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PubMedDate not supplied

Introduction to special issue 'Gender, Culture and Alcohol Problems: a Multi-national Study'.

This paper provides an introduction to a series of articles reporting results from the EU concerted action "Gender, Culture and Alcohol Problems: A Multi-national Study" which examined differences in drinking among women and men in 13 European and two non-European countries. The gender gap in alcohol drinking is one of the few universal gender differences in human social behavior. However, the size of these differences varies greatly from one society to another. The papers in this issue examine, across countries, (1) men's and women's drinking patterns, (2) the prevalence of men's and women's experience of alcohol-related problems, (3) gender differences in social inequalities in alcohol use and abuse, (4) gender differences in the influence of combinations of social roles on heavy alcohol use, and (5) how societal-level factors predict women's and men's alcohol use and problems on a regional and global level. Country surveys were independently conducted and then centralized at one institution for further data standardization and processing. Several results indicated that the greater the societal gender equality in a country, the smaller the gender differences in drinking behavior. In most analyses the smallest gender differences in drinking behaviour were found in Nordic countries, followed by western and central European countries, with the largest gender differences in countries with developing economies.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2003

Gender issues in the prevention and control of STIs and HIV/AIDS: lessons from Awka and Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria.

The study examined perceptions, practices and norms underlying sexuality and gender relations that constrain the prevention and control of STIs and HIV/AIDS. It was carried out among the Igbo of Awka and Agulu in Anambra State of Nigeria. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection. Findings indicate that cultural practices that encourage the establishment of sexual networks by men persist in the study communities. Some married women who are not able to achieve pregnancy with their husbands get involved in such networks to have children. Some parents who do not have male children encourage their unmarried daughters to have children out of wedlock so as to perpetuate the lineage. Inequality in gender relations and fear of repercussions constrain women from negotiating safe sex. Sexuality education is, therefore, necessary to improve the knowledge base, perceptions and sexual behaviours of the study communities. Women should be empowered to make informed decisions about sexuality and childbearing. Male responsibility in reproductive health should also be encouraged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Gender issues in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily a disease of premenopausal women. Interactions between the disease and the reproductive cycle are important to consider for optimal patient management. REVIEW SUMMARY: Sex hormones are potent immunomodulators, and their actions may help explain the gender distribution seen in MS and other immune-mediated diseases. Preliminary data suggest that immune function may vary cyclically as a function of hormonal milieu. MS does not affect fertility or the ability to bear children, and pregnancy generally has a salutary effect on the disease. Possible teratogenic actions of drugs used for symptom management and prophylactic treatment must be reviewed when managing patients. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies are needed to delineate the roles of sex hormones as etiologic (and possibly therapeutic) agents in MS. Pharmacologic treatment of MS may impact reproductive function. Neurologists need to be familiar with these issues to assist their patients in choosing therapies and family planning.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Attention to gender issues in tuberculosis control.

Although a seventy per cent excess of male over female TB cases are reported globally each year, the reasons for this difference are unclear. Generally, women in poor countries confront more barriers than men in accessing health care services. Yet, research is lacking to explain the impact of gender inequalities in access to care on reported sex ratios for TB. A review of the limited available literature and field visits to TB programmes offered insights and suggested a framework to study gender differentials in TB. This paper considers the role of gender at various steps in effective TB care. A research strategy to study and account for gender differences in TB control is proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Gender issues and borderline personality disorder: why do females dominate the diagnosis?

There are significantly more females with the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder than males. This article explores the developmental factors that place females at a greater risk to develop the disorder. Societal expectations that increase the emerging of borderline symptoms are also discussed. Gender differences of "normal" behavior that effect the assigning of the diagnosis are explained. The theory that borderline personality disorder has become the "virus" of psychiatry is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Transfer student and gender issues within the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University.

Graduates with a B.S. or graduate degree from the Department of Animal Science (1986 to 1996) of Texas A&M University were surveyed by mail to gather opinions on the curriculum and satisfaction with their degrees. The survey contained five Likert questions (1 = excellent, 4 = poor) regarding satisfaction with major, educational results, personal growth, professional development, and skills important for employment. Multiple-choice questions (n = 9) addressed education, background, job status, and gender. Surveys (n = 2,192) were sent to students, and 470 responded. The undergraduate respondents (n = 396) comprised 71.2% (n = 282) nontransfer students and 28.8% (n = 114) transfer students. Transfer students reported a mean grade point ratio (GPR) of 3.05 +/- 0.43 at Texas A&M University in comparison to a nontransfer student mean GPR of 3.03 +/- 0.45 for hours completed at Texas A&M University (P = 0.83). The results for time from graduation to full-time employment for transfer students were similar to those of nontransfer students (P = 0.95). Differences in current annual salary between transfer students and nontransfer students were apparent (P < 0.0001). Transfer students and nontransfer students reported similarly that courses within the department were valuable (P = 0.95) and not redundant (P = 0.08). The two groups similarly rated contributions to critical thinking (P = 0.59) and speaking (P = 0.38). Undergraduate respondents (n = 392) were 48.9% (n = 192) male and 51.1% (n = 200) female. Males and females reported a mean GPR of 3.02 +/- 0.46 and 3.07 +/- 0.43, respectively (P = 0.35). Differences in job search time (P < 0.0001), starting salary (P = 0.0004), and current salary (P < 0.0001) were apparent between genders; females were paid less and searched longer before finding their first job. Males and females responded similarly that courses were valuable (P = 0.16) and were taught effectively (P = 0.37) and that teaching assistants made positive contributions (P = 0.43). Females felt a lesser contribution to critical thinking ability, leadership ability, and technical expertise. Results suggest the continuance of current educational practices, but changes to specific issues should be initiated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gender issues in patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcoma: a pilot study.

Soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) affects men and women with equal frequency and commonly presents as an asymptomatic mass in patients 40 to 50 years of age. Recent study has identified physical, emotional, and psychological factors associated with a diagnosis of malignancy, but the tissues affecting the STS patient population may differ from those of more common cancers due to physical disability secondary to treatment. Research to date has not dealt specifically with gender differences in the reaction and adaptation to the cancer diagnosis. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the treatment experiences of five males and five females treated with surgery and radiation for STS of the thigh and followed posttreatment for at least 2 years. The open-ended interview was used to collect data, which was then subjected to a constant comparative analysis technique. The STS patients shared many concerns of cancer patients, with additional physical complaints. Physical symptoms were common to men and women, but women adapted more easily with explanation. Women feared losing life, family role, and relationships. Along with men, they also feared the losses of limb and career. For women, support included faith and sharing stories with others, whereas men preferred to deal with their illnesses individually and concealed emotions from loved ones. The perception of disease time frame was also distinct, with men adopting a fatalistic attitude and regarding their disease as an isolated episode. Women believed their condition was ongoing. Women need repeated information from several sources along with reassurance and increased social support, whereas men prefer the minimum of social support, requiring instead independence and extra attention to physical limitations. These results can improve STS patient treatment by increasing awareness in the patient, family, and medical team of the psychosocial issues that can be expected to arise.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Recent developments in alcoholism:gender issues.

Study of women and alcohol may involve a female/male comparison or comparison among subgroups of women. Epidemiological study over the last decades has not supported the hypothesis of convergence of male and female drinking rates, but changes in women's drinking patterns have occurred. Problem drinking and alcohol abuse in men and women are compared: genetics, vulnerability to liver damage, age at onset, spouse's drinking, use of other drugs. A critical issue is the public/private nature of drinking and the consequences which follow from that. Major antecedents to female problem drinking appear to be difficulties in impulse control, depression, and the earlier appearance of other diagnostic syndromes such as eating disorders or phobia. The consequences of problem drinking and alcoholism--interpersonal, legal, occupational, and medical--are discussed. In spite of the increase in gender-related research reports, women remain "the second sex" in theory development and diagnostic definitions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Gender issues in the management of multi-impulsive bulimia: a case-study.

We describe the management of multi-impulsive bulimia nervosa in a 27-year-old man. Inpatient treatment was attempted using a standardized focal-interpretative (psychodynamic) and cognitive-behavioral approach, with an emphasis on ward milieu. The value of this approach has been proved for female patients in the past. To our knowledge, this is the first report of its usage for a male with multi-impulsive bulimia, and the problems encountered highlight the impact of gender on behavioral symptoms, ward culture, and the predominantly female patient group.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A longitudinal study of veterinary students and recent graduates. 4. Gender issues.

OBJECTIVE: To study differences in experiences, attitudes and opinions between female and male veterinary students and recent graduates. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. POPULATION: Students-77 males and 77 females-who began studying veterinary science at The University of Queensland in 1985 and 1986. PROCEDURE: Questionnaires were completed in the first and fifth year of the course, and in the second year after graduation. The data were analysed using the SAS System for Windows. RESULTS: Females decided to study veterinary science at a younger age than males and were more influenced by 'a love of animals', the image of veterinarians as portrayed on television, an interest in living things and in the scientific study of disease. Males were more influenced than females in aspects of the workplace: bosses and money. There were no gender differences in their background in relation to farms, or to animals, or in their career plans. However females when in first year expected a lower initial income than males; an expectation that was realised in the first year after graduation. As first year students and also as veterinarians, females had stronger views than males on animal welfare issues, and also felt that the veterinary profession had a lower status relative to other professions. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in attitudes and experiences exist between males and females entering the veterinary profession. The situation of females in relation to income and status is consistent with that in other professions, where females have been disadvantaged compared with males.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Cultural and gender issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention in rural Swaziland: a focus group analysis.

HIV/AIDS is a serious public health problem in Swaziland, a small land-locked Southern African country. The epidemic affects all subpopulations, but women are increasingly at risk for contracting the disease. Focus groups were conducted in a rural area to obtain qualitative information on the rural dimensions of HIV/AIDS, vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, and sociocultural factors influencing the spread of AIDS. Five themes were identified from analyses of the focus groups that are relevant in developing an AIDS prevention program for this population in Swaziland. Implications for future research and health care practice focus on gender-sensitive cultural research (e.g., women and men's roles and responsibilities in rural Swaziland society) and how social, economic, and cultural factors impact the spread of AIDS. Recommendations include reorienting and allocating resources for health, education, and social services to address the relative neglect of rural areas and strengthening policies and programs to achieve the equal participation of all women in all aspects of society's decisions. Specifically, policies related to economic and food security should result in programs to improve local access by women to all resources.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2002

Gender issues in the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC).

This paper reviews the issues relating to compliance and participation among the men and women of three countries within the remit of the African Programme for the Control of Onchocerciasis (APOC): Cameroon, Nigeria and Tanzania. Project-monitoring data from 109 focus-group discussions, 6069 household-survey respondents and 89 interviews with ivermectin distributors were analysed to gain an insight into the attitudes and behaviours of men and women in relation to ivermectin treatment and their participation in the programme. Although there are no statistically significant gender differences in coverages for ivermectin treatment, culturally prescribed gender relationships influence the ways in which men and women express and experience treatment-related behaviours. Gender roles also affect participation in the programme. Decision-making in communities on the selection of distributors tends to follow socio-cultural hierarchies based upon patriarchy and gerontocracy. Relatively few ivermectin distributors (21%) are women. Although they receive less support than their male counterparts, the female distributors are just as willing to continue ivermectin distribution in the community, and they perform as well or better than men in this regard. The terms 'community-directed', 'community participation' and even 'compliance' obfuscate important gender differences that are inherent in the implementation of onchocerciasis control. Development of strategies that recognize these gender differences will have important implications for long-term adherence to treatment and for the overall quality and sustainability of the programme.

Cameroon↗
PubMed2004

Development of biomarkers based on diet-dependent metabolic serotypes: concerns and approaches for cohort and gender issues in serum metabolome studies.

Mathematical models that reflect the effects of dietary restriction (DR) on the sera metabolome may have utility in understanding the mechanisms of DR and in applying this knowledge to human epidemiological studies. Previous studies demonstrated both the feasibility of identifying biomarkers through metabolome analysis and the validity of our approach in independent cohorts of 6-month-old male and female ad libitum fed or DR rats. Cross-cohort studies showed that cohort-specific effects distorted the dataset. The present study extends these observations across the entire sample set, thereby validating our markers independently of specific cohorts. Metabolites originally identified in males were examined in females and vice-versa. DR's effect on the metabolome is partially gender-specific and is modulated by environmental factors. DR reduces inter-gender differences in the metabolome. Univariate statistical methods showed that 56/93 metabolites in the female samples and 39/93 metabolites in the male samples were significantly altered (using our previous cut-off criteria of p < or = 0.2) by DR. The metabolites modulated by DR present a wide spectrum of concentration, redox reactivity and hydrophilicity, suggesting that our serotype is broadly representative of the metabolome and that DR has broad effects on the metabolome. These studies, coupled with those in the preceding and following reports, also highlight the utility for consideration of the metabolome as a network of metabolites using appropriate data analysis approaches. The inter-cohort and inter-gender differences addressed herein suggest potential cautions, and potential approaches, for identification of multivariate biomarker profiles that reflect changes in physiological status, such as a metabolism that predisposes to increased risk of neoplasia.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Gender issues in management promotions in Malawi's health services.

A descriptive research design was used to explore comparative patterns of promotion for female and male managers in Malawi's health care services. It was also attempted to identify factors perceived by managers themselves as being significant for enhancing or impeding promotions. A total of 150 respondents from middle and top management levels in Malawi's health care services completed questionnaires. Results indicated that females were under represented at middle and top management levels; but over represented at lower (operational) management levels. Both males and females experienced management promotion problems with unclear, inconsistent and unfair administration of promotion policies. Malawi's promotion policy within the health care sector should be revised and its implementation monitored to ensure equal promotion opportunities at all management levels, irrespective of gender.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2006

Adolescent violence exposure, gender issues and impact.

Youth violence is a growing problem worldwide. Research on adolescent violence in India is limited. Fifteen hundred high school students were investigated to study the prevalence and demographic characteristics of witnesses, victims and perpetrators of violence and to see the impact of violence exposure on their psychosocial adjustments. Sixty nine percent of students had witnessed violence in real life and 28% were of serious nature. Media violence exposure was universal. The prevalence of victims and perpetrators was 27% and 13% respectively. Bullying was prevalent. Male sex was the most important predictive risk factor for witnessing and perpetrating violence (P < or = 0.001). Victims were predominantly females. Those having exposure to violence had poorer school performance and adjustment scores (P < or = 0.05). Thus violence exposure is prevalent even in the lives of Indian adolescents and gender differences exist. Its impact on their psychosocial adjustments is detrimental. Early identification and corrective interventions of these adolescents is vital.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Population and women in development: gender issues in the context of population and development.

"The objective of this paper is to examine women's productive and reproductive roles and their intricate linkages and the interplay with the demographic variables of population and development. Although these interactions...are not yet fully understood, attempts will be made utilizing available data and literature to make an analysis of the linkages and interplays that exist between population variables with factors associated with the role, status and participation of women in the social and economic lives of African societies.... The paper will analyze the linkages and integrate the implications for population policies and programmes towards the enhancement of women's role and status and their participation in the development process."

Africa↗
PubMed1997

[Gender issues and eating disorders].

Sexual problems are not specific for eating disorders. The etiology is complex and no one single causal facter has been identified. However, clinical as well as epidemiological studies have shown that eating disorders occur more commonly in females than males. The evidence that eating disorders are more common in females has resulted in the postulation that socio-cultural factors may be important. An important aspect of the socio-cultural position of women which may contribute to eating disorders is the conflict in roles. Clinical experience and research have shown the important role of sexual problems and traumas in the development of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. When compared to anorexics, bulimics reported greater sexual interest and activity.

Adolescent↗