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Background: Disease trajectories in leukemia are often unpredictable and recurrent, and patients’ experiences can impact their quality of life. Studies in the literature often do not explore gender-related illness experiences from an intersectional approach and throughout the illness trajectory. This comprehensive study aims to explore the full spectrum of experiences lived by women with leukemia throughout the disease trajectory, from diagnosis to treatments and post-stem cell transplant follow-up. Method: A grounded theory approach was meticulously developed to analyze semi-structured interviews with 13 women with leukemia in the post-transplant follow-up phase at a hospital in Northern Italy. The data analysis was an iterative process, conducted concurrently using a constant comparative method. Data collection concluded when data saturation was reached. Results: The core category identified is women’s inner strength during the disease trajectory, which was identified for its recurrence and cross-cutting nature, according to the women. This core category interconnects with five main categories: 1. Facing the disease: Between resistance and surrender. 2. Living for today and moving forward. 3. Unexpected elements in relationships. 4. Changes that shape women. 5. Demystifying the body and embracing ‘diminished beauty’. Conclusions: An explanatory model of the disease trajectory of women with leukemia was defined as: ‘Women with leukemia, between inner strength and fighting prejudice’. An in-depth analysis of the disease experiences revealed aspects that are not easily understood through a purely biological perspective of gender differences, often overlooking the psycho-social and relational peculiarities of women.

In researching urban space research, it is important to take into account not only the space itself but also the individuals who use it and their actual behaviors. The current study concentrates on the women of Saqqez city in order to illustrate the experiences of women in public spaces and the manner in which they utilize and negotiate these spaces within gender, class, and socio-spatial hierarchies. The phenomenological approach was selected to provide a more detailed and in-depth report of individuals' experiences, as one of the numerous qualitative research approaches to investigate women's lived experiences of urban public spaces. This research examined women who resided in Saqqez city and had encountered public spaces. Purposive sampling is the sampling method employed in phenomenology, which involves the selection of individuals who possess knowledge of the pertinent phenomena to facilitate the comprehension of the actual experiences of women in the public context. The descriptive phenomenological method of Collaizi was employed to analyze the research data, which was expanded to include 20 participants. The results of the study are presented in the following seven themes: “Public-Private Space Interaction,” “Spatial Boundaries,” “From Necessity to the Pleasure of Presence,” “Spatial Inclusion and Exclusion,” “From Presence Stereotypes to Spatial Resistance,” and “Sense of Place.” The 19 thematic categories that comprised “perception of the city and the ideal female model” were comprehensively described.

In researching urban space research, it is important to take into account not only the space itself but also the individuals who use it and their actual behaviors. The current study concentrates on the women of Saqqez city in order to illustrate the experiences of women in public spaces and the manner in which they utilize and negotiate these spaces within gender, class, and socio-spatial hierarchies. The phenomenological approach was selected to provide a more detailed and in-depth report of individuals' experiences, as one of the numerous qualitative research approaches to investigate women's lived experiences of urban public spaces. This research examined women who resided in Saqqez city and had encountered public spaces. Purposive sampling is the sampling method employed in phenomenology, which involves the selection of individuals who possess knowledge of the pertinent phenomena to facilitate the comprehension of the actual experiences of women in the public context. The descriptive phenomenological method of Collaizi was employed to analyze the research data, which was expanded to include 20 participants. The results of the study are presented in the following seven themes: "Public-Private Space Interaction," "Spatial Boundaries," "From Necessity to the Pleasure of Presence," "Spatial Inclusion and Exclusion," "From Presence Stereotypes to Spatial Resistance," and "Sense of Place." The 19 thematic categories that comprised "perception of the city and the ideal female model" were comprehensively described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disease trajectories in leukemia are often unpredictable and recurrent, and patients' experiences can impact their quality of life. Studies in the literature often do not explore gender-related illness experiences from an intersectional approach and throughout the illness trajectory. This comprehensive study aims to explore the full spectrum of experiences lived by women with leukemia throughout the disease trajectory, from diagnosis to treatments and post-stem cell transplant follow-up. Method: A grounded theory approach was meticulously developed to analyze semi-structured interviews with 13 women with leukemia in the post-transplant follow-up phase at a hospital in Northern Italy. The data analysis was an iterative process, conducted concurrently using a constant comparative method. Data collection concluded when data saturation was reached. Results: The core category identified is women's inner strength during the disease trajectory, which was identified for its recurrence and cross-cutting nature, according to the women. This core category interconnects with five main categories: 1. Facing the disease: Between resistance and surrender. 2. Living for today and moving forward. 3. Unexpected elements in relationships. 4. Changes that shape women. 5. Demystifying the body and embracing 'diminished beauty'. Conclusions: An explanatory model of the disease trajectory of women with leukemia was defined as: 'Women with leukemia, between inner strength and fighting prejudice'. An in-depth analysis of the disease experiences revealed aspects that are not easily understood through a purely biological perspective of gender differences, often overlooking the psycho-social and relational peculiarities of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: mHealth interventions play an increasingly important role in health behavior change for gestational diabetes or peripartum obesity management. This qualitative systematic review and meta‐synthesis aims to explore women's perceptions of mHealth behavior change interventions for gestational diabetes and/or overweight/obesity management during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), and Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO) databases were searched using a Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation and Research type (SPIDER) concept framework through to February 2024. Included studies were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Study findings were evaluated using reflexive thematic analysis and GRADE‐Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) checklist. We identified 29 studies, representing 604 women's views from one upper middle‐income and nine high‐income countries. Two themes were generated: mHealth as a supportive tool; and mHealth as a personalizable tool. Women highlighted the importance of self‐monitoring, information trustworthiness, peer support, motivational tools (goal setting, risk awareness, and problem solving) and convenience in achieving behavior change using mHealth technology. They suggest mHealth programs incorporate these elements to support user engagement and improved health outcomes. Understanding what women want as mHealth users is particularly important for effective interventions in gestational diabetes, weight management, and chronic disease prevention. Creating a better, more woman‐centered experience by addressing central engagement issues should result in improved maternal health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aim In 21st century, there has been an increasing interest in vaginal birth after previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus, a country with a very high operative birth rate. Research-based evidence of women’s VBAC experiences in Cyprus is non-existent, despite its significance for the well-being of mothers and families. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the women’s lived experience of VBAC in Cyprus. In this study women’s experiences of VBAC are explored for the first time in Cyprus. Method The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 women, who experienced vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed for the analysis of data. Results Analysis of data yielded four major themes: (a) medicalization of childbirth, (b) preparing for a VBAC, (c) birth environment, and (d) healing through VBAC. On the whole, the women interviewed described their previous experience of CS as traumatic, in contrast to vaginal childbirth. VBAC was considered an utterly positive experience that made the women feel empowered and proud of themselves. Conclusion This study offers valuable insight into a newly researched subject in Cyprus, which is necessary for advancing perinatal care in Cyprus. The findings indicate that women need evidence-based information, guidelines on birthing options, good preparation with tailored information and personalized care for a successful vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section. Proper, non-biased, consultations are a main factor that affects women’s choice of mode of birth. The introduction of new, women-friendly perinatal strategies that respect and promote childbirth rights is imperative in the case of Cyprus. All women have the right to exercise informed choice and the choice to alternative birthing options.

IntroductionThe restrictive socio-cultural norms in Mozambique limit the power of women to decide, voice, and act on their reproductive choices. This study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of empowerment relating to fertility intentions and family planning practices in Mozambique, focusing on facilitators and barriers toward reproductive empowerment.MethodsQualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with women of reproductive age (18–49 years) in Nampula and Maputo provinces and Maputo city, Mozambique. Data collection took place between February and March 2020 in Maputo region and during August 2020 in Nampula Province. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from both urban and rural healthcare facilities and from within the communities serving the healthcare facilities. In Maputo city, a snowball sampling technique was used to recruit women from the community. A total of 64 women were interviewed, 39 from Maputo and 25 from Nampula. A thematic analysis was conducted with the support of NVivo12 software.ResultsSeveral factors that hinder and facilitate women's empowerment toward fertility and family planning practices in Mozambique were identified and were interpreted within the socio-ecological model. The identified barriers included women's lack of critical consciousness and oppressive relationships. At the community and societal levels, the role of traditions, culture and gender expectations and limited access to family planning and misinformation were also important hindering factors. The facilitators of reproductive empowerment included building critical consciousness and access to economic resources at the individual level. Negative experiences at the household level were triggers of women's empowerment for family planning. Building collective power and access to information, including education, were key at the community and societal levels.ConclusionsThis study identified various factors that positively or negatively influence women's empowerment journeys in Mozambique. The role of tradition, culture, and gender expectations, and oppressive relationships, were important barriers in both provinces. Women from rural areas would benefit from building of consciousness about their rights, and power to decide on their reproductive lives. Interactions with the health providers offer an opportunity to do this by favoring controlling behaviors concerning their reproductive lives, promoting social networking and levering collective power.

Background and Aim: In 21st century, there has been an increasing interest in vaginal birth after previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus, a country with a very high operative birth rate. Research-based evidence of women's VBAC experiences in Cyprus is non-existent, despite its significance for the well-being of mothers and families. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the women's lived experience of VBAC in Cyprus. In this study women's experiences of VBAC are explored for the first time in Cyprus.Method: The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 women, who experienced vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed for the analysis of data.Results: Analysis of data yielded four major themes: (a) medicalization of childbirth, (b) preparing for a VBAC, (c) birth environment, and (d) healing through VBAC. On the whole, the women interviewed described their previous experience of CS as traumatic, in contrast to vaginal childbirth. VBAC was considered an utterly positive experience that made the women feel empowered and proud of themselves.Conclusion: This study offers valuable insight into a newly researched subject in Cyprus, which is necessary for advancing perinatal care in Cyprus. The findings indicate that women need evidence-based information, guidelines on birthing options, good preparation with tailored information and personalized care for a successful vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section. Proper, non-biased, consultations are a main factor that affects women's choice of mode of birth. The introduction of new, women-friendly perinatal strategies that respect and promote childbirth rights is imperative in the case of Cyprus. All women have the right to exercise informed choice and the choice to alternative birthing options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal health care provision remains a major challenge in developing countries. There is agreement that the provision of quality clinical services is essential if high rates of maternal death are to be reduced. However, despite efforts to improve access to these services, a high number of women in Tanzania do not access them. The aim of this study is to explore women's views about the maternal health services (pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period) that they received at health facilities in order to identify gaps in service provision that may lead to low-quality maternal care and increased risks associated with maternal morbidity and mortality in rural Tanzania. Design: We gathered qualitative data from 15 focus group discussions with women attending a health facility after child birth and transcribed it verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used for analysis. Results: ‘Three categories emerged that reflected women's perceptions of maternal health care services: “mothers perceive that maternal health services are beneficial,” “barriers to accessing maternal health services” such as availability and use of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and the long distances between some villages, and “ambivalence regarding the quality of maternal health services” reflecting that women had both positive and negative perceptions in relation to quality of health care services offered’. Conclusions: Mothers perceived that maternal health care services are beneficial during pregnancy and delivery, but their awareness of postpartum complications and the role of medical services during that stage were poor. The study revealed an ambivalence regarding the perceived quality of health care services offered, partly due to shortages of material resources. Barriers to accessing maternal health care services, such as the cost of transport and the use of TBAs, were also shown. These findings call for improvement on the services provided. Improvements should address, accessibility of services, professionals' attitudes and stronger promotion of the importance of postpartum check-ups, both among health care professionals and women.

Background Delayed access to antenatal care in high income countries is associated with poor maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. The aim was to synthesise the diverse body of evidence around women’s views of early antenatal care and barriers to attendance in such countries. Critical Interpretive Synthesis integrates the process of systematic review with the qualitative methods of meta-ethnography and grounded theory, with a focus on theory generation to inform policy, practice and future research. Methods Database searches were conducted, supplemented with reference and citation tracking and website searching between February 2014 and April 2016. Qualitative data analysis methods were used to extract and summarise the key themes from each study. A taxonomy of constructs was created, with the synthesis developed to thread these together. Fifty-four papers were synthesised, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed method and systematic review, published between 1987 and 2016. Findings Seventeen constructs around the core concept of ‘acceptance of personal and public pregnancies’ were produced. Acceptance of the ‘personal’ pregnancy considers the contribution of mindset in the recognition and acceptance of pregnancy, influenced by knowledge of pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy planning and desire. Acceptance of the ‘public’ pregnancy considers women’s assessment of the social consequences of pregnancy, and the relevance and priority of antenatal care. Conclusion Critical Interpretive Synthesis offers a systematic yet creative approach to the synthesis of diverse evidence. The findings offer new perspectives on women’s perceptions of early pregnancy and attendance for care, which may be used to facilitate timely antenatal provision for all pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many parts of the world, women continue to face issues of inequality and discrimination. While the plight of Arab women for gender equality has gained media attention, fewer studies have investigated the perceptions of Arab women themselves on this issue. In this study, through discourse and content analysis of face to face interviews, I investigated the meanings that Jordanian women made of how the society viewed and positioned them. While the participants were aware of the dominant Discourse that limited women and positioned them as inferior to men, their talk also expressed their resistance to this discourse. A post-structuralist feminist discourse analysis lens allowed for the investigation of competing discourses within the women's talk. Between the relayed Discourse on women and the participants' discourse of resistance, a discourse of uncertainty evolved as they struggled to position themselves amidst competing discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal body weight is an indicator of the health of a mother and her developing fetus. Risks of poor maternal and fetal health issues increase when women gain too little or too much weight during pregnancy. A study of 600 women from Alberta, Canada, reported approximately 30, 46, 80, and 80% of underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese women, respectively, gained in excess of Health Canada gestational weight gain guidelines. Behavioural interventions during pregnancy have shown to be effective at supporting women achieve gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations and return to their pre-pregnancy weight postpartum, yet few women are counseled about weight gain during pregnancy. A discrepancy exists between health care providers' (HCP) reported counseling behaviours and women's perceptions of counseling by HCPs; most HCPs report counseling women about GWG; conversely, most women report not receiving counseling about GWG. This study explored women's experiences with GWG and their perceptions of discussions about GWG with HCPs during pregnancy and postpartum. This will help to identify gaps in service delivery and highlight areas for improvement that may better support women to achieve GWG recommendations leading to better health outcomes for women and children.Methods: Five focus groups (n = 26) were conducted with women up to 1 year postpartum across the five Alberta health zones. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: GWG is important to women, for their health and for the health of their baby. In-depth conversations with HCPs about GWG or weight loss do not occur; however, women want the opportunity to discuss weight gain/loss with HCPs. Women would like discussions about gestational weight gain/loss to become part of standard care and offered to all women.Conclusions: Women suggested that discussions about GWG should occur with all women, and that HCPs should initiate these discussions by asking women how they feel about discussing weight. Conversations should begin early on in pregnancy and continue through to the postpartum period. Interventions assessing discussions about GWG should be implemented and evaluated as this has been identified as a gap in prenatal service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminal justice interventions are important to reduce domestic violence and protect women. In this study we will tackle the unwillingness of women in two regions of Romania to press charges and the failure of the criminal justice system in providing them protection and justice. “Why don’t women press charges?” was the main question that stood at the basis of the international research WOSAFEJUS1, where Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB) was the main Romanian partner through its Faculty of Sociology and Social Work. In our paper we will analyse the studies relevant to the field of domestic violence and we will pay a special attention to those that take into consideration the functioning of the criminal justice system. We will present a preliminary analysis of the women’s perception of the criminal justice system in Romania. Our results are based on 76 semi-structured interviews with women in a situation of domestic violence. Atlas.ti was used to aid a thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The results will highlight women’s expectations regarding the justice system, the perceived usefulness of the legal intervention as well as the main factors that come into play when they decide to stay or to leave the criminal justice process. Even though in most of the cases police intervention can’t or doesn’t provide safety and the rapid elimination of danger, the importance of non-legislative factors of intervention has nevertheless been emphasized.

• In order to achieve professional status, the public needs to admit the role of a professional group, therefore for midwifery professionalism, it is of major importance that women recognize the competencies of the midwife. • The Midwifery Profiling Questionnaire - MidProQ is a validated tool that can be used in defining the recognition of midwifery role amongst lay people. • This survey confirmed the results of former studies that women who experienced an obstetrician-led model of care find it hard to realize the potential of full scope midwifery practice. The role of the midwife is well defined and midwifery education is precisely prescribed in order that students gain all competencies that derive from the definition of midwifery profession. However in Slovenia, midwives do not practice the full scope midwifery, therefore the aim of the study was to explore whether women are aware of the role that midwives have. In order to study the lay people awareness of midwives' role and competencies, a quanitative survey was performed using the validated Midwifery Profiling Questionnaire (MidProQ), designed by a Belgium research team of midwives, adapted to Slovenian circumstances. An online survey was performed, using the software 1KA. The link to the survey was distributed amongst groups of women via social media. Snow-ball sampling was used, recruiting women via gynaecology and obstetric forums. The MidProQ is measuring the agreement of women with statements that describe competencies of midwives for prenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. 228 fully fulfilled questionnaire were analysed with SPSS programme. Only 43% of participants felt that midwives were capable of managing an uncomplicated pregnancy independently, however they clearly state their role in uncomplicated labour (93%). Most clearly recognised role of midwives in the postnatal period was breastfeeding counselling (89%). The role of the midwife is intertwined with the competencies of the obstetrician, who majority of participants still consider more competent for managing an uncomplicated pregnancy. Participants were not aware of all the fields where midwife could practice. More has to be done that lay public will recognize the potential of full scope midwifery practice, like promoting the profession via social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alongside midwifery units (AMUs) were identified as a novel hybrid organisational form in the Birthplace in England Research Programme, to which this is a follow-on study. The number of such units (also known as hospital birth centres) has increased greatly in the UK since 2007. They provide midwife-led care to low-risk women adjacent to maternity units run by obstetricians, aiming to provide a homely environment to support normal childbirth. Women are transferred to the obstetric unit (OU) if they want an epidural or if complications occur. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the ways that AMUs in England are organised, staffed and managed. It also aimed to look at the experiences of women receiving maternity care in an AMU and the views and experiences of maternity staff, including both those who work in an AMU and those in the adjacent OU. Methods: An organisational ethnography approach was used, incorporating case studies of four AMUs, selected for maximum variation on the basis of geographical context, length of establishment of an AMU, size of unit, management, leadership and physical design. Interviews were conducted between December 2011 and October 2012 with service managers and key stakeholders (n = 35), with professionals working within and in relation to AMUs (n = 54) and with postnatal women and birth partners (n = 47). Observations were conducted of key decision-making points in the service (n = 20) and relevant service documents and guidelines were collected and reviewed. Findings: Women and their families valued AMU care highly for its relaxed and comfortable environment, in which they felt cared for and valued, and for its support for normal birth. However, key points of transition for women could pose threats to equity of access and quality of their care, such as information and preparation for AMU care, and gaining admission in labour and transfer out of the unit. Midwives working in AMUs highly valued the environment, approach and the opportunity to exercise greater professional autonomy, but relations between units could also be experienced as problematic and as threats to professional autonomy as well as to quality and safety of care. We identified key themes that pose potential challenges for the quality, safety and sustainability of AMU care: boundary work and management, professional issues, staffing models and relationships, skills and confidence, and information and access for women. Conclusions: AMUs have a role to play in contributing to service quality and safety. They provide care that is satisfying for women, their partners and families and for health professionals, and they facilitate appropriate care pathways and professional roles and skills. There is a potential for AMUs to provide equitable access to midwife-led care when midwifery unit care is the default option (opt-out) for all healthy women. The Birthplace in England study indicated that AMUs provide safe and cost-effective care. However, the opportunity to plan to birth in an AMU is not yet available to all eligible women, and is often an opt-in service, which may limit access. The alignment of physical, philosophical and professional boundaries is inherent in the rationale for AMU provision, but poses challenges for managing the service to ensure key safety features of quality and safety are maintained. We discuss some key issues that may be relevant to managers in seeking to respond to such challenges, including professional education, inter- and intraprofessional communication, relationships and teamwork, integrated models of midwifery and women’s care pathways. Further work is recommended to examine approaches to scaling up of midwifery unit provision, including staffing and support models. Research is also recommended on how to support women effectively in early labour and on provision of evidence-based and supportive information for women. Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Livestock management in the Borana pastoral production system is performed by all family members and the functioning of the system depends on their capability to conduct these activities. However, in recent times, multi-level changes seem to have affected these activities and the related division of labour and demand for labour. In this study we used an actororiented approach to understand how Borana pastoral women in southern Ethiopia perceive and evaluate their current role and work in livestock management under the increasing influence of these changes. Based on information gained through 58 semi-structured and nine narrative interviews, women's perceptions of the activity 'fodder collection for young stock' are presented as an example, as this activity is affected by both environmental issues and government policies that have led to changes in labour needs and division of labour between Borana women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information about postpartum maternal morbidity in developing countries is limited and often based on information obtained from hospitals. As a result, the reports do not usually reflect the true magnitude of obstetric complications and poor management at delivery. In Morocco, little is known about obstetric maternal morbidity. Our aim was to measure and identify the causes of postpartum morbidity 6 weeks after delivery and to compare women's perception of their health during this period to their medical diagnoses.Methods: We did a cross-sectional study of all women, independent of place of delivery, in Al Massira district, Marrakech, from December 2010 to March 2012. All women were clinically examined 6 to 8 weeks postpartum for delivery-related morbidities. We coupled a clinical examination with a questionnaire and laboratory tests (hemoglobin).Results: During postpartum consultation, 44% of women expressed at least one complaint. Complaints related to mental health were most often reported (10%), followed by genital infections (8%). Only 9% of women sought treatment for their symptoms before the postpartum visit. Women who were aged ≥30 years, employed, belonged to highest socioeconomic class, and had obstetric complications during birth or delivered in a private facility or at home were more likely to report a complaint. Overall, 60% of women received a medical diagnosis related to their complaint, most of which were related to gynecological problems (22%), followed by laboratory-confirmed anemia (19%). Problems related to mental health represented only 5% of the diagnoses. The comparative analysis between perceived and diagnosed morbidity highlighted discrepancies between complaints that women expressed during their postpartum consultation and those they received from a physician.Conclusions: A better understanding of postpartum complaints is one of the de facto essential elements to ensuring quality of care for women. Sensitizing and training clinicians in mental health services is important to respond to women's needs and improve the quality of maternal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study explored how married women perceive situations which create family conflicts and lead to different forms of violence in urban Pakistan. In addition, it examines perceptions of consequences of violence, their adverse health effects, and how women resist violence within marital life. Methods: Five focus group discussions were conducted with 28 women in Karachi. Purposive sampling, aiming for variety in age, employment status, education, and socioeconomic status, was employed. The focus group discussions were conducted in Urdu and translated into English. Manifest and latent content analysis were applied. Results: One major theme emerged during the analysis, ie, family violence through the eyes of females. This theme was subdivided into three main categories. The first category, ie, situations provoking violence and their manifestations, elaborates on circumstances that provoke violence and situations that sustain violence. The second category, ie, actions and reactions to exposure to violence, describes consequences of ongoing violence within the family, including those that result in suicidal thoughts and actions. The final category, ie, resisting violence, describes how violence is avoided through women's awareness and actions. Conclusion: The current study highlights how female victims of abuse are trapped in a society where violence from a partner and family members is viewed as acceptable, where divorce is unavailable to the majority, and where societal support of women is limited. There is an urgent need to raise the subject of violence against women and tackle this human rights problem at all levels of society by targeting the individual, family, community, and societal levels concurrently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Research question: How do women who choose not to breastfeed perceive their healthcare experience? Method: This qualitative research study used a phenomenographic approach to explore the healthcare experience of women who do not breastfeed. Seven women were interviewed about their healthcare experience relating to their choice of feeding, approximately 4weeks after giving birth. Six conceptions were identified and an outcome space was developed to demonstrate the relationships and meaning of the conceptions in a visual format. Findings: There were five unmet needs identified by the participants during this study. These needs included equity, self sufficiency, support, education and the need not to feel pressured. Conclusion: Women in this study who chose not to breastfeed identified important areas where they felt that their needs were not met. In keeping with the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Midwives, the identified needs of women who do not breastfeed must be addressed in a caring, compassionate and just manner. The care and education of women who formula feed should be of the highest standard possible, even if the choice not to breastfeed is not the preferred choice of healthcare professionals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: to provide a critical synthesis of published research concerning women''s experiences in choosing where to give birth. Method: an integrative literature review was conducted using three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and Ovid) for 1997–2009. Inclusion criteria were: (1) publication in the English language; (2) research article; (3) focus on women''s perceptions for their birthplace choices; and (4) data collected during pregnancy, at birth and post partum. Findings: twenty-one research-based papers met the inclusion criteria, and these used a range of approaches and methods. Four themes were derived from the data: choice of birthplace and medicalisation of childbirth; the midwifery model of care and the rhetoric of birthplace choices; perceptions of safety shaped women''s preferences; and choice is related to women''s autonomy. Conclusion: there is considerable evidence that women worldwide wish to be able to exercise their rights and make informed choices about where to give birth. The medical model remains a strong and powerful influence on women''s decisions in many countries. The midwifery model offers birthplace choices to women, while policies and culture in some countries affect midwifery practise. Perceptions of safety shaped women''s preferences, and women''s autonomy facilitated birthplace choices. Implications for practise: these findings can be seen as a challenge for health professionals and policy makers to improve perinatal care based on women''s needs. Local research is advisable due to cultural and health system differences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ŚLUSARSKA B., ZARZYCKA D., WYSOKIŃSKI M., SADURSKA A., ADAMSKA-KUŹMICKA I. & CZEKIRDA M. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care 19, 786-794 Health behaviours and cancer prevention among Polish women The problem of early prophylaxis of cancer is especially important, mainly due to the results of epidemiological studies, which show high death rates due to cancer among Polish women. The objective of the study was the recognition of health behaviours with respect to cancer prophylaxis reported by the women examined, as well as the determination of the range of expectations concerning health education in the area analysed. The study was conducted in the form of a diagnostic survey and covered 242 female inhabitants of the city of Lublin situated in the Central-Eastern Region of Poland, aged 40-65. The results of the study showed that the respondents most often evaluated their health as generally 'good' or 'mediocre'. Approximately 20% of women in the study had a family history of cancer. The women examined performed self-examination of the breast less frequently than they visited a gynaecologist for a health check-up, cytological tests and mammography. Only a small group of women had densimetric examinations performed. More than a half of the respondents mentioned that they eagerly read educational materials concerning health, and acquired information which contributed to the development of health promoting attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Researchers have established that alcohol is a risk factor for date rape for both victims and perpetrators. Objective: The authors tried to experimentally address the link between alcohol consumption and women's risk detection abilities in a risky sexual vignette. Participants: The authors recruited 42 women from undergraduate classrooms at a large midwestern university and randomly assigned them to drink an alcoholic (.04 blood alcohol content) or a placebo beverage. Methods: Participants completed self-report inventories and listened to a date-rape audiotaped vignette, which began with consensual sexual behavior and culminated in date rape, and the authors asked them to determine if and when the man should refrain from making further sexual advances. Results: Student's t tests and Pearson r correlations showed that women who consumed alcohol and exhibited high levels of rape myth acceptance showed a significant decrease in risk recognition (p = .000 and .001, respectively). Conclusion: These findings highlight the significance of even small amounts of alcohol on behavior and cognition in women who are self-reported experienced drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although menstruation is still considered a natural event by women in India, perceptions about menstruation are changing. We report on our study of 1150 urban and 850 rural women. The urban women included high school and college students, professional women, and housewives. A 10-point questionnaire was pretested in a clinic setting and then administered to the study group. The responses show that 80% of high school and college students and professional women wish to have infrequent menses or no menses at all. In contrast, 70% of rural women prefer to have monthly menses. The authors wish to initiate a debate on this issue among health care providers and women''s groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To explore the role of men as obstetrical nurses: Design: Exploratory cross sectional survey using structured and open-ended questions. Sample: Three groups: 599 men licensed as Registered Nurses by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 337 District I AWHONN members, and 130 pregnant women. Analysis Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression were performed for the AWHONN and pregnant women groups. Descriptive and narrative summaries for the men who were Registered Nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a multiplicity of proposed causes, yet a scarcity of research regarding the pregnancy complication, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), severe nausea and vomiting. This is not unlike other female medical conditions that have been underinvestigated, and perhaps as a result, erroneous assumptions about them persist. This is a report of qualitative findings from a larger study that investigated, in part, illness perspectives of 96 women with HG. Results reveal women view HG as biologically determined and that it has substantial impact on their daily functioning. The study challenges commonly held notions that HG is a psychosomatic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women’s perceptions of group support and adaptation to breast cancer ¶ Formal cancer support groups are thought to assist women to adapt to the physiological and psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer. To shed some light on this untested clinical assumption, this Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing-based study was designed to explore women’s own reports about their adaptation to breast cancer and their participation in support groups. This article reports the results of the quantitative content analysis of structured telephone interviews with 70 women who participated in group social support and education for breast cancer. Almost three-quarters of the women expressed a positive change in attitude towards breast cancer, and all regarded participation in the groups as positive. A majority reported adaptive physiological, self-concept, role function, and interdependence mode effects of breast cancer and group participation. Additional research is needed to show how different types of cancer support groups, including social support and education groups and psychotherapy groups, contribute to women’s responses. Research is also needed to separate the effects of group social support and education from other sources of social support that may have contributed to the women’s responses, and to further explore feelings of normalization expressed by some women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research addressed the relationship between LSQI (Landscape Spatial Quality Indicators) and women's preferences towards LC (Landscape Components). This study also evaluated women's' preferences for LSQI, and also the relationship between LSQI and women's perceived restoration. A photo-questionnaire was completed by 178 females in Shams Tabrizi Park in Tabriz, Iran. The results showed that some indicators exercise stronger effects in terms of inducing a sense of restoration (e.g. legibility, r = 0.682). Also, there is a significant relation between restoration and attractiveness (r = 0.680). The respondents exhibited the highest preferences for scenes of refuge (M = 4.08), but the preference was affected by complexity (r = 0.871). With regard to the implication, shrubs are recommended to create a mysterious landscape (r = 0.867), trees for legible (r = 0.759) and coherent (r = 0.857) landscapes, and finally, flowers are more appropriate choices in establishing complex landscapes (r = 0.817) taking women's preferences into account. Further on-site studies are needed to prove the significant impact of landscape components on preference for spatial indicators in a large-scale landscape. The results confirmed that the most attractive scenes convey the highest senses of restoration. Legibility level, the indicator having strong correlations with restoration, should be considered in landscape design practices. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]