American Women Research Articles

Contraceptive Use Disparities in Asian American Women in 2015–2016: California Health and Interview Survey

Contraceptive Use Disparities in Asian American Women in 2015–2016: California Health and Interview Survey

The impact of a small-group mammography video discussion on promoting screening uptake among nonadherent Chinese American immigrant women: A randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an in-person, small-group mammography video discussion (SMVD) intervention on mammography uptake among nonadherent Chinese American immigrant women. Women (N=956) were randomized into either an SMVD group, where Chinese-speaking community health workers (CHWs) used an effective, culturally appropriate video to discuss mammography, or a video-only group, which viewed the cultural video sent by mail. Outcomes were mammography uptake at 6 months and 21 months postintervention. Women in both groups increased mammography uptake, and an outcome analysis revealed no group differences (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], .68-2.06). Overall, 61.2% of the SMVD group and 55.3% of the video-only group had at least one mammogram during the 21-month follow-up period. When considering attendance to the SMVD, SMVD attendees had higher mammography uptake than the video-only group (AOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.19-1.92), and SMVD nonattendees had lower mammography uptake than the video-only group (AOR, .33; 95% CI, .22-.50). Both intervention strategies were associated with increased mammography uptake. The authors observed that the increase in use was greater among women who participated in the SMVD session compared with those who viewed the cultural video only. Future research may explore a virtual SMVD intervention for higher session attendance and increased mammography uptake (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01292200).

The Spiritual Journey of Chinese Americans Viewed from the Cultural Connotation of The Joy Luck Club

Chinese-American writers who live in both Chinese and American cultures are the most sensitive to cultural conflict and integration. Amy Tan is one of those writers who probe deeply into the relationship between the Chinese and American cultures. The Joy Luck Club, a novel that tells stories of four Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters, has caused a great sensation inside and outside the United States and made Tan a famous writer. From the perspective of intercultural communication, Cultural conflicts between four couples of mother and daughter, between husbands and wives arising from the difference in cultural background are looked into from the angles of Chinese obedience to parents and American independence and democracy, Chinese women’s submissiveness and American women’s independence, Chinese family’s honor and American individual achievement, Chinese high-context culture and American low- context culture, Chinese superstition and American science. The causes of the conflicts are also discussed in the aspects of Chinese culture and American culture. Chinese mothers are deeply influenced by the concept of "Three Obedience and Four Virtues", "Resign oneself to Adversity", Etc. However, American daughters are born in the culture that emphasizes "Individualism, Equality, Independence and Freedom." In this thesis, it is also put forward that despite the conflicts, mutual compatibility of two cultures is unavoidable and an inescapable tendency, which reflects the development from the clash to the coexistence of the two cultures in the context of globalization.

Breast Cancer Rises Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

Breast Cancer Rises Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

The Association between Diet Quality and Metabolic Syndrome among Older African American Women.

Diet is a modifiable lifestyle factor that could impact the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components. MetS prevalence is high and diet quality is suboptimal among older African American women. MetS has been associated with many individual food groups, however, emerging research suggests that analyzing overall diet quality provides insight into the synergistic effects of food groups on health outcomes. In the current cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between diet quality and MetS, and investigated associations between diet quality and MetS components among older African American women. This study was based on 357 African American women between 45 and 65 years from the NHANES 2011-2018 datasets. This analysis utilized the NCEP ATP III (2001) criteria for women to diagnose MetS. MetS was dichotomized in addition to a MetS z-score being calculated for each participant using a sex- and race-specific equation. Participants' diet quality was measured using the HEI-2015. Linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess the association between HEI-2015 diet quality and metabolic syndrome and its components. 65% of African American women aged 45-65 in the NHANES 2011-2018 had MetS. Study participants had an average HEI-2015 score of 55.4 out of 100. As HEI-2015 quartiles increased, the mean MetS z-score decreased (p-value: 0.0011). Age-adjusted models demonstrated statistically significant inverse relationships between HEI-2015 and waist circumference (β: -0.217; 95% CI: -0.372, -0.063), systolic blood pressure (β: -0.215; 95% CI: -0.359, -0.072), blood glucose (β: -0.344; 95% CI: -0.681, -0.0066), and triglycerides (β: -0.652; 95% CI: -1.05, -0.251). Significant associations could not be established between MetS and diet quality, assessed with the HEI-2015, among African American women aged 45-65 enrolled in NHANES 2011-2018. However, statistically significant relationships were observed between increased HEI-2015 scores and lowered risks of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and systolic hypertension. The findings of this study affirm the necessity of public health strategies to improve diet quality among African-American women which could help to reduce their risks of chronic diseases.

The gratitude model of body appreciation and intuitive eating: Replication and extension of the model to explain intuitive eating facets among young adult women in China

The current study replicated and extended the gratitude model of body appreciation and intuitive eating in Chinese women. Using a sample of 957 young Chinese women, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test two previously established models derived from samples of American (original model) and Japanese (modified model) women. Results indicated that the modified model had a better fit and was largely replicated in the Chinese context. Higher gratitude was associated with lower appearance and others’ approval of self-worth, higher body appreciation, and greater intuitive eating. Also, we further extended the model by exploring whether and how the model could explain intuitive eating facets. Results showed unique links between the core variables in the model and each facet of intuitive eating. Specifically, findings of the excellent model fit indicate that interventions focused on cultivating gratitude may be promising in promoting body appreciation and intuitive eating in young Chinese women. Also, interventions based on the model might be modified to address specific facets of intuitive eating, which may enhance the effectiveness of future interventions. Future research should use longitudinal and experimental designs and develop culturally adapted models to advance our understanding of how the gratitude model of body appreciation and intuitive eating applies to Chinese women.

Towards an Ecology of Practices in Academic Filmmaking

This video-essay proposes to depart from the experimental cinema made by Latin American women in order to highlight the tendencies of this minor cinema in which we can find ecological and formal concerns that cross our geopolitical and imaginary territories. Thus, we aim to identify an ecology of practices within the work of three contemporary filmmakers that despite their distinct styles and approaches, share commonalities and divergences that offer insight into the rich diversity in the same ecosystem. This was done through a montage of material from three short films: 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird (2020) by Ana Vaz, Erial (2021) by Javiera Cisterna and Celaje (2020) by Sofia Gallisá Muriente. Through this video essay, we aim to interweave ideas, images, and methodologies towards a cohesive understanding of an ecology of practices in both film and academia. Our aspiration is to foster reflection on academic film practice as a possibility to reveal other means for political, epistemological and aesthetic inquiry.

Reflections on Mismatches in the Fertility Preferences in Latin America

This study aims to estimate and analyze four selected indicators of contradictions in female fertility preferences, which are called mismatches. Therefore, we seek to analyze the responses to the questions that women are asked regarding their ideal number of children, their current number of children, their future fertility intentions, and their use of contraceptive methods. Data from demographic and reproductive health surveys from fourteen countries in Latin America between 2006 and 2017 were used. An estimated occurrence of mismatches of 11 % was observed for the countries studied, and cases in which women were classified with a negative discrepancy and said that they do not want more children in the future prevailed. It can be inferred that despite the existence of several inconsistencies, the responses of Latin American women to questions about their fertility preferences are robust and very predictive.

Correlates of Current Methamphetamine Use and Opioid Co-Use Among Latina Women in a Low-Income Community

ABSTRACT Using data from Proyecto SALTO, a 15-year follow-up study of a cohort of Mexican American women in a low-income community in San Antonio, Texas, this study examines emerging patterns of current methamphetamine (MA) use, including opioid co-use, among this understudied population. A bivariate analysis compared individuals with and without current MA use and identified sociodemographic correlates and co-occurring mental health and substance use. A secondary analysis compared those with current MA use, opioid use, and concurrent MA and opioid use. Nineteen percent of the sample had current MA use. MA use was associated with having a lower income (OR = 7.04–1.93, SE = 1.59–5.46), residential instability (OR = 5.19, SE = 1.99), and suicidal ideation (OR = 2.62, SE = 0.93). Participants with MA use had more than four times the odds of using opioids than those without MA use. Women with concurrent MA and opioid use differed in sociodemographics and behavioral risks compared to those with only MA or only opioid use. These findings explore the social, mental health, and structural inequities that exacerbate risks and harms associated with high-risk substance use among marginalized Latino populations. Prevention and intervention strategies should adopt a holistic approach that considers and addresses polysubstance use, mental health, and the sociocultural contexts in which individuals live.

Comparison of American and Indonesian Women's Notion in Cather's O'pioneer! and Hamka's Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk

This scientific paper is a literary study that addresses gender issues in the form of a comparison of American women's notions narrated by Alexandra in Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! with Indonesian women narrated by Hayati in Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk. Literary comparative studies are carried out in the form of an analysis of the similarities and differences of American and Indonesian women's notions in the early 20th century as narrated in the two literary works. This research is a structural analysis of literature that emphasizes the study of the intrinsic elements of literature, especially the characterizations originating from Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! in 1913 and Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk in 1938. The data from the two novels were analyzed based on the scientific method of comparative literature which is reconstructed from the concept of de Zepetnek and Endraswara. The results of this study indicate that the similarities between American and Indonesian women in the early 20th century were based on a traditional society that adhered to religion, accepted marriage and homemaking as natural in the process of women's lives, loyalty to true love as a symbol of belief in life, accepting differences, and forgiving. Their differences are moderate traditional versus traditional conservative, new women versus traditional women, heterogeneous versus homogeneous, repositioning tradition versus strengthening tradition, partial domestication of women versus full domestication of women, living with renewal ideas versus dying with conservative ideas, and so on.

AML-330 Disparities in Acute Leukemia-Related Mortality Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis

AML-330 Disparities in Acute Leukemia-Related Mortality Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis

A Community-Based Cervical Cancer Education and Navigation Program for Korean American Women.

In the United States (US), rates of cervical cancer screening among Asian American women (notably Korean American women) lag far behind other populations. Thus, guided by the Health Belief Model, we developed a multi-component intervention to enhance Korean American women's knowledge and beliefs about screening and to increase screening uptake. The intervention group (N=341) received a culturally-relevant cancer education program and navigation services. The control group (N=335) received a similar program on cervical cancer risk and screening, along with information about free/low-cost screening sites. Women's knowledge and beliefs were measured at baseline and post-program, and screening behavior was assessed at 12-months post-program. It was hypothesized that the intervention would lead to positive changes in health beliefs and knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, which were then evaluated as potential mediators of the intervention on screening behavior. From pre- to post-program, the intervention group reported significantly greater increases in knowledge (p<0.01) and perceived risk (p=0.02) and significantly greater decreases in perceived barriers (p<0.001) compared to the control group. However, changes in knowledge and health beliefs did not mediate intervention effects on screening behavior. Use of navigation services was associated with greater odds of obtaining screening (OR=3.15, 95% CI=2.28-4.01, p<0.001) and attenuated the significant effect of group assignment (intervention vs. control) on screening behavior to non-significance. In conclusion, although our intervention program was effective in improving women's knowledge and beliefs about screening, delivery of navigation services was the critical component in increasing cervical cancer screening rates in this underserved population.

A Quantitative Theory of the New Life Cycle of Women's Employment

“A new life cycle of women's labor force participation has emerged” (Goldin and Mitchell, 2017). Compared to previous cohorts, the employment profile of American college-educated married women born after the mid-1950s is flatter and higher with no hump but with a dip in the middle between ages 30-39. At the same time, these younger cohorts have delayed births, but their completed fertility rate has increased. I develop a quantitative theory to explain the changes in college-educated women's employment and fertility decisions across cohorts. First, I provide reduced-form evidence of a positive correlation between fertility and employment decisions. Second, I build a life-cycle model of labor supply and fertility decisions. My estimates indicate that the marginal returns to experience of college-educated married women increased by 33 percent. Although on-the-job accumulation of experience plays a crucial role in generating employment shifts and birth delays, the model does not generate an increase in the total fertility rate in the absence of infertility treatments. Thus, to understand why college-educated married women's life-cycle employment profiles and fertility decisions are changing, both factors must be considered.

Abstract 34: Elevation of Plasma anti-Endothelin A Receptor Autoantibodies in Lupus Subjects Correlates with Plasma Vascular Adhesion Molecule-1 Independent of Blood Pressure

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by deposition of autoantibodies and their immune complexes, resulting in inflammation, and end-organ damage to the kidney and vasculature. SLE disproportionally affects women to men (9:1 ratio), with a high prevalence in African American women and patients often have cardiovascular complications including hypertension (HTN). The activation of the endothelin (ET) system has been implicated in numerous pathological disease states including HTN, SLE, and diabetes. Recently, dual ET receptor antagonism was approved for treatment of patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Studies have demonstrated the presence of biologically active endothelin A receptor autoantibodies (ETAR-AAs) in systemic sclerosis and cystic fibrosis patients. Few studies have investigated the role of the synergistic interplay of SLE and HTN on ETAR-AAs. We hypothesized that women with SLE and HTN would have elevated plasma ETAR-AAs compared to control or SLE only subjects. To investigate this, we recruited non-SLE non-HTN controls (n=10), non-SLE HTN (n=10), SLE non-HTN (n=8), and SLE-HTN (n=10) female human subjects and analyzed clinical characteristics, plasma ETAR-AAs, soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). Plasma ETAR-AAs did not significantly correlate with either age (r=-0.1375; p=0.4453) or body mass index (r=-0.3149; p=0.0743). When subjects were categorized by SLE or HTN diagnosis, we found that subjects with SLE had a profound increase in ETAR-AAs compared to non-SLE controls (p&lt;0.0001) while the levels were similar between HTN and non-HTN controls (p=0.7626). Next, we stratified subjects by blood pressure status and found a significant elevation in plasma ETAR-AAs in SLE non-HTN over non-SLE HTN subjects (p=0.0121), while SLE-HTN subjects had significant elevations in ETAR-AAs compared to both non-SLE non-HTN (p=0.0183) and non-SLE HTN (p=0.0014) subjects. We correlated plasma levels of ETAR-AA with sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 and found that plasma ETAR-AAs were positively associated with plasma sVCAM-1 (r=0.4288; p=0.0114) and sICAM-1 (r=0.3812; p=0.0286). These data indicate that irrespective of blood pressure status, elevated plasma ETAR-AAs are associated with markers of vascular dysfunction in SLE subjects. Further investigation of cell-specific ETAR-AA and ETAR signaling should be performed in murine models and human subjects with SLE.

Black college women's preventive health behaviors: Applications of a Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm

ObjectiveThe researchers applied Lindsay-Dennis' Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm to Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Service Use to guide initial research about Black American women's preventive health behaviors. MethodsThis article highlights this application, using interpretive phenomenological analysis for qualitative questions assessing how 40 Black college women define health and their experiences in health care. This was part of a larger convergent parallel mixed-methods approach in a 2022 cross-sectional online survey. ResultsParticipants defined health as a concept involving health literacy, physical and mental health, and being free from health conditions or disease. Regarding health-related lived experiences, negative experiences were more frequently reported than positive experiences. However, many participants reported both positive and negative health care related experiences. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors were all present in qualitative responses. ConclusionsThis article highlights the fit of a Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm to Andersen's model to better understand Black women's health experiences and illustrates ways that medical mistrust, health literacy, and past experiences with health care can influence health service use. Areas for future research on barriers and facilitators to preventive care and implications for reducing health disparities are also discussed.

Exploration of the association of a lipid-related biomarker, the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR), and the risk of breast cancer in American women aged 20 years and older.

Exploration of the association of a lipid-related biomarker, the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR), and the risk of breast cancer in American women aged 20 years and older.

Trends in the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among the Medicaid Population Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Although there are many regional and national studies on the trends in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the trends in the incidence of GDM among the Medicaid population are lacking, especially before and during coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To investigate the trends in the incidence of GDM before and during COVID-19 pandemic (2016-2021) among the Louisiana Medicaid population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This study included 111,936, Louisiana Medicaid pregnant women of age 18-50 between January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Pregnancies, GDM, and pre-pregnancy diabetes cases were identified by using the Tenth Revisions of the International Classification of Disease code. The annual incidence of GDM and annual prevalence of pre-pregnancy diabetes were calculated for each age and race subgroup. Results: The age-standardized incidence of GDM increased from 10.2% in 2016 to 14.8 in 2020 and decreased to 14.0% in 2021. The age-standardized prevalence of pre-pregnancy diabetes increased from 2.8% in 2016 to 3.4% in 2018 and decreased to 2.3% in 2021. The age-standardized rate of GDM was the highest among Asian women (23.0%), then White women (15.5%), and African American women (13.9%) (p for difference <0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in the incidence of GDM, with a rise in prominent GDM risk factors, such as obesity and sedentary behaviors, suggesting an association. Conclusion and Relevance: The incidence of GDM significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential reasons might include increased sedentary behavior and increased prevalence of obesity. GDM is a major public health issue, and the prevention of GDM is particularly essential for the Louisiana Medicaid population owing to the high prevalence of GDM-related risk factors in this population.

Predictors of gamete donation: a cross sectional survey study.

In 2015, assisted reproductive technology (ART) accounted for 1.7% of all U.S. births, donor eggs accounted for over 17,000 started cycles in 2015, and donor sperm accounting for 6.2% of all cycles started in 2014. With increasing utilization of donor gametes as a method of assisting patients with infertility, the number of babies born each year utilizing gamete donation will also continue to increase. This study aimed to elucidate factors impacting decision to donate, amongst a representative national population. A survey was distributed via the internet utilizing SurveyMonkey Enterprise with HIPAA compliance. Univariate regressions and frequencies were conducted between each demographic and personal characteristic and the willingness to donate. Log Binomial and linear regression was used categorical and continuous variables, and Risk ratios were calculated. In this large survey study, 64% of men and 50% of women reported they would be willing to donate gametes, with the majority desiring monetary compensation. Men with a high Consumer Financial Protection Bureau score were less likely to report that they would consider donating sperm compared to a medium high CFPB score. No other financial indicators were associated with considering donating sperm. There were no associations between CFPB score and egg donation outcomes. Black or African American women were less likely to consider donating their eggs compared to other groups, and more likely to desire > $5000 in compensation. In this large survey study, a small minority of participants reported they would be willing to donate to an unknown infertility patient for reproductive purposes. High and very high CFPB scores were associated with willingness to donate games, but not with desire for monetary compensation or amount.

Abstract P146: Sex-Dependent Regulation of the Endothelin System in Multi-End Organ Inflammation in Lupus-Associated Cardiovascular Disease

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by IgG deposition, Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) overactivation, and autoantibody production resulting in end organ inflammation. SLE disproportionally affects women, SLE disproportionally affects women to men (9:1 ratio), with a high prevalence in African American women. Highly vascularized organs are severely impacted by lupus, specifically the kidneys and brain. Recent literature has shown that cardiovascular disease (CVD) has significant detrimental impacts on organ crosstalk. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstricting peptide, has been shown elevated in patients with CVD and in patients with lupus independent of disease severity. However, the extent to which ET-1 promotes lupus-associated CVD and end organ cross talk remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we hypothesized that TLR7 overactivation in a murine model of SLE-associated CVD would lead to a sex-dependent regulation of the renal and cerebral ET systems. Female and male lupus-prone B6.Nba2 mice were subjected to bi-weekly treatment with the Resiquimod (R848; TLR7/8 agonist; 100ug/30ul) or vehicle control (Acetone) for one month and subsequently studied for 12 weeks. At 16 weeks, the kidneys and brains were collected for histology and ET system (ET-1, ET A, and ET B ) analysis. Exploration of specific end organ damage demonstrates a profound increase in renal and cerebral IgG complex deposition as well as renal macrophages and T cells in both females and males receiving R848. Renal ET-1 levels displayed no time nor treatment-dependent effects in females, while males exhibited a significant time-dependent increase in expression at the 4 and 16-week timepoints. Interestingly, at the receptor level, neither sex demonstrated differences in ET A nor ET B levels in the kidney. While renal ET-1 level did not change, females demonstrated a significant increase in cerebral ET-1 at the 16-week timepoint, while males trended for increased cerebral ET-1. At the receptor level, females had a trend for increased cerebral ET A expression, while there was no change in males, and neither sex displayed a change in ET B receptor expression. These findings suggest a potential shift towards a pro-inflammatory state via the cerebral ET-1/ET A signaling axis in the R848-treated females. These findings warrant further exploration into the end-organ specific pathophysiological role ET-1/ET A signaling in multiorgan crosstalk in lupus-associated CVD.

51658 Hair Loss and Quality of Life in Muslim American Women

51658 Hair Loss and Quality of Life in Muslim American Women