Journal of women's health
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder with significant negative impact on sleep and quality of life, yet data suggest that it is frequently underdiagnosed. The clinical features, diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options for RLS are reviewed and discussed, with particular emphasis on RLS in women. RLS is characterized by unpleasant sensations causing an urge to move the legs. ⋯ As RLS is more prevalent in women, professionals working in the field of women's health need to be aware of this condition, its differential diagnosis, and the treatment options available. Accurate diagnosis is essential to facilitate appropriate management and treatment. Dopamine agonists have been shown to be an effective therapy for patients with moderate to severe symptoms of RLS.
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Journal of women's health · May 2008
Comparative StudyDisparities in child abuse victimization in lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women in the Nurses' Health Study II.
A growing body of research documents multiple health disparities by sexual orientation among women, yet little is known about the possible causes of these disparities. One underlying factor may be heightened risk for abuse victimization in childhood in lesbian and bisexual women. ⋯ This study documents prevalent and persistent abuse disproportionately experienced by lesbian and bisexual women.
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Journal of women's health · May 2008
Disparities in the provision of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy testing and prophylaxis for sexually assaulted women in Rhode Island emergency departments.
To determine how often sexually assaulted adult female emergency department (ED) patients are being offered testing and prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy and identify factors associated with the offering of tests and prophylaxis. ⋯ Testing and prophylaxis for chlamydia/gonorrhea were used much more often than prophylaxis for emergency contraception and HIV, even for patients who were anal/vaginally assaulted. Disparities in testing and prophylaxis exist by type of hospital and, in some cases, by age. Educational campaigns should be instituted to ensure that all women receive adequate testing and prophylaxis commensurate with the exposure they sustained from a sexual assault.
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Journal of women's health · May 2008
HIV testing practices among women living in public housing in Puerto Rico.
The objective of our study was to examine HIV testing practices among a large sample of women living in public housing in Puerto Rico and the relationships among HIV testing, sociodemographic variables, and HIV-related behaviors. ⋯ A large percentage of the women in our study have been tested for HIV; it is imperative, however, that appropriate HIV education and prevention messages be given to them when they receive their results. Client-initiated HIV testing to learn HIV status provided through counseling and testing remains critical to the effectiveness of HIV prevention. It is unwise to underestimate the importance of being tested. One of the first steps in self-protection from HIV is to be informed of one's HIV status, which allows one to make appropriate and responsible sexual decisions. Future success in decreasing the number of new infections among women will result from targeting women who may be at high risk, although not because of sex work or drug use. Increasing knowledge of HIV serostatus and the implications of these results, especially among those who are infected, can serve as a gateway to sustained behavioral risk reduction intervention, as well as to care and treatment. Considering the fact that both the actual and estimated numbers of HIV/AIDS cases among women in Puerto Rico continue to increase, it is clear that effective, targeted, and aggressive strategies are urgently needed to prevent both primary and secondary HIV transmission.
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Journal of women's health · May 2008
Primary care program directors' perceptions of women's health education: a gap in graduate medical education persists.
Previous studies found that internal medicine residents are not adequately prepared to provide comprehensive primary care to women. The impact of subsequent national guidelines emphasizing women's health education during residency is unknown. ⋯ Despite national guidelines endorsing women's health education, a large discrepancy persists between what PDs believe their residents should master and what they estimate their residents actually master. This study suggests a need for substantial improvements in internal medicine residency training to adequately prepare residents to care for women.