Women & health
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Comparative Study
The experience of chronic illness in women: a comparison between women with endometriosis and women with chronic migraine headaches.
The diagnosis of a chronic illness is a life changing event that affects the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of a person's life. The purpose of the present study was to compare the experiences of pain, physical and psychological well-being, stress, patient satisfaction, social support, and attitudes toward menstruation of women who suffer from endometriosis and women who suffer from chronic migraine headaches. ⋯ Women with endometriosis reported significantly more pain, stress, and negative attitudes toward menstruation than did women with migraines. Implications for the differential treatment of women with chronic illnesses related to the menstrual cycle are discussed.
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In 2001 the supply of heroin was substantially reduced across Australia. Given the child protection concerns associated with the use of substances by pregnant women, it was pertinent to examine how the reduction in the supply of heroin affected this community of users. This paper aimed to assess the extent of any drug-related problems among pregnant women associated with the reduction in heroin supply in New South Wales (NSW). ⋯ The reduction in heroin supply appeared to have limited impact on the number of substance-using pregnant women as assessed by hospital episodes and key informant reports. The evidence suggested an increase in the injecting of cocaine by pregnant women using drug treatment services, similar to the changes in drug use patterns observed among other groups of injecting drug users. The lack of change observed in the qualitative and statistical data regarding adverse health consequences associated with cocaine injecting suggests the potentially negative impact of maternal cocaine use on infant health may be difficult to detect and monitor.
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This case study of women's influence on international environmental health policy making examines the development and implementation of the May 2004 Stockholm Convention for Persistent Organic Pollutants. The role of women's non-governmental organizations and theoretical concepts of empowerment are analyzed. Specific "gender" strategies are identified as part of advocacy by women in negotiations leading to the Convention. Findings from a 2004 survey of governments are presented outlining national activities with respect to clauses of the agreement relevant for women and children.
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To examine rates of medical and psychiatric disorders among 187 female veterans recruited at four Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs), the recognition of such disorders by VAMC care providers, and the use of relevant medical and mental health services by women both within and outside of the VA setting. ⋯ Findings from this study suggest that female veterans treated in VAMCs had significant medical and psychiatric problems, and these women might not be getting their health care needs adequately met through the VA health care system. In light of our findings, we discuss relevant implications and future directions for research.
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Good patient-physician relationships and communication lead to better patient health and more satisfied patients. So far, satisfaction of sexual minority (lesbian, bisexual or women who partner with women) cancer patient-physician interactions is unknown. This study describes sexual minorities' experiences with their treating physicians and which provider attitudes were perceived as positive or negative. ⋯ Participants' narratives indicated that satisfaction is connected with a certain style of patient-physician interactions rather than physician gender. Specific provider traits in the two domains of (1) inter-personal behaviors and (2) medical expertise and decision-making determined patient satisfaction. These findings suggest that physicians of either gender can develop the skills needed to improve quality of breast cancer care for sexual minority women.