Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Studying gender in the experiences of patients with heart failure: A scoping review of qualitative studies and methodological recommendations.","authors":"Elias Thomas, Petra Verdonk, Jeanine Roeters-van Lennep, Hanneke Rhodius-Meester, Louis Handoko, Linda Schoonmade, Majon Muller, Maaike Muntinga","doi":"10.1177/17455057241305078","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241305078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Considering how gendered experiences play a role in the lives of patients with heart failure (HF) is critical in order to understand their experiences, optimise clinical care and reduce health inequalities.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of our study was to review how gender is being studied in qualitative research in HF, specifically to (1) analyse how gender is conceptualised and applied in qualitative HF research; and (2) identify methodological opportunities to better understand the gendered experiences of patients with HF.</p><p><strong>Eligibility criteria: </strong>We conducted a systematic search of literature, including qualitive or mixed-methods articles focussing on patients' perspectives in HF and using gender as a primary analytical factor, excluding articles published before 2000.</p><p><strong>Sources of evidence: </strong>Our search returned 3121 records, which were independently screened by two authors, resolving disagreements through a consensus procedure.</p><p><strong>Charting methods: </strong>Two reviewers extracted the characteristics of the included studies and methodological quality. We applied the <i>Integrating Sex and Gender Checklist</i> and gender theory as an analytical tool to synthesise results relating to the conceptualisation and application of gender in the included studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 11 qualitative articles that used interviews (<i>n</i> = 10) or focus groups (<i>n</i> = 1) to investigate the role of gender in experiences of patients with HF. None of the included studies defined their conceptual approach to gender, or used gender-related theoretical frameworks. This led to results and conclusions which were drawn along binary lines - representing gender as two separate, oppositional and mutually exclusive categories, and paying little attention to the dynamic, relational and context-dependent aspects of gender.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although researchers have investigated the role of gender in the experiences of patient with HF, methodological improvements are needed to prevent the current retelling of gender as a binary variable with two opposed and mutually exclusive categories. To better understand gendered experiences in HF, researchers need to avoid a reductionist and essentialist approach to gender. To this end, researchers should clearly state their conceptual approach to gender and analyse their findings using state-of-the-art gender theoretical frameworks and intersectional approaches. Ultimately, this will allow the development of tailored and effective clinical care.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241305078"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783506/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143069788","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":"\"Infertility frightened me\": Violence among infertile couples in Jordan.","authors":"Rachel Hall-Clifford, Zaid Al Hamdan, Irina Bergenfeld, Hala Bawadi, Wardha Mowla, Jehan Hamdaneh, Hussein Al Salem, Cari Jo Clark","doi":"10.1177/17455057251322815","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251322815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Women in couples experiencing infertility are at heightened risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) from husbands and domestic violence (DV) from family. Couples experiencing infertility in Jordan, a patriarchal culture with high rates of IPV and DV, are particularly vulnerable. This article explores the gendered similarities and differences in the experiences of mental health, social support, exclusion, and IPV.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objectives of this study are to understand both men and women's perspectives on their experiences of infertility and to develop intervention strategies to reduce IPV among married couples experiencing infertility.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study is a descriptive, observational study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Through quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews, we examined key themes including: challenges to mental health and well-being; reproductive health and fertility care-seeking; experiences of shame, isolation, and discrimination; coping skills; sources of support; and challenges within spousal and family relationships.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this article, we analyze primary areas of gender discordance and discuss how gendered experiences can shape implementation of psychosocial support intervention programs to prevent IPV. Our findings provide important insight into facilitators and barriers to prevention of IPV in this vulnerable group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We conclude that providing both women and men with culturally appropriate support during fertility treatment-seeking can improve psychosocial health and couple functioning and ultimately to reduce the occurrence of IPV in this vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251322815"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143525407","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":"Improving cervical cancer health literacy in Arabic-speaking immigrant women in the United States through an online patient education tool.","authors":"Amira M Zayed, Saria Nassar, Jenny Chang, Layla Dalati, Heike Thiel de Bocanegra","doi":"10.1177/17455057251323214","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251323214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low health literacy rates especially among the medically underserved have called for more understandable and actionable resources to involve patients in their health. The online audio-visual Reproductive Health Network (ReproNet) cervical cancer tool was shown to improve cervical cancer health literacy among marginalized English- and Spanish-speaking populations and Arab and Afghan immigrants in a group setting.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine whether or not the cervical cancer tool positively impacts health literacy for Arabic-speaking Middle Eastern or North African first- and second-generation immigrant women in the United States when self-administered.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>In this single-group pre-post interventional study, a convenience sample of 95 Arabic-speaking immigrant women in the United States, ages 18 and over, reviewed an online cervical cancer patient education tool and completed pre- and post-tests.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants received links to the tool and to pre- and post-tests, using the cervical cancer literacy assessment tool. We conducted McNemar tests and paired <i>t</i>-tests to compare pre- and post-test results in health literacy per participants. A multivariate regression model was fitted to test the association between demographic variables and the change of cervical cancer literacy content domains, controlling for the baseline scores before administering the tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 118 participants, 95 participants had complete pre- and post-tests. Health literacy increased overall after self-administration of the tool, specifically in terms of cervical cancer prevention and control (<i>p</i> < 0.01). There were no significant differences in knowledge in U.S.-born versus foreign-born Arabic-speaking women (<i>p</i> = 0.6660).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The self-administration of the ReproNet cervical cancer tool most significantly increases awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer prevention in Arabic-speaking first- and second-generation immigrant women, thus pointing to increased quality of the provider-patient relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251323214"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143525415","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":"Climate change and gendered vulnerability: A systematic review of women's health.","authors":"Gulnaz Anjum, Mudassar Aziz","doi":"10.1177/17455057251323645","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251323645","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Climate change is an urgent global threat, with women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately facing adverse health outcomes. Gendered roles, combined with socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors, exacerbate women's vulnerabilities, increasing the burden of mental health issues, water insecurity, sanitation challenges, and caregiving responsibilities.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review seeks to systematically examine the intersection between climate change and gendered health vulnerabilities, with a particular focus on women. It explores how climate change intensifies gender-specific risks and identifies pathways for integrating gender-responsive policies to mitigate both short- and long-term health impacts.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Following Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework, this systematic review mapped key concepts and evidence from studies conducted between January 2011 and January 2024. The review focuses on identifying the multifaceted health impacts of climate change on women, particularly in LMICs and marginalized communities.</p><p><strong>Data sources and methods: </strong>A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science and Scopus databases using key terms and Medical Subject Headings related to climate change, women's health, gender inequality, mental health, water security, sanitation, and caregiving burdens. Studies were screened and selected based on relevance to the predefined criteria, with data extracted on study design, key findings, and limitations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2163 citations screened, 61 studies were included in the final analysis. The review highlights that climate change disproportionately affects women, exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities. Specific impacts include heightened mental health challenges, adverse maternal and newborn health outcomes, increased water insecurity, and an intensified caregiving burden. Women in LMICs are particularly vulnerable due to reduced access to resources, healthcare, and decision-making platforms, further limiting their adaptive capacities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings underscore the critical need for gender-responsive climate policies that address both immediate health impacts and the broader socioeconomic and environmental determinants affecting women. Effective climate adaptation strategies must integrate gender perspectives, ensuring that women's specific vulnerabilities are accounted for in policy frameworks. This review advocates for the empowerment of women through increased access to resources and decision-making, thus enhancing their resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251323645"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607494","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":"Fertility desire and associated factors among reproductive age women attending antiretroviral therapy at public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Legesse Abera, Betelhem Mengistu, Mickiale Hailu, Mawerdi Adem, Daniel Tadesse","doi":"10.1177/17455057251320481","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251320481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human immune virus (HIV) remains a major cause of death in children and women worldwide. Women's desire to have children in the future has significant implications for the transmission of the human immune deficiency virus to sexual partners and newborns. People living with HIV desire to have children, and counseling by their healthcare providers plays a critical role in ensuring planned pregnancies and minimizing mother-to-child transmission. However, in many settings, a large majority of HIV-positive women who desire more children do not discuss reproductive health and childbearing with their healthcare providers. The objective of this study was to assess fertility desire and associated factors among reproductive age women living with a HIV attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) in public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on November 01-30, 2022 among 598 reproductive age women attending ART clinics in public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data were collected from five female nurses through face-to-face interviews using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Variables with a <i>p</i>-value <0.25 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables associated with desire for fertility were declared at <i>p</i>-value <0.05, with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study showed that 42.0% (95% CI: 31.7%-52.28%) of women had a desire for fertility. Women aged (15-24) (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.58-3.50), married women (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.42-5.11), having no children (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.51-2.52), and desire to have children (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.84-4.12) were significantly associated with desire for fertility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study revealed that a significant proportion of women desire fertility despite their positive status. Moreover, being young, married, having no child, and having a partner's desire to have children were factors associated with the desire for fertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251320481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11938899/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143712536","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":"On-demand robotic surgery for hysterectomies: A combination of the best of robotic and laparoscopic approach.","authors":"Sara Imboden, Damaris Erhardt, Siegenthaler Franziska, Mueller Michael David","doi":"10.1177/17455057251325029","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251325029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The advantage of robot-assisted hysterectomy over standard laparoscopy remains controversial. Conventional robots offer limited flexibility to the surgeon. The novel, Dexter robotic system™, allows integration and easy switch between the laparoscopic and robotic interface.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study's objective is to evaluate the feasibility of using Dexter for robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomies by analyzing surgical data and intra- and postoperative complication rates.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Women who underwent surgery using the Dexter robotic system at a University Hospital in Switzerland from March to December 2022 were included in this study. A comprehensive database containing coded demographic and clinical outcome data for these patients was analyzed for surgical data and intra- and postoperative complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We collected and evaluated data from 24 patients who underwent Dexter robot-assisted hysterectomies for indications like endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. For all patients, a hysterectomy was accompanied by other procedures such as radical lymphadenectomy or deep infiltrating endometriosis surgery that was mostly performed by conventional laparoscopy. The mean operating time was 171.9 min, with an average estimated blood loss of 130.8 ml. The patients stayed at the hospital for an average of 4 days. Clavien-Dindo grade III postoperative complications were reported in four patients with three vaginal dome infections and one umbilical (camera arm) trocar hernia. Importantly, there were no intraoperative complications or conversion to laparotomy among the operated patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We present the first retrospective study reporting the feasibility of Dexter in robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomies. All surgeries were performed successfully without technical failure or device-related adverse events. In contrast to the other robotic systems, Dexter offers an on-demand platform, allowing the surgeon to switch between laparoscopic and robotic interfaces as required. Further research is needed to validate its potential advantages and broader applicability.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251325029"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11952027/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733538","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":"Clitoral reconstruction and psychosexual care after female genital mutilation/cutting: Assessment of multidisciplinary care.","authors":"Muriel Meyer, Gideon Sartorius, Jasmine Abdulcadir","doi":"10.1177/17455057251315814","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251315814","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multidisciplinary care following female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) can consist of surgical interventions such as clitoral reconstruction (CR) in combination with individualized psychosexual care (PC). Evidence on both treatments, alone or in association, is limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the overall satisfaction with PC only or PC in combination with CR.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional study of women who attended the FGM/C outpatient clinic under study and asked for CR between January 2013 and November 2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews on motivations for asking for CR, psychological well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index), sexual response (Female Sexual Function Index), vulvar pain, genital self-image (Female Genital Self-Image Scale), overall satisfaction with the care received, and, in the case of CR, postoperative complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 20 women included underwent therapy primarily to feel repaired or reconstructed and to improve their sexual function. Mean overall satisfaction with the care was rated 8.95/10 ± 1.39. Twelve (60%) received CR in combination with PC. Eight (40%) received PC only. Women who received combined therapy reported higher overall satisfaction (9.17 versus 8.57), psychological well-being (17.8 versus 9.25), sexual response (31.22 versus 21.56), and genital self-image (25.60 versus 17.60) in comparison with those who only received PC. The main surgical complications were minor postoperative bleeding and one painful wound infection triggering a relapse of posttraumatic stress disorder.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Tailored PC and CR after FGM/C seem to improve psychosexual health, well-being, body image, and pain.<b>Registration:</b> ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05026814).</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251315814"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143756340","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":"Informed choices for some, but not for others: An exploration of Australian midlife women's participation in mammography screening by social class.","authors":"Samantha Batchelor, Belinda Lunnay, Sara Macdonald, Paul R Ward","doi":"10.1177/17455057241305730","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241305730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Population-level mammography screening for early detection of breast cancer is a secondary prevention measure well-embedded in developed countries, and the implications for women's health are widely researched. From a public health perspective, efforts have focused on why mammography screening rates remain below the 70% screening rate required for effective population-level screening. From a sociological perspective, debates centre on whether 'informed choice' regarding screening exists for all women and the overemphasis on screening benefits, at the cost of not highlighting the potential harms. We dovetail these disciplinary agendas to contextualise the factors that impact mammography screening choices, interpreting screening status through a social class lens.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To understand how social class impacts informed choice-making among midlife women (45-64 years), regarding (non) participation in mammography screening.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We interviewed 36 Australian midlife women from differing social class groups who were 'screeners' or 'non-screeners'. We conducted a theory-informed thematic analysis and used Bourdieu's relational social class theory to consider how women's access to social, cultural and economic capital influenced their screening identities. We conducted matrix and crosstab queries across themes to identify patterns by social class. We extend the findings from Friedman's study of women's screening perspectives as 'attentional' types utilising the 'sociology of attention'.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results map to Friedman's four 'attentional' types (default or conscious interventionists, conflicted or conscious sceptics), and we show how social class impacts women's attention to screening and participation. We show for middle-class women screening is a 'given', they align closely with normative screening expectations. Working-class women who screen, do so out of a sense of compliance. Affluent non-screeners make informed choices, while working-class women are more passive in their non-screening choices, being a group that sits outside of Friedman's four attentional types.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Current approaches to screening communication and programme delivery can be improved by tailoring approaches to reflect the impacts of social class in shaping women's 'choices'. Subsequently, equitable breast cancer prevention may be afforded, which impacts positively on population-level screening rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241305730"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11742167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143018007","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":"Examining acquired brain injury-associated symptoms and fluid-based biomarkers in females surviving intimate partner violence: An observational pilot study protocol.","authors":"Michelle Patch, Allison Jacobi-Dorbeck, Tamar Rodney, Gabor Kelen, Jacquelyn C Campbell, Leah H Rubin, Chelsea Wagner, Nancy Perrin, Jessica Gill","doi":"10.1177/17455057251320717","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251320717","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury and hypoxic/anoxic injury, presents significant public health concerns; however, existing literature has focused primarily on male populations, such as military personnel and contact sports participants. Sex-related differences in ABI outcomes necessitate focused research due to potential heightened risk and distinct physiological responses among females.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This pilot study aims to explore fluid-based biomarkers for neurological injury and inflammation in females experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)-related assaults to the head, neck, or face. It seeks to assess the feasibility and acceptability of non-invasive sweat patch collection for biomarker analysis and its association with post-injury symptoms.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study will be a prospective longitudinal observational pilot study involving approximately 50 participants recruited from two mid-Atlantic-based hospital emergency departments.</p><p><strong>Methods and analysis: </strong>Participants will undergo clinical interviews, provide blood and sweat samples, and complete questionnaires assessing ABI history, IPV-related symptoms, cognitive function, psychological well-being, and sweat patch acceptability, across three study visits. Screening procedures will identify eligible participants, followed by consent procedures, biosample collection, brain injury and IPV history survey administration, symptom and cognitive function instrument administration, and acute medical record data collection. Analyses will include random effects regression, product moment correlations, and descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Ethics: </strong>Participants will be informed about the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks before providing consent. Compensation will be provided for participation, with withdrawal options available. Ethical considerations include ensuring participant confidentiality and addressing psychological disorders beyond exclusion criteria.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Understanding fluid-based biomarkers in IPV-related ABI can inform interdisciplinary interventions and precision care models. Findings may facilitate early detection, treatment, and safety planning for affected females, emphasizing the importance of tailored, accessible care for this vulnerable population. Future research should focus on translating these findings into evidence-based practice to improve outcomes for women with ABI, particularly those resulting from IPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251320717"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905024/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607502","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":"Interest in digital health tools for miscarriage support: A qualitative assessment of Canadian women facing early pregnancy loss.","authors":"Breanna Flynn, Anjali Sergeant, Genevieve Tam, Megan Gomes, Roopan Gill","doi":"10.1177/17455057241311424","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241311424","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early pregnancy loss (EPL) occurs in 10%-15% of all pregnancies but remains an underrecognized and undertreated condition. In Canada, resources to support individuals and their partners facing EPL remain scarce despite a high burden of psychosocial sequelae. Digital health tools hold the potential to fill important gaps in reproductive healthcare.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We sought to better understand the perspectives of individuals who experienced pregnancy loss and explore how digital health tools could offer support.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We conducted a qualitative study with grounded theory methodology to address our objectives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted between September 2021 and April 2022 in Ottawa, Canada. Participants between 18 and 45 years of age who resided in Canada and experienced EPL up to 12 + 6 week gestation within the last 2 years were included. Enrolled participants who provided informed consent completed a single in-depth interview. Data were analyzed iteratively by two trained research team members with thematic techniques supported by NVivo software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Interviews were conducted with 14 participants who had experienced EPL. All participants identified as female and resided in Canada, with 28.6% (<i>n</i> = 4) between 26 and 30 years of age, and the remaining 71.4% (<i>n</i> = 10) between 31 and 40. Qualitative analysis identified three primary themes centered around participants' experiences of miscarriage, access to information and support for EPL in Canada, and desires and preferences for a digital miscarriage tool.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Miscarriage is an emotionally difficult experience for women and their loved ones, who often do not receive timely and compassionate care within the healthcare system. Participants were highly motivated to co-develop a digital intervention for EPL that is designed to fill gaps in care. The digital companion would assist individuals through their miscarriage journey by providing evidence-based and locally relevant medical information as well as avenues to access both professional and informal forms of psychosocial support.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241311424"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143043822","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}