Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2017
Disparities in Counseling Female Cancer Patients for Fertility Preservation.
Female cancer patients who are exposed to gonadotoxic chemotherapy are at risk of future infertility. Research suggests that disparities in fertility preservation counseling (FPC) may exist. Previous research is limited by recall bias; therefore, this study examined objective electronic medical chart data regarding FPC at an academic medical center. ⋯ Although cancer diagnosis was the greatest predictor of FPC, disparities were evident in the counseling of female cancer patients for FP treatment. Equality in counseling female patients for FP treatment is imperative to reduce the risk of emotional harm and future infertility.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2017
Optimizing Prevention of HIV and Unplanned Pregnancy in Discordant African Couples.
Dual method use, which combines condoms with a more effective modern contraceptive to optimize prevention of HIV and unplanned pregnancy, is underutilized in high-risk heterosexual couples. ⋯ Three-quarters of follow-up intervals did not include dual method use. This highlights the need for counseling to reduce unintended pregnancy and HIV transmission and enable safer conception.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2017
Factors Associated with Achievement of Clinically Significant Weight Loss by Women in a National Nonprofit Weight Loss Program.
Clinically significant weight loss (CSWL) is ≥5% of initial weight. The purpose of the study is to determine factors associated with women achieving CSWL in Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a national, nonprofit weight loss program. ⋯ Women in TOPS were more likely to achieve CSWL if older, ≥113 kg, and in larger, newer chapters. Future studies should address ways to modify the program to improve achievement of CSWL.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2017
Impact of Gender on Satisfaction and Confidence in Cholesterol Control Among Veterans at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.
Compared with men, women have poorer lipid control. Although potential causes of this disparity have been explored, it is unknown whether patient-centered factors such as satisfaction and confidence contribute. We evaluated (1) whether satisfaction with lipid control and confidence in ability to improve it vary by gender and (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics modify the association. ⋯ Women veterans at high risk for cardiovascular disease were less satisfied with their lipid control than men; however, confidence in ability to improve lipid levels was similar. Veterans without someone to help to track medications were less confident, and women were less likely to have this type of social support. Lack of social support for medication tracking may be a factor in lingering gender-based disparities in hyperlipidemia.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialPersonalized Mobile Health Intervention for Health and Weight Loss in Postpartum Women Receiving Women, Infants, and Children Benefit: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Prepregnancy maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy lead to significant morbidities in mothers and their children. Mothers who never return to their prepregnancy weight begin subsequent pregnancies at a greater weight and have a larger propensity for excess gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. ⋯ Overall, the E-Moms intervention was not able to decrease postpartum weight retention in women receiving WIC benefits compared to usual care received through the current WIC program. However, there is some evidence to suggest improved adherence to the intervention would improve weight management.