Women & Health

Habib, Rima R.; Hamdan, Monia; Nuwayhid, Iman; Odaymat, Fatma; Campbell, Oona M. R.

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_01pmid: 16537297

Objective: To examine factors associated with self-reported musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among full-time female home-makers. Methods: Data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health were collected on 1266 married women aged 15–59 years living in poor suburbs in the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon. Independent associations with MSD of factors and characteristics were examined using odds ratios (ORs) derived from multiple logistic regression. Results: Women's age, weight, and number of children were significantly, positively, independently associated with self-reported MSD, while women's conduct of specific household tasks were not. Women with MSD were more likely to be stressed than women without MSD (OR = 1.5). Conclusion: A major finding of this study was the positive association between distress and musculoskeletal disorders. The measures used to assess women's involvement in housework did not account for the duration of time spent performing each household task. Better measures of domestic labor, including housework and childcare, are required to understand better their impact on the health of full-time homemakers and on MSD in particular. Intervention programs to alleviate MSD in full-time homemakers should address psychosocial factors.

Andersen, M. Robyn; Abullarade, Janne; Urban, Nicole

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_02pmid: 16537298

Women's self-reported assertiveness with their healthcare providers is associated with their use of cancer screening. Women who report repeating information when they feel their doctors did not hear them, asking their doctors to explain information they do not understand, or reminding their doctors about screening tests, are more likely to receive mammograms than those who report using these assertive behaviors less often. In this study, we examined women's beliefs about their role in medical encounters with their physicians and their use of assertive behaviors, in a convenience sample of 136 women receiving care at an ultrasound clinic for reasons other than pregnancy. We found that women who behaved assertively were more likely to view physicians as advisors to them in their health care and less likely to view their physicians as experts. Data are also presented on the development of a scale designed to assess assertiveness with physicians for use in studies of medical care.

Ergin, Nilufer; Bayram, Nuran; Alper, Zuleyha; Selimoglu, Kerem; Bilgel, Nazan

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_03pmid: 16537299

Objective: To explore the prevalence, type, frequency and causes of domestic marital violence among Turkish women in a socio-economically developed metropolitan setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2003. All married women, aged 18 years and over, who were visiting any of the 50 primary health care units for different purposes were asked to participate in the study. Of 1427 asked, 1010 gave consent and completed face-to-face interviews. Multiple correspondence analysis, and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results: Domestic violence was statistically significantly associated with educational level. Illiterate women reported marital abuse 2.6 times more than university or more educated women. No statistically significant relationship was observed between domestic marital violence and women's age or occupation, marital duration or family income. The most frequently reported type of violence was physical, followed by psychological. Among women reporting domestic violence, those with the lowest educational level and income were experiencing all types of domestic violence frequently. Conclusion: Placing more importance on educating girls could be a key component of preventing domestic violence.

Arslanian-Engoren, Cynthia

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_04pmid: 16537300

Women who experience symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction (MI) are less likely than men to seek medical attention after the onset of initial symptoms. The purpose of this study was to facilitate a better understanding of the treatment-seeking decisions of women who seek emergency evaluation for symptoms suggestive of MI. A qualitative, semi-structured, feminist, poststructuralist interview approach was used to explore the treatment-seeking decisions of ten women hospitalized for a MI. The oral descriptions were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Morse and Field method. Content analysis revealed ten important issues that influenced women's treatment-seeking decisions: associating symptoms with non-cardiac causes, minimizing symptoms, experiencing non-classic symptoms, mass media portrayal, male family member experience, knowledge deficit, family insistence, experiencing increased pain, experiencing difficulty breathing, and having expectations different from realities. Based on their language and subjectivity, participants revealed the power of the meaning of heart disease on treatment-seeking decisions.

Mosack, Katie E.; Weeks, Margaret R.; Sylla, Laurie Novick; Abbott, Maryann

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_05pmid: 16537301

Vaginal microbicides could provide an important option for women in the prevention of HIV and other STIs. Researchers have examined women's preferences for specific product characteristics; however, much remains to be learned about women's willingness to use them with a variety of partners. This study examined high-risk women's experiences using simulated microbicides during a two-week trial. Ninety-six women completed the trial by using the product and reporting their experiences with different partner types. Analyses were conducted to examine differences between women who always used the product and those who used it less than all the time and whether risk and relationship attitudes were associated with simulated microbicide use during participants' most recent sexual encounters. All participants used the product and on an average of 79–94% of sexual encounters. The majority of the participants reported liking the simulated product. Women indicated that they would want to use microbicides in order to feel in control of their health, to avoid having to ask their partner, and because microbicides would be easier to use than condoms. Women who used the product 100% of the time had less relationship power; however, greater sexual assertiveness for STI prevention predicted simulated microbicide use during the most recent sexual encounter, and interventions may need to focus on promoting sexual assertiveness for disease prevention.

Schoenberg, Nancy E.; Hopenhayn, Claudia; Christian, Amy; Knight, Evelyn A.; Rubio, Angel

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_06pmid: 16537302

Although cervical cancer rates in the U.S. have declined sharply, certain groups remain at elevated risk, including Appalachian women. To establish culturally-relevant cervical cancer prevention programs requires a comprehensive, current understanding of the factors which influence women's decisions to undergo Pap tests. Since most studies that found low rates of Pap test use in Appalachia were carried out decades ago, an in-depth update is warranted. Local, trained interviewers conducted interviews with rarely or never screened Appalachian women from Kentucky and West Virginia. Sessions were tape recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed. Participants (N = 25) suggested the following positive influences on obtaining screening: having an orientation toward the use of preventive health services; having health insurance and access to a good medical environment; and maintaining a flexible enough schedule to keep appointments. Screening barriers included: fear of subjecting oneself to medical scrutiny because of obesity or being a smoker; inadequate health care access such as clinician shortages, scarcity of specialty providers, long travel time to services, and clinic schedules that do not accommodate working women; and lack of providers' recommendations. Rarely mentioned were some previously reported factors including male relatives' refusal to permit Pap tests, concern over privacy, and lack of belief in Pap tests.

Sharpe, Patricia A.; Brandt, Heather M.; McCree, Donna H.

doi: 10.1300/J013v42n02_07pmid: 16537303

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore women's knowledge and understanding of abnormal Pap tests and HPV. Forty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with low-income, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) positive women (ages 18–64 years). Major themes regarding abnormal Pap test results were: (a) getting cancer; (b) need for repeat Pap testing; (c) need for additional tests/treatment; (d) low concern; (e) variety of causes; (f) sexual transmission; and (g) connection to HPV/other sexually transmitted disease (STD). Major themes related to HPV were: (a) getting follow-up care and (b) association of HPV with cancer. Findings indicate a need for clear, consistent educational messages.