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Biomedical subjects

Nancy C Sharts-Hopko

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy C Sharts-Hopko.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Perceptions of women with multiple sclerosis about osteoporosis follow-up.

Research has demonstrated that women with multiple sclerosis (MS) do not make maximum use of information about osteoporosis prevention and management, even when they are well-informed. Focus-group methodology and telephone interviews were used to study how women with MS use or could use information about osteoporosis prevention and management to influence their healthcare providers to attend to osteoporosis-related needs. Twenty-two participants were asked to discuss their own and their peers' experience of sharing osteoporosis screening results with healthcare providers, as well as factors they think might influence healthcare providers to attend to osteoporosis risk reduction. Using comparative content analysis, the transcribed data were clustered into seven thematic areas: women's need to educate themselves about osteoporosis; women's need to educate their healthcare providers about osteoporosis as well as other women's health issues; the need to case manage oneself; advocacy for self and others; skills and characteristics required to negotiate the system; strategies for health researchers and advocates to inform healthcare providers about health issues and health promotion of women with MS; and strategies for healthcare providers to inform women with disabilities about health issues and health promotion of women with MS. These themes suggest directions for the development of strategies to enable women with MS to influence their healthcare providers in osteoporosis prevention and management.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Obesity as a confounding health factor among women with mobility impairment.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between self-reported height and weight and factors associated with disabilities that impair mobility among adult women. DATA SOURCES: Survey data were gathered from a convenience sample of 83 women with disabilities at community events targeting the disabled population. Height, weight, and factors associated with their disabilities were reported on a demographic questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was estimated using a conversion table and the self-reported height and weight of each participant. CONCLUSIONS: The average self-reported weight was 168.3 lb. Only 38% of the women fell into the normal range on estimated BMI, but 62% of the women fell into the categories of overweight or obese. The incidence of overweight and obesity exceeded that reported for the general population of women in a national sample X2 = 6.48, p = 03, 2 df). Self-reported weight was positively correlated with the number of comorbidities reported by the women (r = .419, p < .0001). IMPLICATIONS: The issue of obesity is an important problem facing women with disabilities. Women who have mobility limitations need to be weighed periodically, and strategies should be devised for weight management, including both dietary plans and appropriate exercise regimens given their limitations.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed2002

Birth spacing initiative in Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman, faced with the potential for a population explosion that would drain national educational and economic resources, has initiated a birth spacing program which is in its fifth year of implementation at all Ministry of Health facilities. The program was developed based on data from a survey of married Omani women of childbearing age and their spouses. Success has been attributed to the inclusion of Muslim religious leaders at all stages of planning and implementation to deflect people's concern that child spacing is forbidden, and to educational outreach to men.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beliefs, perceptions, and practices related to osteoporosis risk reduction among women with multiple sclerosis.

Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture; in turn, osteoporosis has the potential to exacerbate the physical limitations imposed by MS. This qualitative study explored the understanding of osteoporosis risk and risk reduction, strategies being used to reduce risk, and related beliefs among 27 women with MS. Participants were recruited at a regional MS Society meeting. The women completed personal data forms, and responded to open-ended questions during taped interviews, which were transcribed and subjected to comparative content analysis. Five themes emerged from the data: knowledge about osteoporosis, sense of vulnerability, interactions with healthcare providers, preventive actions, and sense of control. All of the women had some knowledge about osteoporosis risk reduction, and most of the women were actively attempting to reduce their risk. However, few of the women had full knowledge, or were doing all that they might do, to minimize their risk. Few of their healthcare providers had discussed the issue or responded to their concerns, even when women had histories of multiple fractures. The women did comprehened their increased risk and most attempted to manage it, although input was lacking from healthcare providers about osteoporosis risk reduction.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Japanese women's experience of childbirth in the United States.

While Japanese people represent a significant and growing cultural group within the United States, little is known about the culture-specific needs of Japanese women who experience pregnancy and childbirth in this country. Five women participated in a study of Japanese women's experience of pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. The following thematic clusters emerged from the interview data: issues related to the maintenance of Japanese birth-related practices and traditions; comparison of the Japanese and U.S. health systems; language difficulties; and the need for support systems. This group of well-educated, medically sophisticated women regarded their experiences overall to be positive. Still, they identified areas of uncertainty and unfamiliarity of which health professionals should be aware in order to facilitate the negotiation of culturally congruent care.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The WHI and HRT.

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Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Co-sleeping.

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Adult↗