Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
The Triaging Effect of the Human Papillomavirus 16/18 E7 Oncoprotein Assay in HPV 16/18-Positive Patients for High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Objective: To investigate the triaging efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) screening in HPV 16/18-positive patients in a tertiary hospital in China. Methods: We collected 476 cervical cell samples from women who tested positive for HPV 16/18 in the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between September 2018 and September 2022 and analyzed them by the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay before colposcopy and biopsy. The study assessed the triaging efficacy of the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay in HPV 16/18-positive patients by analyzing its performance against the gold standard of histologically confirmed CIN2+. ⋯ For triage of women with a positive HPV 16/18 test for CIN2+ detection, the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 80.3%, 59.4%, 58.5%, and 80.9%, respectively. Furthermore, longitudinal follow-up of five patients showed a good correlation between the expression of the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein and cervical lesion grades. Conclusions: As a triage method for HPV 16/18-positive patients, the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay improves the specificity, reduces the colposcopy referral rate, and has the potential for long-term monitoring of high-grade CIN.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Preferences for Public Health Messaging Related to Bladder Health in Adolescent and Adult Women.
Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to explore adolescent and adult women's preferences for the content and delivery of public health messaging around bladder health. Materials and Methods: This was a directed content analysis of focus group data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, which explored adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to bladder health and function across the life course. This article reports an analysis of the "Public Health Messaging" code, which includes participants' views on what information is needed about bladder health, attributes of messaging, and preferred locations and delivery methods. ⋯ Ideas for delivery methods fell into three broad categories: (1) traditional in-person modes of delivery, which included individual communication with providers in clinical settings and group-based methods in schools and other community settings where adolescent and adult women naturally gather; (2) internet-based website and social media delivery methods; and (3) static (noninteractive) modes of delivery such as pamphlets. Participants recommended the development of multiple delivery methods to be tailored for specific audiences. Conclusions: These findings can inform development of broad ranging public health messaging tailored to audiences of all ages with a goal of engaging adolescent and adult women across the bladder health risk spectrum.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Trends, Prevalence, and Risk Factors of Food Insecurity Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in the United States: Findings from the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey.
Background: Despite the widespread food insecurity in the United States, there is limited research investigating its prevalence among pregnant women and the potential impact it has on maternal and child health outcomes. This study examined trends in the prevalence of, and investigated risk factors for, food insecurity among peripartum women, using a nationally representative sample in the United States. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included pregnant and postpartum women aged 18-49 years who reported being currently pregnant or pregnant in the past 12 months and who participated in the National Health Interview Survey from 2019 to 2021. ⋯ The adjusted odds of food insecurity were significantly higher among pregnant and postpartum women in 2020 (aOR 2.15), who had a health insurance coverage (aOR 2.98) and who had an unmet health care need in the preceding 12 months (aOR 6.52). Conclusion: We found that food insecurity was common among peripartum women between 2019 and 2021 and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying the factors that predispose peripartum women to the risk of food insecurity can guide the development and implementation of targeted interventions aimed at reducing the adverse impact of food insecurity on perinatal and infant health.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Concordance of Primary Human Papillomavirus Testing Among Clinicians and Patients: A Systematic Review.
Objective: Primary high risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) testing is recommended as first-line screening for cervical cancer. Testing involves either a clinician-collected or a self-collected cervicovaginal swab. This study examines concordance between methods of collection of primary HPV testing. ⋯ Conclusions: This study directly compares clinician-collected and self-collected primary HPV screening rates. Studies were conducted in methods which are widely reproducible in the primary care setting. Primary HPV self-collection is a reliable and accurate method for cervical cancer screening.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Career Advancement Among Women Physicians in Nine Academic Medicine Specialties.
Objective: Gender parity lags in academic medicine. We applied the Rank Equity Index (REI) to compare the longitudinal progress of women's academic medicine careers. We hypothesized that women have different rank parity in promotion by specialty based on the proportion of women in the specialty. ⋯ No specialty demonstrated parity in advancement based on sex for the assistant professor-to-associate professor or associate professor-to-professor transitions. Conclusion: Gender inequity in advancement is evident in academic medicine starting at the assistant professor-to-associate professor stage, regardless of overall proportion of women in the specialty. This suggests a common set of barriers to career advancement of women faculty in academic medicine that must be addressed starting at the early career stage.