Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2019
Battered and Brain Injured: Assessing Knowledge of Traumatic Brain Injury Among Intimate Partner Violence Service Providers.
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant health concern; yet, little is known about the intersection between the two. Existing research is scarce, limiting the ability of health care providers to develop effective supports. This pilot project surveyed the IPV support community in Toronto, Canada to understand the degree of existing TBI-specific knowledge and relevant services available among these service providers and to seek to bridge the divide between research and practice by developing a national knowledge-to-practice network to support brain-injured women survivors of IPV. Materials and Methods: In phase 1, 68 agencies providing IPV support services were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. ⋯ Recommendations addressing research gaps, professional and public education, and service development were identified and are discussed herein. Conclusions: The identified lack of TBI knowledge among IPV service providers highlights the immediate need to increase education among management and frontline workers. Further investigation identifying best practices for knowledge transfer are suggested. The development of a national strategy addressing education, research, and funding is critical for successful uptake and integration of TBI-sensitive services within the IPV sector.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2019
Prevalence of Out-Of-Pocket Payments for Mammography Screening Among Recently Screened Women.
Background: Because cost may be a barrier to receiving mammography screening, cost sharing for "in-network" screening mammograms was eliminated in many insurance plans with implementation of the Affordable Care Act. We examined prevalence of out-of-pocket payments for screening mammography after elimination in many plans. Materials and Methods: Using 2015 National Health Interview Survey data, we examined whether women aged 50-74 years who had screening mammography within the previous year (n = 3,278) reported paying any cost for mammograms. Logistic regression models stratified by age (50-64 and 65-74 years) examined out-of-pocket payment by demographics and insurance (ages 50-64 years: private, Medicaid, other, and uninsured; ages 65-74 years: private ± Medicare, Medicare+Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medicare only, and other). Results: Of women aged 50-64 years, 23.5% reported payment, including 39.1% of uninsured women. ⋯ For women aged 65-74 years, 11.9% reported payment, including 22.5% of Medicare-only beneficiaries. Compared with private ± Medicare beneficiaries, payment was less likely for Medicare+Medicaid beneficiaries (adjusted OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.06-0.73]) and more likely for Medicare-only beneficiaries (1.83 [1.01-3.32]) (p = 0.005 across groups). Conclusions: Although most women reported no payment for their most recent screening mammogram in 2015, some payment was reported by >20% of women aged 50-64 years or aged 65-74 years with Medicare only, and by almost 40% of uninsured women aged 50-64 years. Efforts are needed to understand why many women in some groups report paying out of pocket for mammograms and whether this impacts screening use.
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Objective: To assess contraceptive beliefs and practices among American Muslim women residing in Southern California. Materials and Methods: English speaking Muslim women were approached in Southern California mosques and online and asked to participate in a survey about birth control. Primary outcome measures included the belief that Islam permitted use of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, to treat menstrual disorders, and to suppress menstrual flow that would prevent attendance at religious rituals; personal contraceptive use was also assessed. Subgroup analysis investigated potential impacts of demographic variables. Results: The interview response rate was 88%. ⋯ Of the reproductive age sexually experienced participants, 96.5% reported ever using any contraceptive method. The most commonly ever-used methods included oral contraceptive pills (72.5%), male condoms (68.9%), coitus interruptus (39.9%), and intrauterine devices (21.2%). Conclusion: The vast majority of American Muslim women surveyed believe that their religion permits use of reversible contraceptive methods. They have used contraceptive methods at rates similar to other women in the United States.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2019
Observational StudyAge-Specific Sex-Based Differences in Anemia in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.
Background: Data are lacking concerning possible age-specific sex-based differences in anemia in myocardial infarction (MI) patients and its association with the outcome. The aim was to assess whether these differences in anemia (on admission and at discharge) in MI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are associated with the outcome. Methods: Data from 5579 MI patients (31.0% women) undergoing PCI at our institution were analyzed. Men and women in different age groups were compared regarding anemia and its association with the 30-day and long-term all-cause mortality. ⋯ Anemia on admission (HR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.29-1.60; p < 0.0001) and at discharge (HR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.23-2.21; p < 0.0001) predicted a higher long-term mortality. Conclusion: Younger women with MI suffer anemia more frequently than their male peers. Anemia was associated with a worse outcome. Age-specific sex-based differences in anemia help to explain the increased sex-related mortality in MI patients undergoing PCI.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2019
Lost Annual Productivity Costs Due to Uterine Cancer Deaths in the United States in 2014.
Background: An estimated 11,350 uterine cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States in 2018. We constructed an economic model to estimate the annual productivity costs associated with uterine cancer death, for the year 2014. Materials and Methods: The model calculated the number of women who would be alive in 2014 if they had not died of uterine cancer, and the lost earnings resulting from early mortality. The age-stratified number of deaths from uterine cancer per year (1935-2014) was obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. ⋯ The model estimated that 110,792 of these women would be alive in 2014 had they not died of uterine cancer; of these, 24,758 would have been part of the work force based on age and labor participation rate. The total productivity loss in 2014 due to uterine cancer was estimated at $1.35 billion. Conclusion: Uterine cancer deaths in the United States are associated with substantial indirect costs owing to lost earnings. Total productivity losses are more than half of the estimated annual direct costs of uterine cancer care.