Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Improving Communication in Breast Cancer Treatment Consultation: Use of a Computer Test of Health Numeracy.
Background: Communication of statistics and probability is challenging in the cancer care setting. The objectives of this study are to evaluate a novel approach to cancer communication through the use of a computer assessment of patient health numeracy. Methods: We conducted a pilot study of the Computer Adapted Test of Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument (CAT-NUMi) before the cancer treatment consultation for women with stage 0-3 breast cancer. Patient outcomes included the interpersonal processes of care (IPC) and the decisional conflict scale. ⋯ Clinicians more often used percentages in communicating prognosis among those with higher numeracy scores (median, range): high (2, 0-8), medium (1, 0-7), and low (0, 0-8); p = 0.04. The patient experience of taking the CAT-NUMi was rated as very good or excellent by 65%, fair by 33%, and poor by 2% of patients. Conclusion: Screening for health numeracy with a short computer-based test may be a feasible strategy to optimize clear communication in the cancer treatment consultation. Further studies are needed to evaluate this strategy across cancer treatment clinical settings and populations.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Risky Sexual Behaviors and Repeat Induced Abortion Among Unmarried Young Women in China: Results from a Large, Nationwide, Population-Based Sample.
Background: Young women are disadvantaged with respect to their ability to access contraception, which puts them at especially high risk of repeat induced abortion. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and to identify its association with risky sexual behaviors among unmarried young women in China. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Survey of Youth Access to Reproductive Health in China and collected using probability proportionate to size sampling. Population numbers and prevalence of repeat induced abortion by characteristics were calculated among 11,076 unmarried young women aged 15-24 years. ⋯ Among sexually active young women, the prevalence of abortion was 4.40% (95% CI: 3.6-5.4). Condom nonuse during the first sexual experience (odds ratio = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.55-4.76), sexual activity with multiple partners (9.71, 5.61-16.81), being forced to have sexual intercourse (4.46, 1.44-13.76), casual sex (5.77, 3.28-10.13), commercial sex (4.51, 2.01-10.12), condom nonuse during the most recent sexual encounter (2.01, 1.31-3.08), and having any of the above behaviors (5.68, 2.26-14.28) were associated with repeat abortion. Conclusions: Risky sexual behaviors were associated with repeat abortion among unmarried young women in China. The findings highlight the need for reproductive health promotion programs for unmarried young women in China and other similar settings.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Gender Differences in Academic Productivity and Advancement Among Dental School Faculty.
Background: An equal number of women and men are now graduating from dental school, but women dentists have lower income and are less likely to achieve positions of leadership, including within dental academia. Materials and Methods: Demographic information and academic rank were obtained for all faculty at the eight dental schools who received the most funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in 2017. Years since dental school graduation, total number of PubMed-indexed citations, first- and last-author publications, and H-index were determined for each faculty member. Gender differences in productivity and advancement were evaluated. Results: Of 702 faculty members, 36.5% were female; only 24.4% of full professors were women. ⋯ Women had graduated more recently than their male colleagues at all levels of academic advancement (overall 22.83 years [95% CI 21.29-24.39] vs. 30.19 years [95% CI 28.84-31.55], p < 0.0001). When corrected for academic productivity and years since graduation, the association between gender and academic rank was not significant. Conclusions: Women are underrepresented at each academic rank except instructor; however, women may advance more quickly than their male counterparts. Increasing scholarship and mentorship opportunities for female faculty members may help improve gender equity in dental academia.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Smoking and Diabetes as Predictive Factors of Accelerated Loss of Muscle Mass in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Six-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.
Background: Preservation of muscle mass during aging reduces the risk of frailty and age-related chronic diseases. We investigated the lifestyle, psychological factors, and common cardiometabolic diseases associated with accelerated muscle loss in middle-aged and older women. Materials and Methods: A total of 881 women aged 40 years and older who underwent regular health checkup at a tertiary care hospital in Korea in 2010-2011 and underwent a 6-year follow-up were included in this study. Lifestyle and health statuses were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire and laboratory testing. ⋯ Women with DM showed a higher OR than non-DM individuals after adjusting for the aforementioned variables and smoking status (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.39-6.14, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Current smoking and DM are predictors for accelerated muscle mass loss in middle-aged and older women. Smokers and DM patients need to monitor muscle mass changes and apply preventive intervention steps. Smoking cessation and good glycemic control are required not only for reducing cardiovascular risk but also for improving muscle health.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Disparities in Health Care Utilization Between Asian Immigrant Women and Non-Hispanic White Women in the United States.
Background: Asians accounted for 30% of all U. S. immigrants in 2014, of which 53% were women. Foreign-born Asian immigrant (FBAI) women experience difficulties in obtaining timely and needed health care due to multifaceted barriers. ⋯ The only significant predictor of having an ER visit for FBAI women was having a chronic disease. Conclusions: Health care providers must be aware of lower levels of health service utilization among FBAI women than NBWA women regardless of whether or not the FBAI women have chronic conditions. It is important to educate these women on the importance of regular health care visits.