Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Gender Issues”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources

Internet communities for recruitment of cancer patients.

The purpose of this paper is to provide future directions for the usage of Internet communities (ICs) for recruitment of research participants based on issues raised in an Internet survey among cancer patients. 317 general and 233 ethnic-specific Internet Cancer Support Groups and 1,588 ethnic-specific ICs were contacted to recruit cancer patients. Research staff recorded issues and wrote memos during the recruitment process. The written memos and records were later analyzed using content analysis. The issues included: (a) difficulty in identifying appropriate ICs and potential participants, (b) meta-tags, (c) dominant white and women groups, (d) dynamics inside ICs, (e) difficulty in trust building, and (f) potential selection bias. The findings suggest that researchers thoroughly review the ICs' information, be recognized of potential gender and ethnic issues and current trends in Internet interaction, and consider potential selection bias.

Data Collection↗

[Gender and health in the daily press].

To have a better understanding on the role of the press in the communication of gender and health issues, the content of the five most spread newspapers in Spain was studied (El País, ABC, El Mundo, La Vanguardia and El Periódico de Catalunya) for five years (1997-2001) and the electronic version of The New York Times of the period 1990-1999. An unequal distribution was observed in the responsibility as for the information related to three aspects: positions of responsibility in the newspapers (out of 71 main posts, 67 were men and 4 women); the authors of the articles on health issues (61.2% men and 38,8% women, among the articles that include the author) and the mentioned information sources (81.43% men and 17.77% women). Among the 120 health issues that were covered during the period of the study, only 20 explicitly mentioned a woman (16.67%). Those subjects that included more frequently explicit references were: ablation, iatrogenics, sterilization, sexual and reproductive health, incontinence, beauty and domestic violence. The analysis of the approach to these subjects helped to identify the stereotypes of gender inequality, in the language as well as in the approach.

Female↗

Sexuality, gender, and the couple: a sociohistorical perspective.

My purpose is to tackle the major issues concerning the relation between sexuality and conjugality in a sociohistorical and cross-cultural perspective. The starting point is a critical reading of an excerpt from Sexual Conduct (Gagnon & Simon, 1973). I address the nature of changes, over the centuries and in the last few decades, in the relationship between marriage and sexuality, focusing on the reversal of the traditional dependency of sexuality on conjugality. An important issue in marital sex research, which deserves a truly sociological approach, is how sexual activity evolves over the duration of a couple's relationship. Another major issue is that of gender and sexuality, as conjugal sex life is an ideal observation point to examine how gender relations in everyday interaction mold the sexual conduct of men and women, and what is and is not changing in gender interaction. The place and specificity of sexuality in same-sex conjugal construction are also considered.

Family Characteristics↗

Ambiguous genitalia, gender-identity problems, and sex reassignment.

This article discusses general issues with regard to gender-identity problems, sex reassignment, and clinical management in patients with ambiguous genitalia, based on a detailed case history of a patient with penile agenesis who has been followed more than 20 years. After initial uncertainty, the patient began to grow up as a boy, lived from the fourth year of life as a girl and young woman, and lived from late puberty on as a man. Over his lifetime he experienced extensive corrective surgery plus hormonal substitution therapy. Pre- and perinatal hormonal conditions, phenomenology of the genitalia, sex of rearing, timing of sex reassignment and corrective surgery, for example, appear to be important components for the development of gender-role behavior, gender identity, and sexual orientation of intersex patients. Findings and retrospective considerations for this patient suggest the need for careful differential activities in diagnostic workup, approaches to sex assignment and possible reassignment, and the clinical management of patients and families.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Medical students' perceptions of racial diversity and gender equality.

OBJECTIVES: To assess attitudes of medical students toward issues of racial diversity and gender equality and to ascertain changes in these attitudes during the pre-clinical curriculum. METHODS: Attitudes toward multiculturalism and gender equality were assessed using a 43-item questionnaire. The survey was completed by incoming Year 1 students in 2000 and 2001, and was completed again in 2002 by the students who had entered in 2000. Mean scores were analysed at baseline by gender, ethnic group and political affiliation using analysis of variance. The paired scores of the first and follow-up surveys of the 2000 entering class were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Upon entry into medical school, women, minority group students and Democrats scored significantly higher on the cultural sensitivity scale than their comparison groups. No significant changes were seen overall in the matched data. However, minority groups showed a significant increase in scores, while Republicans and white men experienced a non-significant decline. In addition, incoming students judged cultural competency education to be important. The perceived need to increase the numbers of minority group doctors varied by gender, ethnic group and political affiliation. CONCLUSIONS: Among incoming medical students, perceptions of racial diversity and gender equality vary along ethnic, gender and political lines. Additionally, pre-clinical education was associated with increased cultural sensitivity by minority group students, but not by others. These findings demonstrate the continuing need for diversity in medical school and for medical students to recognise and address their personal and group biases.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Beyond cultural competence: teaching about race, gender, class, and sexual orientation.

Teaching cultural competence to nursing students has been a goal of nursing education for many years. Culturally competent care has been defined as "sensitive to issues related to culture, race, gender, and sexual orientation." However, teaching cultural competence to nursing students has commonly emphasized cultural or ethnic beliefs, values, and practices, rather than issues of race, gender, class, or sexual orientation. The authors use the theory of "relational positionalty" to help students recognize that everyone has a perspective through which they view the world as "normal"; and that normal as defined by the dominant group can create situations of oppression for others.

Cultural Diversity↗

Family support and acceptance, gay male identity formation, and psychological adjustment: a path model.

While heterosexist family undermining has been demonstrated to be a developmental risk factor in the life of persons with same-gender orientation, the issue of protective family factors is both controversial and relatively neglected. In this study of Israeli gay males (N = 114), we focused on the interrelations of family support, family acceptance and family knowledge of gay orientation, and gay male identity formation, and their effects on mental health and self-esteem. A path model was proposed based on the hypotheses that family support, family acceptance, family knowledge, and gay identity formation have an impact on psychological adjustment, and that family support has an effect on gay identity formation that is mediated by family acceptance. The assessment of gay identity formation was based on an established stage model that was streamlined for cross-cultural practice by defining three basic processes of same-gender identity formation: self-definition, self-acceptance, and disclosure (Elizur & Mintzer, 2001). The testing of our conceptual path model demonstrated an excellent fit with the data. An alternative model that hypothesized effects of gay male identity on family acceptance and family knowledge did not fit the data. Interpreting these results, we propose that the main effect of family support/acceptance on gay identity is related to the process of disclosure, and that both general family support and family acceptance of same-gender orientation play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of gay men.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Focusing upon children and men in situations of domestic violence: an analysis of the gendered nature of British health visiting.

Despite considerable feminist critiques of British health visiting work which have pointed to its gendered nature, this issue has received very little attention within the professional literature. The emphasis has been upon the 'health' focus, often highlighting the needs of marginalized groups. The recent professional interest in women experiencing domestic violence draws upon a long-standing feminist concern which has established the extent and nature of domestic violence, and the difficulties facing women in seeking help about their situation. The present paper reports some findings from a study of British health visiting practice in relation to women experiencing domestic violence. Drawing upon interview data from 24 health visitors, this paper focuses specifically upon health visitors' accounts of their practice in relation to both children and men when they were aware women were experiencing domestic violence. Their concerns, which include child welfare and personal safety illustrate some of the complexities facing practitioners when faced with domestic violence situations. The analysis also highlights the gendered practices inherent within health visiting work.

Child↗

Gender convergence in alcohol consumption and related problems: issues and outcomes from comparisons of New Zealand survey data.

AIMS: This paper aims to compare women's and men's alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related problems in New Zealand in 1995 and 2000, by age groups. Secondary aims are to consider the findings in relation to debates on the gender convergence hypothesis regarding the link between gender convergence in alcohol consumption and possible explanations, such as social role convergence and policy changes. DESIGN: Data were collected in two general population surveys conducted in New Zealand in 1995 (n = 4232) and 2000 (n = 5113) using the same questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS: Quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion, volume of absolute alcohol consumed per annum, proportions drinking 20+ litres per annum, proportion of total consumption consumed in heavy drinking occasions, frequency of consumption, proportion who drink enough to feel drunk at least once a week, proportions reporting three or more alcohol-related problems and attitudes to intoxication. FINDINGS: Evidence for gender convergence was found across a range of measures of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. In the 20-39-year age group quantities of alcohol consumed on a typical occasion and the related measures of volume, drunkenness and problems all showed convergence. In the groups over 40 years of age convergence occurred in relation to frequency of drinking. In the groups below 20 years, which consumed relatively high quantities and where the differences in consumption between gender groups were relatively small, further convergence did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Gender convergence took place in New Zealand from 1995 to 2000.

Adolescent↗

An assessment approach to couples with sexual problems.

We have described the assessment approach to couples with sexual complaints used in the McMaster Human Sexuality Clinic. Our approach takes into account a number of individual factors including intrapersonal and biological ones as well as issues of sexual socialization, gender role socialization and sexual orientation. Couple factors include relationship factors as well as factors dealing with sexual behaviours, attitudes and responses. In our view, the issues of sexual socialization and gender role socialization needs special emphasis in assessing such couples. We stress as well that the dichotomy between organic and functional is a misleading one and that for each individual and couple, any biological factors and the many supra-biological factors listed above, must be prioritized in terms of their role in symptom production. Such a priority list can then be used to map out treatment strategies.

Female↗

The development and pilot-testing of a training curriculum in adolescent medicine and health.

PURPOSE: To select and propose a set of knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential for the care of adolescents; to encourage the development of adolescent health multidisciplinary networks; and to set up training programs in as many European countries as possible. METHODS: The curriculum was developed by 16 physicians from 11 European countries with various professional specializations. In line with modern guidelines in medical education, it is a modular, flexible instrument which covers the main teaching areas in the field, such as basic skills (i.e. setting, rights and confidentiality, gender and cultural issues) as well as specific themes (i.e. sexual and reproductive health, eating disorders, chronic conditions). It consists of 17 thematic modules, each containing detailed objectives, learning approaches, examples, and evaluation methods. RESULT: Two international one-week summer schools were used to assess the feasibility and appropriateness of the curriculum. The overall evaluation was good, with most of the items surpassing three on a four-point Likert scale. However, it pointed to several aspects (process and content) which will need to be refined in the future, such as an increase in interactive sessions (role playing), and a better mix of clinical and public health issues.

Adolescent Medicine↗

Renin angiotensin system and gender differences in the cardiovascular system.

In the effort to explain gender-related differences of the cardiovascular system, the renin-angiotensin system experienced intensive exploration. Indeed, the development of hypertension as well as the progression of coronary artery disease and heart failure have two factors in common: (1) display distinct gender specific characteristics and (2) are enhanced by the renin-angiotensin system. It is therefore interesting to note that data from experimental animals, epidemiological surveys, and clinical investigations suggest that the components of the circulating as well as tissue-based renin-angiotensin system are markedly affected by gender. However, the issue is complicated by counter-regulatory effects of estrogen on the system with the substrate, on one hand, and the processing enzymes as well as the chief receptor, on the other hand. In fact, angiotensinogen is up-regulated particularly by oral administration of estrogen, whereas renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and AT-1 receptor are down-regulated by the hormone. While under well-defined experimental conditions the net effect of estrogen appears to result in suppression of the renin-angiotensin system, the clinical situation may be more complex. The judgment is further complicated by the difficulty in precisely measuring the activity of the system at the tissue level. Moreover, clinically relevant read-outs for the activity of the renin-angiotensin system may be regulated multifactorially or only indirectly affected by the system. Nevertheless, the undisputable, profound biochemical changes in the renin-angiotensin system related to the estrogen status allow speculation that such interaction explains some of the differences in the cardiovascular system of men and women.

Angiotensin I↗

Certified nurse-midwife and physician collaborative practice. Piloting a survey on the Internet.

This pilot study was designed to describe the clinical areas of collaboration, financial structures, and sources of conflict for certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) involved in nurse-midwife and physician collaborative practice (CP). A questionnaire was posted on an electronic bulletin board maintained by the Community-Based Nurse Midwifery Education Program of the Frontier School of Nursing. The nonrandom, convenience sample consisted of 78 respondents. Their mean age was 42 years; they had been in practice for a mean of 10 years, and 56% had graduate degrees. Eighty-nine percent reported involvement in CP. Eighty-three percent co-managed higher-risk women, and 46% performed vacuum-assisted deliveries or were first assistants at cesarean sections. Forty-eight percent of CNMs did not bill in their own names, and only 12% had full hospital privileges. The most common sources of conflict in CPs were clinical practice issues (100% ever encountered), power inequities (92%), financial issues (66%), and gender relations (58%). Collaborative practice is a common form of practice for CNMs and suggests a model for collaboration in other sectors of the health care system. Future research should explore methods of reducing the potential for conflict between CNMs and physicians.

Adult↗

Depression and anxiety in older women.

The recommended shift in paradigm for assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety in the primary care setting includes a more holistic medical care approach, one that pays attention to the patient's mental health status and her functional level of social role recovery in addition to symptom relief. Practice Guidelines of professional specialities should be expanded to include attention to initializing mental health care in primary care practice and parameters for early referral and, if indicated, later follow-up. Our medical education system, at all levels, needs to become considerably more inclusive of issues of aging, gender, and mental health. Ongoing attention must be given to the health care cost burden of under recognition and under treatment of anxiety and depression, alleviation of stigma, treatment to functional recovery, and alleviation of caregiver burden.

Affective Symptoms↗

Psychoneuroendocrinology of mood disorders. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Abnormal thyroid functioning can affect mood and influence the course of unipolar and bipolar disorder. Even mild thyroid dysfunction has been associated with changes in mood and cognitive functioning. Thyroid hormone supplementation may have role in the treatment of certain mood disorders, particularly rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Women are more vulnerable to thyroid dysfunction than men and also respond better to thyroid augmentation. This article reviews the relationship between thyroid function and mood, and the use of thyroid hormones in the treatment of mood disorders. The impact of gender on these issues is also discussed.

Antidepressive Agents↗

Pharmacy access to sterile syringes for injection drug users: attitudes of participants in a syringe exchange program.

OBJECTIVE: To examine attitudes of participants of a van-based syringe exchange program (SEP) toward the hypothetical prospect of pharmacy-based syringe access. DESIGN: One-time, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Baltimore, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: 206 injection drug users who participate in the Baltimore SEP. INTERVENTIONS: Face-to-face interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Location preferred for obtaining syringes, drug and syringe use, past experience with pharmacies, and willingness to pay. RESULTS: The sample was 67% men, 95% African American, and 95% unemployed; mean age was 39.8 years. A total of 19% of respondents had bought syringes at a pharmacy during the prior six months. Some 37% reported having been turned down when asking for syringes at a pharmacy, most commonly due to lack of identification to prove diabetic status (50%). If legal restrictions were lifted, 92% of respondents would obtain syringes from pharmacies, and would be willing to pay a mean price of $0.80 (median = $1.00) per syringe. Women were more likely than men to report the intention to switch from van-based SEP to pharmacy (57% versus 38%, p = .045). CONCLUSION: If current legal restrictions were lifted, pharmacies would be a viable syringe source appealing particularly to women, suggesting gender-specific access issues that should be addressed. The per-syringe price that study participants would be willing to pay exceeds typical retail prices, suggesting that pharmacists could charge enough per syringe to recoup operational costs.

Adult↗

Assessing psychiatric patients for violence.

Managing violent patients is a dilemma that every clinician faces. This article reviews the current literature and assesses the evidence on the management of violent patients in the clinical setting. Risk factors (dispositional, historical, contextual and clinical) and early warning signs of violence will be outlined. Understanding these issues will facilitate the short-term prediction and prevention of violence in clinical settings. Interventions have been categorized for use according to the urgency of the situation. This degree of urgency has been designated as either potential, imminent or emergent violence. Special considerations that may alter the management of violence will be delineated. Specifically, we will highlight issues related to gender, age and mental retardation. Aspects of professional training in regards to the management of the violent patient will be underscored as well. Finally, the review of the literature has led to a decision tree that can inform the reader in the evidence-based management of the violent patient. This decision tree is offered to the busy practitioner as a practical clinical tool for using evidence based practices in managing violent patients.

Adolescent↗