International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Dear Colleagues,

Public health is an organized social effort that is mainly pursued through the common activities of public institutions, which aim to improve, promote, protect, and restore population health. Improving health for all requires the expansion of public health interventions to include obstetrics and gynecology. Women’s health problems change throughout their lives; initially, they concern reproduction, pregnancy, and contraception, while in later life, menopause and cancerous diseases become the focus. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some new risks for women’s health. A correct diagnosis of COVID-19 is a precondition for an effective intervention in issues concerning the health both women and foetuses. Public health risk assessments are concerned with health hazards, for example, those resulting from environmental causes (environment of life, work, etc.), health behaviours (eating habits, addictions, and physical activity), or other causes, including those that are congenital. This Special Issue will address the problems of public health in relation to obstetrics and gynaecology. I invite you to contribute a paper for publication in our upcoming Special Issue, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Public Health.

Prof. Dr. Artur Wdowiak
Guest Editor

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13 pages, 501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Diagnosis of PCOS Using Electronic Health Records: A Scoping Review and a Database Analysis

by William Atiomo, Mohamed Nor Haq Rizwan, Muhammad Hamza Bajwa, Hussain Juzer Furniturewala, Komal Sundeep Hazari, Deemah Harab, Widad Abdelkareem, Sumayya Inuwa, Amar Hassan Khamis, Muna Tahlak and Fadi G. Mirza

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030354 - 15 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, infertility, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Accurately identifying predictors of these health risks is crucial. Electronic health records (EHRs) offer an affordable approach, however, the validity and reliability of EHRs for PCOS diagnosis are unclear. A scoping review of the literature on the prevalence and reliability of the diagnosis of PCOS using EHRs was performed. An analysis of the feasibility of obtaining diagnostic variables from a PCOS patient database was also carried out. Eight studies met the criteria. The prevalence of PCOS ranged from 0.27% to 5.8%. Reliability varied, with one study reporting a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 29%. Another study found a 74.4% agreement between international classification of disease (ICD) codes and clinical criteria. The database analysis found only 13.7%, 8%, and 7.5% of women had all the necessary variables for an objective diagnosis of PCOS using the Rotterdam, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AEPCOS) criteria, respectively. Using EHRs results in an underestimation of PCOS prevalence compared to other diagnostic criteria, and many women identified may not meet the complete diagnostic criteria. These findings have implications for future research studies on PCOS prevalence and related health risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition: Obstetrics and Gynecology in Public Health)

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16 pages, 361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cold Exposures in Relation to Dysmenorrhea among Asian and White Women

by Tianying Wu, Cassie Doyle, Joy Ito, Neeraja Ramesh, Deepali Karina Ernest, Noe C. Crespo, Fang-Chi Hsu and Eyal Oren

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010056 - 30 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent, ranging from 16% to 91% among women, and it can lead to multiple reproductive disorders. However, risk factors associated with dysmenorrhea remain unexamined. Cold exposures can significantly disturb blood circulation and prostaglandin production in the uterus, leading to dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the relationship between cold exposures and dysmenorrhea, as well as potential disparities between Asians and Whites and the potential cultural influences on these associations. This was a cross-sectional survey among 197 Asian and 222 non-Asian women recruited from the U.S., with more than 40% from California. We assessed cold exposures, such as the frequency of consumption of cold water/drinks and ice cream, as well as room temperatures at home and public places, for both summer and winter over the past 12 months. The type of cold exposure associated with dysmenorrhea differs between Asian and White women. We found that among Asian women, a higher frequency of ice cream consumption in winter (beta = 1.19, p = 0.0002 when comparing high to low categories) was associated with dysmenorrhea; however, among White women, increased consumption of cold water/drinks in winter (beta = 0.49, p = 0.04 when comparing high to low categories) was also associated with dysmenorrhea. Higher home room temperatures in winter were associated with reduced severity of dysmenorrhea among White women but not among Asian women. All these associations supported our hypothesis and were stronger among women who lived in states with colder winters. However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, women who drank cold water/drinks less frequently during their menstrual period were more likely to experience more severe dysmenorrhea. In conclusion, this study provides crucial evidence to support the link between cold exposures and dysmenorrhea among Asians and Whites. The associations contradictory to our hypothesis are likely due to reserved causation influenced by Asian cultural practice. This paper sheds light on an understudied area that profoundly affects women’s quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition: Obstetrics and Gynecology in Public Health)

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