Women & Health最新文献

The use of contraceptive methods is still a controversial subject in the societies of developing countries. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of contraceptive methods among students, aged 15 to 25 years, in public and private schools in the district of Bonaberi, Douala, Cameroon. This research was modeled on the pattern of descriptive study. The population in this study was composed of students (N = 1649) from the five public and private high schools of Bonaberi, Cameroon. The sample size of this study was 379 students. These data were collected in person by the researcher between 1 and 30, June 2022. The data collection tools are the student information form, the Knowledge and Practices of Contraceptive Methods Questionnaire, and the Contraceptive Attitude Scale (CAS). The data of this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics tests, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Pearson Chi-Square, Kolmogorov-Smirnoff, Student's T-Test, Mann-Whitney Test, and the One-way ANOVA. It was found that almost half (45.91 percent) of students were 19-22 years old, 59.1 percent of them were male, and almost half (49.3 percent) of them were sexually active. Currently, the male condom is the most commonly used and known method of contraception among students. It was determined that students take an average of 3.406 points from the total score of CAS. This result indicated a positive attitude toward contraceptive methods. There were no statistically significant differences in contraceptive attitudes according to gender, religion, or sexual activity. There was a statistically significant difference in contraceptive attitudes according to marital status and age. It is recommended to provide family planning counseling services in these schools in order to increase the use of effective methods and provide students with a reliable source of information on contraceptive methods.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between social variables, recovery orientation, and recovery capital among a sample of n = 30 women actively seeking substance use disorder treatment at a community-based facility in the Midwest United States. Results indicated a positive association between social connectedness, abstinence recovery orientation (p = .048) and social isolation (p = .010). Social isolation was positively associated with abstinence recovery orientation (p = .004) and negatively related to recovery capital (p = .003). Social support was positively correlated with positive expectancy (p = .030) and recovery capital (p = .033). Further, moderate/high alcohol use was related to lower normal living scores (t(28) = 3.10, p = .004), lower recovery capital scores (t(28) = 4.15, p < .000), and higher social isolation scores (t(28) = -2.53, p = .017). Screening at moderate/high risk for cannabis use was related to lower normal living scores (t(28) = 3.01, p = .005), and lower positive expectancy scores (t(28) = 3.03, p = .005). Finally, screening for moderate/high risk for polysubstance use was related to lower normal living orientation (t(28) = 2.52, p = .018) and recovery capital scores (t(28) = 2.79, p = .009). Current findings may inform strategies for examining social connectedness and social isolation variables in future clinical practice, policy, and scholarship.

Nulliparous (pregnant women who are giving birth for the first time) and multiparous (women who have multiple children) may have different concerns, which may be associated with risk of antenatal depression. This study aims to examine the role of social support and stressful life events as risk factors for antenatal depression in nulliparous and multiparous women. The sample included 1,524 pregnant women recruited from an obstetrics setting at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy from two Spanish tertiary-care public hospitals. The sample completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the "social support" and "stressful life events" subscales of the Postpartum Depression Predictor Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R). Nulliparous women reported a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (15.6 percent) compared to multiparous mothers (20.1 percent). In both groups, marriage/partner problems (NP: β = 0.178, p < .01 vs MP: β = 0.164, p < .01) and a perceived lack of instrumental support from friends (NP: β = -0.154, p < .01 vs MP: β = -0.154, p < .01) were significant risk factors for antenatal depression. However, nulliparous women have more risk factors such as unemployment (β = 0.096, p < .05), job change (β = 0.127, p < .01), financial problems (β = 0.145, p < .01) and lack of instrumental support from partner (β = -0187, p < .01). For multiparous women, moving (β = 0.080, p < .05) and lack of instrumental support from family (β = -0.151, p < .01) were risk factors. These results suggest the critical need for screening and designing preventive interventions adapted and taking into consideration parity to provide more effective health care during pregnancy.

Women experiencing homelessness are marginalized not only through their housing status but also through their access and ability to manage their menstrual health. Currently, there are no existing published reviews exploring this topic. This study aimed to begin closing that gap, by systematically reviewing the literature examining women's experiences of menstruation whilst being homeless. In June 2020 (and updated in December 2022), we conducted comprehensive and systematic searches of four electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO, from which nine studies were found. The findings were thematically analyzed, using the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research tools (ENTREQ) guidelines. Three themes related to menstrual experiences were found: (1) challenges in the logistics of managing menstruation while homeless, (2) feelings of embarrassment, shame, and dignity linked to maintaining menstrual health, and (3) making do: how people experiencing homelessness manage challenges related to menstruation. We discuss barriers women face in getting necessary products and in accessing private, safe, and clean facilities to manage menstrual health. The study found that women living with homelessness often abandon other basic needs in favor of managing menstruation (i.e. using unsuitable materials, stealing, etc.), which furthers their risk. The findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the experiences of women who are menstruating while being homeless and what support they would find helpful. Results show that it is high time for commissioners and policy-makers to address the provision of menstrual resources as a basic human right.

Endometriosis (EMS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of high incidence that causes serious reproductive consequences. High estrogen production is a consistently observed endocrine feature of EMS. The present study aims to probe the molecular mechanism of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) in the invasion and migration of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (Ect-ESCs) and provides a new rationale for EMS treatment. Eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues were collected from 41 EMS patients, and primary ESCs were separated. GPER, miR-16-5p, and miR-103a-3p levels in cells and tissues were determined by qRT-PCR or Western blot assay. Cell viability, proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. The upstream miRNAs of GPER were predicted by databases, and dual-luciferase assay was performed to validate the binding of miR-16-5p and miR-103a-3p to GPER 3'UTR. GPER was highly expressed in EMS tissues and Ect-ESCs. Inhibition of GPER mitigated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of Ect-ESCs. GPER was regulated by miR-16-5p and miR-103a-3p. Overexpression of miR-16-5p and miR-103a-3p negatively regulated GPER expression and inhibited the invasion and migration of Ect-ESC. In conclusion, GPER promoted the invasion and migration of Ect-ESCs, which can be reversed by upstream miR-16-5p and miR-103a-3p.

In the study, we aimed to investigate the effects of perceived spousal support and dyadic adjustment on the psychological well-being of women in the early postpartum period. This descriptive and correlational study consisted of 367 women giving birth in the postpartum department between 15th July and 31st October 2022. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Perceived Spousal Support Among Women in Early Postpartum Period (PSSAWEPP), the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). The average scores of PSSAWEPP, RDAS, and PWBS in the mothers were found as 61.79 ± 7.73, 54.16 ± 6.28, and 45.87 ± 5.74, respectively. The elevated scores of perceived spousal support (β = 0.234, p < .001) and dyadic adjustment (β = 0.270, p < .001) of women led to a significant increase in the level of psychological well-being. In conclusion, the support received by women from spouses and dyadic adjustment affect the psychological well-being of women in the early postpartum period.

Little is known about the healthcare utilization of mothers and birthing parents experiencing elevated levels of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined how healthcare utilization changed in these individuals during COVID-19. Individuals living in Ontario, Canada, with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Scores ≥ 10 were recruited into two separate randomized controlled trials of a 1-day intervention for PPD before (pre-COVID-19, n = 441) and during the pandemic (COVID-19, n = 287). Participants in both samples completed the same health resource use questionnaire, self-reporting the number of virtual and/or in-person visits to specific healthcare services over the three months preceding their treatment intervention. Use of medications, mental health care, primary care, hospital-based care, allied health care, and overall healthcare utilization were compared between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 groups. While participants had higher levels of PPD symptoms during COVID-19, differences were not seen in the use of specific categories of care (e.g. mental health and primary care). However, before and after statistically adjusting for covariates, overall healthcare utilization decreased from an average of 9.5 visits prior to COVID-19 to 6.9 during COVID-19 (p < .001), a change that was at least partly contributed to by reductions in visits to allied health professionals (e.g. dentists and physiotherapists). Overall healthcare utilization decreased by 27 % in mothers and birthing parents seeking treatment for elevated levels of PPD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada - despite higher levels of PPD symptoms - highlighting the need to support and address barriers to postpartum care.

Online health research is common during pregnancy, especially if women are facing complications. Given the unpleasant emotions women experience after research, it is surprising that cyberchondria, excessive and repeated online health research caused by anxiety that intensifies such anxiety, has not been studied in pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the predictors of cyberchondria among women with and without pregnancy complications, accounting for health anxiety (a worry regarding personal health) and pregnancy-specific anxiety (concerns related to pregnancy and childbirth). A total of 360 pregnant women completed a questionnaire consisted of Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Pregnancy Concerns Scale and Short Cyberchondria Scale. The results of one-way MANOVA showed that women who had medically complicated pregnancy had higher levels of health anxiety, pregnancy-specific anxiety and cyberchondria compared to those without complications. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that health anxiety and pregnancy-specific anxiety were predictors of cyberchondria but had different roles depending on complications. Pregnancy-specific anxiety predicted cyberchondria in both groups above health anxiety. Health anxiety predicted cyberchondria only in women without complications. In conclusion, women with complications have a higher chance of experiencing cyberchondria. Pregnancy-specific and health anxiety are risk factors for cyberchondria in pregnant women.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the Pilates exercise program during pregnancy on different delivery outcomes. Various databases were searched from inception until November 2022. The included studies compared Pilates exercise to routine antenatal care in pregnant women. The primary outcomes assessed were vaginal and cesarean delivery rates, as well as labor duration. Secondary outcomes included episiotomy incidence, Apgar scores, and epidural analgesia. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1,003 patients. Results indicated a significant increase in the vaginal delivery rate among the Pilates exercise group compared to the control group (p < .001). Moreover, the Pilates exercise group exhibited significantly reduced rates of cesarean delivery and shorter labor duration. Pilates exercise was associated with a significant decline in the incidence of episiotomy and the number of women requiring epidural analgesia during delivery (p < .001 & p = .008). In addition, Apgar scores at one and five minutes were significantly higher in the Pilates exercise group compared to the control group (p < .001). In conclusion, Pilates exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on maternal outcomes and Apgar scores. However, more trials are needed to confirm these findings.