Risk Perception In Women Research Articles

Cultural consensus modeling to measure transactional sex in Swaziland: Scale building and validation

Transactional sex is associated with increased risk of HIV and gender based violence in southern Africa and around the world. However the typical quantitative operationalization, “the exchange of gifts or money for sex,” can be at odds with a wide array of relationship types and motivations described in qualitative explorations. To build on the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research streams, we used cultural consensus models to identify distinct models of transactional sex in Swaziland. The process allowed us to build and validate emic scales of transactional sex, while identifying key informants for qualitative interviews within each model to contextualize women's experiences and risk perceptions. We used logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to measure associations with condom use and social status outcomes. Fieldwork was conducted between November 2013 and December 2014 in the Hhohho and Manzini regions. We identified three distinct models of transactional sex in Swaziland based on 124 Swazi women's emic valuation of what they hoped to receive in exchange for sex with their partners. In a clinic-based survey (n = 406), consensus model scales were more sensitive to condom use than the etic definition. Model consonance had distinct effects on social status for the three different models. Transactional sex is better measured as an emic spectrum of expectations within a relationship, rather than an etic binary relationship type. Cultural consensus models allowed us to blend qualitative and quantitative approaches to create an emicly valid quantitative scale grounded in qualitative context.

Hazards for Women and Children in Rural Settings.

a) To identify possible risk factors associated with rural accidents in women, b) to describe women's knowledge about zoonosis, c) to describe women's risk perception about farming, d) to describe mothers' risk perception about children's activities in rural settings, e) to estimate the initial age of exposure to the rural setting and its dangers, and f) to identify possible risk factors associated with rural accidents in children. Cross-sectional design. Women with children that live in the countryside were surveyed (n=24). Structured questionnaire. χ2, Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and logistic regression. Many women had suffered an accident in the countryside (65.6 %). Farm worker usually did not use personal protective equipment (PPE). Hearing protection, gloves, and safety goggles were rarely used. Working women showed a high risk perception for urban driving, the handling of agrochemicals, and driving on main roads (85.7 %, 70 % and 66.7 %). There was no significant association between risk perception and PPE use. Most mothers (87.5 %) thought that was good for children to learn how to perform farm chores starting at a young age. Children started to drive tractors at 9 years of age; 12.23 years on average. More than 7 % of the children (7.14 %) have suffered an accident on the farm. The most frequent accidents were being trapped in machinery (60 %). No association was found between the independent variables and the dependent variable; farm-related accidents in children (p>0.2). Risk communication is necessary to inform people involved and to reduce exposure.

Cardiovascular risk perception in women: true unawareness or risk miscalculation?

Assessing the ‘accuracy’ of cardiovascular risk perception is a worthy scientific goal that may lead to targeted interventions aimed at improving risk communication and health outcomes. Current cardiovascular risk scores, however, have shown poor calibration when used in populations that differ temporally and/or geographically from the derivation sample, limiting their reliability as the reference standard for absolute risk. In addition, accurately assessing risk awareness is challenging, with few available validated tools for effectively accounting for the outcomes assessed (coronary heart disease vs. cardiovascular disease), the time span of prediction (10-year vs. lifetime risk), and concepts of absolute versus relative risk. In this context, assessing patient awareness of the role of age as the key, non-modifiable driver of absolute risk can be particularly challenging. This commentary will examine each of these issues, providing context for the interpretation of studies on ‘discordance’ between calculated and perceived cardiovascular risk, such as the one recently published by Oertelt-Prigione et al. Moreover, we explore alternative approaches aimed at overcoming those limitations, enhancing understanding of the factors and true magnitude associated with such discordance.Please see related article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/13/52.

Identifying postpartum intervention approaches to reduce cardiometabolic risk among American Indian women with prior gestational diabetes, Oklahoma, 2012-2013.

IntroductionInnovative approaches are needed to reduce cardiometabolic risk among American Indian women with a history of gestational diabetes. We assessed beliefs of Oklahoma American Indian women about preventing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease after having gestational diabetes. We also assessed barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle changes postpartum and intervention approaches that facilitate participation in a postpartum lifestyle program.MethodsIn partnership with a tribal health system, we conducted a mixed-method study with American Indian women aged 19 to 45 years who had prior gestational diabetes, using questionnaires, focus groups, and individual interviews. Questionnaires were used to identify women’s cardiometabolic risk perceptions and feasibility and acceptability of Internet or mobile phone technology for delivery of a postpartum lifestyle modification program. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted to identify key perspectives and preferences related to a potential program.ResultsParticipants were 26 women, all of whom completed surveys; 11 women participated in focus group sessions, and 15 participated in individual interviews. Most women believed they would inevitably develop diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or both; however, they were optimistic that they could delay onset with lifestyle change. Most women expressed enthusiasm for a family focused, technology-based intervention that emphasizes the importance of delaying disease onset, provides motivation, and promotes accountability while accommodating women’s competing priorities.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that an intervention that uses the Internet, text messaging, or both and that emphasizes the benefits of delaying disease onset should be tested as a novel, culturally relevant approach to reducing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this high-risk population.

Análisis de la vulnerabilidad social y de género en la díada migración y VIH/sida entre mujeres mayas de Yucatán

This article describes and analyzes a series of social conditions, both material and symbolic, in the lives of Mayan women with migrant partners, which créate situations of social and gender vulnerability that increase their potential of acquiring HIV/AIDS. It analyzes the women's access to education and healthcare, their system of beliefs, meanings, and practices in relation to their body, their sexuality and family life, as well as their knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS, their transmission mechanisms and forms of prevention. It concludes by analyzing the women's risk perception of HIV/AIDS and the daily forms of self-care they employ to prevent STDs. This information should be useful for envisioning relevant and effective intervention strategies for prevention purposes, which target Mayan women with migrant partners.

Breast cancer risk perceptions of Turkish women attending primary care: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAs the risks and benefits of early detection and primary prevention strategies for breast cancer are beginning to be quantified, the risk perception of women has become increasingly important as may affect their screening behaviors. This study evaluated the women’s breast cancer risk perception and their accuracy, and determined the factors that can affect their risk perception accuracy.MethodsData was collected in a cross-sectional survey design. Questionnaire, including breast cancer risk factors, risk perceptions and screening behaviors, answered by 624 women visiting primary health care center (PHCC). “Perceived risk” investigated with numeric and verbal measures. Accuracy of risk perception was determined by women’s Gail 5-year risk scores.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 59.62 ± 1.97 years. Of the women 6.7% had a first-degree relative with breast cancer, 68.9% performed breast self-examination and 62.3% had a mammography, and 82.9% expressed their breast cancer worry as “low”. The numeric measure correlated better with worry and Gail scores. Of the women 65.5% perceived their breast cancer risk accurately. Among the women in “high risk” group 65.7% underestimated, while in “average risk” group 25.4% overestimated their risk.ConclusionsTurkish women visiting PHCC are overtly and overly optimistic. This was especially obvious with the result that nearly one third had had no mammography. There is a need for further studies to understand why and how this optimism is maintained so that better screening strategies can be applied at PHCC. All health workers working at PHCC have to be aware of this optimism to prevent missed opportunities for cancer screening.

Changing Risk Perception of Women Investors: An Empirical Study

Since time immemorial, women have great propensity to save and invest. If not completely, to a great extent, the socioeconomic status of women has been growing in the positive direction. Obviously, their investment decisions and risk perceptions are also changing positively. Unlike previous studies, the present research aims at understanding the risk perceptions of women exclusively. The main aim of the study is to quantify the risk appetite score of women grouped on various socio-demographic bases. The study is based on the sample survey of 120 women in Mysore city. A questionnaire comprising of a 14-item financial risk-tolerance scale developed by Grable and Lytton (1998) (but slightly modified) was used. Risk appetite score was assigned to each respondent on a 5- point Likert summated scale. The respondents were grouped on the basis of the obtained score. The results show that two-thirds of the respondents were above the average score of risk tolerance. Correlation between investment objective and occupation shows a slightly negative relationship. Correlation between risk appetite score and various independent variables allowed us to have a regression model. The regression model suggests that there is a negative influence of age of women on their risk tolerance levels, a finding which is supported by many studies. Only age and education had a positive influence on the risk appetite of women. The study has great implications for the government and investment industry in framing various policies.

Perception of Cervical Cancer Risk and Screening Behavior: A Literature Review

This review examines women's risk perception of cervical cancer, the factors influencing this perception, and the relationship between risk perception of cervical cancer and screening behavior. Integrative literature review method was used. The search procedure resulted in the identification of 42 studies, including 1 literature review and 41 primary studies. Trends and discrepancies in the literature are presented with interpretations and recommendations. Existing theories of health behavior appear inadequate for understanding screening behavior, and further studies are recommended to enrich the knowledge base of nursing diagnoses in knowledge deficit and health-seeking behavior. Efforts would be made to improve nurses' understanding of risk perception of cervical cancer within specific cultural context.

Risk perception in women with high-risk pregnancies

Risk perception in women with high-risk pregnancies affects the decisions they make about antenatal care and therefore may influence the wellbeing of mother and baby. This paper considers the factors which influence women when making risk assessments of their pregnancies and how these assessments may differ from those of health-care professionals. Women use multiple sources of information to determine their risk status, including advice from professionals and other trusted sources, and their own intuitive knowledge. They recognise the risks posed by their pregnancies and will take steps to ensure the health of themselves and their babies. However, these may not include following all medical recommendations. Women's perceptions of risks and the care they will accept are weighed up in the context of their individual circumstances. Midwives need to be aware of these factors to ensure the care they give is individually appropriate, respectful and realistic.

Perceived risk and safety-related behaviors after leaving a violent relationship

Given that victim’ risk perception could improve risk assessment in cases of intimate partner violence research is paying attention to it. However, it is not clear whether perceived risk relates to safety-related behaviors. This study is aimed to analyze how perceived risk by women who have left a violent partner relates to their safety-related behaviors and post-separation violence. Participants were 249 women (from protection services and the community) who had concluded a violent relationship. A structural equation model describes the relationships between three groups of factors: (1) women's risk perception; (2) three types of conditions that increase the opportunity for victim/abuser contact: (a) women's actions that make them easier to track, (b) women's reasons for not protecting themselves, and (c) batterers’ strategies to gain access to their former intimate partners; and (3) post-separation violence. Results indicate that psychological violence is positively related to perceived risk and helplessness. Moreover, while women's risk perception predicts less contact and self-deception, male strategies predict greater contact and routines. In turn, contact predicts intimacy, whose absence fully accounts for 93.3% of the prediction of no re-abuse, six months later. The results’ implications for intervention are discussed.

"After my husband's circumcision, I know that I am safe from diseases": women's attitudes and risk perceptions towards male circumcision in Iringa, Tanzania.

While male circumcision reduces the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission and certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there is little evidence that circumcision provides women with direct protection against HIV. This study used qualitative methods to assess women’s perceptions of male circumcision in Iringa, Tanzania. Women in this study had strong preferences for circumcised men because of the low risk perception of HIV with circumcised men, social norms favoring circumcised men, and perceived increased sexual desirability of circumcised men. The health benefits of male circumcision were generally overstated; many respondents falsely believed that women are also directly protected against HIV and that the risk of all STIs is greatly reduced or eliminated in circumcised men. Efforts to engage women about the risks and limitations of male circumcision, in addition to the benefits, should be expanded so that women can accurately assess their risk of HIV or STIs during sexual intercourse with circumcised men.

Long-Term Risk Perceptions of Women With Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Previous research has demonstrated that many women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) overestimate their risk for future breast cancer at the time of diagnosis and soon thereafter. This study aims to evaluate risk perceptions after 5 years. In a longitudinal cohort study, we mailed long-term follow-up surveys to 315 women who had previously responded to a survey 18 months after they were diagnosed with DCIS, excluding those who had experienced recurrence and those not treated at our institution. We evaluated risk perceptions with items used previously in the cohort. One hundred ninety-three women (61%) responded. The median time since diagnosis was 5.9 years. We excluded 12 because of recurrence. Of the 181 remaining, 32% perceived at least a moderate 5-year risk for developing DCIS again, 43% perceived at least a moderate lifetime risk for developing DCIS again, 27% perceived at least a moderate 5-year risk for invasive breast cancer, 38% perceived at least a moderate lifetime risk for invasive breast cancer, and 24% perceived at least a moderate risk for DCIS spreading to other body parts. In a multivariate model, worse financial status and higher perceived risk in the previous survey were the only predictors of at least a moderate perception of risk for DCIS spreading. Women with a history of DCIS continue to harbor inaccurate perceptions of their risk for future breast cancer events even 5 years after diagnosis.

Diabetes risk perception in women with recent gestational diabetes: delivery to the postpartum visit

Objective: Low perceived risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) may be a barrier to lifestyle change in women with recent gestational diabetes (GDM). We assessed perceived risk for T2DM at delivery and postpartum.Methods: We used a validated diabetes risk perception instrument to survey women with GDM at delivery and postpartum. We compared women with low perceived risk for T2DM at delivery to those with high perceived risk.Results: The majority (N = 43 of 70, 61%) perceived high risk at delivery. Women who perceived low risk were younger (30.7 ± 6.3 versus 35.0 ± 4.5 years, p = 0.003) than women who perceived high risk. Although knowledge of risk factors for T2DM was poor (mean 6.0 ± 1.9, of 11 points), 95% correctly identified GDM as a risk factor. Perceived risk was maintained in most (N = 51 of 58, 88%) who returned for their postpartum visit. Low perceived risk was not associated with loss to follow up, however correct identification of GDM as a risk factor was protective (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.005, 0.56).Conclusions: Risk perception is accurate in most women with GDM at delivery and postpartum. Further study is needed to translate perceived risk into preventive behaviors in women with recent GDM.

Abstract SS01-04: Objective and perceived risk of cervical cancer risk among Appalachian women.

Abstract Objectives: Appalachia is a geographic area with elevated cervical cancer incidence rates, yet little research has examined the accuracy of the cervical cancer risk perceptions of women living in this region. We examined the accuracy of Appalachian women's cervical cancer risk perceptions and identified factors correlated with accurate risk perceptions. Methods: Completed in 2006, we surveyed women (n=411) from Appalachian Ohio for the Community Awareness Resources Education (CARE) study. We calculated women's actual cervical cancer risk using the CARE Risky Sexual Behavior Index (classified as high, medium, or low risk), and women indicated their perceived risk of cervical cancer (classified as higher than, about the same as, or lower than other women). We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors correlated with women accurately classifying their risk. Results: About 38% of women had high actual risk of cervical cancer, 31% had medium risk, and 31% had low risk. Most women (56%) perceived their risk of cervical cancer to be about the same as other women. About 38% of women accurately classified their cervical cancer risk. Women ages 31-50 (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.03-3.05; compared to women ages 51 and older) and those with a prior abnormal Pap test (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.39) were more likely to accurately perceive their cervical cancer risk. Conclusions: Most Appalachian women do not accurately perceive their risk of developing cervical cancer. This may be particularly true for older women and those who have no history of abnormal Pap tests. Education efforts are needed to help Appalachian women better understand their risk for cervical cancer, which may in turn help improve cervical cancer screening rates among this population. Citation Format: Electra D. Paskett, Nicolas P. Bons, Paul L. Reiter. Objective and perceived risk of cervical cancer risk among Appalachian women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr SS01-04.

Risk perception of women during high risk pregnancy: A systematic review

Risk perception in women with high risk pregnancies can affect their attitude to medical care and therefore influence the wellbeing of mother and baby. This article reviews quantitative measures of risk perception in women with high risk pregnancies. A systematic search of eight electronic databases was conducted. Additional articles were obtained through searching references of identified articles. Seven studies were identified that reported quantitative measures of risk perception in relation to high risk pregnancy. The main findings were that women with high risk pregnancies perceive themselves and the pregnancies to be at risk. However, mean risk scores consistently fall below the midpoint on risk perception measures suggesting women do not perceive this risk as extreme. Women with high risk pregnancies consistently rated their risk as being greater than that of women with low risk pregnancies. Results were inconsistent for the association between women's risk perception and that of healthcare professionals. Women with higher socio-economic status were more likely to be concerned about risk, although lower socio-economic status is associated with increased risk in pregnancy. There was a consistent association between high risk pregnancy and higher levels of anxiety. This review indicates that women at high risk during pregnancy do not perceive this risk to be extreme and that there is poor agreement between women's and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of risk. This is likely to have implications for medical care and pregnancy outcomes.

The Effects of Male Attractiveness and Sexual Attitudes on Women’s Risk Perception

This study examined the effects of male attractiveness, sexual attitudes, and victimization history on women's ratings of sexual risk. Women with more liberal sexual attitudes rated vignettes as less sexually risky than women with more conservative sexual attitudes. There was an interaction between situational risk and attractiveness, suggesting the relationship between attractiveness and sexual risk ratings varies across high and low situational risk. Findings emphasize the importance of using high and low risk situations to evaluate sexual risk perception and of investigating variables that may moderate women's risk perception.

Attitudes and behaviour predict women's intention to drink alcohol during pregnancy: the challenge for health professionals

BackgroundTo explore women's alcohol consumption in pregnancy, and potential predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy including: demographic characteristics; and women's knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy and its effects on the fetus.MethodsWe conducted a national cross-sectional survey via computer assisted telephone interview of 1103 Australian women aged 18 to 45 years. Participants were randomly selected from the Electronic White Pages. Pregnant women were not eligible to participate. Quotas were set for age groups and a minimum of 100 participants per state to ensure a national sample reflecting the population. The questionnaire was based on a Health Canada survey with additional questions constructed by the investigators. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations of alcohol consumption in pregnancy with participants' characteristics, knowledge and attitudes.ResultsThe majority of women (89.4%) had consumed alcohol in the last 12 months. During their last pregnancy (n = 700), 34.1% drank alcohol. When asked what they would do if planning a pregnancy (n = 1103), 31.6% said they would consume alcohol and 4.8% would smoke. Intention to consume alcohol in a future pregnancy was associated with: alcohol use in the last pregnancy (adjusted OR (aOR) 43.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 27.0 to 71.4); neutral or positive attitudes towards alcohol use in pregnancy (aOR 5.1; 95% CI 3.6 to 7.1); intention to smoke in a future pregnancy (aOR 4.7; 95% CI 2.5 to 9.0); and more frequent and higher current alcohol consumption.ConclusionsWomen's past pregnancy and current drinking behaviour, and attitudes to alcohol use in pregnancy were the strongest predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Targeted interventions for women at higher risk of alcohol consumption in pregnancy are needed to change women's risk perception and behaviour.

Use of the Internet by women seeking information about potentially teratogenic agents

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate if the Internet provides evidence-based information to women seeking information about teratogenic risk factors and women's risk perception. Furthermore, we evaluated the possible risk related to teratogen exposure in the study sample and analysed age, gravidity, educational level, geographic location, marital status and type of exposure compared to a control group made up of women who did not use the Internet to search for teratogen-related information. Study design Between October 2008 and June 2009, a questionnaire was administered to pregnant women calling our Teratology Information Service concerning a suspected teratogenic exposure. Results Fifty-seven percent ( n = 116) of callers had used the Internet to find medical information about their exposure, while 43% ( n = 87) had not. Internet users had a medium-high level of education and consulted the Internet because of its convenience, usually early in their pregnancy. We verified the accuracy of the information the women obtained from the Internet and found that 59.5% ( n = 69) of women received evidence-based answers; 18.1% ( n = 21) were informed that their exposure was dangerous when it was not; 4.3% ( n = 5) were wrongly reassured; and the rest ( n = 18) were not able to interpret the data they found or found no relevant information. Conclusions Internet use during pregnancy is a widespread phenomenon as the Internet offers the opportunity to share apprehensions and doubts with other women, but it can often lead to increased and unjustified anxiety. Medical information published on websites cannot be considered a substitute for informed medical advice, and patients should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.

Women's Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Attitudes Toward Screening Tests

This study's objective is to identify women's breast cancer risk perceptions and their attitudes and knowledge on screening tests. The cross-sectional research. Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. The population of 188 females who applied for gynecological examination. The study employed a semistructured questionnaire form. Questions such as female's demographic data, attitudes based on screening tests of breast cancer, family history, perceived risk breast cancer, and questions with regard to patients’ fear of breast cancer were included in the survey. In this study, it is determined that the rates of the women, who conduct breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography at least once, are very low. The reason for not performing the BSE was declared with a rate of 50.8% as “Do not know how to perform.” Of the women 20.2% were fully acknowledged about BSE. Nearly half of the women perceived 50% or more risk of developing breast cancer, and this rate increases as they get older. The risk perception and educational status increased CBE and mammography rates and BSE knowledge positively, but because of insufficient BSE application abilities BSE rate cannot increase as expected. It is recommended that nurses put forward the initiatives in training programs to increase women's BSE abilities. In planning such an education program risk perception and information of women about breast cancer should be considered.

Development of an Integrated Breast Health Program for Prevention of Breast Cancer among Middle-aged Women

Purpose: This study was done to develop an integrated breast health program for prevention and early detection of breast cancer, integrating primary and secondary prevention factors using cognitive-behavioral strategies. Method: This methodological study conducted as follows; Selection of components for the program through a literature review, survey to identify women's knowledge and risk perception of breast cancer and diet, and building prototype for the program using discussion based on findings. Using structured questionnaires, interviews were done with 130 women aged 40-59 who lived in a rural area. Result: Primary prevention (diet pattern, knowledge about breast cancer, and risk perception) and secondary prevention (early detection behaviors) factors were identified through the literature review. The survey showed that women lack knowledge and awareness about the risks of breast cancer, and have a low compliance rate for early detection behavior. Based on these results, a program was developed utilizing counseling and models to provide education and practice related to diet, breast cancer, and early detection behaviors. Conclusion: Use of this integrated and tailored breast health program with women at risk will contribute to better breast health, but further study is needed to verify the effects.