Journal of midwifery & women's health
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Mar 2021
ReviewCore Outcome Sets Relevant to Maternity Service Users: A Scoping Review.
Variation in outcomes reported in maternity-related clinical trials and practice stifles data synthesis and contributes to ineffective or harmful treatments and interventions. Variation can be addressed using core outcome sets (COSs), minimum agreed sets of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all clinical trials in a specific area of health or health care. This scoping review identified studies that developed maternity-related COSs; evaluated the extent, scope, quality, and consistency of outcomes across similar COSs; and identified current gaps in evidence. ⋯ Growth in COS development in the last 3 years signifies increasing commitment to address variation and improve data synthesis. Although the quality of the development process has improved in the last 3 years, there is a need for improvement. This article presents an urgent need to minimize overlap in outcomes and standardize outcome measurement, case definitions, and timing of measurement between COSs.
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Mar 2021
ReviewMyofascial Pelvic Pain: An Overlooked and Treatable Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain.
Myofascial pelvic pain is a common, nonarticular musculoskeletal disorder characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points in the lower abdominal wall and/or pelvic floor muscles. Myofascial pelvic pain is involved in an estimated 22% to 94% of cases of chronic pelvic pain, which is one of the most common gynecologic conditions in the United States. ⋯ This article reviews the pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment options for myofascial pelvic pain, with a particular focus on trigger point injections. Increased recognition and treatment of this commonly overlooked diagnosis has the potential to improve care and outcomes for many patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain.
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Nov 2020
ReviewEthical Considerations for Short-Term Global Health Projects.
Various types of health professional volunteers from high-income nations are increasingly engaged in short-term global health projects in low- and middle-income countries. The goal of global health projects is to improve health for all people and address health inequities. Short-term projects lasting days to months can create challenges for volunteers and hosts. ⋯ Partnerships that are founded on principles of justice and autonomy provide an avenue for mutual collaboration. Short-term global health projects that focus on host needs are likely to strengthen local capacity to improve health outcomes. This article reviews guidelines for short-term global health experiences and addresses the ethical principles for planning effective projects.
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Jan 2020
ReviewWomen's Contraceptive Perceptions, Beliefs, and Attitudes: An Integrative Review of Qualitative Research.
Unintended pregnancy rates will remain high until researchers explore the lived experience of women's relationships with contraception. This integrative review examines the extant qualitative literature on women's contraception to illuminate common themes in women's perspectives through the lens of the feminist poststructuralist framework. ⋯ Using a feminist poststructuralist framework to examine women's contraceptive perceptions illuminates and magnifies the many ways in which contraceptive beliefs and use are dependent on gender roles and power dynamics. Gaps in knowledge specific to older women and exploration of women's subjectivity should be addressed. Clinicians should evaluate the power structures inherent to their practice while providing woman-focused, evidence-based contraceptive education.
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Nov 2019
ReviewRacism, Bias, and Discrimination as Modifiable Barriers to Breastfeeding for African American Women: A Scoping Review of the Literature.
Although breastfeeding has been shown to improve health outcomes for infants, African American women initiate and continue breastfeeding at lower rates than women from other racial groups. This scoping review was conducted to assess the effect racism, bias, and discrimination have on breastfeeding care, support, and outcomes for African American women. ⋯ Racism, bias, and discrimination are modifiable barriers that adversely affect breastfeeding among African American women. Researchers and health care providers are encouraged to consider the effect of racism, bias, and discrimination on breastfeeding care, support, and outcomes.