The reproductive health awareness (RHA) model: a qualitative perspective

The Reproductive Health Awareness model developed by Georgetown University Institute for Reproductive Health is responsive to the elements of quality of care articulated by Judith Bruce in 1989. The model encourages self-choice regarding family planning options, informed choice and flexibility to change family planning options with changing circumstances, and inclusion of men and the family. Providers utilizing the model must know the stages of behavior change and how to program care based on the client's knowledge and readiness, and how to communicate with clients such that they are facilitating care rather than prescribing it.     

Integrating qualitative research into occupational health: a case study among hospital workers

OBJECTIVE: We sought to better use qualitative approaches in occupational health research and integrate them with quantitative methods. METHODS: We systematically reviewed, selected, and adapted qualitative research methods as part of a multisite study of the predictors and outcomes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hospital workers in two large urban tertiary hospitals. RESULTS: The methods selected included participant observation; informal, open-ended, and semistructured interviews with individuals or small groups; and archival study. The nature of the work and social life of the hospitals and the foci of the study all favored using more participant observation methods in the case study than initially anticipated. CONCLUSIONS: Exploiting the full methodological spectrum of qualitative methods in occupational health is increasingly relevant. Although labor-intensive, these approaches may increase the yield of established quantitative approaches otherwise used in isolation.     

城市社区青少年流动人口的主要健康问题及健康寻求行为研究

目的了解城市社区中青少年流动人口面临的主要健康问题、可获得的相关信息和服务,以及在寻求和使用这些信息及服务时存在的挑战和障碍。方法分别对研究社区内20位从事城市流动人口或青少年相关工作的主要知情者和20位流动青少年进行深入访谈,以生态学模型为框架对访谈内容进行分析,提取主题,比较主要知情者与流动青少年的观点异同。结果 13位知情者和16位流动青少年认为健康问题低于就业、上学等问题;9位知情者和15位流动青少年认为易出现心理健康问题;10位知情者和12位流动青少年表示对社区资源不熟悉;15位知情者认为社会平等提供服务,但保障程度不平等,12位流动青少年认为社会地位和机会不平等。结论应关注流动青少年的心理健康问题,提供公平的社会保障和机会。     

我国城市、农村妇女的妇女常见病普查健康知晓情况的差异分析

目的:了解中国城市和农村妇女人群妇女常见病普查健康知晓情况和差异,为制定相关健康教育政策提供科学依据,以促进城乡妇女病普查率的提高。方法:于2007年12月～2008年1月选取北京、福建、山西、湖北、安徽、黑龙江、新疆、四川、甘肃、广西为调查现场,采用整群抽样的方法,对7 261名调查对象进行入户调查,了解城乡适龄妇女妇女常见病普查健康知晓的状况。结果:城市及农村妇女的妇女病普查相关知识知晓率均较低,城市和农村妇女的妇女病普查普治知识知晓率基本一致,分别为40.7%、40.4%(P>0.05)。不同调查问题城市和农村妇女的知晓情况存在差异,多数问题城市妇女的知晓比例都要高于农村妇女(P<0.05)。城市和农村妇女获得妇女病普查普治知识途径中,最常见的途径均为朋友或者同事、医生讲解和咨询,分别占了56.4%、57.1%、42.5%、38.8%,其他途径如热线电话、宣传壁报和专栏、网络等所占比例均很小。此外,城市和农村妇女获得妇女病普查普治知识除了通过朋友或者同事这一途径没有差异外,其余多数途径所占比例城市妇女均高于农村妇女(P<0.05)。结论:城市、农村妇女在妇女常见病普查相关知识的知晓情况以及知晓途径方面存在差异,应制定城乡差异性的、有针对性的健康教育政策。     

Mental health problems and acculturative issues among married immigrant women in Korea: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Through this research the author explored immigrant women’s mental health problems with the goal of deepening understanding to develop a framework for preventing mental disorders and improving their mental health. A qualitative research design was used to examine the women’s lived experiences. The data were collected from February 2014 to October 2014. Twenty women were recruited from multicultural community service centers. Inclusion criteria were the ability to communicate and the absence of acute physical or psychological problems; participants were excluded if they were under 18 years old or separated. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with participants regarding their experiences of living in Korean society. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. A conceptual framework—Embracing Cultural Conflict Model—was constructed based on the personal–family–community context as well as the paradigm of the immigrant woman using eleven concepts. The conceptual framework suggests that multicultural programs and services should take into account a historical understanding of Korean society and family, address problem-solving strategies including improving mental health literacy, build support from both the Korean family and family of origin, and offer multicultural activities to satisfy homeland-related cultural needs.     

Examining long-acting reversible contraception non-use among Australian women in their 20s: findings from a qualitative study

Australian women use less effective, short-term methods of contraception more often than any other method, despite the availability of much more effective long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Although research examining the low uptake of LARC among Australian women has increased over the past few years, we still know little about the factors influencing this phenomenon. Using data from semi-structured telephone interviews with 15 Australian women in their 20s, this paper explores contraceptive experience to better understand the non-use of LARC. Findings highlight the ubiquity of the use of the oral contraceptive pill and perceptions of LARC as a more serious contraceptive choice. Among participants, the intrauterine device (IUD) was viewed particularly unfavourably. Furthermore, LARC was shown to be only considered for use after dissatisfaction with shorter-term methods (usually the Pill) if at all. Overall, these findings suggest further education in dispelling myths and discomfort around LARC use, while simultaneously recognising and respecting women’s decisions to not use LARC methods.     

Obesity,bodily change and health identities: a qualitative study of Canadian women

Medicalised concerns about an obesity crisis persist yet more needs to be learnt about everyday orientations to weight (loss). This article reports and analyses data generated using qualitative methods, including repeated interviews and fieldwork conducted over one year in Canada with women (n = 13) identifying as (formerly) obese. Three ideal types are explored using empirical data: (1) hopeful narratives; (2) disordered eating distress; and (3) weight‐cycling or stagnation. Core themes include women's desire to embody a thin(ner) future and the good life, the harms of intentional weight‐loss, and resignation to living as a fat woman whilst nonetheless challenging stigma. The article contributes to critical studies of weight/fatness, the sociology of bodily change and the embodiment of health identities. In concluding, we call for reflexive change in bodies of health knowledge, policy and practice.     

Places and health: a qualitative study to explore how older women living alone perceive the social and physical dimensions of their neighbourhoods

There is growing interest in the impact that neighbourhood environment might have on the health of older people. Although the number of older Australian women, particularly those living alone, is projected to increase in coming decades, their experiences of neighbourhood have not been exclusively examined. The aims of this paper are: (1) to explore, from the perspective of these women, the social and physical dimensions of neighbourhoods and (2) to investigate variation in these accounts according to whether women lived in areas of higher or lower socioeconomic status. Twenty women aged between 75 and 93 years, residing in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia (SA), participated in a series of two in-depth interviews. Women's perceptions of their neighbourhood, and accounts of every-day activities in the community were analysed to determine how both social and physical aspects of neighbourhood might relate to health and wellbeing. Findings suggest that a reciprocal and trusting relationship with neighbours underpinned older women's sense of satisfaction with, and feeling of security within, the neighbourhood. Other factors such as living in close proximity to services and existing social networks were also seen as important. Women's stories demonstrated that they were able to draw on both existing social networks and neighbours to sustain their independence and social connection within the community. Women living in more disadvantaged areas were more conscious of social disconnection in their neighbourhoods, and to the way that traffic noise and pollution detracted from their neighbourhood environment. These findings indicate that, for older women living alone, trusting and reciprocal relationships with neighbours are likely to form an important part of their broader social support network and should be recognised in relation to the process of maintaining the health of older women living in the community.     

Perspectives on family health, happiness and harmony (3H) among Hong Kong Chinese people: a qualitative study

Family harmony, an important Confucian ideal in Chinese society is believed to determine family happiness and therefore health, but is this accurate? This is a qualitative study of 41 Hong Kong Chinese family members. Individual recorded interviews were thematically analysed describing perceived interactions between harmony, happiness and health. Family harmony comprised four components: communication, mutual respect, lack of conflict and family time [notably 'Gou tong' (in Cantonese )-opportunity and willingness to spend time together-requiring good interpersonal communication, emphasized by female respondents]. Lack of conflict was emphasized, while diverse values, parenting styles and financial difficulties were common causes of conflict. Respect required reciprocity. Family happiness comprised four elements: family harmony, an important pre-requisite; mutual caring and supportive orientation; sense of security emphasizing financial security in middle-class versus sense of togetherness in lower social class groups and contentment. Healthy families were harmonious; 'typical' (children/two-parent/two-grandparent); happy; caring and respectful, with individual health and healthy behaviours. Family harmony, happiness and health are interrelated and built on a communicative, respectful, caring and contented set of attitudes, in particular allowing for family time. Harmony is apparently a core element of good family functioning.     

河南省农村女性慢性病知识知晓现况调查

目的 探明河南省农村女性对慢性非传染性疾病(慢性病)知识掌握的现状,为制定健康教育规划和策略提供科学依据.方法 采用多阶段抽样的方法在全省内共抽取农村女性4 193人,采用自制调查问卷对调查对象进行现场调查.结果 研究对象慢性病知识平均标化知晓率为56.58％,其中糖尿病最低为48.82％;35岁以下各年龄组知晓率稍高,35岁及以上各组随着年龄的增大逐渐降低(P＜0.01);随着受教育程度的提高,知晓率随之增高(P＜0.01);学生知晓率高于非学生(P＜0.01);医疗人员知晓率高于非医疗人员(P＜0.01).结论 研究结果提示,农村高年龄组、低学历女性是健康教育的重点人群.糖尿病健康教育普遍不足,需要重点加强.     

A qualitative study of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening awareness among nurses in Ghana

Despite the availability of cervical cancer screening tools, including those that are appropriate for low resource settings, the rates of preventive cervical cancer screening remain extremely low among women in LMICS. Nurse-led education interventions have been proven to be effective at increasing participation in healthcare recommendations. However, there is a need to determine nurses' knowledge of cervical cancer and cervical cancer prevention in order to develop effective health education interventions. Our goal was to assess Ghanaian nurses' knowledge of cervical cancer and cervical cancer prevention. Interviews and small focus groups were conducted with 42 nurses at two hospitals in Ghana. Awareness of cervical cancer was very high among the nurses. However, the majority of the participants held negative perceptions about cervical cancer and lacked knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and prevention. The results can be used to inform the development of culturally-relevant cervical cancer education interventions targeted towards women and healthcare providers in LMICs.     

西宁市妇女生理生育因素与乳腺疾病的现况研究

目的了解西宁市乳腺疾病的分布及有关的生理生育因素与乳腺疾病的关系,为乳腺疾病的一级预防提供理论依据。方法通过现况研究的方法对西宁市城西区、城北区参加乳腺癌筛查的女性进行相关的问卷调查,对调查数据在单因素分析的基础上采用二分类Logistic回归进行多因素分析。结果调查参加筛查妇女719例,平均年龄(45. 67±8. 77)岁,其中患病286例,乳腺疾病检出率为39. 78%,其中患乳腺增生的女性最多占74. 13%。经Logistic回归分析显示:年龄和受教育程度是危险因素,绝经、分娩次数与职业满意度是保护因素。结论西宁市妇女乳腺疾病检出率较高且与多种因素有关,对于已绝经、文化程度较高且对职业满意度较低的女性应作为乳腺疾病检查的重点对象。     

女性体检人群高尿酸血症及其伴发疾病分析

目的 调查分析女性体检人群高尿酸血症的患病及合并相关疾病情况,说明女性人群血尿酸检查的重要性.方法 从2006～2008年在第四军医大学附属西京医院健康体检资料中整群抽取20岁以上完成全部项目检查并且资料完整的女性6 207例,分析不同年龄组女性的血尿酸水平及高尿酸血症的分布情况,对高尿酸血症组与正常尿酸组的身体质量指数、血糖、血脂各项指标以及患病率进行比较.结果 女性健康体检人群高尿酸血症患病率为6.72%,并且随年龄增长呈快速增长趋势,特别是从40～岁开始,各年龄组(40～、50～、60～、70～)高尿酸血症患病率(5.56%、9.57%、11.72%、23.26%)与20～(2.08%)和30～发组患病率(2.56%)相比有显著性差异(χ2值分别为17.188、48.460、63.390、154.787及17.920、60.478、79.293、201.710,均P<0.001);高尿酸血症组与正常尿酸组研究对象肥胖、高血压、高血糖、高胆固醇血症、高甘油三酯血症患病率间比较均有显著性差异(χ2值分别为29.719、22.659、12.292、96.967、417.309,均P<0.001).结论 女性体检人群高尿酸血症与肥胖、高血压、高血糖及高血脂有关,加强女性健康体检人群高尿酸血症及其伴发疾病的筛查必不可少,可及早预防心脑血管疾病的发生.     

Consciousness of time and time for the development of consciousness: health awareness among women flight attendants

Abstract The occupational health beliefs and experiences of flight attendants in five United States airlines were analysed in a three-year interview and field study. The development of career longevity in the flight attendant occupation, once seen as short-term 'women's work', has given rise to increasing occupational health problems. The health concerns of flight attendants have correspondingly heightened their consciousness of collective occupational interests as self-care practices alone have proved insufficient to combat environmental health hazards. The case of flight attendants illustrates the problems workers face in legitimising health concerns in a female-identified occupation, yet suggests the changes in consciousness that occur when women no longer view their work as temporary but as a long-term career.     

Work,worksites, and wellbeing among North American Indian women: a qualitative study

The purpose of this study was to understand what factors influenced work-family balance and related health behaviors among a sample of rural North American Indian women. We interviewed 89 women through both in-depth interviews and focus groups across four tribal communities in the American Southwest and Upper Midwest between July 2010 and August 2011. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emerging themes related to work- family demands placed on women and resources available to cope with those demands. Three prominent themes emerged: structural characteristics (the context of rural reservation life), role stressors (women’s multiple and conflicting roles) and the influence of social support (communal nature of care in the family and institutional support in the workplace). We found that women in participating rural reservation communities often acted as primary caregivers for both immediate and extended family, and often placed the needs of others before themselves. The context of rural reservations, with high rates of unemployment, poverty, and chronic illnesses associated with the collective trauma of colonization, placed high demands on female caregivers. Social support from within the workplace, family, and cultural traditions helped some female caregivers balance the demands of home and work. Tribal worksites could be a resource for promoting health and work-life balance by being responsive to the particular demands placed on women that often interfere with engaging in positive health behaviors in general and tribal wellness programs in particular.