Women's health (London, England)最新文献

Background: Science recognizes the anxieties, depression, stress, and "turbulences" that women face in doctoral studies, but women's mental health in this context is still little addressed, even though it is a critical aspect for the well-being, persistence, and success of women doctoral candidates, who continue to be underrepresented in many professional fields.

Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the relationship between academic motivation, psychological capital, and university academic performance (UAP) and to identify factors of female mental health success.

Design: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted with a sample of 108 female doctoral students from a university in Lima, during the first quarter of 2024.

Methods: In the quantitative phase, three standardized scales were administered to assess academic motivation, psychological capital, and university academic performance (UAP). In the qualitative phase, interviews were conducted to gather relevant information on mental health.

Results: The findings emphasize five important points: (1) levels and the relationship between psychological capital, academic motivation, and performance, (2) motivational behavior according to study cycles, (3) risk and protection profiles, (4) protective functions, and (5) mental health success factors. The results indicate that 36% of the women have a low level of psychological capital, 34% have a medium level of academic motivation, and 37% have a high level of UAP, likewise "Intrinsic Motivation toward Accomplishment" is the positive core where most of these women converge. Significant differences were found between the study cycles with academic motivation and "University Academic Performance," and a significant gap between these variables. The risk profile (which limits performance) and the protective profile which allows high performance are determined; this positive profile is identified by women who present a high level of "Self-efficacy." The study demonstrates that "Psychological Capital" and "Academic Motivation" along with the dimensions of "Self-efficacy" and "Intrinsic Motivation to Experience Stimulation" serve protective functions. Fourteen success factors for women's mental health were identified and organized into four main approaches: Optimism, Hope, Resilience, and Self-efficacy.

Conclusion: Limitations and future projections are discussed. The practical implications include implementing psychological support programs, fostering intrinsic motivation, integrating psychological assessments, establishing support networks, and making tailored curricular adjustments.

Influential guidelines have supported the role of metformin in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for a number of years. However, regulatory approvals for this therapeutic indication are still exceptional and exist only in a few countries, including for the originator, Glucophage®. PCOS is an insulin-resistant state, which drives hyperandrogenism and anovulatory infertility. The metabolic action of metformin involves amelioration of insulin resistance, which helps to resolve hormonal and metabolic disturbances and increases ovulation, pregnancy, and live birth rates relative to placebo. A combination of metformin with clomifene citrate (another widely used treatment for PCOS) is more effective than either alone and is a useful option in women with clomifene-resistant PCOS. Combining metformin with letrozole (1st-line agent for ovulation induction in women with PCOS and no other infertility risk factors) is not more effective than letrozole alone. Continuing metformin to the end of the 1st trimester at an effective dose (e.g. 1000-2000 mg/day) may help to reduce the rate of miscarriages. Metformin also has an adjunctive role in women with PCOS receiving assisted reproduction technology (ART) using the long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocol, where it appears to increase the pregnancy rate and to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. There is no role for metformin in women receiving short ART protocols. Where a successful pregnancy is achieved, metformin is generally safe for the mother and neonate. Further research is needed to define with greater precision the optimal dosage and times to initiate and discontinue metformin in women with PCOS who achieve pregnancy.

This discussion article discusses the integration of planetary health into nursing practice and education, highlighting the transformative potential of this approach in improving global health outcomes. Planetary health emphasizes the interdependence between human health and the health of our planet's ecosystems, advocating for a sustainable approach to healthcare. This article explores how nursing practice can incorporate planetary health principles to address environmental determinants of health and promote sustainable practices. It also discusses the role of nursing education in preparing future practitioners to understand and act on the links between environmental sustainability and health. By aligning nursing education with planetary health objectives and fostering leadership in this area, the nursing profession can contribute significantly to addressing global health challenges, advocating for systemic changes, and implementing practices that protect both human and environmental health.

Background: Gender differences in the associated health outcomes of different forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) are understudied. The long-term effects of IPV on specific physical health conditions are also under-researched in comparison to the effects on general health and mental health.

Objectives: To examine gender differences in the association between IPV and specific physical health conditions, accounting for differences in the types and number of types of IPV experienced.

Design: We used data from the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, multistage random sampling design to cover the household population of England aged 16 years and older.

Methods: Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses of 4120 women and 2764 men who had ever had a partner. Lifetime IPV by types (physical, sexual, psychological, and economic), any lifetime and recent IPV, the number of IPV types experienced, and multiple chronic health conditions experienced over the past 12 months were included in the analyses.

Results: Gender differences were observed in both the prevalence of IPV and associated health conditions. Women were more likely to experience any type and a higher number of IPV types than men. Women's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of reporting 12 and 11 conditions, respectively, while men's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with 4 and 1 conditions, respectively. Specific IPV types had varied health impacts, particularly among women. A cumulative association was evident for women but not for men.

Conclusion: Healthcare systems need to be mobilised to address IPV as a priority health issue for the female population. Our findings highlight the need for gender-informed approaches in IPV intervention strategies and healthcare provision, emphasising the development of IPV-responsive healthcare systems and comprehensive IPV curricula in medical and health training.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation that still affects more than 3 million girls aged 0-14 years each year. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2030 agenda, efforts have been made at the local, national and international levels to end the practice by the year 2030. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic may have reversed the progress made due to increased rates of early marriage of girls, violence against children and school closures during lockdowns. Although some surveys have examined changes in FGM prevalence over the COVID-19 period, changes at the national and sub-national levels among 0-14 years old girls have not been quantified.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the likelihood of FGM among girls aged 0-14 years, and whether it affected progress towards the elimination of FGM.

Design: We used Bayesian hierarchical regression models implemented within the integrated nested Laplace approximations frameworks.

Methods: We modelled the likelihood and prevalence of FGM among girls aged 0-14 years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, with respect to individual- and community-level characteristics, using Bayesian hierarchical models. We used the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey as the pre-COVID-19 period and the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey as the post-COVID-19 period.

Results: At the state level, FGM prevalence varied geographically and increased by 23% and 27% in the northwestern states of Katsina and Kana, respectively. There were 11% increase in Kwara and 14% increase in Oyo. However, at the national level, the prevalence of FGM was found to decrease from 19.5% to 12.3% between 2018 and 2021. Cultural factors were identified as the key drivers of FGM among 0-14 years old girls in Nigeria. The changes in the likelihood of girls undergoing FGM across the two time periods also varied across ethnic and religious groups following COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight that FGM is still a social norm in some states/regions and groups in Nigeria, thereby highlighting the need for a continued but accelerated FGM interventions throughout the country.

Racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health persist in the United States despite continued efforts to make healthcare more equitable. The COVID-19 pandemic and overturning of Roe v Wade have further widened existing disparities in maternal healthcare. In this era of advanced technology, innovative tools like health information technology (IT) should be leveraged to address and reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes. Ongoing projects have demonstrated the potential for collaboration to prioritize patient autonomy in improving maternal health. However, further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving equitable outcomes.

Osteoporosis, characterized by diminished bone mass and microarchitectural degeneration, increases fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women (postmenopausal osteoporosis), leading to reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Recent research has highlighted the gut-bone axis, showing how the gut microbiota influences bone health through immune modulation, endocrine regulation, and calcium absorption. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota (e.g., decreased Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes), has been linked to osteoporosis by enhancing osteoclast activity and bone loss. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus strains, promise to increase bone density and alter immune responses. Still, challenges remain in translating these findings to human applications due to issues with dosage and tolerability. Future studies will seek to clarify the function of the gut microbiome in bone health, hence opening the path for tailored therapies aimed at gut flora. Emphasizing postmenopausal osteoporosis, this article will investigate how gut microbiota influences calcium absorption, endocrine regulation, immunological modulation, and bone metabolism. The goal is to develop treatments aimed at gut microbiota to enhance patient outcomes and osteoporosis management. A review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on experimental studies and clinical trials that investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and bone health, including immune and endocrine mechanisms. Relevant studies were selected based on their focus on gut microbiota and bone metabolism, and their findings were synthesized to explore the impact of microbiota modulation on bone health outcomes.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection remains a global health concern, particularly in resource-constrained countries such as Sierra Leone. Understanding the risk factors for hepatitis B virus among pregnant women can guide public health initiatives, prenatal care, and maternal-child health policies.

Objectives: We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Sierra Leone's Western Area Urban District.

Design: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study in five randomly selected hospitals in the Western Area Urban District.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five randomly selected hospitals in May 2021. Data were collected from 320 pregnant women using structured questionnaires. Hepatitis B virus infection, identified by hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and logistic regression. Variables that were significant in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable model. All tests were computed with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: The mean age of participants was 26.0 ± 5.7 years, and the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was 13.8% (95% confidence interval: 10.4-18.0). Women with no formal education (adjusted odds ratio: 3.69, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-10.22) or primary education (adjusted odds ratio: 8.30, 95% confidence interval: 2.69-25.63) had significantly higher odds of infection. Single women (adjusted odds ratio: 3.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-7.22) and those engaging in risky practices, such as toothbrush sharing (adjusted odds ratio: 1.37) or tattooing (adjusted odds ratio: 2.09), were more likely to be infected. Conversely, a history of stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio: 0.20, 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.99) was associated with reduced odds of infection.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus infection was common among pregnant women in Sierra Leone's Western Area Urban District. Education level, marital status, and unsafe practices such as tattooing and toothbrush sharing were significantly associated with hepatitis B virus infection risk. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to reduce hepatitis B virus transmission in this population.

Background: Pelvic physiotherapy (PT) is a holistic and evidence-based treatment for chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It is important to understand patient expectations for treatment to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. The current literature lacks information about patient expectations for CPP pelvic PT.

Objectives: To describe the expectations around treatment and the role of pelvic PT for patients with CPP.

Design: We conducted a qualitative study and interviewed 10 participants who were on the waitlist for CPP PT at Women's College Hospital in Toronto, ON, about CPP and pelvic PT.

Methods: We recruited patients on the pelvic pain PT waitlist who were assigned female at birth, 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with CPP for more than 6 months. The 1 -h long interviews were conducted via Zoom by two PT students before being transcribed with NVivo. Inductive content analysis was used to create themes and categorize the participant data.

Results: We describe three main themes to convey the experiences of participants living with CPP and their expectations for pelvic PT: (1) Expectations are clouded by a lack of understanding, (2) Pelvic PT will provide a new way to get relief, and (3) My role is to be open to try new things.

Conclusions: Pelvic PT should incorporate education regarding CPP, strong therapeutic alliance with the patient, effective communication, and integration of the biopsychosocial approach to care to better meet patient expectations and improve quality of care. This study highlights the critical importance of providing patients with consistent, accurate, and comprehensive education on CPP, pain treatment and self-management strategies, and the role of pelvic PT. By delivering this foundational knowledge early in the patient's treatment plan, we can influence patient expectations, enhance both patient engagement and outcomes in pelvic PT, leading to a more holistic, informed, and effective approach to patient care.

Background: Women with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have an increased risk of breast cancer and poorer 5-year survival. Current breast surveillance patient information resources may be inappropriate for this cohort due to increased cognitive deficits and cancer worry.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate NF1-specific patient-centric educational resources about breast cancer surveillance.

Design: A pilot, prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted through a Sydney tertiary hospital (Royal North Shore Hospital) adult NF1 clinic and an established breast cancer risk management clinic.

Methods: A brochure was developed with input from stakeholders and women with NF1 participating in breast surveillance. The content was adapted to create a webpage and animation evaluated through clinician and patient surveys. Final iterations of the resources were based on stakeholder feedback.

Results: Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with women with NF1 after breast surveillance. All considered the brochure acceptable and valuable and supported sharing the resource. Fifty-seven patient and clinician surveys were also completed, with the webpage and animation highly rated regarding acceptability, usefulness, and relevance.

Conclusions: Information in three media has been developed specifically for women with NF1, considering breast surveillance to increase understanding, provide reassurance, and as a memory aid to support clinician consultation.