A Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Knowledge and Health Behaviors in Women

ObjectiveTo improve health knowledge, facilitate healthy behaviors, and provide social support for a high-risk population of women by implementing a culturally tailored, gender-specific lifestyle intervention program.DesignEvidence-based practice project.Setting/Local ProblemA Chicago neighborhood in Cook County, Illinois, where there are increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension, obesity, preterm birth, and violent crime.ParticipantsFemale residents of the community, ages 19 to 45 years; 12 participants registered for the program, and 11 participants completed the entire 2-month program.Interventions/MeasurementsThe BE WISE Lifestyle Intervention, a culturally tailored, gender-specific behavior change curriculum, was used for this project. An interprofessional team was used to enhance participant experience, and neighborhood collaborations were established to create sustainability of efforts. Pre- and postintervention measures of diet, physical activity, social support, and knowledge acquisition were used to evaluate outcomes.ResultsImprovement was noted for knowledge in most of the content areas, as well as for dietary and physical activity behaviors. All participants rated the program highly and responded positively to the social support experienced in the group.ConclusionCulturally tailored lifestyle interventions can be effective in improving knowledge and encouraging behavior change, especially when delivered in group settings to enhance social support. Community-level collaborations enhance interventions by providing local support and resources for participants. Because behavior change takes time, follow-up at the 6-month and 1-year intervals is recommended to determine longer-term outcomes.     

阴道顺产与剖宫产对初产妇产后早期盆底功能的影响比较

目的研究阴道顺产与剖宫产对初产妇产后早期盆底功能的影响。方法选择2020年1月至12月在阳春市人民医院产科中心分娩的120例初产妇展开研究,按照分娩方式的不同分为对照组与观察组,每组各60例。对照组为阴道顺产,观察组采用剖宫产,两组均在产后第6周进行早期盆底功能检查,并进行盆底康复治疗,比较两组的治疗效果。结果观察组的尿失禁、阴道脱垂、子宫脱垂发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组治疗后的盆底肌力分级情况优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组治疗后的膀胱颈与耻骨联合下缘水平线间的垂直距离(BSD)高于对照组,膀胱尿道后角(RA)、膀胱颈移动度(BND)低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论阴道顺产对于盆底功能及盆腔结构的不良影响大于剖宫产,盆底功能障碍性疾病发生率更高,而康复治疗可有效改善阴道顺产、剖宫产初产妇的盆底功能,剖宫产初产妇的盆底功能恢复更好。     

Aspirin and nonaspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and occurrence of colorectal adenoma in Black American women

Evidence suggests that aspirin use reduces the occurrence of colorectal neoplasia. Few studies have investigated the association among Black Americans, who are disproportionately burdened by the disease. We assessed aspirin use in relation to colorectal adenoma among Black women. The Black Women's Health Study is a prospective cohort of self-identified Black American women established in 1995. Participants reported regular aspirin use on baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Beginning in 1999, participants reported undergoing a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, the only procedures through which colorectal adenomas can be diagnosed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between aspirin use and colorectal adenoma among 34 397 women who reported at least 1 colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. From 1997 through 2018, 1913 women were diagnosed with an adenoma. Compared to nonaspirin users, regular users had 14% (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.95) lower odds of adenoma. The odds of adenoma decreased with increasing duration of aspirin use (≥10 years: OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66-0.96). Initiating aspirin at a younger age was associated with a reduced adenoma occurrence (age < 40 years at initiation: OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55-0.86). Regular aspirin use was associated with a decreased odds of colorectal adenoma in our study of Black women. These findings support evidence demonstrating a chemopreventive impact of aspirin on colorectal neoplasia and suggest that aspirin may be a useful prevention strategy among US Black women.     

Effect of gender on the reliability of COVID-19 rapid antigen test among elderly

Defining con-founders that affect the reliability of diagnostic tests for coronavirus disease 2019 is vital to breaking the chain of infection. The elderly population is a higher risk group for the emerging virus. However, gender seems to exert a critical role in modifying the infection risk among women owing to hormonal changes. The menopause transition is an exceptional period for older women where the protective and immunomodulatory effects of the estrogen hormone are lost. Accordingly, attention should be given to postmenopausal women since they will have an increased risk compared to their pre-menopausal peers.