Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Sun Exposure and Intima-Media Thickness in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort Study.
Objective: To determine whether long-term sun exposure has a protective role in subclinical cardiovascular disease in adult Mexican women. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a sample of women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort (MTC) study. Sun exposure was assessed in the MTC 2008 baseline questionnaire, in which women were asked about their sun-related behavior. ⋯ For women who denied regular sunscreen use, those in the higher exposure category (9 hours) had lower mean IMT compared with those in the lower category (multivariable-adjusted mean % difference = -2.67; 95% CI: -6.9 to -1.5). Conclusions: We observed that cumulative sun exposure was inversely associated with IMT and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. If these findings are further replicated and seen for other cardiovascular outcomes, sun exposure could be an easy, affordable strategy to lower overall cardiovascular risk.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialReducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Risk in African American Women with At-Risk Male Partners: A Randomized Trial.
Background: We examined the efficacy of the Females of African American Legacy Empowering Self (FemAALES) intervention in a cohort of 203 publicly insured Black women in Los Angeles. Materials and Methods: Women who reported recent sex with a male partner who was at increased risk for infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) were randomized to the six-session FemAALES intervention or to a single client-centered family planning and STI/HIV counseling session. Participants were followed at 3 and 9 months post-intervention. ⋯ Both groups showed statistically significant declines in the frequency of several sexual risk factors between baseline and 9 months. Conclusion: Although we did not find evidence that the FemAALES intervention was more efficacious than the less-intensive control condition in reducing sexual risk behaviors, the overall declines in risk behaviors we observed warrant further research. ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02189876).
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Associations Between Preconception Glycemia and Preterm Birth: The Potential Role of Health Care Access and Utilization.
Background: Preconception diabetes is strongly associated with adverse birth outcomes. Less is known about the effects of elevated glycemia at levels below clinical cutoffs for diabetes. In this study, we estimated associations between preconception diabetes, prediabetes, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on the risk of preterm birth, and evaluated whether associations were modified by access to or utilization of health care services. ⋯ The excess risks of preterm birth associated with elevated HbA1c were four to five times larger among women who reported unstable health care coverage and among women who used the emergency room as usual source of care. Conclusion: Our findings replicate prior research showing strong associations between preconception diabetes and preterm birth, adding that prediabetes is also associated with higher risk. Policies and interventions to enhance access and utilization of health care among women before pregnancy should be examined.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Treatment Patterns in Patients with Uterine Fibroids With and Without a Diagnosis of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Results from a Large U.S. Claims Database.
Background: This retrospective database analysis describes clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of U. S. women with a diagnosis for uterine fibroids (UF), both with and without heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Materials and Methods: Two cohorts aged 18-50 years with an incident UF diagnosis, comprising women with and without claims for HMB (UF-HMB and UF-only), were identified from the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus database (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2019). ⋯ In logistic regression, multiple factors were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving hysterectomy or hormonal therapy. Conclusions: Patients with UF-HMB were more likely to receive UF treatment, either surgical or pharmacologic, than women with UF-only. Apart from HMB, pain was the most commonly documented symptom of UF.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Why Gender-Based Bullying Is Normalized in Academic Medicine: Experiences and Perspectives of Women Physician Leaders.
Background: Bullying has been identified as a problem in the academic medicine. Bullying behaviors persist because organizational cultures have allowed them to become normalized. In academic medicine, women are more likely to be bullied than men. ⋯ Barriers to reporting and mitigation were thought to originate from lack of leadership combined with ineffective policies and reporting mechanisms. Conclusions: Dysfunctional hierarchies embedded in organizational cultures within academic medicine have contributed to the normalization of bullying. Committed leadership, focused on implementing comprehensive bullying prevention policies, is needed to promote an inclusive culture in which everyone feels that they belong.