Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among postnatal mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in a developing country.","authors":"Wina Ivy Ofori Boadu, Enoch Odame Anto, Edmund Mintah Wiafe, Michael Nyantakyi, Joseph Frimpong, Emmanuel Ekow Korsah, Ezekiel Ansah, Afia Agyapomaa Kwayie, Elizabeth Aboagye, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Timmy Donkoh, Kwame Ofori Boadu","doi":"10.1177/17455057251338938","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251338938","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postpartum depression is a public health issue affecting both maternal well-being and child development. While it is the most common mental health disorder following childbirth, data on its prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries, including Ghana, remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study determined the prevalence of postpartum depression and identified its associated risk factors among pregnant women who developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at the Adabraka Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 159 postnatal mothers who delivered between March 31, 2023 and May 31, 2023 at the Adabraka Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data collection instrument were developed to gather information on sociodemographic, psychosocial, obstetric, and newborn characteristics. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to investigate depressive symptoms in the mothers. Mothers with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores above 12 or 13 were considered likely to be experiencing depression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 159 women followed to term, 74 were diagnosed with postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores above 12 or 13), indicating a prevalence rate of 46.5%. The majority of these women were aged between 25 and 30 years (46.5%), engaged in informal occupations (52.2%), had multiple children (71.1%), pregnancies (69.2%), and normal blood pressure levels (62.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders in a multivariate logistic model, several factors were found to be independently associated with postpartum depression: informal occupation (adjusted odd ratio = 0.12, 95% confidence interval (0.02-0.62), <i>p</i> = 0.012), Ga ethnicity (adjusted odd ratio = 5.27, 95% confidence interval (1.25-22.11), <i>p</i> = 0.023), sub-optimal financial support from partner (adjusted odd ratio = 27.54, 95% confidence interval (4.63-164.00), <i>p</i> < 0.001), and experience of cesarean section (adjusted odd ratio = 22.10, 95% confidence interval (3.90-125.08), <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pregnant women with hypertensive disorders may face a heightened risk of experiencing postpartum depression. Timely recognition and intervention are vital for enhancing the health and welfare of both mothers and their children.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251338938"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12171256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144295463","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":"Association between maternal-infant health literacy, social support, and psychological stress during the perinatal period among women in Macao, China.","authors":"Man I Lai, Jialing Chen, Pedro Fong, Lirong Meng","doi":"10.1177/17455057251347086","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251347086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Health literacy varies in multicultural areas due to differing cultural beliefs. In Macao, a multicultural city in China, the blend of traditional Chinese and Western medicine influences health literacy, particularly in maternal-infant health. However, data on this topic are limited, hindering our understanding of healthcare in such regions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigates maternal knowledge, social support, and psychological stress among perinatal women in Macao.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted with perinatal women between 28 weeks of gestation and 6 weeks postpartum.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Maternal knowledge was measured using the Maternal-Infant Health Literacy Scale, social support with the Maternal Social Support Scale, and psychological stress with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall maternal knowledge score of the 263 participants was relatively modest at 35.5, particularly lower in practical skills. Education level, number of childbirths and monthly income were positively correlated with maternal knowledge. The social support score was 21, indicating moderate support, while the psychological score was 8.8, reflecting generally low stress levels. No significant correlations were found between maternal knowledge and social support or stress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the importance of addressing knowledge disparities during the perinatal period in multicultural urban areas. Enhancing maternal knowledge can improve healthcare outcomes and inform culturally tailored educational programmes for diverse populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251347086"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12174802/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318922","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":"Patient perspective: Is intensive screening of women at high risk of breast cancer evidence-based medicine or <i>déjà vu</i>?","authors":"Kathleen A Fairman","doi":"10.1177/17455057241307089","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241307089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 2023, a breast cancer risk assessment and a subsequent positive test for the BRCA-2 genetic mutation brought me to the uncomfortable intersection of a longstanding career as an advocate for high-quality medical evidence to support shared patient-provider decision making and a new role as a high-risk patient. My search for studies of available risk-management options revealed that the most commonly recommended approach for women with a ⩾20% lifetime breast cancer risk, intensive screening including annual mammography and/or magnetic resonance imaging beginning at age 25-40 years, was supported only by cancer-detection statistics, with almost no evidence on patient-centered outcomes-mortality, physical and psychological morbidity, or quality of life-compared with standard screening or a surgical alternative, bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy. In this commentary, I explore parallels between the use of the intensive screening protocol and another longstanding women's health recommendation based on limited evidence, the use of hormone therapy (HT) for postmenopausal chronic disease prevention, which was sharply curtailed after the publication of the groundbreaking Women's Health Initiative trial in 2002. These declines in HT utilization were followed by marked decreases in breast cancer incidence, providing a compelling lesson on the critical importance of a solid evidentiary basis for women's health decisions. Known harms accompanying the benefits of breast screening-overdiagnosis, psychological effects, and mammography-associated radiation-exposure risks-make empirical measurement of patient-centered outcomes essential. Yet, published research on intensive screening of women at high breast cancer risk has largely ignored these outcomes, leaving patients, providers, and guideline developers lacking the evidence needed for best practice. Outcomes research is both feasible and urgently needed to inform care decisions and health policy for this patient population.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241307089"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11742163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143018008","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":"Evaluation of mental disorder related to colposcopy procedure during the COVID period: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ilaria Bochicchio, Martina Catalano, Giovanni Deiana, Giandomenico Roviello, Pasquale Marino, Fabrizia Calenda, Alessandro R Lettini, Francesca Sanseverino","doi":"10.1177/17455057241308342","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057241308342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on healthcare organizations, leading to a reduction in screening. The pandemic period has caused important psychological repercussions in the most fragile patients.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to assess the levels of depression, anxiety, peri-traumatic stress, and physical symptoms in patients undergoing colposcopy during the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare these data with the post-pandemic period.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This longitudinal study included 96 individuals undergoing colposcopy, aged between 22 and 64, who were examined between March 2020 and December 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were assessed at four distinct time points, referred to as T0, T1, T2, and T3. T0 encompassed the pandemic period, ranging from March 2020 to August 2020, while T1 occurred 1 year later, T2 and T3 correspond to data collected in 2022 and 2023. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various psychological variables. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions, were calculated for each psychological variable within each time period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings revealed a significant reduction in peri-traumatic stress and pain levels in the post-pandemic (from 2021 to 2023) period compared to the pandemic period. Conversely, anxiety and depression levels exhibited a statistically significant increase in the post-pandemic period and then gradually decrease in the subsequent follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides valuable insights into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological distress experienced during the pandemic period itself, as well as its enduring effects on anxiety and depression in the subsequent period.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057241308342"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11742171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017957","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":"Iron and folic acid supplementation compliance during pregnancy and its effect on post-pregnancy anaemia among reproductive-age women in East Africa.","authors":"Melaku Tadege Engidaw, Patricia Lee, Faruk Ahmed","doi":"10.1177/17455057251317547","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251317547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the government's effort to reduce the prevalence of anaemia among reproductive-age women globally, it continues as a significant public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation is a widely used intervention to prevent anaemia, but compliance remains a major challenge. There is a lack of literature examining IFA supplementation compliance during pregnancy and its impact on preventing and controlling anaemia during post-pregnancy in the East Africa region.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to investigate compliance with IFA supplementation during pregnancy and its impact on post-pregnancy anaemia among reproductive-age women in East Africa.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used data from 43,200 reproductive-age women from 2015 to 2022 demographic and health survey datasets. We used multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis to identify associated factors with IFA supplementation compliance during pregnancy. Furthermore, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to determine the effect of IFA supplementation compliance on anaemia after pregnancy among women.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The level of compliance with IFA supplementation during pregnancy was 31.33% (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.89, 31.77), whereas the prevalence of anaemia among reproductive-age women was 32.08% (95% CI: 31.64, 32.52). Maternal education, the timing of antenatal care (ANC) visits, wanted index pregnancy (last pregnancy), wealth status, healthcare access, mass media exposure and ANC services from skilled healthcare providers were significantly associated with compliance with IFA supplementation among pregnant women. The PSM analysis indicated a significant positive association between IFA supplementation compliance during pregnancy and prevention of post-pregnancy anaemia among reproductive-age women, with an average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) of 25.55% (ATT = -0.2555, 95% CI: -0.3440, -0.1669, <i>p</i> < 0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite universal IFA supplementation, anaemia remains prevalent in East African countries due to low level of compliance with IFA supplementation. Targeting individual and socio-economic factors during IFA supplementation promotion helps to prevent anaemia after pregnancy. Further research is recommended to gain deeper insights.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251317547"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11811972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384189","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":"Seeking help for menstrual pain during adolescence: A mixed-methods retrospective survey of treatment experiences and preferences.","authors":"Kayla M Wall, Marta C Erlandson, Michelle M Gagnon","doi":"10.1177/17455057251315972","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251315972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Menstrual pain can significantly impact adolescents' well-being and functioning. Despite the prevalence of adolescent menstrual pain, information about adolescents' experiences seeking treatment is limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We examined retrospective reports of help-seeking in adolescence among menstruators to better understand perceptions and experiences of interacting with the healthcare system due to menstrual pain.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study used an embedded mixed-methods design in which the qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Young adults aged 18-25 who experienced menstrual pain in adolescence completed an online, mixed-methods survey of help-seeking experiences. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across participants (<i>N</i> = 590, <i>M</i>_age = 21.78 years), 41% sought treatment for menstrual pain in adolescence and of these 43% found the treatments they were offered ineffective. Three themes were generated related to why treatment was perceived as unsuitable: \"Side effects and risks of pharmacological treatment,\" \"treatment not tailored to the individual,\" and \"treatment seen as a band-aid solution.\" Participants perceived the treatment options as limited and likely not addressing the underlying cause of their pain. Four themes were generated related to perceived improvements to treatment seeking. Participants recommended that healthcare providers: \"Go beyond contraceptives,\" \"share and demonstrate expertise,\" \"investigate menstrual pain,\" and \"listen and do not dismiss.\" Participants reported that having more information, feeling validated, and understanding treatment recommendations would improve their experience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Participants perceived that their menstrual pain-related treatment needs were unmet in adolescence, despite being offered treatments that align with treatment guidelines for adolescent menstrual pain. Findings suggest that improving explanations about treatment provided to youth, along with improving communication and menstrual education, may lead to more optimal help-seeking experiences among adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251315972"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11826853/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416385","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":"Identifying the key barriers, facilitators and factors associated with cervical cancer screening attendance in young women: A systematic review.","authors":"Sonia Shpendi, Paul Norman, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Rebecca Webster","doi":"10.1177/17455057251324309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251324309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer (CC) results in around 604,00 new cancer cases yearly and is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Uptake rates for both the HPV vaccination and screening have been decreasing over recent years, particularly in young women, whilst CC remains a concern for both low- and high-income countries.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To highlight the key barriers and facilitators of CC screening attendance in young women and to identify the factors associated with their CC screening behaviour, to inform interventions to increase screening rates.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Systematic review.</p><p><strong>Data sources and methods: </strong>A systematic review was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO/PyscARTICLES and CINAHL. The review included primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies that reported barriers, facilitators and factors associated with current CC screening behaviours in women aged 30 or below. Outcomes were summarised narratively. Risk of bias was conducted for individual studies using the Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 106 studies included in the review, the most frequently reported barriers were financial constraints (<i>n</i> = 36), embarrassment (<i>n</i> = 35) and low accessibility to obtaining screening (<i>n</i> = 34). The most frequently reported facilitators were knowledge of CC (<i>n</i> = 12), healthcare provider recommendations (<i>n</i> = 11) and communication with friends (<i>n</i> = 11). Age (older), marital status (in a relationship) and sexual activity (active) were key factors associated with attendance at screening. Studies also highlighted that those vaccinated were more likely to have screened than those not vaccinated against HPV.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These unique factors represent potential targets for interventions to increase CC screening attendance in young women. Future research could benefit from employing strong theoretical frameworks, such as the COM-B model of behavioural change, to categorise and gain further insight into the contributing factors affecting CC screening attendance.</p><p><strong>Registration: </strong>PROSPERO CRD42022324948.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251324309"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11907612/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627070","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":"Factors associated with undernutrition among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Eyasu Bamlaku Golla, Habtamu Geremew, Abinet Tesfaye Diro, Samuel Abdisa, Alegntaw Abate, Meron Admasu, Mohammed Ahmed Ali, Getachew Gashaw","doi":"10.1177/17455057251325117","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251325117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Undernutrition denotes inadequate intake of energy and nutrients to meet one's optimal needs. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of undernutrition due to the added nutritional demand for fetal growth and development. Updated evidence is important for monitoring progress and informing healthcare decisions. However, there is a paucity of evidence about the nutritional status of pregnant women in the rural communities of eastern Ethiopia, particularly in Chiro district. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was employed in Chiro district, from November 1 to 30, 2022, among 423 randomly selected pregnant women. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements by trained research assistants. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to identify predictors of undernutrition by using STATA-14 statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 40.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.2%, 45.8%). Antenatal care (ANC) follow-up (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.61, 95% CI: 3.01, 10.45), history of illness in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.23, 8.12), khat chewing (AOR: 4.01, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.56), household food security (AOR: 5.84, 95% CI: 3.36, 10.14), and dietary diversity practice (AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.47, 5.09) were factors associated with undernutrition.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Four out of every 10 pregnant women in the study area were undernourished. ANC follow-up, illness in the past 2 weeks, khat chewing, household food security, and dietary diversity practice were significantly associated with undernutrition. Therefore, improving access to ANC services, strengthening nutritional counseling, and addressing food insecurity might reduce undernutrition among pregnant women.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251325117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11910742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634917","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":"Barriers in accessing intimate partner violence services: Intersecting views of immigrant and minority ethnic survivors and community organization workers.","authors":"Tatiana Sanhueza-Morales, Sonia Michaelsen, Nassera Touati, Lourdes Rodriguez Del Barrio","doi":"10.1177/17455057251323091","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251323091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intimate partner violence (IPV) can have serious physical and mental health consequences for women. Women from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds may face additional barriers in accessing support. This research was based in a multicultural and marginalized neighborhood in Montreal (Canada) with a high incidence of IPV.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>(1) To better understand the needs and challenges of women survivors of IPV who come from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds, and the barriers they face in seeking help; (2) to understand the perspectives of community organization workers on immigrant and ethnic minority survivors' needs and barriers in accessing services, as well as their knowledge about how to best support survivors.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We employed a mixed-methods design using a community-based participatory approach. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological model was used as a theoretical framework to analyze the findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 7 female survivors of IPV from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds and conducted surveys with 23 community organization workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study shows a dissonance in views between survivors and workers. The survivors identified barriers to accessing support at each level of Bronfenbrenner's ecosystem, reflecting the complexity of their situations. For example, (1) macro-system: inadequacy of the legal system, racism; (2) exo-system: accessibility of services, poor quality of services, distrust of institutions; (3) micro-system: social and family pressure, poor social integration; (4) onto-system: language barriers, lack of knowledge of resources, feelings of fear and shame. The workers mainly noted barriers at the onto-level, which was primarily linked to gender and immigration status. Only 52% had ever attended a training on IPV. Most of their organizations had no referral protocol nor educational material about services for IPV for clients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Community-based organizations that do not specialize in IPV often work with survivors and are therefore an important resource in IPV prevention and survivor care. Training them on IPV, sensitizing them to understand the systemic barriers the survivors experience, and equipping their organizations are key strategies for developing a coordinated, community-based response to IPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251323091"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11946282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143712535","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 cervical cancer knowledge and barriers to human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among female university students: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Andrew Donkor, Loretta Pokua Osei, Ewura Adwoa Kwafoa Acquaah-Arhin, Pamela Deladem Suka, Doris Kitson-Mills, Alberta Naa Afia Adjei, Evans Ohemeng, Samiratou Ouedraogo, Veronica Millicent Dzomeku","doi":"10.1177/17455057251335446","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251335446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Ghana. Cervical cancer is preventable through knowledge, vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), screening and treatment of precancerous lesions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the determinants of cervical cancer knowledge and barriers to HPV vaccine uptake among female university students in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>An anonymous, online cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 June to 22 September 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The survey contained questions on demographic characteristics, cervical cancer risk factors, symptoms, HPV vaccination and barriers to vaccine uptake. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the factors associated with knowledge of cervical cancer. A <i>p</i>-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1662 female university students responded to the online survey. The mean age of the respondents was 21.5 ± 2.03 years. Overall, the prevalence of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer was 60.2%. The least recognised cervical cancer symptom was blood in the stool or urine (58.4%). Respondents who had a steady partner and living together had 3.59 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to respondents who were not dating. Muslim respondents had 2.13 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to Christian. Unvaccinated respondents had 3.85 times higher odds of inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer compared to those who had received the HPV vaccine. More than four-fifths (87.0%) of the respondents indicated that they had not been vaccinated against HPV. The major barriers to HPV vaccine uptake included: inadequate knowledge of the vaccine, fear of side effects, lack of knowledge about the vaccination site, fear of injection and doubts regarding the vaccine's efficacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improving access to cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination among university students is a critical public health goal to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. It is important to promote a free national school-based HPV vaccination programme. Multi-component school-based educational interventions, including traditional methods such as lectures, group discussions and digital tools like web-based educational platforms should be implemented to improve cervical cancer knowledge among university students.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"21 ","pages":"17455057251335446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12038193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060082","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}