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Objective: Attrition of women health care professionals is high, threatening patient care and advances in health care sciences. Women health care professionals have often reported experiencing challenges in the workplace that lower their sense of belonging and may precipitate their attrition. The current study sought to identify dimensions of workplace belonging in women health care professionals and to determine the relative strength of association of these belonging dimensions with intent to leave (ITL) their institution. Methods: Attendees of a continuing education course on women's leadership skills in health care were surveyed about their ITL and workplace belonging experiences. Dimensions of workplace belonging were identified by factor analysis. The strength of association between ITL and each workplace belonging dimension, as well as their relative strengths of association, were assessed in ordinal regression analyses. Results: Women comprised 99% of survey participants. Three dimensions of workplace belonging were identified: "institutional culture," "interactions with supervisor," and "interpersonal relationships." More frequent experiences of support in any of the three belonging dimensions associated strongly with lower ITL. When all three belonging dimensions were considered simultaneously, ITL remained strongly related with experiences of a supportive "institutional culture" (odds ratio 0.41, p < 0.0001), while it became much less strongly related with supportive experiences in the other two dimensions. Conclusions: These findings suggest a dominant role of institutional culture in attrition risk in women health care professionals. Interventions that foster an institutional culture of diversity, opportunities for career advancement, and inclusivity might be effective in improving retention of women health care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hidden or occult inguinal hernias are symptomatic hernias that do not present with a bulge. For some surgeons, if a bulge is not present, then no hernia repair is contemplated. We report preoperative findings of patients with occult inguinal hernias and outcomes after repair to assist in early detection and treatment of this special population. Methods: All patients who underwent inguinal hernia repairs, 2008–2019, were reviewed. Patients were classified as having occult inguinal hernias if they (a) complained of groin pain, (b) did not have bulging on exam, (c) had supportive imaging showing an inguinal hernia, and (d) were confirmed to have inguinal hernias that were repaired intraoperatively. Presentation and outcomes were compared with the non-occult group treated during the same time period. Results: Of 485 patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repairs over 10 years, 212 (44%) had occult inguinal hernias. Patients in the occult group were significantly more likely to be female, younger, and with higher BMI compared to the non-occult group. They also had more preoperative pain for a significantly longer time. This was associated with higher incidence of pain medications usage, including opioids, in the occult group. On physical examination, those with occult hernias were twice as likely to have tenderness over the inguinal canal. Most hernia repairs (66%) were laparoscopic and 94% used mesh. Postoperatively, the occult group had 83% resolution of symptoms after hernia repair. Conclusion: Some surgeons hesitate recommending hernia repair to patients with occult inguinal hernias, as these patients do not fit the traditional definition of a hernia, i.e., a bulge. Our study challenges this perception by showing that discounting groin pain due to occult hernia prolongs patient's suffering and may risk increased opioid use, especially in females, although 83% cure can be achieved with hernia repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the gendered consequences of “South-South” education mobility, through a four-year longitudinal study with Pakistani international students in China. China’s extensive scholarship programme has significantly contributed to the transnational education mobility of lower-income Pakistani students who would otherwise not be able to study overseas. However, behind this mobility lies a staggering gender imbalance. Extant research has pointed to an approximate 1:10 gender ratio between Pakistani female and male students in China. This is also reflected in the sample of this study, with 16 male and no female participants, despite efforts to include both genders. Pakistani male students and graduates have made progress in their education and subsequent careers without delaying marriage or fatherhood. These “success stories” build on the compromises of female family members and make the male Pakistani student the centre of the support network. Transnational female domesticity reproduced gender division between Pakistan and China, allowing female family members to continue shouldering care responsibility and risks associated with migration. This paper bypasses methodological barriers to accessing female absence in the host country. It questions the lack of gender sensitivity in the Pakistan–China education pathway and stresses the risk of further gender inequalities in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: This follow‐up dual‐institutional and longitudinal study further evaluated for underlying gender biases in LORs for rhinology fellowship.Explicit and implicit linguistic gender bias was found, heavily favoring male applicants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the increasing number of female surgeons in general surgery programs, women are still inadequately represented in leadership positions. This study aims to investigate the magnitude of gender bias in university-based trauma surgery fellowship programs and leadership positions in the United States of America. Material and methods: FRIEDA was used to identify trauma surgery programs. A thorough website review of each program obtained further information on faculty members, including their name, age, gender, and faculty rank. Trauma surgeons with an MD or DO qualification and a faculty rank of Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor were selected for inclusion in this study. SCOPUS was used to assess the H-index and the number of publications and citations of surgeons. Results: The total number of programs included was 136, consisting of 715 faculty members. Less than a quarter (n = 166; 23.2%) comprised females and less than one-fifth (n = 30; 19%) of female surgeons were Professors. The difference in the research productivity of male and female trauma surgeons was statistically significant (P < .05), with the average H-index being 10 vs 7.5, respectively, amongst the top 50 surgeons of both genders. Based on a multiple regression analysis, academic rank was significantly associated (P < .05), and gender was not significantly associated (P > .05) with H-index. Conclusion: Gender disparity exists in the field of trauma surgery, as noted in senior faculty ranks and leadership positions. Female-inclusive state policies, appropriate mentorship, and supportive institutions can help to bridge this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender disparities are evident across different types of digestive system cancers, which are typically characterized by a lower incidence and mortality rate in females compared to males. This finding suggests a potential protective role of female steroid hormones, particularly estrogen, in the development of these cancers. Estrogen is a well-known sex hormone that not only regulates the reproductive system but also exerts diverse effects on non-reproductive organs mediated through interactions with estrogen receptors (ERs), including the classic (ERa and ERß) and non-traditional ERs [G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)]. Recent advances have contributed to our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying ERs in digestive system cancers. In this comprehensive review we summarize the current understanding of the intricate roles played by estrogen and ERs in the major types of digestive system cancers, including hepatocellular, pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, and colorectal carcinoma. Furthermore, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms underlying ERa, ERß, and GPER effects, and propose perspectives on innovative therapies and preventive measures targeting the pathways regulated by estrogen and ERs. The roles of estrogen and ERs in digestive system cancers are complicated and depend on the cell type and tissue involved. Additionally, deciphering the intricate roles of estrogen, ERs, and the associated signaling pathways may guide the discovery of novel and tailored therapeutic and preventive strategies for digestive system cancers, eventually improving the care and clinical outcomes for the substantial number of individuals worldwide affected by these malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The underrepresentation of women within interventional radiology (IR) is profound. This scoping review aims to evaluate the current literature on gender disparity within IR. To uncover relevant themes and research gaps to inform future research and to recommend changes aimed at increasing application and retention of women in IR Methods: A review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to gather all relevant literature. Thematic analysis of included literature highlighted themes and commonalities between papers. Results: Of 396 articles, only 15 met the inclusion criteria. Many papers were excluded due to their lack of relevance to the topic. Thematic analysis identified 6 themes radiation exposure, mentorship, male dominance, work–life balance, research, and early exposure to IR. Conclusions: Recommendations relating to each theme have been made. Establishing a high-quality mentoring scheme, for medical students, is the priority. Followed by accurate information, regarding radiation safety and teaching opportunities provided by medical schools and placement trusts, to demonstrate the value of IR and the need for a representative workforce. Advances in knowledge: With little research based primarily within the United Kingdom, this review has amalgamated results from papers published internationally to highlight potential factors influencing the gender disparity within IR. Realistic recommendations and future points of research aimed at creating gender parity that are appropriate towards both the United Kingdom and global institutions have been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the problem of professional integration of Russian women in new processes of information and technological development. The topic of gender inequality on labour market in certain shapes and forms is typical of nearly all today’s professions. The sphere of information and digital technologies is not an exception. IT- and STEM-industries present only one line in a vast scope of research dealing with women inclusion in this professional field. The author studies reasons for underestimation of labour and creative potential of women, due to which women find themselves connected with humanitarian and social occupations, while men – with occupations dealing with mathematics, engineering, high technologies and information science. It was pointed out that various professional skills, talents and creative dominance of women are not in demand. A whole set of external and internal factors were investigated that prevent women from entering professional spheres of IT and STEM, which can back up gender disparity and segregation in labour sphere. The author came to the conclusion that gender disparity not only exercises a negative impact on social and ethic relations but can cause direct economic and staff costs for the country. In its turn the extended presence of women in new digital industries and technical sectors can foster the development of economy and at the same time can help resolve numerous problems of gender inequality in labour sphere. Attaining gender balance is still an open and multi-sided topic in theoretical and practical plan on the junction of investigating labour economics and sociology of labour relations.

This study aimed to evaluate the degree of gender disparity in leadership positions at the top 25 medical schools in North America compared to their affiliated radiology departments. The academic rank and leadership appointment of medical school and radiology faculty were obtained from publicly available official websites between June-November 2022. Gender was determined using self-identified pronouns on website biographies. Alternatively, gender API software was used. Finally, SCOPUS Elsevier was used to extract research output metrics including publication counts, citations, and h-indices. Statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 software. 2216 individuals across 25 medical schools were included in this study. 1301 (58.7 %) were part of the medical school and 915 (41.3 %) were part of the affiliated radiology departments. Additionally, 1575 (71.1 %) were identified as men and 641 (28.9 %) as women. Rank biserial correlations showed a significant association between higher academic rank and male gender (r pb = 0.143, p < 0.001) regardless of affiliation (medical school leadership versus radiology faculty); this disparity was largest at the highest academic ranks. Male gender was associated with higher research productivity relative to female gender regardless of affiliation (p < 0.001). There were minimal statistical differences in leadership positions between genders, however the proportion of men holding the position of dean was two times higher than women. The underrepresentation of women in academic medicine is prevalent in the top-ranking medical institutions in North America and disproportionately involves senior academic ranks and leadership positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gender differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) outcomes have been noted in global data, which however did not analyse Indian data. No prior systematic review and meta-analysis (SRM) has addressed this important aspect of gender bias in Indian women with ACS. Hence this SRM aimed to address this knowledge gap. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies in ACS comparing cardiovascular disease presentation, treatment received and outcomes in women and men from India. Primary outcomes were to evaluate gender-differences in 30-day death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary outcomes were to evaluate gender-differences in presentation, management and mortality. The SRM is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023477286). Results: From initially screened 3753 articles, data from 9 studies (61,185 patients) were analysed. Women with ACS had higher prevalence of diabetes [Odds ratio (OR) 1.65(95%CI:1.33–2.04); p

Abstract Bullying is one of the important global health issues affecting both health and educational outcomes of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin, West Africa. A secondary analysis was conducted with Benin’s national dataset among 2496 school-going adolescents aged 13 years and above from the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents was 42.1%, with varying rates across males (40.1%) and females (44.6%), respectively. The odds of bullying victimisation were 56% significantly higher among males in lower grades than those in higher grades (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.20–2.03). Also, there was a 32% increased odds of bullying victimisation among males who currently use alcohol compared to those who do not use alcohol (AOR = 1.32, CI 1.02–1.70). Males who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.32–2.40) and those who were seriously injured (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.41–2.30), respectively, had 78% and 80% increased odds of bullying victimisation compared to males who were not physically attacked or seriously injured. Males who engaged in physical fights had 2.03 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not engage in physical fights (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.51–2.72). For females, there were 73%, and 90% increased odds of bullying victimisation among those who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.73, CI 1.21–2.46) and those who engaged in physical fights (AOR = 1.90, CI 1.36–2.66), respectively, compared to those who were not physically attacked or involved in physical fights. The odds of bullying victimisation were 60% higher among females who were seriously injured compared to those who were not injured (AOR = 1.60, CI 1.23–2.09). Also, females who ideated suicide had 2.04 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not ideate suicide. Gender-specific variations of bullying victimisation exist among in-adolescents in Benin. Major stakeholders (teachers, school healthcare providers, and other school authorities) should be mindful of the identified risk differentials and develop effective anti-bullying intervention strategies aimed at promoting the mental health and well-being of school-going adolescents in Benin.

Abstract Background The increasing number of women physicians is in contrast to their underrepresentation in academic positions and professional associations. This study aimed to evaluate the status of women physicians in the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine (JHGM) based on society membership, board membership, and annual meeting authorship. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted. Information on women physicians, society and board membership, and annual meeting authorship was collected. Data from the Japanese Primary Care Association (JPCA) served as the control. The gender of authors with accepted abstracts in the JHGM and JPCA annual meetings was determined by name or Internet search. Results In the JHGM, 14.2% of members were women physicians, compared to 19.1% in the JPCA (p

This study investigates the significant influence of patriarchy on the potential acceptance and use of local digital government innovations in resource-constrained countries, building on studies that highlight patriarchy’s impactful role in shaping innovation. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was adopted as the evaluation theory (n= 270) using Ethiopia as a case study. The results from structural equation modeling (SEM) reveal that patriarchy moderates the relationship between facilitating conditions and usage behavior. Contrary to conventional assumptions, we found that despite facing systemic barriers, women demonstrated higher engagement levels with the local digital innovation compared to their male counterparts, even when they did not perceive direct job-related benefits. This revelation not only challenges prevailing gender stereotypes but also underscores the resilience of women in circumventing patriarchal constraints. The study significantly contributes to theory by contextualizing the UTAUT model within a patriarchal framework, bringing out how societal norms and gender dynamics shape technology adoption in public sector settings. Practically, our findings advocate for gender-sensitive policies and interventions to bridge digital divides, emphasizing the need for inclusive strategies that account for underlying societal structures. By providing empirical evidence from a resource-constrained setting, this research offers important insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers aiming to foster equitable digital engagement and harness the full potential of digital government innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying is one of the important global health issues affecting both health and educational outcomes of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin, West Africa. A secondary analysis was conducted with Benin's national dataset among 2496 school-going adolescents aged 13 years and above from the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents was 42.1%, with varying rates across males (40.1%) and females (44.6%), respectively. The odds of bullying victimisation were 56% significantly higher among males in lower grades than those in higher grades (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.20–2.03). Also, there was a 32% increased odds of bullying victimisation among males who currently use alcohol compared to those who do not use alcohol (AOR = 1.32, CI 1.02–1.70). Males who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.32–2.40) and those who were seriously injured (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.41–2.30), respectively, had 78% and 80% increased odds of bullying victimisation compared to males who were not physically attacked or seriously injured. Males who engaged in physical fights had 2.03 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not engage in physical fights (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.51–2.72). For females, there were 73%, and 90% increased odds of bullying victimisation among those who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.73, CI 1.21–2.46) and those who engaged in physical fights (AOR = 1.90, CI 1.36–2.66), respectively, compared to those who were not physically attacked or involved in physical fights. The odds of bullying victimisation were 60% higher among females who were seriously injured compared to those who were not injured (AOR = 1.60, CI 1.23–2.09). Also, females who ideated suicide had 2.04 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not ideate suicide. Gender-specific variations of bullying victimisation exist among in-adolescents in Benin. Major stakeholders (teachers, school healthcare providers, and other school authorities) should be mindful of the identified risk differentials and develop effective anti-bullying intervention strategies aimed at promoting the mental health and well-being of school-going adolescents in Benin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Program (WFP), and NGOs, the Bangladesh Government implemented cash assistance programs for Rohingya refugee households facing exacerbated food insecurity because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the impact of a cash assistance program on alleviating the food insecurity experienced by Rohingya migrants during the pandemic. Additionally, this study explores potential variations of the impact of cash assistance with reference to vulnerability levels based on gender and income inequality. These findings indicate a significant reduction in food insecurity among Rohingya migrants who received cash assistance. However, further analysis reveals that cash assistance is not effective in ensuring the food security of comparatively more vulnerable households headed by women and households with no earning members. This policy implication underscores the need to restructure, redesign, and reconsider the features of cash assistance programs to enhance the welfare of refugee households across all levels of vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the baby-profit gap and its association with emotional exhaustion and workplace support among female employees with caregiving responsibilities in Accra. Emotional exhaustion, a burnout indicator, affects productivity and organizational commitment, disproportionately impacting women. The baby-profit gap, the disparity in productivity and income between men and women due to caregiving, exacerbates this issue. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, data from 152 female employees in three private sector organizations were analyzed. Emotional exhaustion was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, workplace support with a modified Workplace Support Questionnaire, and the baby-profit gap with a tailored questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed for analysis. Findings reveal a significant positive relationship between emotional exhaustion and the baby-profit gap, indicating higher emotional fatigue correlates with greater economic disparities. Workplace support significantly influences and moderates this relationship, suggesting supportive policies can mitigate emotional exhaustion's adverse effects and reduce the baby-profit gap. These results highlight the need for holistic organizational policies and societal changes to address the baby-profit gap. Interventions such as paid parental leave, gender pay equity, and flexible work arrangements are crucial in creating equitable work environments that support professional advancement and caregiving responsibilities. Future research should focus on the long-term effectiveness of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Women in academia publish fewer papers and receive fewer citations than men. These gender gaps likely reflect systemic biases operating over several levels, from journal editorial policies to academic career progression. This study sought to characterize gender gaps for publications and citations in the field of gambling studies. Method: An automated gender inference procedure classified authors' binarized gender from their first names. Gender gaps were computed for publications and citations of papers in gambling studies, using the wider field of addiction science as a benchmark. Publication data were scraped from eight peer-reviewed gambling/addictions journals and separately from all gambling publications listed in PubMed. Results: Men authored 16% more publications than women among gambling papers and 23% more publications among nongambling addictions papers. Although robust gender gaps were observed in specialist gambling journals, we find limited overall evidence for gender inequality being greater in gambling studies. Indeed, among nongambling addiction papers, men published more, despite a greater apparent representation of women in the field. The gender gap was most pronounced for the last authorships, denoting seniority. Among the first authorships, there was variability between journals, and some journals displayed approximate parity. There was limited evidence for any corresponding gender gap in citation counts. Conclusions: Gender gaps in gambling research, and addiction science more broadly, adhere to wider trends in academia, including the associations with academic seniority. Variability between individual journals supports the role of journal editorial policies to increase the representation and visibility of women researchers in addiction science. Public Health Significance Statement: We characterize gender biases in publishing associated with academic seniority in the field of gambling studies, against a benchmark of papers from addiction science. Journal editorial policies should strive to increase the representation and visibility of women researchers in addiction science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achilles tendon ruptures are common injuries typically sustained during sport with higher incidence in men, though little is understood regarding sex-specific risk factors or outcomes following injury management. This cross-sectional clinical study and systematic review aimed to examine sex-specific Achilles tendon rupture incidence and outcomes following intervention. This study included patients who sustained a rupture between 2011-2021, were ≥18 years old, and who had a minimum follow-up of at least six months, and evaluated age, sex, sport involvement, mechanism of injury, and postoperative complications and revision. Separately, a systematic literature review in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed. A total of 705 male and 158 female patients were included in this retrospective study. 71.1% of men and 52.5% of women sustained a sports-related rupture (p <.001), with sport involvement demonstrating a positive correlation with revision rate (coefficient = 0.09, p =.02). A total of 21 studies with 250,907 patients (87,514 male, 35,792 female) were included in the systematic review. All studies revealed an increased incidence of ATR in men. Functional outcomes were worse in women, and female sex was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and need for revision surgery. This study demonstrated a higher incidence of sports-related ATR in men than women, likely related to their higher ball sport participation. Although the retrospective analysis did not find a significant difference in complication or revision rates, the systematic review demonstrates poorer functional outcomes, with increased likelihood for postoperative complication and revision surgery in women as compared to men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Hypothesis Schizophrenia is a mental disorder usually presented in adulthood that affects roughly 0.3 percent of the population. The disease contributes to more than 13 million years lived with disability the global burden of disease. The current study aimed to provide new insights into the quality of care in Schizophrenia via the implementation of the newly introduced quality of care index (QCI) into the existing data. Study Design The data from the global burden of disease database was used for schizophrenia. Two secondary indices were calculated from the available indices and used in a principal component analysis to develop a proxy of QCI for each country. The QCI was then compared between different sociodemographic index (SDI) and ages. To assess the disparity in QCI between the sexes, the gender disparity ratio (GDR) was also calculated and analyzed in different ages and SDIs. Study Results The global QCI proxy score has improved between 1990 and 2019 by roughly 13.5%. Concerning the gender disparity, along with a rise in overall GDR the number of countries having a GDR score of around one has decreased which indicates an increase in gender disparity regarding quality of care of schizophrenia. Bhutan and Singapore had 2 of the highest QCIs in 2019 while also showing GDR scores close to one. Conclusions While the overall conditions in the quality of care have improved, significant disparities and differences still exist between different countries, genders, and ages in the quality of care regarding schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the social and educational mobility of Muslim women in Maharashtra, India, with a focus on identifying factors that influence their empowerment. The objectives are to assess their current educational and social status, identify socio-economic and cultural barriers, and propose strategies for improvement. The research reveals that while there has been progress in educational attainment among Muslim Women, significant disparities remain compared to other communities. Major impediments to their mobility include economic constraints, cultural practices, and limited access to quality education. Although government initiatives and non-government programs have positively impacted these women, their effectiveness is hindered by various factors, such as lack of awareness and societal resistance. Additionally, there are noticeable differences in mobility between rural and urban areas, with urban areas showing relatively better outcomes. The study underscores the need for targeted policies to improve education and economic support, emphasizing the importance of community involvement to address cultural barriers. Educational reforms focusing on inclusivity and equity are crucial, and ongoing research is essential to monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed. This research provides insight into the challenges faced by Muslim women in Maharashtra and offers practical recommendations for enhancing their social and educational mobility. Ultimately, the paper argues that advancing the educational level of Muslim women in pivotal to unlocking their socio-economic potential and fostering meaningful societal change. By addressing structural barriers and championing inclusive policies, Maharashtra can pave the way for the empowerment and liberation of its Muslim women populace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively analyses gender representation and citation disparities in gender studies by examining the position of female scholars as first and corresponding authors. The research uncovers a pattern of gender-homogeneous co-authorship and investigates the geographical and economic disparities in academic contributions, scrutinising the impact of a country's economic status on citation rates and open-access publications, particularly in relation to citation rates and open-access publications. The study uses a Logistics Regression and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression model to explore factors influencing open-access publication and citation rates. The study's findings demonstrate the predominant presence of female scholars in gender-focused literature within social sciences, in contrast to their underrepresentation in STEM fields. The findings also reveal a tendency towards gender-homogenous collaborations and a significant concentration of scholarly output from the high-income regions, highlighting both geographic and economic disparities. The present study provides an analytical foundation for future studies on the global distribution of scholarly contributions and the complex interplay of various factors affecting academic publishing in gender studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing number of women physicians is in contrast to their underrepresentation in academic positions and professional associations. This study aimed to evaluate the status of women physicians in the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine (JHGM) based on society membership, board membership, and annual meeting authorship. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted. Information on women physicians, society and board membership, and annual meeting authorship was collected. Data from the Japanese Primary Care Association (JPCA) served as the control. The gender of authors with accepted abstracts in the JHGM and JPCA annual meetings was determined by name or Internet search. Results: In the JHGM, 14.2% of members were women physicians, compared to 19.1% in the JPCA (p < 0.001). None of the 21 JHGM board members were women, compared to 20.5% in the JPCA (p < 0.001). The average number of years of experience was significantly higher for the JHGM board members than for the JPCA board members (37.0 vs. 28.1 years, p < 0.001). Women first authors in the 2022–2023 JHGM meeting comprised 17.9%, significantly lower than the 28.4% in the 2023 JPCA meeting (p = 0.002). Similar patterns were seen for women last authors (6.0% in the JHGM vs. 18.8% in the JPCA, p < 0.001) and women chairpersons (17.9% in the JHGM vs. 40.3% in the JPCA, p = 0.036). Conclusions: The JHGM has low women representation in society and board membership, and annual meeting authorship. Strategies are needed to enhance diversity and inclusion by increasing women's participation and leadership in the JHGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long overlooked in neuroscience research, sex and gender are increasingly included as key variables potentially impacting all levels of neurobehavioral analysis. Still, many neuroscientists do not understand the difference between the terms sex and gender, the complexity and nuance of each, or how to best include them as variables in research designs. This TechSights article outlines rationales for considering the influence of sex and gender across taxa, and provides technical guidance for strengthening the rigor and reproducibility of such analyses. This guidance includes the use of appropriate statistical methods for comparing groups as well as controls for key covariates of sex (e.g., total intracranial volume) and gender (e.g., income, caregiver stress, bias). We also recommend approaches for interpreting and communicating sex- and gender-related findings about the brain, which have often been misconstrued by neuroscientists and the lay public alike.

Gender disparity (GD) significantly impacts housing development, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where socioeconomic and cultural barriers constrain equitable housing access. This study investigates the features and effects of GD on housing development in Iwo Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 328 respondents through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including indices and ANOVA. Key findings highlight societal mindsets as the most influential feature of GD, followed by lack of bodily autonomy and employment equality, with respective relative significance indices (RSIs) of 4.23, 4.06, and 4.00. Denied access to housing and homelessness emerged as the most critical effects of GD, with effects indices (EGDIs) of 4.36 and 4.31. Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between GD characteristics and housing development (F = 99.964, p = 0.04), emphasizing the pervasive impact of GD on housing equity. The study concludes that GD restricts women's access to adequate housing, perpetuating socioeconomic inequalities. Recommendations include promoting gender-responsive housing policies, enhancing women's access to affordable housing finance, and integrating gender equity into urban planning and housing design. Addressing GD is crucial for fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

This research study adopted a social constructivist worldview to explore the gendered barriers that hinder female leaders’ progression into leadership positions in schools. The study employed a qualitative approach, to delve into the experiences of female school leaders. Purposive sampling was used to select female school principals, deputy principals, and departmental heads from three public schools in the Johannesburg Central district. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, and qualitative content analysis techniques were applied to analyze the data. Key findings revealed that female school leaders follow deliberate and structured paths to attain leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of a methodical approach. Gender bias, disrespect, family related challenges and inequality persists within the workplace, affecting interactions with colleagues and school governing bodies, though most female candidates make strides to overcome these challenges through their mentoring and open communication. Participants’ lived experiences reflect both positive and negative aspects, influenced by the perspectives and attitudes of others. Recommendations include ongoing training and mentorship programs for female leaders, tailored to address their unique needs and challenges. Schools should establish transparent and bias-free evaluation processes to provide equal opportunities for leadership roles, promoting inclusivity and diversity, leading to quality relevant education. Continuous evaluation of these initiatives is crucial to ensure their effectiveness in fostering gender equality in school leadership. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the gendered barriers faced by female school leaders and provides actionable recommendations to promote their advancement in educational leadership roles, ultimately benefiting the educational system.

In this study, we aimed to assess gender disparities in access to agricultural extension services and the determinants of access to extension among male and female-headed households in Western Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to extract primary data from 200 farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Binary Logit model. Our findings revealed that majority of the male-headed households had access to extension compared to their female-headed household counterparts. This was also evident in the sources of agricultural extension. The socio-demographic characteristics of farmers also indicated that male-headed households were better off in many areas, for example, male-headed households boasted 498.83 kg/ha maize productivity, while households headed by females produced 405.36 kg/ha, indicating a 94 kg/ha yield gap. Similarly, adoption of agricultural practices was high among the male-headed households than their fellow female-headed counterparts. Finally, the estimates from the Binary Logit revealed that male-headed households’ access to extension was influenced by age, education, farm size, crop diversity, and group membership. The predictor variables that significantly influenced female-headed households’ access to extension include age, education, experience, household size, farm size, distance to extension, crop diversity, non-farm income, and credit access. The study concluded that there are gender disparities in agricultural extension as evident in the access to, sources and determinants of access to agricultural extension. To bridge the gender gap, the study advocates for more training and extension services to female-headed households regarding access to and sources of extension services.

Small-scale fisheries support numerous livelihoods in Zimbabwe. However, men are the key actors in the fishing sector relegating women to peripheral roles, often, diminishing women’s contribution to household economy and food security. This study investigated the(i) gendered nature of rod and line angling fisheries, (ii) drivers and barriers for gender roles and participation in rod and line angling fisheries, and (iii) household contribution of rod and line angling fisheries in Lake Kariba. The level of participation in fishing, and postharvest roles such as gutting, gleaning, drying, and smoking significantly differs (p 0.05) influence the opinions of the fishers towards the drivers and barriers for engaging in rod angling. Women dominate men in numbers and the roles they play, though they have inadequate decision-making powers and hardly get the recognition they deserve in the rod and line angling value chain in Lake Kariba. Developing a pro-women National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy in Zimbabwe will uplift and empower women fishers in contributing to household food security and poverty alleviation in small-scale artisanal fisheries.

IntroductionHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key outcome indicator in antiretroviral therapy program. In Ethiopia, primary studies on gender disparity in HRQoL among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are conflicting, with no pooled estimation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gender disparity in HRQoL among PLHA in Ethiopia.MethodsStudies were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Embase, MEDLINE, Science Direct, HINARI, and PsycINFO were systematically searched. In addition, Google Scholar, Google, journal homepages, bibliographies, and universities' research repositories in the country were searched by combining keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms with Boolean operators. Based on the primary study results, the average score of each domain was utilized as a cut-off point to classify HRQoL as poor or good. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to assess study quality. A random-effects model was used to report the pooled estimates. Summary estimates are presented in forest plots and tables. The variation between studies was assessed using the Higgins heterogeneity test (I2). Funnel plot, Begg's test, and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA 17 (Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) for analysis. The search results were managed using the EndNote X7 software.ResultsFifteen studies with 4,867 PLHA were included. The pooled prevalence of poor HRQoL was 46.53% (95% CI: 41.96–51.10), 46.15% (95% CI: 37.05–55.24), and 36.21% (95% CI: 30.19–42.23) among PLHA, women, and men living with HIV, respectively. Moreover, a significant gender disparity in HRQoL was observed among Ethiopian women and men living with HIV. Women living with HIV were found to have 61% increased odds of poor HRQoL than men living with HIV in the country (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.15). No statistical evidence of a publication bias was observed.ConclusionAlmost half of PLHA patients in Ethiopia had a poor HRQoL. Women living with HIV have higher odds of poor HRQoL than men living with HIV. This highlights the pressing need for gender-specific risk assessment approaches and treatment interventions aimed at optimizing HRQoL in HIV/AIDS settings.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023454810.

The prevalence of obesity, defined as the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, has reached epidemic levels. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including gastrointestinal ones. Recent evidence has suggested that obesity disproportionately impacts males and females with cancer, resulting in varied transcriptional and metabolic dysregulation. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the metabolic milieu of adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract both related and unrelated to sex in obesity. To demonstrate these obesity and sex-related effects, we utilized three primary data sources: serum metabolomics from obese and non-obese patients assessed via the Biocrates MxP Quant 500 mass spectrometry-based kit, the ORIEN tumor RNA-sequencing data for all adenocarcinoma cases to assess the impacts of obesity, and publicly available TCGA transcriptional analysis to assess GI cancers and sex-related differences in GI cancers specifically. We applied and integrated our unique transcriptional metabolic pipeline in combination with our metabolomics data to reveal how obesity and sex can dictate differential metabolism in patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis of ORIEN obese adenocarcinoma as compared to normal-weight adenocarcinoma patients resulted in large-scale transcriptional reprogramming (4029 DEGs, adj. p < 0.05 and |logFC| > 0.58). Gene Set Enrichment and metabolic pipeline analysis showed genes enriched for pathways relating to immunity (inflammation, and CD40 signaling, among others) and metabolism. Specifically, we found alterations to steroid metabolism and tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism in obese patients, both of which are highly associated with disease severity and immune cell dysfunction. These findings were further confirmed using the TCGA colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESCA) data, which showed similar patterns of increased tryptophan catabolism for kynurenine production in obese patients. These patients further showed disparate alterations between males and females when comparing obese to non-obese patient populations. Alterations to immune and metabolic pathways were validated in six patients (two obese and four normal weight) via CD8+/CD4+ peripheral blood mononuclear cell RNA-sequencing and paired serum metabolomics, which showed differential kynurenine and lipid metabolism, which corresponded with altered T-cell transcriptome in obese populations. Overall, obesity is associated with differential transcriptional and metabolic programs in various disease sites. Further, these alterations, such as kynurenine and tryptophan metabolism, which impact both metabolism and immune phenotype, vary with sex and obesity together. This study warrants further in-depth investigation into obesity and sex-related alterations in cancers that may better define biomarkers of response to immunotherapy.

The historical evolution of women’s participation in the male-dominated field of surgery is an increasingly vital area of study. However, scant attention has been given to the experiences and accomplishments of female vascular surgeons, particularly within the Canadian context.This historical review offers insights into the lives and careers of four pioneering female vascular surgeons in Canada: Dr. R. Paradis, Dr. J. Wong, Dr. P. Gaffiero, and Dr. J. Spelay. Through semi-structured interviews, a biography of each surgeon’s early life, training milestones, professional challenges, and career accomplishments was created. Narrative analysis of all interviews was also completed to identify themes from subjects’ collective memories and perceptions. Prominent themes included: Formative mentorship during medical training, benefiting from de-centralized fellowship selection; Limitations on practice set by family duties, Experiences of gender bias creating challenges with other healthcare professionals; and Lack of identity with the legacy of ‘the first female vascular surgeon’ in her respective province. The landscape of vascular surgery training and the presence of women in the field have evolved significantly since the inception of this medical specialty in Canada. Consequently, the documentation of vascular surgery history and the progress made in achieving gender representation have taken on new-found significance. As the pioneering female vascular surgeons approach retirement and a new generation of surgeons join the field, lessons learned in the process of forging gender diversity in vascular surgery may be useful as diversity in other aspects of the field is sought.

Abstract Purpose The aim was to characterize the framework conditions in academic interventional radiology (IR) in Germany with focus on differences between genders. Materials and methods After IRB approval, all members of The German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (n = 1,632) were invited to an online survey on work and research. Statistical comparisons were undertaken with the Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test or Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Results From 267 available questionnaires (general response rate 16.4%), 200 were fully completed. 40% of these (78/200) were involved in research (71% men vs. 29% women, p

BackgroundIndia's recent increase in urbanization alongside with feminization of rural agriculture could increase the existing gender disparities in dietary diversity. With many rural men migrating to urban areas, women have increased domestic burdens as well as productive burdens such as making informed crop production decisions so household members consume a diverse diet. Given the rapid and recent onset of this phenomenon, there is a need to explore gender differentials in diet diversity across urban and rural areas to assess if certain populations are being disproportionately impacted by this trend. There are limited established quantitative studies discussing this gender disparity with respect to urbanization. Therefore, this paper compares dietary diversity among adult men, adult women, adolescent males, and adolescent females in urban and peri-urban locations. The authors also assess if various sociodemographic factors correlate with dietary diversity.MethodsAnalyses were conducted on dietary diversity data collected by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) from selected urban (1108 individuals) and peri-urban (808 individuals) locations of Hyderabad, India. The total sample size of the population is n = 1816: 660 adult males, 662 adult females, 205 adolescent males, and 289 adolescent females.ResultsAdult women and adolescent females have a higher diet disparity between peri-urban and urban areas when compared to adult males and adolescent males. Multivariate analyses followed by post hoc multiple comparisons testing further support that peri-urban adult women consume a less diverse diet compared to their urban counterparts and less than other peri-urban adult men and adolescent women. It was also found that marital status, type of household card owned, and the highest degree of education are statistically significant correlators of an individual's dietary diversity.ConclusionsGiven that urbanization could negatively impact already vulnerable populations such as peri-urban adult women, who play a key role in children's nutrition, it is important to provide support to these populations. This paper suggests it is possible to do so through government subsidization of peri-urban farmers to grow more diverse crops, fortifying easily accessible foods with commonly lacking micronutrients, including Vitamin A, folic acid, and iron, market access, and affordable prices.

Gender disparity in science and mathematics performance is being researched internationally. In a complex education system, like Pakistan, studying the difference in isolation may not generate holistic understanding. Therefore, this paper investigates changes in trends of performance in Science and Mathematics for both genders across public and private schools. Data were gathered from a nationwide sample of elementary grades students (n=15,391) using SATs/MATS. Independent t-test and two-way-ANOVA were employed to analyse data. Results revealed that girls outperformed boys in Science (p<0.01) while no gender differences in performance were observed in Mathematics. Gender and school systems demonstrated significant interaction effect only in mathematics, unveiling that girls perform better in public schools while this difference diminished in the private school system. The results show implications for employing gender-fair policies and practices in science and mathematics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects gastrointestinal (GI) motility, favoring gastroparesis, constipation, and fecal incontinence, which are more prevalent in women. The mechanisms are unknown. Given the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor's (GPER) role in GI motility, we investigated sex-related diabetes-induced epigenetic changes in GPER. We assessed GPER mRNA and protein expression levels using qPCR and Western blot analyses, and quantified the changes in nuclear DNA methyltransferases and histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3Ac, and H3K27Ac) by ELISA kits. Targeted bisulfite and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to evaluate DNA methylation and histone modifications around the GPER promoter by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in gastric and colonic smooth muscle tissues of male and female control (CTR) and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. GPER expression was downregulated in NOD, with sex-dependent variations. In the gastric smooth muscle, not in colonic smooth muscle, downregulation coincided with differences in methylation ratios between regions 1 and 2 of the GPER promoter of NOD. DNA methylation was higher in NOD male colonic smooth muscle than in NOD females. H3K4me3 and H3ac enrichment decreased in NOD gastric smooth muscle. H3K4me3 levels diminished in the colonic smooth muscle of NOD. H3K27ac levels were unaffected, but enrichment decreased in NOD male gastric smooth muscle; however, it increased in the NOD male colonic smooth muscle and decreased in the female NOD colonic smooth muscle. Male NOD colonic smooth muscle exhibited decreased H3K27ac levels, not female, whereas female NOD colonic smooth muscle demonstrated diminished enrichment of H3ac at the GPER promoter, contrary to male NOD. Sex-specific epigenetic mechanisms contribute to T1D-mediated suppression of GPER expression in the GI tract. These insights advance our understanding of T1D complications and suggest promising avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim was to characterize the framework conditions in academic interventional radiology (IR) in Germany with focus on differences between genders. Materials and methods: After IRB approval, all members of The German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (n = 1,632) were invited to an online survey on work and research. Statistical comparisons were undertaken with the Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test or Pearson's Chi-squared test. Results: From 267 available questionnaires (general response rate 16.4%), 200 were fully completed. 40% of these (78/200) were involved in research (71% men vs. 29% women, p < 0.01) and eligible for further analysis. Of these, 6% worked part-time (2% vs. 17%, p < 0.05). 90% of the respondents spent less than 25% of their research during their paid working hours, and 41% performed more than 75% of their research during. leisure time. 28% received exemption for research. 88% were (rather) satisfied with their career. One in two participants successfully applied for funding, with higher success rates among male applicants (90% vs. 75%) and respondents with protected research time (93% vs. 80%). Compared to men, women rated their entrance in research as harder (p < 0.05), their research career as more important (p < 0.05), felt less noticed at congresses (93% vs. 53%, p < 0.01), less confident (98% vs. 71%, p < 0.01), and not well connected (77% vs. 36%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Women and men did research under the same circumstances; however, women were underrepresented. Future programs should generally focus on protected research time and gather female mentors to advance academic IR in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore gender distribution in authorship and citation parameters of articles published in five optometry journals included in the Ophthalmology category of Journal Citation Reports. Methods: The Scopus database was used to retrieve all citable articles published in 2011 and 2021 in Optometry and Vision Science, Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Clinical Experimental Optometry, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, and Eye and Contact Lens. Gender of the first, last and single authors of all articles, and citation parameters of articles published in 2011 up to May 2023 were determined. Gender of the editor‐in‐chief and members of the editorial board of these journals was investigated (May 2023). Results: Only one journal had a female editor‐in‐chief and three journals had more males than females in their editorial board. In 2011 and 2021, respectively, 40.1% and 48.0% of articles had female as the first authors (χ1,9482 = 5.77; p = 0.02), and 32.7% and 39.6% had female as the last authors (χ1,9482 = 4.61; p = 0.03). Gender parity was observed in one journal for the first author and none for the last author in 2011, and in three journals for the first author and one for the last author in 2021. Regarding combinations of male (M) and female (F) first and last authorship positions, the authors of articles in 2011 were MM (44.5%), FM (22.8%), FF (17.3%) and MF (15.4%), and MM (34.6%), FM (25.8%), FF (22.1%) and MF (17.5%) in 2021. Differences between 2011 and 2021 were statistically significant (χ3,9482 = 9.80; p = 0.02). The proportion of authorship combinations did not show statistically significant differences among journals in 2011 or in 2021. Neither citation nor self‐citation were influenced by gender. Conclusions: Gender disparities persist in optometry journals, with females being under‐represented in senior and leadership positions. Increasing the awareness of gender disparity in authorship is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness in science in general, and optometry in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]