were, respectively, 71.7, 73.5, and 58.8%. A quadratic relationship was also observed for DPG and removal from the herd by 300 d postpartum, and estimates were 25.2, 22.9, and 34.4% for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively. Associations between DPG with production, health, reproduction, and survival were detected, and they varied with parity-diet group. For several responses evaluated, a quadratic association was observed, which suggested that there was an optimal period for cows to spend in the prepartum group, and reduced or extended number of days were detrimental to performance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Medical Abortion, According to Brazilian Residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

OBJECTIVE

 To find out which was the opinion of residents in obstetrics and gynecology about the advantages and disadvantages of medical abortion as compared with surgical procedures.

METHOD

 Cross-sectional multicenter study among residents in obstetrics and gynecology from 21 maternity hospitals located in 4 different geographical regions of Brazil, using a self-responded questionnaire with 31 questions related to their opinion and experience on providing abortion services.

RESULTS

 Most residents agreed that "being less invasive" (94.7%), "does not require anesthesia" (89.7%), "can be accompanied during the process" (89.1%), "prevents physical trauma" (84.4%) were the main advantages of medical abortion.

CONCLUSION

 Residents perceived both clinical and personal issues as advantages of medical abortion.

Conhecimento de médicos residentes em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia sobre o aborto medicamentoso

O aborto medicamentoso ou farmacológico tem demonstrado ser um meio eficaz para a interrupção da gravidez. Entretanto, o treinamento de provedores no uso do misoprostol tem sido limitado. O presente artigo tem como objetivo identificar o grau de conhecimento dos médicos residentes em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia sobre aborto medicamentoso. Realizou-se um estudo transversal multicêntrico com residentes regularmente inscritos no programa de residência em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia de vinte e um hospitais de ensino. Foi utilizado um questionário de autorresposta. As respostas corretas a cada uma das alternativas foram identificadas e uma variável de resposta binária (≥ P70, < P70) foi definida pelo percentil 70 do número de perguntas sobre o misoprostol. Quatrocentos e sete médicos residentes devolveram o questionário, sendo que 404 estavam preenchidos e três em branco. A maioria (56,3%) dos residentes tinha até 27 anos de idade, era do sexo feminino (81,1%) e não vivia junto com um(a) companheiro(a) (70%). A maior proporção (68,2%) estava cursando o primeiro ou segundo ano da residência. Apenas 40,8% dos participantes acertaram 70% ou mais das afirmativas. Na análise múltipla, cursar o terceiro ano de residência ou superior (OR = 2,18; IC95%: 1,350-3,535) e ter participado do atendimento a uma mulher com abortamento induzido ou provavelmente induzido (OR = 4,12; IC95%: 1,761-9,621) mostraram-se associados a um maior conhecimento sobre o tema. Entre os médicos brasileiros residentes em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, o conhecimento sobre o aborto medicamentoso é muito reduzido e constitui um obstáculo para o bom atendimento dos casos de interrupção legal da gestação.

The abstract versus the concrete: differing opinions of medical residents in obstetrics and gynaecology about abortion and punishment of abortion

Purpose: To investigate the opinions of Brazilian medical residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology on abortion legislation according to their personal beliefs.Material and methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study. Residents at 21 university teaching hospitals completed a self-report questionnaire on their opinions in abstract terms, and about punishing women who abort in general and women they know.Results: In abstract terms, 8% favoured allowing abortion under any circumstances (fully liberal); 36% under socioeconomic or psychological constraints (broadly liberal); 75.3% opposed punishing a woman who has aborted (liberal in general practice); and 90.2% opposed punishing women they knew personally (liberal in personal practice). Not having a stable partner and not being influenced by religion were factors associated with liberal opinions. In personal practice, however, 80% of those who are influenced by religion were liberal. The percentage of respondents whose opinions were liberal was significantly greater among those who believed that abortion rates would remain the same or decrease following liberalisation.Conclusions: Judgements regarding the penalisation of women who abort are strongly influenced by how close the respondent is to the problem. Accurate information on abortion needs to be provided. Although about one third of the respondents were broadly liberal, the majority oppose punishment.

Intralesional and perilesional application of an epidermal growth factor (Heberprot-P®) in diabetic foot ulcers. Part one

For 15 years, from 2001, we began to apply Heberprot-P®, an injectable Epidermal Growth Factor (0.75 μg) created in the Center of Biotechnology, in Havana, Cuba. More than 159,000 patients were treated around the world, from 25 countries, with, with only 9-11% high-level amputations. In this paper, we discuss our experience in the treatment of the most complex diabetic foot ulcers cases for the last 15 years.

Physicians' information to patients and prescription of the emergency contraceptive pill according to their personal experience of using the method and perception of its mechanism of action

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between physicians' understanding of the mechanism of action of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), their personal use of it, and their practice in informing their patients about the method and in prescribing it.

METHODS

The study was carried out in a sample of 3337 obstetrician-gynaecologists who responded to a mailed questionnaire. Bivariate analysis was used to test the association between physicians' personal use of the ECP, their understanding of its mechanism of action, and their practice in informing their patients about the method and in prescribing it. Multiple Poisson regression analysis was carried out to identify variables independently associated with the two dependent variables.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis showed that the percentage of physicians who had informed their patients about the ECP was significantly lower among those who had needed it themselves but had not used it and among those living in the northeast of Brazil. A significantly higher percentage of female than male physicians had provided information on the ECP. The percentage of physicians who had prescribed the ECP was significantly lower among those who had needed it themselves but had not used it and among those who believed that it caused a mini-abortion. The proportion of physicians who had ever-prescribed the ECP was greater among those who worked exclusively in private practice and among those who worked in a state capital.

CONCLUSIONS

The misconception that emergency contraception could cause a mini-abortion was associated with its denial to potential users, while physicians' personal experience of needing to use it favoured the likelihood of their informing potential users about it and prescribing it.

[SUS users' knowledge of and attitude to HPV virus and vaccines available in Brazil]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines in men and women, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System, and the intention to get themselves and their teenage children vaccinated.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study with 286 women (18-49 years old) and 252 men (18-60 years old), users of five primary health units and two polyclinics in Campinas, SP, Southeastern Brazil, was carried out. Participants were interviewed in 2011 using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and Poisson regression analysis were performed to identify variables associated with knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines, and participants vaccination intentions.

RESULTS

Almost 40.0% of the participants reported having heard of HPV and 28.9% mentioned adequate information. The main information source was the media (41.7%). Only 8.6% of the participants had heard of the HPV vaccines. Once the participants were informed of the existence of HPV vaccines about 94% of them said they would get vaccinated and/or vaccinate their teenage children, if the vaccines were available in the public health system. Schooling of over 8 years and being female were the variables independently associated with having heard of HPV, the vaccines and having adequate knowledge of the virus. Advanced age was associated with having heard of HPV vaccines. There were no variables associated with the vaccination intentions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results reinforce the need for educational activities that provide the population with adequate information on HPV and preventive measures.

Gender and sexual violence among students at a brazilian university

OBJECTIVES: the prevalence of gender and sexual violence, its association with gender and ethical attitudes and the experience of suffering and perpetration of violence were evaluated among students at a public university in Brazil. METHODS: a cross-sectional study analyzed the answers given by 2430 students to a questionnaire sent by internet. RESULTS: among girls, 56.3% had been subjected to some kind of violence and 9.4% to sexual violence since university admission; 29.9% of men reported having perpetrated some kind of violence, 11.4% gender and 3.3% sexual violence. Multivariate analysis showed that living with parents/relatives was a protective factor for women being subjected to and men perpetrating sexual violence but not for "any type of violence". Lower scores for ethical attitudes were associated with a greater likelihood of men perpetrating any kind of or gender violence. Student for whom religion was important had a lower risk of being a perpetrator of any type and of sexual violence, but not gender violence. CONCLUSIONS: the findings may be useful for the discussion of this problem and to propose interventions to prevent or minimize the problems of gender and sexual violence on campus. Further studies in other university contexts need to be carried out to increase knowledge and explore possibilities for intervention.

Violence among female users of healthcare units: prevalence, perspective and conduct of managers and professionals

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of violence in women who are primary healthcare users and to verify if these situations were detected and how they were tackled by these services' professionals.

METHODS

Descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out with 14 municipal women's health coordinators, 2,379 women who are users of primary healthcare units, 75 managers and 375 professionals, in 15 municipalities of the State of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil), between August 2008 and May 2009. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and a descriptive analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

A specific protocol for assisting women in situations of violence was mentioned in five municipalities. The majority (83%) of the coordinators reported that situations of violence among female users were detected, although 74% said this was not routinely investigated, which was confirmed by 72.3% of the professionals. Among the women, 76.5% reported having experienced some type of violence throughout their lives, and 56.4% said that an intimate partner was the perpetrator of that violence; almost 30% reported at least one episode in the 12 months prior to the interview; 6.5% reported looking for help at a Primary Healthcare Unit.

CONCLUSIONS

A relevant proportion of users experienced violence in their daily routine, mainly perpetrated by an intimate partner. Most of the women were neither identified nor approached in these services and did not receive help. Although health managers and professionals realized the magnitude of the problem, they did not consider that primary care was prepared to assist these women. The study showed that there is no intersectoral care network to assist women in situation of violence.

Brazilian abortion law: the opinion of judges and prosecutors

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the opinion of judges and prosecutors concerning Brazilian abortion law and situations in which the abortion should be allowed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,493 judges and 2,614 prosecutors in Brazil between 2005 and 2006. Participants completed a structured questionnaire approaching sociodemographic characteristics, opinions about abortion law, and circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of data were carried out through Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (78%) found that the circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful should be broadened, or even that abortion should not be criminalized. The highest rates of pro-abortion opinions resulted from: risk to the life of the mother (84%), anencephaly (83%), severe congenital malformation of fetus (82%), and pregnancy resulting from rape (82%). Variables related to religion were strongly associated to the opinion of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a trend in considering the need of changing the current abortion law, in the sense of widening the circumstances in which abortion is considered lawful, or even toward decriminalizing abortion, regardless of the circumstances in which it takes place.

Factors associated to knowledge and opinion of gynecologists and obstetricians about the Brazilian legislation on abortion

INTRODUCTION: Unsafe abortion accounts for about 12% of maternal deaths in Brazil, although many of these women could meet the requirements for legal abortion in this country. Physicians' inappropriate knowledge of the law may be playing a role in this situation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which factors are associated with the level of information and the opinion of the Brazilian gynecologists-obstetricians concerning abortion laws. METHODS: Questionnaires (14.320) were sent to all physicians affiliated to the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO), and 30.2% were returned completed. RESULTS: Most of respondents showed a good knowledge of the situations in which abortion is allowed but not about the documents required to carry out a legal abortion. However, most of them knew about the need for a judicial order in case of abortion of malformed fetus. Knowledge was associated with age, number of children and years of practice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Poor knowledge on the requirements to carry out an abortion within the law may be a main factor responsible for the lack of access to legal abortion in Brazil.

The Closer You Are, the Better You Understand: The Reaction of Brazilian Obstetrician—Gynaecologists to Unwanted Pregnancy

In Brazil, abortion is legally restricted but highly prevalent. The objective of this study was to obtain data on the opinions of obstetrician-gynaecologists regarding abortion and to verify whether there is consistency between their personal opinion with respect to abortion and their private decision when confronted personally with an unwanted pregnancy or with a request for abortion from a patient or relative. A structured questionnaire was sent to obstetrician-gynaecologists, members of the Brazilian Federation of Gynaecological and Obstetrical Societies (FEBRASGO). A total of 4261 physicians responded, a 30% response rate. Almost a quarter of female physicians and a third of male physicians had had an unwanted pregnancy, and 80% of these were aborted. Even among those for whom religion was very important, almost 70% chose abortion when personally faced with an unwanted pregnancy Twice as many respondents accepted abortion as a solution for themselves or their partners as for their patients. The difference was much smaller only if the physician had personally experienced abortion. Thus, the closer physicians are to the problem of abortion, the greater their understanding that there are circumstances under which abortion is the best or only alternative. We expect the publication of these data to contribute towards liberalisation of the abortion law in Brazil.

Escolha de métodos contraceptivos entre usuárias de um serviço público de saúde

Descreve-se a percepção de 250 mulheres que solicitaram métodos anticoncepcionais (MAC) em um serviço público de saúde quanto à sua liberdade de escolha, a contribuição de uma ação educativa e de uma consulta para essa liberdade, a satisfação com o MAC escolhido e a continuidade de seu uso, depois de seis meses. Quase todas as mulheres (99,6%) chegaram ao serviço com um MAC já escolhido e 90,0% saíram usando esse método; 81,9% referiram ter se sentido bastante livres para escolher o MAC e 60,0% disseram que a ação educativa e a consulta aumentaram a sua liberdade. Seis meses depois, 87,3% continuavam usando o mesmo MAC. Entre as mulheres que declararam alguma insatisfação com o método iniciado, foi significativamente maior a proporção das que mudaram de MAC e das que disseram que faltou alguma informação quando iniciaram o uso. A ação educativa e a consulta parecem ter atuado como legitimadores de uma escolha feita antes de as mulheres procurarem o serviço, com base em informações recebidas de outras fontes. Isto, provavelmente, contribuiu para a percepção de terem tido bastante liberdade de escolha.

[Exclusive breastfeeding among working women with free daycare available at workplace]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors related to the decision of exclusive breastfeeding, and the planned and the actual duration among working women with free daycare available at workplace.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted comparing a group of 15 women exclusively breastfeeding their babies with a similar group of women whose babies were already being fed with other food besides maternal milk at the time they started attending a daycare center. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out for data collection.

RESULTS

The factors related to the decision of breastfeeding and maintaining it when women went back to work were: the desire to breastfeed based on the importance women of both groups as well as their husbands and significant others attributed to it. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was mainly associated to the baby's pediatrician counseling, which differed in each group.

CONCLUSIONS

The availability of free daycare center at the work place seems an important aspect to breastfeeding maintenance after women go back to work, especially regarding exclusive breastfeeding. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was related to the information received before and during pregnancy, and also in the postpartum. Women who have exclusively breastfed for almost six months believed the longer they breastfeed the better to their babies' health, while other women believed that three months of exclusive breastfeeding would be enough.

Adequação do conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais entre mulheres de Campinas, São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Realizou-se uma análise de dados secundários para avaliar a adequação do conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais e sua associação com características socioeconômicas e demográficas. MÉTODO: Foi estudada uma amostra de 472 mulheres da Cidade de Campinas, Estado de São Paulo. Aplicou-se o teste qui-quadrado para avaliar diferenças entre as variáveis, e realizou-se análise múltipla por regressão logística para identificar as variáveis independentes associadas à adequação do conhecimento (medida através de um escore). RESULTADOS: Pouco menos da metade das mulheres alcançou um escore de conhecimento dos métodos anticoncepcionais maior que seis, classificado como adequado. A maior escolaridade e a melhor classificação de estrato socioeconômico associaram-se a um maior escore de conhecimento. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apontam a necessidade de maiores investimentos na educação das mulheres de modo geral e, especificamente, quanto à contracepção. Ao mesmo tempo, é necessário que os profissionais que trabalham nos serviços públicos de saúde estejam capacitados para proverem acesso aos métodos e à informação adequada sobre eles.

Fertility and reproductive history of sterilized and non-sterilized women in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

This article compares sterilized and non-sterilized women in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history, and cohabitation status. Women from 30 to 49 years of age and residing in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, were interviewed with a pre-tested and structured questionnaire: 236 women sterilized at least five years before the interview and 236 non-sterilized women. The sterilized women were significantly more likely to be married or cohabiting, to be younger when they began cohabiting, and to have been in the union longer than the non-sterilized women. They also began childbearing at an earlier age and had a history of more pregnancies and more live births than non-sterilized women. Factors associated with a history of 3 or more live births at the time of the interview were surgical sterilization, younger age at first childbirth, older age at the interview, recognition of fewer contraceptive methods, and lower per capita income. The article concludes that sterilization generally appears to be the consequence of higher fertility in a group of women who initiate childbearing early in life, although its role in preventing these women from having even larger families may also have a demographic impact.

[Male participation in contraceptive methods use]

This study aimed to evaluate male participation in the use of contraceptive methods and to identify relevant variables. A secondary data analysis was conducted, and the sample size was estimated at 175 men using contraceptives methods that require male participation. The study used the qui-square test to evaluate differences between groups, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis. Some 38% of interviewees used some birth control method that required male participation. Higher level of schooling was associated with the use of some form of contraception requiring male participation, i.e., condom use or vasectomy. Considering the sample's characteristics, the study concluded that it is possible for important changes to take place in Brazilian society with regard to the male perspective on contraception. For these changes to be possible it is necessary to invest in education for both men and women, shown to be an important factor for a balance in gender relations.

[Male perspective on induced abortion]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the perspective on induced abortion of men of a university community living in legal or consensual wedlock.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and 361 members of different categories of an university were interviewed. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables.

RESULTS

Fifth-three percent of the participants acknowledged that women have the right to end pregnancy. Men were more favorable to abortion when there is a risk to woman's life (85%); rape-related pregnancy (80%); and fetal anomalies (75%). Higher schooling of both men and their partners and the interviewees' position (teacher/student) were associated to a positive attitude towards abortion.

CONCLUSIONS

Men tended to be more prone to abortion in legally and/or socially accepted instances. Better education of both men and their partners was relevant to determine their attitude towards abortion.

The opinion of Brazilian women regarding vaginal labor and cesarean section

OBJECTIVES

The opinions of Brazilian women regarding vaginal delivery and cesarean sections was studied.

METHODS

Six hundred and fifty-six women who had given birth in seven hospitals in São Paulo and Pernambuco, using the Public Health Service, were interviewed. The opinions of women who had delivered only by cesarean section was compared with those of women who had had at least one vaginal delivery.

RESULTS

Significantly more women who had experienced at least one vaginal delivery considered this to be the best way of giving birth (90.4% vs. 75.9% among C-section-only women). Similar proportions in both groups (45.5% and 42.8%) stated that vaginal labor is better because it causes less pain and suffering for the woman. Significantly more women who had experienced a vaginal labor (47.1% vs. 30.3%) reported that it had no disadvantage. More women who had only had cesarean sections referred not having contractions/pain as an advantage of this method (56.7% vs. 41.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Apparently, pain and women's perception of pain were the characteristics which differentiated women with history of vaginal delivery from those with cesarean sections in the sample studied. However, the opinion that vaginal delivery is better than cesarean section was expressed independently of the recognition that pain could be its main disadvantage.

[Emergency contraception in Brazil: facilitators and barriers]

A multi-centered qualitative study was conducted in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to assess the acceptability of emergency contraception both among potential users and possible providers, authorities, and opinion-makers, and to identify (according to participants' perceptions) factors facilitating or hindering the method's use and the most appropriate strategies to disseminate information and provide the method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, group interviews, and discussion groups, which were tape-recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis of this material was conducted. Acceptability of emergency contraception was high among participants, who also felt that there were no barriers towards its acceptance by the population. Participants felt that the method's acceptability would be greater if it were included in reproductive health programs, emphasizing its prescription for emergency situations. Participants highlighted that strategic components in Brazil would be training of providers and inclusion of the method in family planning services.

Perspectiva masculina quanto a métodos contraceptivos

Ao longo dos anos, os programas de planejamento familiar preocuparam-se quase que exclusivamente em atingir apenas a população feminina. Mais recentemente essa atitude vem mudando, pois evidenciou-se que os homens têm forte influência sobre suas parceiras quanto ao uso de anticoncepcionais. Dentro deste contexto, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo geral identificar a perspectiva e o papel masculino quanto à decisão de usar métodos contraceptivos. O tamanho amostral foi calculado em 776 homens de uma universidade paulista; foram selecionados 467 estudantes de graduação, 314 funcionários e 129 docentes, totalizando 910 sujeitos. Foi utilizado um questionário estruturado e pré-testado. A análise dos dados encontra-se em andamento. Os métodos menos conhecidos pelos homens foram: Billings (29,9%), injetáveis (35,4%) e os cremes/geléias (57,8%). Os demais foram mencionados por pelo menos 80% dos entrevistados. A proporção dos que disseram não conhecer qualquer meio de evitar a gravidez esteve em torno de 1,6%. Estes resultados são semelhantes aos encontrados por outros autores.