Opinions Of Women Research Articles

Opinion of Women in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate Regarding Prohibition and Criminalization of Female Genital Cutting

Opinion of Women in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate Regarding Prohibition and Criminalization of Female Genital Cutting

Women's attitudes to and perceptions of oral health and dental care during pregnancy

To assess pregnant women's opinions on and perceptions of oral health and their relationship to oral hygiene and dental care practices. Questionnaire survey on perceived oral health, oral hygiene and utilization of dental services among 649 nulliparae attending for antenatal care at all public antenatal clinics in Adelaide, South Australia. Women rated their general health significantly better than their oral health (P<0.001) and attributed more importance to healthy teeth for their baby than for themselves (P<0.001). Only 35% had dental care during pregnancy; 35% had no dental visit for at least two years and 27% reported cost as a major deterrent. Eighteen percent had experienced gingival bleeding before pregnancy and 41% during pregnancy. Gingival bleeding outside pregnancy was clearly related to perceived oral health (P<0.001), but this was less so for bleeding during pregnancy. The latter was not related to age, level of education, employment, marital status, or smoking habits. Only 38% of women with gingival bleeding in pregnancy had a dental care visit in pregnancy and 28% considered their oral health as very good. Many pregnant women do not perceive gingival bleeding as indicating inflammatory disease and seek no professional help for it. Maternity care providers need to devote more attention to oral health in antenatal clinics and antenatal education.

Women's opinions on the home management of early medical abortion in the UK

Background and methodologyThis survey was undertaken to obtain the opinions of women in the UK about their home management of early medical abortion (EMA) with mifepristone and misoprostol. All eligible...

Mulheres expostas ao HIV/AIDS: promovendo qualidade de vida na atenção básica

Um dos objetivos específicos do Programa de Assistência Integral a Saúde da Mulher é a ampliação e qualificação clínico-ginecológica, inclusive para cuidar das portadoras de infecção pelo HIV e outras DST’s, por meio de estratégias que favoreçam o fortalecimento da atenção básica. Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar a opinião de mulheres, assistidas pelo PSF e CTA do município de Bayeux-PB, quanto às orientações fornecidas por profissionais de saúde em relação ao HIV/AIDS. Estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa, realizado em 2006, que contou com a participação de 22 mulheres. Os dados foram analisados por meio da técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo e apresentados em quadros. Identificou-se que as mulheres tinham faixa etária variando entre 19 e 60 anos, e 82% referiram ter o primeiro grau incompleto. De acordo com os discursos pode-se evidenciar que não está havendo continuidades nos trabalhos de orientação sobre DSTs/AIDS na atenção básica; Houve satisfação quanto as orientações obtidas no CTA; Identificou-se impedimentos para o uso do preservativo. Acredita-se que elas necessitam de assistência em espaços educativos. Todavia para que haja mudança nas práticas assistenciais dos profissionais, é primordial o envolvimento da equipe gestora.

Non-utilization of public healthcare facilities: examining the reasons through a national study of women in India

This article examines women's opinions about their reasons for the non-utilization of appropriate public health care facilities, according to categories of their healthcare seeking in India. This cross-sectional article uses nationally representative samples from the Indian National Family Health Surveys NFHS-3 (2005-2006), which were generated from randomly selected households. Women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from the 29 states of India participated (n = 124 385 women). The respondents were asked why they did not utilize public health care facilities when members of their households were ill, identifying their reasons with a yes/no choice. The following five reasons were of primary interest: (1) 'there is no nearby facility'; (2) 'facility timing is not convenient'; (3) 'health personnel are often absent'; (4) 'waiting time is too long'; and (5) 'poor quality of care'. Results from logistic regression analyses indicate that respondents' education, economic status and standard of living are significant predictors for non-utilization of public health care facilities. Women who sought the services of care delivery and health check-ups indicated that health personnel were absent. Service seekers for self and child's medical treatments indicated that there were no nearby health facilities, service times were inconvenient, there were long waiting times and poor quality health care. This study concludes that improving public health care facilities with user-friendly opening times, the regular presence of staff, reduced waiting times and improved quality of care are necessary steps to reducing maternal mortality and poverty.

How women's opinions of hormone therapy are shaped

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this analysis is to understand the sources women currently use to form an opinion about HT since the first publication of the Women's Health Initiative's (WHI) findings in 2002 and the increased availability of medical information online.DESIGN: A cross-sectional self administered online survey was used in this study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible women were sent a link to the survey, validated in a pilot study, via a web based health management tool. The survey focused on several key domains including demographics, knowledge of the risks and benefits of HT, opinion toward HT, and past health history. All participants were part of a large, predominately rural, health system and were identified through their electronic health records. The women were age 54 to 65, used the online tool, and were active patients within the health system. 5,733 women were eligible and 1,704 women completed the survey.RESULTS: The majority of women, nearly 68%, reported their physician as the primary source of information used to shape their opinions of HT. Magazines (42%) and television (38%) were the next top sources of information. 68% of women report no awareness of the WHI studies while almost 67% report not seeing any recent articles in the media about HT.CONCLUSIONS: Despite the number of competing sources of information and the controversy surrounding the use of HT, physicians remain the primary source of information shaping women's perception of HT. However, other sources still play an important role in the formation of their opinions. Understanding where women obtain their knowledge base, and how their opinions are shaped, may help physicians educate them about HT. This will allow women to take a more active part in their health care, helping them to make the best possible decision concerning the use of HT for menopause. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this analysis is to understand the sources women currently use to form an opinion about HT since the first publication of the Women's Health Initiative's (WHI) findings in 2002 and the increased availability of medical information online. DESIGN: A cross-sectional self administered online survey was used in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible women were sent a link to the survey, validated in a pilot study, via a web based health management tool. The survey focused on several key domains including demographics, knowledge of the risks and benefits of HT, opinion toward HT, and past health history. All participants were part of a large, predominately rural, health system and were identified through their electronic health records. The women were age 54 to 65, used the online tool, and were active patients within the health system. 5,733 women were eligible and 1,704 women completed the survey. RESULTS: The majority of women, nearly 68%, reported their physician as the primary source of information used to shape their opinions of HT. Magazines (42%) and television (38%) were the next top sources of information. 68% of women report no awareness of the WHI studies while almost 67% report not seeing any recent articles in the media about HT. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the number of competing sources of information and the controversy surrounding the use of HT, physicians remain the primary source of information shaping women's perception of HT. However, other sources still play an important role in the formation of their opinions. Understanding where women obtain their knowledge base, and how their opinions are shaped, may help physicians educate them about HT. This will allow women to take a more active part in their health care, helping them to make the best possible decision concerning the use of HT for menopause.

Determinants of Willingness to Pay for a New Therapy in a Sample of Menopausal-Aged Women

Menopause is a natural physiological event that usually begins in women between the ages of 48 and 55 years. In many cases, this event is associated with unpleasant somatic-vegetative, urogenital or psychological symptoms. To test the health and social demographic factors (especially household income level) that influence willingness to pay (WTP) for a new hormone-free treatment in women of menopausal age. 1365 women between the ages of 45 and 73 years were surveyed about their health and WTP for the new treatment. WTP was evaluated with a closed-ended binary questionnaire (four groups with different levels of co-payment between euro15 and euro60), using the contingent valuation method. The average WTP was calculated according to the area under the demand function. Factors contributing to payment readiness were examined by means of binary logistic regression. WTP was significantly affected by women's opinion of the new medication, the level of co-payment required, net household income, whether currently in treatment for menopausal symptoms, and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) values. Compared with other factors, the level of co-payment was predicted to have a negative impact on WTP. Income level is an important factor in WTP and correlates highly with several other health-related variables (WHO-5 index, MRS value, receipt of other menopause medicines and existing co-morbidity). The average co-payment that our group of women was willing to pay was between euro17 and euro35 per month, or euro24 to euro42 for women who were currently receiving treatment for symptoms of menopause. While interpreting the results, it should be considered that the hypothetical therapy was assumed to be a new non-reimbursable alternative to conventional therapy offered under the existing statutory framework for health insurance in Germany. Despite some methodological limitations, these results are useful for examining the factors affecting WTP and incremental utilities for future medicine dealing with menopause.

A percepção de mulheres quanto à vulnerabilidade feminina para contrair DST/HIV

Pesquisa descritiva com abordagem qualitativa cujo objetivo foi analisar a percepção de mulheres quanto à vulnerabilidade feminina para contrair DST/HIV. Foi realizada em 2006, num campus universitário no Rio de Janeiro. Foram entrevistadas 12 mulheres, de idade superior a 18 anos, de diferentes níveis de escolaridade, raça e religião. Estas eram estudantes, servidoras técnico-administrativas, docentes e outras usuárias. Foram atendidas as exigências do Conselho Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa. Os dados foram analisados segundo os pressupostos da Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados revelaram duas grandes dimensões: uma que relaciona a percepção pessoal da mulher e seus comportamentos, e outra relacionada à opinião dessas mulheres sobre o comportamento de outras mulheres. Neste artigo discutimos os dados referentes à dimensão coletiva. Concluímos que as mulheres entrevistadas reconhecem os fatores de vulnerabilidade nas outras mulheres e percebem o risco do outro em contrair DST/HIV, porém não se consideram em risco.

Women's Opinions about Routine HIV Testing During Pregnancy: Implications for the Opt-Out Approach

The 1995 United States Public Health Service (USPHS) recommendation regarding HIV testing for pregnant women was revised in 2003 calling for routine HIV testing for pregnant women with patient notification. Routine testing (opt-out screening) offers women the opportunity to decline HIV testing but eliminates the requirement of pretest counseling and separate written consent. To assess women's opinions about the opt-out approach to HIV testing during pregnancy, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in May-June 2004 at 14 geographically diverse clinics funded by Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) Part C and Part D agreements. Of 853 women respondents to the one-page, self-completed survey questionnaire, 90% agreed with routine HIV testing and 91% reported being comfortable with testing, demonstrating that the large majority of women agree with and support HIV testing as a part of routine prenatal care. Women's opinions were associated with HIV testing status, e.g., 76% of women who had never been tested for HIV thought HIV testing should be part of a routine pregnancy check-up as compared with women who were HIV-negative (93%) or HIV-positive (90%) (chi(2) = 31.3943, p < 0.0001). Comfort with HIV testing was associated with higher HIV knowledge. Approximately half of the respondents indicated that HIV tests are different from other tests and that women need more information prior to testing. Results demonstrated clear consensus in support of routine testing. Increased efforts to disseminate resources to providers coupled with providers' effective communication of information to pregnant women can build on the support that women have conveyed for HIV testing during pregnancy.

Aesthetic Breast Surgery: Consulting for the Future—Proposals for Improving Doctor–Patient Interactions

This report summarizes the opinions advanced by an international panel of acknowledged expert plastic surgeons convened to discuss women's attitudes about aesthetic breast surgery. To inform the discussions, a survey was undertaken to explore women's attitudes and opinions. The survey showed that significant numbers of women take the initial steps but do not proceed to surgery. This represents a failure to meet the needs of many women who stand to benefit from surgery. It also represents a waste of resources. Cost and fear are important factors, but a crucial consideration for women is whether they can find a surgeon they can trust. The panel recommends using standard consultation procedures, ensuring good clinic organization, managing expectations, dispelling myths, and providing adequate patient education to build trust and contribute to the successful treatment of women who desire breast surgery.

Opinions of non-pregnant New Zealand women aged 16-40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Premenopausal women's opinions on the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are not well documented. This study aims to assess the opinions of New Zealand women on the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with these opinions. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2005 on a random sample of 1109 non-pregnant women aged 16-40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire using a web-assisted telephone interviewing system. Overall, 44% (95% confidence interval 41-47) of women surveyed were of the opinion that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy. Those who stated that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy were more likely to be of Pacific Island ethnicity (P < 0.05) and abstainers (P < 0.001). Women who drank more than two standard drinks of alcohol on a typical occasion and/or who binged were more likely to be of the opinion that 'more than one standard drink' of alcohol is safe on a typical drinking day during pregnancy (P < 0.001). The association of drinking style with opinions about the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy accentuates the need for public health education to reduce risky drinking behaviours in this population. Such efforts may also address the risk associated with many women unintentionally drinking in early pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy is unplanned.

Using multilevel systems theory to integrate dynamic person-in-context systems

Despite recent improvements, women remain underrepresented in Computer Science (CS) in both industry and higher education. Self-perception and identity play an important role in young women's opinions of careers in CS. We believe that by presenting software programming in a way that facilitates identity exploration early on, young girls will be more likely to consider careers in CS later in life. In partnership with an organization that focuses on technology education for middle school girls we developed a game design workshop in an effort to change young girls' perception of CS by increasing their knowledge of programming and empowering them to develop their own identities as computer scientists. This paper presents the results of a case study with 21 participants that was carried out to evaluate the workshop's short-term influence on young girls' attitudes towards CS. The study employed a mixed methods design, including a pre and post application of a validated survey instrument, focus-group interviews, and content analysis of games developed by the students. The pre and post surveys focused on how students' attitudes towards computing may have been influenced by their participation in the workshop; the focus-group interviews aimed to gain further insight into their workshop experience; and the content analysis of games focused on the learning outcomes of our workshop. The findings suggest that the workshop resulted in improvements in both young girls' attitudes towards CS as well as in their self-reported confidence and competence with computers. These results highlight the importance of providing positive identity exploration opportunities in shaping female students' attitudes towards CS.

Heated Conversations

After years of feminist pressure to integrate the bylines of America's journals and newspapers of record, women's opinion pieces and political commentary remain scarce. Flora Lewis and Elizabeth Drew were notable forerunners, but the real change came with the women who broke into print in the late 1980s and 1990s: a group that included Barbara Ehrenreich, Gail Collins, Maureen Dowd, Ellen Goodman, and Katha Pollitt. To varying degrees, they transformed the voice of the pundit on high to an identifiably female one, routinely treating "women's" issues, setting up confiding relationships with readers, and using feminist tartness as a weapon of choice when it came to deflating and skewering enemies.

Divided by the Ballot Box: The Montreal Council of Women and the 1917 Election

Prime Minister Robert Borden created the Wartime Elections Act in September 1917 – a move that granted temporary voting rights to women who had close relatives serving in the military. Their votes were positioned as key to winning the war because it was assumed that newly enfranchised wives and mothers would support Borden's controversial conscription plans to reinforce their husbands and sons at the front. Suffragists across the country were divided by the act's limited enfranchisement and its connection to conscription. This turmoil reached its pinnacle in Montreal, a city that was at the centre of nationalistic and ethnic strife caused by the war, and triggered rifts within the city's largest Anglophone women's organization, the Montreal Council of Women. One result of this tension was the impeachment trial of the council's long-time president, Dr Grace Ritchie-England, for her criticism of the Wartime Elections Act and conscription during the 1917 federal election. Calling attention to the resistance of and conflicts between middle-class club women who were normally viewed as hegemonically supportive of the war effort widens our understanding of women's disparate opinions and activism during the First World War and the fragile nature of suffragists’ political unity.

Women's opinions about mode of birth in Brazil: a qualitative study in a public teaching hospital

Objective to describe women's feelings about mode of birth. Design exploratory descriptive design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a questionnaire that had been developed previously (categorical data and open- and closed-ended questions). Qualitative analysis of the results was performed through a context analysis technique. Setting the largest public university hospital in Brazil. Participants 48 women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Findings most women expressed a preference for vaginal birth, as they perceived that they would have a faster recovery. Women who expressed a preference for caesarean section did so because of lack of pain during the birth and the need for tubal sterilisation. The majority of women considered it important to have experience with a mode of birth in order to choose a preference. Complications associated with maternal illness were very influential in the decision-making process. Key conclusions these results provide a useful first step towards the identification of aspects of women's feelings about modes of birth. Most women expressed a preference for vaginal birth. Further exploration of women's feelings regarding parturition and the decision-making process is required.

Women's opinions and experiences with induction of labor and cesarean delivery on request in south eastern Nigeria

Objective To assess the opinions and experiences of women regarding induction of labor and cesarean delivery on request in south eastern Nigeria. Method Women were interviewed using questionnaires on their awareness of their right to request labor induction and/or a cesarean delivery, and of their experience and opinion of the procedures. Results Of the 15.1% of the respondents who knew they could request a cesarean delivery, 2.4% had requested one; and of the 56.3% who knew they could request labor induction, 6.9% had requested one. Only 5.3% and 11.3% of the respondents who would chose the former or the latter procedure, respectively, said that they would insist on receiving it. Fear of their physicians' negative attitude regarding the procedures, and/or abandonment of care, ranked highest among their reasons for not insisting. Conclusion In south eastern Nigeria few women are aware of their right to a cesarean delivery on request and the rate of refusal to perform such deliveries is high among physicians; more women are aware of their right to receive induction of labor on request and the acceptance rate is higher among physicians; and most women are unwilling to insist that their physician respect their choice.

Opinions on early-age marriage and marriage customs among Kurdish-speaking women in southeast Turkey

ObjectivesFor women, marriage before the age of 18 years has adverse consequences for physical, mental and emotional well-being and constitutes a barrier for continued education. According to a national survey,...

Opinions of married women about potential causes and triggers of intimate partner violence against women. A cross-sectional investigation in an Iranian city

BackgroundPopulation-based perception studies on potential causes and triggers of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) may enlighten context-relevant primary preventive actions in settings where data are limited. This study, conducted in one specific city, deals with married women's opinions concerning potential causes and triggers of IPVAW and seeks to highlight areas of consensus and divergence in the views.MethodsA convenient sample of women aged 25–45 years and married for at least 5 years was consecutively recruited in the 48 public health centres of Kermanshah city, where free health services are provided to mothers and children under 6 years old. Respondents were individually interviewed on site by trained and experienced female interviewers (response rate 94.3%). A structured pilot-tested questionnaire was used that consisted mainly of closed questions about individual assessment of the extent to which various items could be regarded as a potential cause, a potential trigger or a potential consequence of IPVAW. Individual item frequencies were compiled and the association between socio-demographic attributes of the spouses and also respondents' prior exposure to violence and women answers was explored.ResultsFor most factors covered, women mainly "agreed" or "agreed very much" about their potential as a trigger or a cause of IPVAW; agreements were stronger for individual-related potential causes. Generally, women's socio-demographic characteristics and prior victimisation did not much affect the opinions they expressed. For some triggers however, women's own occupation and their husband's educational level affected how much in agreement they were.ConclusionThe women interviewed consider that most potential causes and triggers proposed may, at some point in a relationship, engender IPVAW. In the main, their views are not much altered by their own and their husbands' socioeconomic position or their prior victimisation. It remains to be seen whether married men and, for that matter, even women married for a shorter duration or from other settings will answer in a similar manner.

Childbirth Is Changing What Now?

To examine women's experiences, ideas, attitudes, and opinions about their prenatal care and childbirth in the first decade of the 21st century during a societal paradigm shift in birth practices. This change in birth practices seems to be away from high-touch care toward ever-increasing high-tech interventions. Focus group qualitative data were obtained from 12 women in two focus groups recruited from a large Midwestern obstetrical practice. Constant comparative analysis was used to describe substantive themes. Focus group data were validated by a postpartum questionnaire administered 3 months after the focus groups to 185 women in the same obstetrical practice. Three themes emerged from analysis of the women's childbirth experiences: Trust ("she was competent...calm"), Information ("information provided allowed me to make choices"), and Control ("I like having a doctor who is in charge, but will listen to me"). These results confirm a shifting birth paradigm away from the model of natural, unmedicated birth prevalent in the second half of the 20th century and affirm that women want both high-tech and high-touch care. As healthcare providers, we need to respect women's choices, especially when the women's choices would not be our personal choices. If providers are to embrace the paradox of changing birth practices, it could mean accepting high-tech practice while at the same time advocating for birth defined by women and evidence.

Congenital anomalies: parents’ anxiety and women's concerns before prenatal testing and women's opinions towards the risk factors

The aims of the study were to determine parents' anxiety and women's concerns before prenatal testing and women's opinions towards the risk factors for congenital anomalies. Undergoing prenatal screening or diagnostic tests cause potential distress and worry for parents. Little attention has been paid to the psychological aspect of such testing in clinical and research areas. This descriptive study was conducted in a prenatal diagnosis unit in a university hospital in Istanbul. The convenience sample of the study consisted of 200 women and 104 partners who applied for prenatal screening or diagnosis tests. Women were interviewed by the researcher before they underwent prenatal screening or diagnostic procedures. Data were gathered through interviews using an interview form that addressed women's evaluations for causes of fear and their opinions towards the risk factors for congenital anomalies. Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory was used to assess parents' anxiety before prenatal testing. Anxiety scores of women and their partners were higher in invasive tests group and suspicious findings group. The possibility of a malformation detected and of it being missed were major concerns of women. Receiving insufficient information about the procedure, undergoing this test for the first time, smoking and lower education was associated with increased anxiety scores in women. Although women knew about some certain risk factors for congenital anomalies like drug use, smoking and malnutrition, their knowledge about other risks were not sufficient. Prenatal tests, both routine screening and prenatal diagnosis, cause anxiety for parents. Understanding women's concerns and awareness of risk factors are important for providing care and counselling. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses can provide appropriate information and support at each step in the screening and diagnosis process so that parents' psychological stress is minimised.