Women & Health

Kamalifard, Mahin; Farshbaf-Khalili, Azizeh; Namadian, Mahsa; Ranjbar, Yunes; Herizchi, Sepideh

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1353575pmid: 28749734

This trial compared the effects of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This trial was conducted in 2015. Eligible postmenopausal women were allocated into one of two intervention groups or a control group (n = 52 per group) in a 1:1:1 ratio using a randomized block design. Intervention groups received 500 mg capsules containing only bitter orange or lavender flower powder, and the control group received 500 mg capsules containing starch. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory was used before and eight weeks after starting the intervention. Data analyses were based on intention to treat. A one-way ANOVA showed a slightly significant difference in mean sleep score among the three groups before the intervention (p = .045). The general linear model, adjusted for baseline sleep score and confounding factors, showed significant differences among the groups in the mean sleep score after eight weeks of treatment (p < .001). Bitter orange and lavender significantly improved the mean sleep score compared with the control group (p < .001 and p = .003, respectively). The positive effect of bitter orange and lavender on sleep quality in postmenopausal women suggests that they can be used to improve sleep quality in such women.

Ho, Ya-Lee; Li, Chu-Shiu; Liu, Chwen-Chi; Lin, Che-Chen; Hung, Chih-Jen; Kao, Chia-Hung

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1358793pmid: 28816634

Worker compensation insurance in Taiwan ensures that a woman under the age of 45 years who has her uterus removed can receive disability compensation benefits. The present study investigated whether such a compensation policy was related to a woman’s inclination to have a hysterectomy. We extracted the records of 16,030 women diagnosed with uterine fibroids (UF) between 2000 and 2010 from the Longitudinal Taiwan Health Insurance Database. Each younger and older age group had a significantly lower hysterectomy rate compared to that of the 44-year-old age group. Moreover, significantly more patients with lower monthly wages had had hysterectomies than those with higher monthly wages. Policy makers should be aware that worker compensation regulations in Taiwan might encourage women with economic need to undergo hysterectomy surgery when approaching the age of 45 years.

Radzeviciene, Lina; Ostrauskas, Rytas

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1358794pmid: 28816613

The purpose of this case–control study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adult females. A total of 168 women in Kaunas, Lithuania with newly diagnosed T2DM during the year 2001 and 336 controls who were women without diabetes were recruited. Participants were asked about their duration of smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, pack-years, and smoking cessation. Odds ratios (OR), 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) for T2DM were calculated using conditional logistic regression. After adjustment for possible confounders, women with T2DM had a nearly threefold higher odds for smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day compared with controls and using never smokers as the referent category (OR = 2.8; 95 percent CI 1.0–7.7). Women with T2DM had over fourfold odds for having smoked for 40 years or more compared to controls (OR = 4.6; 95 percent CI 1.1–18.6). Compared to controls, women with T2DM had over a sixfold higher odds for stopping smoking for 19 or fewer years with never smokers as the referent category (OR = 6.4; 95 percent CI 1.5–27.3). The findings of our study suggest a possible relationship between smoking and T2DM in women. Also, despite smoking cessation, the association with T2DM remained for a long time.

Dietz, Noella A.; Mijares-Cantrell, Tatiana; Acevedo, Daisy; Annane, Debra; Rodriguez, Remberto; Caralis, Panagiota; Levis, Silvina

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1363123pmid: 28805533

The increasing number and older age of women Veterans receiving care at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires health-care providers to adjust to their changing patient population. We explored women Veterans’ self-reported knowledge of menopause, current/preferred sources of menopausal health information, and perceptions/barriers regarding treatment of menopausal symptoms. Three focus groups were conducted at two South Florida VHA facilities in 2014, which included 30 women Veterans (aged 45–60 years) who visited VHA primary care clinics at least once in the past year. Participants reported using various sources to obtain general and menopausal health information, particularly family, friends, and the internet. Some women also had discussions with their health-care providers, but believed not all VHA providers were knowledgeable about menopause. Most preferred older female providers, thinking they were better informed about menopausal issues. Women favored complementary/alternative therapies and were against using hormone therapy (HT) for symptom relief, although they felt they were insufficiently informed about HT. Menopausal-age women are the fastest growing group at VHA. To provide better care and enhance their experiences, the VHA must educate all primary care providers about menopausal care and strive to address women Veterans’ menopausal concerns and preferences.

Park, SoMi; Chung, ChaeWeon

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1363124pmid: 28805534

In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationships among knowledge about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), recognition of EDCs-related female reproductive illnesses, concern for the environment, perceived susceptibility to EDCs-related diseases, self- appraisal of exposure to EDCs, and health behaviors related to EDCs in adolescent Korean girls. A convenience sample of 218 girls was recruited during July and August 2015 from middle and high schools located in a city in Korea. The self-administered questionnaire incorporated four characteristics of the participants, five related factors, and a dependent variable of health behaviors. Four of the factors explained 20.4 percent of variance in health behaviors, and after controlling covariates, concern for the environment and self-appraisal of exposure to EDCs were still significant factors explaining 29.0 percent of the variance in health behaviors. However, for one factor, knowledge about EDCs, no independent contribution to health behaviors was observed. The findings indicated that education for young women should focus on enhancing their interests in the environment and awareness of environmental hazards. Further, clear and reliable guidelines to protect young women from the exposure to EDCs should be provided to adolescent girls.

Hatcher, Megan; Cox, Carie Muntifering; Shih, Grace

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1363125pmid: 28805535

Many women prefer to receive abortion care with their primary care provider; yet, prior studies have suggested that women do not know or assume that their provider does not offer abortion care. Our objective was to explore if, when, and how women wish to be informed of available abortion services at their primary care clinics. We conducted interviews with 21 women at their primary care site during June–July 2014. Vignettes were used to identify clinic visit types in which information regarding abortion services would be welcome and appropriate and inappropriate ways for providers to inform patients of these services. All participants were open to provider-initiated discussion of available abortion services, particularly during women’s wellness exams or contraception visits. Themes associated with appropriate communication of abortion services included: 1) using sensitive language, 2) respect for and assessment of patient beliefs, and 3) contextualizing abortion services within reproductive health. Advantages to discussing available abortion services included strengthening the patient-provider relationship and improved awareness of the spectrum of services offered. Routine inclusion of abortion services counseling may help educate patients about available services, strengthen the patient-provider relationship, and reduce the stigma surrounding abortion care.

Abubakari, Abdulai; Agbozo, Faith; Abiiro, Gilbert Abotisem

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1372842pmid: 28922075

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the optimal use of antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy. A facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and August 2014 among nursing mothers (n = 578) attending postnatal and child welfare clinics in three districts in Northern Ghana, representing urban, peri-urban, and rural zones. The developed questionnaire aided the collection of information on maternal demographic characteristics, health status, household assets, and ANC attendance. Binary logistic regression was modeled to estimate the association between optimal ANC use and mothers’ characteristics. Approximately 81% of the respondents had ≥4 ANC visits during pregnancy, and coverage was over 99%. Mothers who had any formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0–2.8, P = 0.040) lived in middle class socioeconomic households (AOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.4–4.8, P = 0.003) and resided in urban areas (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.2–3.3, P = 0.006) were significantly more likely to report the optimal ANC use. Mothers’ education, socioeconomic status, and proximity to a health facility were positively associated with the optimal ANC use. Education of females and policy initiatives aimed at improving the rural–urban divide are essential to optimize the use of ANC.

Amoah, Doris K.; Nolan, Vikki; Relyea, George; Gurney, James G.; Yu, Xinhua; Tylavsky, Frances A.; Mzayek, Fawaz

doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1372843pmid: 28922080

Our objective was to determine the factors associated with residential moving during pregnancy, as it may increase stress during pregnancy and affect birth outcomes. Data were obtained from the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) study. Participants were recruited from December 2006 to June 2011 and included 1,448 pregnant women. The average gestational age at enrollment was 23 weeks. The primary outcome of residential mobility was defined as any change in address during pregnancy. Multivariate regression was used to assess the adjusted associations of factors with residential mobility. Out of 1,448 participants, approximately 9 percent moved between baseline (enrollment) and delivery. After adjusting for covariates, mothers with lower educational attainment [less than high school (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.78, 7.85) and high school/technical school (aOR = 3.57, 95% CI = 2.01, 6.32) compared to college degree or higher], and shorter length of residence in neighborhood were more likely to have moved compared to other mothers. Length of residence was protective of mobility (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.96 per year). Increased understanding of residential mobility during pregnancy may help improve the health of mothers and their children.