Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2012
Predictors of recovery from prenatal depressive symptoms from pregnancy through postpartum.
Identifying predictors of the course of depressive symptoms from pregnancy through postpartum is important to inform clinical interventions. ⋯ Results suggest most women will not experience spontaneous recovery. Women with prenatal heightened symptom severity and previous experiences with PPD are acutely vulnerable to experience sustained symptoms. In contrast, having a cohabitating partner and engagement in prenatal exercise predicted symptom improvement. Physical exercise may be an important clinical recommendation, as it may improve mood. Given the small sample size, these results are preliminary. Implications and future research recommendations are discussed.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2012
Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and early detection practices in United States-Mexico border Latinas.
Evidence suggests Latinas residing along the United States-Mexico border face higher breast cancer mortality rates compared to Latinas in the interior of either country. The purpose of this study was to investigate breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and use of breast cancer preventive screening among U.S. Latina and Mexican women residing along the U.S.-Mexico border. ⋯ Despite having higher levels of breast cancer knowledge than U.S. Latinas, Mexican women along the U.S.-Mexico border are not receiving the recommended breast cancer screening procedures. Although U.S. border Latinas had higher breast cancer screening levels than their Mexican counterparts, these levels are lower than those seen among the general U.S. Latina population. Our findings underscore the lack of access to breast cancer prevention screening services and emphasize the need to ensure that existing breast cancer screening programs are effective in reaching women along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2012
Early age at first intercourse and subsequent gaps in contraceptive use.
Sexual debut before age 15 years has been associated with increased sexual risk behaviors among teens, but little is known about its effects beyond adolescence. This study examines the relationship between the age at first intercourse and subsequent contraceptive gaps. ⋯ Age at first intercourse is associated with inconsistent or nonuse of contraceptives in later life. Primary prevention efforts should be established to empower girls to make informed and autonomous decisions about sexual debut. Personalized contraceptive counseling has been demonstrated as being effective in increasing contraceptive use and compliance and should be offered to all women, with particular focus on women who report an early age at first intercourse or other factors associated with inconsistent contraceptive use.