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Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Women's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 20706

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Samantha C. Winter

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Guest Editor

Columbia School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
Interests: inequities in women’s health and access to health-related services; environmental correlates of health; informal settlements; East Africa; violence against women

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is growing recognition of the important role environment plays in health around the globe. Aspects of the natural, built, and social environment can lessen or exacerbate inequities in health and access to health-related services. Research as well as national and international policies have long acknowledged gender inequalities in health. There are differential vulnerabilities across genders leading to inequitable health outcomes, differential economic and social consequences of poor health and reproductive health, differential access to health-related services, and differential exposures to health-related factors. Research also suggests that, due largely to structural gender inequalities, women often experience and engage with the environment in distinct ways and that these differences can lead to disparities in health and access to health. For this issue of IJERPH, we invite submissions that will advance our understanding of how women’s health and access to health-related services are shaped by factors in the natural, built, and social environment around the world.

Prof. Samantha C. Winter
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Women’s health
Gender inequities in health
Health access
Environmental determinants of health
Social determinants of health
Climate change

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Self-Reported Survey Measures and Biomarkers of Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Non-Smoking Pregnant Women

by Meiman Maggie Chen, Su-Er Guo, Chi-Pin Yuan, Chizimuzo Okoli and Yen-Chi Liao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9197; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18179197 - 31 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1869

Abstract

Second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) causes adverse health outcomes in adults. Further studies are needed to evaluate psychosocial SHS exposure measures in comparison to SHS exposure biomarkers, particularly in pregnant women. This study aimed to compare self-reported SHS exposure to urinary cotinine levels in pregnant women. A cross-sectional correlation design was conducted using a convenience sample of 70 non-smoking pregnant women. Measures included self-reported questionnaires and laboratory confirmation of cotinine levels in the urinary samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the correlation after controlling for potential confounding variables. The average level of urinary cotinine among non-smoking pregnant women was 6.77 ng/mL. Medium-strength correlations were found among psychosocial SHS exposure measures and urine cotinine levels. Questions regarding ‘instances of smoking in front of the individual’ and ‘subjective perceived frequency of SHS exposure in past 7 days’ are feasible items for pregnant women in clinics (particularly the first question). Hence, we suggest that these simple questions should be used to assist pregnant women in reducing the harm associated with SHS exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services)

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17 pages, 383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Female Genital Mutilation Consequences and Healthcare Received among Migrant Women: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

by Alba González-Timoneda, Marta González-Timoneda, Antonio Cano Sánchez and Vicente Ruiz Ros

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 7195; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18137195 - 05 Jul 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3840

Abstract

European healthcare systems are increasingly being challenged to respond to female genital mutilation (FGM). This study explores the FGM experiences of migrant women coming from FGM-practicing countries residing in a European host country. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out and 23 participants were included. Data were collected through 18 face-to-face open-ended interviews and a focus group and were analysed using Giorgi’s four-step phenomenological approach. Three main themes were derived: “FGM consequences”, “healthcare received” and “tackling FGM”. Participants highlighted obstetric, gynaecological and genitourinary consequences such as haemorrhages, perineal tears, caesarean delivery, risk of infection, dysmenorrhea, urinary tract infections and dysuria; consequences for sexuality, mainly, dyspareunia, loss of sexual interest and decreased quality of sexual intercourse; and psychological consequences such as loss of self-esteem, feelings of humiliation and fear of social and familial rejection. Women perceived a profound lack of knowledge about FGM from health providers and a lack of sensitive and empathetic care. Some women perceived threatening and disproportionate attitudes and reported negative experiences. Participants highlighted the importance of educating, raising awareness and improving prevention and detection strategies. The findings disclose the need to improve training and institutional plans to address structural and attitudinal barriers to health equity across migrant families in their host countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services)

27 pages, 3651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subjective Environmental Experiences and Women’s Breastfeeding Journeys: A Survival Analysis Using an Online Survey of UK Mothers

by Laura J. Brown, Sarah Myers, Abigail E. Page and Emily H. Emmott

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 7903; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17217903 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2959

Abstract

Local physical and social environmental factors are important drivers of human health and behaviour. Environmental perception has been linked with both reproduction and parenting, but links between subjective environmental experiences and breastfeeding remain unclear. Using retrospective data from an online survey of UK mothers of children aged 0–24 months, Cox-Aalen survival models test whether negative subjective environmental experiences negatively correlated with any and exclusive breastfeeding (max n = 473). Matching predictions, hazards of stopping any breastfeeding were increased, albeit non-significantly, across the five environmental measures (HR: 1.05–1.26) Hazards for stopping exclusive breastfeeding were however (non-significantly) reduced (HR: 0.65–0.87). Score processes found no significant time-varying effects. However, estimated cumulative coefficient graphs showed that the first few weeks postpartum were most susceptible to environmental influences and that contrary to our predictions, mothers with worse subjective environmental experiences were less likely to stop breastfeeding at this time. In addition, the hazard of stopping exclusive breastfeeding declined over time for mothers who thought that littering was a problem. The predicted increased hazards of stopping breastfeeding were only evident in the later stages of any breastfeeding and only for mothers who reported littering as a problem or that people tended not to know each other. Perceived harsher physical and social environmental conditions are assumed to deter women from breastfeeding, but this may not always be the case. Women’s hazards of stopping breastfeeding change over time and there may be particular timepoints in their breastfeeding journeys where subjective environmental experiences play a role. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services)

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Review

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10 pages, 1517 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lipoedema as a Social Problem. A Scoping Review

by Monika Czerwińska, Paulina Ostrowska and Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10223; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph181910223 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2883

Abstract

(1) Background: Lipoedema is a disease characterized by excessive bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous tissue in the lower extremities. It is a poorly understood condition, and low awareness of its existence often leads to incorrect diagnosis Initially, lipoedema was considered to be completely independent of lifestyle Currently, however, more and more cases of the coexistence of lipoedema and obesity are described in the literature as additionally affecting the severity of the disease The aim of the review is to present lipoedema as a social problem. (2) Methods: Materials on lipoedema in the social context were selected from 2018–2021. The PRISMA-Scr checklist was used in the review. (3) Results: Research has shown that more than 3/4 of patients with lipoedema are also overweight or obese. Patients with lipoedema have many comorbidities, and their presence negatively affects the quality of life. The quality of life in patients with lipoedema is lower than in healthy patients. (4) Conclusions: The number of studies available on lipoedema is low. Obesity is common in patients with lipoedema. Mental disorders increase the level of experienced pain. Lipoedema significantly reduces quality of life. A healthy lifestyle in patients with lipoedema could be helpful for prevention of complications and disability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services)

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20 pages, 729 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancing Self-Esteem and Body Image of Breast Cancer Women through Interventions: A Systematic Review

by Lucía Morales-Sánchez, Violeta Luque-Ribelles, Paloma Gil-Olarte, Paula Ruiz-González and Rocío Guil

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1640; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18041640 - 09 Feb 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 8458

Abstract

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women worldwide, considered a global public health problem. Among BC women, some of the most common psychological symptoms in the adaptation to the disease are reduction in self-esteem and distorted body image (BI). Although there are numerous studies with the goal of promoting different psychological variables, BI and self-esteem are often separately observed despite their relationship and their importance in the process of the illness. Moreover, there have been no reviews that have synthesized the findings related to interventions aimed at enhancing both self-esteem and BI in BC women. Therefore, the objective of this review was to identify and examine the implemented interventions aimed at boosting both variables in this population. For this purpose, a systematic review was implemented following the PRISMA statement. A thorough search was performed on the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, PsychArticles, and Scopus. Among 287 records, only eight articles met the eligibility criteria. Interventions were grouped into three types according to their characteristics: Group therapies, Physical activity therapies, and Cosmetic and beauty treatments. The levels of effectiveness of the different interventions varied between them, and within each, in their impact on self-esteem and BI. More interventions focused on developing BI and self-esteem in this population are needed due to their ability to predict psychological functioning and quality of life of women with breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Role of Environment in Women’s Health and Access to Health-Related Services)

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