Unemployed Women Research Articles

UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHERNIHIV REGION: REALITY AND PROGNOSIS

The state of unemployment in Chernihiv region is analyzed in the article. The present day situation and the state of labor market make it necessary to detect the groups of population which are at the risk of unemployment. Both the representatives of economic science and the contemporary Ukrainian scientists-geographers have dedicated their works to the investigation of unemployment and the necessity of the state regulation of the matter. The conducted research revealed the most vulnerable groups in the structure of the unemployed and at the same time pointed out the need for searching and applying the new forms and instruments in the state policy to decrease the level of unemployment.
 The research of the state of unemployment in the region in 2010-2020 proved the tendency to its decrease. According to the official statistics, the level of unemployment in Chernihiv region in 2019 was 10,2 %. The author of the article thinks that the negative tendency on the regional labor market is the decreasing of the number of the officially registered unemployed that can be most possibly explained, on the one hand, by the implementation of complex measures targeted at reducing pressure on the labor market in Chernihiv region and, on the other hand, by the skeptical attitude of people to the registration at the Employment Center as they don’t believe the state authorities to find a job for them.
 The labor market in Chernihiv region is characterized by the gender gap – the specific weight of unemployed men is 4,9% higher than the specific weight of unemployed women. The level of unemployment among young people is higher in comparison with older age groups, which characterizes this group of population as the unstable one. However, the level of concentration in the distribution of unemployment among the young people tends to decrease in the last years. There is a stable tendency in the growth of unemployment among young people with higher education. The specific weight of unemployed citizens with higher education in Chernihiv region is 46,0%. The growing number of the unemployed with higher education indicates that in the present day social-economic conditions education doesn’t reduce the risk of unemployment.
 The level of unemployment in Chernihiv region is influenced by the economic activities of the population. The main spheres of the economic activities with the highest unemployment level are agriculture, forestry, fish-farming, state management and defense, compulsory social insurance, retail and wholesale, repairing of transport means, processing.
 The level of unemployment in rural area exceeds that one in the urban area. There is a disproportion of unemployment rate in different districts. In the half of the administrative districts the unemployment rate is 4-5%. The worst situation is in Nizhyn and Pryluky districts.
 The short-term prognosis on the number of the unemployed citizens in Chernihiv region is introduced. The number of the registered unemployed in Chernihiv region is expected to increase on 3 thousand people which makes 28,2%. The prognosis on the unemployment rate in Chernihiv region ensures monitoring of the changes, estimating of the tendencies in the development of the situation on the regional labor market and making more appropriate and timely decisions on the site.
 Key words: labor market, unemployment, unemployment rate, the number of unemployed population.

Early childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness by macro-area of origin in children born to foreign women residing in Italy

ObjectivesCountry of origin might affect vaccine uptake in children born to immigrants. We aimed to evaluate differences in childhood vaccination coverage (VC) and timeliness by macro-area of origin of foreign mothers residing in Italy. Study designMulticentre retrospective birth cohorts. MethodsWe analysed data of 23,287 children born in 2009–2014 to foreign women in the cities of Rome, Turin and Treviso. We retrieved data through record-linkage of the population, vaccination and birth registries. We estimated VCs at different ages for vaccines against tetanus, measles and meningococcal group-C, using the Kaplan–Meier method. Factors associated with vaccine uptake were evaluated using multilevel Poisson models. ResultsEstimates of VC at any age and for all antigens were significantly lower in children born to women from Asia and higher in children born to women from Africa, as compared to other macro-areas. Similar differences by area of origin were observed for timeliness; independently of mother's sociodemographic characteristics and neonatal outcomes, the probability of delay vaccination after 2 years of age for each antigen was highest in children born to women from Asia. The risk of missed vaccination for all antigens was significantly higher in children born to younger and unemployed women. ConclusionsFactors related to area of origin (e.g., cultural habits, language skills) are likely to affect parents’ decision to vaccinate their children. These factors, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, should be adequately investigated and addressed to increase vaccine uptake in foreign children, especially those born to Asian women.

Trends in smoking prevalence by occupations defined in the Japan Standard Occupational Classification: A repeated cross-sectional analysis of the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, 2001-2016

Objectives Few studies have focused on the relationship between smoking habits and occupation in Japan. This study aimed to examine the changes in smoking prevalence by occupation, specifically those occupations defined in the Japan Standard Occupational Classification (JSOC).Methods We analyzed data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, a large nationally representative survey conducted in Japan every three years, between 2001 and 2016. Survey participants were asked whether they (1) "never smoked," (2) "smoked daily," (3) "smoked occasionally but not every day," or (4) "used to smoke daily (before, at least one month)." Participants who answered (2) "smoked daily" or (3) "smoked occasionally but not every day" were considered "current smokers." Age-standardized smoking prevalence was computed based on the JSOC (10 categories: administrative and managerial; professional; clerical; sales; services; security; agriculture, forestry, and fishing; transport; manufacturing, construction, mining, carrying, cleaning, and packaging; and unemployment). The analyses were restricted to workers and unemployed men and women aged 25 to 64 years old.Results Between 2001 and 2016, the smoking prevalence (of the entire population aged 25 to 64 years old) decreased from 56.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 55.8-56.3%) to 38.4% (95% CI: 38.1-38.6%) among men, and from 17.0% (95% CI 16.8-17.2%) to 13.0% (95% CI 12.8-13.1%) among women. In 2016, the smoking prevalence for clerical (the lowest smoking prevalence) and transport workers (the highest smoking prevalence) was 27.9% (95% CI: 27.0-28.8%) and 48.3% (95% CI: 46.8-49.7%), respectively, for men, and 9.4% (95% CI: 9.0-9.7%), and 38.5% (95% CI: 32.6-44.5%), respectively, for women. Between 2001 and 2016, the smoking prevalence for men decreased for all occupations, whereas for women, the smoking prevalence decreased for all occupations except for security and for transport workers. The largest reduction rate of smoking prevalence between 2001 and 2016 for men and for women was observed in clerical workers (-21.0%) and sales workers (-7.2%), respectively. We also found that clerical workers had the lowest smoking prevalence across the 5-year age categories for both sexes, especially the younger age, which resulted in the largest differences in smoking prevalence by occupation among men aged 30 to 34 years old.Conclusion We confirmed that, between 2001 and 2016, the lowest and highest smoking prevalence for both sexes is found among clerical workers and among transport workers, respectively. Although smoking prevalence has declined among working-aged men and women between 2001 and 2016, large differences by occupations consistently exist in Japan. It is necessary to take measures against smoking habits in consideration of their social backgrounds and work environments.

Influence of occupation type on the association between sleep duration and impaired fasting glucose: results from a Chinese population-based study

ObjectivesSystematic evaluation of the influence of occupation type on the association between sleep–glucose metabolismDesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThe Nantong Metabolic Syndrome Study is a Chinese population-based study.Participants20 502 participants aged 18–74 years...

Abstract P191: Telephone-based Mindfulness Training In Diverse Prehypertensive Women: Results Of A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Chronic stress is associated with incident hypertension and is a promising intervention target for lowering blood pressure (BP), particularly in women. Growing evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions can reduce BP and improve psychological outcomes but the in-person format of traditional programs limits access. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of telephone-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT-T) in women with prehypertension. Methods: We conducted a pilot RCT in which 37 women meeting JNC 7 criteria for prehypertension (SBP 120-139 mmHg or DBP 80-89 mmHg) and not taking antihypertensive medication were recruited from outpatient clinics or via the EHR. Eligible participants were randomized to usual care or MBCT-T, which involved 8 weekly 1-hour phone sessions delivered to small groups by a trained instructor. Outcomes included feasibility (session completion), acceptability (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire [CSQ]), SBP (mean of 3 clinic BP measurements), perceived stress (PSS-10) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-8). Linear mixed models with a random effect of intervention cohort were performed to compare 3-month changes in outcomes between study arms, adjusting for age and ethnicity. Results: The mean age was 50.7±17.7, 68% of participants were racial/ethnic minorities, and baseline SBP/DBP was 127.8±6.2/77.5±7.2 mmHg. There were no significant differences between study arms in demographics or baseline characteristics. The median number of sessions completed was 6 of 8. Fewer sessions were completed by employed vs. unemployed women (4.5 vs. 7.8, t=3.55, p=.003) and by foreign-born vs. U.S.-born women (2.8 vs. 5.9, t=1.87, p=.08). Overall 3-month retention was 89% but follow-up BP was missing in ~50% of participants due to COVID-19 research restrictions. Three-quarters of MBCT-T participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention (CSQ24). In the subgroup with complete follow-up data, SBP declined in both study arms but there was no significant between-group difference (p=0.51). Conversely, greater reductions in perceived stress and depressive symptoms were observed in the MBCT-T arm vs. usual care (between-group differences of 3.63 [PSS-10; p=.163] and 2.90 [PHQ-8; p=.008]). In per-protocol analyses limited to MBCT-T participants who completed ≥4 sessions, effects were larger for perceived stress and similar for depressive symptoms (between-group differences of 6.17 [PSS-10; p=.012] and 2.77 [PHQ-8; p=.025]). Conclusions: Results support the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-based mindfulness training in diverse women with prehypertension. Promising findings for stress and depressive symptoms suggest further studies are warranted. Strategies to address barriers to participation, particularly among working women and minorities, are needed.

Occupational inequality and gender features in the labor market

The subject of the research is the gender characteristics of the world and Ukrainian labor markets. The purpose of the work is to study gender problems in the labor market, describe the causes of women's unemployment and occupational inequality, take into account gender, conduct a structured assessment of the current state of the Ukrainian labor market, take into account the experience of women's segregation in the world. The methodological basis of the article was both general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge. The article used scientific research methods: abstract-logical - to assess the world and Ukrainian labor market; system-structural analysis and synthesis - to identify the causes of gender inequality; analytical and computational; statistical and economic; settlement and constructive. Results of work.The article analyzes gender issues in the labor market. The causes of women's unemployment and occupational inequality are described. Taking into account gender features, the current state of the Ukrainian labor market was assessed, and the direction of solving the problem of gender inequality in Ukraine was determined. The field of application of results. The results of this study can be used in the regulation of unemployment in the labor market of Ukraine, the educational process in the teaching of the discipline "Labor Economics and socio-economic relations". Conclusions. Gender discrimination is a big problem all over the world. And this is one of the main causes of inequality in general. Nowhere in the world do women have equal opportunities in the labor market with men.

Incidence and risk factors for neural tube defects in a Bosnian population

Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are multifactorial congenital anomalies of the central nervous system that results from failed neural tube closure between the 3rd and 4th weeks of embryonic development. Numerous clinical and experimental studies indicate that supplementation with folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the development of these anomalies. The present study examined the incidence and risk factors for NTDs and evaluated the effects of folic acid supplementation.Methods: This cross-sectional study included all children with NTDs who were hospitalized at the Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo during the period from January 01, 2008 to December 31, 2012. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical histories of hospitalized children. The study included children in pediatric clinics from four cantons (Sarajevo, Zenica–Doboj, Unsko–Sanski, and Central Bosnia) of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The number of live births for the specified period in each of the four cantons was taken from a report by the Cantonal Ministry of Health.Results: Among the 69,096 live births recorded during the study period, 39 children had verified NTDs, with an overall incidence of 0.56:1,000 (or 5.6:10,000) in all four cantons. The most common NTDs were myelomeningocele with hydrocephalus (22/39, 56.4%), followed by isolated myelomeningocele (9/39, 23.1%), spina bifida occulta (7/39, 17.9%), and occipitocele (1/39, 2.6%). A total of 33.3% (13/39) of mothers took folic acid, but only one began supplementation prior to pregnancy, while 67.7% (26/39) of mothers did not take folic acid during pregnancy. NTDs were found more frequently in primiparas (53.8%), women with low education (basic school, 64.1%), and unemployed women (82.1%).Conclusion: It is important to make national recommendations for folic acid supplementation for women of reproductive age, but also change the public health policy that includes mandatory fortification of basic foods as this is the best measure for primary prevention of NTDs in the whole population regardless of employment and education status. Additional comprehensive studies are required to assess the incidence and risk factors throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Repeat Induced Abortion among Chinese Women Seeking Abortion: Two Cross Sectional Studies.

Background: In China, there were about 9.76 million induced abortions in 2019, 50% of which were repeat abortions. Understanding the tendency of repeat induced abortion and identifying its related factors is needed to develop prevention strategies. Methods: Two hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from 2005–2007 and 2013–2016 in 24 and 90 hospitals, respectively. The survey included women who sought an induced abortion within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proportion of repeat induced abortions by adjusting the covariates through propensity score matching was compared between the two surveys, and the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was established to identify independent factors of repeat induced abortion. Results: Adjusting the age, occupation, education, marital status and number of children, the proportion of repeat induced abortions in the second survey was found to be low (60.28% vs. 11.11%), however the unadjusted proportion was high in the second survey (44.97% vs. 51.54%). The risk of repeat induced abortion was higher among married women and women with children [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.31 (0.20, 0.49) and 0.08 (0.05, 0.13)]; the risk among service industry staff was higher when compared with unemployed women [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.19 (0.07, 0.54)]; women with a lower education level were at a higher risk of a repeat induced abortion (ORadj < 1). Compared with women under the age of 20, women in other higher age groups had a higher frequency of repeat induced abortions (IRadj: 1.78, 2.55, 3.27, 4.01, and 3.93, separately); the frequency of women with lower education levels was higher than those with a university or higher education level (IRadj > 1); the repeat induced abortion frequency of married women was 0.93 (0.90, 0.98) when compared to the frequency of unmarried women, while the frequency of women with children was 1.17 (1.10, 1.25) of childless women; the induced abortion frequency of working women was about 60–95% with that of unemployed women. Conclusions: The repeat induced abortion proportion was lower than 10 years ago. Induced abortion seekers who were married, aged 20 to 30 years and with a lower education level were more likely to repeat induced abortions.

Policing time – creating labour: the temporal control of the unemployed

ABSTRACT Taking as a point of departure the experience of unemployed women in the municipality of Malmö, Sweden, this article identifies the continuity between the policing of time in the migration complex and the unemployment complex. It explores three forms of temporal border policing: placing people on hold (waiting time), placing people in line (labour time), and placing people out of line (disposable time). By focusing on these three forms of policing unemployed people’s time, the article illuminates and analyses the contours of a gendered and racial temporality that creates a flexible, patient and disposable female and racialized workforce. It shows how processes of gendered racialization are those of time disposition and robbery, of time control and time waste, where racialized women’s time is in different ways less valued and less visible. The article illustrates the unequal gendered and racial time regime that is shaped through temporal border practices in the Swedish unemployment complex.

The results of PHQ-9 screening of latvian general population in 2019-2020

IntroductionUnder-diagnosis of depression is a concerning problem for Latvia. According to our previous research at least 115 000 new cases have to be diagnosed each year, but the data of National Health Service show that most of the cases remain undiagnosed and untreated.ObjectivesTo determine the point prevalence of depressive episode and associated factors in Latvian general population.MethodsComputer assisted face-to-face interviews were carried out between November 2019 and March 2020 to gather information on a representative sample of the Latvian adult population (n=2687). The study sample was selected using a stratified random sampling method. The participants were interviewed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; a score of ≥10 was defined as indicating the presence of a clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression was applied.ResultsThere were 1238 males (46.1%) and 1449 females (53.9%) recruited. Mean age of respondents was 49.9 (SD 18.2). The point prevalence of depressive episode in general population was 6.5% with statistically significant difference between genders: 4.8% in men and 7.7% in women (p=0.02). Lower level of education (p&lt;0.001) and unemployment (p=0.01) were statistically significant associated factors for depressive episode among women. The odds of having depressive episode were higher in male urban dwellers (p=0.03) (but not in the capital city) and in man, who live separately, are divorced or widowed (p=0.004).ConclusionsFemales, especially unemployed women and those with unfinished education, are at particular significant risk of depression, which should be adressed in developing prevention strategy and screening programmes of depression.

Factors Influencing Prevention and Control of Malaria among Pregnant Teenagers in Rural Parts of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the factors associated with malaria prevention and control among pregnant teenagers in four Primary Healthcare Centers in rural Delta State. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 pregnant teenagers in the rural part of Delta State, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire prepared in English and analyzed using STATA 13.0. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria adherence and its predictors among pregnant teenagers. The results revealed that 50.1% reported sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), 49.2% reported using indoor residual spray (IRS), and 38.4% intermittently treat malaria in pregnancy (IPTp). Women who reported secondary educational qualification were approximately three times (adjusted odd ratio [aOR]: 2.72, P =0.01), five times (aOR: 5.27, P &lt;0.001) and nine times (aOR: 9.23, P &lt;0.001) significantly and respectively more likely to sleep under ITNs, use IRS and IPTp. Those who reported tertiary education (aOR: 6.16, P =0.04) were approximately six times significantly more likely to IPTp. Unemployed women (aOR: 0.46, P =0.02) were 54% significantly less likely to intermittently treating malaria in pregnancy. The findings suggest that malaria prevention programs and intervention strategists should consider the socioeconomic conditions of poor rural teenagers, promote female literacy, and target women with several births.

Organized Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: Attendance and Determinants in Southern Italy.

Simple SummaryAlthough the effectiveness of screening in reducing the mortality of breast and cervical cancer in the EU is established, the impact of these cancers continues to be substantial among women. The aims of this study were to evaluate the attendance to breast and cervical cancer screening and the role of related determinants in an area of Southern Italy. Only 49.7% of the sample reported to have undergone mammography in the previous two years, 27.7% within an organized program and 22% as an opportunistic procedure. The attendance to cervical cancer screening interval of three years was reported by 56.1% of women, 16.1% within an organized program and 40% as an opportunistic procedure. A very low attendance was thus detected for both breast and cervical cancer organized screening programs. A strong commitment to the promotion of these programs is urgently needed, also to support their role in the reduction of inequalities of attendance of disadvantaged women.The aims of this study were to evaluate the attendance to breast and cervical cancer screening and the related determinants in a low attendance area. A cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of students attending secondary schools and university courses in Campania region, Southern Italy. Only 49.7% of the eligible women reported to have undergone mammography in the previous two years. Unemployed women, unsatisfied about their health status, with a family history of breast cancer, and having visited a physician in the previous 12 months were significantly more likely to have undergone mammography in the previous two years within an organized screening program. The attendance to cervical cancer screening in the interval of three years was reported to be 56.1% of women. Having a lower than graduation degree, being smokers, and having visited a physician in the previous 12 months were significant predictors of having had a Pap-smear in the previous three years in an organized screening program. In this study a very low attendance was found to both breast and cervical cancer organized screening programs. A strong commitment to their promotion is urgently needed, also to reduce inequalities of attendance of disadvantaged women.

National Policies for Women Empowerment: The Impact of Policy on Women Unemployment Rate in Saudi Arabia 2010-2019

This paper aims to explore the impact of national policies that are directed toward women empowerment in Saudi Arabia. The study focuses primarily on the impact that these policies had on women unemployment rate from the period of 2010 to 2019. During this period, the Saudi government issued multiple laws and policies to ensure a positive impact on women participation in labor market. This study assesses the short-term impact of each policy to understand the effect of policy on women&amp;rsquo;s participation in labor force. The results of this study show that there was a slight increase in women&amp;rsquo;s participation in labor market. However, we recommend that further studies should be conducted to study the long-term impact on women&amp;rsquo;s unemployment rate.

Building vocational skill training center for unemployed women to eradicate the cycle of poverty in District Nowshera, Pakistan

Vulnerable and unemployed women of Nowshera district have no opportunity in their region to create their own employment and sustainable livelihood in order to redeem themselves and their families, out of extreme poverty. Vocational training (VT) is expected to offer skills to uneducated and jobless women there. Vocational training is an essential tool for integrating special people in society and makes them a productive member of community. This paper presents findings of an exploratory study conducted on vocational Center’s of Nowshera district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Keywords: Vocational training, kills development, homeless women, uneducatedhusbands, poverty reduction,rural employment.

Depression by Association? Mental Well-Being of Women in Urban Slums of Pakistan

BACKGROUND: The association of mental health with parenthood is complex and varies across many social contexts. Previous studies place mothers with young children at a high-risk for depression. Therefore, the study aimed to understand the association of parity as a risk factor for maternal depression in a cross-sectional survey.&#x0D; &#x0D; METHOD: A total of 255 women were surveyed at two primary health care centers in Karachi, a Metropolitan city of Pakistan between May 2019 and July 2019 with an anonymously answered Public Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9. The demographic characteristics and related variables were determined as potential correlates of vulnerability to maternal depression. Significant predictive factors associated with risk factors were analyzed by means of linear correlation and multiple regression analysis.&#x0D; &#x0D; RESULTS: The PHQ 9 score noted an 89.2% prevalence of depression in the study sample. Of those, 72.6% (0.001 p-value) were multiparous women (3-5 children). When analyzed within each individual parity category, grand-multiparous women (6 or more children) had the highest percentage of depression at 92.6% followed by multiparous women (2-5 children) at 90.6%.&#x0D; &#x0D; CONCLUSION: The result showed the greatest frequency of depression among multiparous women. However, grand multiparous unemployed women were at the highest risk of depression among low-income urban populations.

The effects of road pricing on transportation and health equity: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Road pricing is increasingly considered as an option to support transportation infrastructure costs, manage demand, and reduce emissions. However, the extent to which implementation of such approaches may impact transportation and health equity is unclear. In this scoping review, we examine the differential transportation and health effects of road pricing policies across population groups and geographic region. We conducted a systematic database search of Transport Research International Documentation, GEOBASE, Scopus, and Ovid Medline, supplemented by bibliographic review and internet searches. Fifteen studies were included in the review. The studies evaluated area and cordon road pricing systems in Singapore, London, Stockholm, Milan, and Gothenburg, and had a median follow-up period of 12 months. Outcomes evaluated include car commuting, mode shift to public transit, accessibility to destinations, affordability, welfare, social interactions, air pollution, traffic injuries and deaths, acute asthma attacks, and life expectancy. While more studies across diverse urban contexts and policy settings will be needed to strengthen the evidence base, the existing evidence suggests road pricing has mostly net positive effects related to a reduction in car trips, air pollution, asthma attacks, and road traffic collisions, and increases in life expectancy. Frequency and ease of social interactions were found to be negatively impacted, with fewer visits to family and friends. The population groups that generally fared better across transportation and health outcomes were those with higher incomes, men, and people between the ages of 35–55. Across space, there are benefits for both the areas inside and outside the cordon boundary, but to a greater degree for the area inside. Overall, the evidence base is limited by a narrow set of health-related outcomes and a lack of longer-term studies. We did not come across any studies assessing distributional effects of noise pollution, mode shifts to walking or cycling, or other morbidities in the general population that are not listed above. In addition, there are few evaluations that include non-work trips, therefore potentially missing effects for unemployed populations or women who are more likely to make non-work trips. We find that the limited body of evidence on area and cordon pricing policies suggests these policies are beneficial for a number of transportation and health outcomes, particularly for populations inside the cordon area, but that there may be some degree of inequities in the distribution of the benefits and burdens.

Research of personal characteristics of unemployed persons with addictive behavior

The article examines the personal characteristics of unemployed men and women with addictive behavior. In order to determine the personal characteristics of unemployed addicts, the California Psychological Questionnaire CPI was used. The personal characteristics of unemployed addicts are empirically revealed. The differences between unemployed men and women with addicts, as well as the dynamics of the personal characteristics of unemployed people with addictive behavior, due to the age factor, are statistically proved. With age, unemployed people with dependent behavior decrease self-regulation, attention to others, organization, ability to take responsibility for themselves, independence, a tendency to think, insight, and increased rigidity and conservatism.

Decision Making Ability - Its Influence on General, Menstrual and Mental Health Status of Married Women - A Comparative Study between Employed and Unemployed Women

Freedom in decision-making is a significant aspect of an individual´s life. Male members generally take over the responsibility of deciding family matters. Women's autonomy in decision making contributes in their development and lowers family strain. The study aims (i) to determine the level of decision making ability of women and their involvement in family decisions (ii) to determine the factors affecting their decision making ability and (iii) to study the influence of decision making ability on the general, menstrual and mental health status, a cross sectional study conducted in Mysore city. Employed Women (EW) 400 and Unemployed Women (UEW) 272, educated and married, aged 25-40 years participated, self-reporting questionnaires were used to collect information regarding, demographic details, decision making ability, General Health Problems (GHP) and Pre-Menstrual Symptoms (PMS). Depression, anxiety and stress score questionnaire was used to assess the mental health. EW had better decision making ability. Family structure, number of dependants positively correlated with decision making among UEW and EW (p&lt;0.0001). Age had a positive influence on UEW (p=0.05%). EW independently took decisions for various household activities; UEW did along with their husbands. Higher percentage of women with limited involvement in decision making irrespective of their employment status were found to experience general health problems. EW and UEW involved in complete and limited decision making reported to experience menstrual problems. Mild and moderate forms of stress, anxiety and depression occurred in relatively higher proportion of employed women. However, a significantly higher percentage of UEW experienced severe stress, anxiety and depression. Freedom to make a decision is relaxing and helps develop confidence. Decision making ability of women is a major indicator of her family status. EW enjoy more freedom and are better decision makers, this has a positive influence on their general and mental health.

Sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women tested positive for COVID-19 admitted to a referral center in Northern Italy during lockdown period.

IntroductionWe investigated association between sociodemographic characteristics and COVID‐19 disease among pregnant women admitted to our unit, the largest high‐risk maternity unit in the Milan metropolitan area.MethodsBetween March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020, 896 pregnant women were admitted to our Institution and tested for COVID‐19. We collected information regarding their sociodemographic characteristics. Additional information on geographical area of residence, number of family members, number of family members tested positive for COVID‐19, and clinical data was collected for women tested positive for COVID‐19. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of developing COVID‐19 according to sociodemographic characteristics were estimated by unconditional logistic regression models.ResultsAmong the 896 women enrolled, 50 resulted positive for COVID‐19. Pregnant women aged ≥35 years had a significantly lower risk of developing the infection (crude OR = 0.29; 95% CI:0.16–0.55). Conversely, foreign women (crude OR = 3.32; 95% CI:1.89–5.81), unemployed women (crude OR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.77–5.40), and women with an unemployed partner (crude OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.48–6.79) showed a significantly higher risk of infection. Ethnicity was positively associated with the risk of developing COVID‐19 (mutually adjusted OR = 2.15; 95% CI:1.12–4.11) in the multivariate analysis. Foreign women with COVID‐19 were more likely to have a lower education level (p < 0.01), to be unemployed (p < 0.01), and to live in larger families (p < 0.01) compared to Italian pregnant women.ConclusionsThe socioeconomic conditions described are characteristic of immigration patterns in our metropolitan area. These factors may increase the risk of viral transmission, reducing the effectiveness of lockdown and social distancing.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is associated with a reduction of postnatal HIV transmission and optimal infant growth. Given that the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding are multi-factorial and context-specific, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice in the first 6 months among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted between January to May 2018, on 469 parturient women enlisted in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cohort study in the Eastern Cape. Mothers were asked to recall whether they breastfed their infant exclusively with breast milk from birth and if so, to state how long they did. We collected relevant sociodemographic, lifestyle, and maternal information by interview. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to determine the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice.ResultsThe prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding, measured since birth, was 32.0%. E Exclusive breastfeeding’s prevalence was significantly higher among married women (36.8%), unemployed women (36.6%), non-smokers (32.7%), and those who never drank alcohol (37.0%). Unemployed women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.08–2.56) and those with grade 12 or less level of education (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.02–7.49) had a higher likelihood of practising EBF for 6 months since birth while mothers who consumed alcohol (AOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.85) were less likely to practice EBF for 6 months.ConclusionsThe prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding in the study, although comparable with sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide prevalence, remains suboptimal. Advocacy campaigns on EBF must target alcohol cessation and the creation of a favourable workplace environment for lactating mothers.