Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health
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Womens Health Issues · Sep 2015
A Qualitative Exploration of Low-Income Women's Experiences Accessing Abortion in Massachusetts.
At a time when most states are working to restrict abortion, Massachusetts stands out as one of the few states with multiple state-level policies in place that support abortion access for low-income women. In 2006, Massachusetts passed health care reform, which resulted in almost all residents having insurance. Also, almost all state-level public and subsidized insurance programs cover abortion and there are fewer restrictions on abortion in Massachusetts compared with other states. ⋯ This study provides important, novel information about the need for state-level policies that support access to health insurance and comprehensive abortion coverage. Such policies, along with a well-functioning health care environment, help to ensure that low-income women have access to abortion. However, not all abortion access challenges have been resolved in Massachusetts. More work is needed to ensure that all women can access affordable, confidential care that is responsive to their specific needs and preferences.
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Womens Health Issues · Sep 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialGender Differences in Service Utilization among OEF/OIF Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after a Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention to Increase Treatment Engagement: A Mixed Methods Study.
Women veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom [OEF/OIF]) have a moderately higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than male veterans. However, gender disparities in treatment engagement may prevent women veterans from initiating the care they need. Understanding gender differences in predictors of and barriers to treatment is essential to improving engagement and mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in treatment utilization after a brief, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention among male and female OEF/OIF veterans. ⋯ The CBT intervention may be a critical mechanism to engage female veterans in treatment. Further research is needed to understand how to engage male veterans with PTSD in treatment.
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Womens Health Issues · Sep 2015
Intimate Partner Violence Detection and Care in the Veterans Health Administration: Patient and Provider Perspectives.
Women veterans experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), with associated negative health impacts. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has recently developed plans to implement routine IPV screening and provide IPV-related follow-up services for VHA patients. Previous research has examined barriers and facilitators to health care provider screening for IPV. The next step is to examine patients' disclosure of IPV experiences to health care providers and effective response to such disclosures. We sought to identify VHA patients' and providers' perspectives on how to facilitate effective IPV detection and care in VHA. ⋯ Findings support current plans for IPV program implementation in VHA and point to recommendations for practice and implications for further research.
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Womens Health Issues · Sep 2015
Reproductive Life Planning in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study of Women Veterans' Perceptions.
Women veterans using Veterans Administration (VA) health care have high rates of medical and mental health comorbidities, placing them at increased risk of poor outcomes from unplanned pregnancy. Reproductive life planning is a strategy recommended by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that could promote healthy pregnancies and reduce unplanned pregnancy in the VA. However, no data exist on women veterans' perceptions of reproductive life planning discussions. ⋯ Women veterans perceived reproductive life planning as valuable and important to their health. Reproductive life planning has the potential to enhance patient-centered delivery of reproductive health services in VA primary care.
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Womens Health Issues · Sep 2015
Bosnian, Iraqi, and Somali Refugee Women Speak: A Comparative Qualitative Study of Refugee Health Beliefs on Preventive Health and Breast Cancer Screening.
The low uptake of preventive services in disadvantaged communities is a continuing challenge to public health. Women refugee communities are particularly vulnerable populations, and disparities in both preventive care and breast cancer screening have been documented sparsely. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore Bosnian, Iraqi, and Somali women refugees' beliefs about preventive care and breast cancer screening to inform future community interventions and best practices. ⋯ Taken together, duration of time in United States and prior exposure to Western medicine account for differences in refugee women's knowledge of preventive care. Understanding population-specific health beliefs, health information, and behavior are crucial for designing tailored prevention programs for refugee women.