Native Women Research Articles

Prevalence of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Race and Ethnicity in Illinois, 2018 to 2020.

Use administrative discharge data from 2018 to 2020 to determine if there are differences in the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by race and ethnicity in Illinois. This retrospective cross-sectional study used administrative discharge records from all patients who had live births in Illinois over a 3-year period; 2018, 2019, 2020. Multivariate analyses were performed to control for covariates and determine if associations vary by race and ethnicity for HDP and GDM. A total of 287,250 discharge records were included. Multivariate analyses showed that after adjusting for covariates, non-Hispanic Black women had 1.60 increased odds of HDP compared to non-Hispanic White women (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.55-1.65). Hispanic women (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.40-1.50), Asian/Pacific Islander women (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.97-2.17), and American Indian/Alaska Native women (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.74) had an increased odds of GDM compared to non-Hispanic White women. Women of color were at increased odds for HDP and GDM in Illinois. To eliminate poor maternal outcomes in women of color at risk for HDP and GDM, more culturally congruent health equity practices, policies, and comprehensive care interventions must be adopted.

Ascertainment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status for assessment of perinatal health outcomes: Reported versus derived maternal ethnicity in Western Australian pregnancy data.

Under-identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Aboriginal) people can result in inaccurate estimation of health outcomes. Data linkage has improved identification of Aboriginal people in administrative datasets. To compare three methods of ascertainment of Aboriginal status using only pregnancy data from the Western Australian Midwives Notification System (MNS), to the linked Indigenous Status Flag (ISF) derived by the Department of Health. This retrospective population-based cohort study utilised logistic regression to determine which demographic characteristics were associated with under-identification, and the effect of ascertainment method on perinatal adverse outcomes. All methods identified a core group of 19 017 (83.0%) Aboriginal women and the ISF identified 2298 (10.0%) women who were not identified using any other method. Under-ascertainment was lowest when a woman's Aboriginal status was determined by ever being recorded as Aboriginal in the MNS data, and highest when taken as it had been recorded for the birth in question. Maternal age <20 years, smoking during pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, a history of singleton preterm birth and being in the lowest 20% of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas score were all associated with a higher chance of being identified by the methods using only the MNS. These methods were less likely to identify nulliparous women, and those with maternal age ≥35 years. The method of ascertainment of Aboriginality did not make a significant difference to the adjusted predicted marginal probabilities of adverse perinatal outcomes. Unlinked pregnancy data can be used for epidemiological research in Aboriginal obstetric populations.

Look What We Have Here: Exploring Brand-Related Sport Consumer Twitter Conversation Topics

Abstract: As sport organizations leverage social media as a critical component of marketing strategy, tools for exploring the large volume of sport consumer social media conversations are vital. This scholarship demonstrates the value of unsupervised latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) as a tool for exploring consumers' digital conversations. Specifically, unsupervised LDA was applied to derive latent topics among Women's National Basketball Association-related Twitter conversation over the course of the 2020 season. Quantitative (cv and umass scores) and qualitative (two expert reviews) approaches were utilized to delineate topic configurations. Marginal topic distance established topic importance. Results from 118,518 tweets revealed 18 conversation topics spanning two overarching themes: social justice issues and on-court performance. The range and depth of the results highlight the importance of the unsupervised topic modeling method (without semi-supervised predetermined topic leads) for considering holistic rather than subsampled or snapshot datasets. This empirical investigation extends the conversation surrounding natural language processing to sport management research and practice, delivers a foundation for unsupervised LDA application to sport consumer conversation, and explores social media conversations during a critical moment for the WNBA.

Worth a Shot? The Impact of Athletes' Vaccine Advocacy on Fan Attitudes and Behaviors

Abstract: Sport activism and advocacy have received substantial attention in both academic and popular literature. However, recent years brought controversy, and corresponding advocacy, around a new topic—COVID-19 vaccines—which offers an interesting research opportunity since fans may view athlete engagement with health topics differently from other causes. Thus, this study explored the effect of athlete health-related advocacy on the corresponding fan attitudinal and behavioral changes directed toward both the athlete and the athlete's team. A quasi-experimental design was utilized and both National Basketball Association (NBA) fans ( n = 210) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) fans ( n = 218) with a variety of perspectives on vaccines were recruited. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the interplay between fan vaccine perspectives and athlete messages on the topic stimulated a variety of changes in fan attitudes and consumption intentions toward the athlete and, in some cases, the athlete's team. Collectively, the findings have important practical and theoretical implications within sport marketing.

The right time: women, medicine and maternal age in 1980s Aotearoa New Zealand

In the late twentieth century, increasing numbers of women in wealthy nations waited until they were aged in their 30s to give birth and become parents. This article examines responses...

Federal field nurses and Indigenous births

Beginning in 1924, the US Office of Indian Affairs sent public health or ‘field’ nurses to Native nations to provide preventative healthcare and education. The field nurse programme began under...

Shoulder dystocia in babies born to Aboriginal mothers with diabetes: a population-based cohort study, 1998–2015

BackgroundAustralian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) are more likely to have glycaemic levels above the target range, and their babies are thus at higher risk of excessive fetal growth. Shoulder dystocia, defined by failure of spontaneous birth of fetal shoulder after birth of the head requiring obstetric maneuvers, is an obstetric emergency that is strongly associated with DIP and fetal size. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of shoulder dystocia in Aboriginal babies born to mothers with DIP.MethodsStratifying by Aboriginal status, characteristics of births complicated by shoulder dystocia in women with and without DIP were compared and incidence and time-trends of shoulder dystocia were described. Compliance with guidelines aiming at preventing shoulder dystocia in women with DIP were compared. Post-logistic regression estimation was used to calculate the population attributable fractions (PAFs) for shoulder dystocia associated with DIP and to estimate probabilities of shoulder dystocia in babies born to mothers with DIP at birthweights > 3 kg.ResultsRates of shoulder dystocia from vaginal births in Aboriginal babies born to mothers with DIP were double that of their non-Aboriginal counterparts (6.3% vs 3.2%, p < 0.001), with no improvement over time. Aboriginal mothers with diabetes whose pregnancies were complicated by shoulder dystocia were more likely to have a history of shoulder dystocia (13.1% vs 6.3%, p = 0.032). Rates of guideline-recommended elective caesarean section in pregnancies with diabetes and birthweight > 4.5 kg were lower in the Aboriginal women (28.6% vs 43.1%, p = 0.004). PAFs indicated that 13.4% (95% CI: 9.7%-16.9%) of shoulder dystocia cases in Aboriginal (2.7% (95% CI: 2.1%-3.4%) in non-Aboriginal) women were attributable to DIP. Probability of shoulder dystocia among babies born to Aboriginal mothers with DIP was higher at birthweights > 3 kg.ConclusionsAboriginal mothers with DIP had a higher risk of shoulder dystocia and a stronger association between birthweight and shoulder dystocia. Many cases were recurrent. These factors should be considered in clinical practice and when counselling women.

Supporting healthy lifestyles for First Nations women and communities through co-design: lessons and early findings from remote Northern Australia.

The period before, during, and after pregnancy presents an opportunity to reduce diabetes-related risks, which in Australia disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women/communities is essential to ensure acceptability and sustainability of lifestyle modifications. Using a novel co-design approach, we aimed to identify shared priorities and potential lifestyle strategies. We also reflected on learnings from this approach. We conducted 11 workshops and 8 interviews at two sites in Australia's Northern Territory (Central Australia and Top End), using experience-based co-design (EBCD) and incorporating principles of First Nations participatory research. Workshops/interviews explored participant' experiences and understanding of diabetes in pregnancy, contextual issues, and potential lifestyle strategies. Participants included three groups: 1) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age (defined as aged 16-45 years); 2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members; and 3) health/community services professionals. The study methodology sought to amplify the voices of Aboriginal women. Participants included 23 women between ages 16-45 years (9 with known lived experience of diabetes in pregnancy), 5 community members and 23 health professionals. Key findings related to identified priority issues, strategies to address priorities, and reflections on use of EBCD methodology. Priorities were largely consistent across study regions: access to healthy foods and physical activity; connection to traditional practices and culture; communication regarding diabetes and related risks; and the difficulty for women of prioritising their health among competing priorities. Strategies included implementation of a holistic women's program in Central Australia, while Top End participants expressed the desire to improve nutrition, peer support and community awareness of diabetes. EBCD provided a useful structure to explore participants' experiences and collectively determine priorities, while allowing for modifications to ensure co-design methods were contextually appropriate. Challenges included the resource-intensive nature of stakeholder engagement, and collaborating effectively with services and communities when researchers were "outsiders". A hybrid methodology using EBCD and First Nations participatory research principles enabled collaboration between Aboriginal women, communities and health services to identify shared priorities and solutions to reduce diabetes-related health risks. Genuine co-design processes support self-determination and enhance acceptability and sustainability of health strategies.

Wiidookaage'win: Beta-test of a Facebook group intervention for Native women to support opioid use recovery

IntroductionThe ongoing opioid misuse epidemic has had a marked impact on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Culture- and gender-specific barriers to medically assisted recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) have been identified, exacerbating its impact for AI/AN women. Wiidookaage’win is a community-based participatory research study that aims to develop a culturally tailored, moderated, private Facebook group intervention to support Minnesotan AI/AN women in medically assisted recovery from OUD. The current study assessed the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a beta-test to inform refinements before conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). MethodsThe intervention was beta-tested for 30 days. Moderators were trained prior to delivering the intervention. Study assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. The post-intervention assessments included substance use (self-report and urine drug screen), treatment acceptability, mental health, and spirituality outcomes. We examined intervention engagement patterns using Facebook metrics and qualitatively explored common topics that emerged in participant posts and comments. ResultsTen AI/AN women taking medication for OUD (MOUD) were accrued (age range 25–62 years). Participants had been in opioid recovery a mean of 15.2 months (SD = 16.1; range = 3–60). The study participation rate (accrued/eligible) was 91 %. Nine participants completed the post-intervention survey assessment and eight completed a UDS. Acceptability was high based on the mean treatment satisfaction score (M = 4.8, SD = 0.2 out of a possible 5.0), Facebook group engagement, and positive qualitative feedback. All participants retained at post-intervention continued their MOUD treatment, and none had returned to opioid use. ConclusionsThe beta-test indicated that the Facebook platform and study procedures generally worked as intended and that the intervention was largely acceptable to study participants. The results of this study phase provided valuable insights to inform refinements prior to conducting a pilot RCT to further assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the intervention.

Features of designing a Component Element of the National women's Azerbaijani Costume - Kelagai Scarfs

Presents studies of the parameters of the structure and design of Azerbaijani national scarves kelagai. A historical analysis of the development of kelagai production has been carried out, which reflects the ethnographic, historical, artistic and technological features of folk art. Proposals have been developed for the use of kelagai in the design of modern fashionable women's clothing. The features of making kelagai scarves have been studied and the factors influencing their structure and structure, as well as their role in the formation of national characteristics of modern fashion, have been identified. The structure and structure of kelagai scarves was studied based on the texture of the fabric structure. The conducted research makes it possible to use the national traditions of making kelagai scarves in the design of modern clothing, as one of the iconic and symbolic elements of folk culture and an important component of the artistic and compositional patterns of shaping promising models of modern women's clothing, as well as for the dynamic development of material and spiritual culture.

Women and Nationality Laws in the GCC States Gender Discrimination and Violation of Constitutional Rights

The paper reviews the situation of a number of GCC states where women married to non-national husbands find themselves and their children in a unique and un-justiciable position. The paper systematically reviews constitutional provisions for equality, and looks at the case law in these states that promise gender equality for all before the law. But it notes that a major exception in all GCC states is that of the right of women married to non-national men, to pass nationality to their children. The objectives of this article rest on proving that nationality laws of the GCC States appertaining to the practice of not allowing national women married to foreign men to pass nationality to their children is breaching a constitution rules. The study adopted a comparative and analytical approach, where the relevant data have been analyzed; this includes constitutional laws, nationality laws, case law of the high courts in the GCC States as well as books and articles. This study has shown that although all GCC States have declared in their constitutions that rights and freedoms are ensured and guaranteed, in practice, the story is different: the right of gender equality and right of litigation are being violated. This study has demonstrated that rules on acquisition of nationality in the GCC States involves clear discrimination against national women. Such a situation undoubtedly beaches the constitutional provisions of equality, and therefore should be amended. In a situation of developing human rights awareness in the GCC states, this paper explores how there appears to be an exception, in the form of nationality rights for women and children. The paper reviews the situation of a number of GCC states where women married to non-national husbands find themselves and their children in a unique and un-justiciable position. The paper systematically reviews constitutional provisions for equality, and looks at the case law in these states that promise gender equality for all before the law. But it notes that a major exception in all GCC states is that of the right of women married to non-national men, to pass nationality to their children. The paper asks if this anomaly is still justified in the 21st century. The objectives of this article rest on proving that nationality laws of the GCC States appertaining to the practice of not allowing national women married to foreign men to pass nationality to their children is breaching a constitution rules. The study adopted a comparative and analytical approach, where the relevant data have been analyzed; this includes constitutional laws, nationality laws, case law of the high courts in the GCC States as well as books and articles. This study has shown that although all GCC States have declared in their constitutions that rights and freedoms are ensured and guaranteed, in practice, the story is different: the right of gender equality and right of litigation are being violated. This study has demonstrated that rules on acquisition of nationality in the GCC States involves clear discrimination against national women. Such a situation undoubtedly beaches the constitutional provisions of equality, and therefore should be amended.

Bone health and awareness of osteoporosis in women aged 40 to 60 years in Jiaxing City, China.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the pattern of bone mineral density (BMD) in native Jiaxing women, and to investigate their awareness of osteoporosis. A total of 538 native Jiaxing women aged 40 to 60 years were recruited from January 2022 to December 2023 when they had routine examinations in the physical examination center of Jiaxing Maternal and Child Health Hospital. The Chinese version of Osteoporosis Prevention and Cognition Tool was used to evaluate participants' cognitive level of osteoporosis. BMD of participants' lumbar spine (L1-L4) and left hip (Neck/Troch/Ward) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean total score of the awareness about osteoporosis (general knowledge, complications, and prevention) was 22.08 ± 2.74, which was suboptimal. The higher the education level, the higher the score of awareness (P < .01). Medical staff had the highest awareness rate of osteoporosis and the farmer had the lowest. Lumber spine and hip BMD of all sites was significantly decreased with increasing age (P < .001). Premenopausal women had higher BMD than postmenopausal women at all lumbar spine and hip sites (P < .01). The overall frequency of osteoporosis was 10.8% in the lumbar spine, 8.6% in the total hip, and 17.7% in either site. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are highly prevalent among native Jiaxing women but their awareness of osteoporosis is inadequate. To reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis, especially among the unemployed, we should carry out effective health education through multimedia to raise their awareness of osteoporosis. In addition, menopausal hormone therapy should also be considered in menopausal women.

Aboriginal and Immigrant Women’s Food Choices and Practices in Pregnancy: A Scoping Review

Dietary patterns of pregnant women are closely related to cultural values, beliefs, and various social and economic factors. Knowledge of the food choices and practices among pregnant Aboriginal and immigrant women, who both are vulnerable to poor pregnancy and birth outcomes, is essential for midwives and other maternity care providers to provide culturally appropriate care during pregnancy. A “scoping review,” guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, was performed to examine and outline the extent, range, and nature of empirical evidence on immigrant and Aboriginal women’s food practices during pregnancy. Assisted by an information scientist, a systematic search strategy without language or date restrictions was implemented in several electronic databases to identify primary research articles on the subject. Two reviewers independently screened, selected, and charted the data, and team consensus was used for discrepancies. A descriptive analytical framework was followed to depict the existing narrative account of the included studies. Seventeen articles describing seven qualitative and ten quantitative research studies were selected for review, and nine themes were identified. This review will help midwives and other maternity care providers gain an understanding of the importance of culture for Aboriginal and immigrant women’s diets and of existing barriers so that prenatal care can be individually tailored to include nutritional advice and to optimize culturally appropriate care. More individual studies that focus on the cultural aspects of immigrants and Aboriginal pregnant women are needed to improve prenatal care. This article has been peer reviewed.

The Experiences of Pregnant Women Accessing Food in Remote Aboriginal Communities on Haida Gwaii

Context: Despite strong evidence supporting the importance of good nutrition in pregnancy for optimal perinatal outcomes, little research exists regarding the experiences of women’s access to food in pregnancy. This is particularly true of research on remote Aboriginal women, who may be constrained by local availability and costs of local food. Methods: This research was carried out in a case study design and in a semi- structured qualitative interview format. Twelve women in the postpartum period on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, were interviewed. Ethics approval was granted. Results were extracted, using a thematic analysis based on nine research questions. Results: Three main themes emerged through the interviews with the participants: (1) access to traditional foods, (2) enablers to access, and (3) financial limitations.Conclusion: Aboriginal women in remote communities experience challenges accessing food during pregnancy. However, the integration of traditional foods into their diet was viewed as a strong contributor to improving nutrition in pregnancy. For participants in this study, accessing traditional foods embodied cultural values, provided opportunities for autonomy, and directly contributed to the health and well-being of pregnant mothers. This article has been peer-reviewed.

Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: Does Race Matter?

The importance of this study was to examine treatment patterns and surgical complications for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to describe the treatment of SUI and associated complications in a racially and ethnically diverse population. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a new diagnosis of SUI. We identified patients who received treatment with a pessary, pelvic floor physical therapy, or surgery. Surgical complications were abstracted. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between race/ethnicity and treatment, as well as surgical complications. A total of 67,187 patients with a new diagnosis of SUI were included. The population was predominately Hispanic (47.5%) followed by White, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native. Comparing no treatment to any treatment, all racial/ethnic groups, except American Indian/Alaska Native, had decreased odds of receiving treatment compared with White women. Hispanic and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women had increased odds of referral for pelvic floor physical therapy compared with White women. All racial/ethnic groups, except for American Indian/Alaska Native women, had decreased odds of receiving a sling procedure compared with White women. When these racial/ethnic minority groups did receive treatment, it was more likely to be conservative treatment compared with White women. There were no significant differences in individual surgical complications. Racial minority women were 20-50% less likely to undergo a sling procedure, commonly posited as the gold standard surgical treatment. Racial minority women were 40-100% more likely to receive conservative management and 20-50% less likely to receive any treatment compared with White women.

Outcomes of gestational diabetes in native and non-native women - a three-year national study

Outcomes of gestational diabetes in native and non-native women - a three-year national study

Association of osteoporotic fractures of femoral neck and femoral neck geometric parameters in native Chinese women

BackgroundAlthough it is generally believed that the femoral neck fracture is related to the femoral neck geometric parameters (FNGPs), the association between the risk of osteoporotic fracture of the femoral neck and FNGPs in native Chinese women is still unclear.MethodsA total of 374 female patients (mean age 70.2 ± 9.32 years) with osteoporotic fracture of the femoral neck, and 374 non-fracture control groups were completely matched with the case group according to the age ratio of 1:1. Using DXA bone densitometer to measured eight FNGPs: the outer diameter (OD), cross-sectional area (CSA), cortical thickness (CT), endocortical diameter (ED), buckling ratio (BR), section modulus (SM), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and compressive strength index (CSI) at the narrowest point of the femoral neck.ResultsCompared with the control group, the average values of OD (2.9%), ED (4.5%), and BR (26.1%) in the patient group significantly increased (p = 0.015 to < 0.001), while CSA (‒15.3%), CT (‒18.2%), SM (‒10.3%), CSMI (‒6.4%), and CSI (‒10.8%) significantly decreased (all p < 0.001). The prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip was, respectively, 82%, 81%, and 65% in fracture patients. Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed that in the age adjusted model, the fracture hazard ratio (HR) of CSA, CT, BR, SM, and CSI significantly increased (HRs = 1.60‒8.33; 95% CI = 1.08‒16.6; all p < 0.001). In the model adjusted for age and femoral neck BMD, HRs of CT (HRs = 3.90‒8.03; 95% CI = 2.45‒15.1; all p < 0.001) and BR (HRs = 1.62‒2.60; 95% CI = 1.20‒5.44; all p < 0.001) were still significantly increased.ConclusionThese results suggest that the majority of osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck of native Chinese women occur in patients with osteoporosis. CT thinning or BR increase of FNGPs may be independent predictors of fragility fracture of femoral neck in native Chinese women unrelated to BMD.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Fertility in Spain

We study the effect of the first wave of COVID-19 and the accompanying containment measures on fertility in Spain. We use earlier years to predict births in the absence of the pandemic and then compare our prediction to actual births. We document a large fall in births in December 2020 and January 2021 and a complete catch-up during the rest of 2021. The fall in fertility was moderate among native women, with a substantial rebound and a positive net effect of 5% by the end of 2021, while the decline in births among foreign women started early and was persistent.

Talking Back: Native Women and the Making of the Early South by Alejandra Dubcovsky (review)

Talking Back: Native Women and the Making of the Early South by Alejandra Dubcovsky (review)

Rural Employment Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Region

This FEDS Note explores racial and regional differences in metro-nonmetro employment disparities by looking at employment rates by age, sex, race and ethnicity, and region. It finds substantial differences in the metro-nonmetro employment gap across racial and ethnic groups, with Black or African American and American Indian and Alaska Native men and women having much lower employment rates in nonmetro areas relative to their metro peers.