Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jun 2023
ReviewComprehensive Review of Hypertensive Disorders Related to Pregnancy.
Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is a common complication during pregnancy that affects approximately 10% of pregnancies and is responsible for nearly 14% of maternal deaths worldwide. It affects the mother and the fetus simultaneously, sometimes putting the health of the mother and the fetus at odds with each other. ⋯ In this review, we aimed to describe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, mainly preeclampsia and chronic hypertension in pregnancy, by discussing the pathophysiology, the central role of abnormal placentation, the release of antiangiogenic factors in the circulation and immunological factors, the clinical outcome in the mother and the fetus, and the diagnostic criteria and principles of management of both the conditions. We also discuss possible screening methods and prevention of preeclampsia using low-dose aspirin and eclampsia prophylaxis.
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Southern medical journal · Jun 2023
An Educational Needs Assessment of Telehealth in Primary Care Among US Internal Medicine Residents.
As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many Internal Medicine (IM) residency programs converted to telehealth for primary care. Our objectives in this study were to better understand resident past and present telehealth education, their perceived barriers to telehealth practice, and their perceived solutions to improving telehealth use and education. ⋯ To effectively address the educational needs for telehealth practice by IM residents, educators must consider not only curricular needs but also clinical, preceptor, and patient barriers to the high-quality use of telehealth for primary care.
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Southern medical journal · Jun 2023
STI Testing among Medicaid Enrollees Initiating PrEP for HIV Prevention in Six Southern States.
The purpose of this study was to measure sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among Medicaid enrollees initiating preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent human immunodeficiency virus. Secondary data are in the form of Medicaid enrollment and claims data in six states in the US South. ⋯ Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends STI testing at least every 6 months for PrEP users, our analysis of Medicaid data suggests that STI testing occurs less frequently than recommended in populations at elevated risk of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
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Southern medical journal · Jun 2023
Racial Disparities in Preterm Birth among Pregnant Women with Obesity.
We assessed the impact of obesity and racial disparities on preterm birth (PTB) in the United States and sought to determine whether obesity widens the racial-ethnic disparity gap in preterm birth with a focus on non-Hispanic Black and White women. ⋯ Our work further contributes to the growing knowledge of the existence of health disparity among the Black population.
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Southern medical journal · Jun 2023
Perceived Stress, Cortisol Responses, and the Effect of Social Networks among Uninsured Free Clinic Patients.
Stress among free clinic patients is an important issue to address in health care. Evaluating the differences between perceived stress and physiological stress will help healthcare professionals to better understand the stress and coping management skills that will improve health outcomes for underserved populations. The aim of this study was to accelerate research to better understand the biological and psychological aspect of stress in health disparities. ⋯ The result of this study provides awareness to healthcare promoters and educators concerning the health of uninsured patients. More specifically, this study provides a foundation to understand the salivary cortisol levels and the relation to perceived stress among this population. Further studies are needed to measure salivary cortisol repeatedly during a period of time among a larger population to better understand the reasons behind normal cortisol level manifesting along with chronic stress.