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.     

Gender,power and intimate relationships over the life course among Ethiopian female peer educators living with HIV

Historically, Ethiopian women have faced numerous challenges to gender equity at the individual, relational and community levels; such inequalities can lead to increased risk of HIV acquisition. Over the past two decades, some progress has been made towards changing policies and norms to reduce gender inequality. We sought to understand the ways in which marriage and other romantic/sexual relationships of a group of Ethiopian women living with HIV had been impacted by gender norms, relational power dynamics and HIV status over the life course. We conducted in-depth interviews with 19 women living with HIV who were working as peer educators at a large clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reflecting on their early lives, participants often described traumatic prior relationships characterised by rape, forced marriage and HIV nondisclosure. In the aftermath of being diagnosed with HIV, participants’ more recent relationships embodied a more egalitarian dynamic characterised by mutual support for HIV care engagement and open communication. Participants’ narratives illustrate encouraging examples of ways in which HIV-positive women can form and maintain equitable and satisfying personal relationships even in the context of obstacles at multiple levels.     

Disparities in Stage at Diagnosis in an Equal-access Integrated Delivery System: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 7244 Patients With Bladder Cancer

BackgroundDisparities in bladder cancer survival by race/ethnicity and gender are likely related to differences in diagnosis. We assessed disparities in stage at diagnosis and potential contributing factors within a large, integrated delivery system.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 7244 patients with bladder cancer age ≥ 21 years diagnosed from January 2001 to June 2015 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Bivariate analyses compared stage at diagnosis – as well as comorbidities, health plan membership length, and health care utilization prior to diagnosis – by race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models with urologist as a random effect were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) versus non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer.ResultsIn multivariable analyses, stage at diagnosis varied significantly by race/ethnicity (P < .001). Non-Hispanic black patients had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with MIBC than non-Hispanic white patients (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.67), whereas Asian patients had significantly lower odds (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49-0.91). Women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with MIBC than men (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). Non-Hispanic black women had the highest proportion (39%) of MIBC diagnoses. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, a greater proportion of diagnoses occurred at younger ages.ConclusionsHealth care coverage within an equal-access system did not eliminate disparities in stage at diagnosis by race/ethnicity or gender. Studies are needed to identify etiologic factors and aspects of care delivery (eg, patient-physician interactions) that may affect the diagnostic process to inform efforts to improve health equity.     

Gender equity: how do the forensic sciences fare?

ABSTRACT

Females are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at all levels of society. Fewer females are completing STEM school subjects, graduating with STEM degrees, being employed as STEM professionals, and holding senior leadership and academic positions in STEM. However, unlike almost every other STEM discipline, the overall ratio of females is higher in many forensic science disciplines. For our sector, rather than having difficulty in attracting females, the bigger issue is how we retain and promote female talent. This complex issue is exacerbated by: gender pay gaps; family role expectations; lack of visible role models or mentors; discrimination and harassment; and bias during recruitment and promotion practices. We discuss barriers relevant for women in the forensic industry and offer potential solutions. These include flexible work arrangements, sponsorship programmes, and fostering and practising an inclusive workplace culture. Gender equity programmes and exemplar STEM organizations focused on a commitment to gender parity will be explored. Harnessing untapped female talent is as much a social justice issue as employing best practices for improving the quality, diversity and output of our forensic science workforce, and research and innovation strategies.     

Sagittal spinal alignment deviation in the general elderly population: a Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

It is widely recognized that sagittal spinal alignment changes with age. However, there are presently no clear benchmarks for such values or those for the cervical spine in the general population. Quality epidemiological studies are needed to establish standards for spinal alignment deviation.