Women & Health最新文献

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.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) consumption and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, data of 305 postmenopausal women were evaluated. The data were collected by the researchers through face-to-face interviews between December 2023 and March 2024 using the Introductory Information Form, Frequency of UPF Consumption and Menopause Symptom Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and linear regression analysis were used in data analysis. The significance level of statistical tests was accepted as p < .05. The total UPF consumption of postmenopausal women was 56.56   +   116.77 g/day. The mean scores of somatic complaints, psychological complaints, and urogenital complaints subscales of the Menopause Symptom Rating Scale were 9.98   +   2.48, 9.28   +   2.67, and 6.06   +   2.15, respectively. While there was no relationship between daily UPF consumption and psychological and urogenital symptoms, Model 1 (β:0.129, p < .05), Model 2 (β:0.141, p < .05), Model 3 (β:0.167, p < .05) and Model 4 (β:0.150, p < .05) showed that daily UPF consumption was positively associated with somatic symptoms. In conclusion, the severity of somatic symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, heart problems, and sleep problems increases as UPF consumption increases in postmenopausal women.

This comparative and correlational study investigated the relationship between perceived spousal support and breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of healthy babies and babies hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study was conducted with 416 mothers (206 mothers with healthy babies and 210 mothers whose babies were hospitalized in NICU) at a training and research hospital in western Türkiye. The results revealed no significant difference in the mean scores of the perceived spousal support (PSS) and breastfeeding self-efficacy scale (BSES) between the two groups (p > .05). However, the mean total score for perceived social support was higher among mothers of infants in the NICU. While a strong positive correlation was found between the total and subscale scores of perceived spousal support and the breastfeeding self-efficacy scores of mothers with NICU infants, only a weak positive correlation was observed in mothers of healthy infants. These findings underscore the critical role of perceived spousal support in fostering positive breastfeeding outcomes, especially for mothers of NICU-admitted infants. The results suggest that enhancing spousal support could significantly improve breastfeeding self-efficacy, particularly for mothers facing the additional challenges of caring for medically fragile infants. Lactation consultants, nurses and healthcare providers should prioritize family-centered approaches that actively involve both mothers and their partners in breastfeeding education and support.

Considered as an indicator of good mental health contributing to positive behaviors, self-esteem is impacted by body perception. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of low self-esteem, particularly among women. Age also plays a protective role in both the healthy population and those living with obesity. Since the relationship between self-esteem and BMI does not appear to evolve linearly, the aims of this study were (1) to analyze the link between BMI classes and global, multidimensional, and physical self-esteem, and (2) to identify a potential moderating effect of age. Global, multidimensional, and physical self-esteem were assessed using French versions of RSE, MSE and PSPP scales respectively in 454 women aged 18 to 75 stratified into five BMI groups: healthy weight, overweight, obesity class I, II and III. Global, multidimensional, and physical self-esteem appear to be related to BMI classes. Healthy weight women had significantly higher emotional, professional, physical domains and subdomains self-esteem scores than those in obesity class I, II or III. "Tipping points" associated with reaching a BMI threshold at which scores of self-esteem stabilize have been highlighted. These appeared at obesity class I and II, respectively, for the emotional and physical domains of self-esteem, and at overweight and obesity class II, respectively, for the physical strength and attractive body physical subdomains. Results also revealed a protective moderating effect of age on the relationship between BMI and physical self-esteem, and its subdomains. Obesity intervention programs should consider self-perceptions.