Women & Health最新文献

Digital health resources can provide an effective way for women to seek advice and share information. The aim of the current review is to understand the role of digital technologies in accessing digital menopause information. Six databases were examined for papers considering the use of digital technology in accessing digital information on menopause, published before March 2025. From 1970 papers identified, 14 papers were included in the review. Digital technologies are used to seek further information on the menopause, whether in addition to information provided by healthcare professionals, or to track symptoms or to normalize personal experiences. Trust in the source of the digital menopause information impacts whether it is accessed and how the information received is appraised. The impact of using digital technologies for menopause information was positive, including increased feelings of empowerment, decision making satisfaction, and the facilitation of conversations with others around menopause. However, representation of those who experience menopause was imperative. Overall, women find using digital technologies for menopause to be a positive experience. Future research should address the unique and complementary value of different types of digital technology to support menopause and understand how technologies can be better integrated into discussions with healthcare professionals.

The healthcare workforce in the United States (US) has an inequitable representation of women and Underrepresented in Medicine (URIM) groups, including Black or African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders, Hispanic or Latinos, and Asians. Despite almost three decades of equal representation of women students in medical school, the gender disparity persists throughout leadership ranks. Studies have shown that residency recruitment is a limiting factor in diversity in surgery, and systemic changes are needed to increase the representation of minorities and women in the medical and surgical disciplines.Our study used data from the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) to analyze the demographic distribution of surgical faculty at medical schools from 1971 to 2021. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and JupyterLab programs, and a t-test was used to determine significant changes over time. The categories with significant changes were reported, and proportion bar graphs were created. Data was classified into multiple categories.URIM Surgeons have seen an increased representation in Surgical faculty during our study over the past five decades. Still, these trends have not brought them in line with their proportion among the US population. Significant trends in surgical chair positions included a 21% decrease in Whites, a 15% increase in Asians, a 2.4% increase in Blacks, and a 3.8% increase in Hispanics. There were no significant trends for Natives. Significant trends in the academic rank of Professor included a 14% increase in Asians, a 1.1% increase in Blacks, a 1.5% increase in Hispanics, and an 18.4% decrease in Whites. A slight increase among URIM Surgeons is concerning when considering that these trends span from 1971 to 2021.The data showed that White and Asian Surgeons were overrepresented in surgical discipline compared to their proportions among the US population, while Black, Hispanic, and Native Surgeons were underrepresented. This was especially true in higher academic ranks and chair positions. Women were also underrepresented in surgery, with the slowest growth in higher academic ranks and leadership positions.Al.

Body image may play a significant role in the development of perinatal depression; however, its relevance remains controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the association between body shape dissatisfaction before and during pregnancy and depressive symptoms during the perinatal period among Japanese women. This study used secondary data. Women with singleton pregnancies were recruited from March to December 2020 in Osaka, Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Participants were classified into three groups according to their body shape satisfaction before and during pregnancy; satisfied, dissatisfied, and neither. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Of the 230 participants, 33 (14.3 percent) had depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Of the 221 participants assessed at 1 month postpartum, 20 (9.0 percent) had depressive symptoms. Women with body shape dissatisfaction during pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and at 1 month postpartum than those with body shape satisfaction. Furthermore, women who were body shape dissatisfied both before and during pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms than those whose satisfaction improved during pregnancy. These findings suggest the importance of focusing on body dissatisfaction before and during pregnancy in relation to perinatal depressive symptoms.

The immune system plays a crucial role in determining the resolution or development of cervical pre-malignant lesions that culminate in cervical cancer (CC). A microenvironment with low inflammatory patterns is often associated with a worse prognosis.

Aim: To evaluate polymorphisms rs3087465 in the TGFBR2 and rs3761548 in the FOXP3 genes, as well as sociodemographic, reproductive, and sexual behavior data which may be associated with CC development.

Methods: In this cross-sectional case-control study conducted in the northern region of Paraná, Brazil, 134 women (41 cervical cancer patients and 93 controls) were recruited from public health services. DNA samples were extracted from cervical cells, peripheral blood, and tumor tissues and subjected to PCR for confirmation of HPV presence and subsequent genotyping of TGFBR2 (rs3087465) and FOXP3 (rs3761548) polymorphisms.

Results: Women with limited HPV knowledge, low income, and infrequent preventive exams were at higher risk of CC. Smoking and high parity were also associated with increased risk. Notably, TGFBR2 rs3087465 AG/GG genotypes were initially associated with increased risk of CC development. However, these associations were attenuated after adjusting for confounding variables.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that understanding genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors is essential for the prevention and effective treatment of CC.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with several clinical conditions. This study investigates the main challenges faced by women living with HTLV-1, a disproportionately affected population. The study employed analysis of qualitative and quantitative methods from 45 women monitored at the HTLV Reference Center in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, between November 2023 and June 2024. The data were obtained by interviews and questionnaires. The majority of participants were aged between 40 and 59 years (51.1%) and self-identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) (66.7%). Notably, 13 (28.9%) of the participants identified psychological issues as the primary impact, often linked to the stigma of sexual transmission and the reluctance to disclose the diagnosis in their affective and family relationships. Furthermore, 20% reported difficulties in daily activities and 11% faced sexual health problems, challenges that, for women, can be exacerbated by issues of autonomy, dependence, and their role in the family environment. Participants also expressed fears related to disease progression and professional challenges. The findings reinforce the urgent need for enhanced and targeted support for women, including social assistance, healthcare services, and increased awareness to combat the stigma surrounding HTLV-1, promoting dignity and quality of life.

The legal termination of a pregnancy due to congenital defects is a complex and emotionally intense that significantly impacts the mother's personal life and causes considerable psychological distress for both parents. Despite its clinical and ethical implications, there is limited qualitative research exploring the lived experiences of women undergo this process. This study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of mothers who have legally terminated a pregnancy due to fetal congenital defects. A qualitative study was conducted based on Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. Eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between February and March 2023 in Spain. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively to identify emerging themes. Three main themes emerged from the data: 1) The painful diagnosis of a congenital fetal defect and the moral dilemma of terminating a wanted pregnancy; 2) The internal conflict and distressing experience of undergoing legal pregnancy termination; 3) The dual emotional wound resulting from pregnancy loss. Participants described the diagnosis as an emotional shock and reported feeling unsupported both during and after the process, highlighting critical gaps in psychosocial care. The findings reveal that legal termination of pregnancy due to fetal congenital defects has a profound emotional impact on mothers, who experience not only perinatal grief but also social invisibility and insufficient psychological support. These results emphasize the need to implement comprehensive, empathetic, and multidisciplinary care protocols to support women throughout the decision-making and grieving process.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, significantly impacting various aspects of their lives. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of distress tolerance in the relationship between acceptance and sexual adjustment among women diagnosed with breast cancer. This study adopts a descriptive-correlational approach employing structural equation modeling. A total of 233 women diagnosed with breast cancer were selected through convenience sampling from members of the Cancer Council in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and the Sexual Adjustment Scale. The coefficient of the direct path from acceptance to distress tolerance (β = .47, p < .01) and sexual adjustment (β = .33, p < .01) was found to be positive and significant. Additionally, distress tolerance was revealed to play a significant mediating role in the relationship between acceptance and sexual adjustment among women with breast cancer (β = .12, p < .01). The ability to accept their diagnosis may help women with breast cancer manage the negative thoughts and emotions that naturally arise from such a potentially threatening situation. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating acceptance and distress tolerance training into psychological support programs to improve sexual adjustment in women with breast cancer.