Prevalence and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant African American Women

African American women may be especially vulnerable to antepartum depression, a major health concern during pregnancy. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms in a sample of African American women who were between 14–17 weeks pregnant, a timeframe that is typically thought to be a time of general well-being. Two-thirds reported a CES-D score ≥ 16 indicative of depressive symptomatology. Age, perceived stress (as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), and anxiety (as measured by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]) predicted depressive symptoms; the interaction between PSS and STAI scores was also a significant predictor. Our study findings suggest that early identification of stress and anxiety, in addition to depressive symptoms, is vital for intervention with this group.     

Understanding Social Support and the Couple's Relationship Among Women with Depressive Symptoms in Pregnancy

This qualitative study explored the experiences of seven couples where the female partner experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Female and male partners were interviewed together and data was collected and analyzed according to Colaizzi's () phenomenological research design. The interviews yielded the following themes: (a) Challenges and stressors associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy, (b) Pregnancy's effect on mood states, (c) Relationship dynamics that influence moods, (d) Pregnancy and the influence of mood on relationship dynamics, and (e) Reliance on external sources of support. The findings extend current research and provide insight into possibilities of how to enhance assessment and intervention for women who are depressed during pregnancy by including a relational component. Findings, clinical implications, and future research are discussed.     

Altered Perceptions of Personal Control About Retained Weight and Depressive Symptoms in Low-Income Postpartum Women

Postpartum weight retention and depressive symptoms have a high prevalence among low income women. This qualitative study describes low-income women's experiences of weight changes and depressive symptoms during the late postpartum period. Women (n = 25) who were either overweight or had depressive symptoms, or both, at 12 months postpartum participated in an ethnically-congruent focus group. Women's experiences indicated altered personal control related to retained postpartum weight and depressive feelings. Retained weight negatively affected self-esteem and family functioning. Depression left women feeling isolated yet reluctant to seek help. These findings could provide the basis for health promotion interventions relevant to this population.     

Reducing Negative Thinking and Depressive Symptoms in College Women

Purpose: Although cognitive-behavioral interventions have been successful in treating depression, no studies were found that focused solely on reducing negative thinking via group intervention as a means of preventing depression in at-risk groups. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms, decreasing negative thinking, and enhancing self-esteem in young women at risk for depression.
Design: A randomized controlled trial with 92 college women ages 18 to 24 who were at risk for depression was conducted.
Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. The experimental group participated in a 6-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention. Data on self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and negative thinking were collected via selfreport questionnaires from control and experimental groups at baseline, 1 month after the intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed-model methodology and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test.
Findings: Compared to those in the control group, women who received the intervention had a greater decrease in depressive symptoms and negative thinking and a greater increase in self-esteem, and these beneficial effects were maintained over 6-months.
Conclusions: The findings document the effectiveness of this cognitive-behavioral group intervention and indicate empirical support for the beneficial effects of reducing negative thinking by the use of affirmations and thought-stopping techniques on women's mental health.     

HIV Susceptibility Among Hispanic Women in South Florida

Hispanic women (HW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, however, little is known regarding their perceived susceptibility for acquiring HIV (SAHIV). We studied predictive factors for perceiving SAHIV among HW. Participants (88.5%) reported not feeling SAHIV. Women who felt SAHIV, had a significant probability of reporting a higher chance for acquiring HIV from their partner's actions (OR 9.75), and a higher probability of not being tested for HIV (OR 2.05). Educational strategies to increase perception of SAHIV and HIV testing knowledge would be beneficial giving emphasis to women who do not perceive to be at risk from their partner's actions.     

老年住院病人抑郁症状及其影响因素的研究

为提高老年住院病人护理质量 ,应用CES -D量表对 137例老年内科住院病人的抑郁症状及其影响因素进行了问卷调查。结果显示 ,38.0 %的老年住院病人存在轻重不等的抑郁症状 ;病人的日常生活自理能力、健康自我评价、经济负担是影响其抑郁症状发生的主要因素。本文对如何采取有效措施减轻或消除老年住院病人的抑郁提供了理论依据 ,并提出了几点建议     

Protective Effect of Exercise in Pregnant Women Including Those Who Exceed Weight Gain Recommendations: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of supervised moderate to vigorous exercise on gestational weight gain, its related risks (gestational diabetes [GD]), macrosomia, and type of delivery), and the preventive effects on women who exceed the weight gain recommendations.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a single-center, 2-armed, randomized controlled trial between October 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, in which 678 women were assessed and 345 were randomized by a central computer system to an intervention group (N=115) or a standard care group (N=230). The intervention exercise program consisted of 70 to 78 sessions (24 weeks, 3 times per week, 60-65 minutes per session, moderate to vigorous intensity). The standard care group received usual care. Excessive gestational weight (EGW) gain was calculated on the basis of the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations.ResultsOf the 345 women randomized for treatment, 44 were lost to follow-up, leaving 301 women for analysis (intervention, 100; standard care, 201). Fewer women in the intervention group exceeded IOM recommendations (22 [22.0%] vs 69 [34.3%]; P=.03), including overweight and obese women (15 of 35 [42.9%] vs 40 of 50 [80.0%]; P=.001). Analysis of women exceeding weight recommendations revealed that the 3 main related risks were directly related to EGW gain in the standard care group (GD, P=.003; macrosomia, P<.001; type of delivery, P<.001) but not in the intervention group (GD, P>.99; macrosomia, 0%; type of delivery, P=.46).ConclusionSupervised moderate to vigorous exercise performed throughout gestation was effective in the prevention of EGW gain even for women with a pregestational body mass index greater than 25 kg/m². It also prevented its related risks (GD, macrosomia, and type of delivery) including for women exceeding the IOM recommendations, so we suggest that being active outweighs the effect of possible weight gain.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01477372     

糖筛选异常孕妇体重增加与胎儿出生体重

目的:探讨50g葡萄糖负荷试验结果异常的孕妇不同程度的体重增加与新生儿体重之间的关系。方法:选取2000年我院产前检查的153例50g葡萄糖负荷试验结果异常的孕妇,同时随机选取312例葡萄糖筛选结果正常的孕妇作为对照,按孕期体重增加分成3组,A组:体重增加<8kg,B组:体重增加8～16kg,C组:体重增加>16kg,比较3组新生儿出生体重的差异。结果:体重增加过少组新生儿体重较体重增加正常及增加过多组新生儿体重明显为轻,排除孕妇年龄、孕次、产次、孕前体重指数(BMI)的差异,孕期体重增加与新生儿出生体重有显著相关性(r=0.36,P<0.001)。结论:在一定的体重增加范围内,孕期体重增加与新生儿出生体重呈正相关。     

Prevalence of Hypertension Risk Factors Among Hispanic Americans

A program of blood pressure screening, education, and follow-up was established to meet concerns that Hispanics were at risk for hypertension and related health problems, including access to health care and information. The program provided opportunities to gather data on hypertension risk factors and general health status of the Hispanic population. Bilingual community workers provided blood pressure screening through a door-to-door survey of 3399 adults. In addition, the workers provided general and preventive hypertension education, obtained health histories, and referred identified health problems. All 203 persons identified with hypertension were assessed further and followed by public health nurses. Of these, 67 were referred to physicians for care. Referrals for other types of health problems were made for 1603 persons. Significant risk factors identified for hypertension were excessive alcohol intake, obesity, and frequent use of processed foods. A total of 871 persons reported at least one symptom of stress.     

Pain,Racial Discrimination,and Depressive Symptoms among African American Women

African American women with osteoarthritis (OA) are at high risk of experiencing pain. They report more pain than non-Hispanic White women and men of other racial/ethnic groups. This pain can limit independence and diminish their quality of life. Despite the detrimental effects that pain can have on older African American women with OA, there is a dearth of literature examining factors beyond the OA pathology that are associated with pain outcomes within this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between racial discrimination and depressive symptoms with pain intensity in African American women with OA. The sample comprised of 120 African American women, aged 50-80 years, with OA, from Texas and New Mexico. The women completed survey booklets to answer study questionnaires. We used multiple linear regression to test associations between racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and pain intensity. We tested whether depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between racial discrimination and pain intensity by using bootstrapping. Results indicated that racial discrimination was significantly associated with pain intensity and that this relationship was mediated by depressive symptoms, even after controlling for body mass index, years of education, and length of time with OA. Both depressive symptoms and racial discrimination may be modifiable. If these modifiable factors are addressed in this population, there may be decreased pain in middle-aged and older African American women.     

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Among Hispanic Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a potential health risk for women of reproductive age and their children. Household and workplace exposures were estimated for 4256 Hispanic women age 12 to 49 who participated in the Hispanic health and nutrition examination survey. Age-specific household exposure for nonsmokers was 31% to 62% for Mexican-Americans, 22% to 59% for Puerto Ricans, and 40% to 53% for Cuban-Americans. Exposure was significantly high for Puerto Rican and Mexican-American adolescents, 59% and 62%, respectively. Workplace exposure for nonsmokers was 22% to 35% for Mexican-Americans, 28% to 33% for Puerto Ricans, and 33% to 49% for Cuban-Americans. Young Mexican-American and Puerto Rican and all Cuban-American women reported high exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the home or workplace. Assessment of family living and smoking patterns, understanding cultural values and norms, and household smoking control and cessation strategies that are mutually derived are useful for nurses and Hispanic and Latino populations to meet the environmental tobacco smoke health objectives for the nation.     

离退休人员焦虑、抑郁症状及相关因素分析

为探讨离退休人员存在的焦虑、抑郁症状,采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)和艾森克个性问卷(EPQ)对780位离退休人员进行了调查。结果发现46～50岁和61～65岁及内、外向不稳定型性格的离退休人员易发生焦虑、抑郁症状。提示,离退休人员是一个特殊的需要关注的群体,应改善其不良的环境条件,给予多方面的干预措施,减少心理冲突与压力。