Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2017
Physical Health Conditions Among a Population-Based Cohort of Vietnam-Era Women Veterans: Agreement Between Self-Report and Medical Records.
Little is known about medical morbidity among women Vietnam-era veterans, or the long-term physical health problems associated with their service. This study assessed agreement comparing data on physical health conditions from self-report and medical records from a population-based cohort of women Vietnam-era Veterans from the Health of Vietnam Era Women's Study (HealthViEWS). ⋯ There was relatively high agreement for physical health conditions when self-report was compared with medical record review. As more women are increasingly represented in the military and more veterans in general seek care outside the Veterans Health Administration, accurate measurement of physical health conditions among population-based samples is crucial.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2017
Sexual Risk and Protective Behaviors Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States.
In 2014, women represented 19% of HIV diagnoses in the United States. Of these, 78% were among black women and Latinas. Sexual risk behaviors-for example concurrent sex partnerships, nonmonogamous sex partners, and inconsistent condom use-are associated with increased HIV transmission and prevalence; these behaviors have been understudied, collectively, in women. ⋯ Improved HIV behavioral risk-reduction strategies are needed for women. Black women could benefit from interventions that address partnership concurrency. For black women and Latinas, who are more likely to use condoms, further examination of broader social and structural factors as contributors to racial/ethnic gaps are warranted and vital for understanding and decreasing HIV-related disparities.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2017
Age-Specific Indicators of a Healthy Lifestyle and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer.
Modifiable lifestyle factors have been consistently associated with breast cancer, and risk may vary by menopausal status. However, whether these associations vary according to age among postmenopausal women remains unresolved. ⋯ Interventions targeting modifiable lifestyle factors may reduce the burden of postmenopausal breast cancer among older women.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2017
Observational StudyInfluence of the 5A's Counseling Strategy on Weight Gain During Pregnancy: An Observational Study.
Healthy weight gain during pregnancy may improve health outcomes for women and infants. The objective of this study was to examine providers' use of the 5A's (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, and Arrange) in discussions of weight, nutrition, and physical activity during prenatal visits and evaluate the effect of this approach on gestational weight gain. ⋯ The 5A's were associated with lower gestational weight gain and may be a promising counseling strategy to promote healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2017
Improving Breast Cancer Screening Adherence Among Hospitalized Women.
More than a third of hospitalized women are both overdue for breast cancer screening and at high risk for developing breast cancer. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if inpatient breast cancer screening education, scheduling an outpatient mammography appointment before hospital discharge at patients' convenience, phone call reminders, and a small monetary incentive ($10) would result in improved adherence with breast cancer screening for these patients. ⋯ This intervention was partially successful in enhancing breast cancer screening among hospitalized women who were overdue and at high risk. Future studies may need to evaluate the feasibility of inpatient screening mammography to improve adherence and overcome the significant barriers to compliance with screening.