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Abstract Health Issue Smoking among Canadian women is a serious public health issue. Using the 1998–99 National Population Health Survey, this study examined underlying factors contributing to differences in prevalence of smoking among subgroups of women and men, and its effects on self-reported indicators of health. Key Findings In Canada, 26.4% of women and 29.2% of men were classified as current smokers. Higher levels of education and income were associated with decreased odds of current smoking. Adjusting for all other factors, being an ethnic minority decreased the odds of current smoking for both men and women (OR:0.35, 99%CI:0.23–0.54; OR:0.13, 99%CI: 0.09–0.20 respectively). Single mothers had the highest odds of smoking (OR: 2.12, 99%CI: 1.28–3.51) when compared to married mothers with children under 25 years of age. Current women smokers and current and former men smokers were less likely to report very good or excellent health compared with never smokers (OR: 0.83, 99%CI: 0.70–0.98; OR: 0.49, 99%CI: 0.41–0.60; OR: 0.75, 99%CI: 0.63–0.90 respectively). Women who were current smokers had increased odds of needing health care and not receiving it (OR: 1.50, 99%CI: 1.10–2.05). Data Gaps and Recommendations Key issues for Canadian women include an increased prevalence of smoking among young girls and the strong association between smoking and social and economic disadvantage. Tobacco control policies and programs must target high-risk groups more effectively. Of particular importance is the development of programs and policies that do not serve to reinforce existing inequities, but rather, contribute to their amelioration.

Abstract Background Although researchers have focused on women's smoking during pregnancy and the postpartum period and the influence of household interactions on their tobacco reduction efforts, little attention has been given to parents' efforts to regulate smoking during the child-rearing years. The objective of this study was to examine how parenting young children and gender relations reflected in couple dynamics influence household tobacco use patterns and, specifically, women's tobacco reduction efforts. Methods As part of a longitudinal, grounded-theory study with 28 couples to examine the place of tobacco in the lives of new parents, each parent participated in one or two individual, semi-structured interviews during the first three years postpartum. Grounded theory methods and a gender relations framework were used to analyze transcribed data. Results Two different parenting styles that couples adhered to were identified. These parenting styles reflected performances of femininities and masculinities, and were associated with particular smoking patterns. Traditional parenting reinforced by women's alignment with emphasized femininities and men's alignment with hegemonic masculinities placed women with smoking partners at risk for relapse. Women's actions to be supportive partners facilitated couples' continued smoking. In shared parenting dyads, egalitarian practices tended to support successful transitions to smoke-free homes. Women's ability to exert more influence around family decision making, and the acceptance of new masculine identities associated with fatherhood were influential. In non-smoking dyads where the mother, father, or both reduced or stopped smoking, we observed a subtext of potential conflict in the event either the mother or father relapsed. Conclusions Decisions about tobacco use are made within relationships and social contexts that vary based on each individual's relationship to tobacco, divisions of domestic labour and childcare, and other activities that impact tobacco use. Sensitive approaches to tobacco reduction for women and men must be developed building on greater understanding of gender relations and how tobacco use is integrated in spousal and parental roles.

Abstract Much work has been done to promote sex and gender-based analyses in health research and to think critically about the influence of sex and gender on health behaviours and outcomes. However, despite this increased attention on sex and gender, there remain obstacles to effectively applying and measuring these concepts in health research. Some health researchers continue to ignore the concepts of sex and gender or incorrectly conflate their meanings. We report on a primer that was developed by the authors to help researchers understand and use the concepts of sex and gender in their work. We provide detailed definitions of sex and gender, discuss a sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA), and suggest three approaches for incorporating sex and gender in health research at various stages of the research process. We discuss our knowledge translation process and share some of the challenges we faced in disseminating our primer with key stakeholders. In conclusion, we stress the need for continued attention to sex and gender in health research.

Introduction: Implementing sex education programs during adolescence is crucial for addressing the risks associated with sexuality. However, some of these interventions lack proper incorporation of a gender perspective and maintain a heteronormative and biologically-focused approach, potentially resulting in inequitable outcomes for adolescents. In response, comprehensive sex education is most effective due to its multidimensional view of sexuality. However, integrating a comprehensive perspective on sexuality and a gender lens that contributes to adolescent health equity presents challenges, especially in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive and gender-transformative sex education program for adolescents in a middle-income country of Latin America, utilizing the Intervention Mapping Approach. Methods: This exploratory sequential mixed-method study comprised two phases. In the first phase, a literature review, nine focus groups with high school students, and 14 interviews with school professionals were conducted to inform program design. Subsequently, the program underwent validation through expert judgment. In the second phase—as part of program development—a preliminary evaluation was conducted by implementing the program in two high schools with 30 students from public high schools, who were administered a pre-post ad hoc survey. Results: A comprehensive and gender-transformative sex education program was designed based on literature review findings and input from students and school workers. The ad hoc survey revealed a statistically significant increase in protective skills in sexuality (W = 59, p =.01) among all participants. Discussion: Designing a sex education intervention through Intervention Mapping allowed for the integration of evidence and the needs of the target population. The results of the preliminary evaluation suggest the potential of the developed program to enhance protective skills in sexuality and promote health equity through gender-equitable outcomes in adolescent sex education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our longitudinal, qualitative study with 29 pregnant adolescents who smoke used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to understand experiences and the function of tobacco through pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The young women described complex lives of overlapping oppressions interspersed with expressions of resistance; these were lived experiences on the threshold of both adulthood and an anticipated better life. Our research implicated tobacco use as a value laden action at the border of oppression and resistance. Thinking about tobacco as a component of and a flag for oppression, we combined a gender based focus with the social ecological model to create a rich understanding of the opportunities for designing equitable interventions that address a range of interconnected influences on an adolescent mother's health. Opportunities for interventions open briefly in the space between the early idealism displayed by adolescent mothers and the impinging potential reality of oppressive life trajectories.

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2009.01234.x Byline: Joan L. Bottorff (1), John L. Oliffe (2), Mary T. Kelly (3), Lorraine Greaves (4), Joy L. Johnson (2), Pamela Ponic (2), Anna Chan (3) Keywords: smoking; gender relations; fathers; mothers; harm reduction Abstract: Abstract To further understand men's continued smoking during their partner's pregnancy and the postpartum period, a study was undertaken to explore women's perspectives of men's smoking. Using a gender lens, a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews with 27 women was completed. Women's constructions of men's smoking and linkages to masculine and feminine ideals are described. The findings highlight the ways women position themselves both as defenders and regulators of men's smoking. Femininities that aligned women with hegemonic masculine principles underpinned their roles in relation to men's smoking and presented challenges in influencing their partner's tobacco reduction. By positioning the decision to quit smoking as a man's solitary pursuit, women reduced potential relationship conflict and managed to maintain their identity as a supportive partner. Insights from this study provide direction for developing gender-specific tobacco reduction initiatives targeting expectant and new fathers. Indeed, a lack of intervention aimed at encouraging men's tobacco reduction has the potential to increase relationship tensions, and inadvertently maintain pressure on women to regulate fathers' smoking. This study illustrates how gender-based analyses can provide new directions for men's health promotion programmes and policies. Author Affiliation: (1)Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Canada (2)School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (3)Nursing and Health Behaviour Research Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (4)British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Vancouver, Canada Article note: Address for correspondence: Joan L. Bottorff, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 1V7, Canada, e-mail: joan.bottorff@ubc.ca

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2009.10.001 Byline: Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli (a), Milan Khara (b), Ric M. Procyshyn (c), Joy L. Johnson (d), Alasdair M. Barr (e), Lorraine Greaves (a) Keywords: Methadone maintenance; Smoking cessation; Smoking reduction; Smoking and substance use Abstract: Individuals in methadone maintenance treatment are motivated to quit smoking and are interested in smoking cessation treatment. However, few studies have assessed the efficacy of smoking cessation treatment for individuals undergoing methadone maintenance. The purpose of this article is to review interventions for tobacco use cessation among individuals in methadone maintenance with a particular emphasis on the components of such interventions and their effect on smoking cessation/reduction and drug use. Author Affiliation: (a) British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Box 48, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3N1 (b) Tobacco Dependence Clinic 3rd Floor, Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6M 2E1 (c) BC Mental Health & Addictions Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4 (d) School of Nursing, NEXUS, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3 (e) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Article History: Received 22 May 2009; Revised 22 September 2009; Accepted 15 October 2009

Cet article aborde les changements que les femmes violentees ont apportes a leur consommation de drogues et qui ont eu recours a l'aide des maisons d'hebergement rurales et urbaines. Elles [...]

Les femmes qui utilisent des substances nocives durant leur grossesse sont souvent stigmatisees et jugees par le discours public, On a l'impression que c'est la sante et les droits du [...]