Characteristics Of African American Women Research Articles

Socioeconomic characteristics of African American women attending community blood pressure screenings

Study objectiveTo examine the associations of education and income and blood pressure (BP) in a socioeconomically diverse cohort of African-American (AA) women attending community BP screenings. Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional analysis used data from AA women (n = 972) 53 ± 14 years, enrolled between 2015 and 2019 in the 10,000-women hypertension community screening project in the metropolitan Atlanta area. OLS linear regression were used to examine the associations between SES (education and income) and BP after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and lipids. Main outcomes and measuresOutcomes were systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP). Measures of SES included education [high school ≤(HS), some college, and ≥college] and income- [<$24,000, $24,000–<$48,000, $48,000–$96,000, and ≥$96,000]. Sociodemographics, health history, anthropometrics and point of care non-fasting lipids were obtained. ResultsCompared to women earning <$24,000, an income of ≥$96,000 (β = -5.7 mmHg, 95% CI: −9.9, −1.5, p = .01) was associated with a lower SBP in the minimally adjusted model. Subsequent adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors attenuated the association and was no longer significant. College and above versus ≤HS education was associated with a higher DBP in the minimally (ß = 2.7 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.2, 5.2, p = .03) and fully adjusted models (ß = 3.4 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.2, 6.5, p = .04). ConclusionIncome of ≥$96,000 was associated with a lower SBP while a college and above education was associated with a higher DBP. Findings underscore the need for increased cardiovascular risk awareness and education targeting higher SES AA women attending community BP screenings.

Abstract PS7-38: Pathologic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer treated at the DoD’s Murtha Cancer Center: Understanding why survival cancer is not disparate to European American women when treated within the US Military Healthcare System

Abstract Background: In the United States, breast cancer mortality rates in African American women (AAW) are significantly higher than in European American women (EAW). In contrast, within the Department of Defense Military Healthcare System (DoD MHS) healthcare system, overall survival did not differ significantly between AAW and EAW with early-stage breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated pathological factors of AAW treated within the Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to identify factors associated with this lack of disparate outcomes within the DoD MHS. Methods: Between 2001-2018, 345 AAW and 759 EAW treated at MCC/WRNMMC enrolled in the Clinical Breast Care Project (CBCP). Extracted demographic data included BMI, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), education level and marital and smoking status. All diagnoses were performed by a single breast pathologist and included stage, grade, size, lymph node, hormone receptor and HER2 status. Statistical analyses included odds ratio (OR) and log-rank analyses. Results: Within this cohort, AAW were not at increased risk for having higher CCI scores, cigarette use or a college education, however, AAW were significantly more likely to be obese (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.5, 2.9) and unmarried (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.8, 3.2). The average age at diagnosis was 56.1 years in AAW and 57.5 years in EAW with 11% of AAW and 8% of EAW diagnosed &amp;lt;40 years of age. AAW were more likely to have higher stage (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3, 2.1), high-grade (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9, 3.6), larger (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2, 2.1) tumors. AAW were at increased risk for having triple negative tumors (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5, 2.9). Neither 5-year nor 10-year survival differed significantly between populations. Conclusion: While a previous study found no overall survival difference in early-stage AAW and EAW treated within the DoD MHS, this study found that across all stages of breast cancer breast cancer-specific survival was not inferior for AAW treated at MCC/WRNMMC. Critically, AAW did not have disparate survival despite having tumors with less favorable pathological characteristics, similar to those seen in the US general population. Evaluation of pre- and post-diagnostic care within DoD MHS should be performed to determine how breast care is provided to AAW within an equal-access healthcare setting and the results used as a model of care template to reduce breast cancer disparities within the US general population. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Citation Format: Rachel Ellsworth, Leann Lovejoy, Craig Shriver. Pathologic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer treated at the DoD’s Murtha Cancer Center: Understanding why survival cancer is not disparate to European American women when treated within the US Military Healthcare System [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS7-38.

Menopause symptoms delineated by HIV clinical characteristics in African American women with HIV.

To obtain data on prevalence and severity of climacteric symptoms in women with HIV (WWH) during the menopausal transition and early menopause and to evaluate for any differences in symptoms by CD4 count and viral load. We conducted an in-person survey of female patients attending the Johns Hopkins HIV clinic, ages 40 to 50 years with at least one menstrual period within 6 months before the survey. Interviews utilized the Greene Climacteric scale, a validated menopause questionnaire. We also queried patients, (1) if they were informing their primary care physician of menopause symptoms and (2) if their menopause symptoms were being treated. The study used nonparametric Mann-Whitney rank sum tests with significance defined as P < 0.05 to perform symptom severity comparisons of distributions and Fischer exact tests for comparisons of categorical variables such as comparing prevalence of anxiety and depression in the population. Twenty-three women aged 40 to 50 years were interviewed with a median age of 47 years [25 percentile = 46, 75 percentile = 49]. All were African American with median length of HIV diagnosis of 12 years [25 percentile = 7, 75 percentile = 20.5]. Most of the patients, 87% (n = 20), reported experiencing at least one menopause symptom with intense frequency and extreme detrimental effects on quality of life. All women interviewed, 100% (n = 23), reported hot flashes, ranging from infrequent to persistent. Sleeping difficulty was reported by 78% (n = 18) of women. Most women, 78% (n = 18), reported feeling tired or lacking energy with moderate frequency. The majority of the women, 87% (n = 20), said they reported menopause symptoms to their primary care provider. Of these, only 20% received treatment for menopause symptoms. These findings suggest that WWH undergoing the menopausal transition experience intense symptoms severely impacting quality of life. Although the majority of women reported experiencing menopause symptoms to medical providers, most remained untreated. An opportunity exists to educate providers caring for WWH on menopause medicine.

Abstract B121: Pathologic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer treated at the DoD’s Murtha Cancer Center: Why survival cancer is not disparate to European American women when treated within the US military healthcare system

Abstract (AAW) are significantly higher than in European American women (EAW), including a 42% higher mortality detected in AAW in the SEER database and a worse breast cancer-free interval for AAW in The Cancer Genome Atlas. In contrast, survival analysis from women treated within the Department of Defense Military Healthcare System (DoD MHS) healthcare system found that AAW and EAW with early-stage breast cancer had similar survival rates. In this study, we evaluated pathological factors of AAW treated within the Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to identify factors associated with this lack of disparate outcomes within the DoD MHS. Methods: Between 2001-2018, 346 AAW and 746 EAW treated at MCC/WRNMMC enrolled in the Clinical Breast Care Project(CBCP). All diagnoses were performed by a single breast pathologist and pathological characteristics including stage (AJCC Cancer Staging Manual seventh edition), grade, size, lymph node, hormone receptor and HER2 status were recorded. Data were analyzed using chi-square and log-rank analyses and Student t-tests with a P-value &amp;lt;0.05 used to define significance. Results: African American women comprised 29% of the women with invasive breast cancer in the CBCP. The average age at diagnosis was 56.1 years in AAW and 58 years in EAW and the frequency of women diagnosed &amp;lt;40 years of age did not differ significantly (9% AAW, 7% EAW). Tumor stage (P=0.004), grade (P&amp;lt;0.001), size (P&amp;lt;0.001), subtype (P&amp;lt;0.001) and lymph node status (P=0.028) all differed significantly between populations. Breast tumors from AAW were significantly less likely to be diagnosed at stage I compared toEAW (43% AAW, 55% EAW), and more likely to be lymph node positive (40% AAW, 33% EAW) and size T2 (34% AAW, 26% EAW). Biologically, AAW were more likely to have poorly differentiated (43% AAW, 28% EAW) and triple negative (24% AAW, 14% EAW) tumors. Seven percent of AAW and 6% of EAW died of disease with no significant difference in time to death (4.22 years AAW, 4.67 EAW). Neither 5-year nor 10-year survival differed significantly between populations. Conclusion: These data across all stages of breast cancer diagnosis support an earlier finding in early-stage patients that survival disparities, common in the general population, are not detected for AAW treated within the DoD MHS. Critically, this survival advantage for AAW treated at MCC/WRNMMC exists against a background of AAW having tumors with less favorable pathological characteristics, as seen in the US general population. Evaluation of pre- and post-diagnostic care within DoD MHS should be performed to determine how breast care within an equal-access healthcare setting is received by AAW patients and the DoD MHS can be used as a model of care to reduce breast cancer disparities within the US general population. Citation Format: Leann A Lovejoy, Craig D Shriver, Rachel E Ellsworth. Pathologic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer treated at the DoD’s Murtha Cancer Center: Why survival cancer is not disparate to European American women when treated within the US military healthcare system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B121.

Characteristics of African American women at high-risk for ovarian cancer in the southeast: Results from a Gynecologic Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic

ObjectivesDescribe patient characteristics in African American (AA) women seen for gynecologic cancer related genetic counseling at a large southeastern comprehensive cancer center. MethodsWe reviewed an IRB approved, prospective observational cohort of patients from a Gynecologic Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic. Data evaluated included personal cancer history, family history, frequency of genetic testing, frequency/type of genetic mutations, and frequency of surgical intervention. Standard statistical statistics were utilized. Results1227 patients were evaluated from 2003 to 2015, of which 95 (7.7%) were AA. Sixteen patients had a personal history of ovarian cancer. 21 women (22%) underwent genetic counseling only; subsequent genetic testing was not recommended based on absence of risk factors. Of the seventy-four AA patients in whom genetic testing was recommended, sixty-six (69.5%) completed testing. Of women tested, 37 (56%) had abnormal results. Eight and 14 patients had pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Two were found to have pathogenic PALB2 variants; one had a pathogenic ATM variant and one constitutional MLH1 epimutation case was identified. Eleven had BRCA variants of uncertain significance. Of the patients with abnormal testing, six of 22 women with pathogenic BRCA variants underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that in a region where AAs represent 27% of the population, the proportion of AA patients referred to a Gynecologic Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic remains low. Pathogenic variant and variant of uncertain significance rates were high in patients tested, likely representing a selection bias of high-risk patients. Endeavors should continue to identify minorities at risk for ovarian cancer and institute measures to provide thorough genetic counseling and testing.

A Decade of a Student Affairs Preconference Program: Perceptions and Characteristics of African American Women's Summit Participants

Research related to professional development in student affairs has found that few attendees benefit from participating in preconference programs. The African American Women's Summit (AAWS) is a preconference program created by and for African American women in student affairs and serves as a professional counterspace for this significantly underrepresented population of higher education administrators. This article presents 10 years of data (2005-2015) related to participants' perceptions of the quality and relevance of the AAWS. An in-depth demographic profile of participants is included to describe the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of the African American women student affairs professionals who participated in the study. The majority of participants were 26-30 years old, employed at the director/dean level and below, had earned master's degrees, responded positively about the value of this preconference program, and noted that the AAWS represented a safe space where they were encouraged personally and professionally. These findings suggest that preconference programs, like the AAWS, developed as professional counterspaces are especially valued by minority student affairs professionals who are employed in paraprofessional, and entry- and mid-level positions.

Novel correlates between antimüllerian hormone and menstrual cycle characteristics in African-American women (23–35 years-old)

To characterize normative antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels and ascertain which factors are associated with AMH inalarge cohort of reproductive-age women. Cross-sectional study. Not applicable. A total of 1,654 African-American women (AAW) ages 23-34 at recruitment. Not applicable. Serum AMH measured using an ultrasensitive ELISA. The median AMH was 3.18ng/mL, and there was a significant, but nonlinear, relationship between age and AMH, with levels peaking at age 25. As AMH was not normally distributed, log transformation was performed and used for all analyses. In a multivariable age-adjusted model, body mass index, current use of hormonal contraception, and history of a thyroid condition were inversely associated with AMH, while history of abnormal menstrual bleeding and menstrual cycles longer than 35days were positively associated with AMH. While age is correlated with AMH, it accounts for only a portion of the variation seen. This study adds valuable information to the existing literature on normative AMH levels in young reproductive-age women. While our findings fill a critical data gap for ovarian reserve in AAW, the insights gained will be of benefit for all women.

Abstract P1-09-03: Socioeconomic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American (AA) women. Despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer compared to white women (124.4 compared to 127.9 per 100,000), AAs have a higher death rate (30.2 compared to 21.3 per 100,000). One explanation for this discrepancy is that breast cancer in AAs is often detected at a later stage compared to white women. We conducted this retrospective study to examine socioeconomic characteristics among AA women with breast cancer to see if there were factors associated with stage of diagnosis which may contribute to the known disparities. Methods: We identified all AA women diagnosed with any stage breast cancer from 2006-2014 within the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Data Warehouse and classified them into either early or late stage disease at time of diagnosis. Stages 0-II were classified as early and stages III-IV as late. We examined several variables at diagnosis including age, marital status, tobacco use, alcohol use, Medicaid insurance status, and breast cancer subtype which included HER-2 positive (HER+), hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative (HR+/HER-), and triple negative(TN). AA median income was obtained from US census data according to the zip code at diagnosis. We conducted univariate logistic regression for individual estimates and confidence intervals and multiple logistic regression and model selection to determine significant predictors of stage of diagnosis. Results: Of the 771 AA women identified, 108 (14%) were diagnosed at a late stage of disease with a median age of 59 years. Receptor status distribution was 12.4%, 31%, and 16.6% for HER+, HR+/HER-, and TN respectively for early stage, and 15.7%, 27%, and 25% for late stage. Among early stage 50% were current or previous smokers and 2.6% had Medicaid insurance compared to late stage patients where 63% were current or previous smokers and 9.2% had Medicaid insurance. Multiplicative effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals from univariate logistic regressions identified the following significant factors: tobacco use 1.48 [1.11-1.96] and Medicaid 3.73 [1.56-8.51] (p-values&amp;lt;0.01), and TNBC 1.67 [1.02-2.68] (p-value&amp;lt;0.05). In a stepwise model selection, only tobacco use and Medicaid were retained in the model, as well as age at diagnosis. Conclusions: There are socioeconomic differences among AA women with breast cancer. Only tobacco use, Medicaid insurance, and age at diagnosis were predictive of late stage in this study. Citation Format: Winter A, Raska P, Ornstein M, Moore H, Montero A, Budd GT, Tullio K, Bailey J, Abraham J. Socioeconomic characteristics of African American women with breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-03.

The relationship between African-American women's health discussion networks & HIV risk behaviors

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 156 (2015) e102–e182 e167 Methods: Healthy volunteers (18–50 yrs), stratified by CYP2D6 phenotype (extensive (EMs) vs poor (PMs)metabolizers) after an 8h debrisoquine urinary recovery ratio test, underwent five sessions inwhichMA (10 and15mg), caffeine (500mg), codeine (120mg) or placebo was administered in random order. Subjective and cardiovascular measures were obtained preand at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360min post-drug. For eachmeasure, AUCwas generated within each session. Data were entered separately for placebo and each drug into mixed models ANOVA with CYP2D6 phenotype and dose (e.g., placebo, MA10, MA15; placebo, caffeine; placebo, codeine) as factors. Results: Thus far, 5 EMs and 2 PMs at CYP2D6 have completed all sessions and 2 PM are actively participating. Preliminary AUC change fromplacebo data showed severalmain effects forMA, such thatMA at 15mg increased ratings of arousal (t=2.71, p<0.03) and vigor (t=2.33, p<0.05) on the POMS and systolic (t=2.30, p<0.05) and diastolic (t=2.86, p<0.02) blood pressure relative to placebo regardless ofmetabolizer status.MA-induced ratings of on theMBG subscale of the ARCI relative to placebo were significantly greater for EMs than PMs (t=2.92, p<0.02). No significant main effects or interactions have occurred with caffeine or codeine. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that MAinduced euphoric-like effects may differ depending on CYP2D6 phenotype. The lack of caffeineor codeine-induced main effects or interactions may be due to the doses not being high enough. Financial support: Supported by R21DA031837. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.453 The relationship between African-American women’s health discussion networks & HIV risk behaviors Carrie B. Oser1, Kate Eddens1, Erin Pullen1, Brea Perry2, Richard Crosby1 1 Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States 2 Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States Aims: HIV is an epidemic in the African American community, where personal relationships are salient and can influence health behaviors. Yet, there is limited research examining egocentric social networks and African American women’s HIV risk behaviors. This study examines the relationship between African American women’s health discussion networks (size, composition, strength, and function) and HIV risk behaviors. Methods: Using data from the Black Women in the Study of Epidemics (B-WISE, n=344), multivariate models investigated associations between characteristics of health discussion networks and two risk behaviors: a positive drug screen and unprotected vaginal sex. Results:Theaverageparticipantwas single, 35yearsold, and the number of health discussion networkmembers ranged from 0 to 5, with 22% having no one to talk to about their health (mean=1.39, S.D. = 1.10). African American women were less likely to use drugs when they reported larger (AOR= .71; 95% CI: .55–.92) or closer (AOR= .79; 95% CI: .68–.92) networks, as well as those comprised of people who provided a variety of support functions including instrumental (AOR= .52; 95% CI: .31–.88) or financial (AOR= .59; 95% CI: .34–.99) support, health information (AOR= .44; 95% CI: .25–.78), and discussing health (AOR= .51; 95% CI: .28–.90). In contrast, health discussion network variableswere not associatedwith unprotected sex. Conclusions: It is concerning that almost one-quarter ofwomen had no one to talk to about their health considering that larger, closer-knit, and more supportive networks are protective against drug use for African American women. Risky sexual behaviors are challenging to change, which is problematic as most new HIV infectionsamongAfricanAmericanwomenareacquiredviaheterosexual contact. Future research should examine the characteristics of African American women’s health discussion networks as predictors of drug treatment and include health discussion networks in HIV interventions. Financial support: This research is funded by NIDA (R01DA022967 and K02-DA35116, PI: Oser). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.454 Drug use and injection practices in Tajikistan: Qualitative study in Kulob and Khorog David Otiashvili 1, Alisher Latypov2, Umedjon Ibragimov3, Irma Kirtadze1, William Zule4 1 Addiction Research Center, Alternative Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia 2 Management Sciences for Health, Leadership, Management and Governance, Kiev, Ukraine 3 Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States 4 RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC,

Characteristics of African American Women and Their Partners With Perceived Concurrent Partnerships in 4 Rural Counties in the Southeastern U.S.

To the individual with concurrent partners, it is thought that having concurrent partnerships confers no greater risk of acquiring HIV than having multiple consecutive partnerships. However, an individual whose partner has concurrent partnerships (partner's concurrency) is at increased risk for incident HIV infection. We sought to better understand relationships characterized by partner's concurrency among African American women. A total of 1013 African American women participated in a cross-sectional survey from 4 rural Southeastern counties. Older age at first sex was associated with lower prevalence of partner's concurrency (prevalence ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.87), but the participant's age was not associated with partner's concurrency. After adjusting for covariates, ever having experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and forced sex were most strongly associated with partner's concurrency (prevalence ratios, 1.61 [95% confidence intervals, 1.23-2.11] and 1.65 [1.20-2.26], respectively). Women in mutually monogamous partnerships were the most likely to receive economic support from their partners; women whose partners had concurrent partnerships did not report more economic benefit than did those whose partners were monogamous. Associations between history of IPV and forced sex with partner's concurrency suggest that women with these experiences may particularly benefit from interventions to reduce partner's concurrency in addition to support for reducing IPV and other sexual risks. To inform these interventions, further research to understand partnerships characterized by partner's concurrency is warranted.

Characteristics of African American Women and Their Partners With Perceived Concurrent Partnerships in 4 Rural Counties in the Southeastern US

Characteristics of African American Women and Their Partners With Perceived Concurrent Partnerships in 4 Rural Counties in the Southeastern US

Abstract 172: Predictors of breast cancer clinical trial participation by logistic regression analysis in minority women residing in medically underserved regions.

Abstract Background Enrollment investigation literature estimates that 3% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients participate in clinical trials annually in the United States. Participation levels decrease significantly when varied by race and geographic location. African American women, specifically those residing in medically underserved regions, are historically underrepresented in clinical trials as compared to their white/non-Hispanic counterparts. The focus of this study is to capture characteristics of African American women who would participate in a breast cancer trial. Significant trial participation factors were identified using logistic regression analysis. Methods Using data from the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR), U.S. Census Bureau, and Survey Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Database, Cherokee County, Texas was identified as a medically underserved region. We collected opinions about breast cancer clinical trial participation by surveying 13 local stakeholders (including breast cancer survivors, religious leaders, community leaders, local hospital employees and educators) within the minority community. On the basis of stakeholder survey results and health disparities literature review, a relevant and culturally sensitive survey was developed to identify the different demographic, economic and social characteristics in the general minority female population. A total of 115 surveys of African American women were planned. The sample size was calculated based on the percentage of African American women residing in Cherokee County with a 95% level of confidence and a +/-5% margin of error. Logistic regression analysis revealed the association of characteristics with trial participation. Results At the time of this analysis, 44 surveys were completed between 06/2012 and 10/2012. Median age of participants was 43 years (range 31-65), 100% were African American women residing in rural Cherokee County. Age, cancer diagnosis of a relative, education level, and religious institution affiliation were associated with trial participation in unadjusted analyses. Multi-variative analyses indicate that patient age was the strongest independent predictor of trial participation. Insurance coverage and income level were also observed interaction effects. The most common reason reported for trial participation was altruism. Conclusion Interim results of this study reveal correlation between the potential of African American women to participate in clinical trials and the following factors: age, family history of cancer, and religious institution affiliation. Further understanding of this relationship will possibly contribute to the development of intervention initiatives and policies to influence those who are adverse to such participation. Citation Format: Monique J. Carter, Tracy A. Davis. Predictors of breast cancer clinical trial participation by logistic regression analysis in minority women residing in medically underserved regions. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 172. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-172

Binge eating among African American and Caucasian bariatric surgery candidates

Bariatric surgery is an increasingly utilized treatment for severe obesity, especially among women. Although African American women have high rates of severe obesity, most research investigating psychological correlates of obesity has been conducted with Caucasians. This study examined the characteristics of African American women seeking bariatric surgery, and ethnic differences in BED rates and correlates of binge eating. Finally, we examined whether the association between psychological factors associated with binge eating was moderated by ethnicity. Results indicated that African American women had higher BMIs, higher self esteem, and less depression than Caucasians. There were no differences in rates of binge eating or BED. Both depression and self esteem accounted for unique variance in binge eating; however, these relationships were not moderated by ethnicity. These results further highlight African Americans' vulnerability to EDs, and suggest that depression and low self esteem are equally relevant to binge eating in African American and Caucasian women.

Characteristics of African American women caregivers of children with asthma.

To describe the attributes and characteristics of African American women who were the primary caregivers of children with asthma. Descriptive qualitative ethnography. Data collection consisted of formal interviews, participant observation, and fieldnotes. Each study participant was formally and informally interviewed (audiotaped) during a 1-year period. The researchers also observed and participated in family activities in various naturalistic settings. Six themes emerged that depict the characteristics of these women: (1) Knowledge about the child's asthma; (2) Gatekeepers to the child's care; (3) Being religious; (4) Support; (5) Roles as teacher, counselor, and advisor to the child; and (6) Self-sufficiency and industriousness. Nurses should use the information in this study to examine the ways in which they interact with caregivers of asthmatic children. The caregivers personal beliefs, need for information, and previous experiences with asthma and family illness should be assessed. These mothers and grandmothers should be respected as the gatekeeper to the family's healthcare. Nurses should be nonjudgmental and supportive of caregivers when they express their religious beliefs and practices. Nurses who understand how mothers cope can reinforce these coping skills and provide better nursing care.

Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of African-American women with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County, 1990-1997.

African-American women have the highest AIDS rate of any racial/ethnic group of women in both Los Angeles County (LAC), California and in the United States. Limited population-based epidemiologic studies of African-American women with HIV and AIDS describe this group and examine the factors associated with the excessive rates. Interview data collected from 1990 to 1997 on a population-based sample of AIDS cases and a group of HIV-infected women in LAC were analyzed to highlight the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of African-American women. This group of African-American women with HIV or AIDS in LAC were unemployed (88%), single mothers (64%), living on public assistance (86%) with annual household incomes <$10,000 U.S. (76%). A history of crack use predominated (50%). Compared with women of other races with HIV and AIDS, African-American women reported more sexual partners; reported more infections with sexually transmitted diseases; sought treatment for their HIV infection later; were more likely to trade sex; and were almost five times more likely to have ever used crack cocaine. HIV prevention for African-American women in LAC should focus on improving self-esteem and negotiation skills within the context of the crack cocaine culture and the disadvantaged social and economic situation described.

Differences in Perceptions of African American Women and Men Faculty and Administrators

This article maintains that African American women face dual burdens of racism and sexism in institutions of higher education and thus confront special challenges. It reports on a study that investigated gender differences in the perceptions of 413 African American women and men college faculty and administrators in critical areas such as promotion, tenure, institutional climate, and professional life. The study data indicate significant differences by gender in response to items assessing respondent views about these issues, with women noting lower satisfaction with their professional lives, a greater sense of isolation on campus, and differential and more negative treatment by colleagues. Recommendations are offered to address the concerns raised by African American women faculty and administrators in higher education. INTRODUCTION Gender and race equity are major issues facing higher education in the United States. Despite two decades of efforts on the part of the nation's postsecondary institutions, women and minorities still face special problems navigating their careers in academe. Women faculty and administrators are promoted at slower rates, and their earnings are lower compared to their male colleagues (Johnsrud & DesJarlais, 1994). Minority faculty and administrators are not only underrepresented in academic institutions, but their retention also poses a problem (Menges & Exum, 1983; Silver, Dennis, & Spikes, 1989). Despite heightened concern in higher education about retaining women and minorities in professional positions and nurturing faculty diversity, few studies have focused on the experiences and perceptions of African American women faculty and administrators in particular. When earlier studies have examined the concerns and perspectives of African Americans in the college professoriate and administration, they have treated them as one monolithic group (Bjork & Thompson, 1989; Blackwell, 1989; Brown, 1987, 1988). Most have looked at the special problems that minority faculty face as a group, ignoring the gender-based differences. Studies that focus on women faculty and administrators have also examined them as one group and have not examined differences based on race (Ekstrom, 1979). The result is a serious dearth of studies on African American women in academe, whose concerns and perspectives have remained largely unexamined and unaddressed. Our search to locate studies on gender differences among African American faculty and administrators yielded no empirical studies, yet anecdotal evidence suggests that African American women faculty and administrators face dual burdens of sexism and racism and confront special challenges in promotion and tenure (Sandler, 1986). Furthermore, the literature confirms that the rate of promotion and tenure among African American women is slower than that of either African American men or White women (Moses, 1989). It is important to document the perspectives of African American women faculty and administrators in order to develop strategies that address their concerns. Although many earlier studies have examined the actual rates of tenure/promotion and salary differences among men and women, the present study focuses on the differences in opinions and perceptions African American women and men faculty and administrators hold about such variables as the promotion and tenure process, professional environment, and institutional climate. Specifically, it examines three research questions: (1) Do differences exist in the professional characteristics of African American women and men faculty and administrators? (2) Do differences exist between these two groups in their perceptions of and views on the tenure and promotion process? (3) Do differences exist in the two groups' perceptions of the professional environment and institutional climate in academe, and if so, do these differences in perceptions hinder or facilitate professional development and promotion opportunities for African American women? …

African-American women who persist in literacy programs: An exploratory study

This study was undertaken to investigate characteristics of African-American women who persist in literacy programs. A semistructured interview was conducted with 10 African-American women who had been in their reading programs from 1 to 8 years. The subjects ranged in age from 21 to 70 years. Variables examined were goals for improving reading skills, factors within the individual that promote persistence, social support, influence of family of origin on reading, and influence of formal schooling on reading. Material generated from the interviews is presented in direct-quote and summary format.