American Women Research Articles

African American Fathers as a Solution to the Maternal Health Crisis

ABSTRACT The research is limited to the role of African American (AA) fathers in maternal health. African American fathers are largely not included in perinatal care, and their contribution may be essential in addressing the Black maternal health disparity crisis. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to examine the evidence of African American fathers involvement in supporting maternal health during the perinatal period. This conceptual paper will summarize research findings and will focus on 1) the evolution of the concept of fatherhood and the role of African American fathers; 2) the extent of African American fathers engagement during the perinatal period; and 3) the potential for African American fathers to play a key role in improving maternal health. Findings from this paper will enhance the evidence base on fathers’ involvement in maternal health, highlight the research gaps, and opportunities to focus on African American fathers in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality among African American women.

Knowledge, Age, and Perceived Social Barriers Regarding Mammography Screening Among Immigrant Arab Women in the United States: A Predictive and Associative Analysis.

Background: Ethnic minority women in the United States continue to experience racial disparities. Immigrant Arab women (IAW) underutilize mammography screening (MS) even compared with other ethnic minorities. This population still has gaps in knowledge regarding breast cancer (BC) and screening methods and encounters social barriers, highlighting the imperative role of the male figure and the family, which hinders screening. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design with an exploratory and predictive approach was employed to examine knowledge gaps and perceived social barriers associated with MS and to identify predictive factors of MS among IAW in California. The analysis included 316 women that met the eligibility criteria. Results: Familiarity with MS and awareness of screening recommendations were the specific areas of knowledge significantly associated with mammography uptake (odds ratio [OR] 15.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6-40.8, p < 0.001) and (OR 12.07, 95% CI: 7-21, p < 0.001), respectively. Logistic regression revealed three MS predictors, the two knowledge areas and age. Perceived social barriers were significantly associated with age [F (3,312) = 4.684, p = 0.003]. There was a significant difference in social barriers between women in their 40s and those in their 60s (p = 0.002) and between women in their 50s and those in their 60s (p = 0.003), suggesting lower barriers among women in their 60s (M = 14.3). Living status was significantly associated with perceived social barriers [F (1,314) = 8.83, p = 0.003]. Conclusions: This study offered valuable insights for health care professionals, policymakers, and community organizations working to improve BC early detection in immigrant and ethnic women to reduce social disparities and reinforce social justice. Knowledge-deficit areas and social barriers must be analyzed and incorporated in awareness programs to improve screening practices of IAW.

Beyond Triple-Negative: High Prevalence of Quadruple-Negative Breast Cancer in African Americans.

Quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC) is a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype that lacks expression of the androgen (AR) receptor. Few studies have focused on this highly aggressive breast cancer, portending worse survival rates. We aimed to determine the following: (1) QNBC's molecular and clinical characteristics and compare them with other subtypes and (2) QNBC's association with clinicopathological factors and prognostic markers. We performed immunohistochemical evaluations of ARs on tissue tumor microarrays from FFPE tumor blocks of invasive ductal breast carcinomas in 202 African American women. Univariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test, with survival rates calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Overall, 75.8% of TNBCs were AR-negative. Compared to the luminal subtypes, TNBC and QNBC tumors were likely to be a higher grade (p < 0.001); HER2+/AR- and QNBCs were also larger than the other subtypes (p < 0.001). They also expressed increasing mean levels of proteins involved in invasion, such as CD44, fascin, and vimentin, as well as decreasing the expression of proteins involved in mammary differentiation, such as GATA3 and mammaglobin. We found no association between QNBC and stage, recurrence-free survival, or overall survival rates. The high prevalence of TNBC AR-negativity in these women could explain observed worse outcomes, supporting the existence of the unique QNBC subtype.

Trends in Labor Induction and Augmentation for Women in the United States Having their First Live Birth, 2016 to 2022.

Trends in Labor Induction and Augmentation for Women in the United States Having their First Live Birth, 2016 to 2022.

Association between Life's Essential 8 and Infertility as Well as the Mediating Effects of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Factors Among U.S. Women Aged 18-45 Years.

Management of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy is important, yet the association between cardiovascular health and infertility is rarely reported. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between Life's Essential 8 (LE8), a novel cardiovascular health (CVH) measure, and infertility, and to investigate potential mediating mechanisms. This study investigated cross-sectional data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. LE8 score (ranging from 0 to 100) was calculated as the unweighted average of eight CVH metrics. The association between LE8 and infertility was explored through weighted multiple logistic regression. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore nonlinear correlation. In addition, mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the role of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers systematically. After strict exclusion criteria, 1703 American women aged 18-45 years were included. After full adjustment, the LE8 score showed a negative correlation with infertility [per 1 SD increase, OR = 0.675, 95% CI: 0.553-0.824], with a linear dose-response relationship (non-linear P = 0.122). Similar linear negative correlations were found between health factor scores and infertility, with higher body mass index and glucose scores having a significantly lower risk of infertility. Stratified analyses showed a stronger inversed relationship between LE8 and infertility in younger populations. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed that uric acid concentration and lymphocyte count mediated the effect of LE8 on infertility (P < 0.05). LE8 and its subscale scores were linearly and negatively associated with infertility, which may be mediated in part through uric acid and lymphocyte count. Focusing on weight management and glycemic control can effectively reduce the risk of infertility.

A Socio-Economic Examination of the Representation of American Women in Ottoman Women's Periodicals

A Socio-Economic Examination of the Representation of American Women in Ottoman Women's Periodicals

Exploring the Cyberpsychology of Social Media Addiction and Public Health Risks among Black American Women in the USA

This study is a pioneering effort to address the under-researched intersection of Black American women, social media addiction, and associated health risks due to their significant engagement with these platforms. It delves into aspects of cyberpsychology concerning how social media serves as a tool for empowerment among Black women, yet simultaneously poses risks of addiction and potential public health consequences. By drawing on established addiction theories, frameworks, and a thorough review of existing literature, this research offers a critical analysis of a demographic that has been traditionally overlooked in scholarly discourse. The article analyses the risks associated with social media and the specifics of their manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies the forms of social media addiction. The paper examines the problem from the perspective of various scientific theories and research schools. In particular, that deals with the theory of social comparison, the theory of symbolic interactionism, the theory of positive reinforcement, the theory of behavioural dependence, the theory of operant conditioning, the theory of attachment, the theory of social construction of technologies (SCOT), the health belief model (HBM). Also, it concerns concepts that study addiction to social networks due to the need for attention and fear of missing out (FOMO) through the analysis of reflective and impulsive cognitive processes and the reward deficiency syndrome (RDS). The main signs of psychological dependence on social networks are identified, including excessive time on the Internet, constant checking, neglect of duties, lack of sleep, social isolation, mood swings, comparison and envy, unsuccessful attempts to reduce online time, negative impact on well-being, secrecy, or defensiveness. Based on the inquiry’s results, several recommendations have been developed to reduce psychological dependence on social media, specifically for black American women, namely digital literacy, prevention, and intervention. Cognitive behavioural therapy, support groups, mobile health apps, etc. are discussed as well.

Inequality in Female Breast Cancer Relative Survival Rates between White and Black Women in the United States.

This study assessed the difference in 3-, 5-, and 10-year relative survival rates (RSRs) for female breast cancer between White and Black patients across the levels of year, tumor stage, age, and marital status at diagnosis. Confounding factors and effect modifiers were considered. Analyses were based on 17 population-based tumor registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Cases were diagnosed in 2000-2017 and followed through 2020. Three-, 5-, and 10-year female breast cancer RSRs significantly improved for White and Black patients during the years 2000-2020, more so for Blacks than Whites. Three-, 5-, and 10-year estimated annual percent changes in trends were 0.09%, 0.16%, and 0.29% for Whites and 0.36%, 0.49%, and 0.86% for Blacks, respectively. However, a large difference in RSRs for White and Black patients persists, 4.2% for three-year RSRs, 5.7% for five-year RSRs, and 7.5% for 10-year RSRs, after adjusting for year, tumor stage, age, and marital status at diagnosis. The difference in RSRs between White and Black patients differs by tumor stage at diagnosis. For example, higher five-year RSRs in Whites than Blacks were 2.6% for local, 9.3% for regional, 10.4% for distant, and 6.2% for unknown/unstaged tumors at diagnosis. Improvement in 3-, 5-, and 10-year female breast cancer RSRs occurred for both White and Black patients, albeit more so for Blacks. Yet the poorer RSRs for Blacks remain large and significant, increasingly so with later staged disease at diagnosis and as we move from 3- to 5- to 10-year RSRs.

‘Trauma sits in your body and makes you shut down:’ sexual and reproductive health professionals’ views of the impact of trauma on the sexual health of Native American older adolescent and young adult women

A history of colonisation and corresponding traumas has resulted in disparate rates of violence and sexual health inequities among many Native American populations. As a result, Native American adolescents and young adults specifically, experience higher rates of STIs, HIV and unintended pregnancy relative to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. To address these inequities, sexual health education programmes should reflect Native American cultural values and traditional teachings to align with community assets and protective factors. The objective of this study was to describe sexual and reproductive health professionals’ perspectives on how trauma collectively affects the sexual health of older adolescents and young adult Native American women between the ages of 15–25 years. We purposively sampled sexual and reproductive health professionals who worked with members of this priority population. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. The themes identified in the interviews include the impact of trauma and colonisation on sexual health, strategies for combatting trauma, promoting sexual health, and supporting the development of culturally congruent sexual health education curricula. Findings point to the need for culturally relevant, trauma-informed sexual health education interventions to help promote sexual and reproductive health equity for Native American adolescent and young adult women.

Trends in hair cortisol from preconception to the postpartum period

IntroductionCortisol is a biological marker of stress, and its levels reflect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress over time. Saliva, blood, and urine cortisol reflect acute stress, whereas assessment of hair cortisol is a better reflection of chronic stress. There is limited information on hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in the perinatal period, particularly, in the preconception and postpartum periods. In addition to being a biomarker for stress, high levels of cortisol are typically associated with poor psychosocial outcomes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The objectives of this study were: (1) to measure HCC from six months preconception to six months postpartum; (2) to examine the relationship between HCC and demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress in the first six months postpartum period; (3) and to assess the associations between HCC and systemic inflammatory markers in the first six months postpartum. MethodsThe analysis included 96 women from a longitudinal study with up to 3 study visits in the first six months postpartum. Blood and hair samples were collected at 1–2 months (PP1), 3–4 months (PP2), and 5–6 months (PP3) postpartum. We obtained sociodemographic information, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress scores at PP1-PP3. To quantify cortisol levels over time, 8 segments were derived corresponding to 6 (PC1) and 3 (PC2) months preconception as well as for each trimester (T1-T3) and postpartum (PP1-PP3). Eight cytokines (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Interferon- gamma [IFN- γ], Interleukin [IL]-10, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) were measured in plasma in the postpartum samples. Univariate, bivariate, correlations, and linear mixed modelling were performed using SAS 9.4. Multiple testing correction was conducted for correlations using false discovery rate and a Q value of <0.05 was deemed significant. ResultsMedian HCC varied over time peaking in the third trimester and declining in the postpartum. Significant differences were noted in median cortisol levels by race with Black/African American postpartum women experiencing higher levels at all timepoints. Significantly, higher median cortisol levels were also observed at PP1 and PP2 for mothers who reported their relationship status as single. Ethnicity, education, median age, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were not associated with median cortisol levels. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN- γ (q= 0.01; r=-0.50) and IL-8 (q= 0.00; r=-0.55) showed correlations with HCC at PP1. ConclusionHCC increased during pregnancy, peaking at T3 and declining PP consistent with previous work. Black/African American women and single women have significantly higher median cortisol levels in the postpartum period. The marked increase of HCC in Black women may be an important factor in understanding maternal health racial inequities. Future studies should investigate how the relationships between HCC, sociodemographics, and systemic cytokines impact perinatal outcomes.

Gendered Racism in Pregnancy and Stress Among Women in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: High stress experienced during pregnancy increases risk for adverse birth outcomes such as low birthweight and preterm birth that occur disproportionately among women of color in the United States. Prior research has identified a distinct form of discrimination, gendered racism in pregnancy (GRiP), that likely elevates stress and is suspected to contribute to racial disparities in birth outcomes among American women. We investigated associations of GRiP experiences and distress with two types of stress, pregnancy related and pandemic related, among 2,995 pregnant women in the United States at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health care restrictions, social contact limitations, and concerns about COVID-19 infection created added stress for pregnant women. Using data collected online during the second US pandemic surge (December 2020), we found that pregnant self-identified Hispanic/Latina ( n = 233), Non-Hispanic/Latina Black/African American ( n = 182), and Multiracial/Other ( n = 201) women experienced greater GRiP and greater stress of both types than Non-Hispanic/Latina White women. Structural equation modeling indicated a strong association of racial/ethnic identity with prenatal stress that was mediated by GRiP, independent of other contributors to prenatal stress. Focusing on the harmful impact of gendered racism coupled with culturally informed individual interventions and change at multiple societal levels and institutions may help reduce the poorer reproductive outcomes that are disproportionately common among communities of color in the United States. Addressing and alleviating discrimination can improve reproductive justice for all who choose to give birth throughout the world, regardless of their race, ethnicity, nationality, or other identities.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in Young Children, Women of Reproductive Age, and Pregnant Women in the United States (NHANES 1999-2020)

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in Young Children, Women of Reproductive Age, and Pregnant Women in the United States (NHANES 1999-2020)

A pilot study of Keto Prescribed+: A healthy thinking and eating educational program for African American women.

African American (AA) women have the highest prevalence of obesity in addition to health disparities in preventable diet-related diseases (i.e., diabetes, hypertension), which places them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the Keto Prescribed+ (KetoRx+) program on associated physical and psychosocial outcomes among this population. The KetoRx+ program is a healthy eating and thinking educational intervention. The program combined online and in-person community group sessions over 8 weeks. The Keto Prescribed+ was found to be feasible and acceptable with comments on ways to increase acceptability from participants completing program (n = 10). Physical outcomes changed showed an average decrease in weight of 10lbs (SD = 5), baseline average 226lbs. Waist-to-hip ratio and systolic blood pressure also trended down. Psychosocial outcomes showed improvement trends. The KetoRx+ program is feasible and acceptable for overweight or obese AA women. Preliminary efficacy was established for most physical and psychosocial outcomes. However, more research is needed to identify specific program components contributing to healthy lifestyle behavior change and to establish program efficacy and effectiveness. Culturally adapted community-based biopsychosocial interventions using ketogenic nutrition therapy may help improve cardiovascular health of adult AA women.

Young Black American Women’s Social Media Use and Online Victimization

Despite young Black women’s high rates of social media use and risks for victimization at the nexus of sexism and racism, the relationship between these variables remains under researched in this segment. We surveyed 354 Black American women aged 18–30 to explore the associations between two aspects of social media use—time spent daily on social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube) and type of social media engagement (i.e., active social use, active non-social use, and passive use)—with four different types of online victimization (i.e., general online victimization [GOV], online sexual victimization [OSV], online individual racial victimization [OIRV], and online vicarious racial victimization [OVRV]). Results indicate that more time spent daily on Tumblr was significantly associated with more experiences of GOV, OSV, and OIRV. More time spent daily on Instagram was significantly associated with more experiences of OVRV, while more time spent daily on Facebook was significantly associated with fewer experiences of OVRV. Active non-social use was significantly associated with more experiences of GOV and OIRV. Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube use, active social use, and passive use were not significantly associated with any categories of online victimization. We provide implications for researchers as well as mental and behavioral health practitioners seeking to enhance Black women’s safety and well-being on social media platforms.

Characterization of attitudes towards entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation in female entrepreneurs of Latin America

This research shows the results of a study that aimed to explore entrepreneurial behaviors, creativity, and innovation in Latin American women. The study was developed with a mixed approach that was primarily qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive in scope, based on scoping review designs, where relevant articles in the Scopus database of peer-reviewed journals were reviewed. Among the results analyzed, it was found that the most outstanding entrepreneurial behaviors are resilience, the construction of support networks, the development of leadership, and the environmental and social projection of companies. On the other hand, it was evident that there are still cultural paradigms that contribute to gender-based exclusion, the presence of poor support and accompaniment programs, as well as difficulties in accessing financing for entrepreneurial projects. The study facilitated the identification of critical factors to consider in future research and for strengthening public policies and governance

“It is like a curse”. The lived experiences of the intersection of intergenerational violence, pregnancy, and intimate partner violence among urban Wisconsin Indigenous women

BackgroundIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that disproportionately impacts Indigenous American women more than any other ethnic/racial group in the United States. PurposeThis study aims to inform the work of nurses and allied health professionals by providing insight into the lived realities of Indigenous women in urban areas and how IPV manifests in the lives of Indigenous women. MethodsPostcolonial and Indigenous feminist frameworks informed this qualitative study. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed data from semi-structured individual interviews with 34 Indigenous women in large urban areas in the upper Midwest. FindingsThis manuscript discusses one broad theme: experiences of IPV during pregnancy and the devastating impacts on women and their children in the form of intergenerational trauma. Under this broad theme, we identified two sub-themes: impacts of IPV on individual pregnancy experiences and linkages to adverse pregnancy-related outcomes related to physical IPV during the childbearing years. ConclusionThis Indigenous-led study informs the development of effective Indigenous-specific interventions to minimize barriers to accessing prenatal care and help-seeking when experiencing IPV to reduce the devastating consequences for Indigenous women and their families.

Our Boy Whitey: Middle-Aged Women’s Happy Object on TikTok

This article provides an example of how middle-aged women rediscover and express emotions in digital media, mainly sexual desire but also the joy they feel among like-minded women of the same age. The ethnographic case is a community of European and North American women aged around 40 to 60 years who sexually desire 20-year-old TikTok celebrity William White. White went viral when he began lip-syncing to 1980s hits, particularly Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” while performing his flirtatious signature moves: the smile, the wink, and the eye roll. This study is based on 6 months of daily lurking in a digital community the women call Whiteyynation, structured around White’s accounts on various digital platforms. In trying to understand the meaning and function of a young male TikTok’er in the lives of middle-aged women, with Sara Ahmed’s theory of emotions, I describe how happy objects align individuals in a social community toward happiness. Specifically, I analyze how White, through a playful capitalization of 1980s music combined with a certain flirtatious look, functions as a happy object that is multiplied, magnified, and circulated in Whiteyynation. I explore the circumstances and conditions surrounding Whiteyynation as an affective space and affective economy, such as the production and distribution of self-produced content, gifting as a strategy for increased reciprocity, and the various currencies at play.

A Low- (vs High-) Glycemic Diet Promotes Greater Loss of Body Fat in African American Women With Low Insulin Sensitivity

A Low- (vs High-) Glycemic Diet Promotes Greater Loss of Body Fat in African American Women With Low Insulin Sensitivity

Interpreting 2 Peter through African American Women’s Moral Writings by Shively T. J. Smith (review)

Interpreting 2 Peter through African American Women’s Moral Writings by Shively T. J. Smith (review)

Racial Comparisons Of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Between African American And Caucasian Women

Background: Osteoporosis is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease of the skeletal system characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD), leading to fragile bones prone to fractures. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is particularly prevalent due to the decline in estrogen levels, a hormone essential for maintaining bone health. This study aims to compare the incidence and risk factors of postmenopausal osteoporosis between African American and Caucasian women, focusing on differences in BMD, risk factors, and the effectiveness of screening and treatment methods. Methods and Materials: This research was conducted at the Southeastern Medical Center, Texas, involving 1,000 postmenopausal women aged 60 or older, with equal representation of 500 African American and 500 Caucasian women. Data collection included demographic information, medical history, and BMD measurements using the General Electric LUNAR DPXIQ Model 2288 DEXA device. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Fisher's assessment tests to evaluate risk factors such as alcohol intake, smoking, medication usage, and comorbidities. BMI and age evaluations were systematized, and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were used to classify osteoporosis and osteopenia. Results: The study revealed that Caucasian women had higher alcohol intake, family history of fractures, and greater use of vitamins, calcium, and hormonal treatments compared to African American women. Conversely, African American women exhibited higher rates of comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, kidney diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite starting menopause with higher BMD levels, African American women were less likely to be prescribed medication for low BMD. Screening rates and adherence to recommended treatments also varied significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant racial disparities in the incidence, risk factors, and management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Increasing awareness about osteoporosis and promoting lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption can help mitigate these disparities. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to improve screening and treatment adherence among African American women, addressing the specific challenges they face in managing bone health.