Energy requirements of women of reproductive age

BACKGROUND: The energy requirements of women have been based on total energy expenditure (TEE) derived from the factorial approach or as multiples of basal metabolic rate (BMR). OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to reevaluate the energy requirements of healthy, moderately active underweight, normal-weight, and overweight women of reproductive age. DESIGN: The energy requirements of 116 women [n = 13 with a low body mass index (BMI), n = 70 with a normal BMI, and n = 33 with a high BMI] were estimated from TEE measured by the doubly labeled water method. Twenty-four-hour EE and BMR were measured by room respiration calorimetry, activity EE was estimated from nonbasal EE as TEE - BMR, and physical activity level was calculated as TEE/BMR. Body composition was derived from a multicomponent model. Fitness, strength, and physical activity level were assessed, and fasting serum indexes were measured. RESULTS: Energy requirements differed among the low-BMI (8.9 +/- 0.9 MJ/d), normal-BMI (10.1 +/- 1.4 MJ/d), and high-BMI (11.5 +/- 1.9 MJ/d) groups (P = 0.02-0.001, all pairwise comparisons). Major predictors of BMR, 24-h EE, and TEE were weight, height, and body composition; minor predictors were fasting metabolic profile and fitness. Fat-free mass and fat mass accounted for the differences in EE seen between the BMI groups. The mean physical activity level of 1.86 suggested that the multiples of BMR used to estimate energy requirements have been underestimated. CONCLUSION: Recommended energy intakes for healthy, moderately active women of reproductive age living in industrialized societies should be revised on the basis of TEE.     

Social support for women of reproductive age and its predictors: a population-based study

Background

Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by the provider or recipient to be intended to promote the health of the recipient. Social support is a major determinant of health. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived social support and its associated sociodemographic factors among women of reproductive age.

Methods

This was a population-based cross-sectional study with multistage random cluster sampling of 1359 women of reproductive age. Data were collected using questionnaires on sociodemographic factors and perceived social support (PRQ85-Part 2). The relationship between the dependent variable (perceived social support) and the independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics) was analyzed using the multivariable linear regression model.

Results

The mean score of social support was 134.3?±?17.9. Women scored highest in the “worth” dimension and lowest in the “social integration” dimension. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that the variables of education, spouse’s occupation, Sufficiency of income for expenses and primary support source were significantly related to the perceived social support.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic factors affect social support and could be considered in planning interventions to improve social support for Iranian women.

     

Fatty acid status of women of reproductive age

OBJECTIVE: Healthy foetal and infant development is dependent on an adequate maternal supply of essential and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). While there are published data on the fatty acid status of pregnant women, there are few on the status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The aims of this study were to test the hypotheses that the fatty acid status of non-pregnant women is affected by socio-economic status and anthropometric, behavioural and obstetric factors. DESIGN: Observational study METHODS: One-hundred and thirty-five women of child-bearing age (mean 29.8 y, s.d. 6.92) were invited to provide a blood sample and to answer a questionnaire, of whom 114 were included in the study. Plasma and red cell total fatty acids were measured as their methyl esters by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. RESULTS: On multivariate analyses, use of hormonal contraception was independently associated with lower plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (difference between means -2.76, 95% confidence interval (-4.64, -0.88), P=0.0034), whereas cigarette smoking was associated with higher red cell oleic acid (0.74 (0.18, 1.29), P=0.0094). Fish intake was associated with higher red cell total n-3 fatty acids (0.62 (0.27, 0.85), P=0.0014). CONCLUSIONS: We have reported data on the range of the fatty acids of plasma and red blood cells (RBC) total lipids of 114 healthy women of reproductive age. These data provide further information on how socio-economic, anthropometric, behavioural and obstetric factors may be relevant to female and nutrition and health. SPONSORSHIP: University of Glasgow.     

育龄妇女生殖道感染及影响因素分析

目的了解我国育龄妇女生殖道感染情况及其主要的社会人口学影响因素，为生殖道感染防治策略提供依据。方法于2003年10～12月，采用分层、三阶段容量比例（育龄妇女人数）抽样方法获得调查对象。调查员入户进行面对面的问卷调查。结果过去6个月中39．2％的调查对象至少出现过其中1种症状，12．8％的妇女出现3种及以上症状。因素分析显示，民族、婚姻状况、文化程度、家庭年收入、职业、生活地区、怀孕及人工流产，对妇女生殖道感染有一定影响，尤其婚姻状况、地区、文化程度和怀孕次数对生殖道感染的影响较大。结论我国育龄妇女中生殖道感染非常普遍，应加强妇女病的普查普治工作，工作重点以已婚妇女为主，特别是文化程度低、少数民族地区以及有过孕产史和人工流产史的妇女应给予更多的关注；同时，不同地区妇女病普查普治时的策略应有所不同。     

育龄女性生殖道感染相关健康信念及影响因素

目的:了解育龄女性生殖道感染健康信念现状,探讨相关的影响因素。方法:采用横断面调查研究设计,对842例妇女进行调查。结果:生殖道感染健康信念得分(78.51±8.63)分,得分率66.2%;单因素方差分析年龄、文化程度、职业、丈夫的文化程度和职业、婚姻状况、户口所在地、经济收入是其影响因素(P<0.01);多元线性回归分析文化程度、收入、年龄是其主要影响因素(P<0.01),R=0.390,R2=0.152。结论:应加强育龄女性生殖道感染知识的健康教育,尤其要加强农村、低文化程度、低收入女性健康教育,提高其健康信念水平。     

社区已婚育龄妇女性传播疾病相关知识和态度调查

目的:了解社区已婚育龄妇女对性传播疾病(STD)相关知识的掌握情况和态度。方法:定群随机抽样,采用面对面问卷调查。结果:共调查416人,对STD传播途径和基本的预防知识能全部掌握的人数占24.28%,不同文化程度以及非流动人口与流动人口对STD传播和预防知识的掌握程度有较显著差别(x2=16.99,P<0.01;x2=9.84,P<0.01)。认为STD可怕的人数占89.66%,认为STD病人可恶的人数占43.03%。结论:社区已婚育龄妇女对STD相关知识的掌握还有较大差距。保健机构应重视与社会上其它有关部门协作,加强健康教育,使她们掌握预防STD的基本知识、持有正确的态度并具有健康的行为。     

北京市西城区育龄妇女流产后综合服务现状调查

目的:了解城区育龄妇女人工流产术后接受综合服务的现状,为开展规范化流产后服务提供依据。方法:随机抽取在北京市西城区4家计划生育技术服务医疗机构中自愿要求人工流产的育龄妇女400例,进行现场问卷调查。结果:调查对象年龄28.9±6.89(18～48)岁;本次妊娠主要原因,42.6%未使用避孕方法,55.6%避孕失败,其他原因占1.8%;已婚育龄妇女重复流产率(68.05%)高于未婚育龄妇女(37.25%);既往避孕措施使用频率最高的是避孕套(68.1%),其次依次为安全期(38.7%)、体外排精(33.5%)、紧急避孕(19.4%)等;调查对象获得的宣教信息,最多的是流产后注意事项,其次是避孕方法的种类、避孕药具的使用方法等;95%能确定流产后使用哪种避孕方法,并愿意接受计划生育宣教服务;62.0%主动询问了有关避孕方法的问题,在咨询时医生介绍避孕方法占91.2%,咨询时间的中位数和众数均为10min,医生当场提供避孕药具占77.8%。结论:育龄妇女人工流产术后接受计划生育宣教和咨询服务意愿强,开展规范化流产后综合服务,有助于促进妇女生殖健康。     

Female reproductive tract infections: understandings and care seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria

Background  

Reproductive tract infections (RTI's) are endemic in developing countries and entail a heavy toll on women. If untreated, RTI's can lead to adverse health outcomes such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and increased vulnerability to transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. It is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. While RTI's and its sequelae abound in Nigeria, there is paucity of publications on the subject in the country. This study assessed the understandings and care seeking behavior with regards to RTI's among women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria with the aim of improving awareness on the subject.     

Violent deaths among women of reproductive age in rural Bangladesh

The objectives of this paper are to investigate levels and trends in mortality due to violence in women of reproductive age and the social and demographic factors associated with such mortality. The study took place in Matlab, a rural sub-district in Bangladesh between 1982 and 1998. The data were furnished by a longitudinal population-based demographic surveillance system located in that area. A case-control design study was used out to identify factors associated with death due to violence, and data from death registration forms were analyzed. The death rate due to violence, defined in terms of suicides and homicides, was higher among women than men. Death rates from violence remained at the same level during the study period while death rates from other causes decreased. Young, not yet married women were a high risk group with respect to death from violence. Oppression, physical and mental abuse by husbands and relatives often preceded suicides and homicides. The disadvantaged position of women in Bangladesh society is the key underlying social cause of the violence that occurred. In order for violence against women to decrease, improvement in the social position of women is essential.     

重庆市育龄妇女生殖健康知识调查

目的 探讨重庆市育龄妇女生殖健康知识和服务现状,以改善育龄妇女生殖健康服务。方法 将重庆市各区县按照计划生育工作状况分为3类地区,采用配额抽样方法对2 075名15~49岁育龄妇女进行结构式问卷调查,对育龄妇女的生殖健康状况进行分析。结果 35.2%的妇女不知道紧急避孕;18.3%的妇女有人工流产史;30.9%的妇女2005年以来未进行生殖系统健康体检;32.7%的妇女不清楚软下疳是否为性病,29%的妇女认为宫颈糜烂是性病;69%的妇女认为蚊叮虫咬能传染艾滋病;79.4%的妇女近2年来收到过计划生育/生殖健康宣传品。结论 育龄妇女生殖健康及艾滋病知识缺乏,应加强对育龄妇女生殖健康的教育与干预,增强计划生育/生殖健康服务效果。     

城市低收入育龄妇女生殖道感染及相关知识和需求分析

目的:调查城市低收入育龄妇女常见生殖道感染(RTI)(细菌性阴道病、念珠菌性外阴阴道炎、滴虫性阴道炎)和慢性宫颈炎的发生现状,了解调查对象对RTI相关知识的知晓、就医和需求情况。方法:采用横断面调查,对北京市海淀区1081名低收入育龄妇女进行问卷调查,妇科及实验室检查,诊断、治疗、随访并建立生殖健康档案。结果:调查对象近6个月内自报有RTI症状的占41.7%(451/1081),其中46.8%(211/451)选择就医。因"每个妇女都会有"和"这不是病"未就医者占64.6%(155/240),"没时间"就医者占17%(41/240)。本次筛查RTI总检出率为19.5%(175/896),细菌性阴道病、念珠菌性外阴阴道炎、滴虫性阴道炎的患病率分别为9.4%(84/896)、1.3%(12/896)、1.1%(10/896),未查明病原微生物的阴道炎占7.7%(69/896)。慢性宫颈炎占24.7%(221/896),其中中、重度者占52.9%(117/221)。结论:城市低收入育龄妇女RTI现状不佳,RTI相关知识缺乏,生殖保健意识差,建议政府相关部门及卫生和计划生育服务机构应针对人群特点加强宣教,提供经济、优质的RTI防治服务。     

Testing for sexually transmitted diseases among women of reproductive age: United States, 1988.

Approximately 13.3 million women aged 15-44--about 26 percent of all women of reproductive age who had ever had intercourse--were tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the 12 months before the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth. Slightly over half of the women tested received the test as part of a family planning visit. Women who used clinics for family planning services were most likely to be tested--54 percent compared with 34 percent of women who used a private doctor for family planning and 16 percent of women who did not receive family planning services that year. The findings suggest that access to medical care, especially access to family planning clinics, has strong effects on a woman's chances of being screened for STDs, independent of her individual characteristics. The most important individual characteristic affecting the chance of being tested for an STD was race: About 47 percent of black, 27 percent of Hispanic, and 23 percent of white and other women were tested in the 12 months before the survey. Among groups with high-risk behaviors, only 34 percent of sexually experienced teenagers were screened for STDs in the past year, as were only 43 percent of women with a positive STD history and 32 percent of women with 10 or more lifetime partners.