Women In Lithuania Research Articles

Wives, Daughters and Sisters: Noble Women in Medieval Lithuania (13th–15th Centuries)

The history of medieval women in Lithuania a little-known topic. This is due to two reasons. Firstly, the long-dominant research tradition, which has given the main role to the history of “great men”, has undoubtedly left women on the margins of studies. Secondly, the state of research has been, and continues to be, largely determined by the availability of the sources. Of all the rulers of Lithuania during the pagan period, only the names of Mindaugas’ wife and both of Algirdas’ wives are known with certainty. Sensing this gap, some of the rulers’ wives were “given” names by later chroniclers.The situation concerning the sources regarding the wives and daughters of the nobility is similar. For example, of the 26 most influential nobles of the time of Grand Duke Vytautas, in 14 cases, we do not know the name or origin of the wife. Nevertheless, the processing and compilation of the rather scattered material on the Lithuanian noble women allows us to draw some conclusions about the political and social system of the Lithuanian medieval state.Women played an important role in the world of the nobility. As wives, daughters, and sisters, they established and maintained ties between relatives, both at home and (in the case of rulers) abroad. Successful marriages often determined the trajectories of men’s careers, and sometimes even of individual families. However, they mostly remained in the silence of the sources and, thanks to the conjuncture of the sources, they appear before us first of all as pious foundresses, preservers of the memory of the family, and guardians of children.

Links Between Body Satisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction in a Sample of Young Adult Women in Lithuania

The aim of the present study was to examine links between young adult women satisfaction with their bodies and romantic relationships. The study involved 162 young adult women aged 20–35. One hundred and nineteen women indicated that they currently had a partner and the remaining 43 participants indicated that they were single. Body satisfaction was measured using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ, Cash, 2000). Relationship satisfaction was assessed using the Couple’s Satisfaction Scale (Čepukienė, 2019). Results of the study indicated that adult women who had a romantic partner valued their appearance as more physically attractive and were more satisfied with their appearance than young adult women without a romantic partner. Those with a partner were more satisfied with individual body parts than women without a romantic partner. On the other hand, those in a relationship were more concerned about their body weight than single women. Satisfaction with a body and satisfaction with a romantic relationship were partly related. A more favorable assessment of one’s appearance and satisfaction in individual parts of one’s body was associated with satisfaction with emotion- and behavior-oriented interactions, as well as overall satisfaction with romantic relationships.

The impact of sociodemographic factors and work-family conflict on the relationship between organizational support and women’s burnout

Women’s burnout affects not only the individuals suffering from this condition but also those around them and the organization they work for. This phenomenon spills over into their personal lives and increases the likelihood of work-family conflicts. Organizational, personal, and family circumstances can affect women’s burnout. This study aims to determine the influence of perceived organizational support on burnout at work while mediating work-family conflict and moderating sociodemographic factors such as age, romantic relationship status, and number of children. The quantitative study involved 404 employed women aged 18 to 64. A structured questionnaire was distributed via social media or e-mail targeting employed women in Lithuania’s public and private sectors. IBM SPSS and a special PROCESS macro were applied to perform a mediation-moderation analysis. The study showed that the direct effect of perceived organizational support is greater than the indirect effect in mediating work-family conflicts. This is true in the case of both general burnout and its separate components. The significant moderating effect of age revealed that younger women aged 18 to 34 experience more burnout than older women. The number of children demonstrated a significant moderating effect between perceived organizational support and burnout and its dimensions for women with two or more kids. No moderating effect of romantic relationship status on the interconnection between perceived organizational support and women’s overall burnout or its individual dimensions was found.

Educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000-15.

Despite an increased focus on cold-related mortality in recent years, there has been comparatively little research specifically on hypothermia mortality and its associated factors. Educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality among individuals aged 30-74 in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Finland in 2000-15 were examined using data from longitudinal mortality follow-up studies of population censuses (the Baltics) and from a longitudinal register-based population data file (Finland). Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were much higher in the Baltic countries than in Finland across the study period. From 2000-07 to 2008-15, overall ASMRs declined in all countries except among Finnish women. Although a strong educational gradient was observed in hypothermia mortality in all countries in 2000-07, inequalities were larger in the Baltic countries. Between 2000-07 and 2008-15, ASMRs declined in all educational groups except for high-educated women in Finland and low-educated women in Lithuania; the changes however were not always statistically significant. The absolute mortality decline was often larger among the low educated resulting in narrowing absolute inequalities (excepting Lithuania), whereas a larger relative decline among the high educated (excepting Finnish women) resulted in a considerable widening of relative inequalities in hypothermia mortality by 2008-15. Although some reduction was observed in absolute educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality in 2000-15, substantial and widening relative inequalities highlight the need for further action in combatting factors behind deaths from excessive cold in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including risky alcohol consumption and homelessness.

SEKSUALINĘ PRIEVARTĄ ARTIMOJE APLINKOJE PATIRIANČIOMS MOTERIMS TEIKIAMOS PAGALBOS PRIEINAMUMO ANALIZĖ PROBLEMŲ NUSTATYMO KONTEKSTE

The article analyses the situation of access to help for women who have experienced sexual abuse in the family environment, and identifies the problems they face after experiencing sexual abuse in a close relationship. The problem of violence against women in Lithuania was raised relatively recently, only after the restoration of independence. The first studies were carried out in the 1990s, but the public did not realise the extent of the problem until much later, and it was only in 2011 when the Law on Protection against Violence in a Close Environment was adopted, which was the start of systematic state support for victims of violence. It is only in recent years that we have started to talk about the problem of violence in specific groups, such as sexual violence in a close relationship. It has also been noted that one type of violence, physical violence, dominates in both research and anti-violence practice, while sexual violence is perhaps the most silent, both within the family environment and outside it. The aim of this article is to highlight the problems faced by women experiencing sexual violence in a close relationship, and the possibilities for accessing help.

Gender inequalities in mortality in Lithuania: the HAPIEE Study

Abstract Introduction Gender inequalities in morbidity and mortality are important problem in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Mortality difference between men and women in Lithuania is one of the largest in Europe. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors that influence this difference in population-based sample of middle- and older-age men and women from Lithuanian arm of the HAPIEE Study. Methods Data come from the Lithuanian part of international Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) longitudinal cohort study. The analytical sample included 3729 women and 3062 men aged 45-74 years at the study baseline. The study outcomes were all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality (mean follow-up approx. 10 years). Gender difference in study outcomes, and the role of wide range of socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, metabolic and psychosocial covariates in this association was tested by regression modelling. Results There were 913 deaths (576 in men) during the follow-up. Men had higher odds of mortality compared to women: for all-causes OR 2.42 (95% CI 2.09-2.81); for CVD 2.48 (2.03-3.08); for cancer 1.92 (1.54-2.38). BMI was identified as an effect modifier for all-cause and cancer mortality. When adjusted for confounders such as smoking, alcohol consumption or paid work, and stratified for BMI, the gender difference reduced a little for CVD mortality but remained virtually unchanged for all-cause and cancer mortality. Conclusions We found substantial and statistically significant gender inequalities in mortality in this Lithuanian study. We found that men aged 45+ years were approximately two times more likely to die than women, with CVD mortality difference being even larger. Additionally, most of gender difference in mortality remained unexplained by the main social, psychosocial, behavioural and metabolic risk factors. Key messages • Large gender inequalities in mortality have been observed in this Lithuanian study of middle- and older-age men and women. • Most of the inequalities have not been explained by available social, psychosocial, behavioural and metabolic risk factors.

Molecular Epidemiology of Group B Streptococci in Lithuania Identifies Multi-Drug Resistant Clones and Sporadic ST1 Serotypes Ia and Ib.

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal infections. Yet, detailed assessment of the genotypic and phenotypic factors associated with GBS carriage, mother-to-baby transmission, and GBS infection in neonates and adults is lacking. Understanding the distribution of GBS genotypes, including the predominance of different serotypes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, and virulence factors, is likely to help to prevent GBS diseases, as well as inform estimates of the efficacy of future GBS vaccines. To this end, we set out to characterise GBS isolates collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women in Kaunas region in Lithuania. Whole genome sequences of 42 GBS isolates were analysed to determine multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), the presence of acquired AMR and surface protein genes, and the phylogenetic relatedness of isolates. We identified serotypes Ia (42.9%, 18/42), III (33.3%, 14/42), V (21.4%, 9/42), and a single isolate of serotype Ib. Genomic analyses revealed high diversity among the isolates, with 18 sequence types (STs) identified, including three novel STs. 85.7% (36/42) of isolates carried at least one AMR gene: tetM or tetO (35/42), ermB or lsaC (8/42) and ant6-Ia and aph3-III (2/42). This study represents the first genomic analysis of GBS isolated from women in Lithuania and contributes to an improved understanding of the global spread of GBS genotypes and phenotypes, laying the foundations for future GBS surveillance in Lithuania.

Distribution of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) between genetically diagnosed familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) men and women in Lithuania

Distribution of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) between genetically diagnosed familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) men and women in Lithuania

Prevalence of corneal arcus between genetically diagnosed FH men and women in Lithuania

Prevalence of corneal arcus between genetically diagnosed FH men and women in Lithuania

Still waters run deep: The invisible life of working mothers with disabilities in Lithuania

This article explores the challenges faced by women with disabilities in combining the roles of ‘mother’ and ‘worker’ in Lithuania and reflects on the strategies mothers employed to overcome these. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with twenty women with a variety of (dis)abling conditions and diverse life experiences between 2014 and 2018. In-depth thematic analysis by qualitative research teams revealed a constant tension in women’s aspirations to have a family and work. This revealed women’s enormous personal resources which facilitated them to overcome challenges they faced in motherhood as well as seemingly insurmountable obstacles to employment. However, within the vicious circle of social and economic challenges, they fought their battles with silent compliance, which hid their experiences and potentially denied them opportunities for support. This research reveals a policy response in Lithuania that categorises disability as an individual issue to be overcome rather than a socially constructed experience. The findings indicate the need for reframing understanding at macro, as well as micro-level policy interventions. At the micro-level, sensitive forms of professional support would help mothers with disabilities to choose more pronounced strategies of coping while also maintaining their dignity and privacy. These findings provide insights into the specific situation of women in Lithuania but are also relevant to many other contexts.

Relationship between perfectionism, self-objectification and risk of eating disorders in young women in Lithuania

The goal of this study was to examine risk of eating disorders, perfectionism and self-objectification, as well as the interrelationship between perfectionism and self-objectification in young females. This study was based on the theory of the Cult of Thinness and the dominant culture that supports it. Such research was never conducted in Lithuania before. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between risk of eating disorders, perfectionism and self-objectification. Also, it was predicted that this relationship would be different in women without risk of eating disorders, and that there would be a positive relationship between perfectionism and self-objectification. A total of 217 females aged 18–24 participated in this study. Their average age was 20 years. The research was conducted in Lithuanian Facebook groups for university students and those interested in healthy eating and dieting. Several instruments were used in the research: Eating Attitudes Test – 26 (EAT–26) (Garner ir kt., 1982), Almost Perfect Scale – Revised (APS-R) (Slaney, Mobley, Trippi, Ashby ir Johnson, 2001) and Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC) (McKinley ir Hyde, 1996). The participants were also asked about their gender, age and place of residence. The results revealed that women at risk for eating disorders are associated with higher levels of body shame. Women who do not have a risk of developing eating disorders, are more inclined to set high standards for themselves than those who have a risk of developing it. Women at risk for eating disorders are also more likely to see themselves as failing to meet their personal standards for performance than those with no risk of eating disorders. Also, the study showed that the higher the degree of women’s discrepancy between expectations and performance, the higher is the extent of their body shame. These results could be helpful in the treatment of young women with eating disorders and disordered eating.

Between experience and social ‘norms’, identification and compliance: economic and sexual intimate partner violence against women in Lithuania

This article discusses economic and sexual violence against women, which are the two forms of intimate partner violence the least recognised by both Lithuanian society and the survivors of such abuse themselves. The authors of this article analyse the roots of this lack of recognition, and how it is affected and influenced by the patriarchal context and gendered conditioning of Lithuanian society. The article also explores how this conditioning contributes to the reasons why women in contemporary Lithuania still tend not to seek help, regardless of the endemic prevalence of intimate partner violence perpetrated against them. The article is based on a recent study completed in Lithuania. It suggests that a better recognition of economic and sexual coercive control as well as abandonment of ‘victim blaming’ attitudes could be followed by a broader education on gender equality and recognition of gendered stereotypes, in order to more effectively prevent and also respond to this significant social problem.

Bevaikystė Lietuvoje: tendencijos, normos ir regioninė diferenciacija

[straipsnis ir santrauka lietuvių kalba; santrauka anglų kalba]
 Paskutiniais dešimtmečiais daugelyje Europos šalių didėja bevaikių moterų skaičius. Lietuvoje, skirtingai nuo kitų Europos šalių, bevaikių moterų skaičius išlieka žemas. Šio straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti moterų baigtinės bevaikystės tendencijas, atskleisti moterų, gimusių 1920–1969 m., socialines ir demografines charakteristikas bei bevaikystės teritorinės diferenciacijos ypatumus. Analizei yra naudojami Europos socialinio tyrimo (2008) ir Lietu­vos gyventojų surašymo (2011) duomenys. Analizės rezultatai parodė, kad nors ES šalių kontekste bevaikių moterų skaičius Lietuvoje vertinamas kaip nedidelis, tačiau paskutinių dešimtmečių duomenys rodo gana spartų bevaikių moterų dalies didėjimą. Kultūrinių nuostatų analizė atskleidė, kad Lietuvoje vyrauja gana prieštaringos nuostatos dėl bevaikystės. Socialinių ir demografinių charakteristikų analizė atskleidė, kad ryškiausi skirtumai tarp gimdžiusių ir niekada vaikų nesusilaukusių moterų yra pagal santuokinį statusą ir išsilavinimą. Erdvinė baigtinės bevaikystės analizė parodė, kad šis demografinis procesas Lietuvoje pasižymi gana didelė teritorine diferenciacija, kuri suinten­syvėjo nuo 1940–1949-ųjų kartos.

Challenges for Preventing Violence Against Women in Lithuania

This paper aims to analyse whether gendered interpretations of domestic violence have an effect on the approach to victims’ responsibilities and their role in protecting themselves against further violence. It employs a critical discourse analysis and includes a qualitative analysis of interviews with 10 victims and three court rulings. The analysis of the victims’ narratives and court rulings revealed that women were often seen as key actors in continuing victimization. The findings obtained in this study may help academics and practitioners in the area of violence to understand that gender-neutral criminal justice systems are not necessarily separated from gendered social discourse.

Nutukimas ir nėštumas

Žurnalas „Sveikatos mokslai / Health sciences“ yra recenzuojamas tarptautinis mokslinis žurnalas, skirtas skleisti naujas žinias ir informaciją apie visuomenės sveikatą, sveikatos ugdymą, ligas, klinikinius tyrimus ir klinikinius atvejus, naujas technologijas, slaugą, reabilitaciją, sveikatos ekonomiką ir vadybą. Žurnalas spausdina mokslinius straipsnius lietuvių, anglų ir rusų kalbomis, kasmet išeina 1 tomas (6 numeriai) spausdintiniu ir elektroniniu variantais. Daugiau nei 140 mokslinių straipsnių publikuojami per metus. Žurnalas priklauso Lietuvos mokslo periodikos asociacijai.

Mortality decrease from cardiovascular disease in Europe: 50 % in 30 years!

Mortality decrease from cardiovascular disease in Europe: 50 % in 30 years!

Inequalities in Mortality From Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis by the Level of Education in Lithuania

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in inequalities in mortality from infectious diseases and tuberculosis by educational level among men and women in Lithuania. The data on mortality from infectious diseases in the Lithuanian population aged more than 30 years for the years 1989 and 2001 gathered from the Department of Statistics and censuses were used for the analysis. The relative and slope indices of inequality were calculated. Mortality from infectious diseases and tuberculosis among persons with primary education was higher than that among persons with university education, and these inequalities were found to be increased in 2000-2002 as compare with 1988-1990 due to declining mortality among persons with university education and increasing mortality among less educated persons. Similar tendencies were observed while evaluating the inequalities in mortality from tuberculosis. In 1988- 1990, the relative indices of inequality for mortality from all infectious diseases and tuberculosis among men were 9 and 13, respectively. In 2000-2002, the relative indices of inequality increased significantly to 16.5 and 28.8, respectively. Inequalities in mortality from abovementioned causes for women with different educational levels were lower than those for men. The slope indices of inequality for mortality from infectious diseases among men with different educational levels were considerably higher than among their female counterparts, and in 2000-2002, they were greater compared with 1988-1990. While implementing tuberculosis prevention and control program and planning prevention and control measures, greater attention should be paid to less educated Lithuanian population at highest risk of this disease.

Human papillomavirus infection in pregnant women

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It has been established that about 70% of the sexually active population are exposed to this infection. The HPV prevalence rate among pregnant women ranges from 5.5 to 65.0%. Studies on HPV infection in pregnant women have yielded inconsistent results, including HPV prevalence, and HPV clearance. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in pregnant women, to identify the types of the virus, and to evaluate the changes of prevalence of HPV infection depending on the trimester of pregnancy in Lithuania. Two hundred and thirteen pregnant women who were attending centres of the central outpatient clinic of Vilnius city (Lithuania) in 2008-2010 were studied. These women were examined for HPV infection and its type by polymerase chain reaction. Tests were performed on the first and third trimesters. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS17 and Excel software. At the beginning of the pregnancy (first trimester of pregnancy), HPV infection was detected in 17.8% of the pregnant women (38 from 213); high oncogenic risk HPV types were identified for 52.6% of the HPV-positive pregnant women. At the end of the pregnancy (third trimester of pregnancy), HPV was identified in 10.3% of the pregnant women (15 out of 146); high-risk HPV types were identified for 66.7%. Our study shows the high prevalence of HPV infection in pregnant women in Lithuania. The majority of pregnant women's HPV infection was cleared during the pregnancy. Only in a few cases a new HPV infection was detected.

Human papillomavirus and other risk factors in Lithuanian cervical carcinoma patients

Background. Cervical cancer is the second biggest cause of female cancer mortality worldwide and the most common cancer in women in Lithuania. The incidence of cervical cancer is strongly associated with HPV prevalence. However, not only HPV infection plays a crucial role in cervical cancer development; other risk factors which vary in different populations and geographical regions as well as HPV prevalence are important. The aim of this study was to detect the HPV, its type’s prevalence and other cervical cancer risk factors for Lithuanian women. Materials and methods. 191 women with primary diagnosed invasive cervical cancer (cases group) and 397 control women were invited to participate in the study. All women were interviewed and samples for HPV testing were taken. Results. In the cases group, 92.7% of women and in the control group 26.7% were infected by HPV (p < 0.0001). HPV 16 was the most common type in both groups. HPV infection increases the risk of cervical cancer 75 times (OR = 75.39; 95% CI 33.61–192.98). Women with lower education, workers, those who started sexual intercourses before 20 years of age, at older age of the first menstrual period, 3–5 or more childbirths, smokers and with a long ago or never performed Pap test are at a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer development. Other non-HPV risk factors were not associated with cervical cancer risk. Conclusions. Data of our study show a high prevalence of HPV in Lithuanian population. It may have an impact on the biggest cervical cancer incidence. The other risk factors are similar as in other lower economic resource countries. Keywords: HPV, cervical cancer, risk factors

Human papillomavirus and p53 polymorphism in Lithuanian cervical cancer patients

Background. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women in Lithuania. One of the important cervical cancer risk factors is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Recent literature has considered p53 allelic polymorphism to be a putative predisposing factor for cervical carcinoma development. Objective. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of HPV, especially HPV 16, in cervical cancer patients and in healthy women, to investigate the distribution of p53 gene 72 codon polymorphism and to correlate these to cervical cancer risk in Lithuanian women. Methods. 588 women were included in the study: 212 women with primary diagnosed cervical cancer (case group) and 376 healthy volunteers (control group). Results. A high prevalence of HPV DNA was detected in cervical cancer patients, 92.0%, and in control women, 23.6% ( P < 0.0001). HPV 16 is the most frequent HPV type in cervical cancer patients. In the case of squamous cell carcinoma, this type was detected in 55.8%, in adenocarcinoma − 35.3%. In the control group, this type was detected in 19.0%. A statistically significant difference in the distribution of p53 alleles between the case and the control groups was found. Conclusions. Cervical cancer risk in Lithuanian patients is associated with HPV infection (OR = 75.39; 95% CI 33.61–192.98), especially HPV 16 type (OR = 100.3; 95% CI 46.05–238.59) and p53 homozygous Arg/Arg allele (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.10–4.19).