Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)最新文献

{"title":"Views of Menopause and Hormone Therapy Associations with Hormone Therapy Use in US Women Aged 50-79.","authors":"Sushmita Chopra, Dokyung Yoon, Teal Eich","doi":"10.1177/26884844251372014","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251372014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore symptoms, knowledge levels, perceptions, and use related to menopause and hormone therapy (HT) and to examine the factors associated with HT use and HT perceptions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We used a sample of 98 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who aged 50-79 and participated in the Sex, ApoE-4, γ-aminobutyric acid, and Episodic memory (SAGE) study (<i>M</i> _age = 64.24, <i>standard deviation</i> = 7.49). We applied a series of bivariate Firth logistic regressions to examine the associations of each variable of interest with hormone therapy (HT) use and perceptions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 89.90% reported positive perceptions of menopause, and 85.71% had positive perceptions of HT. One-third (32.65%) of the sample had used HT. Hot flashes (72.4%) were the most reported menopausal symptom. Logistic regression analyses showed that age, race/ethnicity, current drinking status, menopausal knowledge levels, and vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms were significantly associated with HT use, while race/ethnicity, current drinking status, menopausal knowledge levels, and genitourinary symptoms were also linked to positive HT perceptions. Hispanic participants reported lower menopausal knowledge, less positive HT perceptions, and lower HT use.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of women in the SAGE cohort reported positive perceptions of both menopause and HT. Race/ethnicity, along with current drinking status, menopausal knowledge levels, and genitourinary symptoms, were consistently associated with both HT use and HT perceptions. Ethnic differences in menopausal knowledge levels, HT perceptions, and HT use are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"791-802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12415175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031454","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":"Fostering Safety, Support, and Hope: A Qualitative Study of Multistakeholder Perspectives on Designing Health Care Services for Women Who Use Drugs in Seattle, Washington, 2023.","authors":"Elizabeth J Austin, Jenell Stewart, Lauren R Violette, Sara N Glick, Shireesha Dhanireddy, Emily C Williams, Maria A Corcorran","doi":"10.1177/26884844251372851","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251372851","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Women who use drugs (WWUD) experience increasingly worse outcomes from drug use as compared to men. Additionally, transactional sex, unstable housing, and unmet needs may further complicate their ability to get needed health care. To inform the design of gender-based, mobile health services, we sought perspectives on health care service delivery from WWUD and health care and harm reduction professionals (HHRPs) in Seattle, WA.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In 2023, we conducted qualitative interviews with WWUD (n = 16) and HHRPs (n = 5) in the Seattle, Washington area. Interviews focused on experiences receiving health care services, barriers and facilitators to accessing care, and preferences for health care service delivery. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and double coded. Final learnings were reviewed with the study's community advisory boards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All WWUD participants identified as cisgender women, 12 (75%) identified as White, and 11 (69%) had unstable housing. Analysis identified four themes that characterized perspectives of WWUD and HHRP on health care service delivery needs, embodied by: safety, stigma, hope, and resiliency. Participants described that lack of safety and unmet basic needs made it challenging for WWUD to ever feel healthy (theme 1), and that WWUD felt stigmatized by mainstream health care services in intersectional ways (theme 2). However, participants shared that these burdens were lessened when health care teams created space for hope in care delivery interactions (theme 3) and built resiliency by reducing barriers and complementing care with structural supports (theme 4).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>In this small qualitative sample, WWUD experienced a myriad of intersecting challenges that perpetuated marginalization and health disparities. This population may benefit from interventions rooted in intersectional and trauma-informed approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"782-790"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12415168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031373","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 Communication and Management Following a Positive Home HPV Self-Sampling Result: Comparing Intervention Strategies Between the HOME and STEP Trials.","authors":"Jasmin A Tiro, Meera Muthukrishnan, Sadie Metcalfe, Kris Hansen, John Lin, Caitlin N Dorsey, Hongyuan Gao, Catherine Lacey, Melissa L Anderson, Richard T Meenan, Beverly B Green, Angela Sparks, Rachel L Winer","doi":"10.1177/26884844251371093","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251371093","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mailed human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling kits improve cervical cancer screening adherence. The HOME trial found information needs and anxiety among HPV-positive patients. We designed a STEP trial to test optimized intervention strategies with bolstered educational materials and a centralized nurse communicating positive results. Here, we evaluate the effect of the strategies by comparing interviews of HOME and STEP participants receiving HPV-positive results.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>STEP participants were interviewed during December 2021-March 2022, and asked about their kit reaction and nurse communication, and surveyed on attitudes toward the kit. Transcripts were analyzed in two phases: (1) Coders used iterative content analysis to organize codes into node reports and identify themes and (2) coders compared node reports between the HOME and STEP trials.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sociodemographic of 46 HOME and 28 STEP participants were similar (White, older, had prior Pap). Participants from both trials appreciated the kit's convenience, although some questioned its accuracy compared to clinician-performed screening. While many STEP participants were surprised by the positive result, most felt reassured by the nurse and understood the recommended follow-up. STEP participants expressed fewer negative emotions. More STEP than HOME participants believed the HPV result was correct (86% vs. 59%) and trusted it (90% vs. 65%). Willingness to recommend the HPV kit to a friend and use it in the future was high in both the trials.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Qualitative comparison of HOME and STEP participants' reactions suggests STEP patients received the information needed to understand HPV-positive results and complete follow-up. Findings support a centralized nurse communicating results and building trust in this new screening technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"771-781"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12415163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031406","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":"The Association Between Neighborhood Gunshot Frequency and the Development of Preterm Birth.","authors":"Brian W James, Rachel Fisher, Chishu Yin, Brittany L Kmush, Robert Silverman, Dimitrios Mastrogiannis","doi":"10.1177/26884844251366375","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251366375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the association between stress, as objectively measured by frequency of neighborhood gunshots and preterm birth (PTB).</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>A retrospective chart review of 1675 individual births was analyzed of pregnant women who lived in the City of Syracuse, New York, United States. The frequency of gunshots was measured in the acute phase (within 1 week of delivery) and the chronic phase (sum total of all gunshots in the previous 2 years). Primary outcome includes PTB prior to 37 weeks of gestation. Secondary analysis includes delivery prior to 34, 32, and 28 weeks of gestation.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Gunshots were significantly different between the three districts of Syracuse, which matched with differences in socioeconomic and comorbid conditions. The different districts also experienced differences in frequency of PTB (highest 18%, medium 13%, lowest 12%, <i>p</i> = 0.018). However, those with versus without PTB at any gestational age did not differ in the frequency of gunshots in acute phase or chronic phase.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of acute-phase and chronic-phase gunshots as a method to simulate stress levels is not associated with the development of PTB.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"763-770"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12415179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031477","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":"Leaving Academia: Dual-Career Relationships and Partners' Attrition from Academic Careers.","authors":"Jill A Fisher, Yu Tao, Margaret Waltz, Torin Monahan","doi":"10.1177/26884844251366373","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251366373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>More than one third of academics are coupled with another academic, with more women being in such dual-career relationships. Little is known about how these couples' experiences affect their attrition from or persistence in academia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed survey data of academics at 100 U.S. colleges and universities to answer two research questions: (1) Among all academic partners, who are the most likely to abandon their desired academic careers in terms of their gender, race, and field? (2) What effects does leaving academia have on those partners' career outcomes?</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that 22% of aspiring academics in academic relationships leave that career pathway. One third leave for personal reasons, including to prioritize their partner's career. When partners leave academia for personal reasons, they are less likely to be employed in any job and, when employed, are paid less than their counterparts who leave academia for professional reasons. Among our results, we found notable gender differences. Compared with men, women in medicine were more likely to leave academia for personal reasons. Moreover, the earnings of women who leave academia due to personal reasons are the most negatively impacted.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These trends indicate that the choices made by dual-career couples in response to the academic job market and to universities' policies for partner hiring have substantial effects on the demographic makeup of academic research and scholarship. By supporting the needs of academic couples, universities have the opportunity to make their own institutions more diverse and to patch a hole in the leaky pipeline.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"752-762"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12415177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031426","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":"Characterization and Treatment Patterns of Peri/Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women with and Without Vasomotor Symptoms in a Retrospective Database Study.","authors":"Lena Charafi, Kristina Bolling, Bridgette Kanz Schroader, Lisa Halvorson","doi":"10.1177/26884844251366113","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251366113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are the most commonly reported menopausal symptoms and vary across race and ethnicity, with higher prevalence and duration among Black and Hispanic women. This study describes demographics/clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of peri/menopausal and postmenopausal women with symptomatic menopause/VMS and asymptomatic menopause in a commercial claims population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database were obtained for peri/menopausal (aged 40-54 years) and postmenopausal (aged 55-64 years) women. VMS is not available directly in claims data and was proxied using symptomatic menopausal ICD-9/10 codes. In Phase 1, prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic peri/menopause (defined by ICD-9/10 codes) and baseline demographics/clinical characteristics were obtained. Phase 2 included baseline demographics/clinical characteristics, symptomatic menopause/VMS incidence rates, and treatment patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phase 1 included 1,987,355 ICD-9/10 codes for symptomatic or asymptomatic menopause. Peri/menopausal women had lower symptomatic menopause/VMS prevalence compared to postmenopausal women (6.5% vs. 4.9%). Symptomatic menopause/VMS prevalence was 5.7% and highest in White (6.3%) and lowest in Asian (3.4%) women.Phase 2 included 203,546 (53.3%) peri/menopausal and 178,658 (46.7%) postmenopausal women. Symptomatic menopause/VMS incidence was 1.2%; only 52.9% were treated. Lower incidence and treatment rates were seen among Asian (0.46%; 33.2%), Hispanic (0.43%; 46.7%), and Black (0.41%; 47.1%) women compared to White (0.59%; 55.5%) women.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study adds to the literature by characterizing women with symptomatic menopause/VMS across the menopausal spectrum and shows that caution is needed when interpreting real-world claims data due to inherent claims database limitations. As there are no specific ICD codes for VMS, difficulties exist in utilization of claims data to accurately capture VMS characteristics and treatment patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"742-751"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413248/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016984","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 Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis of Fertility Decisions and Associated Determinants Among Reproductive Age Women in Somaliland: Utilization of 2020 SLHDS Data.","authors":"Hodo Abdikarim, Hibo Abdirashid, Mohamed A Hussein, Abdirashid M Yousuf, Abdisalam Hassan Muse, Saralees Nadarajah","doi":"10.1177/26884844251365809","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251365809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Somaliland, despite a global trend toward lower fertility rates, exhibits a high total fertility rate of 5.7 per woman. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated determinants of fertility decisions among married reproductive-age women in Somaliland.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional study using data from the 2020 Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey was conducted. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the association between individual-level (age, education, occupation, contraceptive use) and community-level (residence, region) factors and fertility decisions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found that 54.4% of married reproductive-age women in Somaliland desire more children within the next 2 years, indicating a strong preference for larger families. Younger women, those residing in rural areas, and those with lower education levels were more likely to desire more children. Exposure to mass media was associated with a lower desire for more children, while contraceptive use intentions also significantly influenced fertility decisions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of socioeconomic, cultural, and individual factors shaping fertility decisions in Somaliland. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, including education, access to family planning services, and mass media campaigns, to empower women to make informed choices about family size.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"731-741"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413255/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016938","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 and Provider Perspectives on Cesarean Delivery Pain and Anesthesia Experiences: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Yunseo Linda Park, Briana Clifton, Rida Ashraf, Rose Barlow, Alexandra Anderson, Valeria Altamirano, Emily Miller, Mark Neuman, Grace Lim","doi":"10.1177/26884844251364123","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251364123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is a lack of evidence on the importance of pain or other aspects of clinical care in the overall patient experience and patient-centered outcomes in cesarean delivery. The purpose of this study was to discover patient priorities in cesarean delivery anesthesia experience, to compare patient and provider perspectives, and to explore attitudes on shared decision-making around anesthesia choices for cesarean delivery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with recent cesarean deliveries and clinical care providers were approached using a purposeful sampling strategy for this prospective observational qualitative study. Patients were included if they were in the hospital within 72 hours of a cesarean delivery (scheduled or unscheduled), spoke English fluently, and had term gestation. Providers were included if they currently provide regular clinical care to patients having cesarean deliveries and have at least 3 years of practice experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Interview transcripts were independently coded by three coders and qualitatively analyzed for major themes until thematic saturation was achieved.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 42 participants (20 patients and 22 providers) completed interviews. Five major themes emerged reflecting patient attitudes and beliefs toward cesarean delivery experience: (1) effective communication, education, and respect; (2) emotional support by care team; (3) intraoperative pain or discomfort; (4) varying acceptability around pain therapies; and (5) stigma surrounding cesarean delivery. Five major themes emerged reflecting provider attitudes and beliefs toward cesarean delivery priorities: (1) complexity of pain responses; (2) multiple pain control strategies; (3) effective communication during emergency cesarean delivery; (4) patient psychological well-being during cesarean delivery; and (5) barriers to observing the patients' birth plans.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients and providers alike desire pain management, psychological well-being, and effective communication during cesarean delivery. Patients emphasize relationships and trust in their cesarean experience, while clinicians emphasize clinical complexities and physical treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"711-722"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413247/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016990","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":"Breastfeeding Continuation at One Month Postpartum Among Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Who Initiated Breastfeeding: Prevalence and Determinants.","authors":"Julia Eisenberg, Meghan Gannon, Kim McLaughlin, Diane J Abatemarco, Vanessa L Short","doi":"10.1177/26884844251364705","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251364705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe breastfeeding behaviors and determinants in the 1-month postdelivery period among women in treatment for opioid use disorder.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Participants completed one questionnaire during pregnancy and one questionnaire at 1 month postpartum. Those who reported on the postpartum questionnaire that they had initiated breastfeeding were included in this analysis (<i>N</i> = 31). Infant feeding practices, receipt of lactation support, and demographic, psychosocial, and infant birth characteristics were compared between those who breastfed for at least 1 month and those who did not.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all, 45% of the participants were breastfeeding at 1 month post delivery. Among those who discontinued breastfeeding by 1 month post delivery, two-thirds reported that they had not breastfed for as long as they wanted. Breastfeeding continuation at 1 month was more common in participants who expressed prenatal breastfeeding intention, had shorter infant hospital length of stays, received lactation materials/support, and reported lower stress and depressive symptoms. Among those who stopped breastfeeding at 1 month, perception of low breast milk supply was the most frequently cited reason.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lactation support programs are needed to help women with opioid use disorder meet their infant feeding goals. Such programs may want to consider simultaneously addressing maternal psychosocial factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"723-730"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413249/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016987","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 Health Systems Gaps as Perceived by Postpartum Patient Navigators at an Urban Academic Medical Center.","authors":"Hannah M Green, Maya Daiter, Viridiana Carmona-Barrera, Laura Diaz, Brittney Williams, Ka'Derricka Davis, Joe Feinglass, Arjeme Cavens, Charlotte Nizik, Brigid M Dolan, Michelle A Kominiarek, William A Grobman, Lynn M Yee","doi":"10.1177/26884844251362313","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26884844251362313","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although the postpartum period is an opportunity to promote long-term well-being and health systems usage, system complexities limit patients' abilities to optimize their longitudinal health. Postpartum patient navigation, an intervention that assists individuals in navigating health systems, is a novel innovation that may mitigate barriers to longitudinal care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Within a recently completed randomized controlled trial (RCT), we conducted a secondary analysis of interviews with two navigators and a subset (<i>N</i> = 15) of navigated participants to describe gaps in the health care system. Semi-structured interview guides were used to conduct 11 sets of interviews with postpartum navigators. In the RCT, navigators supported publicly insured individuals for 1 year postpartum. Interviews focused on relationships with patients and care teams and reflections on health systems gaps which challenged care. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory. A randomly selected subset of interviews with navigated participants was analyzed to triangulate navigator-identified gaps.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Navigators identified three major gaps in the care system for postpartum individuals: overall health system challenges, postpartum care challenges, and gaps in the transition to primary care. Health system challenges included fragmentation within the hospital system, fragmentation across distinct health care institutions, high task burden for patients, and lack of clear communication between patients and care teams. Postpartum care challenges included operational and logistical errors in care and the transient nature of obstetric care. Gaps in the transition to primary care included a lack of emphasis on the importance of primary care, lack of administrative support in the transition, and lack of communication between care teams.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Postpartum patient navigators elucidated health systems gaps that present challenges in maximizing the longitudinal well-being of birthing individuals. These results identify areas for systems improvements that could promote lifelong health.</p>","PeriodicalId":75329,"journal":{"name":"Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"691-701"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413253/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016966","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}