Challenges For Women Research Articles

Challenges Women with Disability Face in Accessing and Using Maternal Healthcare Services in Ghana: A Qualitative Study.

BackgroundWhile a number of studies have examined the factors affecting accessibility to and utilisation of healthcare services by persons with disability in general, there is little evidence about disabled women's access to maternal health services in low-income countries and few studies consult disabled women themselves to understand their experience of care and the challenges they face in accessing skilled maternal health services. The objective of this paper is to explore the challenges women with disabilities encounter in accessing and using institutional maternal healthcare services in Ghana.Methods and FindingsA qualitative study was conducted in 27 rural and urban communities in the Bosomtwe and Central Gonja districts of Ghana with a total of 72 purposively sampled women with different physical, visual, and hearing impairments who were either lactating or pregnant at the time of this research. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to gather data. Attride-Stirling’s thematic network framework was used to analyse the data. Findings suggest that although women with disability do want to receive institutional maternal healthcare, their disability often made it difficult for such women to travel to access skilled care, as well as gain access to unfriendly physical health infrastructure. Other related access challenges include: healthcare providers’ insensitivity and lack of knowledge about the maternity care needs of women with disability, negative attitudes of service providers, the perception from able-bodied persons that women with disability should be asexual, and health information that lacks specificity in terms of addressing the special maternity care needs of women with disability.ConclusionsMaternal healthcare services that are designed to address the needs of able-bodied women might lack the flexibility and responsiveness to meet the special maternity care needs of women with disability. More disability-related cultural competence and patient-centred training for healthcare providers as well as the provision of disability-friendly transport and healthcare facilities and services are needed.

Leveraging Economy through MSMEs: Recent Trends and Challenges of Women’s Entrepreneurship in South India

The new millennium is seen as an epoch of entrepreneurship with entrepreneurs perceiving novel opportunities, organizing resources, undertaking risks to pursue their goals in establishing innovative ventures for scaling new horizons. Women entrepreneurs have the potency to confront numerous challenges, such as creating equity, equilibrium, ensuring sustainable and inclusive socio economic development in divergent economies, by seizing tremendous business opportunities in the contemporary commercial world. Kerala, the southern State of India, is experiencing an economic renovation through technological transformation and, in particular, through the growth of women oriented Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The study aims to; identify the growth trends of women’s entrepreneurship in the micro enterprises of Kerala; examine whether women’s entrepreneurial activities significantly vary across the form of women owned enterprises, type of organization and nature of activity; and also explore the prospects and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs through micro entrepreneurial activities. Research methodology involves the application of descriptive quantitative analysis on the secondary data primarily collected from the database of Directorate of Industries and District Industries Centre for a period of 7 years extending from 2007-08 to 2013-14. Findings reveal that MSMEs spawn better income distribution, by operating in heterogeneous areas of the economy with limited capital and creating more employment opportunities, thereby reducing poverty and inequalities. The trend analysis reflects an escalation in the number of enterprises, investments, profits and employment opportunities generated especially through micro enterprises of women. They play a crucial role in the economy in terms of creating self employment and generating employment opportunities for others. A paradigm shift is seen in the role of women’s entrepreneurship in terms of innovation, attitudes, leadership qualities, competitiveness, entrepreneurial skill and absorbing new entrants to the job market, empowering marginalized women.

The Roles and Challenges of Women in Housing Construction in Osogbo Local Government Area, Osun State

Globally, housing construction is well known to be capital and labour intensive. These ‘two resources seem to elude women. Where women are found to operate in construction, it is usually at menial capacity that does not require any particular skill set. Consequently, the role and challenges of women in housing have not been adequately addressed in the literature. This study therefore examines the role of women in housing construction in Osogbo local government with a view of determining the challenges faced by women in housing construction. The study used case study research design. Both primary and secondary data were sourced for the study. Primary data were collected through a set of pretested questionnaires administered on 205 female professionals, women generally and on-site workers purposively selected in the study area. Secondary data were collected from Osogbo local government, Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning, and some Professional bodies in Osun State. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data at p d” 0.05 alpha level. The study revealed that 52.0% of women on-site were below 35 years of age. 89.3% earned N9, 000 per month; 40.0% had no formal education; the role of professional women in housing construction includes project monitoring and supervision (100.0%) and fetching of water. A total of 60.5% of the on-site respondents were faced with sexual harassment. Chi square analysis shows that there is significant difference in the role and challenges faced by women in the construction industry in Oshogbo. Women were found to have played some definite roles in the construction industry and face a lot of challenges including sexual harassments. Therefore, the role of women should be emphasized while challenges be addressed through law against such act when reported by the victims.

Social Support and Women Living With Breast Cancer in the South of Thailand.

To discuss social support among women with breast cancer in rural communities in southern Thailand. Qualitative research that allowed researchers to understand the lived experiences of women living with breast cancer and social support. In-depth interviewing and drawing methods were adopted with 20 women with breast cancer. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Most women with breast cancer received three types of social support: emotional support, tangible support, and informational support. Most support came from family members and relatives. Religion was also a form of social support for women. Many women, however, received insufficient social support from healthcare providers. This reduced their capacity to manage their illness, thus impacting their well-being. Various forms of support are essential for women with breast cancer so that they can better cope with their condition. Nurses and other health professionals are an important source of social support for women with breast cancer. Through having an understanding of and being sensitive to these women's experiences, culture, and challenges, nurses and healthcare professionals can provide more individualized support and care to women during a vulnerable period of their life. We contend that the cultural perspectives of patients are crucial in nursing science. Nurses need to appreciate the importance of culture for the support of patients with breast cancer.

Menstrual Abnormalities and Reproductive Challenges in Women With End Stage Renal Disease on Chronic Dialysis.

Menstrual Abnormalities and Reproductive Challenges in Women With End Stage Renal Disease on Chronic Dialysis.

Leading at the top: Understanding women's challenges above the glass ceiling

Women leaders contribute positively to organizations yet remain significantly underrepresented in corporate leadership positions. While the challenges women face are well-documented, less understood are the factors that shape the experience and success of women who, against significant odds, rise above the glass ceiling. This paper advances scholarship on women and leadership by analyzing the conditions under which women are promoted to top leadership positions and exploring the opportunities and challenges they face post-promotion. We draw on two data sources: comparison of the career trajectories of all women who have ever served as CEO in the Fortune 500 with a matched sample of men CEOs as well as in-depth interviews with women executives across a variety of sectors. Our analysis reveals that women are more likely than men to be promoted to high risk leadership positions and often lack the support or authority to accomplish their strategic goals. As a result, women leaders often experience shorter tenures compared to male peers. We consider the implication of our findings for theory, research and practice.

Health status among black African-born women in Kansas City: a preliminary assessment.

BackgroundHealth information and statistics for Black foreign-born women in the United States are under-reported or not available. Black foreign-born women typically are classified under the general category of African American, ignoring the heterogeneity that exists in the United States Black population. It is important to identify health issues and behaviors of African-born women to effectively address health disparities.MethodsBlack African-born women (N = 29), 20 years or older completed a survey about general and women’s health, health history, acculturation, lifestyle, social and health challenges, beliefs about breast cancer. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 software. Categorical variables were summarized with frequencies and percentages and continuous variables were summarized with means and standard variation. A Likert scale (strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree) was used to assess beliefs about breast cancer.ResultsMost (71.4 %) participants had a high school education or more, 70 % were employed, and 50 % had health insurance. Two-thirds received health care from primary care doctors, 20.7 % from health departments, and 39.3 % got annual checkups. Lack of jobs, healthcare cost, language barrier, discrimination, and child care were the top social issues faced by participants. High blood pressure, obesity, oral health, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes were indicated as the most common health problems. The percent of participants (60 %) that had not had a mammogram within the previous 2 years was more than the state average (24 %) for women 40 years and older reported by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The percent of participants (40 %) that had a mammogram within the previous 2 years was lower than the national average (73.2 %) for African American women.ConclusionsStudy provides a snapshot of social concerns and health issues in an African population residing in Midwestern United States. Understanding the socio-cultural characteristics of this population is necessary to address health disparities.

Challenges of Women for Entering in to Old Boys Network Case Study: Iran Universities

Today networks and entering in to the networks are the main ways that people can promote their position in the organizations through them. Likewise, entering to the networks (formal and informal) is a major concern for newcomers who want to promote their scientific position. Researchers show that despite the dramatic increase in the number of women at universities in Iran, they have problem of entering in to the scientific networks. This study attempts to identify and explain the women challenges for entering in to the male academic networks (old boys' networks) of Iran universities. In this article grounded theory approach as a qualitative research method is applied. We selected 18 faculty members through snowball sampling. Research data were collected using semi-structured interviews and through Strauss and Corbin comparison method. Researches findings suggest that legal, cultural and family barriers are the main barriers of entering women in to the old boys' networks in universities. Finally we explain strategies adopted from experts' comments to deal with these barriers.

Eating Disorder Treatment as a Process of Mind–Body Integration: Special Challenges for Women

The concept of body image remains too focused on internal representation and not enough on internal experiencing. Body image is but one expression of the more foundational body self. When an eating disorder is conceptualized as an attempt to manage an impaired sense of body self (and associated disregulation), the ultimate goal of treatment becomes embodiment. The eating disordered body must be worked with as an actual as well as symbolic body and understood within its own developmental trajectory. The gender-specificity of eating disorders is explored by focusing on three particular bodily challenges for females in our society: (1) Women are more likely than men to unconsciously use their bodies as repositories for their dissociated need and desire, (2) girls’ bodies are mirrored in a more distorted and overstimulating manner than boys’ and (3) because girls are the same biological sex as their usual primary caretakers, they are more likely to be used as narcissistic extensions. A clinical example is presented, illustrating the influence of these female bodily challenges on the development of body self and eating disorders and how these issues play out in treatment. An intensive clinical focus on the patient’s and therapist’s body states allows for the desomatization and integration of dissociated affect, resulting in a more integrated body–mind self and a decreased need for an eating disorder.

Women's experiences of living with neurogenic bladder and bowel after spinal cord injury: life controlled by bladder and bowel

Purpose: Neurogenic bladder and bowel (NBB) is a chronic condition hindering the functioning and quality of life (QOL) of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). NBB research has focused on men with SCI leaving unanswered questions about women's experiences of living with NBB. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe women's experiences of living with SCI and NBB. Method: Secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews from a larger qualitative study of women with SCI (N = 50) was carried out. Transcripts were coded for bowel and bladder content. Pile-sorting techniques were used to identify emergent themes related to NBB. Meta-themes were categorized under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Results: Bladder and bowel topics were spontaneously discussed by 46 out of 50 study participants suggesting the salience of this issue for women with SCI. We identified 6 meta-themes: life controlled by bladder and bowel, bladder and bowel accidents, women's specific challenges, life course disruption, bladder and bowel medical management, and finding independence. Conclusions: Findings describe concerns, strategies, and the detrimental impact of NBB in the lives of women with SCI. Findings inform policy makers, health care and rehabilitation professionals to improve accessibility and quality of life for women with NBB.Implications for RehabilitationWomen with spinal cord injury (SCI) reported gender specific challenges to living with neurogenic bladder and bowel (NBB). Interventions designed for women with SCI can address these problems and provide recommendations for prevention and treatment.Women described the detrimental impact of NBB on life course expectations, emotional, social, physical health, and quality of life domains. Psychosocial and educational programs can be developed to address these challenges and improve overall quality of life.Recommendations for special treatment and policy considerations are needed to maximize women's independence and health while living with NBB after SCI.

Social support and coping means: the lived experiences of Northeastern Thai women with breast cancer.

Social support plays a critical role in how women living with breast cancer deal with their diagnosis and treatment. This article discusses the meanings of breast cancer and the experiences of social support among women living with breast cancer in Northeastern Thailand (Isan). In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women with breast cancer. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis method. Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a traumatic experience. However, many women with breast cancer managed to deal with their illnesses and treatments and this was based largely on social support they received. Available support from family members, friends, neighbours, religion and health care professionals was essential for them to deal with their breast cancer. Social support was an important component for the provision of good care for these women and women living with breast cancer. Although medical treatments were essential for breast cancer, social support could enhance the effectiveness of the treatments as it helped women to have positive perspectives about their health conditions and to better deal with their illnesses. Our findings are useful for sensitive health promotion for women with breast cancer in Thailand and elsewhere. Social support should be modified to meet the woman's individual needs. Health professionals are an important source of social support for women with breast cancer. Having an understanding and being sensitive to these women's experiences and challenges means that health care professionals can provide more individualised support and care to women during their vulnerable period of life.

Mobilizing around Motherhood: Successes and Challenges for Women Protesting against Toxic Waste in Campania, Italy

Over the past decades, problems of waste accumulation and groundwater contamination in Southern Italy have been a recurring concern for local citizens and governments. Dramatic images of toxic wast...

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Women's Experiences of Cancer Survivorship: Protocol for the National Picture Project

Little is known about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) women's experiences with cancer, including how they relate to cultural and social factors such as geography, history, racism, identity, traditional values/practices, and spirituality. Research into FNIM women's strengths and challenges in relation to cancer is much needed. Our team, in partnership with Saint Elizabeth Health, is documenting the experiences and needs of 60 FNIM cancer survivors across Canada, using sharing sessions, photography (photovoice), journaling, and film. We will evaluate the impact of photography and journaling on the participants to assist with the future development of supportive programs and health- care delivery. This innovative research will result in a video, which will address gaps in knowledge and care. The video will then be screened in several communities and will be publicly available. In future projects, the findings and video will be used in supportive programs for cancer survivors and in educational initiatives for health professionals.

Feminist Perceptions and the Challenges for Women’s Education in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the 21st Century

This article aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion about women’s education. Conflicting discourses, regarding the positions of women as student learners, create an educational challenge that faces the GCC countries in the 21 st century. This study explores the prevalent feminist positions in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and presents the findings to the public and to decision makers in KSA. The data is generated in two ways: focus group and a questionnaire. Aside from the information they yield, the results of the focus group interviews were used to develop a questionnaire that was distributed among students from various departments at King Abdelaziz University women’s main campus. The article finally discusses the results of this survey and also explores the debatable concepts of fairness vs. equality in the context of the findings. Keywords: women, feminism, education, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, feminist perception, pro-Islamic feminism, pro-western feminism

Challenges to developing diabetes self-management skills in a low-income sample in North Carolina, USA.

High rates of diabetes diagnosis and poor diabetes outcomes are particularly significant in low-income, socially disadvantaged populations. Although many social and economic predictors of poor self-management outcomes are known, few studies have examined how these elements impact the ability to develop self-management capacities in low-income populations. This article presents new insights into low-income women's challenges and successes to becoming more adept self-managers. Interview data were collected in 2012 with a sample of low-income, middle-age women with type II diabetes recruited from a non-profit medical clinic serving low-income clients in North Carolina, United States. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Developing self-management skills within disadvantaged life contexts involved negotiating three related, overlapping sub-processes: negotiating access to care systems, negotiating disruptions to diabetes self-management patterns, and negotiating self-care knowledge. Developing diabetes self-management skills is a long and arduous process. Data and analysis presented here help explain how disadvantaged life contexts can impact self-managers' efforts to develop self-management skills and why continued support is important for reducing and preventing future problems. These initial findings suggest that future studies and intervention development on the topic are warranted.

The Unbidden Pain: An African woman's Challenge of the Age-old Practice of Female Genital Mutilation

African Journal of Midwifery and Women's HealthVol. 8, No. 4 Book ReviewThe Unbidden Pain: An African woman's Challenge of the Age-old Practice of Female Genital MutilationKaren Odberg PetterssonKaren Odberg PetterssonSearch for more papers by this authorKaren Odberg PetterssonPublished Online:16 Oct 2014https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2014.8.4.206AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 October 2014Volume 8Issue 4ISSN (online): 2052-4293 Metrics History Published online 16 October 2014 Published in print 2 October 2014 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Gender Social Relations and the Challenge of Women's Employment

Iran's government has tended to enforce gender social relations through both family and employment policies. Officially, women's employment is discouraged unless it is necessary for her family's survival, and the home is considered the best and the most suitable place for women. The state's discourse makes a sharp distinction between public and private spheres. Nonetheless, women's higher literacy rates and the increasing number of college educated women combined with high inflation, which has lowered both the purchasing power of middle and lower class households, and women's aspirations for financial independence and intellectual autonomy, have led them to seek paid employment. The most educated women target public administration or the private sector, while less educated women seek job opportunities in the informal sector of the economy. Decision-making authority within the family and the quest for gender equality in Iranian society are two of the outcomes of women's paid employment that is likely to alter gendered power relations.

Obstetric and Gynecologic Challenges in Women With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

To determine how often women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome experience obstetric and gynecologic issues both compared with the general population and within the three most common subtypes of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. An anonymous, prospective, online questionnaire in English was posted to the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation web site (http://ednf.org). Of the 1,769 of those who completed the survey, 1,225 reported a typed diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Further stratification to the three most common types and reproductive-aged women (n=775) allowed conclusions to be made about differences in rates of obstetric complications and gynecologic dysfunction compared with the general population and between types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Rates of obstetric outcomes for women who reported at least one pregnancy included term pregnancy in 69.7%, preterm birth in 25.2%, spontaneous abortion in 57.2%, and ectopic pregnancy in 5.1%. Infertility was reported by 44.1% of survey respondents. Normal menstrual cycles were reported by only 32.8% with intermenstrual bleeding occurring in 18.6%. Heavy menstrual bleeding was reported by 32.9% survey participants. Gynecologic pain reported included dysmenorrhea by 92.5% and dyspareunia by 77.0%. There is a much greater prevalence of obstetric and gynecologic issues reported by women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome than in the general population. Additionally, rates differed significantly among the three most common types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with vascular type having the highest rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and menstrual abnormalities. Physician providers should be aware of these challenges and should counsel patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome about relevant options and risks.

Women and Health Reform: How National Health Care Can Enhance Coverage, Affordability, and Access for Women (Examples From Massachusetts)

BackgroundMassachusetts women have the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the nation and women's access to care has improved across all demographic groups. However, important challenges persist. As national health reform implementation moves forward under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states will likely encounter many of the same women's health challenges experienced in Massachusetts over the past 7 years. MethodsA review of the literature and data analyses comparing health care services access, utilization, and cost, and health outcomes from Massachusetts pre- and post-2006 health care reform identified two key challenges in women's continuity of coverage and affordability. ConclusionThese areas are crucial for state and national policymakers to consider in improving women's health as they work to implement health care reform at the state and federal levels.

Women's experiences of sexual health after first‐time myocardial infarction

To investigate women's experience of sexual problems after a myocardial infarction. Sexual problems among female patients with ischaemic heart disease have received little study but have been found to be highly prevalent in the research. Sexual problems have been found to influence quality of life and well-being, and sexual dysfunction has been associated with anxiety and depression. International guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals address sexuality; however, this is rarely done in practice, due to multiple causes, for example ignorance, embarrassment and lack of systematic treatment. Insight into women's sexual challenges after having a myocardial infarction is much needed. Qualitative interview study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 patients representative of the population and later transcribed. The analysis was inspired by Ricoeur's theory of interpretation, which consists of three levels: naive reading, structured analysis, and critical interpretation and discussion. The overall finding that emerged regarding the women's sexual health was an anxious resuming of sexual activity. Four themes emerged: (1) the partner, (2) support, (3) the heart disease's influence on sex and (4) the relationship. The women experienced anxious resuming of sexual activity. The heart disease had influence on their sex life, and relationship with their partner could be affected. Some needed support from health professionals or their network to dare sexual activity again. This study indicates that health professionals should focus more on identifying anxiety and exhaustion after myocardial infarction and articulating their potential influence on women's sexual lives. Whether this should be addressed in the hospital setting, in the phase 2 rehabilitation at the general practitioner level or in combination has to be considered and may be the basis for further research.