This research aims to measure the current gender representation in membership of boards of directors,and to study the factors affecting the presence of women on boards.The results of the study will support the decisio...This research aims to measure the current gender representation in membership of boards of directors,and to study the factors affecting the presence of women on boards.The results of the study will support the decision makers and policy makers at all levels by providing knowledge that contributes to bridging the current gap in participation of women boards.The methodology used in this research is the descriptive analytical approach,which relies on quantitative methods in the process of collecting and analyzing data.This study represents the boards of directors in the three sectors(public,private,and non-profit)in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,The study sample contained 350 targets,where a random sample of 150 people in the public sector,100 people in the private sector,and 100 people in the non-profit sector were selected.The research result found that the majority of the responses believe that the lack of experience and training,and social factors,are the most impact areas of explaining the reasons for the existence of a gap in women’s membership in boards of directors in the three sectors.And the most important reasons for the existence of a gender gap in board membership are:there is no statutory minimum percentage for women’s representation on boards of directors,and scarcity of female competencies in general,and the lack of women occupying leadership positions.展开更多
Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household...Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.展开更多
In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marano et al recently published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29(45):5945-5952.We focus on the role of gut microbiota(GM)in women’s health,highlighting t...In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marano et al recently published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29(45):5945-5952.We focus on the role of gut microbiota(GM)in women’s health,highlighting the need to thoroughly comprehend the sex differences in microbiota.Together,the host and GM support the host’s health.The microbiota components consist of viruses,bacteria,fungi,and archaea.This complex is an essential part of the host and is involved in neu-rological development,metabolic control,immune system dynamics,and host dynamic homeostasis.It has been shown that differences in the GM of males and females can contribute to chronic diseases,such as gastrointestinal,metabolic,neurological,cardiovascular,and respiratory illnesses.These differences can also result in some sex-specific changes in immunity.Every day,research on GM reveals new and more expansive frontiers,offering a wealth of innovative oppor-tunities for preventive and precision medicine.展开更多
Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible rel...Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women.Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured.Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00µg/L and 139.95µg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels.Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.展开更多
Background: Adherence to medications is dependent upon a variety of factors, including individual characteristics of the patient, interactions with health care providers, and medication complexity. Even though several...Background: Adherence to medications is dependent upon a variety of factors, including individual characteristics of the patient, interactions with health care providers, and medication complexity. Even though several studies were conducted to test intervention strategies, results are uncertain. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess if a tailored combined intervention strategy improves medication adherence in a large population of post-menopausal women affected by hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Methods: We enrolled 6833 patients aged 50 to 69 years, 85.7% with hypertension, and 14.3% with metabolic syndrome. A network between patients, general practitioners, and cardiologists was established. Interventions included education, adequate information to patients, a simplified scheme of treatment, and periodic adherence assessment. These were either delivered as healthcare provider supports or using modern technology. Medication adherence was estimated by the proportion of days covered for all classes of drugs after the index date. Results: Non-adherent hypertensive women were 297 (5%), and those with metabolic syndrome were 73 (7.4%) (p Conclusions: The rate of non-adherence in both settings of postmenopausal women was 7.7%, much lower than that described in the literature. This rate was increased in patients with metabolic syndrome;probably it is related to the complexity of the therapeutic scheme or to a poor consciousness of the disease. Therefore, implementing a tailored combined intervention can improve significantly patients’ adherence to medical therapy.展开更多
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with breast cancer being the most common (2.26 million new cases and 685,000 deaths). In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer ranked the first among females in 2014, accounting for...Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with breast cancer being the most common (2.26 million new cases and 685,000 deaths). In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer ranked the first among females in 2014, accounting for 15.9% of all cancers reported among Saudi nationals and 28.7% of all cancers reported among females of all ages. Early detection of breast cancer could decrease the risks, have a better prognosis, and have better outcomes/more successful treatments. Prevalence of breast cancer reached more than 25% of all diagnosed cancer in the kingdom among women. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and performance of women attending primary care centers about breast self-examination and mammogram screening for prevention and early detection of breast cancer in Abha city primary healthcare centers, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Research Method: cross sectional design was conducted by using questionnaire, which was distributed to primary care center nurses. The collected data was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 25. Results: The study found that participants had poor awareness and knowledge about breast self-examination, risk factors for breast cancer, and trends and practices in early diagnosis of breast cancer. Conclusion and Recommendations: It recommends increasing awareness campaigns and providing educational programs to improve knowledge and practices.展开更多
To explore the relationship between social influence,social comparison,clarity of self-concept,and psychological anxiety among young women during their usage of social networking sites,our study selected 338 young wom...To explore the relationship between social influence,social comparison,clarity of self-concept,and psychological anxiety among young women during their usage of social networking sites,our study selected 338 young women aged 14-34 from the social site platforms of Little Red Book and Weibo for questionnaire surveys.The Passive Social Network Utilization Scale,Social Comparison Scale(SCS),Social Influence Questionnaire,Self-Concept Clarity Scale(SCCS),and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)were employed to measure the subjects.Our results show that the frequency of passive social media use is positively related to the level of psychological anxiety.Social comparison,social influence,and unclear self-concepts under social media use are negatively predictive of psychological anxiety.The chain mediation effects indicate that social comparison and social influence under social media use negatively predict the clarity of self-concept,thus having a negative impact on the psychological health of young women.Therefore,young women should strengthen their self-concepts,control their frequency of social media usage,avoid addiction,and pay special attention to their frequency of passive use,in order to protect their psychological health.Our study provides some practical implications and insights regarding the relationship between young women’s social media use and psychological health.展开更多
This article documents socio-demographic predictors of anxiety and depression among Maasai women in resource poor settings in Northern Kenya.These findings emerged from the findings of a dissertation research that aim...This article documents socio-demographic predictors of anxiety and depression among Maasai women in resource poor settings in Northern Kenya.These findings emerged from the findings of a dissertation research that aimed to establish the treatment effectiveness of an eclectic model of psychoeducation(PE)in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms among the women.The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design which had an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG).The population for the study was 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)in Laikipia County,from which a sample of 200 were recruited for the study(EG,n=100 and CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI)and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory(BAI)tools were used to assess the symptoms of depression and anxiety,respectively.The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The study established the prevalence of depression as 26.7%and 31.3%for anxiety and disorders,among women in the region.Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0.展开更多
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with an increasing incidence. Although it is rare and no much studied in young women, it represents 7% of cases worldwide and often appears mor...Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with an increasing incidence. Although it is rare and no much studied in young women, it represents 7% of cases worldwide and often appears more aggressive with a poor prognosis compared to its counterpart in older women. The main objective of our study was to describe the histological and phenotypic aspects of breast cancer in women of age under 40. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, with retrospective collection of data over a period of 05 years. All women diagnosed with breast cancer were included and divided into 2 study groups: under 40 years old and over 40 years old. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software, compared using the Chi square or Fisher exact test. A p value Results: We retained 196 files, either 89 for those under 40 and 107 for those over 40. Young patients with breast cancer had a higher stage, grade and tumor size. Lymph node involvement was more observed in women under 40 years (69.6% vs 53.2%). Older women were more likely to be hormone receptor positive (54.2% vs 38.2%);p = 0.018. HER-2 overexpression was higher in women younger than 40 years (39.32% vs 25.23%);p = 0.080 with a high Ki67 proliferation index (30.3% versus 2.8%);p 0.001. Triple-negative and Her-2 tumors were much more frequent in young women (48.3% vs. 36.4%;p = 0.063) and (17.97% vs. 10.3%;p = 0.125). Conclusion: Breast cancer in young women remains more aggressive and is dominated by triple negative and Her-2 phenotypes.展开更多
The research consistently highlights the gender disparity in cybersecurity leadership roles, necessitating targeted interventions. Biased recruitment practices, limited STEM education opportunities for girls, and work...The research consistently highlights the gender disparity in cybersecurity leadership roles, necessitating targeted interventions. Biased recruitment practices, limited STEM education opportunities for girls, and workplace culture contribute to this gap. Proposed solutions include addressing biased recruitment through gender-neutral language and blind processes, promoting STEM education for girls to increase qualified female candidates, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures with mentorship and sponsorship programs. Gender parity is crucial for the industry’s success, as embracing diversity enables the cybersecurity sector to leverage various perspectives, drive innovation, and effectively combat cyber threats. Achieving this balance is not just about fairness but also a strategic imperative. By embracing concerted efforts towards gender parity, we can create a more resilient and impactful cybersecurity landscape, benefiting industry and society.展开更多
This paper scrutinizes the differences in the conceptualization of love between Korean and American women.Grounded in an analysis of literary figures,Brett and Kim Ji-young,the study unravels the intricate interplay o...This paper scrutinizes the differences in the conceptualization of love between Korean and American women.Grounded in an analysis of literary figures,Brett and Kim Ji-young,the study unravels the intricate interplay of cultural,historical,and societal forces shaping these perspectives.The contrasting landscapes of the United States,driven by ideals of freedom and individualism,and Korea,entrenched in Confucian values and collectivism,serve as crucibles for forming women’s roles,self-perception,and societal expectations.The examination extends to communication styles,illuminating the directness of American expression versus Korea’s reliance on formalism.Through this exploration,the paper illustrates the profound impact of cultural contexts on the intricate tapestry of love,offering a nuanced understanding of divergent viewpoints within a global context.展开更多
The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work consid...The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.展开更多
Objective:Urinary incontinence(UI)is highly prevalent in antenatal and postnatal women while the prevalence of UI varied largely from 3.84%to 38.65%.This study was to assess the prevalence of UI,the associated factors...Objective:Urinary incontinence(UI)is highly prevalent in antenatal and postnatal women while the prevalence of UI varied largely from 3.84%to 38.65%.This study was to assess the prevalence of UI,the associated factors,and the impact of UI on daily life in pregnant and postpartum women in Nanjing,China.Methods:The prevalence of UI and the impact of UI on life were assessed by the validated Chinese version of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-urinary incontinence-short form and the validated Chinese version of urinary incontinence quality of life.The associated factors were estimated by using logistic regression analysis.Results:UI affected 37.80%of pregnant women and 16.41%of postpartum women of the study population.Among the pregnant participants,the prevalence rates of stress UI,urge UI,and mixed UI were 25.77%,4.47%,and 7.10%,respectively.Among the postpartum women,the prevalence rates of stress UI,urge UI,and mixed UI were 11.15%,1.92%,and 2.69%,respectively.In both pregnant women and postpartum women,vaginal delivery had significantly increased the odds of reporting UI(p=0.007,p=0.003,respectively).The impact of UI on daily life was significantly greater in postpartum women compared to pregnant women especially in social embarrassment(p=0.000).Conclusion:The prevalence rates of UI were high in pregnant women in Nanjing,China.Vaginal delivery significantly increased odds of reporting UI.UI has a great impact on pregnant and postpartum women’s life,especially in social embarrassment.展开更多
The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microb...The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microbiota on other organs such as the central nervous system,cardiovascular and the endocrine-metabolic systems and the digestive system.The study of the gut microbiota is outlining new and broader frontiers every day and holds enormous innovation potential for the medical and pharmaceutical fields.Prevention and treatment of specific women’s diseases involves the need to deepen the function of the gut as a junction organ where certain positive bacteria can be very beneficial to health.The gut microbiota is unique and dynamic at the same time,subject to external factors that can change it,and is capable of modulating itself at different stages of a woman’s life,playing an important role that arises from the intertwining of biological mechanisms between the microbiota and the female genital system.The gut microbiota could play a key role in personalized medicine.展开更多
Objective This study explored whether thyroglobulin and thyroid disease prevalence rates were higher in pregnant Chinese women with a median urinary iodine concentration of 100-149μg/L,compared with those with a medi...Objective This study explored whether thyroglobulin and thyroid disease prevalence rates were higher in pregnant Chinese women with a median urinary iodine concentration of 100-149μg/L,compared with those with a median urinary iodine concentration of 150-249μg/L maintained through sustainable universal salt iodization.Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 812 healthy pregnant women were enrolled to collect samples of their household edible salt,urine,and blood during their routine antenatal care in the18 counties in Fujian Province,China.The levels of salt iodine concentration,urinary iodine concentration(UIC),free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroid hormone(FT4),thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),thyroglobulin(Tg),thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody were assessed during the routine antenatal care visits.Results The median UIC(m UIC)in pregnant women was 130.8μg/L(interquartile range=91.5-198.1μg/L)in the counties with an m UIC of 100-149μg/L(Group I),and 172.0μg/L(interquartile range=123.5-244.4μg/L)in the counties with an m UIC of 150-249μg/L(Group II).Goiter prevalence and thyroid nodule detection rates showed no difference between Group I and Group II(P>0.05).Except for FT4 values,the TSH,FT4,FT3,Tg and Tg values>40(μg/L)and the thyroid diseases prevalence rate(TDR)showed no significant differences between Group I and Group II(P>0.05),whether or not iodine supplementation measures were taken.Conclusion Compared with an m UIC of 150-249μg/L,not only there was no difference in thyroid morphology,but also the Tg value,rate of Tg values>40μg/L,and TDR were not higher in pregnant women in the counties with an m UIC of 100-149μg/L achieved through sustainable universal salt iodization in Fujian Province,China.展开更多
In recent years,the growth of female employees in the commercial market and industries has increased.As a result,some people think travelling to distant and isolated locations during odd hours generates new threats to...In recent years,the growth of female employees in the commercial market and industries has increased.As a result,some people think travelling to distant and isolated locations during odd hours generates new threats to women’s safety.The exponential increase in assaults and attacks on women,on the other hand,is posing a threat to women’s growth,development,and security.At the time of the attack,it appears the women were immobilized and needed immediate support.Only self-defense isn’t sufficient against abuse;a new technological solution is desired and can be used as quickly as hitting a switch or button.The proposed Women Safety Gadget(WSG)aims to design a wearable safety device model based on Internet-of-Things(IoT)and Cloud Technology.It is designed in three layers,namely layer-1,having an android app;layer-2,with messaging and location tracking system;and layer-3,which updates information in the cloud database.WSG can detect an unsafe condition by the pressure sensor of the finger on the artificial nail,consequently diffuses a pepper spray,and automatically notifies the saved closest contacts and police station through messaging and location settings.WSG has a response time of 1000 ms once the nail is pressed;the average time for pulse rate measure is 0.475 s,and diffusing the pepper spray is 0.2–0.5 s.The average activation time is 2.079 s.展开更多
Objective:To identify circulating HPV types among urban Indonesian women and their specific co-infection patterns in bid to curb HPV infection in the general population and minimize its complications.Methods:Urban Ind...Objective:To identify circulating HPV types among urban Indonesian women and their specific co-infection patterns in bid to curb HPV infection in the general population and minimize its complications.Methods:Urban Indonesian women from general population were selected as sample framework.Sample size and distribution across regions were determined by the Indonesian Bureau of Statistics(Badan Pusat Statistik,BPS),which represented the national level.Up to 35408 cervical swab specimens were collected from August to September 2016 in 34 Indonesian provinces,categorized into six regions based on the development criteria set by the Ministry of National Development Planning(Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional,BAPPENAS).From all 1874 samples identified as HPV-positive,hybrid capture was implemented to evaluate type-specific HPV.This study analyzed descriptive data to determine the core-cluster of HPV combination.Co-occurrence HPV network was assessed using‘qgraph’package version 1.6.3 and computed in R version 3.6.3.Two-HPV association was analyzed in logistic regression using bias-reduction generalized linear model(brglm2)package version 0.5.1 adjusted by age and six main Indonesian regions.Results:The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HPV type 52 had rare relationship despite its common co-occurrence,cementing its role in single HPV infection.HPV type 16 and 18 tended to form infection cluster and were strongly associated with other types.Conclusions:HPV type 52 was the most frequent HPV type among urban Indonesian women and accounted for most single infection cases.Concurrently,HPV 16 and HPV 18 accounted for most multiple infection cases and had strong tendency to attract other types,which may add further complications.However,due to lack of cytology and histological examination and information for other potential determinants,further in-depth studies are necessary to confirm whether these infection patterns truly connect to certain clinical outcomes.展开更多
Objective: Breast cancer in women of childbearing age (WCBA) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to determine variation and determinants in lipid profile among Cameroonian WCBA diagnosed with breast can...Objective: Breast cancer in women of childbearing age (WCBA) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to determine variation and determinants in lipid profile among Cameroonian WCBA diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A case-control study took place at two reference hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. A total of 176 WCBA (88 cases and 88 controls) were finally enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical and anthropometric data. Three millilitres of venous blood were collected for analysis of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglycerides (TG). Results: Overweight was predominantly seen in cases and controls. Serum levels of TC and LDL-c were significantly lower in cancer women (167.02 ± 45.46 vs 183.12 ± 27.38 mg/dL, p = 0.005 for TC;85.83 ± 40.34 vs 105.25 ± 29.95 mg/dL, p = 0.0004 for LDL-c), while HDL-c levels were higher in controls (45.09 ± 7.20 vs 38.24 ± 11.14 mg/dL, p Conclusion: This study suggests the influence of breast cancer on lipid profile parameters especially HDL-c and LDL-c, and possibly their putative clinical utility for early diagnosis in premenopausal women in Cameroon.展开更多
Purpose: To determine the incidence of depression among pregnant women during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted on July 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, CiNii...Purpose: To determine the incidence of depression among pregnant women during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted on July 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, CiNii, and the Japan Medical Abstract Society using the keywords “COVID-19”, “Pregnant Women” and “Depression”. The titles/abstracts were screened based on three selection criteria: 1) inclusion of pregnant women;2) description of depression;3) description of COVID-19. Results: Of the 213 articles that were extracted, 104 were excluded owing to duplication and 14 were excluded because they comprised other article types, including reviews and commentaries. Finally, 49 were excluded by title, abstract, and full-text screening. Among the 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 13 articles (28.3%) were from China, 8 (17.4%) were from Turkey, 4 (8.7%) were from the United States, and 3 (6.5%) were from Japan. The most common scales used to measure depression were the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used in 18 articles (39.1%), followed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) used in 11 articles (23.9%). Furthermore, 46 sources reported a suspected depression rate of 30.0% (20,338/67,860 pregnant women). The rate of depression was 15.1% - 33.5% using EPDS ≥ 9 in three articles and 12.0% - 43.2% using EPDS ≥ 13 in nine articles. The five articles using PHQ-9 ≥ 5 reported 25.8% - 48.7%, and seven articles reported 5.3% - 59.2% using PHQ-9 ≥ 10. Conclusion: Depression was a concern for one out of every three to four pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that depression among pregnant women during COVID-19 might have worsened, highlighting the need for mental health support for them.展开更多
文摘This research aims to measure the current gender representation in membership of boards of directors,and to study the factors affecting the presence of women on boards.The results of the study will support the decision makers and policy makers at all levels by providing knowledge that contributes to bridging the current gap in participation of women boards.The methodology used in this research is the descriptive analytical approach,which relies on quantitative methods in the process of collecting and analyzing data.This study represents the boards of directors in the three sectors(public,private,and non-profit)in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,The study sample contained 350 targets,where a random sample of 150 people in the public sector,100 people in the private sector,and 100 people in the non-profit sector were selected.The research result found that the majority of the responses believe that the lack of experience and training,and social factors,are the most impact areas of explaining the reasons for the existence of a gap in women’s membership in boards of directors in the three sectors.And the most important reasons for the existence of a gender gap in board membership are:there is no statutory minimum percentage for women’s representation on boards of directors,and scarcity of female competencies in general,and the lack of women occupying leadership positions.
基金This study was supported by the Chinese University Scientific Fund(2023TC105)the National Nature Science Foundation of China(72361147521&72061147002).
文摘Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.
文摘In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marano et al recently published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29(45):5945-5952.We focus on the role of gut microbiota(GM)in women’s health,highlighting the need to thoroughly comprehend the sex differences in microbiota.Together,the host and GM support the host’s health.The microbiota components consist of viruses,bacteria,fungi,and archaea.This complex is an essential part of the host and is involved in neu-rological development,metabolic control,immune system dynamics,and host dynamic homeostasis.It has been shown that differences in the GM of males and females can contribute to chronic diseases,such as gastrointestinal,metabolic,neurological,cardiovascular,and respiratory illnesses.These differences can also result in some sex-specific changes in immunity.Every day,research on GM reveals new and more expansive frontiers,offering a wealth of innovative oppor-tunities for preventive and precision medicine.
基金funded by the National Health Commission of People’s Republic of China Medical Reform Major Program‘2016-2017 National Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Women’Major Public Health Project‘Survey and Evaluation of Iodine Nutrition and Thyroid Diseases of Chinese Population’[131031107000160007].
文摘Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women.Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured.Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00µg/L and 139.95µg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels.Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.
文摘Background: Adherence to medications is dependent upon a variety of factors, including individual characteristics of the patient, interactions with health care providers, and medication complexity. Even though several studies were conducted to test intervention strategies, results are uncertain. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess if a tailored combined intervention strategy improves medication adherence in a large population of post-menopausal women affected by hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Methods: We enrolled 6833 patients aged 50 to 69 years, 85.7% with hypertension, and 14.3% with metabolic syndrome. A network between patients, general practitioners, and cardiologists was established. Interventions included education, adequate information to patients, a simplified scheme of treatment, and periodic adherence assessment. These were either delivered as healthcare provider supports or using modern technology. Medication adherence was estimated by the proportion of days covered for all classes of drugs after the index date. Results: Non-adherent hypertensive women were 297 (5%), and those with metabolic syndrome were 73 (7.4%) (p Conclusions: The rate of non-adherence in both settings of postmenopausal women was 7.7%, much lower than that described in the literature. This rate was increased in patients with metabolic syndrome;probably it is related to the complexity of the therapeutic scheme or to a poor consciousness of the disease. Therefore, implementing a tailored combined intervention can improve significantly patients’ adherence to medical therapy.
文摘Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with breast cancer being the most common (2.26 million new cases and 685,000 deaths). In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer ranked the first among females in 2014, accounting for 15.9% of all cancers reported among Saudi nationals and 28.7% of all cancers reported among females of all ages. Early detection of breast cancer could decrease the risks, have a better prognosis, and have better outcomes/more successful treatments. Prevalence of breast cancer reached more than 25% of all diagnosed cancer in the kingdom among women. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and performance of women attending primary care centers about breast self-examination and mammogram screening for prevention and early detection of breast cancer in Abha city primary healthcare centers, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Research Method: cross sectional design was conducted by using questionnaire, which was distributed to primary care center nurses. The collected data was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 25. Results: The study found that participants had poor awareness and knowledge about breast self-examination, risk factors for breast cancer, and trends and practices in early diagnosis of breast cancer. Conclusion and Recommendations: It recommends increasing awareness campaigns and providing educational programs to improve knowledge and practices.
基金funded by Zhejiang Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialist Thought with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era Project(Grant No.23CCG39).
文摘To explore the relationship between social influence,social comparison,clarity of self-concept,and psychological anxiety among young women during their usage of social networking sites,our study selected 338 young women aged 14-34 from the social site platforms of Little Red Book and Weibo for questionnaire surveys.The Passive Social Network Utilization Scale,Social Comparison Scale(SCS),Social Influence Questionnaire,Self-Concept Clarity Scale(SCCS),and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)were employed to measure the subjects.Our results show that the frequency of passive social media use is positively related to the level of psychological anxiety.Social comparison,social influence,and unclear self-concepts under social media use are negatively predictive of psychological anxiety.The chain mediation effects indicate that social comparison and social influence under social media use negatively predict the clarity of self-concept,thus having a negative impact on the psychological health of young women.Therefore,young women should strengthen their self-concepts,control their frequency of social media usage,avoid addiction,and pay special attention to their frequency of passive use,in order to protect their psychological health.Our study provides some practical implications and insights regarding the relationship between young women’s social media use and psychological health.
文摘This article documents socio-demographic predictors of anxiety and depression among Maasai women in resource poor settings in Northern Kenya.These findings emerged from the findings of a dissertation research that aimed to establish the treatment effectiveness of an eclectic model of psychoeducation(PE)in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms among the women.The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design which had an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG).The population for the study was 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)in Laikipia County,from which a sample of 200 were recruited for the study(EG,n=100 and CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI)and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory(BAI)tools were used to assess the symptoms of depression and anxiety,respectively.The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The study established the prevalence of depression as 26.7%and 31.3%for anxiety and disorders,among women in the region.Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0.
文摘Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with an increasing incidence. Although it is rare and no much studied in young women, it represents 7% of cases worldwide and often appears more aggressive with a poor prognosis compared to its counterpart in older women. The main objective of our study was to describe the histological and phenotypic aspects of breast cancer in women of age under 40. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, with retrospective collection of data over a period of 05 years. All women diagnosed with breast cancer were included and divided into 2 study groups: under 40 years old and over 40 years old. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software, compared using the Chi square or Fisher exact test. A p value Results: We retained 196 files, either 89 for those under 40 and 107 for those over 40. Young patients with breast cancer had a higher stage, grade and tumor size. Lymph node involvement was more observed in women under 40 years (69.6% vs 53.2%). Older women were more likely to be hormone receptor positive (54.2% vs 38.2%);p = 0.018. HER-2 overexpression was higher in women younger than 40 years (39.32% vs 25.23%);p = 0.080 with a high Ki67 proliferation index (30.3% versus 2.8%);p 0.001. Triple-negative and Her-2 tumors were much more frequent in young women (48.3% vs. 36.4%;p = 0.063) and (17.97% vs. 10.3%;p = 0.125). Conclusion: Breast cancer in young women remains more aggressive and is dominated by triple negative and Her-2 phenotypes.
文摘The research consistently highlights the gender disparity in cybersecurity leadership roles, necessitating targeted interventions. Biased recruitment practices, limited STEM education opportunities for girls, and workplace culture contribute to this gap. Proposed solutions include addressing biased recruitment through gender-neutral language and blind processes, promoting STEM education for girls to increase qualified female candidates, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures with mentorship and sponsorship programs. Gender parity is crucial for the industry’s success, as embracing diversity enables the cybersecurity sector to leverage various perspectives, drive innovation, and effectively combat cyber threats. Achieving this balance is not just about fairness but also a strategic imperative. By embracing concerted efforts towards gender parity, we can create a more resilient and impactful cybersecurity landscape, benefiting industry and society.
文摘This paper scrutinizes the differences in the conceptualization of love between Korean and American women.Grounded in an analysis of literary figures,Brett and Kim Ji-young,the study unravels the intricate interplay of cultural,historical,and societal forces shaping these perspectives.The contrasting landscapes of the United States,driven by ideals of freedom and individualism,and Korea,entrenched in Confucian values and collectivism,serve as crucibles for forming women’s roles,self-perception,and societal expectations.The examination extends to communication styles,illuminating the directness of American expression versus Korea’s reliance on formalism.Through this exploration,the paper illustrates the profound impact of cultural contexts on the intricate tapestry of love,offering a nuanced understanding of divergent viewpoints within a global context.
基金“Promoting research by writing”:Exploring the code of writing,supported by the Special Fund for basic scientific research of the Central University,Northwestern Polytechnical University(project no.KCJS23WT25).“Research on the construction of the linking-up curriculum system:Taking the industry characteristic research university as an example”was established by the Ministry of Education’s Youth Fund for Humanities and Social Sciences,the Department of Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education(project no.23YJC880099).
文摘The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.
文摘Objective:Urinary incontinence(UI)is highly prevalent in antenatal and postnatal women while the prevalence of UI varied largely from 3.84%to 38.65%.This study was to assess the prevalence of UI,the associated factors,and the impact of UI on daily life in pregnant and postpartum women in Nanjing,China.Methods:The prevalence of UI and the impact of UI on life were assessed by the validated Chinese version of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-urinary incontinence-short form and the validated Chinese version of urinary incontinence quality of life.The associated factors were estimated by using logistic regression analysis.Results:UI affected 37.80%of pregnant women and 16.41%of postpartum women of the study population.Among the pregnant participants,the prevalence rates of stress UI,urge UI,and mixed UI were 25.77%,4.47%,and 7.10%,respectively.Among the postpartum women,the prevalence rates of stress UI,urge UI,and mixed UI were 11.15%,1.92%,and 2.69%,respectively.In both pregnant women and postpartum women,vaginal delivery had significantly increased the odds of reporting UI(p=0.007,p=0.003,respectively).The impact of UI on daily life was significantly greater in postpartum women compared to pregnant women especially in social embarrassment(p=0.000).Conclusion:The prevalence rates of UI were high in pregnant women in Nanjing,China.Vaginal delivery significantly increased odds of reporting UI.UI has a great impact on pregnant and postpartum women’s life,especially in social embarrassment.
文摘The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microbiota on other organs such as the central nervous system,cardiovascular and the endocrine-metabolic systems and the digestive system.The study of the gut microbiota is outlining new and broader frontiers every day and holds enormous innovation potential for the medical and pharmaceutical fields.Prevention and treatment of specific women’s diseases involves the need to deepen the function of the gut as a junction organ where certain positive bacteria can be very beneficial to health.The gut microbiota is unique and dynamic at the same time,subject to external factors that can change it,and is capable of modulating itself at different stages of a woman’s life,playing an important role that arises from the intertwining of biological mechanisms between the microbiota and the female genital system.The gut microbiota could play a key role in personalized medicine.
基金sponsored by the Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project[2020CXA020]Fujian Provincial Natural Science Funding[2020J01093]Construction of Fujian Provincial Scientific and Technological Innovation Platform[2019Y2001]
文摘Objective This study explored whether thyroglobulin and thyroid disease prevalence rates were higher in pregnant Chinese women with a median urinary iodine concentration of 100-149μg/L,compared with those with a median urinary iodine concentration of 150-249μg/L maintained through sustainable universal salt iodization.Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 812 healthy pregnant women were enrolled to collect samples of their household edible salt,urine,and blood during their routine antenatal care in the18 counties in Fujian Province,China.The levels of salt iodine concentration,urinary iodine concentration(UIC),free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroid hormone(FT4),thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),thyroglobulin(Tg),thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody were assessed during the routine antenatal care visits.Results The median UIC(m UIC)in pregnant women was 130.8μg/L(interquartile range=91.5-198.1μg/L)in the counties with an m UIC of 100-149μg/L(Group I),and 172.0μg/L(interquartile range=123.5-244.4μg/L)in the counties with an m UIC of 150-249μg/L(Group II).Goiter prevalence and thyroid nodule detection rates showed no difference between Group I and Group II(P>0.05).Except for FT4 values,the TSH,FT4,FT3,Tg and Tg values>40(μg/L)and the thyroid diseases prevalence rate(TDR)showed no significant differences between Group I and Group II(P>0.05),whether or not iodine supplementation measures were taken.Conclusion Compared with an m UIC of 150-249μg/L,not only there was no difference in thyroid morphology,but also the Tg value,rate of Tg values>40μg/L,and TDR were not higher in pregnant women in the counties with an m UIC of 100-149μg/L achieved through sustainable universal salt iodization in Fujian Province,China.
基金The authors extend their appreciation to the deputyship for Research&Innovation,Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through project number(IFP-2020-19).
文摘In recent years,the growth of female employees in the commercial market and industries has increased.As a result,some people think travelling to distant and isolated locations during odd hours generates new threats to women’s safety.The exponential increase in assaults and attacks on women,on the other hand,is posing a threat to women’s growth,development,and security.At the time of the attack,it appears the women were immobilized and needed immediate support.Only self-defense isn’t sufficient against abuse;a new technological solution is desired and can be used as quickly as hitting a switch or button.The proposed Women Safety Gadget(WSG)aims to design a wearable safety device model based on Internet-of-Things(IoT)and Cloud Technology.It is designed in three layers,namely layer-1,having an android app;layer-2,with messaging and location tracking system;and layer-3,which updates information in the cloud database.WSG can detect an unsafe condition by the pressure sensor of the finger on the artificial nail,consequently diffuses a pepper spray,and automatically notifies the saved closest contacts and police station through messaging and location settings.WSG has a response time of 1000 ms once the nail is pressed;the average time for pulse rate measure is 0.475 s,and diffusing the pepper spray is 0.2–0.5 s.The average activation time is 2.079 s.
基金Ministry of Health,Republic of Indonesia provided financial assistance to support this study from their annual budget allocation.
文摘Objective:To identify circulating HPV types among urban Indonesian women and their specific co-infection patterns in bid to curb HPV infection in the general population and minimize its complications.Methods:Urban Indonesian women from general population were selected as sample framework.Sample size and distribution across regions were determined by the Indonesian Bureau of Statistics(Badan Pusat Statistik,BPS),which represented the national level.Up to 35408 cervical swab specimens were collected from August to September 2016 in 34 Indonesian provinces,categorized into six regions based on the development criteria set by the Ministry of National Development Planning(Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional,BAPPENAS).From all 1874 samples identified as HPV-positive,hybrid capture was implemented to evaluate type-specific HPV.This study analyzed descriptive data to determine the core-cluster of HPV combination.Co-occurrence HPV network was assessed using‘qgraph’package version 1.6.3 and computed in R version 3.6.3.Two-HPV association was analyzed in logistic regression using bias-reduction generalized linear model(brglm2)package version 0.5.1 adjusted by age and six main Indonesian regions.Results:The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HPV type 52 had rare relationship despite its common co-occurrence,cementing its role in single HPV infection.HPV type 16 and 18 tended to form infection cluster and were strongly associated with other types.Conclusions:HPV type 52 was the most frequent HPV type among urban Indonesian women and accounted for most single infection cases.Concurrently,HPV 16 and HPV 18 accounted for most multiple infection cases and had strong tendency to attract other types,which may add further complications.However,due to lack of cytology and histological examination and information for other potential determinants,further in-depth studies are necessary to confirm whether these infection patterns truly connect to certain clinical outcomes.
文摘Objective: Breast cancer in women of childbearing age (WCBA) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to determine variation and determinants in lipid profile among Cameroonian WCBA diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A case-control study took place at two reference hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. A total of 176 WCBA (88 cases and 88 controls) were finally enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical and anthropometric data. Three millilitres of venous blood were collected for analysis of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglycerides (TG). Results: Overweight was predominantly seen in cases and controls. Serum levels of TC and LDL-c were significantly lower in cancer women (167.02 ± 45.46 vs 183.12 ± 27.38 mg/dL, p = 0.005 for TC;85.83 ± 40.34 vs 105.25 ± 29.95 mg/dL, p = 0.0004 for LDL-c), while HDL-c levels were higher in controls (45.09 ± 7.20 vs 38.24 ± 11.14 mg/dL, p Conclusion: This study suggests the influence of breast cancer on lipid profile parameters especially HDL-c and LDL-c, and possibly their putative clinical utility for early diagnosis in premenopausal women in Cameroon.
文摘Purpose: To determine the incidence of depression among pregnant women during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted on July 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, CiNii, and the Japan Medical Abstract Society using the keywords “COVID-19”, “Pregnant Women” and “Depression”. The titles/abstracts were screened based on three selection criteria: 1) inclusion of pregnant women;2) description of depression;3) description of COVID-19. Results: Of the 213 articles that were extracted, 104 were excluded owing to duplication and 14 were excluded because they comprised other article types, including reviews and commentaries. Finally, 49 were excluded by title, abstract, and full-text screening. Among the 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 13 articles (28.3%) were from China, 8 (17.4%) were from Turkey, 4 (8.7%) were from the United States, and 3 (6.5%) were from Japan. The most common scales used to measure depression were the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used in 18 articles (39.1%), followed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) used in 11 articles (23.9%). Furthermore, 46 sources reported a suspected depression rate of 30.0% (20,338/67,860 pregnant women). The rate of depression was 15.1% - 33.5% using EPDS ≥ 9 in three articles and 12.0% - 43.2% using EPDS ≥ 13 in nine articles. The five articles using PHQ-9 ≥ 5 reported 25.8% - 48.7%, and seven articles reported 5.3% - 59.2% using PHQ-9 ≥ 10. Conclusion: Depression was a concern for one out of every three to four pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that depression among pregnant women during COVID-19 might have worsened, highlighting the need for mental health support for them.
