Journal of women's health
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Purpose: Research about academic medicine women faculty has focused on comparisons of men and women or specific groups who achieved leadership. To better understand the low percentages of women in academic medicine leadership, attention should be paid to the career continuum within genders. Study findings will inform policies and programs to support women in building careers and acquiring leadership positions. ⋯ It identifies the mid-career stage as a challenging experience for both men and women. Women, especially at the associate professor rank, remain a critically dissatisfied and underresourced group that is at risk for underutilization and potentially exit from academic medicine. All ranks of women need career development and equitable policies to support their sense of belonging and career advancement.
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Journal of women's health · Feb 2024
Creating Healing-Centered Spaces for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in the Postpartum Unit: Examining Current Practices and Desired Resources Among Health Care Providers and Postpartum People.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has negative health impacts for pregnant people and their infants. Although inpatient postpartum units offer an opportunity to provide support and resources for IPV survivors and their families, to our knowledge, such interventions exist. The goal of this study is to explore (1) how IPV is currently discussed with postpartum people in the postpartum unit; (2) what content should be included and how an IPV intervention should be delivered; (3) how best to support survivors who disclose IPV; and (4) implementation barriers and facilitators. ⋯ Participants identified several barriers (i.e., staff capacity, education already provided in the postpartum unit, and COVID-19 pandemic) and facilitators (i.e., continuity of care, various HCPs) to supporting survivors in the postpartum unit. Conclusion: The inpatient postpartum unit is a promising setting to implement an intervention to support IPV survivors and their infants. Future research and intervention development should focus on facilitating universal education and promoting resource provision to IPV survivors.
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Journal of women's health · Feb 2024
Utility of Repeat Uterine Cavity Evaluation in the Infertility Workup.
Background: Uterine cavity abnormalities contribute to infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, recurrence rates, and risk factors for uterine cavity abnormalities in women undergoing infertility workup and treatment, focusing on the utility of routinely repeated imaging. Methods: Retrospective cohort study at single academic medical center of 833 infertile women who had uterine cavity evaluations performed at least 9 months apart. ⋯ Conclusions: Uterine cavity abnormalities were found in 10% of patients on repeat imaging despite initially normal testing. No risk factors for cavity abnormality on repeat imaging were identified besides age and prior abnormality. It would be prudent to continue performing routine repeat uterine cavity evaluation for women undergoing fertility treatment, particularly if corrective measures had been taken in the past.
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Journal of women's health · Feb 2024
The Role of Maternal Depression Symptoms and Maternal Attachment in Predicting Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Multisite Prospective Study.
Background: Previous research shows that 61% of children younger than 6 months in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not exclusively breastfed. Although data on the role of pre- and postnatal depression on breastfeeding exclusivity is mixed, fetomaternal attachment might foster breastfeeding exclusivity. Thus, we tested the potential mediating role of fetomaternal attachment and postnatal depression in the relationship between maternal prenatal depression and exclusive breastfeeding. ⋯ Conclusions: The study results indicate that prenatal depression symptoms contributed to the development of depressive symptoms after birth, negatively affecting the probability of exclusive breastfeeding. Future research should explore this in early prevention interventions, increasing the chances of healthy child development in LMICs. Considering the mixed results around the sites, it is important to better understand the relationship between maternal depression, fetomaternal attachment and breastfeeding behavior in each site's socio-cultural context.