Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialCondom Use for Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Among Hispanic Teenage Mothers: A Community-Based Randomized Trial.
Background: Hispanics experience a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than non-Hispanics. Specifically, Hispanic teenagers are more at risk for HIV, have close to four times the rate of primary and secondary syphilis, and close to two times the rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea compared with non-Hispanic white teenagers. Hispanic youth engage in sexual activity at a younger age than non-Hispanic white youth and are less likely to use condoms in these encounters, thereby contributing to increased rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs. ⋯ Those using condoms to prevent pregnancy at 12-month follow-up were significantly more likely to report using a condom to prevent STIs (OR = 3.23, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Participation in Program MAS improved condom use patterns for STI prevention. These services and supports have potential to change unmarried Hispanic teenage mothers' condom use behaviors and decrease STI infection disparities among the teenage Hispanic population.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialSelf-Hypnosis for Sleep Disturbances in Menopausal Women.
Poor sleep is one of the most frequent health concerns among menopausal women. All stages of sleep can be impacted by the menopause transition. Negative outcomes of poor sleep are multidimensional and include poor physical, psychological, cognition, and social outcomes. ⋯ Overall, the use of self-hypnosis as a treatment program for sleep problems related to menopause was acceptable for women. Data further support that hypnosis is a promising technique to improve sleep in menopausal women with sleep and hot flashes. Further research is ongoing on self-hypnosis delivery and implementation into wider populations of women using clear definition and control groups.
-
Journal of women's health · Feb 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialResponsiveness Evaluation and Recommendation for Responder Thresholds for Endometriosis Health Profile-30: Analysis of Two Phase III Clinical Trials.
Objective: To evaluate the responsiveness of the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) and ascertain score changes that are indicative of response to treatment. A post hoc analysis of two Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials among women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain (Elaris Endometriosis I and II [EM-I and EM-II]). Materials and Methods: EHP-30 core items and sexual relationship module were administered at day 1, month 3 (M3), and month 6 (M6) to monitor patient-reported impacts of endometriosis-related pain. ⋯ EHP-30 thresholds of meaningful change ranged from -20 to -35, with greater changes indicating greater improvement in health status. Conclusion: Responder thresholds by EHP-30 domain are recommended to evaluate treatment efficacy. Clinicians can individualize goals of treatment by EHP-30 domain and track changes using the EHP-30.
-
Journal of women's health · Jan 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialIncreased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Background: Women trying to conceive are increasingly using fertility-tracking software applications to time intercourse. This study evaluated the difference in conception rates between women trying to conceive using an application-connected ovulation test system, which measures urinary luteinizing hormone and an estrogen metabolite, versus those trying without using ovulation testing. Materials and Methods: This home-based study involved 844 volunteers aged 18-40 years seeking to conceive. Volunteers randomized to the test arm were required to use the test system for the duration of the study while those randomized to the control arm were instructed not to use ovulation testing. ⋯ The proportion of women pregnant after one cycle was significantly greater in the test arm (25.4%) compared with the control arm (14.7%; p < 0.001). After two cycles, there continued to be a greater proportion of women pregnant in the test arm compared with the control arm (36.2% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.026). In the test arm, volunteers had intercourse less frequently per cycle compared with those not using ovulation testing (9 [range: 1-60] vs. 10 [range: 1-50]; p = 0.027), but were more likely to target intercourse to a particular part of their cycle compared with those not using ovulation testing (88.5% vs. 57.8%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Using the test system to time intercourse within the fertile window increases the likelihood of conceiving within two menstrual cycles.
-
Journal of women's health · Nov 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAn Intervention Tool to Increase Patient-Physician Discussion of Lifestyle Risk Factors for Breast Cancer.
Background: Risk assessment and discussion of lifestyle in primary care are crucial elements of breast cancer prevention and risk reduction. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a breast cancer risk assessment and education tool on patient-physician discussion of behaviors and breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with an ethnically and linguistically diverse sample of women, ages 40-74, from two primary care practices. ⋯ Women with some college education were more likely to discuss their weight than those with high school education or less (OR = 1.75, 1.03-2.96). Similarly, non-English speakers were more likely to discuss their weight compared with English speakers (OR = 2.33, 1.04-5.22). Conclusions: BreastCARE is a feasible risk assessment tool that can successfully promote discussions about modifiable breast cancer risk factors between patients and primary care physicians.