Breast augmentation surgery: a women's health issue

Surgery to increase breast size is a common procedure In this paper we examine the reasons why women choose to undergo the procedure, the history of breast enhancement, current surgical approaches, possible complications and their treatment Driving forces behind the choice to have augmentation surgery appear to be related to feelings of low self-esteem and self-confidence Although there is a large literature related to breast augmentation, little of it is research-based The research that there is focuses on complications and their treatment, with an emphasis on capsular contracture Few of the studies are long-term, although complications have been noted as long as 25 years after initial implantation There is a need for research into the experience of women undergoing augmentation mammaplasty but, perhaps more importantly, there is also a need to examine ways in which women can be helped to accept themselves as they are     

Embodied largeness: a significant women's health issue

This paper describes a three-year long research project in which nine large-bodied women have engaged in a prolonged dialogue with the researcher about the experience of being 'obese'. The study involved an extensive review of the multidisciplinary literature that informs our understandings of body size. The literature review was shared with participants in order to support their critical understanding of their experience. An examination of a wide range of literature pertinent to the area of study reveals widespread acceptance of the notion that to be thin is to be healthy and virtuous, and to be fat is to be unhealthy and morally deficient. The experience of participants raised questions as to how nursing could best provide health-care for large women. According to the literature review, nurses have perpetuated an unhelpful and reductionist approach to their care of large women, in direct contradiction to nursing's supposed allegiance to a holistic approach to health-care. This paper suggests strategies for an improved response to women who are concerned about their large body size.     

Commonalities in women's spirituality and women's health

Both women's spirituality and women's health movements have grown dramatically in recent years. If clinicians understood in greater depth the commonalities between these two perspectives, then they would be better positioned to foster the health of women more fully. In this article, concepts of feminism, religion, spirituality, and women's health are described briefly. After identifying some assumptions, themes, and characteristics of both women's spirituality and women's health, the commonalities between these two perspectives are delineated. Next, processes critical to women's spirituality and women's health are proposed. Finally, implications for clinical practice are offered.     

Practicing women's health with a simultaneity worldview in a medical model world

Practicing from a humanbecoming perspective is challenging and rewarding for the nurse clinician. In this column, the author discusses the challenges faced when working as a women's health nurse practitioner, with a simultaneity worldview, in a medical model world.     

Fetal microchimerism and women's health: a new paradigm

Pregnancy is associated with transfer of maternal cells to the fetus and fetal cells to the mother. In both cases, the transferred cells are described as microchimeric. Fetal microchimeric cells include semi-allogeneic stem cells, which are few in number and are capable of long-term survival in the "foreign" host. They are recognized by the maternal immune system but not rejected or attacked. These cells appear to survive and even thrive for years in a mother's body, perhaps for her lifetime. Previously regarded as potentially dangerous interlopers that might propagate autoimmune and even malignant disease, fetal microchimeric cells are now increasingly being recognized and analyzed for their healing, reparative, and perhaps regenerative roles. Fetal microchimerism (MC) may make significant and previously unknown positive contributions to women's health, longevity, and risk of disease. This article reviews the history, major discoveries, and current concepts and gaps in knowledge in the field of fetal MC.     

Intimate partner abuse factors associated with women's health: a general population study

Title.  Intimate partner abuse factors associated with women's health: a general population study.
Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to investigate the correlates of physical and psychological health in a general population-based sample of Icelandic women who experienced abuse in close relationships.
Background.  Most studies examining the health concerns associated with intimate partner abuse have been based on clinical populations; however, their findings may not be representative of the general population of women experiencing intimate partner abuse.
Method.  A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. The Women's Response to Battering Model was used to guide the choice of variables. Questionnaires were mailed to 7523 randomly-selected Icelandic women. Data collection started in December 2005 and ended a year later. A total of 1974 married and 772 cohabiting women answered the questionnaires ( n  = 2746). Independent t -tests and stepwise regression were used to analyse the data.
Findings.  Health risk behaviours (e.g. alcohol misuse, smoking), chronic health conditions/illnesses (e.g. sleep disturbance, depression, eating disorders) and currently being victim of intimate partner violence predicted the women's physical and psychological health.
Conclusion.  Interventions designed to decrease health risk behaviours, treat chronic health conditions/illnesses and offer best practice first response to women who are victims of intimate partner violence can be offered to reduce the short- and long-term effects of violence on their physical and psychological health. Public health policy needs to focus specifically on intimate partner violence against women and the role that public health nurses can have in early identification and offering appropriate interventions within primary healthcare settings.     

Lesbian women's experiences with health care: A qualitative study

Background

Although the social situation for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people has improved over the last decades, lesbian women still face unique challenges when seeking healthcare services.

Objectives

To explore lesbian women''s healthcare experiences specifically related to sexual orientation to achieve knowledge which can contribute to increased quality of healthcare for lesbian women.

Methods

Qualitative study based on written stories, with recruitment, information, and data sampling over the internet. Data consisted of 128 anonymously written answers to a web-based, open-ended questionnaire from a convenience sample of self-identified lesbian women. Data were analysed with systematic text condensation. Interpretation of findings was supported by theories of heteronormativity.

Main outcome measures

Patients’ histories of experiences where a lesbian orientation was significant, when seeing a doctor or another healthcare professional.

Results

Analysis presented three different aspects of healthcare professionals’ abilities, regarded as essential by our lesbian participants. First, the perspective of awareness was addressed – is the healthcare professional able to think of and facilitate the disclosure of a lesbian orientation? Second, histories pointed to the attitudes towards homosexuality – does the healthcare professional acknowledge and respect the lesbian orientation? Third, the impact of specific and adequate medical knowledge was emphasized – does the healthcare professional know enough about the specific health concerns of lesbian women?

Conclusion

To obtain quality care for lesbian women, the healthcare professional needs a persistent awareness that not all patients are heterosexual, an open attitude towards a lesbian orientation, and specific knowledge of lesbian health issues. The dimensions of awareness, attitude, and knowledge are interconnected, and a positive direction on all three dimensions appears to be a necessary prerequisite.