Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Computable Guidelines and Clinical Decision Support for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management to Improve Outcomes and Health Equity.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable when precancerous lesions are detected early and appropriately managed. However, the complexity of and frequent updates to existing evidence-based clinical guidelines make it challenging for clinicians to stay abreast of the latest recommendations. ⋯ DCPC is collaborating with the MITRE Corporation, leading scientists from the National Cancer Institute, and other CDC subject matter experts to translate existing narrative guidelines into computable format and develop clinical decision support tools for integration into health IT systems such as electronic health records with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and decreasing disparities in cervical cancer outcomes among populations that are medically underserved. This initiative meets the challenges and opportunities highlighted by the President's Cancer Panel and the President's Cancer Moonshot 2.0 to nearly eliminate cervical cancer.
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Cervical Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Criminal-Legal Involved Women from Three U.S. Cities.
Background: This study aims to understand how criminal-legal involved women from three U. S. cities navigate different health resource environments to obtain cervical cancer screening and follow-up care. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of women with criminal-legal histories from Kansas City KS/MO; Oakland, CA; and Birmingham, AL. ⋯ Predictors for up-to-date cervical cancer screening included access to a primary care provider (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4-7.7), health literacy (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7), and health behaviors, including avoiding tobacco (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9) and HPV vaccination (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.0-10.9). Conclusions: Cervical cancer screening and follow-up varied by study site. The results suggest that patient level factors coupled with the complexity of accessing care in different health resource environments impact criminal-legal involved women's cervical cancer prevention behaviors.
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Sex Differences in the Incidence and Risk of Ankle-Foot Complex Stress Fractures Among U.S. Military Personnel.
Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate sex differences in the incidence and risk of ankle-foot complex (AFC) stress fractures among U. S. military personnel, which could assist in developing management strategies as females assume a greater role in U. S. military operations. ⋯ Conclusions: Females in the U. S. military have a higher risk of AFC stress fractures than males. As integration of females into previously sex-restricted occupations continues, focused prevention efforts may be needed to reduce injury burden and maximize medical readiness.
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Clinical TrialUterine Fibroids in Black Women: A Race-Stratified Subgroup Analysis of Treatment Outcomes After Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation.
Background: The disease and treatment burden of uterine fibroids (UF) in Black women is substantially greater compared with other racial groups, with higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes with both hysterectomy and myomectomy. The inequities in the access Black women have to minimally invasive routes of surgery contribute to their burden of illness. Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LAP-RFA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective uterine-sparing treatment option. ⋯ Menstrual blood loss (140.1 mL vs. 127.02 mL; P = 0.44) and mean fibroid volume reduction (47.5 cm3 vs. 36.0 cm3; P = 0.17) were similar between Black and White women at 12 months. Although not statistically significant, the intraoperative total blood loss and uterine blood loss was lower in Black women than White women, despite greater operative time (160 minutes vs. 137 minutes; P = 0.09). Conclusions: These results are promising in providing an alternative uterine-sparing option for Black women and may help to provide a minimally invasive option that can address some of the racial inequities in care for Black women with UF.
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Care Seeking for Chronic Vulvar Pain Among a Large, Population-Based Sample of Reproductive-Aged Women.
Background: Chronic vulvar pain is a prevalent but often misdiagnosed and undertreated condition that adversely impacts quality of life. A large proportion of women report not seeking care for chronic vulvar pain, but little is known about the factors that underlie care-seeking decisions. Materials and Methods: We used a large, population-based survey of women aged 18-40 years to assess a history of chronic vulvar burning, pain on contact, or itching that had lasted ≥3 months. ⋯ Less than half of women who characterized their pain as pain on contact had sought medical care. Those who did seek care reported seeing fewer providers than those who experienced burning. Providers may wish to proactively ask patients about pain on contact.