Health Behaviors Of Women Research Articles

Associations between precarious employment and smoking and regular exercise: Results from a Korean longitudinal panel study from 2005 to 2020

We examined whether precarious employment (PE) is related to cigarette smoking and physical inactivity and whether a longer duration of PE intensifies the detrimental impact. Using Korean longitudinal panel data, 89,289 observations of 15,712 employees were analyzed. Mixed models were applied to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We adjusted for time-varying characteristics of the participants (age, education, marital status, income, occupation, and working hours). ORs of associations between PE and current smoking were 1.09 (95% CI: 0.95–1.25) in men and 1.77 (1.03–3.05) in women. Also, ORs of associations between PE and regular exercise were 0.52 (0.46–0.58) in men and 0.95 (0.85–1.07) in women. Next, the longer the duration of PE was related to the higher the risk of current smoking and physical inactivity. For instance, over 6 years of PE was related to the highest risk of current smoking in men (1.80 [1.38–2.34]) and women (3.94 [1.25–12.44]). Also, over 6 years of PE was related to the lowest likelihood of regular exercise in men (0.47 [0.37–0.59]), but not in women (0.83 [0.65–1.06]). A longer duration of PE is also related to a change in health behaviors among men. Over 6 years of PE was associated with the highest risk of smoking initiation (2.02 [1.28–3.19]) and the lowest likelihood of exercise initiation (0.42 [0.32–0.55]) in men. However, a longer duration of PE was not associated with a change in health behaviors in women. Our findings highlight that PE have a detrimental impact on health behaviors.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Healthcare Provider’s Regarding Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices of healthcare providers (HCP) regarding physical activity (PA) during pregnancy. Methodology: A convenient sample of 132 HCP, including General Practitioners, Obstetricians/Gynaecologists and Registered Nurses participated in this cross sectional, descriptive study. Data pertaining to their knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding PA during pregnancy was collected using interviewer-administered 36 item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and frequency tables were calculated and compared for the responses. Result: Overall 97% of participants believed that PA during pregnancy is beneficial but 58.3% agreed that advising patients regarding PA during pregnancy is not a major component of their antenatal care and 63.5% doesn’t include any individualized recommendation on exercise for pregnant women. Although HCPs beliefs and attitude responses were largely positive regarding exercise in pregnancy however there was misalignment between the published recommendations and clinical practice. Conclusion: HCPs can serve an important role in women's health behaviours through promotion of physical activity adherence during and after pregnancy by providing appropriate advice and counselling regarding PA during pregnancy. The current study found that HCPs lacked adequate knowledge and awareness of the optimal PA during pregnancy and were unable to provide proper counselling for the same despite of majority of them having positive belief and attitude towards PA during pregnancy. In order to effectively promote prenatal PA in clinical or community settings, more research is required to study the PA prescription and counselling practices of HCPs and knowledge of challenges impeding successful delivery of the aforementioned.

Investigating Women's Health Behavior and Impact of Health Exercise on Low Back Pain Caused by Breast Size.

Objectives: The breast size causes back pain in women of every age. Back pain is critical for women with increasing age as they gradually lose energy to carry large breasts. Medical advancement in surgery has introduced treatment for large breast sizes. Natural remedies are difficult to take for women to reduce their breast size. This objective of this cross-sectional research was to investigate the impact of health exercise on low back pain in women caused by increased breast size with moderating influence of health literacy and access to doctors. Methods: The primary data was randomly collected from women in gyms and parks focusing on factors that can account for improving the health of women by reducing their back pain. Results: Furthermore, the study contributes a significant model in the body of knowledge related to the health behavior of women concerning their low back pain. Conclusion: Following significant findings, the study has deliberated the theoretical implication that enriched the literature and practical implications to improve the health behavior of women and reduce the chances of low back pain caused by breast size. Finally, this research highlighted some future directions based on research limitations.

Pre-pregnancy health of women with pre-existing diabetes or previous gestational diabetes: Analysis of pregnancy risk factors and behavioural data from a digital tool.

To examine health behaviours and risk factors in women with pre-existing diabetes or previous gestational diabetes mellitus who are planning pregnancy. Health behaviour, risk factor and demographic data obtained from a digital pregnancy planning advisory tool (Tommy's charity UK) were analysed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, stratified by diabetes type. Data from 84,359 women, including 668 with type 1 diabetes, 707 with type 2 diabetes and 1785 with previous gestational diabetes obtained over a 12-month period (September 2019-September 2020) were analysed. 65%, 95%CI (61,68%) of women with type 2 diabetes and 46%, 95%CI (43,48%) with previous gestational diabetes were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ), compared with 26%, 95%CI (26,26%) without diabetes. Use of folic acid supplements was low; 41%, 95%CI (40,41%) of women without diabetes and 42%, 95%CI (40,45%) with previous gestational diabetes reported taking folic acid (any dose) while 47%, 95%CI (43.50%) women with type 1 diabetes and 44%, 95%CI (40,47%) women with type 2 diabetes respectively reported taking the recommended dose (5mg). More women with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes reported smoking (20%, 95%CI [17,23%] and 23%, 95%CI [20,26%] respectively) and taking illicit/recreational drugs (7%, 95%CI [6,10%] and 9%, 95% CI [7,11%]) compared to women without diabetes (smoking 17%, 95% CI [16,17%], drug use 5%, 95%CI [5,5%]). Alcohol consumption, low levels of physical activity and of fruit and vegetable intake were also evident. This study highlights the potential of online pregnancy planning advisory tools to reach high-risk women and emphasises the need to improve pre-pregnancy care for women with pre-existing diabetes and previous gestational diabetes, many of whom are actively seeking advice. It is also the first to describe pre-pregnancy health behaviours in women with previous gestational diabetes.

RETRACTED: The effects of a midwife-led weight management program for pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

Inappropriate weight gain during pregnancy may present risks for maternal and newborn health. Pregnancy is considered the optimal time to intervene on women's health behaviors such as eating habits and physical activity. However, current clinical practice guidelines for weight management during pregnancy were not fully based on randomized trials, thus lacking specific "active intervention ingredients" that are proven effective in achieving appropriate gestational weight gain. Therefore it is essential to develop and implement an evidence-based weight management program for pregnant women. To examine the effects of a midwife-led weight management program on improving appropriate gestational weight gain, health literacy, experience of antenatal care, and maternal and neonatal outcomes among Chinese pregnant women. A two-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 426 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary women's hospital in eastern China. Participants were randomly allocated to either intervention group (n = 213) or control group (n = 213). Women in the intervention group participated in a midwife-led weight management program during pregnancy, while women in the control group received the conventional obstetrician-led antenatal care. We assessed women at the first antenatal contact, 35-36 weeks gestation and 2-3 days postpartum. Data on gestational weight gain, health literacy, experience of antenatal care, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Dummy variable analysis was conducted to reveal the effect of weight management program on gestational weight gain. The overall gestational weight gain between the two groups was not statistically different (t = -1.377, P = 0.170). Compared with women in the control group, the odds of having inappropriate gestational weight gain was lower in the intervention group (OR = 0.270, 95%CI 0.169, 0.431). Further subgroup analyses showed that women in the intervention group had lower risk of inadequate gestational weight gain (OR = 0.305, 95%CI 0.180, 0.515) and excessive gestational weight gain (OR = 0.236, 95%CI 0.138, 0.404) than those in the control group. The score of experience of antenatal care was significantly higher in the midwife-led weight management group than that in the control group (193.70 ± 18.51 versus 165.70 ± 28.23, P < 0.001). Women's health literacy score was higher in the intervention group than control group [74.41 (69.57, 81.77) versus 71.88 (66.23, 77.18), P = 0.004]. Compared with the conventional antenatal care, the midwife-led weight management program could facilitate appropriate gestational weight gain, enhance health literacy, and promote positive experience of antenatal care for Chinese pregnant women.

Socially Assigned Race and the Health of Racialized Women and Their Infants.

While historically most public health research has relied upon self-identified race as a proxy for experiencing racism, a growing literature recognizes that socially assigned race may more closely align with racialized lived experiences that influence health outcomes. We aim to understand how women's health behaviors, health outcomes, and infant health outcomes differ for women socially assigned as nonwhite when compared with women socially assigned as white in Massachusetts. Using data from the Massachusetts Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Reactions to Race module, we documented the associations between socially assigned race (white vs. nonwhite) and women's health behaviors (e.g., initiation of prenatal care, breastfeeding), women's health outcomes (e.g., gestational diabetes, depression before pregnancy), and infant health outcomes (e.g., preterm birth, low birth weight [LBW]). Multivariable models adjusted for age, marital status, education level, nativity, receipt of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance during pregnancy, infant sex, plurality, and gestational age. Additional models adjusted for treatment by race, how often one thinks about race, and nativity. Women socially assigned as nonwhite had higher odds of breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54 to 2.25), lower odds of consuming alcohol (AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.31), and lower odds of smoking (AOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.38) compared with those socially assigned as white. However, women socially assigned as nonwhite had higher odds of reporting gestational diabetes (AOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.61). Mothers socially assigned as nonwhite also had higher odds of giving birth to an LBW (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.29 to 2.14) and small-for-gestational age (AOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.80) infant compared with women socially assigned as white. In comparison with women socially assigned as white, we observed poorer health outcomes for women who were socially assigned nonwhite despite engaging in more beneficial pregnancy-related health behaviors. Socially assigned race can provide an important context for women's experiences that can influence their health and the health of their infants.

Relationships between Women's and Men's Modifiable Preconception Risks and Health Behaviors and Maternal and Offspring Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review.

Parental health before conception effects maternal and offspring health outcomes. Preconception care provides healthcare to prospective parents addressing modifiable preconception risks and health behaviors. This umbrella review aimed to consolidate evidence on women's and men's modifiable preconception risks or health behaviors associated with maternal and offspring health outcomes. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from March 4, 2010, to March 4, 2020. Eligible studies were systematic reviews or meta-analyses of observational studies examining associations between modifiable preconception risks or health behaviors and maternal and offspring health outcomes. Screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment (AMSTAR 2) occurred independently by two reviewers. Degree of overlap was examined. Findings were summarized for evidence synthesis. Twenty-seven systematic reviews were included. Modifiable preconception risks and health behaviors were identified across categories: body composition (e.g., overweight, obesity), lifestyle behaviors (e.g., caffeine, smoking), nutrition (e.g., micronutrients), environmental exposures (e.g., radiation), and birth spacing (e.g., short interpregnancy intervals). Outcomes associated with exposures affected embryo (e.g., embryonic growth), maternal (e.g., gestational diabetes mellitus), fetal/neonate (e.g., preterm birth), and child (e.g., neurocognitive disorders) health. For real-world practice and policy relevance, evidence-based indicators for preconception care should include body composition, lifestyle, nutrition, environmental, and birth spacing.

The Effect of the Transtheoretical Model-Based Healthy Youth Program on Sexual Health Knowledge and Behavior of College Women

College women are at more risk in terms of sexual behavior than male students. This study was carried out to determine the effect of the transtheoretical model-based Healthy Youth Program on college women's sexual health knowledge and behaviors. The sample of the study, which was conducted with a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, consisted of 207 first-year college women. It was determined that the Healthy Youth Program was effective in improving the sexual health knowledge and behaviors of college women. It can be used as a guide in sexual health education in colleges.

OptimalMe Intervention for Healthy Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Lifestyles: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Implementation Effectiveness Feasibility Trial.

BackgroundReproductive-aged women are a high-risk population group for accelerated weight gain and obesity development, with pregnancy recognized as a critical contributory life-phase. Healthy lifestyle interventions during the antenatal period improve maternal and infant health outcomes, yet translation and implementation of such interventions into real-world health care settings remains limited.ObjectiveWe aim to generate key implementation learnings to inform the feasibility of future scale up and determine the effectiveness of intervention delivery methods on engagement, experience, acceptability, knowledge, risk perception, health literacy, and modifiable weight-related health behaviors in women during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.MethodsThis randomized hybrid implementation effectiveness study will evaluate the penetration, reach, feasibility, acceptability, adoption, and fidelity of a healthy lifestyle intervention (OptimalMe) implemented into, and in partnership with, private health care. Individual health outcomes associated with implementation delivery mode, including knowledge, risk perception, health literacy, self-management, and health behaviors, are secondary outcomes. A total of 300 women aged 18 to 44 years, who are not pregnant but wish to conceive within the next 12 months, and with access to the internet will be recruited. All participants will receive the same digital lifestyle intervention, OptimalMe, which is supported by health coaching and text messages during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. We will use a parallel 2-arm design to compare telephone with videoconference remote delivery methods for health coaching. Methods are theoretically underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and outcomes based on the Reach, Engagement, Adaptation, Implementation and Maintenance framework.ResultsThe study was approved on August 16, 2019 and has been registered. Recruitment commenced in July 2020, and data collection is ongoing. Results are expected to be published in 2022.ConclusionsThe study’s design aligns with best practice implementation research. Results will inform translation of evidence from randomized controlled trials on healthy lifestyle interventions into practice targeting women across preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Learnings will target consumers, program facilitators, health professionals, services, and policy makers to inform future scale up to ultimately benefit the health of women across these life-phases.Trial RegistrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12620001053910; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378243&isReview=trueInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/33625

“Eat clean, train mean, get lean”: Body image and health behaviours of women who engage with fitspiration and clean eating imagery on Instagram

The present study examined the relationship between posting or viewing fitspiration and clean eating imagery in relation to body image, disordered eating, and compulsive exercise among women. Participants (269 women aged 18–30 years) who posted and/or viewed fitspiration, clean eating or travel imagery on Instagram completed an online cross-sectional questionnaire. Results showed engaging with fitspiration and clean eating material (either posting or viewing) was significantly positively associated with increased levels of compulsive exercise and athletic-ideal internalization. However, only viewing (not posting) fitspiration and clean eating content was significantly related to thin-ideal internalization and disordered eating symptomatology. Athletic-ideal internalization mediated the relationships between posting fitspiration/clean eating and disordered eating symptomatology and compulsive exercise. Both thin-ideal internalization and athletic-ideal internalization mediated the relationship between viewing fitspiration/clean eating material and disordered eating and compulsive exercise. Overall, the findings suggest that viewing fitspiration and clean eating content on Instagram is negatively associated with thin-ideal internalization and disordered eating symptomatology, however the same relationships do not exist for people who frequently post these types of material. The mediational pathways provide a nuanced understanding of how engaging with fitspiration and clean eating material on social media influences female users’ body image and health behaviour.

How do traditional media access and mobile phone use affect maternal healthcare service use in Bangladesh? Moderated mediation effects of socioeconomic factors.

Exposure to traditional media (TV, radio, and newspapers) and the use of mobile as an interpersonal communication tool allow for a variety of information provision. The purpose of this study is to investigate how women's media and mobile access affect maternal health service (MHS) utilization. The study also aims to look into the moderated mediation effects of socioeconomic variables on the association mentioned above. The study analyzed reproductive and media data of 5,011 ever-married women extracted from the latest nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Hierarchical logistic regression and moderated mediation analysis are performed to determine the association. Only 26.9% of women used mobile for health service use, while more than 55% had media access. Media access is significantly associated with all three types of MHS use; mobile usage also has a significant association with antenatal and delivery care. When women have both access to media and mobile, the likelihood of delivering in a health facility increased by 1.82 times (AOR: 1.82, 95%CI: 1.51, 2.20) which is slightly better than having access to only one type of media channel. Women's education, household wealth, place of residence, religion, and current working status are among the socioeconomic factors associated with access to media and mobile. Women's education mediates the relationship of media and MHS; however, the mediation effect of women (β: .45; LLCI: .21, ULCI: .68) on the association of media and place of delivery is seen to be moderated by household wealth. Women who belong to well-off families moderates positively (Effect: .33, 95%CI: .27, .40) the education effect of media and where to deliver. Place of residence, another moderator, significantly moderates (Effect: .09, BootLLCI: .02, BootULCI: .16) the mediation effect of women's education on the association of media and antenatal care visits; women living in urban areas seems to have positively moderated the education effects on the mentioned association. Provision of media access and mobile use indicate better utilization of MHS in Bangladesh, and women's education mediates these relationships via the influence of household wealth and area of residence. Therefore, while planning interventions to increase MHS use, its relationships with the media and mobile use should be extrapolated. The collective use of these channels could be a catalyst for the success of health promotion initiatives to improve women's health behaviors, build community capacity, and create mass awareness that supports the optimal use of MHS in Bangladesh.

Knowledge and Practices of Oral Health Status among Pregnant Women Attending Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro

Background: Pregnant women's oral health behaviors and attitudes are infrequently studied in low-income countries, but they should be taken into account when developing preventive or therapeutic research to lessen the load of oral illnesses.&#x0D; Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices of oral health in pregnant women attending Oral diagnosis outpatient department OPD of Liaquat university hospital Jamshoro.&#x0D; Subject and Methods: A total of 150 patients were included in the study. Data was collected by providing questionnaire to pregnant women who attended OPD for their antenatal check up. Socidemographic findings, questions related to participant’s knowledge regarding oral health and practices adopted were recorded.&#x0D; Results: Most of the patients, 49.3% were in age range of 26 to 35 years with the majority of them being housewives. A total of 48% were illiterate followed by 24.6% who had only just primary education. Around 51.3% have the good habit of brushing twice a day. Only 37.3% had knowledge about nutritional implications in pregnancy, and 34% visit dentist once in six months.&#x0D; Conclusion: The majority of patients has little or average knowledge regarding oral health in pregnancy.

Reported Profiles of Women Who Have Sex with Women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Aims: This study explored socio-economic characteristics, sexual and health behaviour of women who have sex with women (WSW) in Tanzania. The study was conducted to increase public and policy-makers awareness about WSW characteristics, findings may be useful in planning essential public health interventions targeting the WSW.&#x0D; Methodology: We involved WSW and community leaders in this study. We used a cross-sectional descriptive formative design and conducted the study in Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke districts in Dar-es-Salaam Region in Tanzania. We performed data collection through focus group discussion (FGD), in-depth interviews (IDIs), key informant interviews (KIIs) and life stories. We applied inductive thematic analysis where open coding approach was adopted using participants’ language. We employed grounded theory approach in the analysis.&#x0D; Results: WSW in Tanzania belong to various sexual groups including lesbian, transgender, tomboy and bisexual. Although sex between women is practiced by women of all ages, it is most common among young women. It is practiced by married women and women with children and commonly starts during Secondary School. WSW are of varying socio-economic status (education and income) with some WSW facing poorer socio-economic status due to rejection, stigma and discrimination propagated by family and the wider community. WSW engage in risky behaviours, sexual and other health-related behaviours such as promiscuity, transactional sex, alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse.&#x0D; Conclusion: WSW are of varying socio-economic characteristics, sexual and health behaviours. This may mean unique public health needs for different WSW and thus calling for tailored health education, health promotion, as well as socio-economic interventions to improve health-related behaviours, for better health outcomes of the WSW.

CenteringPregnancy in the Netherlands: Who engages, who doesn’t, and why

BackgroundCenteringPregnancy (CP), a model of group antenatal care, was implemented in 2012 in the Netherlands to improve perinatal health; CP is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes. However, motivating women to participate in CP can be difficult. As such, we explored the characteristics associated with CP uptake and attendance and then investigated whether participation differs between health care facilities. In addition, we examined the reasons why women may decline participation and the reasons for higher or lower attendance rates.MethodsData from a stepped‐wedge cluster randomized controlled trial were used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine associations among women's health behavior, sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, health care facilities, and participation and attendance in CP.ResultsA total of 2562 women were included in the study, and the average participation rate was 31.6% per health care facility (range of 10%‐53%). Nulliparous women, women <26 years old or >30 years old, and women reporting average or high levels of stress were more likely to participate in CP. Participation was less likely for women who had stopped smoking before prenatal intake, or who scored below average on lifestyle/pregnancy knowledge. For those participating in CP, 87% attended seven or more out of the 10 sessions, and no significant differences were found in women's characteristics when compared for higher or lower attendance rates. After the initial uptake, group attendance rates remained high.ConclusionA more comprehensive understanding of the variation in participation rate between health care facilities is required, in order to develop effective strategies to improve the recruitment of women, especially those with less knowledge and understanding of health issues and smoking habits.

Contested racial identity and the health of women and their infants

Contested racial identity— self-identified race not matching socially-assigned race—may be an indication of experiences with racism. We aimed to understand the relationship between contested racial identity and women's health behaviors, health outcomes, and infant health outcomes. We used 2012–2015 Massachusetts Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data on 5735 women linked with infants' birth certificates. We conducted regression analyses to examine associations between contested racial identity with pregnancy and infant health outcomes and further sub-analyses among women who had experienced a contested racial identity. A total of 901 (15.7%) women reported a contested racial identity. When compared to those who did not, women who had a contested racial identity had lower odds of initiating prenatal care in the first trimester (AOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.95) and higher odds of smoking (AOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.19). Among women who had experienced a contested racial identity, those who were socially-assigned as White had decreased odds of having a low birth weight baby (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.99) when compared to those socially-assigned as non-White. Contested racial identity is common; it affects the behaviors that women engage in and the outcomes they experience postpartum. Further, we found that there is a potential benefit to a White social ascription. This work adds to growing evidence of the impact of racism on maternal and infant health in the United States.

A Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Knowledge and Health Behaviors in Women

ObjectiveTo improve health knowledge, facilitate healthy behaviors, and provide social support for a high-risk population of women by implementing a culturally tailored, gender-specific lifestyle intervention program. DesignEvidence-based practice project. Setting/Local ProblemA Chicago neighborhood in Cook County, Illinois, where there are increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension, obesity, preterm birth, and violent crime. ParticipantsFemale residents of the community, ages 19 to 45 years; 12 participants registered for the program, and 11 participants completed the entire 2-month program. Interventions/MeasurementsThe BE WISE Lifestyle Intervention, a culturally tailored, gender-specific behavior change curriculum, was used for this project. An interprofessional team was used to enhance participant experience, and neighborhood collaborations were established to create sustainability of efforts. Pre- and postintervention measures of diet, physical activity, social support, and knowledge acquisition were used to evaluate outcomes. ResultsImprovement was noted for knowledge in most of the content areas, as well as for dietary and physical activity behaviors. All participants rated the program highly and responded positively to the social support experienced in the group. ConclusionCulturally tailored lifestyle interventions can be effective in improving knowledge and encouraging behavior change, especially when delivered in group settings to enhance social support. Community-level collaborations enhance interventions by providing local support and resources for participants. Because behavior change takes time, follow-up at the 6-month and 1-year intervals is recommended to determine longer-term outcomes.

High-risk health behaviours of pregnancy-planning women and men: Is there a need for preconception care?

AimTo examine the prevalence and predictors of high-risk health behaviours in pregnancy-planning women and men. DesignCross-sectional online survey. SettingCanada. ParticipantsCanadian women (n = 529) and men (n = 92) self-identifying as planning a pregnancy within 5 years, recruited through email and social media. MeasurementsHealth behaviours examined included smoking, alcohol and cannabis use, internet addiction, low physical activity, overweight and obesity, eating habits, and sleeping less than 6 h/night. FindingsPrevalent preconception high-risk health behaviours in both women and men were low physical activity (women 44.9%, men 38.8%), overweight and obesity (women 52.5%, men 64.9%), and unhealthy eating habits (women 42.8%, men 55.8%), while men had a significantly higher prevalence of cigarette smoking (women 4.9%, men 12.0%, p=.008) and alcohol use (women 19.6%, men 40.7%, p<.001). The mean number of high-risk health behaviours in women was 2.1 (SD=1.37) compared to 2.5 (SD=1.37) in men (p=.001). Significant predictors of a higher number of high-risk health behaviours included multiparity, low education and depression in women, and higher perceived stress in men. Key ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of high-risk health behaviours in women and men actively trying to conceive or planning to achieve pregnancy soon. Health promotion should be a key component of preconception health interventions for both women and men as part of a life course approach to optimizing population health. Implementation for PracticeFindings demonstrate modifiable targets for preconception programs and factors that can be used to identify at-risk groups requiring intervention. Individual-level interventions require societal changes that promote healthy behaviours through better health policies and strong public health messaging.

Sense of coherence, general self-efficacy and health behaviors in women after mastectomy

Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the sense of coherence, general self-efficacy and health behaviors in women after mastectomy.Subject or material and methods62 post-mastectomy female members of the “Amazonka” association in Szczecin and Piła completed The Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), The Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ), the Personal Values List (LWO) and a self-designed questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics package.ResultsStatistically significant, positive correlations were observed between sense of coherence and health behaviors, and sense of coherence and positive mental attitude. Perceived support from family/friends was linked to health behaviors. There were significant positive correlations between general self-efficacy, health behaviors and positive mental attitude. No links were found between the value attributed to health and manifested health behaviors in women after mastectomy.DiscussionOur research suggests that stronger sense of coherence correlates with higher scores in terms of health behaviors and positive mental attitude. To a certain extent, this remains in line with Antonovsky's assumption that the sense of coherence affects the ways individuals use their resources, motivates to take action and helps maintain a positive attitude.ConclusionsThe sense of coherence and general self-efficacy were significantly related to health behaviors in women after mastectomy.

Impact of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on health behaviors among women with low-risk HPV, and the mediating role of behavioral intention: an interventional study

ABSTRACT In this study, we hypothesized that with educational intervention, the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control and its subscales would be related to behavioral intention increases. Also, the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are indirectly increased through the intention of behavior on the health behaviors of women with low-risk HPV (WLRH). A single-group intervention was conducted on 80 WLRH. The participants were selected using a stratified random sampling, and a researcher-made questionnaire was used. In order to be able to study the relationships between variables, the structural equation model (SEM) was used. SEM results showed that in pretest, the indirect effect of the total TPB score (β = 0.19, p = 0.005), attitude (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) on health behavior through the mediation of behavioral intentions was in posttest with intervention, the indirect effect of the total TPB score (β = 0.51, p < 0.001), attitude (β = 0.25, p < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) on health behavior through the mediation of behavioral intentions increased. The results of this study indicated that, in posttest, total TPB score on health behavioral without a mediator and with a mediator was significant. Also, subjective norms are significant factors in increasing health behavior in WLRH through the mediation of behavioral intentions.

Health Behavior in Women of Childbearing Age in Optimizing Reproductive Health by Demonstration of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) in Breast Cancer Prevention Efforts in Yogyakarta

Prevlensi yang terjadi pada Kanker di Indonesia menunjukkan adanya penngkatan dari 1,4 per 1000 penduduk ditahun 2013 menjadi 1,79 per 1000 penduduk pada tahun 2018 dimana kanker payudara berada pada urutan pertama pada jenis kanker yang paling banyak di derita wanita Indonesia yaitu sebesar 42,1 per 100.000 penduduk denga rata-rata kematian 17 per 100.000 penduduk dan hal ini menunjukkan persentase angka kematian bagi penderita kanker payudara cukup tinggi yakni mencapai 40% (Kemenkes RI, 2018). Tujuan dalam pelaksanaan kegiatan ini adaah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kesadaran masyarakat dalam upaya mendeteksi dini kanker payudara dengan cara melakukan periksa payudara sendiri (SADARI). Kegiatan PPM ini dilaksanakan pada hari pada hari Sabtu tanggal 10 April 2021 di Gandok, Condong Catur, Depok Sleman Yogyakarta. Peserta dalam kegiatan ini adalah seluruh masyarakat desa yang berada dilingkungan terdekat kampus Poltekkes Permata Indonesia. Kegiatan ini berjalan dengan baik dan berhasil. Hal ini di tunjukkan dengan sikap antusia semua peserta dalam melakukan praktik pemeriksaan payudara sendiri (SADARI) dalam upaya pencegahan atau mendeteksi secara dini kanker payudara.