"Health, Risk & Society"

Covan, Eleanor Krassen

doi: 10.1080/07399331003779959pmid: 20390660

Miura, Shoko; Yagi, Masumi; Saavedra, Ophelia L.; Yamamoto, Shigeru

doi: 10.1080/07399330903411150pmid: 20390661

We explored knowledge of osteoporosis and locally available calcium-rich foods among 1,151 urban women in the Philippines and analyzed the cross-sectional associations of their responses to questions about knowledge with their age, educational background, and family income status. In total, 80.3% of the women had heard about osteoporosis; a higher educational background independently predicted this awareness. For knowledge about locally available calcium-rich foods, older age was a positive predictor, whereas higher educational background was a negative predictor. We believe that more emphasis should be placed on locally available foods as part of nutritional education for young urban Filipinos.

Repass, Michael; Matusitz, Jonathan

doi: 10.1080/07399330903359326pmid: 20390662

In this analysis, the authors apply Problematic Integration (PI) Theory to the way breast cancer patients engage in and receive support. The theory focuses on the relationship between expectations and desires, and enlightens cognitive and communicative responses to situations that involve tensions between their perceived likelihoods of occurrence and their perceived values. The relationship between PI Theory and its significance in treating and providing support for patients suffering from terminal illnesses is one of great interest to health care providers and those charged with creating supportive messages and support groups for those patients.

Tung, Wei-Chen; Lu, Minggen; Cook, Daniel

doi: 10.1080/07399330903349699pmid: 20390663

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death in Taiwan, and frequency of screening remains low. We surveyed Taiwanese women about beliefs and practices related to cervical screening, searching for perceived barriers and self-efficacy using the transtheoretical model. We assessed demographics, 12 perceived barriers, and seven self-efficacy measures for 222 Taiwanese women. Data were analyzed descriptively and with multiple linear regression. Barriers related to worry, embarrassment, stigma, and the lack of female physicians were significant in the relapse stage. All self-efficacy measures were significant across various stages of change. Interventions should focus on relapsers and on information related to self-efficacy.

Rivalta, Massimo; Sighinolfi, Maria Chiara; Micali, Salvatore; De Stefani, Stefano; Torcasio, Francesca; Bianchi, Giampaolo

doi: 10.1080/07399330903324254pmid: 20390664

A relationship between sport or fitness activities and urinary incontinence (UI) previously has been described in women. We report our preliminary experience with the use of a complete pelvic floor rehabilitation program in three female athletes affected by UI. The athletes were submitted to a combined pelvic floor rehabilitation program, including biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and vaginal cones. After the scheduled rehabilitation scheme, none of the patients reported incontinence, nor referred to urine leakage during sport or during daily life. We therefore conclude that UI that affects female agonistic athletes may be effectively treated with this combined approach.

Berdichevsky, Karla; Tucker, Christine; Martínez, Alberto; Miller, Suellen

doi: 10.1080/07399330903518491pmid: 20390665

We conducted a qualitative study to explore responses to a low-technology first-aid device for management of life-threatening obstetric hemorrhage in rural health facilities in Mexico. This entailed in-depth, semistructured interviews with clinical and administrative staff (n = 70) involved in pilot studies of the nonpneumatic antishock garment (NASG) at primary health care facilities and rural hospitals. We found that staffs’ response fell into four categories: owning, doubting, resisting, and rejecting. Overall, there were positive reactions to the garment as a relevant technology for saving women's lives. Findings will be used for future implementation of the garment and other new technologies.

Murray, Linda; Windsor, Carol; Parker, Elizabeth; Tewfik, Odette

doi: 10.1080/07399330903548928pmid: 20390666

Our purpose in this research was to uncover first-person descriptions of the birth experiences of African refugee women in Brisbane, Australia, and to explore the common themes that emerged from their experiences. We conducted semistructured interviews with 10 African refugees who had given birth in Brisbane. Essences universal to childbirth such as pain, control, and experiences of caregivers featured prominently in participants’ descriptions of their experiences. Their experiences, however, were further overshadowed by issues such as language barriers, the refugee experience, female genital mutilation (FGM), and encounters with health services with limited cultural competence.