Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Disparities in Chronic Health Outcomes and Health Behaviors Between Lesbian and Heterosexual Adult Women in Pittsburgh: A Longitudinal Study.
Background: Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian women experience higher rates of many chronic diseases, including depression, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Lesbian women report higher rates of risky health behaviors such as hazardous drinking and cigarette smoking. However, little longitudinal research has been done to examine changes in disparities between lesbian and heterosexual adult women. ⋯ We found no differences in any other outcomes of interest. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a resolution in obesity or depression disparities between lesbian and heterosexual women. Future research is necessary to determine if other disparities, such as respiratory conditions, appear over time and how lesbian women's health may continue to improve relative to heterosexual women and stem this public health inequity.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Timing of Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis by Maternal Obesity Status: Impact on Gestational Weight Gain in a Diverse Population.
Background: We hypothesized that earlier gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis and treatment of high-risk women would reduce gestational weight gain (GWG) in the first trimester and overall. Materials and Methods: We evaluated timing of GDM diagnosis among 5,391 pregnant women who delivered singleton births 2010-2013 in a large diverse health maintenance organization (HMO). All GDM screening was by the same oral glucose tolerance testing protocol; GDM treatment protocols were also consistent irrespective of timing of diagnosis. ⋯ Overall, 43% of all pregnant women exceeded IOM GWG guidelines (gained more total weight than recommended); 60% of obese women exceeded guidelines. Obese women diagnosed with GDM were less likely to exceed IOM guidelines if diagnosed earlier in pregnancy (35% EarlyGDM vs. 59% UsualGDM exceeded guidelines, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that EarlyGDM diagnosis (and thus treatment) in high-risk women is beneficial for optimizing GWG.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Intimate Partner Violence and Effectiveness Level of Contraceptive Selection Post-Abortion.
Background: We examined whether experiencing more types of lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) was independently associated with the effectiveness level of the contraceptive method women chose following an abortion. Materials and Methods: Using data on 245 women who were attending an urban hospital abortion clinic, we assessed whether women had ever experienced emotional, physical, or sexual IPV. Effectiveness of women's post-abortion contraceptive method selection was categorized into high (intrauterine device [IUD] and implant), moderate (pill, patch, ring, and shot), and low (condoms, emergency contraception, and none) effectiveness. ⋯ Compared to women with no histories of IPV, women who experienced two or more types of IPV during their lifetimes were more likely to choose contraceptive methods with moderate effectiveness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-24.23, p = 0.035) and high effectiveness (AOR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.12-22.39, p = 0.035) than those with low effectiveness. Conclusion: Women who experienced two or more types of lifetime IPV selected more effective contraceptive methods post-abortion. Access to contraceptives that are not partner dependent, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), may be particularly important for women who have experienced multiple types of IPV.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Obstetrician-Gynecologist Views of Pregnancy-Related Medication Safety.
Background: Medication use among pregnant women is widespread, despite limited evidence about the teratogenicity of most medications. Improved physician-patient communication about pregnancy-related medication safety has been identified as a strategy to address this critical issue; however, little is known about physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices that could inform tools for information access and sharing to support such communication. The primary objective of this study is to address gaps in what is known about obstetrician-gynecologist views, practices, and needs related to accessing and sharing pregnancy-related medication safety information with patients. ⋯ Obstetrician-gynecologists often retrieve medication safety information during a clinical visit. There is widespread provision of potentially problematic "safe lists" to patients, particularly by younger cohorts, and limited counseling for reproductive-aged patients not actively planning a pregnancy. Conclusions: To improve clinical care, physician-patient communication may be enhanced with technical and policy solutions, including improved digital information tools for retrieving and discussing information in the clinical setting; evidence-based, written information for physicians to share with patients; and encouragement for counseling all women of reproductive age receiving teratogenic medications.