Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Determinants of weight gain in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum in Dire Dawa administration, Eastern Ethiopia: An unmatched case-control study.","authors":"Tariku Derese Asfaw, Yibekal Manaye, Mahder Girma","doi":"10.1177/17455057251318193","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251318193","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adequate gestational weight gain affects birth outcomes and increases the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. Weight gain in pregnant Ethiopian women with hyperemesis gravidarum has not been investigated comprehensively.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the determinants of weight gain in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravida in Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Unmatched case-control studyMethods:Pregnant women who visited health facilities for ante-natal care were recruited into this study using random sampling techniques. The World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, FANTA Version III Women's Dietary Diversity Score Questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were used for the assessment of physical activities, dietary diversity, and gestational weight gain, respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness model were used to identify the determinants of gestational weight gain in the study population. A <i>P</i> value of <0.05 was considered significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 657 pregnant women (219 patients and 438 controls) were included in this study. Among them, 44.3% and 47% of those in the patient and control groups, respectively, gained adequate weight during pregnancy (Std. 0.499: 95% CI: 42-49.8). Gravidity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.43, 95%CI: 0.22-0.81), planned pregnancy (aOR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.11-0.69), and pre-pregnancy weight (aOR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.72-0.74) were determinants of weight gain in the patient group, whereas the secondary level of education (aOR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.36-0.97) and pre-pregnancy weight (aOR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.50) were determinants of gestational weight gain in the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The main determinants of gestational weight gain in women with hyperemesis gravidarum are gravidity, planned pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy weight. However, educational status and pre-pregnancy weight are the main determinants of gestational weight gain in women without hyperemesis gravidarum. Strengthening the nutritional life-cycle approach during pregnancy is important for ensuring that mothers maintain a healthy gestational weight.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251318193"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV self-testing in cis women in Canada: The GetaKit study.","authors":"Lauren Orser, Alexandra Musten, Hannah Newman, Molly Bannerman, Marlene Haines, Jennifer Lindsay, Patrick O'Byrne","doi":"10.1177/17455057251322810","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251322810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In light of ongoing HIV diagnoses among cis women, despite decreases in other populations, such as men who have sex with men, various testing approaches, including HIV self-tests are being targeted at cis women as a means of identifying undiagnosed HIV infections and of linking those with positive test results to care. Little, however, is known about risk characteristics of cis women who access HIV self-tests in Canada.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our objectives were to examine demographic characteristics, risk factors, and test results of cis women who obtained HIV self-tests through the HIV self-testing platform, GetaKit.ca.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>GetaKit.ca was an observational cohort study that provided free HIV self-tests to Canadians with reported risk factors for HIV acquisition.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We completed an analysis of cis women who ordered HIV self-tests from GetaKit.ca between April 1, 2021 and May 31, 2023. Data analysis involved tabulating frequencies and means, plus chi-square calculations to determine significant differences between cis women and cis men who obtained HIV self-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the study period, 7420 orders for HIV self-tests were made through GetaKit.ca; 22% of these orders were made by cis women. Compared to cis men, cis women had significantly higher reported rates of injection drug use and significantly lower reported rates of prior sexually transmitted infection testing, HIV testing (with more cis women indicating their last HIV test was more than 12 months ago), and reporting HIV self-test results. Despite this, we found no differences in the number of cis women with a positive HIV self-test compared to cis men (positivity rate of 0.2% versus 0.3%, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings showed less overall uptake of HIV testing in cis women, despite matched risks and positive test results. Future interventions to engage cis women in HIV testing should include increased access points for HIV self-tests and enhanced linkage to care pathways to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis or HIV treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251322810"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11960179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143756341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of antenatal care dropout in South Mecha woreda, Amhara regional state, North west Ethiopia, 2024.","authors":"Worku Andiso, Gebiyaw Wudie, Kebadenew Mulatu, Deresse Daka","doi":"10.1177/17455057251332491","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251332491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antenatal care (ANC) is vital for the health and well-being of mothers and their babies during pregnancy. It provides care, education, counseling, screening, and treatment to manage pregnancy-related complications. However, many pregnant women, especially in low-income regions like sub-Saharan Africa, do not complete recommended visits, leading to high dropout rates. Ethiopia, following WHO 2016 recommendations, has adopted an eight-contact ANC model, but still faces a 30% dropout rate. Effective ANC is crucial for reducing maternal mortality rates and ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of the study is to identify the determinants of ANC dropout among mothers who delivered in South Mecha Woreda, North West Ethiopia, 2024.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A community-based unmatched case-control study design was employed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Study conducted from May 25 to June 25, 2024, using a structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The final sample included 111 cases and 215 controls, totaling 326 participants. Participants were selected based on the outcome variable of ANC visit dropout (mothers who did not complete the recommended four visits during pregnancy) and ANC visit completion, identified through simple random sampling. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and <i>p</i>-value used to determine significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women who could not read and write had higher likelihood of ANC drop out (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 6.475; 95% CI: 2.662, 13.747; <i>p</i> < 0.001), women from families with a monthly income of less than 3000 (AOR = 2.036; 95% CI: 1.666, 6.221; <i>p</i> = 0.012), women who waited more than 30 min (AOR = 5.132; 95% CI: 3.352, 12.877; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and dissatisfaction with the service received (AOR = 5.397; 95% CI: 1.406, 10.719; <i>p</i> = 0.014).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The research indicates that variables like educational level, family income, service waiting times, and satisfaction with services are significant determinants of ANC dropout rates among women in South Mecha Woreda. Women with lower levels of education and income are at a higher risk of dropping out, highlighting the necessity for focused interventions. The research underscores the need for holistic strategies to enhance maternal health and decrease ANC dropout rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251332491"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12034954/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A scoping review of vulvodynia research: Diagnosis, treatment, and care experiences.","authors":"Athina Zoi Lountzi, Purva Abhyankar, Hannah Durand","doi":"10.1177/17455057251345946","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251345946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vulvodynia is a significant genital pain condition, affecting an estimated 10% to 28% of individuals worldwide. Its multifactorial etiology, diagnostic challenges, and limited treatment options contribute to its substantial personal and socioeconomic burden. Despite its prevalence, vulvodynia remains under-recognized and under-researched, necessitating a comprehensive review of existing evidence to inform future research strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This scoping review examines the extent and nature of clinical and psychosocial research on vulvodynia, with a focus on diagnosis, treatment, healthcare access, and its impact on quality of life, psychological well-being, and intimate relationships.</p><p><strong>Eligibility criteria: </strong>Eligible studies included primary research using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods designs, as well as systematic, scoping, and topical reviews. Studies were included if they examined clinical or psychosocial aspects of vulvodynia. Research on other types of vulvar pain, animal studies, neurobiological research, and studies from non-high-income countries were excluded.Sources of Evidence and Methods:A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane was conducted in March 2024 using predefined search terms related to vulvodynia, diagnosis, treatment, and patient experiences. Review findings, limitations, and recommendations were extracted to provide an overview of existing research, mapping methodologies, measures, and key findings of primary studies on vulvodynia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 144 articles were included, comprising 21 reviews and 123 primary studies. Clinical research primarily addressed diagnosis, risk factors, and comorbidities, while treatment studies evaluated pharmacological therapies, psychological therapies, laser therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and multidisciplinary approaches. Psychosocial research focused on patient experiences, psychosocial factors, and barriers to care. However, methodological limitations, inconsistent measurement tools, limited patient involvement, and study heterogeneity challenge the generalizability of findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This review highlights critical gaps in vulvodynia research. Despite considerable research efforts, vulvodynia remains poorly understood. Addressing methodological weaknesses and involving patients more robustly in research design are essential to advance knowledge and improve care outcomes in vulvodynia.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251345946"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outcomes in gestational and non-gestational choriocarcinoma: A retrospective cohort study with nomograms and web tools.","authors":"Sakhr Alshwayyat, Mahmoud Bashar Abu Al Hawa, Karam Maraqa, Tala Abdulsalam Alshwayyat, Mustafa Alshwayyat, Hamdah Hanifa, Tala Alsaghir","doi":"10.1177/17455057251344386","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251344386","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Choriocarcinoma (CC), a rare and aggressive form of cancer, is composed of cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. It is present in two subtypes: gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC) and non-gestational choriocarcinoma (NGCC). Recognizing the disparities between GCC and NGCC is essential for the precise staging, prognosis, and determination of the primary treatment strategy.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to differentiate clinical outcomes, treatment responses, and prognostic factors between GCC and NGCC and to introduce innovative tools for personalized treatment strategies.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A retrospective cohort study with Survival Analysis and Nomogram Development.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and identified female patients diagnosed with GCC and NGCC between 2000 and 2020. The clinicopathological features of each group were compared using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to assess overall survival and cancer-specific survival and to determine risk factors. The 5-year survival predicting nomogram was constructed, evaluated, and validated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 919 patients with 719 CC and 200 patients with NGCC. The NGCC group was characterized by older age, a higher proportion of married individuals, more advanced disease stages, larger tumor sizes, and a higher frequency of surgical interventions than the GCC group. NGCC was associated with worse survival rates than GCC patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the critical role of chemotherapy in improving the survival of patients with NGCC, in contrast to its limited effect on GCC. The negative prognosis associated with radiotherapy underscores the urgent need for further investigation to optimize its use. In addition, the introduction of the first web-based survival prediction tool and predictive nomogram marked a significant advancement in personalized treatment strategies, enabling improved clinical outcomes by tailoring therapy to individual patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251344386"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12144397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144236200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between maternal birth complications and postpartum depressive symptoms: A systematic narrative review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Emilia F Cárdenas, Eileen Yu, Maya Jackson, Kathryn L Humphreys, Autumn Kujawa","doi":"10.1177/17455057251320801","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251320801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nearly half of people report birth-related complications, which is thought to be a risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The goal of this systematic narrative review and meta-analysis was to provide an updated examination of the literature linking specific maternal birth complications and PPD.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A systematic review was conducted focused on studies examining associations between specific maternal birth complications and PPD symptoms/and or diagnoses, along with meta-analyses to quantify the magnitude of associations for specific experiences. The review protocol was not pre-registered.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Searches were completed using PsycINFO and PubMed databases. We used four eligibility criteria: (a) article available in English, (b) study included a measure of dimensional or diagnostic depression, (c) include discrete experience of birth-related complication, and (d) included a statistical test of the bivariate association between depression in the postpartum period and a measure of birth-related complication. We excluded studies of newborn intensive care or infant health conditions, rather than maternal birth complications directly impacting the pregnant person's health. All analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. We considered patterns in sampling, measurement, and analytic designs. To address publication bias, we examined funnel plots and calculated Egger's test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review (61 studies; 1,853,282 total participants) revealed four categories of maternal birth complications (i.e., cesarean, preterm birth, pain, laceration). Both the narrative review and meta-analysis support positive associations between maternal birth complications overall and PPD symptoms and diagnoses (odds ratio, OR = 1.47, <i>p</i> < 0.001), with specific associations observed for cesarean deliveries (non-emergency: 1,792,725 participants; OR = 1.30, <i>p</i> < 0.001; emergency: 14,199 participants; OR = 1.48, <i>p</i> = 0.001), preterm birth (39,291 participants; OR = 1.97, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and pain (3,708 participants; OR = 1.75, <i>p</i> = 0.009). ORs were small-to-medium in magnitude. Laceration alone was not significantly associated with PPD (3,356 participants; OR = 1.18, <i>p</i> = 0.692).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study expands upon previous research and provides nuanced perspective on the relationship between different types of maternal birth complications and PPD. This review was supported by a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship and 1F31MH135650-01.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251320801"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869314/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143525409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitamin C supplementation in nicotine use during pregnancy: A narrative review.","authors":"Carolin von Edlinger, Udo R Markert","doi":"10.1177/17455057241305265","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241305265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nicotine use during pregnancy remains a widespread problem in obstetrics, leading to complications such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome. Consistent education by medical personnel is essential, as no medication or supplement has been found to prevent the dangers of nicotine use during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is unable to quit nicotine despite intensive efforts, vitamin C, with its antioxidant properties, may help mitigate these risks, as suggested by some studies. This review summarizes current knowledge based on publications related to vitamin C, nicotine, and pregnancy. Research was conducted on the medical literature platforms PubMed and Cochrane Library, using all relevant studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. The identified studies primarily examined the impact of maternal smoking and nicotine on placental function, as well as the respiratory, cardiac, neuronal, and bone systems of the offspring. They suggest that vitamin C has a generally positive preventive or protective effect, though no study has shown complete compensation for the damage caused by nicotine. Nicotine abstinence remains the most crucial preventive measure. If this is not achievable despite intensive efforts by medical personnel, vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy may be considered. With a very low side effect profile, a daily dose of up to 500 mg can be recommended. However, further studies are necessary to provide reliable data on the effectiveness and appropriate dosage, given an ethically justifiable study approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241305265"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11847319/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Robotics-assisted surgery in gynecology: A single-center experience with the Hugo™ RAS system in India.","authors":"Manjula Anagani, Ravula Sindura Ganga, Snehalatha Paritala","doi":"10.1177/17455057241302581","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241302581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Robotics-assisted surgery (RAS) offers several advantages over traditional laparoscopic surgery, such as enhanced precision, dexterity, and ergonomics, and allows stable movements with tremor filtering and motion scaling. The new multi-modular Hugo™ RAS system is commercially available in certain countries and is used in urological, gynecological, and general surgical procedures.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To document the experience with the use of the Hugo™ RAS system in 20 patients who underwent surgery for various gynecological conditions at a hospital in Hyderabad, India.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Real-world single-center study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty patients (45.3 ± 6.5 years) who were admitted to a tertiary care center (September 2022-2023) underwent hysterectomy (<i>n</i> = 18), accessory and cavitated uterine mass excision (<i>n</i> = 1), and myomectomy (<i>n</i> = 1) using the Hugo™ RAS system. The evaluated outcome parameters included docking time, console time, blood loss (intraoperative and postoperative), length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and postoperative pain perception measured as per visual analog scale (VAS) scores at multiple time points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean docking time was 6.3 ± 2.0 min, and the mean console time was 86.9 ± 20.3 min. Blood loss (intraoperative and postoperative drain) was 103.5 ± 62.4 mL, not requiring blood transfusion for any patient. Per hospital norms, each patient had a hospital stay lasting for 2 days. None of the patients experienced immediate postoperative complications. Minor late complications were observed in two patients. Postoperative pain perception decreased with time. VAS scores were 3.2 ± 0.4 (1 h), 2.2 ± 0.4 (6 h), and 1.0 ± 0.0 (12 h), and no pain was perceived 1 week after surgery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on initial experience, the Hugo™ RAS system provides favorable results for gynecological patients, with benefits including efficient docking time, short surgery duration, minimal blood loss, short hospital stay, few postoperative complications, and low pain perception. Future studies comparing the Hugo™ RAS system with other robotic surgical platforms in gynecological procedures are essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241302581"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11877460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143544817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meanings of food and experiences of food insecurity among survivors accessing violence against women services during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Julia Bonsu, Bridget Steele, Priya Shastri, Alexa R Yakubovich","doi":"10.1177/17455057251325986","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251325986","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Violence against women (VAW) poses a serious threat to the psychological and physical health of women. Food insecurity is both a cause and outcome of VAW, with further consequences for women's health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated economic insecurity and, as a result, the cycle of VAW and food insecurity, demonstrating that VAW survivors have multifaceted needs when healing from situations of violence.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore meanings of food and experiences of food insecurity among VAW survivors accessing supportive services during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of informing holistic and trauma-informed service delivery.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This analysis is based on qualitative data collected as part of the mixed-methods community-based Marginalization and COVID-19 (MARCO)-VAW study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied reflexive thematic analysis to qualitative interview data from 10 survivor participants who accessed VAW services in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic and supplemented it with interview data from 18 staff participants working on those services.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We generated three themes relevant to meanings of food and experiences of food insecurity among VAW survivors: (1) power dynamics as barriers to food and achieving independence for survivors of VAW, (2) intersection between food insecurity and motherhood, and (3) reclaiming food independence and power after abusive situations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Food security and autonomy promoted healing and provided a sense of independence for VAW survivors living in or transitioning out of both violent situations and shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic. To better support VAW survivors, organizations that support survivors need to be appropriately resourced to provide food-related programming, supports, and diverse food options, including during public health emergencies, when economic precarity and social isolation increase. Gender-transformative policy is necessary to prevent gender-based and intersectional inequities in violence and food insecurity.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251325986"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11960186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143756343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breaking the silence: Addressing sexual health challenges among migrant and refugee women.","authors":"Zohra S Lassi, Negin Mirzaei Damabi, Mumtaz Begum, Jodie C Avery, Salima Meherali","doi":"10.1177/17455057251331263","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251331263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This editorial addresses the critical yet often overlooked issue of sexual health among migrant and refugee women. With nearly half of the world's 281 million international migrants being women, their unique health challenges demand urgent attention. As a conceptual discussion, this editorial does not present empirical data but rather synthesizes existing literature and expert insights to explore the multifaceted barriers these women face, including financial constraints, language obstacles, cultural taboos, and social exclusion. We examine the complex interplay between acculturation and sexual function, emphasizing how cultural transitions influence sexual well-being. The discussion explores how cultural background shapes sexual attitudes, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive approaches in healthcare delivery. We propose multifaceted solutions, including developing culturally competent healthcare services, implementing targeted education programs, and improving research methodologies. This editorial aims to break the silence surrounding these issues and calls for concerted efforts to address the sexual health needs of migrant and refugee women, ultimately fostering healthier, more equitable societies.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251331263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12035292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144053571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}