Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Voices, Stories And Experiences Of Black Women: Informing The Establishment Of A Trenton-Based Maternal And Infant Health Innovation And Research Center, Tirzah R. Spencer Phd, Mph, Barbara George Johnson Mph, J.D., Consuelo Bonillas

Center for Health Policy Development

The establishment of a Maternal and Infant Health Innovation and Research Center is one of nine recommendations outlined by the 2021 Nurture NJ Strategic Plan to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and ensure equity in care and in outcomes for mothers and infants of all ethnic groups. The purpose of this environmental scan is to provide input for the design of a Maternal and Infant Health Innovation and Research Center within Trenton.

Building on the Nurture NJ Initiative, this project is a deeper dive in its focus on Black and Latina women living in Trenton and surrounding areas. …

Metabolic Alterations And Cardiovascular Risk After Hepatitis C Cure In Subjects With Or At Risk For Hiv, Christophe Maxime Fokoua Dongmo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection engenders substantial metabolic changes. These changes are altered when the virus is cleared after successful treatment. We measured these metabolic alterations that occur after HCV cure; further, we assessed whether these alterations differed in subgroups defined by patients’ characteristics.

Developing A Lifestyle Intervention Program For Overweight Or Obese Preconception, Pregnant And Postpartum Women Using Qualitative Methods, Chee Wai Ku, Shu Hui Leow, Lay See Ong, Christina Erwin, Isabella Ong, Xiang Wen Ng, Jacinth Jia Xin Tan, Fabian Yap, Jerry K. Y. Chan, See Ling Loy

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The time period before, during and after pregnancy represents a unique opportunity for interventions to cultivate sustained healthy lifestyle behaviors to improve the metabolic health of mothers and their offspring. However, the success of a lifestyle intervention is dependent on uptake and continued compliance. To identify enablers and barriers towards engagement with a lifestyle intervention, thematic analysis of 15 in-depth interviews with overweight or obese women in the preconception, pregnancy or postpartum periods was undertaken, using the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework as a guide to systematically chart factors influencing adoption of a novel lifestyle intervention. …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Social Support In Males And Females Experiencing Issues With Infertility., Maya Pinzon, Shawna Rotoli

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Faculty Scholarship

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate and compare male and female experiences of infertility in the context of social support.

METHODS: A Qualtrics survey (Qualtrics, Provo, Utah, United States) was posted to online fertility support groups and the responses were thematically analyzed. Only participants that completed the qualitative component of the survey were included in the study. Responses were subsequently thematically analyzed.

RESULTS: A sample of 110 participants (13 males and 97 females) were included in the present study. Thematic analyses revealed that isolation and loneliness, stigma, sentiments of misunderstanding, insensitive reactions, and others' unhelpful attempts …

The Lived Experiences Of Middle Eastern Immigrant Women During Their Cancer Survivorship Journey: A Phenomenological Study, Enam Alsrayheen, Khaldoun Aldiabat, Catherine Aquino-Russell

The Qualitative Report

The number of Middle Eastern immigrant women (MEIW) living in Canada has significantly increased. However, this group of women is underrepresented in health research and there is a gap in knowledge of their cancer survivorship experiences in Canada. This phenomenological qualitative approach was employed to uncover the meaning of the lived experiences of MEIW during their cancer survivorship journey (CSJ). Data were collected through unstructured interviews and one written description from three MEIW. The participants' perspectives of cancer risk factors were believed to be the cause of their cancer, and their CSJ was fear-inducing and anxiety-provoking. There appears to be …

Behind Closed Doors: A Look Into Access To Supportive Resources And Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Ashley Lauren Holloway

Master's Projects and Capstones

Introduction Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a preventable health disparity that remains an underrepresented health issue due to survivors' comfortability in reporting violence within their most intimate relationships; in addition to providers' comfortability in addressing intimate partner violence. The high prevalence of IPV-related incidents highlights the importance of early intervention to prevent victims from experiencing violence again and dying.

Methods A systematic review was conducted to look into intimate partner violence against women. Key words such as intimate partner violence or domestic violence, women, utilization of care services or services, socioecological model were searched through pubmed and other scholarly search …

Hypertension In Women: A South-Asian Perspective, Fatima Farrukh, Amin Abbasi, Misbah Jawed, Aysha Almas, Tazeen Jafar, Salim S. Virani, Zainab Samad

Medical College Documents

Introduction: Hypertension is an important contributor to cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality. Despite the magnitude of its negative impact on cardiovascular outcomes, treatment and control of hypertension remain suboptimal in both men and women.
Materials and methods: Numerous databases, i.e., PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc., were searched using keywords to identify relevant studies to our narrative review. The findings from the most pertinent articles were summarized and integrated into our narrative review on hypertension in women.
Results: The pathophysiology of essential hypertension is still being delineated in both men and women; there are multiple sex specific factors in association with the …

Quality Of Life For Women With Chronic Lyme Disease: A Socioeconomic Investigation, Dale M. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations

This is a mixed methods investigation of how chronic Lyme disease, including Lyme-like diseases and co-infections, affects the quality of life of women who have chronic Lyme. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used during three phases of research: a 91-question survey instrument followed by focus group discussions and written narratives. The research considered the socioeconomic impact on quality of life in five areas: obtaining a diagnosis, relationships and personal support systems, struggles with the medical system, the ability to work, and access to treatment. There were 500 responses to the survey, of which 373 were analyzed; 11 participants in …

Documenting & Describing Experiences Of Marginalized Gender Identities In Healthcare, Laura Stepnowski

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review

Despite its importance to quality and length of life, health varies widely among the U.S. population depending on various sociodemographic factors, such as age, race, gender, and income. This research focuses on the perception of treatment for those with marginalized gender identities. There is a long history of discrepancies in healthcare, but no time such as the present seems to be filled with such a nuanced perspective of quality of treatment for those with marginalized gender identities. This became evident through the focus groups conducted for this study. Findings show that participants used more collaborative language when discussing their positive …

Communicating Pain Unseen: Addressing Health Outcomes In Sexual Activity For Women With Endometriosis, Madison Wiese

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Roughly 160 million women live with endometriosis, a chronic disease involving the uterine lining shedding on the outside of the uterus causing immense physical and emotional pain (Becker et al., 2020). One common symptom of endometriosis is dyspareunia, or painful sex (Ballard et al., 2008). This study aims to uncover how gender expectations from society impact women with endometriosis specifically in sexual encounters. Informed by the traditional sexual script theory and sexual script theory, the study examines how traditional gender norms might influence women’s prioritization of their own health needs as well as the physical, emotional, and relational health outcomes …

“In The Skin I’M In…I Represent A Different Version Of What Help Looks Like:” Black Women Sport Psychology Professional’S Experiences In Applied Sport Psychology, Sharon R. Couch

Doctoral Dissertations

Black Feminist Applied Sport Psychology (BFASP) is a culturally inclusive theoretical framework for centering Black women’s experiences in applied sport psychology (Carter et al., 2020; Couch et al., 2022). For the past two decades, (White) Feminist applied sport psychology professionals (FASPPs) described the experiences of Black women as unique but were overlooked in research and participant pools due to the prioritization of White women's and Black male sport experiences. (Carter & Davila, 2017; Carter & Prewitt-White, 2014; Gill, 2020; Hyman et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to explore the life and work experiences of BASPPs (i.e., faculty, …

Caregiver-Child Conversations About Sex In African American Women, Hannah King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using grounded theory methods, this study examines the experience of African American women during their caregiver-child conversations about sex and the impacts of the conversations on their sexual attitudes. The process of these conversations begins with an unplanned topic and progresses further to identify six essential themes of these conversations: gender differences, race and religion, protective/emphasis on protection, lack of knowledge, withholding knowledge, and sex negativity/shame. African American women’s description of the process included feelings of shame and negativity towards their sexuality. Caregivers promoted positive messages about sex by having open conversations that advocated for equality between the genders, empower …

The Underdiagnosis Of Adhd In Black Females, Kiana Clerkley

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background

Historically, Black women have continued to face discriminatory practices within the various branches of healthcare in America, including mental health.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for and factors contributing to the underdiagnosis of Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among Black females.

Methods

This study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods by use of collecting self-report scales and conducting individual interviews. Eight Black women were recruited by posting fliers on social media accounts that served as ADHD support groups among women. I collected data with the results of the self-report scale and …

Physical Activity And Body Image Of Women: Literature Review, Sonia Mosur-Kaluza, Monika Guszkowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

This study represents a review of literature on the relationship between recreational physical activity and the body image. This research encompasses 39 papers published between 2008 and 2015 that were available in the Academic Search Complete database. The results of comparative, prospective, and experimental research are ambiguous. These data suggest both a positive relationship between the body image and physical activity, i.e. a more positive body image among more active people and an improvement in the body image as a result of regular exercise, and a negative relationship, in particular, a more negative body image in persons engaging in “aesthetic” …

The Role Of Myofascial Massage In Spinal Pains In Professionally Active Women, Malgorzata Kawa, Karol Orlowski, Malgorzata Kowza-Dzwonkowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Pain ailments of the spine are one of the most common diseases of the system of bones and joints. 75% to 85% of the world’s population suffer or will suffer from it, and lumbar pain is the most common cause of disability of persons over 45 years of age. They are usually the beginning of a chronic, often progressing ailments often leading to disability, incapacity to work and restrictions in daily life. Myofascial massage helps reduce pain sensations. Is a specific method of gradual stretching soft tissues and making muscle fibres more elastic. It reduces increased muscle tone, muscle …

Examining Body Image And Its Relationship To Exercise Motivation: An 18-Week Cardiovascular Program For Female Initiates With Overweight And Obesity, Erin S. Pearson, Craig R. Hall

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: A healthy body image is related to better psychological well-being and can also impact one’s likelihood to engage in health promoting behaviours such as exercise. To date, there has been a paucity of research investigating the relationship between body image and Self-Determination Theory’s motivational regulations as a function of exercise participation. The purpose of this study was to examine these constructs over the course of an 18-week cardiovascular-based program for female initiates aged 18-45 with overweight and obesity. Material/Methods: Participants (n = 37; mean weight = 83.8 kg; mean waist circumference = 38.3 inches) were provided with a personalized …

The Views Of Women Practising Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics And Acrobatics Gymnastics On Their Disciplines, Anna Perzynska-Biskup, Leon Biskup, Stanislaw Sawczyn

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Physical culture covers a number of forms of physical activity, with sport being the most specialized form of participation. Rapid development of sport in recent years has contributed not only to the rise in the level of competitive sport but it also made the processes of social transitions to be reflected on a wider scale. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the views on professional sports from two generations of women who have practiced gymnastics. The main focus was on the presentation of gymnastics in the perspective of other disciplines and its place in everyday life of …

Prevention Of Violence Against Women And Girls: A Cost-Effectiveness Study Across 6 Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Giulia Ferrari, Sergio Torres-Rueda, Esnat Chirwa, Andrew Gibbs, Stacey Orangi, Edwine Barasa, Theresa Tawiah, Rebecca Kyerewaa Dwommoh Prah, Rozina Karmaliani, Hussain Maqbool Ahmed Khuwaja

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a human rights violation with social, economic, and health consequences for survivors, perpetrators, and society. Robust evidence on economic, social, and health impact, plus the cost of delivery of VAWG prevention, is critical to making the case for investment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where health sector resources are highly constrained. We report on the costs and health impact of VAWG prevention in 6 countries.
Methods and findings: We conducted a trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis of VAWG prevention interventions using primary data from 5 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in sub-Saharan Africa …

Physical Activity And Other Selected Determinants Of The Body Mass Index (Bmi) In Women Aged 40–65 With Type 2 Diabetes From The Krakow Population, Maria Gacek, Agnieszka Wojtowicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Excessive body mass is a key risk factor of type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to analyse selected determinants of the BMI (body mass index) in women aged 40–65 with type 2 diabetes from the Krakow population. The predictive model includes demographic (age), health (duration of diabetes) as well as behavioural (volume of physical activity) and psychological (life satisfaction) data. Material and methods: ‪The study was conducted among a group of 276 women aged 40–65 (47.92±5.53) with type 2 diabetes. The authors used a specially designed questionnaire, which included socio-demographic questions as well as self-assessment of …

Influence Of Experimental Training With External Resistance In A Form Of “Kettlebell” On Selected Components Of Women’Sphysical Fitness, Tadeusz Ambrozy, Lucyna Kiszczak, Jaroslaw Omorczyk, Mariusz Ozimek, Tomasz Palka, Dawid Mucha, Arkadiusz Stanula, Dariusz Mucha

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

An aim of this work was to determine the influence of women’s experimental training using kettlebells on selected components of physical fitness. Two groups of women, experimental (N = 20) and control (N = 20), took part in this study. In order to determine the influence of the training program developed by the present authors, participants were subjected to examinations aimed to assess the level of selected components of physical fitness (speed of hand movements, flexibility, explosive strength of lower limbs muscles, strength endurance of abdominal muscles and hip flexors, strength endurance of upper limbs muscles and the shoulder girdle, …

A Comparison Of Psychological Well-Being In Athlete And Non-Athlete Women, Ghorban Hemati Alamdarloo, Setareh Shojaee, Enayatollah Asadmanesh, Homa Sheikhani Shahin, Aghdas Rangani, Sara Negahdarifard

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The present study was aimed to compare psychological well-being in athlete and non-athlete women. Material/Methods: The statistical population of the present study included all athlete and non-athlete women in Shiraz, Iran. The sample consisted of 764 subjects (382 athletes, 382 non- athletes), of which the athlete and non-athlete samples were selected by Gerjesy and Morgan’ sample size table and purposeful sampling method, respectively. Also, Ryff's psychological well-being scale (Ryff, 1989) was used for measuring subjects’ psychological well-being. Independent t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed a significant difference between …

Developmental Tendencies Of Results In Female Heptathlon In The Olympic Games During The Years 1984–2008, Katarzyna Majchrzak, Maria Kamrowska-Nowak, Krzysztof Byzdra

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study is to assess a change tendency of the results in heptathlon and in particular events of this discipline. Material/Methods: In the research the authors used results achieved in heptathlon in the Olympic Games during the years 1984–2008. Top 20 female athletes of general standing were taken into consideration. MS Excel 2007 spreadsheet program and a method of document analysis were used to analyse and assess a change tendency. Results: Mean values achieved in particular events showed that the highest results, which were above the average in each Olympic Games, occurred in 1992 and 2008. …

Having Children And Physical Activity Level And Other Types Of Pro-Health Behaviour Of Women From The Perspective Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour, Piotr Wlodarczyk, Artur Ziolkowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The subject of the paper is pro-health behaviour of women (N=477) who have children (N=124) and those who have no children (N=353). The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by Icek Ajzen, in the light of which the differences in the health behaviour level of the sample group are considered, constitutes the theoretical basis of this work. Material/Methods: The research group consisted of women at the age of 19–36 (M=27,5 yrs of age SD=4 yrs of age). The Health and Behaviour Survey Questionnaire by Steptoe and Wardle was used for the measurement. Four scales of healthy behaviour values, i.e., taking …

Quantitative And Qualitative Evaluation Of Motor Coordination Abilities In Gymnast Girls Aged 7–9 Years, Kazimierz Kochanowicz, Lola Brygida Boraczynska, Tomasz Boraczynski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the paper was to build evaluation criteria of selected motor coordination abilities, useful in optimization of training in young gymnast girls, at the initial stage of sport training. Material/Methods: 18 gymnast girls aged 7–9 years old from the Sports School in Olsztyn took part in this study. In order to evaluate selected motor coordination abilities, three tests were used. The first test was taken on dynamometric platform on which subjects performed the Ellipsis test four times. This test is based on controlling the position of the centre of body mass using a dynamometric platform. The tested …

How To Hiit While Pregnant? The Protocol Characteristics And Effects Of High Intensity Interval Training Implemented During Pregnancy – A Systematic Review, Anna Szumilewicz, Rita Santos-Rocha, Aneta Worska, Magdalena Piernicka, Hongli Yu, Simona Pajaujiene, Najmeh-Alsadat Shojaeian, Miguel Angel Moviedo-Caro

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

There is strong scientific evidence that prenatal physical activity of moderate-to-high in-tensity is a prerequisite of the proper course of pregnancy, childbirth and fetus development. How-ever, to date little data have been available on high intensity interval training (HIIT) performed during pregnancy. Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review aimed at: first, to characterize HIIT protocols used or planned to be implemented during pregnancy; second, to determine their training effects on participant’s health and obstetric outcomes. We included nine original works and three clinical trials in the analysis. The HIIT protocols substantially differed in terms of the training components (type, …

A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial For A Multi-Level, Clinic-Based Smoking Cessation Program With Women In Appalachian Communities: Study Protocol For The "Break Free" Program, Joanne G. Patterson, Tia N. Borger, Jessica L. Burris, Mark Conaway, Robert Klesges, Amie Ashcraft, Lindsay Hauser, Connie Clark, Lauren Wright, Sarah Cooper, Merry C. Smith, Mark B. Dignan, Stephenie Kennedy-Rea, Electra D. Paskett, Roger Anderson, Amy K. Ferketich

Psychology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The cervical cancer burden is high among women living in Appalachia. Cigarette smoking, a cervical cancer risk factor, is also highly prevalent in this population. This project aims to increase smoking cessation among women living in Appalachia by embedding a smoking cessation program within a larger, integrated cervical cancer prevention program.

METHODS: The broader program, the Take CARE study, is a multi-site research collaborative designed to address three risk factors for cervical cancer incidence and mortality: tobacco use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and cervical cancer screening. Break Free is a primary care clinic-based implementation program that aims to promote …

An Examination Of Three Transitional Events In The Substance Misuse Trajectories Of Women With Criminal Legal System Involvement, Martha Tillson

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

Research has consistently demonstrated that criminal legal system (CLS)-involved women are distinct from men in initiation and course of drug use, with important differences on biological, environmental, and sociocultural levels. Thus, the unique pathways and transitions into and out of drug use for women with CLS involvement are critical to consider from a research perspective, but also from a need to develop and support evidence-based, women-centered services in correctional contexts. This dissertation project uses a three-paper format to investigate three aims: (1) to understand CLS-involved women’s initiations to injection drug use and their experiences providing injection initiation assistance (IIA) to …

Help-Seeking Behaviors For Depression Among Native Hawaiian Women In The Western Region Of The United States Mainland, Marlana Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Help-seeking for depression, as with other mental illnesses is contingent upon stigmas that one perceives. Although causes for depression differ among indigenous populations, native Hawaiians suffer from the Western acculturation and colonization of their homeland. With lack of trust in the U.S. healthcare system, many native Hawaiians are reluctant to seek help for depression. Furthermore, research has shown that most studies on native Hawaiians are conducted in their native environment when many Hawaiians relocate to the U.S. mainland. Because of the current depression crisis, it is critical to explore depression among native Hawaiians, particularly women on the mainland to see …

Associations Between Body Dissatisfaction And Relationship Functioning Among Same-Sex Female Couples: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, Cassidy M. Sandoval, Kelly A. Romano, Kristin E. Heron, Charlotte A. Dawson, Tiphanie G. Sutton, Barbara A. Winstead, Robin J. Lewis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Nearly all past research about body dissatisfaction and romantic relationship factors is among heterosexual couples; little is known about these associations in sexual minority couples. The present study aimed to fill gaps in the current literature by using actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) to examine dyadic patterns of association between body dissatisfaction and different aspects of relationship functioning among same-sex female couples. Participants were 163 same-sex female romantic dyads (326 women) between the ages of 18-35 years who completed measures of body dissatisfaction and relationship factors. Results from significance testing of actor and partner effects indicated higher levels of women's own …

Body Satisfaction And Self-Efficacy As A Predictor For Obesity Among African American College Women, Sacha Nicole Morris-Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women have the highest rates of obesity when compared to any ethnic group in the United States, and the rates of obesity among this population are expected to continue to increase. In this study, social cognitive theory was used to predict the connection between body satisfaction, self-efficacy, and obesity in 18–24-year-old African American women attending college. The data were analyzed using multiple regression, while controlling for demographic variables, to determine if body satisfaction (Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults) and self-efficacy (The Eating Self-Efficacy Scale) predicted obesity among African American women in college. Thirty-three participants completed the survey. …