Female Professionals Research Articles

The impact of the multicomponent “Healthy and Vital” 3-month lifestyle intervention in health professionals: a single group pre-(multiple) post-study

BackgroundWorking in healthcare often involves stressful situations and a high workload, and many healthcare workers experience burnout complaints or suffer from mental or physical problems. This also affects the overall quality of health care. Many previous workplace interventions focused on knowledge exchange instead of other health cognitions, and were not particularly effective. Multicomponent lifestyle interventions may offer the potential in improving lifestyle and well-being of healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals on several health-related outcomes.MethodsA pre- (multiple) post-pilot study has been conducted using data from 2012 to 2018 to evaluate the lifestyle intervention in 126 female healthcare professionals. Measurements were conducted before, directly after the intervention (at 3 months), and 6 months after finishing the intervention (at 9 months). Participants filled out questionnaires and anthropometrics measurements were conducted by a dietitian. The intervention is based on the ASE-model, theory of planned behavior, and motivational interviewing techniques. The intervention included workshops related to stress, eating, sleep, and individual meetings with a dietitian. Multilevel linear mixed models with a random intercept and fixed slope were used to evaluate the impact on lifestyle self-efficacy, eating behavior, anthropometric outcomes and quality of life.ResultsImprovements were observed for lifestyle self-efficacy (total: beta= 1.32 95%CI 0.94;1.48, I know: beta= 1.19 95%CI 0.92;1.46, and I can: beta= 1.46 95%CI 1.19;1.73), eating behavior (emotional eating: beta=-0.33 95%CI-0.44;-0.23, external eating: beta=-0.35 95%CI -0.44;-0.26, and diet/restrictive behavior: beta= 0.41 95%CI 0.30;0.51), anthropometric outcomes (weight: beta=-5.03 95%CI -5.93;-4.12, BMI: beta=-1.873 95%CI -2.06;-1.41, waist circumference: beta=-6.83 95%CI -8.00;-5.65, and body fat percentage: beta=-1.80 95%CI -2.48;-1.17) and multiple outcomes of quality of life (physical functioning: beta= 4.43 95%CI 1.98;6.88, vitality: beta= 7.58 95%CI 4.74;10.42, pain: beta=4.59 95%CI 0.91;1.827, general health perception: beta= 7.43 95%CI 4.79;10.07, and health change: beta= 21.60 95%CI 16.41;28.80) directly after the intervention. The improvements remained after a six-month follow-up.ConclusionsMulticomponent interventions such as “Healthy and Vital” for healthcare professionals may be useful for improving the health of healthcare workers. More research using other designs with a control group, such as a stepped-wedge or RCT, is needed to verify our findings.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered on May 1 2024 at the Open Science Framework Registries (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z9VU5).

Prevalence and effect of workplace harassment among female library professionals

Workplace harassment is a significant concern across various industries, including academic libraries, where female professionals often encounter unique challenges. This study assesses the prevalence and effect of workplace harassment among female library professionals in Indian academic libraries. 100 female professionals working in college and university libraries across India participated in the survey conducted in May 2024. The study explores the types, contexts, and perpetrators of harassment and its effects on well-being and job performance. Findings reveal a high prevalence of harassment, predominantly perpetrated by colleagues, with significant effects on individuals’ psychological well-being and job satisfaction. While some security measures are in place, perceptions of their effectiveness vary. Recommendations include integrating security measures into policies, enhancing reporting procedures, and providing better support systems for victims. Addressing workplace harassment requires collaborative efforts to foster inclusive and respectful environments, ensuring the safety and dignity of all library professionals.

The impact of informal control on the innovation performance of female technology professionals from the perspective of role pressure.

With the rapid advancement of the technology industry, particularly in STEM fields, female professionals have increasingly become key drivers of innovation. Despite this, existing research has seldom examined the psychological impact of informal control on their innovation performance. Therefore, this study distributed questionnaires to female technology professionals in China's STEM field to investigate the effect of informal control on their innovation performance from a psychological perspective. It further explored the mediating role of role pressure and the moderating role of environmental turbulence in this relationship. This study primarily utilized AMOS 24.0 to develop structural equation models, and employed PROCESS 24.0 and SPSS 26.0 for data analysis purposes. The findings reveal that informal control positively predicted the innovation performance of female technology professionals in STEM field. Role pressure partially mediates this relationship, while environmental turbulence positively moderates the relationship between informal control and innovation performance among female technology professionals in STEM field. Theoretically, this research enriches the individual-level approaches to enhancing management control effectiveness. Practically, it aids managers in focusing on the psychological well-being of female technology professionals in STEM field, thereby facilitating the judicious selection of management control methods. The study's conclusions aim to provide logical guidance for enterprises to further strengthen their attention and support for female technology professionals in STEM field. Simultaneously, it offers a theoretical foundation for enhancing their innovative capabilities.

Women in Legal Governance: A Comparative Analysis of Female Participation and Advancement in the Legal Profession in Japan and India

The social advancement of women in the legal field is a critical indicator of societal modernisation. Despite the progress made globally in the pursuit of gender equality, there are still substantial disparities, particularly in Asian countries such as India and Japan. In this article, the participation and advancement of female legal professionals in these two nations are analysed, with a particular emphasis on the persistent gender disparity and the influence of cultural and institutional barriers on their professional development. The study employs a comparative analysis using data from the White Paper on Lawyers published by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, alongside statistical data from Indian state bar councils. Findings indicate a significant disparity in the level of female counsel participation between Japan and India. The proportion of female lawyers in India was less than 11% of the total legal professionals in 2010, a figure that increased marginally to 15% by 2020. The study reveals that in order to address the gender disparity in the legal profession, it is imperative that both Japan and India take proactive measures. This study contributes to the limited corpus of comparative research on female legal professionals in Asian countries. The study provides a nuanced comprehension of the socio-legal dynamics that influence women’s advancement in the legal profession by contrasting the legal landscapes of Japan and India. It urges a joint endeavour to achieve gender equality, underscoring the importance of data-driven policies in the development of an inclusive legal environment.

Atrial cardiomyopathy in postmenopausal female healthcare professionals- a single-center study

Abstract Background Atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a new clinical entity with significant importance, because of its potential to be a determinant of heart failure, atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic complications¹. Defining different atrial phenotypes is challenging, because of the lack of consensus for the diagnosis of ACM²'³. Menopausal transition is associated with adverse changes in women’s health such as obesity and hypertension, both known risk factors for ACM⁴. Aim To investigate left atrial (LA) structural and functional echocardiographic parameters in postmenopausal female healthcare professionals and to define atrial phenotype in this population. Methods Consecutive asymptomatic, postmenopausal, middle-age women (n=105), healthcare professionals from our hospital, were separated in 3 groups according to co-morbidities : with obesity (n=50), obesity and hypertension (n=24), healthy control (n=31). All patients underwent 2D echocardiographic examination with volumetric and speckle tracking analysis of LA. Results There were significant differences in LA structural and functional indices between 3 groups- table 1. Higher body mass index was associated with increased LA volume index (p<0.001, r= 0.56), reduced LA total emptying fraction- LATEF (p<0.001, r= -0.62), Peak atrial longitudinal strain-PALS (p<0.001, r= -0.59 ) and Peak atrial contractile strain- PACS (p<0.001, r= 0.56 ). ROC analysis was performed for identifying atrial phenotype of obese women with hypertension: LAVi 16.5ml/m2,(sensitivity 0.833, specificity 0.839, AUC 0.875), PALS 46.55% (sensitivity 0.903, specificity 0.875, AUC 0.951), PACS -20.75% (sensitivity 0.806, specificity 0.708, AUC 0.855), LATEF 69% (sensitivity 0.903, specificity 0.792, AUC 0.920)- figure 1. Conclusion Postmenopausal women with obesity and hypertension are at risk for asymptomatic ACM. Further investigations are needed to confirm this concept.

Association of Childhood Abuse with Incident Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), stressful life events and psychological factors has previously been reported. Our objective was to examine the relationship between childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and risk of IBD using a large cohort of female health professionals. We included participants in the Nurses' Health Study II who completed the Physical and Emotional Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Sexual Maltreatment Scale of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale in 2001. Diagnosis of IBD was determined by self-report and confirmed independently by two physicians through review of medical records. We used Cox proportional hazard modeling to estimate the risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) while adjusting for covariates. Among 68,167 women followed from 1989 until 2017, there were 146 incident cases of CD and 215 incident cases of UC. Compared to women with no history of abuse, the adjusted hazard ratios of CD were 1.16 (95% CI 0.67 - 2.02) for mild, 1.58 (95% CI 0.92 - 2.69) for moderate, and 1.95 (95% CI 1.22 - 3.10) for severe abuse (Ptrend = 0.002). We did not observe an association between childhood abuse and risk of UC. Women who reported early life severe abuse had an increased risk of CD. These data add to the growing body of evidence on the critical role of early life stressors in development of CD.

Proportion of Breast Self Examination Practice and its Associated Factors among Female Health Professionals in Government Medical College Hospital , Thiruvananthapuram.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among females across the globe. Breast self- examination is considered as a cornerstone testing method for breast cancer screening and early detection. Breast Self Examination is one of the simple, quick and cost free procedures for early detection of breast cancer among women. The Present study was intended to estimate the proportion of Breasts self examination practice and its associated factors among female health professionals in Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive cross sectional design. The sample consists of 330 female health professionals. Sample fulfilling the eligibility criteria were selected through simple random sampling method and data were collected by giving questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23 and the results were expressed in descriptive and inferential statistics. The collected data showed that about 68% of the participants were doing breast self examination practice and there was a significant association between breast self examination practice and associated factors such as age, basic qualification, highest qualification, profession, years of experience, screening for breast cancer and knowledge and attitude regarding breast self examination practice.The study concluded that adressing all these factors can improve breast self examination practice among female health professionals.

Depressive and anxiety symptoms amid COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in a low-resource setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis from Ethiopia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is one of the public health problems that pose a serious mental health concern due to its high morbidity and mortality rate. The healthcare workers are at risk of developing mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety because they are the first point of contact in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to systematically review the prevalence and the associated factors of depression and anxiety disorders among healthcare workers amid COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted. Different primary studies that assessed the depressive and anxiety disorders during amid COVID-19 pandemic in the Ethiopian healthcare workers were extracted by Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA version 11 for further analysis. Random-effects model meta-analysis was used to the estimate pooled effect size and the effect of each study with their 95% confidence interval. Funnel plot analysis and Egger regression tests were conducted to detect the presence of publication bias. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted. Thirteen studies with 5,174 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis study. The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was 40.39% (95% CI: 28.54, 52.24) and 44.93% (95% CI: 31.39, 58.46), respectively. Being a woman, being married, working in the frontline, and having high perceived susceptibility were significantly associated with depression among the Ethiopian healthcare workers. Similarly, being a woman, being older in age, working in the frontline, and having high perceived susceptibility were the factors associated with anxiety disorder among the Ethiopian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in the Ethiopian healthcare workers was high. The timely detection and appropriate management of mental health problems is essential for the quality of healthcare services, and proactive support methods for the female, married, and older-age healthcare professionals could result in these outcomes. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022299074.

Exploring the impact of quality of life on happiness among female healthcare professionals: The moderating roles of family and education

Purpose: This study explores the impact of quality of life (QoL) on the happiness of female healthcare professionals, focusing on the moderating roles of family dynamics and education. Method: A descriptive and exploratory design was used with data from 503 female healthcare professionals. Various quantitative analyses, including regression and correlation, were conducted using SPSS and AMOS. Findings: The study found a positive relationship between QoL and happiness. Family dynamics and education significantly moderated this relationship, highlighting the influence of these factors on happiness levels. Implications: The research offers insights into the well-being of female healthcare professionals and calls for policies that support QoL through flexible work arrangements and wellness programs, considering diverse family structures and educational backgrounds. Originality: This study provides a focused analysis of the role of family and education in shaping the relationship between QoL and happiness for female healthcare professionals.

Influences on ethnic minority women’s experiences and access to contraception in the UK: a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis

BackgroundAccessible contraception is critical for promoting the health and well-being of women and their families. In the UK, contraception is free at the point of access, but only 55% of...

Correlation of body mass index, with cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness in health care professionals of Multan.

The current study was conducted at Ali-Ul-Murtaza Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Muhammad Institute of Medical and Allied Sciences, Multan, Pakistan, from October to December 2022 to explore the correlation of body mass index with cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters in 393 male and female healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, pharmacists and medical laboratory technicians, aged 22- 40 years. The evaluation was on the basis of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, body mass index, lipid profile, body fat and correlation of blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, respiration rate and heart rate with cardiorespiratory fitness assessed through shuttle-run test, step test and treadmill test. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. Of the 393 subjects, 140(35.62) were underweight, 140(35.62) were overweight and 113(28.75) were obese. Of the total, 153(38.93) were pleased with their general health, while 240(61.06) had a history of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. There was a highly significant correlation between lipid profiles and the subjects' quality of life (p<0.05).

Unveiling the Link between Stress Levels and Job Performance among Women in Nepal Banking Sector

The banking sector in Nepal heavily relies on the contributions of female employees. However, concerns regarding the impact of stress levels on their job performance have emerged, given the industry's high-pressure nature and cultural dynamics. This study aims to explore the relationship between stress levels and productivity, efficiency, job satisfaction, and retention rates among female banking professionals in Nepal. A comprehensive investigation was conducted using a Likert scale questionnaire distributed among female employees at Nepal Bank I. The questionnaire assessed various dimensions of job performance, including interpersonal, job, and organizational performance. Spearman correlation analysis and regression techniques were employed to analyze the data and test hypotheses regarding the influence of stress factors on job performance. The study revealed moderate to strong positive correlations between stress factors (job burnout, occupational stress, and psychological stress) and different dimensions of job performance. All nine hypotheses proposed in the study were confirmed, indicating a significant impact of stress on job performance. Regression analysis further supported these findings, highlighting the positive influence of psychological and occupational stresses on organizational and interpersonal performance. The findings underscore the importance of addressing stress factors in the workplace to enhance the well-being and effectiveness of female banking professionals in Nepal. By implementing organizational support and gender-sensitive policies, institutions can create a conducive work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates among female employees. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the relationship between stress levels and job performance specifically among female employees in the banking sector of Nepal. The confirmation of hypotheses and the identification of positive correlations between stress factors and job performance dimensions offer valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers aiming to promote the well-being and effectiveness of female professionals in the industry.

Anxiety, depression, and suicide risk among health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between symptoms of anxiety, depression and risk of suicide in hospital health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, web survey-type study carried out with 270 health workers from a university hospital in September 2022, using an electronic form, in which the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and questions of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software, version 26. Described and inferential statistics were performed. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, through Opinion number 5,625,667. Results: There was a prevalence of 40% for anxiety symptoms and 33% for depressive symptoms in female nursing professionals and that professionals who reported "ideas of ending life" increased the chances of presenting symptoms of anxiety and depression by 17,620 and 12,362 times, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study add to those already existing in the literature that highlights the need for investments in strategies to welcome and protect the health of healthcare personnel.

Back to Industry—Evaluating Women’s Return to Chartered Accreditation Post-Maternity in the Built Environment Sector Professions

Efforts have been made to improve gender diversity in the built environment professions. This sector continues to experience growth restrictions due to skill shortages. Some progress has been made at the entry level; however, the retention of women in professional roles within this sector continues to present a challenge. Support for women during maternity, upon return to work and while working with family has been identified as a barrier to women’s progression in this sector. Professional bodies are uniquely placed to support their female members. Therefore, this study had two aims: to examine current professional body support for members during and after maternity leave and to examine the experiences of female professionals, who have taken maternity leave whilst holding membership in a built environment professional body. This study adopted an embedded, mixed-method design, using a secondary, qualitative data set to augment the primary, quantitative data set, within one phase. Surveys were distributed directly to professional bodies and to professionals via social media (LinkedIn). The survey of the professional bodies identified a varied approach to maternity support. The professional member survey identified a lack of awareness of available support, and generally the need for more support during maternity and on return to work. In summary, professional bodies in the built environment could improve maternity support for members by improving communication and achieving parity in support across the various disciplines.

Aversion to pragmatic randomised controlled trials: three survey experiments with clinicians and laypeople in the USA

ObjectivesPragmatic randomised controlled trials (pRCTs) are essential for determining the real-world safety and effectiveness of healthcare interventions. However, both laypeople and clinicians often demonstrate experiment aversion: preferring to implement either...

COVID-19 School Closures Were Associated With A Decline In Employment For Female Nurses With Young Children.

COVID-19-related school closures may have had unintended consequences affecting the ability of health professionals with school-age children to work-particularly female professionals, who often have disproportionate child care responsibilities. We combined labor-force participation data from the Current Population Survey with measures of school closures based on cell phone mobility data to examine the association between local school closures and labor supply among female nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the six months after large-scale closure of schools at the end of the 2019-20 school year (March-August2020), among counties with above-median school closure rates, the employment rate of female nurses with young children declined by 12.5percentage points versus the rate during the prior four months (November2019-February2020); the change in the employment rate in below-median counties was not statistically significant. No statistically significant changes were observed among female nurses who had only older children or among male nurses. During public health emergencies, policies should consider how disruptions to schooling may affect the labor supply of health care professionals. Strategies might include direct provision of child care by health care facilities, subsidies and other aid to child care centers, or subsidies to health care workers for affordable child care.

Please don't go: Gendered formal and informal tools for talent retention in hospitality from an organizational social capital approach

Hospitality sector is currently facing a “war for talent” because of the exodus of professionals after the pandemic. The aim of this research is to identify the presence of gender-specific employment strategies for retaining talent within the hospitality sector, from an organizational social capital perspective. Thematic analysis was conducted based on 31 in-depth interviews with managers from different-sized hospitality organizations (15 men, 16 women). Results shows that employment practices tend to focus more on attracting talent rather than retaining it. The study emphasizes how sector characteristics, especially company size, play a crucial role in shaping both formal and informal talent retention tools, emphasizing the need for gender-specific tailoring. Additionally, gender differences in fragile trust and associability could contribute to the adoption of talent retention methods for female and male professionals. The originality of this study lies in its gender perspective, which has not always been considered in previous talent retention research.

Exploring Work-Family Reconciliation Strategies of Saudi Professional Women: An Applied Study on Female Leadership Professionals in the Government Sector in Riyadh

Exploring Work-Family Reconciliation Strategies of Saudi Professional Women: An Applied Study on Female Leadership Professionals in the Government Sector in Riyadh

Barriers to female leadership in intensive care medicine: insights from an ESICM NEXT & Diversity Monitoring Group Survey

BackgroundThe underrepresentation of women in leadership remains a pervasive issue, prompting a critical examination of support mechanisms within professional settings. Previous studies have identified challenges women face, ranging from limited visibility to barriers to career advancement. This survey aims to investigate perceptions regarding the effectiveness of women’s leadership programs, mentoring initiatives, and a specialized communication course. Particularly it specifically targets addressing the challenges encountered by professional women.MethodsThis multi-center, observational, international online survey was developed in partnership between ESICM NEXT and the ESICM Diversity and Inclusiveness Monitoring Group for Healthcare. Invitations to participate were distributed to both females and men through emails and social networks. Data were collected from April 1, 2023, through October 1, 2023.ResultsOut of 354 respondents, 90 were men (25.42%) and 264 were women (74.58%). Among them, 251 completed the survey, shedding light on the persistent challenges faced by women in leadership roles, with 10%-50% of respondents holding such positions. Women’s assertiveness is viewed differently, with 65% recognizing barriers such as harassment. Nearly half of the respondent’s experience interruptions in meetings. Only 47.4% receiving conference invitations, with just over half accepting them. A mere 12% spoke at ESICM conferences in the last three years, receiving limited support from directors and colleagues, indicating varied obstacles for female professionals. Encouraging family participation, reducing fees, providing childcare, and offering economic support can enhance conference involvement. Despite 55% applying for ESICM positions, barriers like mobbing, harassment, lack of financial support, childcare, and language barriers were reported. Only 14% had access to paid family leave, while 32% benefited from subsidized childcare. Participation in the Effective Communication Course on Career Advancement Goals and engagement in women’s leadership and mentoring programs could offer valuable insights and growth opportunities. Collaborating with Human Resources and leadership allies is crucial for overcoming barriers and promoting women’s career growth.ConclusionsThe urgency of addressing identified barriers to female leadership in intensive care medicine is underscored by the survey’s comprehensive insights. A multifaceted and intersectional approach, considering sexism, structural barriers, and targeted strategies, is essential.

Cervical cancer screening practice and associated factors among female health care professionals in Ethiopia 2024: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCervical cancer, ranking as the fourth most common gynecological cancer worldwide, claimed an estimated 570,000 lives and resulted in 311,000 new cases in 2018. This disease disproportionately affects those living in poverty and is more prevalent in countries with weak healthcare systems. Low and middle-income nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, face higher incidence and mortality rates due to limited access to vaccines, screening, and treatment. The world health organization recommends regular screening for women from age 25, setting a 90-70-90 target for low- and middle-income countries by 2030. Despite limited previous knowledge, the study aims to assess the pooled prevalence of cervical cancer screening practices and associated factors among female healthcare professionals in Ethiopia in 2024.ObjectiveThe study aimed to synthesize the existing literature on cervical cancer screening practice and associated factors among female health workers in Ethiopia.MethodsStudies were searched through the search engine of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Searching was made using Keywords/ MeSH terms Cervical cancer; utilization; Preventive practice. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. A random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval was used for the pooled prevalence and odds ratio estimations.ResultSeven studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of cervical cancer screening practice among female health workers in Ethiopia was 18%. Work place(OR = 2.858;95% CI: 0.412, 5.305),knowledge(OR = 3.457; 95% CI: 2.314, 4.601), work experience(OR = 5.421; 95% CI:4.178,6.664),being diagnosed(OR = 10.787; 95% CI: 06.197,15.377) and ever cared of cervical cancer patient (OR = 2.93; 95% CI: 2.004, 3.856) were the pooled associated factors that are significantly associated with cervical cancer screening practice among female health care worker.ConclusionThe implementation of preventive measures for cervical cancer screening was found to be suboptimal. Our findings underscore the importance of enhancing awareness among this demographic, which is crucial in mobilizing local communities. It is imperative to provide continuous education to female health workers regarding cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health should collaborate with various organizations to ensure the accessibility of cost-effective screening services in all healthcare facilities.