Weight Location Moderates Weight-Based Self-Devaluation and Perceived Social Devaluation in Women

Overweight and obese (“heavyweight”) people devalue themselves because, it has been proposed, they are socially devalued. However, for women, social valuation depends not only on how much weight they carry but also on where on their bodies they carry it. Here, we investigated whether weight-based self-valuation and perceived social valuation similarly depend on body shape. Study 1, using a nationally representative sample from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; N = 1,093 reproductive-aged women), showed that, controlling for body fat, weight labeling (by self and others) and wanting to lose weight depended on body shape. Study 2, in a direct test of predictions using an undergraduate sample of women ( N = 215), showed that with increased body fat, women with an abdominal weight distribution reported more self-devaluation (e.g., lower self-esteem) and perceived social devaluation (e.g., higher perceived weight discrimination); women with a gluteofemoral weight distribution, however, were shielded—partially or fully—from these adverse effects of increased body fat.

Associations Between Food Insecurity and Common Mental Health Problems Among Reproductive-Aged Women in Kabul-Afghanistan

Background: Food insecurity has been linked to poor health outcomes, however this relationship is poorly understood among women of reproductive age. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between food insecurity and common mental health problems (CMHPs) in this population of women in Kabul, Afghanistan.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 421 women of reproductive age from four health centers located in four randomly selected zones in the city of Kabul. We used the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) food-insecurity questionnaire, multiple 24-h recall for dietary intake, the Depression, the Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess major mental health problems, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity.Result: Food insecurity affected 69.6% of reproductive-aged women. In total, 44.9, 10.9, and 13.9% of food-insecure participants had food insecurity without hunger, food insecurity with hunger, and food insecurity with severe hunger, respectively. Depression, anxiety, and stress were prevalent among food-insecure participants at 89.4, 90.8, and 85.7%, respectively. Food insecurity was associated with depression (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 2.7–8.9), anxiety (OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.5–8.8), and stress (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.2–6.7). Women's household ownership, family size, and hypertension, on the other hand, were not associated with food insecurity.Conclusion: This study found food insecurity was associated with CMHPs among a sample of reproductive-aged women in Kabul, Afghanistan. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Medical Image Processing: Detection and Prediction of PCOS – A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose: Considered as the most common hormonal disorder among women, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS affects 1 in 10 reproductive aged women (18 - 44 years). Ultrasonography is applied for assessing the ovaries to detect PCOS. The patients affected by PCOS consist of 10-12 cysts present in the ovary, but more than 10 cysts are more enough to diagnose the disorder from the ultrasound images. Then, by examining the ultrasound the presence of follicles will be determined. Therefore, the image processing approaches have assisted to identify the characteristics like follicle size, number of follicles and structure to minimize the workload and time of doctors. PCOS do not have better treatment and effective diagnosis. This paper includes reviewing a summary of some of the researches that have been going in area of medical diagnosis. Based on the review, research gap, research agendas to carry out further research are identified. Approach: A detailed study on the algorithms used in medical image processing and classification. Findings: The study indicated that most of the classification of polycystic ovarian syndrome is done merely on the clinical data sets. The new hybrid methodology proposed will be more precise as both images and lifestyle are analysed. Originality: The type of data required for detection system are studied and the architecture and schematic diagram of a proposed system are included. Paper Type: Literature Review.

Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia among Reproductive-aged Women in Ethiopia: A Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Study

Anaemia in reproductive-aged women is a worldwide health problem. This study was aimed to assess prevalence and determinants of anaemia among reproductive-aged women in Ethiopia. Data for the study were obtained from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data, which is a national representative cross-sectional data. A Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to identify determinants of anaemia among reproductive-aged women. A total of 14460 women who aged 15 to 49 years were included in the study. Prevalence of anaemia of among reproductive-aged women was 27.08% (95% CI: 22.88, 31.08%). Women living in Afar (AOR=2.439; 95% CI: 2.006, 2.968), Amhara (AOR=1.269; 95% CI: 1.035, 1.556), Somalia (AOR=2.592; 95% CI: 2.142, 3.133), Benshangul-Gumuz (AOR=2.019; 95% CI: 1.666, 2.447), Gambela (AOR=2.465; 95% CI: 2.026, 2.998) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Women with 1 or 2 children (AOR=1.272; 95% CI: 1.103, 1.466), 3 or 4 children (AOR=1.277; 95% CI: 1.059, 1.539) and 5 or more (AOR=1.420; 95% CI: 1.213, 1.662) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Further, pregnant women (AOR=1.408; 95% CI: 1.263, 1.570) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Hence, concerned bodies need to pay special attention to women regarding anaemia based on place of residence and the region.

Research Progress on the Mechanism Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Abnormal Endometrium

As a highly dynamic tissue, the endometrium is periodically shed in response to the secretion of estrogen and progesterone. After menarche, the endometrium of healthy women proliferates and differentiates under the action of steroid hormones (e.g., 17β-estradiol and progesterone) that are secreted by the ovaries to provide appropriate conditions for embryo implantation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women, is usually associated with multiple cysts within the ovaries and excess levels of androgen and is characterized by hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularity, infertility, and increased risk of insulin resistance. Multiple factors, such as anovulation, endocrine-metabolic abnormalities, and inflammation, can disrupt the endometrium in PCOS patients and can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, pregnancy complications, or even cancer. Despite many recent studies, the relationship between PCOS and abnormal endometrial function is still not fully understood. In this review, we investigate the correlation of PCOS patient endometrium with anovulation, hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, progesterone resistance, and inflammatory cytokines, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of disorders caused by endometrial dysfunction in PCOS patients.

Cervicovaginal levels of human beta defensins during bacterial vaginosis

Aims To compare the cervicovaginal levels of human beta defensin (hBD)-1, 2 and 3 of women according to the status of Nugent-defined bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods A total of 634 women of reproductive age were included in the study. Participants were equally distributed in two groups: according to the classification of vaginal smears according to Nugent criteria in normal (scores 0 to 3) and BV (scores ≥7). Cervicovaginal fluid samples were used for measurements of hBDs1, 2 and 3 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of each hBD were compared between the two study groups using Mann-Whitney test, with p-value <0.05 considered as significant. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for sociodemographic variables and hBD1-3 levels associated with BV a multivariable analysis. Correlation between Nugent score and measured levels of hBDs1-3 were calculated using Spearman’s test. Results Cervicovaginal fluids from women with BV showed lower levels of hBD-1 [median 2,400.00 pg/mL (0–27,800.00); p<0.0001], hBD-2 [5,600.00 pg/mL (0–45,800.00); p<0.0001] and hBD-3 [1,600.00 pg/mL (0–81,700.00); p = 0.012] when compared to optimal microbiota [hBD-1: [median 3,400.00 pg/mL (0–35,600.00), hBD-2: 12,300.00 pg/mL (0–95,300.00) and hBD-3: 3,000.00 pg/mL (0–64,300.00), respectively]. Multivariable analysis showed that lower levels of hBD-1 (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.46–2.87), hBD-2 (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.32–2.60) and hBD-3 (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.37–2.64) were independently associated BV. Significant negative correlations were observed between Nugent scores and cervicovaginal levels of hBD-1 (Spearman’s rho = -0.2118; p = 0.0001) and hBD-2 (*Spearman’s rho = -0.2117; p = 0.0001). Conclusions Bacterial vaginosis is associated with lower cervicovaginal levels of hBDs1-3 in reproductive-aged women.

Intimate partner violence among reproductive-age women with chronic mental illness attending a psychiatry outpatient department: cross-sectional facility-based study, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), and associated factors, in reproductive-aged women attending psychiatric outpatient departments.DesignCross-sectional facility-based study.SettingOutpatient psychiatric clinics of public hospitals in Addis Ababa.ParticipantsReproductive aged women with chronic mental illness (CMI) who attended follow-up in psychiatric outpatient clinics.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe data were collected using a multi-culturally validated instrument from randomly sampled women with CMI. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with IPV.ResultFour hundred and twenty-two women who were attending the psychiatric outpatient clinics took part in the study. The majority of participants 62.0% (95% CI 56.1 to 68.8) experienced IPV at least once in their lifetime. The most common form of IPV experienced by women was emotional violence (60%; 95% CI 55.0 to 64.7). One hundred and eighty-six (44.1%; (95% CI 39.3 to 48.8)) respondents experienced physical or sexual violence during the last year. A history of divorce (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=5.64; 95% CI 2.75 to 11.56) and having a mental illness for more than 5 years (AOR=2.23; 95% CI 1.26 to 3.93) were associated with any form of IPV.ConclusionThe high prevalence of IPV among women attending psychiatric outpatient services highlights the need to routinely inquire about IPV and develop effective strategies to prevent it among this vulnerable group.

Fetal Screening for Chromosomal Abnormalities

With more and more reproductive-aged women opting to pursue genetic screening during pregnancy, health care professionals must understand the variety of testing options available as well as the advantages and limitations of each testing option. Presently, no single screening test is universally believed to be superior because the combination of the specific test and the population being tested determines the range of potential identifiable conditions as well as the positive predictive values. As a result, pre- and posttest counseling are not always straightforward and may require discussions with multiple specialists including genetic counselors, obstetricians, and pediatricians/neonatologists. The purpose of this review is to summarize the screening options currently available to pregnant women to determine their risk of having a child affected by a chromosomal disorder. Screening for chromosomal abnormalities using ultrasonography, maternal serum analytes, cell-free DNA, and preimplantation genetic testing will be discussed here. Advances in the field, including the possible future use of cell-based noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) as a more accurate method for genetic screening and the incorporation of screening for copy number variants (microdeletions and duplications) into traditional cell-free NIPS will also be reviewed.