Women's Attitudes Research Articles

Attitudes and Related Factors of Women in Turkey Towards Cancer Screening: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine women's attitudes and related factors towards cancer screening in Turkey. Methods: This analytical-cross-sectional study was conducted between June and September 2022. The universe of the study consisted of all women between the ages of 30-70 in Turkey, and the sample included 335 women. The data of the study were collected online with the “Personal Information Form’’ and “Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening”. Results: The average Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening total score of the women participating in the study was 84.36±14.55. Of the women who participated in the study, 33.1% did not perform breast self-examination, 63.1% did not perform clinical breast examination, 49.5% did not perform Pap smear and HPV-DNA testing, 60.9% did not perform mammography, 76.1% did not perform fecal occult blood testing and 93.8% did not perform colonoscopy. It was determined that education status, breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, Pap Smear and HPV-DNA test frequencies, and knowing the places where cancer screening was performed affected the Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening score averages (F = 8.729, p = 0.000). Conclusion: It was determined that the attitudes of the women participating in the study towards cancer screening were moderate. Several factors are done affect attitudes towards cancer screening.

Investigating the Effect of Educational Intervention on Postpartum Health Attitudes and Behaviors in Women Referring to Health Centers in Qom Province, Iran

Background and Objectives: Postpartum is one of the most critical and dangerous periods in the life of a mother and a newborn. The health behaviors of mothers are influenced by their attitudes. Some attitudes act like dams against receiving health care. The health behaviors of mothers can be improved through education, increasing public awareness, and correcting attitudes. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of educational intervention on the attitudes and behaviors of mothers referring to health and treatment centers in Qom Province, Iran. Methods: This qualitative study investigates the attitudes and behaviors of mothers during the postpartum period. It is an educational intervention conducted on 110 mothers during their postpartum period. The mothers were selected by available sampling from the health and treatment centers of Qom Province and were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention took four months, and the education was conducted in four sessions using educational clips, lectures, posters, and pamphlets. The follow-up feedback was accomplished until 42 days after delivery. Results: After the educational intervention, significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in the components of health attitudes and behaviors, including maternal behaviors, nutritional behaviors, and infant-related behaviors of mothers in the postpartum period (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that multimedia educational intervention, along with individual counseling and continuous communication with mothers, has a positive effect on their health attitudes and behaviors in the postpartum period.

Psychometric Testing of an Arabic Version of the Attitude Toward Skin-to-Skin Contact Instrument among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study.

The World Health Organization recommends skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, yet the practice rate remains low in Saudi Arabia, impacting the health and well-being of mother-baby dyads. No previous studies have explored Saudi women's attitudes toward skin-to-skin contact, a critical factor in developing strategies to increase its adoption. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an instrument to assess attitudes toward skin-to-skin contact among women in Saudi Arabia. An instrument was developed by modifying the validated "Mother-Newborn Skin-to-Skin Contact Questionnaire". Psychometric testing was conducted to validate the instrument through a cross-cultural survey involving 383 participants recruited from two hospitals in Saudi Arabia using a convenience sampling method. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.885, indicating that the sample size was suitable for performing exploratory factor analysis. The overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.85, reflecting adequate internal consistency of the questionnaire. The criteria of the two-factor confirmatory factor analysis were also met. The majority of women (85.6%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards skin-to-skin contact. A positive correlation was observed between higher educational levels and the total attitude score (r = 0.161, p = 0.002). The developed questionnaire is a reliable tool for measuring attitudes towards skin-to-skin contact among women in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the importance of educational interventions to improve the uptake of this practice.

New Social Variables and There Relationship to Women's Commission of Crime

The paper dealt with the issue of the new social variables and their relationship to women's attitude towards crime, and it aimed to know the nature and type of contemporary social variables and how this affected the push of women to crime. Crime and the development of digital means and technologies resulted in the difficulty of detecting and tracking the perpetrators, and it was explained through the study the tendency of women to crime, which the technical means contributed to its commission and what was newly called electronic and digital crimes , In its methodological aspect, the paper was used to describe and analyze social variables and their impact on women's commission of crime in particular, and the study reached a number of results. The pattern and form of the crime changed according to contemporary changes and its dependence on the technical and computer offenders. The study showed the difficulty of discovering crimes of a technical nature, as well as prosecuting their perpetrators. The development of crimes into intercontinental crimes, which increased their rates. The need for security and police agencies to keep up with the new crimes and know how to deal with them and control them. Establishing high-tech electronic monitoring so that all suspicious movements are monitored, tracked technically, and reduced.

Description of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women Related to Prevention of Covid-19 Transmission

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARSCoV-2, which has a shape and behaviour similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. This disease has become a worldwide pandemic and causes acute respiratory tract disorders. Nationally, Indonesia is in the 19th highest position with total confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 49,578,590 cases and a death toll of 13.8 thousand cases. This research aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women in preventing transmission of Covid-19 during pregnancy. The method used in this research is a quantitative method with a descriptive approach. The population in this study was 39 pregnant women who did not work or were housewives, with the majority having a high school education and an age range of 20 - 35 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire. The data analysis used in this research uses parametric statistics, and the scale used is based on interval and ratio measurements. Based on the results and discussion, the level of knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women regarding preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in Salatiga City is good.

The effect of knowledge and person-related factors on breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1/2) testing perception in Turkish women.

Genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1/2) plays a pivotal role in risk assessment and preventive interventions. However, individuals' awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward genetic testing can vary across different societies. This study focuses on understanding Turkish women's knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward BRCA1/2 testing, considering demographic factors and awareness. In this cross-sectional study, 301 Turkish participants, including breast/ovarian cancer patients and their first-degree relatives, were surveyed. Information on sociodemographics, cancer history, awareness, knowledge, and perceptions was collected. The study aimed to assess knowledge levels about breast cancer inheritance and BRCA1/2 testing, describe perspectives about testing in women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and determine associations between knowledge, personal factors, anxiety, and genetic testing perspectives. Results showed a wide range in correct responses (31.6%-96.7%) for knowledge items. No significant relationship between knowledge levels and positive perception was observed. However, participants answering a specific question incorrectly showed higher negative perceptions. While most participants recognized the benefits of genetic testing, concerns centered around passing the genes to future generations. Participants who were younger, more educated, had higher income, were employed, at an earlier disease stage, and were social media users demonstrated more positive attitudes. Negative perceptions were higher among younger patients, physicians, and healthcare professionals. Interestingly, anxiety in cancer patients did not correlate with either positive or negative perceptions. In conclusion, this study identifies participant-related factors influencing perceptions of hereditary genetic tests. Understanding these factors and addressing associated issues can enhance the utilization of genetic testing and promote preventive oncology applications.

Insights and perceptions: Investigating pregnant women's attitudes, understanding, and factors influencing knowledge regarding medication usage during pregnancy-A cross-sectional study.

Medication use during pregnancy is a critical concern due to potential risks to both the mother and fetus. To the extent of our knowledge, there has been no prior research to assess medication use and identify the specific factors of pregnant women within the Yemeni community. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Yemeni pregnant women regarding medication use and assess the factors associated with the knowledge during pregnancy. A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted through face-to-face interviews using a validated structured questionnaire. The study was conducted on pregnant women receiving antenatal care at tertiary care hospitals in four governorates in Yemen. Univariable and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to examine the relationship between participant variables and their knowledge. A P-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 1003 pregnant women, 35.4% (n = 355) were aged 21-25 years, 33.9% (n = 340) had primary education, 73.6% (n = 738) lived in urban areas, 12.2% (n = 122) were smokers, 38.3% (n = 384) reported chewing khat, and the majority (90.2%, n = 905) were unemployed. Also, 65.5% (n = 657) of the participants reported taking folic acid in their current pregnancy. A total of 2,623 medications were utilized during pregnancy, with 17.8% during the first trimester (n = 468). Around 39.3% (n = 1,037) of medications used fell under the blood and blood-forming organs category. Education level (AOR: 4.00, P < .001), insurance status (AOR: 1.71, P = .026), information about medication risks to the fetus (AOR: 1.96, P = .023), the use of folic acid either in a previous pregnancy (AOR: 1.65, P < .008) or in the current pregnancy (AOR: 4.26, P < .001), and checking the medication leaflet (AOR: 5.67, P < .001) were predictors of higher knowledge. The findings underscore the pressing need for educational interventions aimed at pregnant women. By bridging knowledge gaps and promoting informed decision-making, such initiatives can contribute to a safer and healthier pregnancy journey, reducing the inclination towards self-medication.

Bladder Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs among US Adolescent Women

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can have a pronounced impact on adolescent women's overall health and quality of life, both during adolescence and across the life course. Little research has examined adolescent women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about bladder health and preventing LUTS. This study combines data from two large multi-site focus group studies of individuals born female who identified as women conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium. The first study included data from 8 focus groups conducted in 2018 with 44 adolescents aged 11 through 17 years. The second consisted of data from 20 focus groups conducted in 2020 with 123 adolescents aged 13 through 17 years. We used directed content analysis, including deductive and inductive approaches, to explore textual data and identify emergent insights. We present themes that emerged from analyzing coded data related to knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Themes included: (1) lack of information about bladder function, leading to limited knowledge, (2) hydration as a healthy behavior, (3) distinguishing healthy versus unhealthy voiding, (4) social and environmental barriers to voiding, and (5) shame and stigma of bladder related behaviors. Our data suggests that adolescent women are aware of healthy and unhealthy behaviors related to bladder health, despite little exposure to formal education about the bladder. Social and environmental factors, including stigma, appear to be primary drivers of adolescents' behaviors around bladder health, suggesting that multi-level socio-ecological prevention interventions are needed to prevent LUTS in this population.

The risk tolerance and decision-making processes of Australian women regarding medication trials in pregnancy.

Pregnant women have historically been excluded from participation in medication trials, in part due to the perceived risks of drug exposure to mothers and fetuses. However, little is known about pregnant women's attitudes toward risk and participation in such trials. To address this knowledge gap and to identify factors that influence trial participation. Australian women over the age of 18, currently pregnant or within six months of delivery, were recruited to participate in an online survey (n = 623) and follow-up interviews (n = 11). The survey investigated willingness to participate in five hypothetical drug trial scenarios of varying risk. Demographic and obstetric information, including COVID-19 vaccination status, was also collected. The impact of these factors on trial participation was analysed using ordinal regression. Interviews were subjected to thematic framework analysis using a priori and emergent themes. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) indicated a willingness to participate in at least one of the hypothetical trials. As trial risk increased participation likelihood decreased, especially if the risk was to the fetus, regardless of benefits to the mother. COVID-19 vaccination status and medication hesitancy were predictors of an unwillingness to participate. Three broad themes emerged from the qualitative data: risk-benefit analysis, quality of evidence, and trust. Overall, participants expressed a positive attitude toward research and medication trials during pregnancy, but were concerned about fetal risk. The findings of this study may help enhance trial design and the participation of pregnant women in medication trials.

Investigating Pregnant Women's Attitudes toward Herbal Remedies: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Herbal remedies play a significant role in daily life, regardless of region or ethnicity. While they offer various health benefits, they may also pose risks, including toxicity and undesirable side effects. Pregnant women, one of the most vulnerable populations, frequently use herbal remedies, often without informing their healthcare providers, which can lead to unforeseen consequences for both the mother and the fetus. A total of 590 women participated in an online survey designed to assess demographic factors, awareness of herbal remedies during pregnancy, and the potential impact of these remedies on maternal and fetal health. The survey revealed that 35.8% of the participants used herbal remedies during pregnancy. The most common reasons for their use were beliefs in their safety and family recommendations. Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) was the most frequently used herb. The findings indicate that pregnant women generally have limited knowledge about herbal remedies and their potential risks. To mitigate this, it is essential to develop and disseminate comprehensive safety and efficacy guidelines. Both physicians and pregnant women should be well-informed to ensure the protection of maternal and fetal health.

Health Attitudes of Women Living in Religious Communities-A Preliminary Study.

Members of consecrated life communities exhibit homogeneity with regard to factors that are relevant to health, including diet, daily activities, religiosity, and housing. This may be indicative of the manner in which the community influences the formation of the health-seeking attitudes of its members. The objective of this study was to validate a survey about health awareness and health-seeking attitudes among consecrated people and to identify potential issues to be improved. In addition, the study aspires to provide insights into the lifestyles of consecrated persons in Poland, based on the results of the survey and available data. The study group included 27 female participants, members of societies of apostolic life and non-habitual apostolic religious congregations of the Roman Catholic Church. The participants were invited to express their comments and suggestions on the survey, with the purpose of validating the survey before using it as a tool for a larger study. All participants agreed that nutrition, rest, and physical activity had a significant impact on health. A total of 89% of participants considered their lifestyle as healthy and a similar proportion indicated that living in a consecrated community had a positive impact on their health, with the most positive influence of factors related to spiritual exercise, rhythm of the day, and sense of interpersonal connection within the community. Approximately 44% of participants indicated that their attitude was based on a healthy diet and adequate sleep quality. However, they identified an existing need to improve the balance between work and rest. Additionally, 4% of respondents admitted irregular eating habits, ignoring quality of alimentary products, non-satisfactory rest time, and insufficient sleep. Even though the purpose of this study was only to validate a survey predestined for a larger study, it already gives an insight into the level of awareness of health behavior and lifestyle of residents of religious communities.

Male contraceptive acceptability versus male acceptance of contraceptive responsibility.

Despite the projected impact of new male contraceptives, resources and investments directed at their development remain limited in part due to concerns that men would not actually use them. Now, more than 30 studies have been conducted over the last 30 years-regionally and internationally, within clinical trials, and across populations-examining men and women's attitudes towards new male contraceptive methods, all consistently demonstrating interest in and willingness to use new methods. Yet even these studies, inclusive of competitive contraceptive market projections, seem not to be convincing enough. Rather than study whether men would be willing to use male contraceptives, more resources should be devoted to developing the infrastructure and supporting the cultural changes needed to ensure that when new male contraceptives inevitably emerge, that they will be disseminated quickly and made readily accessible. Men's views on what their roles are in society, families, relationships, and pregnancy prevention are changing in ways that may impact what they consider to be acceptable contraceptive risks. As society moves toward more gender equitable beliefs, men's positive involvement in contraception might organically develop into an expected behavior. Interventions aimed at sensitizing men toward gender equitable beliefs may pay dividends in improving male contraceptive acceptability. The current lack of a reversible male contraceptive method prevents us from collecting data that might disprove presumptions that men would be unwilling to take on responsibility for pregnancy prevention. However, studies of men's involvement in (1) over-the-counter emergency contraception, (2) vasectomy, and (3) abortion offer case studies for men's increasing consciousness of opportunities for shared contraceptive responsibility, the structural and sociopolitical barriers that men face when trying to participate in family planning, and how these might translate into new male contraceptive interest and development.

Impact of Learning Mediums: A Comparative Analysis of Telephone and Virtual Education on Women's Childbearing Attitudes

Background: Improving women's attitudes towards childbearing plays a key role in promoting childbearing policies. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two educational methods-telephone-based and virtual training-on women's attitudes towards childbearing. Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 174 married women aged 18-35, without children, living in Babol city. The participants were randomly divided into three groups of 58: Two intervention groups and one control group. The first group received telephone-based training, while the second group received virtual training via WhatsApp video calls, both on the topic of childbearing over a four-week period. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a fertility and childbearing attitude scale, completed before, immediately after, and three months post-intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 with chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and a linear mixed model. Results: The mean attitude scores towards childbearing increased significantly in both the telephone training group (P = 0.008) and the virtual training group (P = 0.038) compared to the control group three months later. Although telephone-based training had a greater effect on attitude scores during the follow-up phase compared to virtual training, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Both educational methods had a lasting impact on women's attitudes towards childbearing. This underscores the value of using accessible and cost-effective platforms to support childbearing policies.

The Attitude of Women on the Manufacturing of the Indonesian Ulama Council of North Sumatra Regarding the Documentary Video of the Polemic of Polygamy in Indonesia: Sharing Heaven on Vice Indonesia's Youtube Channel

This research examines the cognitive, affective and conative responses of women administrators of the North Sumatra Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to the documentary video "Polygamy Polemic in Indonesia: Sharing Heaven" on the Vice Indonesia YouTube channel. This research involved non-participatory observation and in-depth interviews. There were six research informants and one triangulation informant. The information received resulted in saturated data. The results showed that the informants negotiated the film's content cognitively and affectively. Although they recognize the legal legitimacy of polygamy, they conatively refuse to engage in polygamous marriages. Apart from that, there are concerns among women administrators of the North Sumatra MUI that this broadcast could create negative stereotypes and position polygamy as an ambiguous law in Islam so that its practice is no longer relevant to carry out

Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women towards Bankjo Lamp Technology: Case Study of Choosing a Birth Place

Background: A high-risk pregnancy jeopardizes both maternal and fetal lives. Despite recommendations for hospital births, six out of ten high-risk expectant mothers in Kawedanan opt for PMB or Community Health Center Maternity. To identify high-risk pregnancies, Kawedanan Community Health Center employs the innovative Bankjo lamp. This study investigates how pregnant women's attitudes and knowledge about Bankjo lamps influence their maternity location choice. Methods: This type of research uses quantitative descriptive research. This observational analytical research involved 57 expectant mothers due to maternity in January, February, or March. Using a cross-sectional design, the study treated knowledge and attitudes about Bankjo lamps as independent variables, with maternity location preference as the dependent variable. Data collection methods included knowledge and attitude questionnaires and monthly midwife reports. The data was analyzed using the Chi-Square test and descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distribution with presentation. Results: Findings indicate that pregnant women generally possess adequate knowledge about suitable maternity locations, with some showing insufficient understanding. A significant correlation (p = 0.013) exists between knowledge levels and preferred birthplace. Despite the preference for hospital births among nearly all expectant mothers, a majority hold negative attitudes, strongly correlated (p = 0.000) with their birthplace choices. Interestingly, while most pregnant women understand the Bankjo lamp innovation well, they harbor negative attitudes toward it. Nevertheless, almost all opt for hospital births, prioritizing medical safety despite reservations about new technologies. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for government support in advancing maternal health initiatives, including innovative technologies like Bankjo lamps. Enhancing awareness and promoting positive attitudes among expectant mothers can foster safer childbirth practices. By disseminating knowledge and addressing misconceptions, healthcare providers can better support high-risk pregnancies, ensuring better outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Cisgender Sexual Minority Women's Interest in Telemental Health Services: A Latent Class Analysis.

Introduction: Telemental health is increasingly recognized for its potential to overcome barriers like cost and stigma, particularly for marginalized groups. Sexual minority women in particular may benefit from increased access to telemental health services, due to the unique health disparities faced by this population. However, very little research thus far has assessed the telemental health preferences of this group. Methods: The present study surveyed 1,092 cisgender sexual minority women regarding their demographic information, mental health, and telemental health preferences, using the Prolific.co research platform. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify subgroups within the sample based on their responses to the survey. Results: Results revealed diverse attitudes toward telemental health, with some that prefer in-person sessions, whereas others show a strong interest in virtual options. Latent class analysis identified five groups, termed the Neutral, Ambivalent, Inclined, Inclined Related to Travel, and Averse groups. There were statistically significant differences between groups on measures of rurality, socioeconomic status, previous therapy experience, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Overall, sexual minority women demonstrated interest in telemental health, especially individuals with mobility challenges and those living in rural areas. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of tailoring mental health services to diverse needs and suggests that telemental health could be a valuable tool in addressing health disparities among sexual minority women. Importantly, these data were conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research could examine how sexual minority women's attitudes toward telemental health have shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic and how telemental health services could be tailored for marginalized subgroups.

Understanding the Effect of Peers on the Financial Attitude and Financial Behaviour of Women in Kaithal, Haryana

Understanding the Effect of Peers on the Financial Attitude and Financial Behaviour of Women in Kaithal, Haryana

Investigation of the Relationship Between Exercise Attitudes of Pregnant Women and Their Motherhood and Body Perceptions

Investigation of the Relationship Between Exercise Attitudes of Pregnant Women and Their Motherhood and Body Perceptions

Women's Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Prevention at the Reference Health Centre in Bamako (Mali)

The aim was to assess women's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding cervical cancer screening. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive and analytical study at the Reference Health Center of Commune V of the District of Bamako. Result: The average age of women was 30 years. They were mostly married (81.79%), primigestes (50.17%), nulliparous (58.76%), uneducated (53.61%) and living in urban areas (62.80%). Most of the women had already heard of cervical cancer (79.90%). Only (8.59%) of women recognized STIs as a risk factor for cervical cancer and 44.70% knew that cervical cancer was preventable. Of the women surveyed, none had already been vaccinated and about 60% had never been tested. 15.46% of women wanted to get the vaccine soon, compared to only 8.59% now. 41.20% of women had already been screened, 36.40% of them wanted to do it now against 70.80% soon.78% of women said they wanted to recommend screening to a relative. Conclusion: Most women have knowledge of its existence but their knowledge of risk factors and means of prevention is low. Their attitudes and practices are also weak.

Investigation of the Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals towards Disabled Women in Terms of Gender Perceptions

Background: Gender inequality causes women to be exposed to discrimination in many fields. Gender discrimination against women affects disabled women more deeply. Prejudiced and negative attitudes of healthcare professionals may prevent disabled women from receiving adequate health services. Objective: This study aimed to examine the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards women with disabilities in terms of gender perception. Methods: The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of 234 healthcare professionals. Research data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS), and Disabled Women Attitude Scale (ADWS). Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.60±8.27, and the average professional working time was 172.23±94.59 months. Of them, 60.7% were women, 34.2% were nurses, 40.6% worked in secondary healthcare institutions, and 31.6% had a disabled relative. The mean total score of GRAS was 54.06±9.61, and ADWS was 62.42±13.79. GRAS and ADWS mean scores were higher in women. The mean GRAS score was higher in university graduates and those working 21 years or more. The mean ADWS score was higher in individuals who do not have a disabled relative. Additionally, there was a low positive correlation between GRAS and ADWS mean scores (p