International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

11 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between the Severity of Dysmenorrhea and Psychological Distress of Women Working in Central Tokyo—A Preliminary Study

by Kumi Matsumura, Kanami Tsuno, Masumi Okamoto, Akiko Takahashi, Akio Kurokawa, Yuko Watanabe and Honami Yoshida

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(21), 7021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20217021 - 5 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2434

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the association between the severity of dysmenorrhea and psychological distress among working women in central Tokyo and examine the effect modification of job stressors. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 312 women who had undergone health check-ups [...] Read more.

This study aims to clarify the association between the severity of dysmenorrhea and psychological distress among working women in central Tokyo and examine the effect modification of job stressors. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 312 women who had undergone health check-ups in the “Marunouchi Hokenshitsu” project. The severity of dysmenorrhea was defined as the degree of daily life disturbance with menstrual pain, and the outcome variable was the K6 scores. To assess the association of psychological distress with the severity of dysmenorrhea, multiple regression analyses were performed. The results revealed that 18.3% of the 289 working women were in the moderate/severe group of dysmenorrhea. In multiple regression analysis, moderate/severe dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress, but the significance disappeared after adjusting for gynecology such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and workplace-related factors. The degree of job control was significantly associated with lower levels of psychological distress and may modify psychological distress caused by dysmenorrhea. Moderate/severe dysmenorrhea may be associated with higher levels of psychological distress in working women, and psychological symptoms of PMS) and the degree of job control were possible effect factors, and there may be effect modification by the degree of job control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

13 pages, 690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Legal Awareness and Practices of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates Medical Practitioners

by Shamsa Al Awar, Kornelia Zareba, Gehan Sayed Sallam, Nawal Osman, Teodora Ucenic, Howaida Khair, Suzan Al Shdefat, Hadya Abdel Fattah and Sara Maki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064710 - 7 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1779

Abstract

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), due to its regional occurrence, is a marginalized issue in the international arena. The aim of the study was to verify reasons for performing a procedure prohibited by international and domestic law. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses [...] Read more.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), due to its regional occurrence, is a marginalized issue in the international arena. The aim of the study was to verify reasons for performing a procedure prohibited by international and domestic law. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses and doctors practicing in the UAE. The study was conducted from the 1 of January 2020 to the 31 of December 2021. The total number of recruited individuals who agreed to participate was 120, with the rate of return being 82%. About half of the participants (n = 59, 49.2%) have seen FGM/C patients in their UAE practice. Regarding medical staff, the total knowledge score concerning possible complications of the performed procedure was assessed at 64%, i.e., at a moderate level. None of our study participants had previously performed any type of FGM/C. However, 6.7% were willing to do it upon a mother’s or guardian’s request. About 83% of study participants stated that FGM/C should be halted internationally. Only 26.7% of the medical practitioners were aware of UAE law concerning FGM/C, while 50% had no knowledge concerning this issue. The present study reveals that cultural conditions take priority over medical knowledge, making medical practitioners inclined to accept the circumcision of girls and women. The crucial goals of future activities should focus on sensitizing society and the medical community, the need to create clear laws penalizing the practice, and the legal obligation to report the circumcision of a girl or woman. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

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22 pages, 405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perinatal Women’s Views of Pharmacist-Delivered Perinatal Depression Screening: A Qualitative Study

by Lily Pham, Rebekah J. Moles, Claire L. O’Reilly, Stephen Carter, Camille Raynes-Greenow, Timothy F. Chen, Corina Raduescu, Sue Randall, Jacqueline Bloomfield, Clara Strowel, Andrea Murphy, David Gardner and Sarira El-Den

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16295; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316295 - 5 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1832

Abstract

Internationally, 20% of women experience perinatal depression (PND). Healthcare providers including general practitioners and midwives are critical in providing PND screening and support; however, the current workforce is unable to meet growing demands for PND care. As accessible and trusted primary healthcare professionals, [...] Read more.

Internationally, 20% of women experience perinatal depression (PND). Healthcare providers including general practitioners and midwives are critical in providing PND screening and support; however, the current workforce is unable to meet growing demands for PND care. As accessible and trusted primary healthcare professionals, pharmacists could provide PND care to complement existing services, thereby contributing to early detection and intervention. This study aimed to explore perinatal women’s views of community pharmacist-delivered PND screening and care, with a focus on their attitudes towards and acceptability of PND screening implementation in community pharmacy. Semi-structured interviews with women (n = 41) were undertaken, whereby interview data were transcribed verbatim and then inductively and thematically analysed. Five overarching themes emerged; “patient experience with existing PND support and screening services”; “familiarity with pharmacists’ roles”; “pharmacist visibility in PND screening care”; “patient—pharmacist relationships” and “factors influencing service accessibility”. Themes and subthemes were mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Findings highlight participants’ generally positive attitudes towards community pharmacist-delivered PND screening and care, and the potential acceptability of such services provided pharmacists are trained and referral pathways are established. Addressing perceived barriers and facilitators would allow community pharmacist-delivered PND screening and care to support existing PND care models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

12 pages, 927 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Association of Serum Uric Acid with Diabetes in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women—A Prospective Cohort Study in Shanghai, China

by Qian Wu, Ying Guan, Chunze Xu, Na Wang, Xing Liu, Feng Jiang, Qi Zhao, Zhongxing Sun, Genming Zhao and Yonggen Jiang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316137 - 2 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

There have been few prospective studies on the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and the risk of diabetes in women, and there have been few large-scale Chinese studies based on menopause to investigate the association. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.

There have been few prospective studies on the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and the risk of diabetes in women, and there have been few large-scale Chinese studies based on menopause to investigate the association. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the above relationship in Chinese female adults without diabetes. Methods: Data from 5743 premenopausal women and 11,287 postmenopausal women aged 20–74 years were obtained from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) study conducted in China. Cox regression models were applied to evaluate the association between SUA levels and the risk of diabetes. Restricted cubic spline analysis and stratified analysis on the basis of menopausal status were performed to explore the dose–response association between SUA levels and diabetes. Results: Among 17,030 participants, incidence rates of diabetes were 3.44/1000 person-years in premenopausal and 8.90/1000 person-years in postmenopausal women. The SUA levels in postmenopausal women were higher than that in premenopausal women (p < 0.0001). In Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, for each 10 µmol/L increase in SUA levels, the adjusted HR of diabetes was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.97–1.04) in postmenopausal women, and 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01–1.04) in premenopausal women. Compared with the lowest quartile of SUA levels, the HR (95% CI) of diabetes in the highest quartile was 0.99 (0.55–1.79) in premenopausal women and 1.39 (1.07–1.81) in postmenopausal women. Compared with those without hyperuricemia, the HR (95% CI) for diabetes was 1.89 (0.67–5.31) in premenopausal women with hyperuricemia, and 1.55 (1.19–2.02) in postmenopausal women. Moreover, restricted cubic splines models showed that there was a linear relationship between SUA levels and diabetes risk in premenopausal (p for nonlinear = 0.99) and postmenopausal women (p for nonlinear = 0.95). Furthermore, the restricted cubic spline graph showed that the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women increased with an increase in SUA levels (p = 0.002). Conclusions: In a cohort of Chinese adult women, SUA levels are associated with diabetes risk in postmenopausal women, but this association was not observed in premenopausal women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

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10 pages, 601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Function and Quality of Life in Brazilian Transgender Women Following Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lísia Maya Monteiro Petry Jardim, Taís Marques Cerentini, Maria Inês Rodrigues Lobato, Ângelo Brandelli Costa, Dhiordan Cardoso da Silva, Karine Schwarz, Anna Martha Vaitses Fontanari, Maiko Abel Schneider, Tiago Elias Rosito, Valentina Lucia La Rosa, Elena Commodari and Patrícia Viana da Rosa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315773 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2385

Abstract

This cross-sectional and descriptive study aimed to evaluate the sexual function, urinary function, and quality of life of 26 Brazilian trans women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery (GAS) using the gold standard technique (penile inversion vaginoplasty) in the Gender Identity Transdisciplinary Program at [...] Read more.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study aimed to evaluate the sexual function, urinary function, and quality of life of 26 Brazilian trans women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery (GAS) using the gold standard technique (penile inversion vaginoplasty) in the Gender Identity Transdisciplinary Program at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between March 2016 and July 2017. The Female Sexual Function Index, the SF-36 Health Survey, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form were used. Regarding their surgical results, 84.6% of the women said they were satisfied, 73.1% were sexually functional, and 15.4% reported urinary incontinence not associated with surgery. Participants also reported a good quality of life, despite low scores of pain and physical vitality. Transgender women in our sample reported a good quality of life and sexual function after GAS. Further studies are required to improve the psychosexual wellbeing of this specific population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

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17 pages, 748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There an Association between Being a Victim of Physical Violence by Intimate Partner and Binge Drinking in Men and Women? Secondary Analysis of a National Study, Peru 2020

by Francesca Campoverde, Micaela de las Casas and Dora Blitchtein-Winicki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114403 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1783

Abstract

The relationship between being a victim of physical violence by an intimate partner and binge drinking (BD) is a poorly explored line of research, especially in men. To determine the association between being a victim of physical violence by an intimate partner and [...] Read more.

The relationship between being a victim of physical violence by an intimate partner and binge drinking (BD) is a poorly explored line of research, especially in men. To determine the association between being a victim of physical violence by an intimate partner and BD in men and women in Peru in 2020, a secondary analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using the Demographic Health Survey. BD was categorized according to the Center of Disease Control definition for men and women, based on the type and amount of alcoholic beverage ingested. Physical violence was based the report of being hit with any part of the body or an object, by their intimate partner. To identify the association, a multivariable general linear model of the family and link log Poisson was used. The results were presented as prevalence ratios (PRs). In the adjusted models stratified by sex, a 90% greater likelihood of BD was found in male victims and an 80% higher probability among female victims (PRa 1.9, 95%CI 1.3;2.7, p < 0.001 vs. PRa 1.8, CI95% 1.1; 2.8, p = 0.013, respectively). An association was found between physical violence by an intimate partner and BD in the Peruvian population older than 15 years, in both men and women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

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14 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Role of Maternal Grandmothers’ Childcare Provision for Korean Working Adult Daughters

by Sesong Jeon and Katie Walker

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114226 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Despite the Korean government’s investment in childcare facilities for dual-earner households, maternal grandmothers are increasingly taking on the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren. This trend is examined in the current research. While many studies have been conducted on grandparents’ experiences providing childcare [...] Read more.

Despite the Korean government’s investment in childcare facilities for dual-earner households, maternal grandmothers are increasingly taking on the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren. This trend is examined in the current research. While many studies have been conducted on grandparents’ experiences providing childcare for their grandchildren, significantly less research has been conducted on adult daughters’ experiences with their mothers’ childcare provision. This study utilized the concepts of intergenerational solidarity and a life-course approach to understand the experiences of 24 working adult daughters in Korea (ages 30–43) whose mothers provide childcare. Three major themes were identified following a grounded theory approach: gratitude vs. guilt, dependence vs. independence, and closeness vs. disagreement. The results indicated that adult daughters were found to have ambivalence toward their mothers, reflecting the lack of alternative options for childcare. The results from this study suggest that not only improving the quality of public childcare services, but also diversifying services to reflect the needs of dual-income families. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

12 pages, 735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Healthy Women Perceive the Risk of Breast Cancer? The Role of Illness Perceptions and Compared Risk between Portugal and the U.A.E

by Maria J. Figueiras, David Dias Neto, Joao Marôco and Catarina Carmo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12923; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912923 - 9 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1347

Abstract

(1) Background: Breast cancer (BC) shows significant epidemiological differences between Eastern and Western countries. These may arise from socio-cultural factors influencing how healthy young women perceive this condition, their risk of getting cancer, and the implications for preventive screening behaviors. In this study, [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Breast cancer (BC) shows significant epidemiological differences between Eastern and Western countries. These may arise from socio-cultural factors influencing how healthy young women perceive this condition, their risk of getting cancer, and the implications for preventive screening behaviors. In this study, the illness perceptions, individual risk perception, compared risk, and beliefs about preventive behaviors for BC of female university students were compared using an anonymous online survey between a European country (Portugal) and the United Arab Emirates. (2) Method: A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to investigate the hypothetical relationship between illness perceptions and compared risk as predictors of perceived risk for BC. (3) Results: There were significant differences between the study variables. The SEM was invariant, but the differences between regression coefficients in both countries were highly statistically significant. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of compared risk on individual risk and a significantly stronger direct effect for the Emirati sample. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that cultural research may help to explain factors that may shape social comparison of individual risk characteristics and influence perceived risk. Moreover, providing culturally appropriate strategies to be designed and implemented can promote early detection behaviors for BC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities)

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