Gender Treatment Research Articles

Integration of sex and gender in interventions by students in ergonomics

This article aims to analyse the integration of sex and gender (s/g) by ergonomics students during their internship at the master’s degree level, following training sessions on s/g issues in the workplace. This exploratory research used a descriptive mixed-methods design, encompassing evaluation of students’ intention to use the content from the training (n = 13 students), and a multiple case study (n = 5 ergonomics interventions). The results show that while students found the training relevant, they only minimally integrated s/g in their interventions and when they did, it was primarily from an anthropometric and physiological perspective. In addition to discussing the training format limitations, the article discusses barriers to this integration: combining learning about s/g issues with learning about activity analysis is challenging; employers’ and workers’ organisations may be reluctant to approach s/g issues; and it is difficult for an ergonomist to integrate these issues when the employer’s request does not specify it. Practitioner summary: This article aims to analyse the integration of s/g by ergonomics students during their internships. Findings show that they only minimally considered s/g. The discussion examines s/g training, organisational obstacles to inclusion of s/g during interventions, and how ergonomists can consider s/g in their practice.

The course of (comorbid) trauma-related, dissociative and personality disorders: two year follow up of the Friesland study cohort

ABSTRACT Background: There is substantial comorbidity between trauma-related disorders (TRDs), dissociative disorders (DDs) and personality disorders (PDs), especially in patients who report childhood trauma and emotional neglect. However, little is known about the course of these comorbid disorders, despite the fact that this could be of great clinical importance in guiding treatment. Objective: This study describes the two-year course of a cohort of patients with (comorbid) TRDs, DDs and PDs and aims to identify possible predictors of course. Possible gender differences will be described, as well as features of non-respondents. Method: Patients (N = 150) referred to either a trauma treatment program or a PD treatment program were assessed using five structured clinical interviews for diagnosing TRDs, DDs, PDs and trauma histories. Three self-report questionnaires were used to assess general psychopathology, dissociative symptoms and personality pathology in a more dimensional way. Data on demographics and received treatment were obtained using psychiatric records. We described the cohort after a two-year follow-up and used t-tests or chi-square to test possible differences between respondents and non-respondents and between women and men. We used regression analysis to identify possible course predictors. Results: A total of 85 (56.7%) of the original 150 patients participated in the follow-up measurement. Female respondents reported more sexual abuse than female non-respondents. Six patients (4.0%; all women) died because of suicide. Levels of psychopathology significantly declined during the follow-up period, but only among women. Gender was the only significant predictor of change. Conclusions: Comorbidity between TRDs, DDs and PDs was more the rule than the exception, pleading for a more dimensional and integrative view on pathology following childhood trauma and emotional neglect. Courses significantly differed between men and women, advocating more attention to gender in treatment and future research.

Analyse me

ABSTRACTThe poem Analyse Me evolved from my desire to understand where and how the creative fitted into the scheme of military veteran mental health treatments in Australia. In 2016, as an Australian Army veteran and a creative writer, I undertook to conduct craft of writing workshops for veterans. However, I found creative arts, in all modes, were not as widely incorporated into treatments and research as I thought. The poem is a creative response to my frustration and disbelief of the results of my research and is a representation of my findings conceptualised to be the clinical and externally measurable treatment modes at one extreme, contrasted against the less definable use of the imagination or the creative at the other. The poem highlights the broad expanse between these extremes. It underlines a view on the difference of gender in treatment and the divide between the detached, clinical analysis and the more personal, intuitive creative response. Analyse Me does not deny the use of one modality over, or to the exclusion, of the other but rather indicates they both have purpose and can be mutually supportive and beneficial.

Equal treatment: no evidence of gender inequity in osteoporosis management in a coordinator-based fragility fracture screening program.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an Ontario-based fracture prevention program for its ability to address the well-documented gender imbalance in osteoporosis (OP) management, by incorporating its integrated fracture risk assessments within a needs-based evaluation of equity. Fragility fracture patients (≥50years) who were treatment naïve at screening and completed follow-up within 6months of screening were studied. Patients who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) testing done in the year prior to their current fracture were excluded. All participants had BMD testing conducted through the Ontario OP Strategy Fracture Screening and Prevention program, thus providing us with fracture risk assessment data. Our primary study outcome was treatment initiation at follow-up within 6months of screening. Gender differences were compared using Fisher's exact test, at p<0.05. After adjusting for subsequent fracture risk, study participants did not show a statistically significant gender difference in pharmacotherapy initiation at follow-up (p>0.05). 68.4% of women and 66.2% of men at high risk were treated within 6months of screening. Needs-based analyses show no difference by gender in treatment of high-risk fragility fracture patients. An intensive coordinator-based fracture prevention model adopted in Ontario, Canada was not associated with gender inequity in OP treatment of fragility fracture patients after fracture risk adjustment.

The role of sociocultural perspectives in eating disorder treatment: A study of health professionals.

Eating disorders are now often approached as biopsychosocial problems, because they are widely recognised as multifactorial in origin. However, it has been suggested that there is a substantial and unwarranted imbalance within this biopsychosocial framework, with the 'social' aspects of the equation relegated to secondary or facilitating factors within treatment contexts. Drawing on data from 12 qualitative interviews with health professionals in a UK region, this article examines the extent to which sociocultural perspectives on eating disorders are valued and explored in eating disorder treatment, with a particular focus on the relationship between eating disorders and gender. As girls/women are widely acknowledged to be disproportionately affected by eating problems, the article draws on feminist perspectives on eating disorders to explore whether the relationships between cultural constructions of femininity and experiences of body/eating distress are actively addressed within treatment. The study reveals high levels of inconsistency in this regard, as while some participants see such issues as central to treatment, others have 'never really considered' them before. In addition, the study examines the potential limitations of how such sociocultural issues are conceptualised and addressed, as well as why they might be marginalised in the current climate of evidence-based eating disorder treatment. The article then considers the implications of the findings for thinking about feminist perspectives on eating disorders - and the significance of gender in treatment - at the level of both research and practice.

Racial and gender disparities in sugar consumption change efficacy among first-year college students

Reducing excess dietary sugar intake among emerging adults involves replacing sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sugary snacks (SSN) with healthier options. Few studies have assessed the perceived degree of difficulty associated with making lifestyle modifications among a diverse group of emerging adults. The purpose of this study was to assess race and gender disparities in SSB and SSN behavioral modification efficacy among African American and White first year college students. A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was completed by a subsample of freshmen (n = 499) at a medium-sized southern university. Key outcome variables were self-efficacy in reducing consumption of SSBs and SSNs, respectively. Primary independent variables were BMI, concerns about weight, and attempts to lose weight, takeout food consumption frequency, and physical activity. Half of the sample was African American (50.1%) and a majority of participants were female (59.3%). Fewer African Americans than Whites were very sure they could substitute SSBs with water (48.8% vs 64.7%, p < 0.001) or eat fewer SSNs (39.2% vs 48.2%, p < 0.04). A smaller segment of males reported being confident in their ability replace SSBs with water (51.2% vs 60.5%, p < 0.04). African Americans (OR = 0.38, CI: 0.22–0.64) and males (OR = 0.49, CI: 0.27–0.88) had lower odds of being more confident in their ability to change their SSB intake. Race and gender differences were not present in models predicting confidence to reduce SSN consumption. These findings highlight the need to consider race and gender in interventions seeking to increase self-efficacy to make lifestyle modifications.

Abstract WP102: Cerebrolysin Improves Neurological Outcome in Rats After Acute Stroke: a Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Study

Background and Purpose: Cerebrolysin is a mixture of neuropeptides and free amino acids that exert potent neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties in experimental models of stroke. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled dose-response study of Cerebrolysin in both male and female rats after embolic stroke. Methods: Randomization schemas were generated using nQuery3.0. Male and female Wistar rats (3-4 months) were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After confirming successful stroke with a 5 point neurological scale (Longa scale) at 3h after MCAO, ischemic rats were treated with Cerebrolysin at doses of (0.8, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5ml/kg) and saline based on the randomization schema 4h after MCAO and continued daily for a total of 10 consecutive days. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome measured by adhesive removal test, foot-fault test, and modified neurological severity score at day 28, lesion volume and mortality were secondary and safety outcomes, respectively. Results: There was a significant dose effect of Cerebrolysin on neurological functional improvement 28 day after MCAO. Cerebrolysin at a dose of ≥ 2.5ml/kg significantly (P&lt;0.001) improved neurological outcome (Mean Estimate with 95%CL): 0.8ml/kg: 6.2 (-6.0/18.4), 2.5ml/kg: -28.9 (-41.6/-16.2), 5.0ml/kg: -33.4 (-45.0/-21.7), 7.5ml/kg: -36.3 (-48.2/-24.4). Higher doses (≥2.5ml/kg) resulted in better recovery; however, differences between effective doses were not significant. Treatment with 5ml/kg reduced lesion volume (19.5±8.9%) compared with saline treated rats (27.7±11.9%, P=0.016). No treatment gender interactions were found and there were no differences on mortality rate. Conclusion: Cerebrolysin in a dose-dependent manner significantly improved neurological outcomes in ischemic rats. Cerebrolysin at a dose of 5ml/kg reduced infarct volume. Our data on Cerebrolysin efficacy demonstrate the feasibility of a preclinical study setup following a randomized, placebo controlled, and blinded design with a clinical relevant treatment scheme.

Untangling the Alliance-Outcome Correlation: Exploring the Relative Effect of Age and Gender in Treatment of Adolescence Substance Abuser

Although the relationship between the therapeutic alliance and outcome has long been established across numerous studies and meta-analyses, less is known about this in treatment of adolescence substance abuse. This study investigates factors that influence alliance-outcome relationship in adolescence substance abuse treatment. To achieve this objective, this study explored the relative effect of demographic variables, i.e. (age and gender) in a sample of adolescent substance abuser at the rehabilitation treatment centre of University college hospital, (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria. Fifty-three adolescents took part in this study, and completed self-report measures of readiness and expectation (client’s theory of change) prior to treatment, therapeutic alliance measures during treatment. The findings indicates that, age do not predict alliance-outcome relationship in adolescence substance abuse treatment, as there was no moderating effect for client’s age. In addition, the finding showed a significant sex difference in pre-treatment motivational variables, client ratings of the alliance and treatment outcome. Finally, it was suggested that early identification of demographic variables that influence adolescent’s treatment; as adolescent’s attributions of resistance are associated with age and gender.

RLS patients can also develop compulsions on dopaminergic agonists

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of self-reported compulsive behaviours, depressive and stress symptoms and sleep disorders in a population of Restless legs patients treated with DA agonists. Reports by Tippmann-Peikert et al. (2007) and Ritz et al. (2006) extend the risk of developing DA agonists related impulse control disorders such as gambling, heightened sexual drive or unreasonably overinvested repetitive activities to RLS patients. Materials and methods A questionnaire covering RLS severity (IRLSSG-Walters et al. 2003), mood variables, The Beck Depression Inventory II (Beck et al. 2003), a visual Analog Scale of current level of stress and sleep parameters (The MOS Sleepscale, Hays & Stewart 1992) was sent at 3 points in time over twelve months in 2005 (February, June, October) to 150 RLS patients cared for at the Quebec Memory & Motor Skills Disorders Clinic. A last section exploring changes in hobbies, development of new habits and compulsions was added at the third mailing. Results Data derived from a population of 97 patients having answered all three mailings identified 17 positive responses to compulsions. After re-evaluation only 12 (8 women and 4 men) were found to have truly compulsive behaviours. In two women, simple motor stereotyped sequences in response to sensory urge evoked the phenomenology of Gilles de La Tourette Syndrome. In two other, one male, one female, a reactivation of trichotillomania previously exhibited in childhood was observed. For the other eight patients, abnormal behavioural display was similar to complex compulsory behaviours with short-term rewarding properties such as buying clothes, buying food, eating or gambling. In addition BDI and stress scores significantly contrasted the compulsion (+) vs. compulsion (−) patients. Their MOS sub-scale sleep problem Index I and II showed significantly higher scores and finally, the augmentation phenomenon was of higher prevalence in the C + group at the time of the 3rd questionnaire. Conclusion In summary, 12 out of 97 RLS patients on stable DA agonist therapy presented with progressive dishinibition of behaviour possibly shaped by pre treatment gender and individual specificities. None had a previous diagnosis of anxious generalized disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. They showed more dysphoric and recognized themselves as more stressed than the compulsion (-) group of RLS patients.

PERSEPSI DAN PREFERENSI IKLAN MEMPENGARUHI NIAT BELI ANAK PADA PRODUK MAKANAN RINGAN

This research was to analyze the differences between perception, preference, and purchase intentions based on treatment and gender; influence of perception, preference, and consumption experience toward purchase intentions of children; influence of gender and treatment toward perception, preference, and purchasing intentions of children at snack products. This study use a factorial experiment design with two variables that is treatment (treatment 1 (T1): advertising exposure followed by consumer test, treatment 2 (T2): consumer test followed by advertising exposure) and gender (male and female). This research involved 60 school-aged children that was choosed by random sampling. The Independent sample t-test showed that child’s perception had significant difference significant between gender in treatment 1 and between treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perception, preference, and consumption experience influence significantly on purchasing intention of children. Two-Way ANOVA analysis also showed that perception was influenced by gender and interaction between gender and treatment.

Considering intersections of race and gender in interventions that address US men’s health disparities

Although gender, racial and ethnic differences in health in the USA are well documented, it is less clear how race and gender intersect to produce large and consistently poor health outcomes for men of colour, particularly Black American men. This paper will illustrate how race and gender intersect at multiple levels to shape men's health and health behaviours, and function as fundamental social determinants of health. The paper will conclude by discussing the need to attend to the role of male gender in pathways and processes underlying racial health disparities, and the challenges of developing health promotion interventions for Black American men.

Gender disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: Large-scale observations from the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines) National Quality Improvement Initiative

We hypothesized that significant disparities in gender exist in the management of patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Gender-related differences in the diagnosis and treatment of ACS have important healthcare implications. No large-scale examination of these disparities has been completed since the publication of the revised American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for management of patients with NSTE ACS. Using data from the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines) National Quality Improvement Initiative, we examined differences of gender in treatment and outcomes among patients with NSTE ACS. Women (41% of 35,875 patients) were older (median age 73 vs. 65 years) and more often had diabetes and hypertension. Women were less likely to receive acute heparin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and less commonly received aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins at discharge. The use of cardiac catheterization and revascularization was higher in men, but among patients with significant coronary disease, percutaneous revascularization was performed in a similar proportion of women and men. Women were at higher risk for unadjusted in-hospital death (5.6% vs. 4.3%), reinfarction (4.0% vs. 3.5%), heart failure (12.1% vs. 8.8%), stroke (1.1% vs. 0.8%), and red blood cell transfusion (17.2% vs. 13.2%), but after adjustment, only transfusion was higher in women. Despite presenting with higher risk characteristics and having higher in-hospital risk, women with NSTE ACS are treated less aggressively than men.