Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
In Defense of Mothers: Why Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Should Be Included in Mass Drug Administration Programs.
Mass drug administration (MDA) programs are a critical component of efforts to treat and eliminate trachoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the importance of these programs for individual and community health, pregnant and breastfeeding women have historically been excluded from treatment in these programs. ⋯ The medication used most commonly, azithromycin, appears to be safe for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The time has come to include pregnant and breastfeeding women in MDA programs, not just for them, but also for their communities.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
ReviewBreast Cancer in Black Women: Racial/Ethnic Disparities Affecting Survival.
Breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy affecting women in the United States, with >245,000 cases diagnosed annually. Breast cancer mortality rates have continued to trend down in the past three decades, yet racial/ethnic disparities persist, with the worst mortality rates seen in Black women. Of note, when compared by race, this downward trend is also trailing in Black women. ⋯ Facing the worst poverty rates compared with other races, Black women are inevitably more likely to be uninsured, have limited access to quality education, and have fewer financial resources. The goal of this review was to elucidate the complex interplay between biological and social factors contributing to racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. We conclude by emphasizing the need for interventions made at both local and national levels.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
The Mental Health of Women with Gestational Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Cross-Sectional Survey.
Background: There is evidence that women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of the common mental disorders of anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic may have exerted an additional burden on the mental health of this population. The aim of this analysis was to compare levels of symptoms of common mental disorders and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic between pregnant and postnatal women exposed and unexposed to gestational diabetes. ⋯ Conclusions: The increased risk of common mental disorders in women with gestational diabetes underscores the importance of integrated physical and mental health care for pregnant and postnatal women both during and beyond the pandemic. Clinical Trial Registration no. NCT04595123.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialAcceptability of a Long-Acting, Multipurpose Vaginal Ring: Findings from a Phase I Trial in the U.S. and Dominican Republic.
Background: Women worldwide face risks from pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To date, highly effective contraceptive methods provide no HIV/STI protection, and HIV prevention products, excluding condoms, provide no pregnancy protection. Intravaginal rings (IVRs) delivering antiretrovirals and contraceptives are a promising multipurpose prevention technology (MPT). ⋯ In qualitative interviews, women were willing to continuously use an IVR for 6-12 months, providing it did not "degrade" inside the body. Reasons for trial participation and prevention preferences, menstrual attitudes, and perceived IVR benefits and doubts varied by site. Conclusions: Findings provide strong evidence of demand for an MPT IVR that protects from pregnancy and HIV/STIs, lasts longer than 1 month, minimally disrupts menstrual bleeding, and is in women's control. numberClinicalTrials.gov: #NCT03279120.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
Gender Differences in National Institutes of Health Grant Submissions Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Introduction: Emerging data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in academic medicine, potentially eliminating recent gains that have been made toward gender equity. This study examined possible pandemic-related gender disparities in research grant submissions, one of the most important criteria for academic promotion and tenure evaluations. Methods: Data were collected from two major academic institutions (one private and one public) on the gender and academic rank of faculty principal investigators who submitted new grants to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during COVID-19 (March 1st, 2020, through August 31, 2020) compared with a matched period in 2019 (March 1st, 2019, through August 31, 2019). t-Tests and chi-square analyses compared the gender distribution of individuals who submitted grants during the two periods of examination. ⋯ Men were also significantly more likely than women to submit grants in both 2019 and 2020 compared with submitting in 2019 only, suggesting men faculty may have been more likely than their women colleagues to sustain their productivity in grant submissions during the pandemic. Discussion: Women's loss of extramural funding may compound over time, as it impedes new data collection, research progress, and academic advancement. Efforts to support women's research productivity and career trajectories are urgently needed in the following years of pandemic recovery.