New from CDC Authors
Condom Use among Women of Reproductive Age (18-49 years) in Puerto Rico During the 2016 Zika Virus (ZIKV) Outbreak: Secondary Analysis of Data from a Cross-sectional, Population-based, Cell-phone Survey
Contraception is a medical countermeasure to reduce unintended pregnancy and ZIKV-associated birth defects. We estimated the prevalence of condom use and associated factors among women at risk for unintended pregnancy in Puerto Rico during the 2016 ZIKV outbreak.
Genital Microbiota of Women Using a 90 Day Tenofovir or Tenofovir and Levonorgestrel Intravaginal Ring in a Placebo Controlled Randomized Safety Trial in Kenya
Intravaginal rings (IVRs) are a safe, discreet and effective option for simultaneous delivery of contraception and antiretrovirals. In a phase-IIa trial, study authors investigated the influence of 90 days continuous-delivery tenofovir (TFV) IVRs with/without levonorgestrel (LNG) on the genital microbiota of Kenyan women. Microbiota shifts could influence genital health and ability of the female genital tract to protect against infections including sexually transmitted infections.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Beliefs and Practice Characteristics in Rural and Urban Adolescent Care Providers
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for all adolescents age 11-12 years. HPV vaccine coverage remains suboptimal in the United States though, particularly in rural areas. This study surveyed adolescent immunization providers in two Midwestern states to assess rural vs. urban differences in HPV vaccine resources, practices, and attitudes.
A Risk Measurement Tool for Targeted HIV Prevention Measures amongst Young Pregnant and Lactating Women in South Africa
The progress made towards reducing AIDS-related deaths has not been matched with equal progress in reducing new HIV infections. Young women ages 15-24 years continue to account for a disproportionate number of new infections. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to identify which pregnant/lactating young South African women (≤ 24 years) are at risk of HIV infection.
Risk-Based Cervical Consensus Guidelines: Methods to Determine Management if Less Than 5 Years of Data Are Available
In the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines, clinical management decisions are based on immediate and 5-year cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3+ risk estimates. However, data for technologies other than human papillomavirus testing and cytology may be limited to clinical trials and observational studies of shorter duration than 5 years. In this study, to enable decisions about 1- or 3-year intervals, 3-year CIN 3+ risk equivalents to 5-year CIN 3+ risk thresholds were generated.
Progress Towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 Targets among Pregnant Women in South Africa: Results from the 2017 and 2019 National Antenatal HIV Sentinel Surveys
The UNAIDS 95-95-95 global targets for epidemic control aim to ensure by 2030 that 95% of HIV-positive people know their HIV status, 95% of people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of people on ART have viral suppression. This study assessed progress towards the 95-95-95 targets among pregnant women between the ages of 15-49 years attending public health facilities in South Africa.
New from CDC Authors: COVID-19 Impact on Women
Gestational SARS-CoV-2 Infection is Associated with Placental _expression_ of Immune and Trophoblast Genes
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and can have effects on the placenta, even in the absence of severe disease or vertical transmission to the fetus. This study aimed to evaluate histopathologic and molecular effects in the placenta after SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
Perinatal COVID-19 Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes at Two Academic Birth Hospitals
In utero fetal infection from pregnant mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection appears rare. Maternal/newborn transmission during and immediately after delivery seems to occur with greater frequency, and risk may be decreased with infection prevention practices. This study sought to describe the relationship between perinatal COVID-19 and maternal and newborn health outcomes, and our local incidence of newborn SARS-CoV-2 infection during the delivery admission and within 1 month after birth, over a 13-month period at two urban, high-risk birth hospitals.
