A life-course approach to tackling noncommunicable diseases in women.

Women's health has been critically underserved by a failure to look beyond women's sexual and reproductive systems to adequately consider their broader health needs. In almost every country in the world, noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of death for women. Among these, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) and cancer are the major causes of mortality. Risks for these conditions exist at each stage of women's lives, but recognition of the unique needs of women for the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases is relatively recent and still emerging. Once they are diagnosed, treatments for these diseases are often costly and noncurative. Therefore, we call for a strategic, innovative life-course approach to identifying disease triggers and instigating cost-effective measures to minimize exposure in a timely manner. Prohibitive barriers to implementing this holistic approach to women's health exist in both the social arena and the medical arena. Recognizing these impediments and implementing practical approaches to surmounting them is a rational approach to advancing health equity for women, with ultimate benefits for society as a whole.

Haitian women in New York City use global food plants for women's health.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of mainstream biomedical healthcare in New York City (NYC), community-based ethnomedicine practices remain a low-cost, culturally relevant treatment for many immigrants. Previous urban ethnobotany research in NYC has established that several Caribbean communities continue using medicinal plants for women's health after immigration. This study sought to address to what extent: (1) NYC Haitian women continue using medicinal plants for women's health after migration; (2) their plants and the conditions treated were similar to those identified in an earlier survey with NYC immigrants from the Dominican Republic. METHODS: Through an ethnobotanical survey, 100 Haitian women living in NYC and born in Haiti were interviewed about their knowledge of medicinal plants for women's health conditions. Reported species were purchased based on local names in NYC Haitian stores and markets, vouchered, and identified. RESULTS: Nearly all Haitian women (97%) reported using medicinal plants while living in Haiti. Most Haitian women continued using medicinal plants after coming to the USA (83%). The 14% decrease, although significant (z = 3.3; p = 0.001), was mainly due to logistical difficulties with sourcing plants after recent immigration. Popular medicinal plant species reported were primarily global food plants, re-emphasizing the intertwined food-medicine relationship in Caribbean diasporas. Comparison with data from NYC Dominicans identified childbirth and puerperium, gynecological infections, and vaginal cleansing as priority Haitian women's health concerns treated with plants. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the global nature of Caribbean migrant plant pharmacopeia, predominantly centered around food plants and adapted to transnational urban settings. They underscore cultural diversity, dispelling the notion of one uniform traditional knowledge system labeled "Caribbean." The importance of preventative medicine for women's health, particularly the regular consumption of "healthy" foods or teas highlights the role food plants play in maintaining health without seeking treatment for a particular condition. Cross-cultural comparisons with other NYC Caribbean immigrants emphasize the importance of conducting ethnobotanical surveys to ground-truth plant use in the community. Such surveys can also identify culture-specific health priorities treated with these plants. Healthcare providers can leverage these insights to formulate culturally relevant and community-tailored healthcare strategies aligned with Haitian women's health beliefs and needs.

Women's cardiovascular health - the cardio-oncologic jigsaw.

Improvements in cancer care have led to an exponential increase in cancer survival. This is particularly the case for breast cancer, where 5-year survival in Australia exceeds 90%. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as one of the competing causes of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors, both as a complication of cancer therapies and because the risk factors for cancer are shared with those for CVD. In this review we cover the key aspects of cardiovascular care for women throughout their cancer journey: the need for baseline cardiovascular risk assessment and management, a crucial component of the cardiovascular care; the importance of long-term surveillance for ongoing maintenance of cardiovascular health; and strong evidence for the beneficial effects of physical exercise to improve both cancer and cardiovascular outcomes. There is general disparity in cardiovascular outcomes for women, which is further exacerbated when both CVD and cancer co-exist. Collaboration between oncology and cardiac services, with an emergence of the whole field of cardio-oncology, allows for expedited investigation and treatment for these patients. This collaboration as well as a holistic approach to patient care and key role of patients' general practitioners are essential to ensure long-term health of people living with, during and beyond cancer.

Optimizing Care for Military Women: The Value of the Dual-Certified Family and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

The number of women in the military has more than tripled over the past 50 years, increasing from 5% in the 1970s to 17% in 2023, making them essential for global health engagement and military operations. Provider competence and confidence are barriers to the consistent availability of preventive, gynecologic, and reproductive services for women across service locations and duty platforms. The Defense Health Board recommends standardizing services and improving the availability and scope of services for women at every point of care. In direct conflict with these recommendations, however, is a congressional call for a drawdown of medical forces, which creates a need for operationally trained clinicians with a broad skill set including comprehensive care for women. Advanced practice registered nurses, such as family and women's health nurse practitioners, are key assets to fill this gap on military medical health-care teams. At the request of the U.S. Air Force, the Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University began offering a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program in 2014. The WHNP curriculum was layered onto the existing Family Nurse Practitioner program so that Family Nurse Practitioner students receive enhanced education in women's health and WHNP students are prepared to meet the holistic, primary care needs of patients across the lifespan in addition to caring for women with obstetric and urogenital health concerns. This article highlights the value of dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioners and WHNPs in the military health-care system. These Uniformed Services University alumni are uniquely prepared to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care for female warfighters across the lifecycle from stable, well-resourced duty stations to austere, operational settings or deployment platforms.

Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture on women related health.

Globally, public health interventions have resulted in a 30-year increase in women's life expectancy. However, women's health has not increased when socioeconomic status is ignored. Women's health has become a major public health concern, for those women from developing countries are still struggling with infectious and labor-related diseases, and their counterparts in developed countries are suffering from physical and psychological disorders. In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine has attracted wide attentions with regards to maintaining women's health. Acupuncture, a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat many obstetric and gynecological diseases for thousands of years due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and its effects on stimulating the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system. To fully understand the mechanism through which acupuncture exerts its effects in these diseases would significantly extend the list of available interventions and would allow for more reasonable advice to be given to general practitioners. Therefore, by searching PubMed and CNKI regarding the use of acupuncture in treating obstetric and gynecological diseases, we aimed to summarize the proven evidence of using acupuncture in maintaining women's health by considering both its effectiveness and the underlying mechanisms behind its effects.

"Work with us to make it more accessible". What women with intellectual disabilities want from infant-feeding health resources: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: More women with intellectual disabilities are becoming mothers but fewer are known to breastfeed compared with other women. Women with intellectual disabilities are entitled to accessible antenatal and infant feeding information, yet are rarely asked for their views on available resources. This article reports on the final stage of a UK project exploring how women with intellectual disabilities are supported to make infant feeding decisions. The wider project includes a scoping review and interviews with healthcare professionals, here we focus on the voices of the women themselves. METHODS: Four women with an intellectual disability participated in a focus group where they were asked to give their views on the accessibility of currently available infant feeding resources and on alternative representations of infant feeding. All were interested in women's health issues, including infant feeding. Photo-elicitation was used to gather views on videos, bespoke 'Easy Read' material and several alternative representations of infant feeding. A transcription of the discussion was thematically analysed whilst a critical visual analysis was undertaken of the women's preferred images/resources. The study took place in Bristol, UK, during 2022. RESULTS: Two themes were identified from the group discussion: 'The desire for choice' and 'How easy is 'Easy Read'?' The desire for choice was expressed in terms through agreements and disagreements about preferred imagery, differing tastes, and reasons for these preferences. We identified a challenge to 'Easy Read' as a default standard and concerns that some forms of 'Easy Read' can confuse rather than inform. Critical visual analysis identified the importance of the story and social setting of the preferred infant feeding image. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a need for a suite of resources, avoiding the one-size-fits-all approach, including people with an intellectual disability at every stage of the design and production process. Resources should recognise and embrace differences in terms of understanding, visual literacy and cultural taste, as well as being freely available to support women with intellectual disabilities to make informed infant feeding decisions. An accessible film was co-produced, to disseminate the findings from all three stages of the completed project.

Effectiveness of INOSEL program consisting of Integrative Nursing and Omaha System for older women feeling loneliness: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention combining Integrative Nursing and Omaha System on physical, mental, social, spiritual health of older women living with high level of loneliness. The second aim was to determine the effect of Omaha System interventions on knowledge, behaviour and status scores. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 69 older women feeling loneliness (INOSEL n = 36, control n = 33 groups). INOSEL group received group-based and person-centered intervention and control group received routine care. RESULTS: INOSEL and control groups showed an improvement in loneliness score. The decrease in loneliness score and level was higher in the INOSEL group. The physical activity, health status perception, social support, social inclusion, well-being, and spirituality scores increased in the INOSEL group. INOSEL group experienced an increase in the knowledge, behaviour and status. DISCUSSION: INOSEL program, a theoretical structure, reduced loneliness and positively affected women's health. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals can use this program based on Integrative Nursing and Omaha System in nursing caring. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03695133.

Care of the Aged, Women's Health, and Measuring Religion, Spirituality and Health.

This issue of JORH explores various concerns related to the care of the elderly within a number of countries (namely China, India, Iran, Israel, Turkey, USA). Issues relating to Women's Health are also considered across the life span but particularly with regard to gynaecology, paediatrics, cancer, mental health and wellbeing. Research is presented on the empirical measurement of religion, spirituality and health with scales developed and/or tested in Iran, India, Haiti, Taiwan, Jordan and the Netherlands. Finally, readers are reminded of the 9th European Congress on Religion, Spirituality and Health (ECRSH) during May 2024, 16-18th at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria.

Midwives Safeguarding Abortion Access: Establishing Medication Abortion Services.

The abortion access landscape for patients has changed dramatically in the wake of the US Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in June of 2022. In response, the Division of Midwifery at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, began a medication abortion service for both established patients and those who may seek care from out of state. This service increases access to abortion care now while also providing the clinical experience needed for student nurse-midwives to become future abortion providers. This article outlines the steps taken to implement a medication abortion service and ways it can be adopted by other midwifery practices. Strategies to address possible clinical, administrative, and logistical challenges are addressed. Finally, this article is a call to action because midwives are well qualified to provide high quality, safe, and comprehensive medication abortion within the midwifery model of care.

Perceptions of primiparous women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus: A descriptive qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perceptions of primiparous women recently diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Singapore. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study design. SETTING: An outpatient women's health clinic in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve English-speaking primiparous women (aged 27-44 years old) who were diagnosed with GDM were recruited via purposive sampling to participate in this study. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were carried out with study participants in a private room at the outpatient clinic from December 2019 to May 2021. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim on the same day. Data analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. FINDINGS: Four main themes were identified from this study's findings: (1) Life leading to GDM: A 'hint' that something was wrong, (2) Reactions to diagnosis: Shock or acceptance, (3) Learning to cope: Facing internal and external challenges, and (4) Living with GDM: A way forward. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Primiparous women with GDM require comprehensive informational, practical, and emotional support to help them manage and accept their condition. Healthcare providers are encouraged to provide individualised and holistic care to these women using a humanistic approach. Accessible online educational resources and peer support services could be considered. Public campaigns to increase the general public's awareness of GDM would also allow future women and their families to be more familiar with the condition and hence more prepared to cope with it.

Examining and promoting women's health through a descriptive analysis of a novel health tool: the 'Circle of Health'.

A comprehensive perspective of women's health increases healthy equity and broadens the spectrum of care for women. The Circle of Health, a holistic health assessment tool, was created by the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (NCEWH). This initiative focuses on advancing women's health needs by empowering them to actively engage about their own health care. The tool includes surveys for seven distinct domains of health: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, environmental, financial, and spiritual. The present study reports comprehensive health findings for a sample of 169 females from Region VIII with data collected from February 2014 to April 2019. The Circle of Health tool highlights distinct health needs across the seven domains. For the present sample of mostly female college students, areas of concern included the emotional, financial, and environmental health domains. Further research is needed to examine the holistic health of women from diverse cultural, racial, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Circle of Health tool describes health, for both women and their health providers, more holistically and encourages an integrative model of care.

Leadership Development in Early Career Scientists: Themes and Feedback from Executive Coaching and Mindful Leadership Training.

Background: Career development is essential for all academic stages, but particularly critical for the growth and retention of early career scientists. In addition to scientific technical training, professional skill development is crucial for the upward transition from postdoctoral trainee to early faculty member and beyond. Building leadership skills, specifically, is an important component of professional development, and the evaluation and reporting of professional development are important to improve and enhance the impact of programs. Methods: The purpose of this article is to share the program evaluation performed on leadership development activities, including executive coaching and mindful leadership training provided to a small group of early career scientists who participated in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Mayo Clinic Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) in Sex Differences Career Enhancement Core and Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) K12 programs during 2020-2022. Results: Eighty-seven percent of participants rated their satisfaction with the executive coaching program as "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied," and 75% of participants were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the mindful leadership training program. The findings of this program evaluation highlight the value of communication skills for navigating precarious situations, building self-efficacy and intentionality in making and holding boundaries for an individual's time and energy. Further, the individualized small group format of the activities allowed for deeper introspection and peer to peer connection. Conclusion: The identification of common themes within the Mayo Clinic program provides guidance to other academic environments on areas where they can support their early career scientists.

Women's health access in the context of forced migration in portugal: vulnerabilities and adaptation / Acesso à saúde de mulheres em contexto de migração forçada em Portugal: vulnerabilidades e adaptação / Acceso a la salud de las mujeres en el contexto de la migración forzada en Portugal: vulnerabilidades y adaptación

This article presents, the vulnerabilities related with regarding access to health services facedby refugee women, of a research project conducted in Portugal between 2020 and 2022 as part of the Masters in Intercultural Relations program at Universidade Aberta. Objective: The overall goal was to gain a better understanding of the psychosocial reality of women who arrived in Portugal as a result of forced migration, focusing on the main difficulties of the migratory and adaptation journey -highlighting vulnerabilities related to health and access to health services at the present article -and the protective factors that facilitated their processes of resilience, adaptation, and social integration. Methodology:The meaningsof the protagonists' experiences were disclosed through nine semi-structured and in-depth interviews with a woman from Iraq, seven from Syria, and one from Libya, which were conducted separately, recorded and transcribed. Following the transcription and translation of the interviews, the content analysis began with the coding and categorization of the obtained data. Results:The investigationuncovered a number of vulnerabilities triggered by the migratory experience and gender belonging, such as prejudice, social isolation, and cultural shock (mostly linked to religion and clothing), which validated the intersectional analysis. The findings highlight a number of obstacles in the host nation, including access to health care, the quality of institutional interactions, and knowledge of the Portuguese language.Conclusions:The current investigation led to theconclusion that there are flawsin Portugal in terms of ensuring full access to health care for forced migrant women, highlighting as major obstacles: a lack of information in languagesother than Portuguese, a lack of offers tolearn and masterthe Portugueselanguage, a lack of knowledge about how health institutions work, and a lack of sensitivity and intercultural skills inhealthcareservices (AU).

Este artigo apresenta as vulnerabilidades relacionadas no acesso aos serviços de saúde sentidas por mulheres refugiadas, de um projeto de investigação realizado em Portugal entre 2020 e 2022 no âmbito do Mestrado em Relações Interculturais da Universidade Aberta. Objetivo:O objetivo geral foi conhecer melhor a realidade psicossocial das mulheres que chegaram a Portugal como resultado da migração forçada, focando as principais dificuldades do percurso migratório e de adaptação,destacando as vulnerabilidades relacionadas com a saúde e acesso aos serviços de saúde, além dos fatores de proteção que facilitaram seus processos de resiliência, adaptação e integração social. Metodologia:Os significados das vivências das protagonistasforam relevados por meio de nove entrevistas semiestruturadas e em profundidade, realizadas individualmente, gravadas e transcritas, com umamulher do Iraque, seteda Síria e umada Líbia. Após transcrição e tradução das entrevistas, a análise de conteúdopartiu da codificação e categorização da informação recolhida.Resultados:A investigação desvelou uma série de vulnerabilidadescausadas pela experiência migratória epertença de gênero,como a discriminação sentida sob a forma de preconceitos, o isolamento social e o choque cultural (sobretudo relacionado com a religião e o vestuário utilizado), o que justificou a análise intersecional. Os resultados revelam umconjuntode desafiosno país de acolhimento, como o acesso à saúde, a qualidade das relações institucionais e o domínio da língua portuguesa.Conclusões: A presente investigação permitiu concluir que existem algumas carências em Portugal no que diz respeito à garantia do pleno acesso aos cuidados de saúde sentidas pelasmulheres migrantes forçadas, destacando-se como principais obstáculos: a falta de informação numa língua que não o português, a falta de domínio da língua portuguesa, o desconhecimento sobre o funcionamento das instituições de saúde e falta de sensibilidade e de competências interculturais nos cuidados de saúde (AU).

Este artículo presenta, las vulnerabilidades relacionadasconen el acceso a los servicios de salud que sienten las mujeres refugiadas, de un proyectorealizado en Portugal entre 2020 y 2022 en el ámbito del Máster en Relaciones Interculturales de la Universidade Aberta.Objetivo: El objetivo fue comprender la realidad psicosocial de las mujeres que llegaron a Portugal como resultado de la migración forzada, centrándose en las principales dificultades del viaje de migración y adaptación, destacandovulnerabilidades relacionadas con la salud y el acceso a los servicios de salud, además de los factores de protección que facilitaron sus procesos de resiliencia, adaptación e integración social. Metodología: Los significados de las experiencias fueron revelados através de nueve entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, realizadas individualmente, grabadas y transcritas, con una mujer de Irak, siete de Siria y una de Libia. Luego de la transcripción y traducción, se inició el análisis de contenido con la codificación y categorización de la información.Resultados: La investigación reveló vulnerabilidades provocadas por la experiencia migratoria y la pertenencia de género,como la discriminación sentida en forma de prejuicio, el aislamiento social y el choque cultural (principalmente relacionado con la religión y la vestimenta), que justificaron el análisis interseccional.Los resultados revelan desafíos en Portugal,como el acceso a la salud, la calidad de las relaciones institucionales y el dominio de la lengua portuguesa.Conclusiones: La presente investigación llevó a la conclusión de que existen fallas en Portugal en cuanto a garantizar el pleno acceso a la atención de la salud de las refugiadas,destacándose: falta de información en un idioma diferenteal portugués, falta de dominio de la lengua portuguesa, falta de conocimiento sobre el funcionamiento de las instituciones de salud y falta de sensibilidad y habilidades interculturales en la atención de la salud (AU).

'Taking Care': A qualitative study of emerging adult-aged women's sexual and reproductive health definitions.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging adult-aged (EA;18-25 years) women have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections compared to other women of reproductive age. Little is known about how EA women define and prioritize various aspects of sexual and reproductive health. The purpose of this study was to identify EA women determined definitions of sexual and reproductive health. METHODS: Between September 2019 and September 2020, 13 women were interviewed about their sexual and reproductive health. Interview transcripts were used to conduct qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Definitions provided by participants were grouped according to three distinct thematic categories, Being Safe, Healthcare as a Tool, and Mind-Body Connection. Being Safe included using condoms and taking steps to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Healthcare as a Tool referred to utilization of healthcare services (e.g., an annual exam) to manage sexual and reproductive health. Mind-Body Connection included acknowledgement of both the physical and mental aspects of sexual and reproductive health, as well as awareness of physical and emotional discomfort related to it. These categories highlight EA women's holistic definitions of sexual and reproductive health. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers and researchers can use the holistic sexual and reproductive health definitions endorsed by EA women in this study as a starting point for creating and delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare and counseling that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to population-specific needs.

Placing women's mental health in context: The value of a feminist paradigm.

BACKGROUND: It is common for women to present to general practitioners (GPs) with mental health difficulties. Contemporary frameworks for understanding mental health often do not adequately incorporate attention to the gendered social contexts of mental distress in women. A feminist paradigm can support GPs to respond with holistic and empowering practices. OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview of feminist principles for responding to mental distress in women, drawing upon a synthesis of the literature pertaining to the connections between gender inequality and women's mental health. DISCUSSION: Responding to mental distress is a core component of general practice. It is important that GPs validate women's disclosures of distress, conduct holistic assessments that incorporate women's social contexts (including previous or current exposure to gendered violence), make referrals to supports that can address the social determinants of distress, act with transparency and sensitivity to power, and prioritise women's self-determination.

Associação da educação sexual, cinesioterapia e terapia manual no tratamento de mulheres anorgásmicas: um estudo de caso / Association of sex education, kinesiotherapy and manual therapy in the treatment of anorgasmic women: a case study

O orgasmo é o ápice da excitação sexual e, quando comumente não experienciado, denomina-se anorgasmia, segunda queixa sexual mais frequente entre mulheres. A fisioterapia é um recurso que visa beneficiar a qualidade de vida das mulheres anorgásmicas por meio da prevenção, reparação de função e tratamento de quadros álgicos. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da associação das técnicas de cinesioterapia aplicada à musculatura do assoalho pélvico, massagem perineal e conscientização acerca da sexualidade das participantes. Os métodos utilizados foram educação sexual, massagem perineal e cinesioterapia associada ao uso da sonda uroginecológica New PelviFit Trainer, como biofeedback visual, para promover conscientização e estimar os efeitos sobre a condição da musculatura do assoalho pélvico de mulheres com relato de anorgasmia. O resultado obtido com o protocolo da associação das técnicas terapêuticas em mulheres com disfunção orgásmica apresentou melhora da função sexual feminina, aumento da força e do estado de relaxamento da musculatura do assoalho pélvico, avaliados pelo questionário Índice de Função Sexual Feminina, quantificados por meio da escala de Oxford modificada e da escala de avaliação de flexibilidade vaginal, respectivamente. Como conclusão, a aplicação das técnicas fisioterapêuticas aliadas ao tratamento humanizado, com enfoque na conscientização das mulheres, autopercepção corporal e manutenção da função sexual, promoveu melhora da disfunção sexual orgásmica. Apesar de necessário maior embasamento científico relativo ao tema, a presente abordagem para o tratamento em questão apresentou-se promissora e pertinente à base de dados. (AU)

Orgasm is the peak of sexual excitement, when not commonly experienced, it is called anorgasmia, second most frequent sexual complaint among women. Physiotherapy is a resource that aims to improve the quality of life of anorgasmics women through prevention, function repair and pain management. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of kinesiotherapy techniques applied on the pelvic floor muscles, associated with perineal massage and the participants' sexual awareness. The methods used were sexual education, perineal massage, kinesiotherapy associated with the use of the New PelviFit Trainer urogynecological probe, as a visual feedback, to promove awearness and estimate its effects on the pelvic floor muscles condition in women reporting anorgasmia. The result obtained with the protocol of association of therapeutic techniques in women with orgasmic dysfunction showed improvement in the female sexual function, assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire, increased strength and pelvic floor muscles relaxation, quantified using the Modified Oxford scale and the vaginal flexibility assessment scale, respectively. As a conclusion, the application of physiotherapeutic techniques combined with humanized treatment, with a focus on awareness of women, body self-perception and maintenance of sexual function, promoted improvement of orgasmic sexual dysfunction. Despite the need for a greater scientific basis on the subject, the present approach to the treatment in question was promising and relevant to the database. (AU)

Prenatal iodine supplementation and early childhood neurodevelopment: the PoppiE trial - study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies suggest both low and high iodine intakes in pregnancy are associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This raises concern that current universal iodine supplement recommendations for pregnant women in populations considered to be iodine sufficient may negatively impact child neurodevelopment. We aim to determine the effect of reducing iodine intake from supplements for women who have adequate iodine intake from food on the cognitive development of children at 24 months of age. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multicentre, randomised, controlled, clinician, researcher and participant blinded trial with two parallel groups. Using a hybrid decentralised clinical trial model, 754 women (377 per group) less than 13 weeks' gestation with an iodine intake of ≥165 µg/day from food will be randomised to receive either a low iodine (20 µg/day) multivitamin and mineral supplement or an identical supplement containing 200) µg/day (amount commonly used in prenatal supplements in Australia), from enrolment until delivery. The primary outcome is the developmental quotient of infants at 24 months of age assessed with the Cognitive Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, fourth edition. Secondary outcomes include infant language and motor development; behavioural and emotional development; maternal and infant clinical outcomes and health service utilisation of children. Cognitive scores will be compared between groups using linear regression, with adjustment for location of enrolment and the treatment effect described as a mean difference with 95% CI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted from the Women's and Children's Health Network Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/WCHN/187). The results of this trial will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04586348.

The Effects of Latitude and Temperate Weather on Vitamin D Deficiency and Women's Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a scoping review to analyze the effects and implications of vitamin D deficiency on female reproductive health during the last decade, considering temperate planetary zones and climate change impacts. METHODS: We used a qualitative methodology for a panoramic database review of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus covering articles from the last decade focused on populations living at latitudes higher than 40° N and 40° S. As descriptors, we used the phrases climate change, cholecalciferol or vitamin d3, pregnancy, and woman health and the Boolean operators AND and OR. We excluded letters to the editor, reviews, protocols, and clinical trials without human participants, as well as duplicate articles. RESULTS: We included 35 studies in English, the majority of which were from North America or Europe. No studies were found from the Southern Hemisphere or having any direct relation with climate change, although studies demonstrated that latitude and environmental factors affected vitamin D deficiency, which had an impact on pregnant women and their children. Supplementation guidelines were not well developed, and there was a lack of studies among at-risk groups of women (eg, darker skin, higher latitudes, immigrants) across the life span. DISCUSSION: Vitamin D deficiency is a global environmental problem that affects female reproductive health and depends on multiple environmental factors and human behavior. Therefore, we recommend consideration of environmental and sociocultural factors in public policy and clinical research and more research on the effectiveness of supplementation and fortification strategies. Health care professionals working in reproductive health need to generate actions for detection of, education on, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency among women across their life spans, considering the multicausality of the phenomenon, which includes environmental and climate factors in population health.