Despite physiological differences, women have to struggle with many problems related to menopause. It is the responsibility of nurses to provide women with the information and guidance they need during this period. Study was carried out to investigate the effects of education given in the menopausal period on the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging, self-efficacy in sexual abstinence, and sexual distress. This randomized controlled study was conducted at a center operated by a local municipality that provides services only to women, between 01.09.2023-10.12.2023 with 62 women (experimental:31, control:31). The data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," the "Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging Questionnaire-DIVA," the "Self-Efficacy Scale for Sexual Abstinence-SESSA," and the "Female Sexual Distress Scale-FSDS." ANOVA, independent-samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, and regression analyses were used to analyze the data. After the pretest, the experimental group were given education by the researcher in weekly sessions lasting 50/min. each for 5 weeks. In the posttest, the forms were administered 45 days after the last education session. There were significant differences between the experimental group in terms of their mean posttest DIVA (11.10 ± 2.65; 8.94 ± 1.65), FSDS (39.11 ± 9.07; 31.48 ± 10.27) and SESSA (17.85 ± 5.36; 21.25 ± 10.49 total scores ( < .001), while there was no significant difference between the pre-posttest of the control group ( < .05). Additionally, age was found to be a significant predictor of DIVA, whereas education level and marital satisfaction status were significant predictors of their SESSA. Education provided to women reduced the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging and sexual distress levels of the women and increased their self-efficacy in sexual abstinence.

The menopausal transition is regarded as the critical window where midlife women experience various health challenges having debilitating impact on their wellbeing. The present cross-sectional study intends to assess cognitive outcome with changing hormonal milieu during menopausal transition and related symptoms in midlife and beyond. For this purpose, cognitive performance of women and menopausal symptoms were studied on the sample of 320 women ranging in age from 45 to 60 years. Data collection was carried out by purposive sampling method from rural areas of Haryana from March 2021 to January 2023. Findings of the study demonstrated a successive downward trend in the mean scores of orientation to time and place, registration, attention, recall, as well as language and visual spatial skills cognitive domain from premenopause to late postmenopause stage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age and educational status) identified severe menopausal symptoms, i.e. heart beating quickly or strongly, difficulty in sleeping, feeling tired, feeling unhappy or depressed, and sexual dysfunction as the potential determinants of poor functioning of different cognitive domains among women transitioning menopause and beyond. Hence, it was observed that cognitive decline during menopause transition and beyond is sensitive to severe menopausal symptoms.

The present study sought to determine if inequities exist in Hispanic women's pregnancy intentions and birth outcomes by metropolitan status. In the U.S. pregnancy intentions and birth outcomes of young Hispanic women are a significant public health problem as they are often overlooked on health issues such as pregnancy and childbirth. Data were from the 2015 to 2019 National Survey of Family Growth and focused on the first pregnancies of Hispanic women aged 18 to 24 years old who were not pregnant at the time of the interview and answered the nativity question. Multivariable multinomial regression was used to evaluate how metropolitan status affects pregnancy intentions and birth outcomes. Additionally, multivariable multinomial regression was used to evaluate how metropolitan status affects each pregnancy intention-birth outcome combination. There was no significant association solely between metropolitan status and pregnancy intention (i.e. unintended pregnancy). Metropolitan Hispanic women reported more miscarriages than live births. Hispanic women in the suburbs were more likely to miscarry during an intended pregnancy than those in urban. These findings can improve family planning services for rural women by identifying the specific factors that affect pregnancy intentions and developing targeted interventions to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are the hallmark of menopause and negatively affect a large proportion of women over many years. However, studies evaluating the overall impact of VMS are limited. This systematic review (SR) aimed to examine epidemiological, clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of VMS among perimenopausal women and among women aged ≥65 years in the US. A systematic search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases was conducted to identify observational studies (2010-2022) reporting on these populations. Data reporting outcomes of interest were extracted and analyzed descriptively. Of 7,613 studies identified, 34 met inclusion criteria, of which 30 reported on perimenopausal women and 4 reported on VMS in women aged ≥ 65 years. VMS and severe/moderate-to-severe VMS were reported by 48.4-70.6 percent and 13.0-63.1 percent, respectively, of perimenopausal women. Mean VMS duration was 2.6 years, and median duration ranged from 7.4 to 10.1 years among women with onset in early perimenopause and from 3.8 to 6.1 years among those with onset in late perimenopause. Among women aged ≥65 years, 20.9-45.1 percent reported VMS; 2.0 percent reported severe symptoms, and 17.6 percent reported moderate symptoms. No studies reported VMS frequency and duration or the economic or humanistic burden among women aged ≥65 years. In conclusion, high VMS frequency and severity were observed among perimenopausal women and women aged ≥65 years in the US in this SR, highlighting the need for (1) better management of VMS to reduce frequency and severity and (2) further research to clarify the impact of VMS on disease burden, quality of life, and economic impact.

The purpose of this study was to develop a workplace breastfeeding support scale for working mothers and examine their psychometric properties. This methodological research was conducted between February and April 2022. This study included 325 mothers who continued breastfeeding while working. The tool development stages included item generation, expert review for content validity testing, and psychometric testing. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews between February and April 2022. In data analysis, for explanatory factor analysis, the direct oblimin technique and scree plot test were performed. Structural equation modeling was performed for confirmatory factor analysis. Two sub-dimensions (manager support, environmental support) and a nine-item workplace breastfeeding support scale showed good validity and reliability. The Cronbach's alpha value of the total scale and sub-dimensions of the scale were greater than 0.70. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit indices were acceptable (χ2 = 68.658, χ2/df = 2.64, CFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.92, and RMSEA = 0.07). The total variance explained by the scale was 54.32 percent. This newly developed 9-item and 2-dimensional version is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the working mothers' perception of workplace breastfeeding support. This tool is recommended to be verified in other low, middle, and high-income countries.

The present cross-sectional study aimed to compare climacteric symptoms and arterial stiffness indices between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study sample comprised 70 healthy female participants, including 27 perimenopausal (49.8 ± 3.8 years) and 43 postmenopausal (55.7 ± 4 years) individuals. Validated methods were used to assess physical activity level, quality of life, climacteric symptoms, and anthropometric data. Arterial stiffness parameters were measured using Mobil-O-Graph. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) had a higher mean in the postmenopausal group than in the perimenopause group [8.04 m/s (SD 0.79) vs 7.01 m/s (SD 0.78),  < .001). PWV was strongly correlated with peripheral ( = 0.619) and central ( = 0.632) Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) in postmenopausal group and an even stronger correlation was observed in perimenopausal group ( = 0.779 pSBP and 0.782 cSBP). BMI was a risk predictor in the perimenopausal group contributing positively to increase Pulse Pressure Amplification (PPA) (0.458,  < .05). In postmenopausal women, heart rate (HR) was a stronger predictor for central SBP, cardiac output, and total vascular resistance, whereas perimenopausal women HR influenced central diastolic blood pressure and PPA. Vascular changes initiating during perimenopause may contribute to the development of cardiovascular pathologies in the postmenopausal period. Further research with larger, representative samples is warranted to corroborate these findings.

Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are two common mental disorders after negative life events. This study was conducted to evaluate the depression and posttraumatic stress levels of pregnant women after the large-scale earthquakes that occurred in Turkey in 2023. The study was carried out with 395 pregnant women who visited maternity outpatient clinics of a public hospital in a province in southern Turkey. The data were collected with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian Version (PCL-C). Descriptive statistics, the independent-samples t-test, and the Pearson correlation test were used in the analyses of the data. Among all participants, 3.8 percent had a likely depression risk, and 31.9 percent exhibited posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. A statistically significant relationship was found between the earthquake exposure of the participants and their BDI and PCL-C total scores ( < .05). The BDI scores of the participants also had statistically significant relationships to their PCL-C scores ( < .05). In this study, it was discerned that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were prevalent among pregnant women in the post-earthquake period. Psychological support is needed to improve the mental health of the pregnant women after earthquakes.

The study aimed to evaluate the relation between depression, anxiety stress symptoms, duration and pain intensity in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). This study consisted of a sample of women diagnosed with CPP from April 2021 to August 2023, including women aged 18 years or older who agreed in writing to participate in the study with the Free Informed Consent Form, who could understand the study's objectives and participate. Women between 31 and 37 years old, married or in a stable relationship, with a higher education degree predominated. Were observed outside the normal range scale 58.8 percent of depression, 66.7 percent of anxiety and 59.8 percent of stress. The level of alteration most often observed in patients was extremely severe in 24 percent of with depression and 33.3 percent of anxiety, and the level was mild in 19.6 percent of stress symptoms. No statistical association was found between duration of pain and emotional states of anxiety, depression or stress. Regarding pain intensity levels, there was no significant association with the presence or absence of symptoms of depression outside the normal range or its levels. It's was significantly associated with the presence or absence of anxiety symptoms outside the normal range ( = .003) and with their levels ( = .005). Also significantly associated with the presence or absence of stress symptoms outside the normal range ( = .007), as was its levels ( = .023). The symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress occur frequently in women with CPP and that the intensity of pain experienced is significantly associated with the presence of stress and anxiety but not with depression.

The rise of mHealth has transformed maternal healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, enhancing care and women's access to quality services. The "Kapasia Model," launched in 2017 in Bangladesh, aims to connect beneficiaries with healthcare providers, improve antenatal care (ANC) and reduce maternal mortality. This study aimed to explore healthcare providers' perspective on digitalized ANC services within the Kapasia model. Conducted from January to July 2022, it involved 30 in-depth interviews with community-level healthcare providers across 17 facilities in Kapasia Upazila, Gazipur. A thematic analysis was performed to analyze data. The findings revealed that healthcare providers emphasized the Kapasia Model's role in raising awareness and knowledge of pregnancy care and increasing antenatal care attendance. They viewed digitalized service as means of improving connectivity and access to healthcare for pregnant women. However, providers also discussed challenges such as women's limited access to mobile phones and the time-consuming nature of completing information forms. Overall, healthcare providers supported integration of digital tools and endorsed digitalization in their workflow. Addressing these challenges is essential for optimizing ANC delivery and improving quality of services. Insights from this study will inform evidence-based decisions for future scaling-up and replication by policymakers and stakeholders in similar settings.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of demographic and health-related characteristics on sleep duration among middle-aged women aged 44-64. Utilizing raw data from the 2022 Community Health Survey, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted. The study included middle-aged women who participated in the survey, with data collected through structured interviews. χ2 tests and logistic regression analysis were employed to assess associations between sleep duration and demographic as well as health-related factors. The findings revealed that sleep duration in middle-aged women was significantly associated with multiple factors. Age ( < .001), spouse status ( = .001), occupation ( < .001), self-rated health ( = .004), perceived stress ( < .001), depression ( < .001), cognitive impairment ( = .009), unmet medical needs ( = .034), current cigarette smoking ( = .001), and binge drinking ( = .006) were all identified as important determinants of sleep duration. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions that address both health and psychological risk factors contributing to sleep disturbances among middle-aged women. An integrated approach, considering these factors, is essential to improve sleep health in this vulnerable population.

The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a significant public health problem. Screening and treating STIs in partners is crucial for interrupting the transmission chain, and it is essential to identify factors that contribute to maintaining it. The objective of this study was to compare the intentions of men and women to adhere to the treatment for STIs diagnosed in their partner as well as the perception of partner adherence. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered structured questionnaire in Unified Health System (SUS) users who were treated at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital between August 2023 and January 2024. Overall, 255 questionnaires were analyzed. Among the 42 participants who reported previous STIs, 21 percent maintained risky behavior in their current relationship. Attendance at the consultation in the case of a partner diagnosed with STI was high (90 percent women and 87 percent men); however, unconditional adherence to medication use was 63 percent in women and 55 percent in men, with the duration of medication use and its route of administration highlighted as the possible obstacles. Although no significant differences were observed between men and women, measures to increase adherence to STI treatment are necessary to interrupt STI transmission.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a debilitating condition characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, yet its severity is often misunderstood or underestimated by both the public and healthcare providers. This lack of understanding can lead to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, and undue suffering for individuals experiencing HG. This study explores the online discourse surrounding HG to identify key themes related to patient experiences and perceptions. Using the Twint0 application, we collected 5,856 relevant posts from the X social networking site over a 12-month period. A thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) misconceptions about severity of symptoms, (2) emotional and psychological toll of HG, (3) experiences with healthcare and treatment, and (4) impact on pregnancy and maternal health. The findings highlight the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of HG, particularly within healthcare settings, to improve diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care and mental health support to address the emotional challenges faced by women with HG.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of a Healthy Living Awareness Program for the Prevention of Osteoporosis based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model (HLAPPO-IMB) in university students [intervention group ( = 43), control group ( = 44)]. The intervention group completed the online training to prevent osteoporosis in the information stage of the IMB. In the motivation stage, the researchers texted (WhatsApp) the intervention group spot and reminder notifications concerning the prevention of osteoporosis. They also provided them with telephone counseling. In the final stage, the researchers evaluated whether the intervention group participants developed target behavioral skills. The intervention group had significantly higher mean posttest and follow-up Osteoporosis Knowledge Test scores than the control group (respectively, .519,  .513,  .001), indicating a large effect size in the posttest and follow-up test. There was no significant difference in pretest and follow-up Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale, Osteoporosis Self-Effective Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form scores between the groups ( .05). The results showed that the HLAPPO-IMB helped the intervention group participants expand their knowledge of osteoporosis. However, it did not improve their self-efficacy in doing weight-bearing exercises, taking calcium, and engaging in physical activity.

This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effect of acupressure on pain and postpartum comfort following a cesarean section. The study was conducted with 60 women who underwent cesarean delivery. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, acupressure was applied to the LI4, SP6, and P6 points for 15 minutes at the 2nd and 4th hours after the cesarean section. In the control group, acupressure was not applied and only routine nursing care was given. Data was collected using a personal information form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ). Acupressure application was applied to the intervention group at the 2nd and 4th hour after cesarean section. All data collection forms were filled out by women in the intervention group before starting acupressure application at 2 hours after cesarean section. VAS was filled out again after acupressure application at 2 hours. VAS was filled out before and after acupressure application at 4 hours after cesarean section. PSQ was filled out in both groups before discharge. In the study, the intervention group's 2nd (3.03 ± 1.24,  < .001) and 4th (4.06 ± 1.22,  < .001) hour posttest VAS scores were lower and PCQ posttest scores (140.6 ± 9.01,  < .001) were higher than the control group. The results indicate that acupressure intervention applied to points LI4, SP6, and P6 was a useful nonpharmacological treatment for postpartum pain and comfort for the study group.

Our objective is to understand patients' preexisting values, beliefs, and preferences regarding removal or preservation of the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes at the time of hysterectomy for benign indications. We performed semi-structured interviews from August 2021 to March 2022 with patients referred for hysterectomy. Participants were recruited according to pre-specified diversity axes. The interview guide was informed by literature review, expert stakeholders, and pilot testing. pers. comm. occurred prior to scheduled consultation. Responses were analyzed for themes, with thematic saturation reached. Age of participants ( = 13) ranged from 24 to 60 years. Identified themes included knowledge, decision-making, treatment goals, short- and long-term consequences, fertility, identity, and lack of concern. Many participants expressed lacking necessary knowledge of the risks and benefits of removing the cervix and adnexa. Treatment goals included symptom relief and definitive treatment. Long-term consequences included concerns about menopause and future cancer. Many patients expressed some degree of lack of knowledge, desire to remove most or all pelvic structures, or no attachment to their reproductive organs. Many patients expressed decision-making based on the effects of organ removal on long-term consequences and the relief of current symptoms, rather than immediate surgical risk. This information can help to inform patient-centered surgical counseling.

Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is a safe and effective method for treating obesity. However, how it modulates intestinal flora and adiponectin remains unclear. We employed 16s rRNA sequencing technology to investigate ACE induced changes in intestinal flora and its association with adiponectin in subjects who received real ( = 41) and Sham ( = 41) stimulation. After treatment, the ACE group's body weight, BMI, WC, HC, WHtR, and WHR were significantly lower than those of the Control group ( < .01), there was statistically significant differences in ADPN between the two groups ( < .01). ACE reduces the species abundance and increased the diversity and differences of the gut microbiota in perimenopausal patients with central obesity. Most notably, there was an increase in Kosakonia and Klebsiella after ACE treatment in the patients. Significant negatively correlations were found between body weight/waist circumference and adiponectin. Increases in Klebsiella and Kosakonia were positively correlated with adiponectin, and were negatively correlated with body weight/waist circumference. Our results showed increases in Klebsiella and Kosakonia were correlated with body weight/waist circumference and adiponectin. These findings suggest that ACE-induced weight loss is probably in part associated with increases in adiponectin, Klebsiella and Kosakonia. www.chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2400087718, Registration Date: August 2nd 2024.

Length of labor is one of the factors contributing to maternal and neonatal childbirth outcomes. Auriculotherapy is a potential therapeutic intervention for reducing labor duration. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of auriculotherapy in shortening labor time.This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials published from inception until July 2024. Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed were searched for eligible studies. Article screening was performed using Endnote X8. Data analysis and assessment of the risk of bias were performed by Review Manager 5.3. Analysis of pooled data was performed using fixed and random effect models. Five studies ( = 433 participants) were included in the meta-analysis from an initial pool of 150 articles. The participants' mean age was 25.07 ± 4.52. Auriculotherapy reduced the length of the active and second phases of labor by approximately sixty (MD = -63.54; 95 percent CI: -84.47, -42.62;  < .00001) and seven minutes (MD = -7.67; 95 percent CI: -13.46, -1.89,  = .009), respectively. Auriculotherapy was found to significantly decrease the duration of the active and second phases of labor. However, it is not possible to generalize the results and further high-quality studies involving more individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds are needed to provide support for these findings.

Exercise during the postpartum period positively influences mothers' mental health, including body image, which is critical for a successful postpartum experience. Ultra-Orthodox women, subject to strict religious laws governing their bodies, strongly adhere to the commandment to procreate, resulting in a higher birth rate compared to the general population. These unique characteristics may find expression in the way religion shapes their postpartum body image and exercise experience. This study aims to explore these elements, addressing the scarcity of research on this population, to better understand unique cultural sensitivities during this critical period of mothers' health. Semi-structured interviews with ultra-Orthodox postpartum women following 12 weeks of exercise, revealed: (1) The perception of the body among postpartum ultra-Orthodox women, including the body (1.1) perceived as a means, not a goal, (1.2) disrupted by pregnancy, and (1.3) healing through exercise. The second theme found (2) Exercise raises cultural conflicts, and participants (2.1) provided justification for exercise and (2.2) hiding participation. The discussion focuses on the interplay between religious beliefs, the postpartum female body, and internal conflicts arising in relation to the postpartum exercise experience. This qualitative study highlights the ways that these cultural nuances may advance or hinder postpartum wellbeing of ultra-Orthodox women.

In recent years, the prevalence of smartphone addiction has significantly increased. This situation has raised concerns about its potential impact on health aspects, such as sleep quality and mental health, particularly among vulnerable populations like pregnant women. This study aimed to identify the factors that determine sleep quality in pregnant women and examine the relationship between smartphone addiction, depression, and sleep quality. This descriptive correlational study included 257 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters who were registered at six family health centers between September 2022 and March 2023. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Regression and mediation analyses were performed for the data. Of the participants, 44.4 percent had poor sleep quality. Depression and third trimester were significant determinants of sleep quality. The bootstrapping results revealed that smartphone addiction led to an increase in the level of depression (β = 0.145;  < .001). Depression worsened sleep quality (β = 0.262;  < .001). The smartphone addiction did not significantly affect sleep quality (β = 0.020;  = .279). Depression mediates the relationship between sleep quality and smartphone addiction (β = 0.038; 95 percent CI [0.018: 0.062]). The study highlights that while smartphone addiction does not directly impact sleep quality in pregnant women, it is associated with increased depression levels, which subsequently worsen sleep quality. It is recommended that healthcare providers monitor smartphone usage and mental health in pregnant women to mitigate the risk of sleep disturbances and improve overall well-being.

Domestic violence during pregnancy is a critical health issue due to its significant implications for both maternal and fetal well-being. Women in South Asian countries are particularly at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with domestic violence among pregnant women attending tertiary care antenatal services in Pakistan. The secondary aim was to evaluate the impact of domestic violence on maternal and perinatal outcomes. The study participants were 681 pregnant women registered for antenatal care and delivery at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Data were collected through in-person surveys and medical chart reviews. Associations between domestic violence and study variables were examined by logistic regression analysis. Among the study participants, 31.4%experienced some form of domestic violence during pregnancy, with psychological abuse (16.4%) being the most prevalent followed by sexual abuse (9.5%) and physical violence (1.8%). Women whose husbands were unemployed were three times more likely to experience domestic violence (aOR; 3.3, 95%CI: 1.6, 7.0). Similarly, husband's substance abuse was significantly associated with domestic violence during pregnancy (aOR: 120.8, 95%CI: 57.9, 252.2). Domestic violence was a significant predictor of adverse maternal outcomes, including anemia, preterm labor, and recurrent abdominal pain. Similarly, domestic violence was a significant predictor of NICU admission (aOR: 20.6, 95%CI: 12.6, 33.8) and low birthweight (aOR: 24.4, 95%CI: 10.2, 58.4). The study findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive interventions targeting domestic violence among women and preventing its cascading effects on pregnancies.

eHealth literacy plays a crucial role during pregnancy, as maternal health behavior can influence health outcomes for both mother and child. This study assessed the impact of eHealth literacy on maternal-fetal health outcomes through a cross-sectional analysis of 1,265 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary maternity hospital in Turkey between April and July 2022. Data on sociodemographic information, obstetric variables, birth outcomes, Internet usage, and eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) were collected. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann - Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis. The median age of women was 28 years, and the mean gestational age was 38.6 weeks. Median eHealth literacy score was 21 (range:8-40). Pregnant women who had planned pregnancies, received spousal support, attended 9-12 antenatal care visits, received vaccinations, adhered to iron and folic acid supplementation, engaged in regular physical activity, and maintained regular sleep patterns exhibited higher eHealth scores (all  < .001). eHEALS scores were higher in women who experienced normal vaginal deliveries ( < .001), while lower eHEALS scores were noted in those with comorbidities ( = .001). The study suggested that higher eHealth literacy among pregnant women was associated with improved health-promoting behaviors, more favorable health perceptions, increased utilization of health services, and better maternal and fetal outcomes.