Health Promotion Programs For Women Research Articles

A RCT of a Psychological Health Promotion Program for Women with SCI:Examining Efficacy and Mechanisms

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To examine the efficacy of a psychological health promotion group intervention for women with SCI and test mechanisms of change. <h3>Design</h3> Two-group (intervention vs. control) by three times of testing (pre, post, follow-up) randomized controlled trial. <h3>Setting</h3> Online virtual world of Second Life (SL). <h3>Participants</h3> A national sample of 175 women with traumatic SCI who were at least one year post-injury. <h3>Interventions</h3> The 10-week group-based Zest intervention was offered in a private parcel of land in SL. Zest participants, represented as avatars, met weekly for 10 weeks. The program featured didactic information, group discussion, action planning, homework activities, and relaxation training. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> We proposed a model in which the effect of the intervention on primary outcomes (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, PHQ-8, and Satisfaction with Life Scale) at T3 (6 month follow-up) would be mediated by the effect of the intervention on proximal outcomes (Generalized Self-efficacy Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, MOS Social Support Scale) at T2 (post-test). <h3>Results</h3> Results of analyses with Zest program completers indicated that women in the Zest intervention group demonstrated greater improvements from T1 (baseline) to T2 (post-test) than control group participants on measures of self-efficacy, stress, self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction with improvements maintained from T2 to T3. Intent-to-treat analyses produced similar findings, although group differences in depression were no longer significant. In testing our mediational model, we found self-efficacy fully mediated the effect of the intervention on self-esteem and life satisfaction, while perceived stress fully mediated the effect of the intervention on depression. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Group psychoeducational programs that specifically target self-efficacy enhancement and stress management hold promise for improving psychological health among women with SCI. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.

The effectiveness of weight loss and health promotion interventions for healthy adult women: A systematic review protocol

Introduction: Overweight and obesity is a global public health concern. In Australia, approximately 60% of women are categorised as being overweight or obese, and this rate has been growing steadily since 1995. Positive lifestyle behaviours such as regular participation in physical activity and healthy, well balanced dietary intake can assist with weight loss and weight management, however, many adult women fail to meet recommended guidelines for these behaviours. Currently many interventions have focussed on improving these weight and lifestyle behaviours amongst specific populations (e.g., pregnant or chronically diseased), however such interventions are not always transferrable to the general healthy adult female population. The aim of this review is to systematically collate and synthesise evidence on weight loss and lifestyle behaviour interventions targeting healthy adult women. Methods: This systematic review will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Four electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, CENTRAL, and SPORTDiscus) will be searched to identify potentially relevant studies. The reference lists of all studies included in this review will also be screened to identify further studies for inclusion. The eligibility criteria for inclusion will be studies that: sample adult women (aged 18-64 years), use a randomised controlled trial study design, have weight loss or other health related behaviours (e.g., physical activity, dietary intake) as primary outcomes, and are published in English. The search strategy will include terms (and synonyms) for: weight loss, physical activity, randomised controlled trials, and lifestyle behaviours. Data on participants, study duration, mode of recruitment, study design, and outcome measures will be extracted from the studies which have been selected for inclusion. If possible, results will also be pooled for meta-analyses. Discussion: This systematic review will provide information on the effectiveness of weight loss and health promotion programs for healthy adult women, along with the components of effective interventions, and strategies for successful recruitment. Consequently, the results will help inform the development and design of future gender-tailored weight loss and health promotion programs for women. Conflict of interest statement: My co-authors and I acknowledge that we have no conflict of interest of relevance to the submission of this abstract.

A reproductive and sexual health promotion program for women with heart diseases: A protocol for mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND:Nowadays, for various reasons, the prevalence of heart diseases has increased in women during reproductive age. These diseases can lead to serious reproductive and sexual-related complications in the affected women. This study will conduct to develop a reproductive health promotion program for women with heart diseases.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study that will be conducted in four phases. The first phase is a qualitative research that is done using content analysis method and semi-structured individual interviews. The experiences of women with heart disease and health providers’ team in educational hospitals, health centers, and private offices of physicians about reproductive health need will be explored. Purposive sampling will be continued until data saturation is reached and the conventional content analysis method will be used. In the second phase, the studies published from 2000 to 2020 will be reviewed by the matrix method and then will be analyzed by using thematic analysis. Integrating the results of these two stages, the draft of the program will be designed. In the third phase, the validation of the program will be checked by using the two-round modified Delphi method. In the fourth phase, the program will be implemented by the health system and its process will be monitored.CONCLUSION:A life cycle reproductive health program for women with heart disease can help improve their preconception health, fertility planning, and sexual health and promote the well-being of these women in the long run.

Zest: An Online Psychological Health Promotion Program for Women with SCI

To examine participation in and evaluation of Zest, a psychological health promotion intervention for women with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) offered in the virtual world of Second Life (SL).

Using the RE-AIM Model of Health Promotion to Implement a Military Women's Health Promotion Program for Austere Settings.

The health concerns for military women who serve in austere environments include feminine hygiene, risk of infection, and limited knowledge of gynecologic conditions, symptoms, and prevention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Women's Health Promotion Program (WHPP) for Austere Environments that was implemented in the military community setting of a large operational military unit on a southeastern U.S. military base. The WHPP is a pilot-tested program designed to educate women to recognize and prepare for environments that require alteration of feminine hygiene behaviors, with the goal of maintaining genitourinary health. Evaluation of the WHPP was designed according to the RE-AIM framework, which measures the Reach, Efficacy/effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of a health promotion program. The WHPP was offered to 49 military units (none of which declined) and presented to 443 military women in those units. One year after the implementation of the WHPP, the rates of urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis infections, and menstrual disorders decreased among the units that participated in the WHPP. These findings lay the foundation for an Army-wide adoption of this WHPP that could enhance readiness in military women.

Early detection of oral health status and cardiometabolic risk factors among reproductive-aged women in rural areas: A cross-sectional study.

Oral health status is associated with many chronic ailments, including diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, as well as pregnancy complications, such as low birth weight, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and early pregnancy loss. The health status of reproductive-aged women is important, not only for the women themselves, but also for the health of fetus. The purpose of this study was to explore cardiometabolic risk factors, oral health status, and associated factors among reproductive-aged women. The current study is a preliminary report from a nurse-led longitudinal study, examining a health promotion program for women in a rural region of Taiwan. Participants consisted of a community-based, cross-sectional sample, involving 2547 women aged 20-49 years. A high percentage of participants were found to have cardiometabolic risk factors. More than one-quarter had ⩽24 remaining teeth. Many participants reported that they did not regularly attend dental checkups and tooth scaling, did not brush at least twice a day after meals, did not have a healthy diet, and did not exercise regularly. The results also indicated that women with <20 remaining teeth tended to be older, engaged in substance use, and displayed increased cardiometabolic risk factors. The findings indicate that reproductive-aged women show a high prevalence of tooth loss, cardiometabolic risk factors, and unhealthy habits. Nurses in the primary health sectors could reduce the consequences of these risk factors and improve oral health through the early detection and initiation of health-promoting programs that reduce risky behavior associated with cardiometabolic diseases.

Levels of persistent organic pollutants in breast milk of Maya women in Yucatan, Mexico.

In this study, 24 breast milk samples, obtained from rural Maya women, from municipalities of Yucatan, Mexico, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues by gas chromatography. Recent studies have shown that Maya communities have a poor perception about the proper usage and handling of OCP. The karstic soil in this area has a high vulnerability to groundwater pollution by the use of OCP in agriculture and livestock activities. The impact of the ecosystem on human health is much more critical due to the prevailing poverty and a very low educational level of these communities. About 30% of the Maya population consumes water directly from contaminated wells and sinkholes, resulting in a chronic exposure to OCP. The samples served to identify and quantify high levels of OCP residues (18.43mg/kg of heptachlor epoxide and 1.92mg/kg of endrin in the metropolitan zone; 2.10mg/kg of dieldrin, 0.117mg/kg of endosulfan II, 0.103mg/kg of heptachlor, 0.178mg/kg of endrin, and 0.127mg/kg of endrin aldehyde in the main agricultural zone and on the west coast). The detected levels of OCP residues are a major concern and represent a potential risk to women and children in the region. This could be associated with the high rates of cervical uterine and breast cancer mortality in Yucatan. Thus, regulations on the usage of OCP and their enforcement are necessary, and it is important to establish a yearly monitoring program for OCP residues in breast milk and groundwater, as well as to implement health promotion programs for women in particular and the general population in general.

Women's Knowledge of Ovulation, the Menstrual Cycle, and Its Associated Reproductive Changes.

The purpose of this study was to examine women's knowledge of female reproduction-anatomy, hormones and their functions, ovulation, the menstrual cycle and its associated reproductive changes, conception, and signs of pregnancy. A survey was completed by 125 women of childbearing age as part of a larger "Women's Health Promotion Program." Descriptive statistics, mainly univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted using STATA 13. The women in the study were ages 18-51 years, 52.0 percent were Hispanic, 36.0 percent African American, and 12.0 percent White. The majority, 70.4 percent, had a household income of less than $20,000, 58.4 percent were not married, 83.2 percent were not trying to get pregnant at the time, and 37.6 percent had sexual intercourse that may have put them at risk for pregnancy in the past month. Less than one-third knew about the reproductive hormones. Over 80.0 percent knew their reproductive anatomy, 68.8 percent were not keeping any log to track their menstrual flow, 53.6 percent did not know when their next menstruation would be, and 49.6 percent did not know the average number of days for a regular menstrual cycle. Many did not know what ovulation is (47.2%), the ovulation timing (67.2%), the number of eggs released from an ovary each month (79.2%), and how long an egg or sperm could live in a woman's body (62.4%). Reproductive knowledge should be assessed during preconception visits and women should be taught comprehensive reproductive education-not just selected topics-to be adequately equipped to make informed reproductive decisions.

Forming a Stress Management and Health Promotion Program for Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

To assess the effects of an 8-week stress management and health promotion program on women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. Patients and methods A total of 61 patients were recruited in 2 cancer centers and were randomly assigned to the intervention program (n = 30) or control group (n = 31). The intervention program consisted of different stress management techniques, which were combined with instructions for lifestyle modification. Assessments were carried out through questionnaires and measurement of body mass index (BMI) at baseline and at the end of the 8-week program. In all, 25 participants completed the intervention program, whereas 28 participants completed the observational control program. The intervention program resulted in a small effect size on internal dimension of Health Locus of Control (HLC) and a medium effect size on stress, depression, anxiety, night sleep duration, and chance dimension of HLC. A strong effect size was recorded for BMI and sleep onset latency. Self-rated health, spiritual well-being, and powerful others dimension of HLC were not significantly affected. Additionally, some of the participants reported a reduction in the side effects caused by chemotherapy. The intervention resulted in several benefits for the general health status of patients. Therefore, it should be considered as feasible and potentially beneficial for women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy. However, it is necessary for this intervention to be tested through a randomized controlled trial in a larger sample of patients before adopting this program in standard cancer care.

The Effect of Health Promotion Program in Vulnerable Women with Osteoarthritis

Purpose: This study was to develop and evaluate a health promotion program for women with osteoarthritis. Methods: The research adopted the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 34 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group sampled among vulnerable women a...

Relationships between menopausal symptoms, depression, and exercise in middle-aged women: A cross-sectional survey

Objectives To determine the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and depression in Korean women, 40–60 years of age, and to compare the severity of menopausal symptoms and depression between subjects who exercise regularly and subjects who do not exercise regularly. Methods Data for this cross-sectional, descriptive study were collected by administering questionnaires eliciting general information, menopausal symptoms, the Beck Depression Index and an exercise history to 648 middle-aged women who participated in a women's health promotion program held in the public health center located in Incheon, Korea. Results There was a significant positive correlation between the severity of menopausal symptoms and depression. The severity of menopausal symptoms and depression in subjects who exercised more than three times a week were significantly lower than in the subjects who did not exercise. Menopausal symptoms differed significantly by education, marital status, economic level, and menopausal status. Economic status was related to education level and marital status. The correlation between body mass index and hot flushes was significant, but the magnitude of the correlation coefficient was small ( r = .208, p = .000). Conclusions Women who were depressed had more menopausal symptoms than women who were not depressed, and women who exercised regularly were less depressed and less symptomatic than women who did not exercise.

Improving the health and health behaviors of women aging with physical disabilities: A peer-led health promotion program

To examine the efficacy of a health promotion program for women aging with physical disabilities. A sample of 137 middle-aged and older women with physical disabilities was randomly assigned to either an 8-week health promotion program or to a wait-list control group. Both groups completed questionnaires before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Relative to women in the control group, women in the health-promotion program demonstrated improvements in health behaviors, most of which were maintained at follow-up. The intervention group showed some improvements on measures of physical health, but there was little evidence of improvement in psychological health outcomes. Testing our theoretical model, self-efficacy was supported as a mediator of the effect of the intervention on health behaviors, and health behaviors combined with self-efficacy were supported as mediators of the effect of the intervention on physical health outcomes. Contrary to our hypotheses, our measures of social support and social connectedness were not affected by the intervention. A brief, peer-led, group health promotion program resulted in improved scores on measures of self-efficacy, increased health behavior, and physical health. Self-efficacy, which was supported as a mediator in the effect of the intervention on behaviors and health outcomes, should remain an important focus of future interventions with this population.

A Study on Women's Fatigue and Sleeping Disturbance

Purpose: This study was to identify the relationship between fatigue and sleep disturbance in adult women so as to provide basic data for developing a women's health promotion program and nursing intervention. Method: A convenience sample of 184 women who visited a Well-baby clinic at P city Maternal child center during October in 2004 was obtained. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaires. Results: The Subjects' mean age was 36.87 years and 70% were employed and had more education than high school. The mean level of fatigue was 56.65, mean sleeping hours were 6.54, and time until falling asleep was 17.58 minutes. Scores of fatigue differed by subject's age, level of education, and menstruation status. In addition, sleeping hours differed by age, occupation status, and income level. There were significant low levels of correlation between fatigue and sleeping hours (r=-.16) and getting up too early (r=-.15). Conclusion: This study concludes that fatigue and sleeping patterns have a significant relationship.

Is a General Women's Health Promotion Program as Effective as an HIV-Intensive Prevention Program in Reducing HIV Risk Among Hispanic Women?

This study aimed to assess whether participants in an HIV-intensive prevention program and participants in a general women's health promotion program reported greater HIV risk-reduction than participants in a wait-list control group immediately following program participation and at three-month follow-up. The authors studied 162 Hispanic women ages 18 to 35 years, most of them immigrants. Three-fourths of the sample (74%) reported earning less than $800 a month, 29% did not have a high school degree, and 90% had children. Data were gathered through surveys at baseline, at intervention completion, and at three-month follow-up. Information was collected on sociodemographics, HIV risk factors, and risk behaviors. Crude and adjusted (for demographics and dose) logistic regression analyses were used to assess program effects on participants' risk reduction. Crude logistic regression analyses reveal that both programs resulted in increased condom use at post-test and follow-up. Only participants in the HIV-intensive prevention program reported increased safer sex negotiation at post-test and follow-up, however, and only participants in the women's health promotion program reported increased HIV testing at post-test. Both interventions increased condom use. The HIV-intensive prevention program appeared to be more effective in promoting safer sex negotiation, and the women's health promotion program appeared more effective in promoting HIV testing. The findings suggest that both approaches may be viable ways to package HIV prevention for short-term behavior change in this population.

Is a general women's health promotion program as effective as an HIV-intensive prevention program in reducing HIV risk among Hispanic women?

Is a general women's health promotion program as effective as an HIV-intensive prevention program in reducing HIV risk among Hispanic women?

Women, Work and Health: Issues and Implications for Worksite Health Promotion

ABSTRACT This paper identifies issues related to worksite health promotion programs for women by examining ways that work factors, health behaviors, family roles and responsibilities, and women's health are linked. Work conditions may affect women uniquely, as in the case of chemical exposure affecting reproductive health; disproportionately, such as the interaction between work and family roles; or differently from men, as in women's experience of stress in the workplace. The focus is on the differences and uniqueness of working women's health. Drawing on a public health perspective, implications for consideration by worksite health promotion programs specialist, human resource managers, and researchers are presented.

Challenges to Mental Health Promotion Among Working Women in Canada

Health promotion efforts have concentrated on promoting physical well-being with psychological benefits perhaps most often among men. With greater proportions of women now working, the workplace provides excellent opportunities for health promotion and education for women. Given increasing recognition that stress, multiple roles, and inadequate job rewards result in loss of productivity, absenteeism, illness, addiction, and premature death, it seems time to explore workplace programs of mental health promotion aimed specifically toward women workers. In this paper, current knowledge about the mental health problems experienced by working women is outlined. Some principles on which mental health promotion programs for women in the workplace might build are specified.

Well woman's clinic: a health promotion program.

In the typical health care setting of our day, true health promotion is often overlooked. Most authors agree that health promotion activities involve healthy people and serve to encourage growth and improvement in well-being. Community health nurses can be very instrumental in planning and implementing primary prevention programs that are of good quality and are cost effective. nursing process provides a scientific, systematic framework and will be used to discuss a women's health promotion program that is the focus of this article. program is called The Well Woman's Clinic (WWC) and is sponsored by the Tempe St. Luke's Hospital, Arizona State University, and Dr. H. C. Watters.