Journal of women's health
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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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Background: In the U. S. civilian population, sex differences have been identified in cardiovascular health; these differences have been used to inform care. Our objective is to determine if the same sex differences are present in Veterans who use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System given the additional stressors associated with military service. Materials and Methods: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and conditions among women and men Veterans using VA in fiscal year (FY) 2014 were identified through the presence of International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes in VA administrative records. ⋯ Compared with men, women in this cohort were younger and more ethnically diverse. Overall, women were less likely to have traditional CVD risk factors, but more likely to have a nontraditional CVD risk factor (depression) compared with men. Women had higher odds of chest pain/angina (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.03, confidence interval [95% CI] 1.02-1.05), palpitations (AOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.98-2.10), and valvular disease (AOR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.08), but lower odds of coronary artery disease (AOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.29-0.30), acute MI (AOR 0.46; 95% CI 0.43-0.49), and heart failure (AOR 0.55; 95% CI 0.53-0.56) compared with men, overall. Conclusions: In age-adjusted comparisons, sex differences in the prevalence of CVD risk factors and conditions among the VA Veteran patient population was similar in that seen in the civilian population with a few exceptions.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2019
Chronic Medical Illness as a Risk Factor for Poor Mammography Screening Adherence.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between the presence of chronic medical disease and mammography screening adherence. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study on women between the ages of 50 and 64 who received screening mammography in 2005 and had at least 8 years of follow-up. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from our centralized patient data registry. Women diagnosed with one or more of the following diseases for at least 3 months before their index mammogram were considered to have a chronic disease, including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease, and/or peripheral vascular disease. ⋯ Within this group, the presence of congestive heart failure (-0.88; CI = -0.84 to -0.45; p ≤ 0.01), COPD (-0.39; CI = -0.57 to -0.21; p ≤ 0.01), or diabetes mellitus type II (-0.37; CI = -0.57 to -0.17; p ≤ 0.01) was individually associated with reduced screening compared with women without the respective disease. Compared with women without chronic medical disease, women with multiple chronic medical diseases (-0.62; CI = -0.93 to -0.30; p ≤ 0.01) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) less likely to receive routine screening, while no significant difference was seen in women with only one chronic medical disease (-0.18; CI = -0.39 to -0.02; p ≤ 0.08). Conclusion: Despite experiencing longer life expectancies, women with specific chronic diseases may experience additional barriers to uptake of mammography screening, which is likely compounded by the comorbidity burden of being simultaneously treated for multiple chronic conditions. Increased health care interactions seen in this group may represent missed opportunities to improve screening adherence.
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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
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.