Background and aimsThe Republic of Moldova is a small ex-soviet country in the Central Eastern European group of states, whose official language is Romanian. In countries with limited resources, quality improvement in healthcare and patient safety are very challenging. This study aims to identify which areas of the patient safety culture (PSC) need prompt intervention.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in three Moldovan healthcare settings, using the Romanian translation of the US Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture HSOPSC. Descriptive statistics were carried out, based on the responses from n. 929 staff. Percentages of positive responses (PPRs) by item (41 items) and composite (12 PSC areas) were computed.ResultsMost respondents were nurses (53%), followed by doctors (35%). The main work areas were: primary care (27%), medical specialties (20%), gynecology and obstetrics (16%), and general surgery (11%). The highest composite PPRs were for: teamwork within units (80%), feedback & communication about error, organizational learning-continuous improvement and supervisor/manager expectations & actions promoting patient safety (78%), and management support for patient safety (75%). The lowest composites were for: frequency of events reported (57%), non-punitive response to errors (53%), communication openness (51%) and staffing (37%).ConclusionOur results suggest that staffing issues should be tackled to provide safe care. Staff avoid to openly report adverse events and/or discuss errors, likely because a poor understanding of the potential of these events for learning and because of fear of blame or punitive actions. Future research should check psychometrics of the Romanian version of the HSOPSC applied to Moldovan staff.

The aim of the study was to identify the opportunities required for straightening of preconceptional health and care, according to medical literature. Benefits and potential risks were mentioned. Some international experiences related to preconceptional care management were analyzed, by making references especially to those from US, including the actions initiated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this article the WHO position is mentioned which develops a global consensus on preconceptional care to reduce maternal and childhood mortality and morbidity, proving a "menu of interventions" which lists the health problems, behavioral problems and risk factors in thirteen domains, evidence-based interventions to address them and mechanisms of delivering them. A special section is dedicated to some controversies in preconceptional care management, priority at the medical primary care. The WHO recommendations and the international experience represent a good support for health care systems from different countries to improve the access to the care before getting pregnant and overcoming inequalities. In this context, authors consider that the improving of preconceptional care in each country depends, first of all, on the wish of governors and health care providers. In conclusion, the hypothesis to review the family planning concept is suggested, considering that it has equally to include two main components-contraception and preconceptional care. It will provide real opportunities for people to achieve their reproductive life plan to have not only wanted, but also healthy children.

In the article the history of origine of the International Latin Association of Health Care System Analylis, its functions and different scientific problems which refl ect the health level of population in different countries, is presented. Besides of that, there are information about Association of the Republic of Moldova, which is a collective member from 2007 and it’s 4–8 persons make reports every year. There are given recommendations, how to become Personal or Collective Member of ALASS.

The importance of preconception care for the mother and child health has long been demonstrated, but the practical realization of this prophylactic activity remains insignificant. Th e article presents the “PerConcept” study results – a survey on “Family Planning” concept perceptions among physicians, whose activity is related to reproductive health. Th e study was conducted based on a unified questionnaire in three cities from three countries: Chisinau (Republic of Moldova), Irkutsk (the Russian Federation) and Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico). Th e survey involved 1.012 family physicians, obstetricians gynecologists, urologists, andrologists, but also doctors of other specialties. A number of 991 questionnaires were validated and analyzed. About 79.5% of all respondents (788) reported that the term of “family” is associated with the birth of children. About 96.0% of respondents (951) believed that pregnancy should be planned by the couple/woman. From a professional perspective, 862 physicians (94.5%), consider that the concept of family planning should also really include a component of preconception care, simultaneous with contraception. Th e majority of participants – 91.1%, (831) had the opinion that strategies and programs in the field of family planning should be revised, in order to include preconception health services. Although the “PerConcept” study had some limitations, the authors consider that the results are interesting because doctors from 3 regions of the world: Europe, Asia, and North America had a similar opinion about the need to expand the family planning concept, which should really include the preconception care, with an equal approach as another component – contraception.