Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2024
Intimate Partner Violence and Antenatal Depression Among Underserved Pregnant Women.
Introduction: Few studies have examined the associations of intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure during pregnancy and types of IPV with antenatal depression among underserved pregnant women. Methods: Data came from participants from a Healthy Start program in South Carolina between 2015 and 2019 (n = 1,629). The first two questions in the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) were used to measure IPV exposure, that is, having a problematic relationship with their partner. ⋯ Conclusion: This is one of the first studies to estimate the prevalence of IPV exposure using a proxy measure (a problematic relationship) among underserved U. S. pregnant women. Its positive association with antenatal depression suggests the utility of screening for a problematic relationship using a two-item WAST and providing assistance to those with IPV exposure.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2024
CDC Prioritizes HIV Prevention and Treatment to Reduce HIV Disparities Among Cis-Gender Black Women.
To succeed in ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on delivering combinations of scientifically proven, cost-effective, and scalable interventions to priority populations. Systemic factors continue to contribute to persistent health disparities and disproportionately higher rates of HIV diagnosis in some communities. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy has designated cis-gender Black women (CgBW) as a priority population to address the racial and ethnic inequities in HIV. ⋯ These funded activities include the development, planning, and implementation of HIV prevention programs, mass media campaigns, and behavioral interventions focused on CgBW. This report also summarizes DHP's community engagement, capacity building, and partnership efforts, and highlights research and surveillance activities focusing on CgBW. Finally, this report outlines future directions for CDC's efforts to improve access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for CgBW in the United States.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2024
Sex Differences in the Expression of Central Sensitization Symptoms in Migraine: An Observational Study.
Background: Migraine is the fourth most common cause of disability in women and the eighth most common cause in men. Central sensitization phenomena predispose to chronic migraine and are generally more pronounced in women. Objective: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to look for sex differences in a population of migraine subjects attending a tertiary headache center, focusing on symptoms of central sensitization such as allodynia and pericranial tenderness. ⋯ Conclusions: Women with migraine are more likely than men to report acute allodynia, nausea, and osmophobia and are also more likely to be anxious, depressed, and disabled. These features appear to be independent of fertile age and are probably related to sex-specific genetic characteristics. These symptoms represent a tendency toward sensory hypersensitivity and central sensitization that should be carefully assessed in both women and men with migraine with a view to possibly predicting chronic development.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2024
Social Determinants of Health and Patient-Reported Difficult Discontinuation of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.
Background: Some individuals who receive long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) face barriers to discontinuation. The inability to discontinue a contraceptive method when desired negatively impacts a person's reproductive autonomy. Persons impacted by social determinants of health (SDH) may be disproportionately affected. ⋯ Conclusions: SDH are associated with challenges to LARC discontinuation. SDH are unique risk factors that can impact one's entire contraceptive experience. A nuanced discussion of SDH at the time of contraceptive counseling may be a critical step in addressing the intersectionality of method selection and reproductive agency.