16th ESC Congress – Ghent, Belgium

The abstract submission deadline is 7 April 2021

Abstracts can only be submitted electronically through the online system at: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/login?redirect=/stages/960/submission

The presenting authors, whose abstracts are accepted for presentation, must register for the congress and will be able to pay the early registration fee if the notification arrives after the early registration fee date.

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The Organising and Scientific Committee  are pleased to advise that:

• All those who submitted abstracts for the cancelled Dublin congress can have them transferred to the Ghent congress and they will remain in the original book of abstracts. All the authors who were allocated Free Communication or Poster presentations will have received a letter requesting that they complete the attached form and return to the Central Office stating whether they wish or not to attend the Ghent congress.
• The congress will accept new abstracts and invites all those involved in any aspect of contraception, sexual and reproductive health to actively participate by submitting abstracts, either for oral or poster presentation.

All new abstracts will be evaluated and those accepted will be published in the Supplement of the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care. As only a limited number of oral free communications can be accepted, authors are asked to indicate on their form whether they wish their abstract to be considered ONLY for oral free communication or poster presentation or for either option.

Topics for Free Communications and Posters

• Cultural and ethnic diversity in a changing Europe
• Contraception – all aspects
• Sexual health and sexual infections – all aspects
• Reproductive health pertaining to contraception and sexual health
• The role of: sexual Identity: gender; sexual orientation; pornography; FGM; sexual dysfunction
• The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sexual health services and provision
• Medico-legal issues; women’s, men’s and children’s rights; ethics
• The use of the Internet in social media; knowledge; education; self-testing; internet governance; data protection; telemedicine
• Service provision: roles and responsibilities of different health care professionals; new ways of providing services
• Psychosexual and mental health aspects of contraception, sexual and reproductive health
• Innovations, new discoveries and therapies in contraception and sexual and reproductive health
• Abortion – all aspects
• Contraceptive and sexual and reproductive health education and training of healthcare providers, users, family and friends – all aspects

Both qualitative and quantitative research is welcomed but not case reports, audit or historical reports.

Procedure and general policy

• Original scientific material is welcomed and can have been previously published.
• Abstracts presented at local, regional or national meetings may be submitted.
• Abstracts must reach the online system not later than 7 April 2021. Receipt of the abstract will be confirmed.
• Any person submitting an abstract who is already a first author for two previously accepted abstracts for Dublin will be permitted to submit one further abstract. Otherwise, if you have not submitted for Dublin you may be the first author of up to two new abstracts.
• Authors will need to indicate their preference on the online form: oral communication only, poster only, either oral or poster.
• Authors who wish their abstract to be considered for the best free communication, best poster presentation or for the James Trussell Award for Young Scientists Scientists, should indicate this on the online submission form. If there is no indication, it will be assumed the author does not want their abstract to be considered for a prize.
• Abstracts will be evaluated (blind) by at least two referees.
• Confirmation of acceptance or rejection by the Scientific Committee will be mailed to the author. Detailed practical information regarding the presentation will be included in the confirmation.
• Accepted abstracts will be published in the Book of Abstracts of the Congress, Supplement of the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care.
• Authors are urged, if not native English speakers, to have their abstract read and corrected by someone fluent in that language. The writing style of the abstract will be checked by the publisher and the necessary amendments made. In view of the deadline for publication, it will not be possible to submit the aforementioned amendments for authors’ approval.
• Presenting authors, whose abstracts are accepted for presentation, must register for the congress and pay the (early) registration fee. In the case of ‘no show’ at the time of the congress, the author may be blacklisted for the next congress.

How to submit an abstract?

1. Abstracts can only be submitted electronically through the online system at: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/login?redirect=/stages/960/submission
   Hard copy abstracts (sent by fax, email or post) will NOT be considered.
2. As a first-time user, you will need to register. Please enter your email address. The system will ask you to create your account.
3. Log in to the submission system. To log in, enter your email address and the password you chose when you first registered with the system (see 2).
4. You will be taken to a screen from which the submission process starts. Please read the instructions on this screen carefully.
5. Should you want to submit several abstracts, you have to login each time you want to submit an abstract.
6. Please contact the administrator by email (nancy.habils@escrh.eu) if you have any problem with this process.

Typing and other instructions

• Abstracts must be written in English.
• The abstract must fit into the abstract frame (max. 400 words).
• Type the title of the abstract in the first textbox.
• Do not enter names of authors or affiliations in the abstract template as your abstract needs to remain unidentified (blinded) to the reviewers. As you will need to enter this information elsewhere online, the system will make the correct link between your name etc. and your abstract.
• Preferably do not include references.
• The text of the abstract should briefly state:
  • Objective(s): indicate the purpose of the study or the hypothesis that was tested.
  • Design & Methods: include the setting for the study, the subjects (number and type), the diagnosis or intervention, and statistical analysis.
  • Results: present as clearly as possible the outcome of the study and statistical significance if appropriate.
  • Conclusions: briefly discuss the data and emphasise the significance and possible impact to SRH.
• Type the text of the abstract using the full width of the document.
• Avoid the use of symbols.
• Standard abbreviations are accepted in the text. Unusual ones should be in brackets after the word first appears. Do not use abbreviations in the title.
• Please ensure that your abstract does not contain any errors in spelling, grammar or scientific facts.
• You will be asked to declare any conflict of interest.

Abstract marking

All abstracts will be marked according to the following categories: design and scientific merit, originality, needs analysis, significance and possible impact on SRH. A similar process will be followed for marking free communications and posters.

Awards

If you wish your abstract to be considered for one of these awards you must detail this on the application form.

• The James Trussell Award for Young Scientists (500 euro) will provide a special platform for oral presentations by young scientists.  New abstracts submitted for this award MUST be written and presented by the first author who should be under 35 years of age at 1^st September 2021 and in a training, or a non-professorial, non-consultant grade. Those already accepted for presentation for this award and who would be 35 years or over or now in a non-training role at this date may still present.
• Some abstracts will be selected as Free Communications (FC) and will mainly be Incorporated Into the congress sessions although some separate FC sessions may be held. These will be assessed for the FC award (500 euro or 2 x 250 euro if two winners).
• Authors for the best poster award (500 euro or 2 x 250 euro if two winners) will be asked to make their poster presentation during designated lunch time and break sessions.

The Best Poster Award, the Best Free Communication Award and the James Trussell Award for Young Scientists will be awarded during the Closing Ceremony.

 Still have questions? Contact: nancy.habils@escrh.eu

The congress venue

Ghent ICC wants to bring together ideas, people, knowledge, culture, and entertainment efficiently and sustainably within the Citadel Park by developing MICE activities in an environment where heritage, service, knowledge, sustainability, and comfort are key. Ghent ICC turned the Citadel Park in a MICE venue with international appeal that functions as a hub in the city where everyone feels at home.

Gent ICC – international convention center
Van Rysselberghedreef 2 bus 1 – Citadelpark
B – 9000 Gent
www.iccghent.com/?lang=en

CME credits

The request for European accreditation will be submitted to the UEMS/EACCME. The number of granted European CME Credits will be announced in due course.

Currency

In keeping with the majority EU members, Belgium has adopted the euro as its national currency.

Insurence liability

ESC does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal insurance and participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policies in their country of origin.

Language

The congress language is English.

Public Safety

Ghent is a safe and welcoming city. The city is one of the friendliest in Europe and maintains a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

VISA

Click here to go to the visa information page of the relevant Belgian Ministry.

Weather

While the weather can be changeable – it’s rarely extreme. In September, the averages are between 15 and 20°C.

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Interesting link: https://visit.gent.be/en

The registration form and fees will become available soon.

Registration fees
All amounts will be expressed and payable in euro.

Payment 

• by credit card (Mastercard – VISA)
• by bank transfer in EURO (with no costs for the beneficiary)
  • Account name: European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health
  • Account address: Opalfeneweg 3, B-1740 Ternat, Belgium
  • Bank name: ING Belgium
  • SWIFT code: BBRUBEBB
  • Bank Account Number (IBAN) BE45 3101 2639 1389
    Bank address: ING bank, Marktplein 26, B-1740 Ternat, Belgium
  • Put in the reference: ‘Your name’ + ‘16th ESC Conference’

Cancellation policy

All refunds will incur a 20% handling fee. No refunds will be made after 1 June 2021. However, another delegate may be nominated as a replacement, up to two weeks before the congress. Cancellation must be in writing (by letter or email) to the Congress Secretariat. The date of the postmark or email will be used when considering a refund. All refunds will be made after the congress. Participants should state the bank details to which refunds should be made.

Registration package

The registration package for the participants includes:

• admission to the scientific sessions and the exhibition area
• access to the opening reception on Wednesday 1 September (confirmation is needed through the registration form)
• online abstract book
• final programme
• certificate of attendance
• coffee and tea during breaks
• lunch on Thursday and Friday

Confirmation

Upon receipt of the registration form(s) with the appropriate fees, confirmation will be sent together with a receipt of payment. Once registered, registrations cannot be changed to another fee category.

On-site registrations

While it will be possible to register on site, we do suggest that participants take advantage of the lower fee (early registration) and convenience of registering in advance.

Official Italian Agency for AIFA Procedure

Any Italian pharmaceutical company supporting or participating in a congress abroad is subjected to an authorisation by AIFA (Italian Drug Agency), according to an Italian Government Decree (Decreto Legislativo 219/06 – art. 124).
The request of authorisation must be submitted within 60 days before the starting date of the event.
Further details are available of Aifa website (https://www.aifa.gov.it/).

The appointed agency to collect all applications from pharmaceutical companies and file them with the AIFA is:

DueCi Promotion s.r.l
Via Santo Stefano, 75
40125 Bologna – Italy
info@duecipromotion.com

Opening hours registration desk

Wednesday 1 September: 14:00 – 19:30
Thursday 2 September: 07:30 – 17:00
Friday 3 September: 08:00 – 16:00

Please forward us your sponsorship comments and suggestions by email: info@escrh.eu or telephone: +32 2 582 08 52. We welcome, indeed, encourage you to join us in Ghent for an exciting and lively Congress!

A wide selection of support opportunities based on your suggestions will become available in the near future.

The Congress is organised by The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC)

Organizing Committee Members

Presidents of the ESC Congress Ghent 2021

• Mireille Merckx (Academic Counselor at the University of Ghent)
• Steven Weyers (Head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University Hospital Ghent)

Members

• Olivier Degomme – Scientific Director of ICRH
• Roland Devliegher – KWP President  VVOG
• Gilbert Donders – BIG INF president VVOG
• Patrick Emonts – GGOLFB President

Congress Secretariat
ESC Central Office
p/a Orga-Med Congress Office
Opalfeneweg 3
1740 Ternat
Belgium
T +32 2 582 08 52
F +32 2 582 55 15
info@escrh.eu
www.escrh.eu

Scientific Committee

• Short, M. (Ireland) – Chair
• Bitzer, J. (Switzerland)
• Bombas, T. (Portugal)
• Cameron, S. (UK)
• Furau, C. (Romania)
• Grandi, G. (Italy)
• Haldre, K. (Estonia)
• Kopp Kallner, H. (Sweden)
• Kubba, A. (UK)
• Merckx, M. (Belgium)
• Randall, S. (UK)
• Ravn, P. (Denmark)
• Toschi, M. (Italy)
• Vatopoulou, A. (Greece)
• Weyers, S. (Belgium)