Women's Quality Research Articles

Эндометриоз. Обзор клинического протокола под разным углом зрения (дискуссия)

Endometriosis is a common disease characterized by the tissue similar in morphology and function to the endometrium outside the uterine cavity. The review presents a historical background, an overview of the theories concerning the endometriosis pathogenesis, a description of the clinical picture, diagnostic issues and a discussion concerning the clinical recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on the patient management with endometriosis, which are currently in force. To date, the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease have not been fully clarified, and the development of this pathology is still debated. Endometriosis has significant adverse health outcomes and negatively affects the life quality of patients. Endometriosis-associated infertility contributes to a decrease in fertility, having an adverse impact on the country's economy. The disease clinical debut may be a menstrual disorder, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, the development of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, manifested by dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysmenorrhea. The progress of medicine in this area is associated with an individual patient management, where an improvement a woman's life quality, therapy and overcoming infertility, reducing the frequency of relapses and minimizing surgical interventions are highlighted Properly selected individual therapy leads to a decrease in the incidence of endometriosis clinical manifestation, which has a beneficial effect on personal, social, demographic and economic indicators. KEYWORDS: endometriosis, endometrium, endometrial pathogenesis, endometrial disease, endometriosis treatment, clinical recommendations, endometriosis-associated infertility. FOR CITATION: Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Markova E.A., Khlynova S.A., Narimanova M.R. Endometriosis. Сlinical protocol review from different angles (discussion). Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2024;7(2):89–97 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2024-7-2-1.

Determinants of Contraceptive Options among Postpartum Women Attending Selected Health Care Facilities in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Differences in availability and choices of contraceptive methods among postpartum women have been found to influence their quality of life as the fertility rate is very high, and the contraceptive usage rate persistently remains low in Nigeria. This study assessed the determinants of contraceptive options among postpartum women in Nigeria. Two Local Governments were randomly selected from the four Local Governments. Within these two local governments, five health facilities were selected. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the 240 respondents, while a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings from the study indicated that 81.7% of the respondents have planned to have their current baby, and about 65.4% of the women have resumed sexual activities since delivery. Of those who have resumed sexual activities, the majority, 91.1% did so 6 weeks after delivery. Some form of contraceptive usage was prominent among 59.2% of the respondents, as the most common contraceptive method used was withdrawal (24.8%). Contraceptive prevalence was slightly lower for urban respondents than rural respondents, although the relationship was not significant. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between the current use of contraceptives and resumption of sexual activities since delivery (p = .001), resumption of menstruation (p = .001), and information received about postpartum family planning (p = 0.013). Findings from this study emphasize the urgent need for enhanced accessibility and availability of contraceptive methods, with a parallel emphasis on targeted interventions and effective communication strategies to promote contraceptive uptake and family planning. Addressing these determinants is vital in improving postpartum women's overall quality of life in the study area.

Diagnosed and undiagnosed cough-related stress urinary incontinence in women with refractory or unexplained chronic cough: Its impact on general health status and quality of life.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common in women with chronic cough but may be overlooked. Objective: To determine the frequency of underdiagnosis of cough-related SUI and its impact on women's general health status and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Data were analyzed for 147 women with refractory/unexplained chronic cough. Relevant details were collected from clinical charts and a patient-completed survey. General health status was assessed using the EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and QoL with the cough-specific Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Results: Women were classified into diagnosed (n = 32; 21.8%) or undiagnosed (n = 33; 22.4%) cough-related SUI, and no SUI (n = 82; 55.6%) groups. Women with versus without cough-related SUI perceived poorer health status and greater impact of cough on everyday lives. Mean LCQ scores were significantly lower in cough-related SUI groups versus no SUI group. In multivariate analysis, the presence of cough-related SUI was significantly associated with lower EQ-VAS and LCQ scores. Conclusion: In our cohort, 44% of women had cough-related SUI, and half were undiagnosed. Irrespective of diagnosis, impairment to everyday lives and QoL was similar. Diagnosing cough-related SUI may identify additional patients who can benefit from therapies to suppress cough and improve QoL.

The minor women characters in Tagore’s novel Gora: A study

The minor women characters in Tagore’s novel Gora: A study

Self-Discovery in Small Remedies: A Reading of Shashi Deshpande’s

Women writers in Indian writing in English portray women as daughter, wife, mother and other stereotyped roles in their literary works of art. The cultural changes in India are contrasted through the lives of individuals, communities and the nation. The novelist interweaves many aspects of the personal life with the public matters. Shashi Deshpande’s Small Remedies (2006) is about the protagonist’s quest for self. It delineates the journey of women towards self-discovery in relation to society, and the relationships that are central to women. The women in her novels face upheavals in their marriage. The upheavals are generally inevitable when a woman refuses to conform to her ascribed traditional role. The article examines the self-discovery of the women characters in the novel Small Remedies.

Emergence of Bhadramahila: Re-reading the principal women characters in Tagore’s novel Gora

Emergence of Bhadramahila: Re-reading the principal women characters in Tagore’s novel Gora

Archetypes of Woman Characters in the Select Short Stories of Nick Joaquin

Archetypes of Woman Characters in the Select Short Stories of Nick Joaquin

DECODING PATRIARCHAL BIASES AT WORK IN COMICS: A STUDY OF THE CODIFICATION OF FEMININITY THROUGH THE IMAGE-TEXT COMBINE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO POPULAR VERNACULAR COMICS NONTE FONTE AND HANDA BHONDA

Any image accompanies with it two concepts viz. communication and representation. Both these concepts are potent tools to be analysed from the perspective of study of signs or semiotics. But the monolithic study of signs or codes embedded in representation or communication curbs the scholarly or multidimensional spaces in which a representation/image representation can be analysed, examined or investigated. If we consider a pictorial representation only as an image choosen/preferred randomly, we will miss the ideological bias in which it is produced. Therefore image representation of women/ female in any text provides the ground for analyzing the term ‘politics of representation’ since no production is devoid of power structure that always invariably empowers a dominant one dictating /controlling the production, reception and dissemination of ‘texts’ (the term text to be comprehended in post-modern sense) thus creating possibilities of stereotyping, distortion, hegemonisation, homogenization, etal of women characters. Even under the tactful gloss of figuring ideal female characters of mythology or sculptures in temples,etc in different ancient Indian art forms, the patriarchal ideology of depicting women with perfect female body according to Indian aesthetics operates. The paper focuses on the production, reception, nonreception as a result of dominant market forces of comics on women or female representation in comic’s genre. It adopts research methodology of content (image –text representataion of women) analysis as case study; paradigmatic analysis with panels from Nonte Fonte and Handa Bhonda, two popular vernacular Bengali comics to investigate how does a change in an image can affect the reception; as well as excerpts from interview with target reader/viewer of comics/audio-visual projection of comics to examine decodification of female presence by a child as receiver of such texts; and inputs from the interview with the writer –illustrator of Nonte Fonte and Handa Bhonda , have been included to examine the codification and decodification process of image-text combination of comics.

Demystifying <i>Samyak Agraga</i> from the women characters of the Mahabharata: a holistic leadership perspective

Demystifying <i>Samyak Agraga</i> from the women characters of the Mahabharata: a holistic leadership perspective

UTERINE FIBROIDS: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW IN AYURVEDA

The most frequent solid benign tumours in women of reproductive age are uterine fibroids. The symptoms of uterine fibroid adversely affect social and recreational activities, women's quality of life, and productivity at work. Due to its muscular ancestry, it might be compared to Granthi in garbhashaya. In the present era, lack of exercise and intake of junk food causes agnivaishamya and ama formation. This vitiates doshas like Kapha and Vata and dushyas like Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, and Artava, resulting in dhatwagni mandya forming Garbhashaya Granthi. The management goal is samprapti vighatana of Granthi using tikshna, ushna, and lekhana dravya. Unwillingness to undergo prolonged hormone therapy and fear of surgery brings more patients to Ayurveda. The current article focuses on and explores the potential of Ayurveda in Garbhashaya Granthi.

The Portrayal of Women Characters in the Novel Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave: The Study of Gynocriticism

<div><p>The objective of this research was to examine how women characters are depicted in Saumya Dave's novel, <em>Well-Behaved Indian Women,</em> using four models of Gynocriticism proposed by Elaine Showalter. The research employed a descriptive qualitative methodology, relying on data in the form of descriptions and dialogues from the novel. The data gathered through reading the novel and relevant references, was analyzed by organizing, managing, and interpreting it using the chosen theoretical framework. The findings revealed that Dave's novel incorporates the four models of Gynocriticism, namely women's writing and woman's body, women's writing and women's language, women's writing and woman's psyche, and women's writing and women's culture, in its portrayal of the women characters.<strong></strong></p></div>

Influence of Western Culture on Pakistani Dramas: A Feminist Lens

Purpose: Cultures go through the process of evolution with time. This process is always influenced by certain factors. External factors significantly influence Pakistani society through TV dramas. It is important to examine the influence of Western culture on Pakistani dramas. This research explores the influence of Western culture with reference to women characters, in term of women’s right of education, marriage, community engagement, living, economic empowerment as well as their household obligations, social limitations and liberation, juxtaposed with traditional cultural norms. Since Feminist theory stands for the rights of women, drawing upon the Feminist theoretical framework, this study investigates how the portrayal of gender roles, identities, and power dynamics in Pakistani television dramas reflects the infiltration of Western cultural values. The aim of this research is to assess the extent to which Western influences in Pakistani dramas contribute to shifting societal attitudes towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: Feminist theory is used in this study. Survey research is employed for quantitative analysis method in this study to analyze the influence of Western trends on Pakistani dramas.
 Findings: The results revealed that Within the narratives of Pakistani dramas, male characters often dominate the spotlight with an emerging recognition among viewers: that female characters hold a significant thematic influence within the storyline, revealing a complex tension between societal expectations and evolving ideals of gender equality and agency.
 Implications/Originality/Value: This study highlights the convergence of tradition, modernity, and external influences in Pakistani dramas. As the industry continues to evolve, there emerges a pressing need for reflection and dialogue on the portrayal of gender roles in a manner that is not only equitable and inclusive but also reflective of the evolving dynamics of Pakistani society.

АШЫКТЫК ЫРЛАРЫНДАГЫ ПОРТРЕТТИК СҮРӨТТӨӨЛӨРДҮН ПОЭТИКАЛЫК МҮНӨЗҮ

There is no doubt that another large group of traditional Kyrgyz songs are songs about love. In different eras, the works of the masters of the word reflect the spirit of their time. The historical path traveled by the people has always had a lively response in the work of akyns, manaschi storytellers, critics and thinkers, reflecting their inner world.Love songs are also a genre that has spread to the masses and gained a lot of popularity. It can also be noted that over the years, the folk language has been formed as a classic example of both creativity. Love songs are created from the fullness of the inner experiences of the human soul, and it should be considered in conjunction with the historical, political and social life of the people. In their love poems, akyns (improvisers) skillfully employed a variety of 7-8 syllable models and paired phrases. Especially on their love poems, they often used portrait descriptions to express the beaty and character of women and successfully fulfilled poetic and artistic functions. Each of Barpy’s poems are dedicated to the theme of love, portrait images were aesthetically utilized within their limits.

Cold Exposures in Relation to Dysmenorrhea among Asian and White Women.

Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent, ranging from 16% to 91% among women, and it can lead to multiple reproductive disorders. However, risk factors associated with dysmenorrhea remain unexamined. Cold exposures can significantly disturb blood circulation and prostaglandin production in the uterus, leading to dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the relationship between cold exposures and dysmenorrhea, as well as potential disparities between Asians and Whites and the potential cultural influences on these associations. This was a cross-sectional survey among 197 Asian and 222 non-Asian women recruited from the U.S., with more than 40% from California. We assessed cold exposures, such as the frequency of consumption of cold water/drinks and ice cream, as well as room temperatures at home and public places, for both summer and winter over the past 12 months. The type of cold exposure associated with dysmenorrhea differs between Asian and White women. We found that among Asian women, a higher frequency of ice cream consumption in winter (beta = 1.19, p = 0.0002 when comparing high to low categories) was associated with dysmenorrhea; however, among White women, increased consumption of cold water/drinks in winter (beta = 0.49, p = 0.04 when comparing high to low categories) was also associated with dysmenorrhea. Higher home room temperatures in winter were associated with reduced severity of dysmenorrhea among White women but not among Asian women. All these associations supported our hypothesis and were stronger among women who lived in states with colder winters. However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, women who drank cold water/drinks less frequently during their menstrual period were more likely to experience more severe dysmenorrhea. In conclusion, this study provides crucial evidence to support the link between cold exposures and dysmenorrhea among Asians and Whites. The associations contradictory to our hypothesis are likely due to reserved causation influenced by Asian cultural practice. This paper sheds light on an understudied area that profoundly affects women's quality of life.

Factors influencing the acceptability of alcohol drinking for a patient with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. One of the risk factors for the development of this type of cancer is alcohol consumption. Patients with colorectal cancer may be stigmatized regarding their cancer and regarding drinking behaviors they may exhibit. This study aimed to analyze community persons' and health professionals' acceptability judgments regarding alcohol drinkers having colorectal cancer. This study relies on an experimental method enabling the identification of variables involved in one's judgment, based on the exhaustive combination of factors yielding several scenarios rated by participants. Scenarios implemented factors possibly influencing participants' perception of a woman character having colorectal cancer. Factors included her drinking habits, post-diagnosis drinking behavior and type of diagnosis/prognosis. The participants were community persons (N' = 132) or health professionals (N" = 126). Data were analyzed using a within-subject factorial ANOVA. In both samples, the "Post-diagnosis behavior" factor had large effect sizes, with drinking cessation being more acceptable than other drinking behaviors. Another factor, "Drinking habits", had significant influences on participants judgments, as higher drinking was considered less acceptable. A third factor, "Diagnosis" (polyps, early- or late-stage cancer), was taken into account by participants when it interacted with "Drinking habits" and "Post-diagnosis behavior". Indeed, participants considered most acceptable to continue drinking in the case of late-stage cancer, especially in the health professional sample where the acceptability of continuing drinking was almost doubled when the character had advanced- rather than early-cancer. The lesser the drinking behavior, the better the acceptability. However, advanced cancer stage attenuated the poor acceptability of drinking in both samples, as participants' attitudes were more permissive when the patient had advanced cancer.

Three-Dimensional Transperineal Ultrasound Guiding Early Secondary Repair of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury in an Incontinent Patient without Suture Dehiscence.

We present the case of a 36-year-old primigravida who gave birth to a 3200 g baby by vacuum-assisted (Kiwi OmniCup™) operative vaginal delivery with mediolateral episiotomy. A "y"-shaped perineal tear with a grade IIIC obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) was diagnosed and repaired. Two days after delivery, in the absence of suture dehiscence, she started experiencing complete anal incontinence. A decision was made in association with a proctologic surgeon for an early secondary repair. Before surgery, a Three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) was performed. The exam revealed a major defect of the external anal sphincter at the 11 o'clock position. This allowed for the reopening of only a circumscribed area of the perineal suture and repair of the sphincters using the end-to-end technique. The symptoms regressed completely, and follow-up TPUS demonstrated the gradual wound healing process. Anal incontinence, secondary to obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI), has a severe negative impact on women's quality of life. TPUS is an effective method to detect sphincter defects and monitor the healing process. This report investigates the feasibility of identifying the sphincter tear in an incontinent puerperal patient without suture dehiscence in order to target early secondary repair while minimizing its extent. TPUS has proven a safe and effective tool to guide early secondary repair of symptomatic OASI complications while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure. Multidisciplinary management is crucial to ensure the adequate standard of care.

Fikih Perempuan Tentang Aurat dan Busana Muslimah

In Islam, understanding the aurat and ethics of Muslim women's clothing is very important, reflecting compliance with religious teachings, the identity and dignity of a Muslim woman. Aurat, which must be covered from non-mahram views in accordance with the Koran and Sunnah, and Muslim dress, which emphasizes fulfilling the requirements of awrah, is not only a religious requirement but also a way to maintain purity and avoid slander. This awareness helps shape the dignified character and personality of Muslim women, and strengthens their identity in society, enabling them to appear elegant without sacrificing religious values. This understanding also supports the creation of a harmonious social environment that respects diversity. Therefore, understanding the importance of aurat and Muslim dress is not only in worship and religious observance, but also in the formation of social identity and contribution to a mutually respectful society. This shows how Islam moderates religious understanding with respect for oneself and positive social development of society.

Topical Application of Chamomile Oil in Combination with Dry Cupping for Dysmenorrhea: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Dysmenorrhea has a negative impact on women's daily activities and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of topically applied chamomile oil along with dry cupping on dysmenorrhea. A total of 12 patients with dysmenorrhea were included in this quasi-experimental study and treated for three consecutive cycle periods. One mL of chamomile oil was gently massaged on the skin of the suprapubic area for 10 minutes once every night. After the massage, dry cupping was done. During the study, patients were visited on the third day of menstruation for three consecutive cycles, and mean pain was evaluated and recorded based on the visual analog scale (VAS). The mean ± SD of pain intensity in three cycles before the study was 7.5 ± 0.43 and in three cycles after the interventions was 1.44 ± 0.33 (P= 0.002). Indeed, the pain score was decreased as 86.72±1.12% due to the interventions. All the patients discontinued using the analgesic during the study. Topical application of chamomile oil and dry cupping significantly reduced the severity of pain during menstruation and it could be considered as a low-cost modality without side effects for dysmenorrhea. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are recommended.

EGR1 modulates EPHB4-induced trophoblast dysfunction in recurrent spontaneous abortion†.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion, defined as at least three unexplained abortions occurring before the 20-24 week of pregnancy, has a great impact on women's quality of life. Ephrin receptor B4 has been associated with trophoblast function in preeclampsia. The present study aimed to verify the hypothesis that ephrin receptor B4 regulates the biological functions of trophoblasts in recurrent spontaneous abortion and to explore the upstream mechanism. Ephrin receptor B4 was overexpressed in mice with recurrent spontaneous abortion. Moreover, ephrin receptor B4 inhibited trophoblast proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis. Downregulation of early growth response protein 1 expression in mice with recurrent spontaneous abortion led to ephrin receptor B4 overexpression. Poor expression of WT1-associated protein in mice with recurrent spontaneous abortion reduced the modification of early growth response protein 1 mRNA methylation, resulting in decreased early growth response protein 1 mRNA stability and expression. Overexpression of WT1-associated protein reduced the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion in mice by controlling the phenotype of trophoblasts, which was reversed by early growth response protein 1 knockdown. All in all, our findings demonstrate that dysregulation of WT1-associated protein contributes to the instability of early growth response protein 1, thereby activating ephrin receptor B4-induced trophoblast dysfunction in recurrent spontaneous abortion. Our study provides novel insights into understanding the molecular pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Sexual quality of life between healthy women and women with gynecological cancer: Results of a hospital-based case-control study in Türkiye.

Gynecological cancers among women were both chronic and vitally health problems. The increasing prevalence of women with surviving gynecological cancers and the receiving treatments of cancer negatively affected the sexual quality of life. The study was conducted to determine the sexual quality of life of healthy women and women with gynecological cancer and to determine the predictors of sexual quality of life in women with gynecological cancer. The research is a hospital-based case-control study was conducted. The study was carried out with 65 patients with histologically confirmed gynecological cancer were compared with 75 controls, who were admitted to the different departments of the same hospital in the Izmir, in western Türkiye. The Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire score (SQOL) of cases was 60.12 ± 9.01 and controls was 78.92 ± 7.08. SQOL scores of cases were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis results showed that age (B = -0.295, p = 0.072), working (B = 4.981, p = 0.016), smoking (B = -4.590, p = 0.035), diagnosed with cervical cancer (B = -4.214, p = 0.045), and receiving chemotherapy (B = -4.722, p = 0.028) were associated with sexual quality of life in women with gynecological cancer (p < 0.05, R2 : 0.40). Women with gynecological cancer had lower quality of sex life compared with healthy women. Gynecological cancers negatively affect women's sexual quality of life. Health professionals (especially nurses) should be aware of the potential problems that women with gynecological cancer may experience with their sexual lives. They should develop coping strategies and offer solutions for the problems experienced by women with gynecological cancer.