Establishing the sensitivity and specificity of the gynaecological cancer distress screen.

OBJECTIVE: Nuanced distress screening tools can help cancer care services manage specific cancer groups' concerns more efficiently. This study examines the sensitivity and specificity of a tool specifically for women with gynaecological cancers (called the Gynaecological Cancer Distress Screen or DT-Gyn). METHODS: This paper presents cross-sectional data from individuals recently treated for gynaecological cancer recruited through Australian cancer care services, partner organisations, and support/advocacy services. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the DT-Gyn against criterion measures for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (patient health questionnaire), and distress (IES-R and K10). RESULTS: Overall, 373 individuals aged 19-91 provided complete data for the study. Using the recognised distress thermometer (DT) cut-off of 4, 47% of participants were classified as distressed, while a cut-off of 5 suggested that 40% had clinically relevant distress. The DT-Gyn showed good discriminant ability across all measures (IES-R: area under the curve (AUC) = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.82-0.90; GAD-7: AUC = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85-0.93; K10: AUC = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.85-0.92; PHQ-9: AUC = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.81-0.89) and the Youden Index suggested an optimum DT cut-point of 5. CONCLUSIONS: This study established the psychometric properties of the DT-Gyn, a tool designed to identify and manage the common sources of distress in women with gynaecological cancers. We suggest a DT cut point ≥5 is optimal in detecting 'clinically relevant' distress, anxiety, and depression in this population.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Clinicians Should Know About Rural Palliative Care in the United States.

Palliative care improves outcomes, yet rural residents often lack adequate and equitable access. This study provides practical tips to address palliative care (PC)-related challenges in rural communities. Strategies include engaging trusted community partners, addressing cultural factors, improving pediatric care, utilizing telehealth, networking with rural teams including caregivers, and expanding roles for nurses and advanced practice providers. Despite complex barriers to access, providers can tailor PC to be patient-centered, respect local values, and bridge gaps. The "Top 10" format emphasizes the relevant issues to enable clinicians to provide optimal care for people from rural areas.

Comparison of Spontaneous Pushing and Directed Pushing During the Second Stage of Labor Among Chinese Women Without Epidural Analgesia: Protocol for a Noninferior Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal pushing during the second stage of labor could influence labor progress and maternal-neonatal outcomes. Although the image of health care providers directing the laboring women to push during the second stage of labor could be commonly observed globally, this practice is not sufficiently researched and is questioned regarding its effectiveness and outcomes on the mother and baby. Meanwhile, a strategy referred to as "spontaneous pushing," which supports women to push by following their bodily urges, has been evaluated in several trials. However, in China, spontaneous pushing is not common practice. Notwithstanding the evaluation of spontaneous pushing, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support either strategies of directed pushing or spontaneous pushing. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of spontaneous pushing and directed pushing during the second stage of labor for maternal and neonatal outcomes in China. METHODS: A nonrandomized, single-group, noninferiority feasibility study will be conducted in a public hospital in Hebei Province, China. In total, 105 women meeting the selection criteria will be recruited to receive the intervention (spontaneous pushing), while 105 sets of medical notes from women who received routine care (directed pushing) will be identified and reviewed to compare outcomes for both cohorts. A mixed methods approach will be used to assess primary outcomes (feasibility and acceptability) and secondary outcomes (effectiveness). RESULTS: Data collection took place between May and October 2023. A total of 110 women were invited to participate in the intervention of spontaneous pushing. Midwives' interviews were conducted and will be transcribed for analysis in March 2024. The data analysis is planned to be completed by May 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study will provide important information by conducting a full-scale clinical trial in the future as well as the potential facilitators and barriers of it. A future randomized controlled trial is likely to have considerable policy and funding impacts regarding pushing management during the second stage of labor and improvement in women's childbirth experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2300071178; https://tinyurl.com/mudtnbft. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55701.

Effectiveness of the Pasifika Women's Diabetes Wellness Program (PWDWP): Protocol for a Pilot Intervention and Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes poses public health challenges for Maori and Pasifika communities in Australia. The women of these communities face a greater burden from type 2 diabetes-related mortality and comorbidities. Lifestyle modification behaviors through previous women's wellness programs have been shown to reduce the risk of developing complications in established type 2 diabetes. The Pasifika Women's Diabetes Wellness Program (PWDWP) pilot study, co-designed with Maori and Pasifika communities, was aimed at addressing late hospital presentations from diabetes-related complications. OBJECTIVE: This study (1) examines the efficacy of women with type 2 diabetes in the intervention group for improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) clinical levels and diabetes self-management compared with the control group from baseline (T0) to week 12 (T1) and week 24 (T2; postintervention) and (2) assesses the cultural adaptability, acceptability, and feasibility of the pilot intervention for future studies. METHODS: This study uses a quasiexperimental design that involves a 24-week intervention. We recruited 50 Maori and Pasifika women with type 2 diabetes (25 in the intervention group from the south side of Brisbane and 25 in the control group from the north side of Brisbane) using participatory talanoa methodologies. The intervention group participated in face-to-face and virtual whanau education workshops (5 weeks) and had access to individual coaching and virtual support delivered by trained Maori and Pasifika health professionals and community health workers. The control group received usual care with their identified health provider. Both groups received copies of the PWDWP journal, fact sheets, and a health check passbook with tailored motivational text messages. An advisory committee was set up to oversee the program implementation, including protocols of engagement, health checks, and data collection in community settings. The quantitative data were collected at T0, T1, and T2 with HbA1c as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes measured changes in diabetes self-care and body composition (eg, BMI, waist circumference). Qualitative data will ascertain the program's feasibility and cultural adaptability using talanoa focus groups. RESULTS: This pilot study was approved by the Queensland University of Technology Human Ethic Research Committee (5609) and began in January 2023 after participant recruitment between July 2022 and December 2022. The final data collection including the health check, focus group, and survey data was completed in November 2023, and data analysis and reporting are expected to conclude in 2024. CONCLUSIONS:  This study provides a blueprint for PWDWP. Collaborative partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders are crucial for program success and suggest a potential model for targeting diabetes management for Maori and Pasifika communities, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant interventions. The findings will have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners when developing and implementing public health initiatives, particularly for communities with unique cultural nuances. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12622001100785p; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384470&isReview=true. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55435.

The associations among nurse work engagement, job satisfaction, quality of care, and intent to leave: A national survey in the United States.

Objectives: Employee work engagement, job satisfaction, quality of care, and intent to leave are critical indicators for healthcare organizational performance. This study aimed to analyze the current state of nurses' work engagement and its factors to examine the associations among nurses' work engagement, job satisfaction, quality of care, and intent to leave in the United States (US). Methods: This is a quantitative descriptive cross-section design. Data were collected online from the US registered nurses from March to September 2022. Measures comprised the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the demographics, and questions regarding job satisfaction, perceived quality of care, and intent to leave. Results: Nine hundred nurses participated in the online survey. Among the participants, 79.2% reported holding a specialty certification, 59.4% scored high/very high on job satisfaction, 82.2% expressed high/very high on the perceived quality of nursing care, and 28.4% conveyed likely/very likely to leave in the following year. Nurses' work engagement was positively associated with nurses' job satisfaction and their perceived quality of care but negatively associated with intent to leave. More certified nurses reported high or very high job satisfaction than non-certified nurses. As for demographics, the linear regression analysis showed that nurses who were older, identified as White, and held doctorate degrees reported higher levels of work engagement in comparison to their counterparts. Conclusions: This study shows that nurses' work engagement is associated with their job satisfaction, perceived quality of care, and intent to leave. Nurses' work engagement in this study is lower than in other studies, especially before the COVID-19 pandemic, which may indicate a possible association with the COVID-19 impact. Because nurses' work engagement is significantly associated with job satisfaction, nurse leaders need to find ways to promote nurses' job satisfaction and retention.

Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Age at Natural Menopause and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Postmenopausal Women: A Pooled Analysis of Individual Data From 13 Cohort Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between age at natural menopause, particularly premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (natural menopause before age 40 years), and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and identify any variations by ethnicity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We pooled individual-level data of 338,059 women from 13 cohort studies without T2D before menopause from six ethnic groups: White (n = 177,674), Chinese (n = 146,008), Japanese (n = 9,061), South/Southeast Asian (n = 2,228), Black (n = 1,838), and mixed/other (n = 1,250). Hazard ratios (HRs) of T2D associated with age at menopause were estimated in the overall sample and by ethnicity, with study as a random effect. For each ethnic group, we further stratified the association by birth year, education level, and BMI. RESULTS: Over 9 years of follow-up, 20,064 (5.9%) women developed T2D. Overall, POI (vs. menopause at age 50-51 years) was associated with an increased risk of T2D (HR 1.31; 95% CI 1.20-1.44), and there was an interaction between age at menopause and ethnicity (P < 0.0001). T2D risk associated with POI was higher in White (1.53; 1.36-1.73), Japanese (4.04; 1.97-8.27), and Chinese women born in 1950 or later (2.79; 2.11-3.70); although less precise, the risk estimates were consistent in women of South/Southeast Asian (1.46; 0.89-2.40), Black (1.72; 0.95-3.12), and mixed/other (2.16; 0.83-5.57) ethnic groups. A similar pattern, but with a smaller increased risk of T2D, was observed with early menopause overall (1.16; 1.10-1.23) and for White, Japanese, and Chinese women born in 1950 or later. CONCLUSIONS: POI and early menopause are risk factors for T2D in postmenopausal women, with considerable variation across ethnic groups, and may need to be considered in risk assessments of T2D among women.

Feasibility and acceptability of a culturally-adapted Women's Wellness After Cancer Programme for Chinese women treated for gynaecological cancer: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally-adapted Women's Wellness After Cancer Programme (WWACPHK) for improving health-related quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms and enhancing self-efficacy in engaging in healthy lifestyles among Chinese women treated for gynaecological cancer. Methods: This pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted from May to December 2018. Twenty-six women aged 18 or above who had completed treatment for gynaecological cancer were recruited from a gynaecology outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Hong Kong. They were randomised into intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 11) groups. All data collectors were blinded to the group allocation. Intervention participants were given access to the WWACPHK website and an online discussion forum facilitated by a trained research nurse for 12 weeks, while control participants received standard care. Trial feasibility was assessed by recruitment, consent, and retention rates and website use. Acceptability was explored through semi-structured interviews. Additionally, we trialed the data collection procedure and collected preliminary data on health-related quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms, dietary and exercise self-efficacy. Results: Of the 26 participants (Median age = 53.5 years) randomised, three participants dropped out of the study. Recruitment, consent and retention of participants and website use were satisfactory. No posting was made on the discussion forum. The intervention participants (n = 13) exhibited significantly greater improvement than the controls (n = 10) in perceived self-efficacy in adhering to an exercise routine at post-intervention (Cohen's d effect size(d) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18, 1.92) and 12-weeks after completion (d = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.32, 2.13). All participants were satisfied with the intervention. Conclusions: The WWACPHK is feasible and acceptable to Chinese women treated for gynaecological cancer and may improve their exercise self-efficacy. A larger-scale study is required to confirm its effects. Trial registrationhttps://www.isrctn.com identifier: ISRCTN12149499.

Cultural Adaptation of the Younger Women's Wellness After Cancer Program for Younger Chinese Women With Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of breast cancer in younger women, that is, aged 50 years or younger, in Hong Kong is increasing. The Internet-based Younger Women's Wellness After Cancer Program (YWWACP) is a whole-lifestyle intervention that can help young women to manage their health and risks of chronic diseases. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to test the acceptability and feasibility of the culturally adapted YWWACP in Hong Kong (YWWACPHK) and to evaluate its preliminary effects in improving health-related quality of life, distress, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep among younger Chinese women with breast cancer. INTERVENTION/METHODS: Women aged 18 to 50 years with breast cancer were recruited from an oncology outpatient department. The participants in the intervention group received the 12-week YWWACPHK, whereas the control group received standard care. RESULTS: Sixty women consented to participate. At 12 weeks after intervention completion, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the pain subscale scores of sexual function and more improvement in the level of physical activity than the control group, with Hedge g effect sizes 0.66 and 0.65, respectively. Nineteen intervention group participants reported that they were satisfied with the program and suggestions for improvement were provided. CONCLUSION: The implementation of YWWACPHK is feasible. The preliminary findings suggest that YWWACPHK could increase the level of physical activity among the participants. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses could utilize YWWACPHK to support younger Chinese patients with breast cancer to maintain a healthy lifestyle, subject to wider confirmation of these results through a larger study.

Prevalence and predictors of sleep problems in women following a cancer diagnosis: results from the women's wellness after cancer program.

PURPOSE: Using a discrete dataset from the Women's Wellness after Cancer Program (WWACP), we examine the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sleep problems in women previously treated for cancer. METHODS: Participants were 351 women (Mage = 53.2, SD = 8.8) from the WWACP who had completed surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for breast, gynaecological or blood cancers within the previous 24 months. Sleep problems were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Baseline data (i.e. prior to intervention randomisation) were analysed. RESULTS: Most women (59%) reported clinically significant sleep disturbance (PSQI > 5), 40% reported insufficient sleep duration (< 7 h), 38% self-reported poor sleep quality and 28% reported poor habitual sleep efficiency (sleep efficiency < 75%). Fewer psychological and vasomotor climacteric symptoms, age < 45 years and having a partner were associated with reduced odds (AOR < 1) of sleep problems. Higher levels of pain-related disability, and an intermediate compared to 'high' level of education, were associated with increased odds (AOR > 1) of sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm previous studies that have found a high prevalence of sleep problems in women previously treated for cancer. A range of sociodemographic, climacteric and pain-related factors were associated with sleep problems in this study. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Targeted interventions to improve sleep quality after cancer treatment should be explored in this population. Predictors identified in this study could inform intervention targeting and development.

Characterizing Relationships Among the Cognitive, Physical, Social-emotional, and Health-related Traits of Military Personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Personnel engaged in high-stakes occupations, such as military personnel, law enforcement, and emergency first responders, must sustain performance through a range of environmental stressors. To maximize the effectiveness of military personnel, an a priori understanding of traits can help predict their physical and cognitive performance under stress and adversity. This work developed and assessed a suite of measures that have the potential to predict performance during operational scenarios. These measures were designed to characterize four specific trait-based domains: cognitive, health, physical, and social-emotional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one active duty U.S. Army soldiers completed interleaved questionnaire-based, seated task-based, and physical task-based measures over a period of 3-5 days. Redundancy analysis, dimensionality reduction, and network analyses revealed several patterns of interest. RESULTS: First, unique variable analysis revealed a minimally redundant battery of instruments. Second, principal component analysis showed that metrics tended to cluster together in three to five components within each domain. Finally, analyses of cross-domain associations using network analysis illustrated that cognitive, health, physical, and social-emotional domains showed strong construct solidarity. CONCLUSIONS: The present battery of metrics presents a fieldable toolkit that may be used to predict operational performance that can be clustered into separate components or used independently. It will aid predictive algorithm development aimed to identify critical predictors of individual military personnel and small-unit performance outcomes.

Access to Palliative Care Services: Innovative Development of a Statewide Network.

In 2018, the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and two partners were awarded a planning grant to improve palliative health care services in South Dakota (SD), United States, by assessing palliative care in rural SD communities. Through this effort, a newly formed South Dakota Palliative Care Network (SDPCN) convened statewide partners to develop a palliative care strategy for improving quality palliative care access for individuals with serious illness. Guided by a multidisciplinary governing board, the SDPCN completed needs assessments to (1) better understand the perception of palliative care in SD; (2) assess the palliative care landscape in the state; and (3) explore possible solutions to address the uneven access to palliative care. This article shares the process of network development, considers the future of the SDPCN, and provides a blueprint for improving palliative care in rural areas. The SDPCN sought first to inventory community-based palliative care resources and increase awareness of the need for services followed by addressing gaps identified through a comprehensive assessment. The SDPCN has engaged partners, captured data, and mapped a blueprint for sustaining accessible quality palliative care. Three years since its inception, the SDPCN secured additional funding to sustain the Network and to provide education on palliative care to providers and community members as a first strategic step toward improving overall palliative care in rural communities. The SDPCN currently serves rural SD patients by increasing knowledge of palliative care among health professionals (current and future), fostering Network member engagement, and maintaining an active governing board.

Sleep and health-related quality of life in women following a cancer diagnosis: results from the Women's Wellness after Cancer Program in Australia.

PURPOSE: Sleep disturbance after cancer treatment could compromise recovery. This paper examined the associations between post-treatment sleep problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the effectiveness of an e-enabled lifestyle intervention on sleep outcomes. METHODS: The Women's Wellness after Cancer Program (WWACP) was examined in a single blinded, multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Data were collected from 351 women (Mage = 53.2, SD = 8.8; intervention n = 175, control group n = 176) who had completed surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for breast, gynaecological or blood cancers within the previous 24 months. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (prior to intervention randomisation), and at 12 and 24 weeks later. Sociodemographic information, menopausal symptoms (Greene Climacteric Scale) and HRQoL (36-Item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36) were also collected. Linear panel regression was used to examine the association between sleep variables and SF36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. A difference-in-difference regression model approach was used to examine the intervention effect on the sleep outcomes. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, the sleep variables (except sleep duration) significantly predicted physical, but not mental, HRQoL. There was no statistically significant effect of the intervention on sleep outcomes at 12 or 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Women who have completed treatment for cancer experience sleep problems that are associated with decreased physical HRQoL. Improving sleep through targeted interventions should improve their physical HRQoL. Improved targeting of the sleep components of the WWACP should be explored.

Changes in health behaviours in adults at-risk of chronic disease: primary outcomes from the My health for life program.

BACKGROUND: Chronic disease is the leading cause of premature death globally, and many of these deaths are preventable by modifying some key behavioural and metabolic risk factors. This study examines changes in health behaviours among men and women at risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) who participated in a 6-month lifestyle intervention called the My health for life program. METHODS: The My health for life program is a Queensland Government-funded multi-component program designed to reduce chronic disease risk factors amongst at-risk adults in Queensland, Australia. The intervention comprises six sessions over a 6-month period, delivered by a trained facilitator or telephone health coach. The analysis presented in this paper stems from 9,372 participants who participated in the program between July 2017 and December 2019. Primary outcomes included fruit and vegetable intake, consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and take-away, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and physical activity. Variables were summed to form a single Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI) ranging from 0 to 13, with higher scores denoting healthier behaviours. Longitudinal associations between lifestyle indices, program characteristics and socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using Gaussian Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models with an identity link and robust standard errors. RESULTS: Improvements in HLI scores were noted between baseline (Md = 8.8; IQR = 7.0, 10.0) and 26-weeks (Md = 10.0; IQR = 9.0, 11.0) which corresponded with increases in fruit and vegetable consumption and decreases in takeaway frequency (p < .001 for all) but not risky alcohol intake. Modelling showed higher average HLI among those aged 45 or older (ß = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.90, 1.10, p < .001) with vocational educational qualifications (certificate/diploma: ß = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.50, p < .001; bachelor/post-graduate degree ß = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.61, 0.98, p < .001) while being male, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, or not currently working conferred lower average HLI scores (p < .001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: While participants showed improvements in dietary indicators, changes in alcohol consumption and physical activity were less amenable to the program. Additional research is needed to help understand the multi-level barriers and facilitators of behaviour change in this context to further tailor the intervention for priority groups.

Benefits and risks of spontaneous pushing versus directed pushing during the second stage of labour among women without epidural analgesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the benefits and risks of spontaneous pushing and directed pushing used by labouring women without epidural analgesia during the second stage labour. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials published in PubMed/ MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, psycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and four Chinese databases were systematically searched from their inception to December, 2021. Grey literature were also searched. Two authors independently screened the literature and evaluated the quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Ten studies with a total of 1510 women were pooled. Spontaneous pushing in the second stage of labour reduced the rates of Caesarean section and extended episiotomy. The difference was significant among spontaneous pushing group and directed pushing group, with relative risk and 95% confidence intervals of 0.42 and 0.19-0.94, 0.49 and 0.29-0.82, respectively. There was no significant difference in the duration of the second stage of labour, rates of spontaneous vaginal birth and newborn outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that spontaneous pushing during the second stage of labour results in at least the same maternal and newborn outcomes, lower Caesarean section rates and lower incidence of extended episiotomy.

Improving health-related quality of life in women with breast, blood, and gynaecological Cancer with an eHealth-enabled 12-week lifestyle intervention: the women's wellness after Cancer program randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The residual effects of cancer and its treatment can profoundly affect women's quality of life. This paper presents results from a multisite randomized controlled trial that evaluated the clinical benefits of an e-health enabled health promotion intervention (the Women's Wellness after Cancer Program or WWACP) on the health-related quality of life of women recovering from cancer treatment. METHODS: Overall, 351 women previously treated for breast, blood or gynaecological cancers were randomly allocated to the intervention (WWACP) or usual care arms. The WWACP comprised a structured 12-week program that included online coaching and an interactive iBook that targeted physical activity, healthy diet, stress and menopause management, sexual wellbeing, smoking cessation, alcohol intake and sleep hygiene. Data were collected via a self-completed electronic survey at baseline (t0), 12 weeks (post-intervention, t1) and 24 weeks (to assess sustained behaviour change, t2). The primary outcome, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), was measured using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Following the 12-week lifestyle program, intervention group participants reported statistically significant improvements in general health, bodily pain, vitality, and global physical and mental health scores. Improvements were also noted in the control group across several HRQoL domains, though the magnitude of change was less. CONCLUSIONS: The WWACP was associated with improved HRQoL in women previously treated for blood, breast, and gynaecological cancers. Given how the synergy of different lifestyle factors influence health behaviour, interventions accounting for the reciprocity of multiple health behaviours like the WWACP, have real potential for immediate and sustainable change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this randomised controlled trial was submitted to the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 15/07/2014 and approved on 28/07/2014 ( ACTRN12614000800628 ).

Determining the psychometric properties of the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) in women previously treated for breast cancer: A pooled analysis of data from the Women's Wellness after Cancer Programs.

OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the utility of a common climacteric symptoms scale, the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), in two groups of women with a history of breast cancer, those who were at menopause before commencing breast cancer treatment, and those who were not. STUDY DESIGN: This pooled analysis of 297 women previously diagnosed with breast cancer, aged 28-74 years, was undertaken on baseline data from two structured lifestyle interventions: the Women's Wellness After Cancer Program (WWACP) and the Younger Women's Wellness After Cancer Program (YWWACP). Data were split into two data subsets (women who were post-menopausal on commencement of breast cancer treatment and those who were either pre- or peri­menopausal). Multitrait/multi-item analysis was conducted to test scaling assumptions for each group separately. RESULTS: GCS domain scores were positively skewed, with significant floor effects for vasomotor symptoms and ceiling effects for sexual dysfunction. Multitrait analysis showed acceptable convergent validity (77% of items correlated ≥ 0.40 with their hypothesized domains) but weak discriminant validity for anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms in both groups. The exploratory factor analysis in women who were menopausal at the commencement of breast cancer treatment and those who were not revealed distinct factor structures that accounted for 60.2% and 62.7% of the total variance, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The original GCS factor structure was not replicated in this sample. Among women previously treated for breast cancer, the presence of multiple concurrent and severe menopausal symptoms with possible treatment-related causes underpins the need for a breast cancer-specific measure to enhance their identification and management. TRIAL IDS, AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: WWACP, ACTRN12614000800628; YWWACP, ACTRN12614001087640.

Self-efficacy and social support as mediators of mental health among abused women.

Supportive counseling and facilitated referrals to support organizations have shown positive effects on mental health and coping with domestic and family violence. However, the reasons why and how such effects are significant remain unknown. The current paper used data from a randomized controlled trial of a psychosocial intervention implemented in Nepal among 140 abused pregnant women. The hypothesized mediating effects of self-efficacy and social support on mental health and quality of life of abused pregnant women were tested using serial mediation analyses. Significance of parameter estimates and bias-corrected 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the indirect effects were generated using bootstrapping. The postintervention changes in self-efficacy and social support were found to have significant mediating effects on the relationship between the intervention and changes in both mental health and quality of life of participants post intervention. The positive effects on outcomes were seen at follow-up as well, though to a lesser extent. Further interventions should focus on enhancing abused women's self-efficacy and social support to ensure their positive mental health and better lives.

A multi-component evaluation framework of a state-wide preventive health program: My health for life.

ISSUE: Chronic disease is a growing problem affecting approximately half of all Australian adults. In response to growing calls for action on chronic disease, the My health for life program was created, aimed at improving the health of individuals at high risk of developing preventable chronic disease. The preventive health program is multi-modal, cross-culturally tailored and contains complex social marketing, community engagement, risk assessment and health promotion components. Therefore, a multi-component evaluation framework is essential to understand the effectiveness of the My health for life program. This brief report details the evaluation. METHODS: The evaluation design uses non-randomised, longitudinal analysis using repeated measures, observational, program goal-based and pretest-posttest design features to assess the program, its specific modalities and its program adaptations. To ensure timely and credible evaluation, different evaluative implementation frameworks and methods are considered. Quantitative and qualitative methods collect an array of program data at differing levels to assess the processes, outcomes and impacts of My health for life. DISCUSSION: The implemented evaluation framework has allowed measurement of: (i) process impacts including uptake, retention and attrition, participant satisfaction, fidelity and program stakeholder engagement and (ii) outcomes relating to individual participant level changes in health behaviours. SO WHAT?: This evaluation is an example of an integrated evaluation approach in a large successful preventive health program. Findings from the evaluation will ultimately inform the applicability and transferability of the program and inform policy makers, stakeholders and other health professionals in preventive health practice.

Using Talanoa in Community-Based Research with Australian Pacific Islander Women with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a significant public health problem and Australian Pacific Islander (API) women and their communities are experiencing a higher burden of morbidity and mortality from the disease. Despite this higher burden there are few initiatives that are culturally tailored to improve prevention and management. OBJECTIVES: We used talanoa, a community-based research methodology to build capacity with API women living in Queensland and to develop culturally relevant methods of information sharing and knowledge building. METHODS: The partnership informed the co-design and conduct of research using a talanoa methodology framework. LESSONS LEARNED: Talanoa was used in negotiating the research partnership, setting up a steering committee, developing protocols for community engagement, collecting and co-constructing knowledge and disseminating community outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The community-academia partnership and the participatory processes using talanoa facilitated dialogue and engagement to promote diabetes prevention and management for API communities.

A psychometric evaluation of the Female Sexual Function Index in women treated for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in 132 sexually active women previously treated for breast cancer. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis explored three models: (a) second-order six-factor, (b) six-factor, and (c) five-factor models combining the desire and arousal subscales. RESULTS: Results revealed excellent reliability for the total score (Cronbach's α = 0.94), and domain scores (all Cronbach's αs > 0.90), and good convergent and discriminant validity. The six-factor model provided the best fit of the models assessed, but a marginal overall fit (Tucker-Lewis index = 0.91, comparative fit index = 0.93, root mean square error of approximation = 0.09). Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) supported a four-factor structure, revealing an arousal/orgasm factor alongside the original pain, lubrication, and satisfaction domains. CONCLUSION: The arousal/orgasm factor suggests a "sexual response" construct, potentially arising from an underlying latent factor involving physical and mental stimulation in conceptualizations of arousal and orgasm in women treated for breast cancer. Finally, the EFA failed to capture an underlying desire factor, potentially due to measurement error associated with the small number of items (two) in this domain. Despite evidence that the FSFI has sound psychometric properties, our results suggest that the current conceptualizations of the FSFI might not accurately represent sexual functioning in women previously treated for breast cancer. Further research is required to elucidate the factors that influence desire, arousal, and orgasm in sexually active women in this population, and the reasons underlying sexual inactivity. Practical and theoretical implications for FSFI use in this population are discussed.