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Howe D, Duffy S, O’Shea M, Hawkey A, Wardle J, Gerontakos S, Steele L, Gilbert E, Owen L, Ciccia D, Cox E, Redmond R, Armour M. Policies, Guidelines, and Practices Supporting Women's Menstruation, Menstrual Disorders and Menopause at Work: A Critical Global Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2945. [PMID: 37998437 PMCID: PMC10671631 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Objectives: This paper presents a scoping review of global evidence relating to interventions (i.e., policies, practices, guidelines, and legislation) aimed at supporting women to manage menstruation, menstrual disorders, and menopause at work. (2) Methods: Databases including Medline (Ebsco), CINAHL (Ebsco), Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo (Ebsco), Humanities International Complete (Ebsco), Academic Search Premier (Ebsco), HeinOnline and OSH Update, and Google Scholar were searched in May 2022. (3) Results: Of 1181 unique articles screened, 66 articles are included. Less half of the articles (42%, 28/66) presented/reviewed an intervention related to women's workplace health. A total of 55 out of the 66 articles are set across 13 countries with the remaining 12 articles described as multi-country studies or reviews. Half of the articles presenting/reviewing an intervention were grey literature, with several undertaken in UK and EU member countries. Interventions focusing on supporting women with menopause at work were the most common (43%, 12/28), followed by menstruation (25%, 7/28) and menstrual disorders (7%, 2/28). Across the reviewed articles, recommendations were categorised as adjustments to the physical work environment, information and training needs, and policy and processes. Few articles explicitly presented or affirmed a design-process and/or evaluation tied to their intervention. In lieu of design-process, this review categorises the rationales driving the development of an intervention as: pronatalist, economic rationalism, gendered occupational health concern, cultural shift towards gender equity objectives, and efforts to reduced shame and stigma. (4) Conclusions: There is a growing body of evidence aimed at understanding women's experiences of managing their menstrual and reproductive health in the workplace and how this impacts their work/career trajectories. However, little research is explicitly concerned with exploring or understanding interventions, including their design or evaluation. Most articles report menopause guidelines and are typically confined to the UK and EU-member countries. Despite the prevalence of menstrual disorders (e.g., endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)) there is limited literature focused on how women might be supported to manage symptoms associated with these conditions at work. Accordingly, future policies should consider how women can be better supported to manage menstruation and menstrual disorders at work and recognise the importance of co-design during policy development and post-intervention evaluation. Further research needs to be undertaken on the impact of workplace policies on both employers and employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Howe
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
| | - Sarah Duffy
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Michelle O’Shea
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Alex Hawkey
- Translational Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia
| | - Jon Wardle
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Sophia Gerontakos
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Linda Steele
- Law Health Justice Research Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia;
| | - Emilee Gilbert
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Lara Owen
- School of Modern Languages, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9PH, UK
| | - Donna Ciccia
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
- Endometriosis Australia, Sydney 2000, Australia
| | - Emma Cox
- Endometriosis UK, London SE1 1SZ, UK
| | - Rebecca Redmond
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
- Translational Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), Wellington 6242, New Zealand
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Lange O. Health economic evaluation of preventive digital public health interventions using decision-analytic modelling: a systematized review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:268. [PMID: 36932436 PMCID: PMC10024449 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09280-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital public health (DiPH) provides novel approaches for prevention, potentially leading to long-term health benefits in resource-limited health systems. However, cost-effectiveness of DiPH interventions is unclear. This systematized review investigates the use of decision-analytic modelling in health economic evaluations of DiPH primary prevention and health promotion interventions, focusing on intervention's design, methods used, results, and reporting quality. METHODS PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for studies of decision-analytic economic evaluations of digital interventions in primary prevention or health promotion, published up to June 2022. Intervention characteristics and selected items were extracted based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were then extracted and price-adjusted to compare the economic evaluation results. Finally, the included studies' reporting quality was assessed by building a score using CHEERS. RESULTS The database search (including search update) produced 2,273 hits. After removing duplicates, 1,434 titles and abstracts were screened. Of the 89 studies meeting the full-text search criteria, 14 were ultimately reviewed. The most common targets were physical activity (five studies) and weight loss (four). Digital applications include text messages, web-based inventions, app-based interventions, e-learning devices, and the promotion of smartphone apps. The mean ICER of the 12 studies using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) is €20,955 per QALY (min. - €3,949; max. €114,211). The mean of reported CHEERS items per study is 81% (min. 59%; max. 91%). CONCLUSIONS This review only includes primary prevention and health promotion, and thus excludes other DiPH fields (e.g. secondary prevention). It also focuses on decision-analytic models, excluding study-based economic evaluations. Standard methods of economic evaluation could be adapted more to the specifics of DiPH by measuring the effectiveness of more current technologies through alternative methods, incorporating a societal perspective, and more clearly defining comparators. Nevertheless, the review demonstrates using common thresholds that the new field of DiPH shows potential for cost-effective preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Lange
- Department of Health Care Management, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
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Nomura K, Kitagawa K, Tsuji M, Iida M, Aoki M, Miyauchi K, Hirayama J, Nagashima K, Takebayashi T, Tsutsumi A. The quantity and quality of scientific evidence about the health of working women in occupational health of Japan: A scoping review. J Occup Health 2023; 65:e12427. [PMID: 37845837 PMCID: PMC10579630 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to investigate the quantity and quality of scientific evidence dealing with comprehensive health issues of working women in occupational health. METHODS This scoping review of original articles that investigated comprehensive health issues of working women aged 19-64 years in Japan was published in PubMed (1967-2022) and Igaku Chuo Zasshi (or Ichu-shi, 1982-2022). Using identical broad search terms, we first identified 17 122 English and 6154 Japanese articles. We excluded those with clinically relevant topics, or ethnicity other than Japanese and included 853 English and 855 Japanese articles for review and classified them into nine research areas considered to be critical factors for women in the workforce and five study design groups to investigate the quality of the evidence accumulated. RESULTS Among 853 English-language articles in PubMed, "Mental health" was the most frequent area studied, followed by "Work-related disease" and "Lifestyle-related disease." Among 855 Japanese-language articles from Ichu-shi, "Mental health" was the most frequently studied area followed by "Work and balance," and "Work-related disease." "Infertility, pregnancy, and childbirth" and "Menstruation, menopause, and genital disease" were well studied in Ichu-shi but scarcely published in PubMed. "Harassment and discrimination" were sparsely reported in both databases. As for research designs, many articles in both PubMed and Ichu-shi employed descriptive or cross-sectional study designs. However, a few studies employed cohort/longitudinal or interventional studies. CONCLUSION The results underscored the need for higher-quality study designs with more scientific evidence on working women's health in the field of occupational health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Nomura
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Public HealthAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kyoko Kitagawa
- Department of Environmental HealthUniversity of Occupational and Environmental HealthKitakyushuJapan
- Division of Ultrastructural Cell Biology, Department of AnatomyUniversity of MiyazakiMiyazakiJapan
| | - Mayumi Tsuji
- Department of Environmental HealthUniversity of Occupational and Environmental HealthKitakyushuJapan
| | - Miho Iida
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Mizuki Aoki
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Public HealthAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kasane Miyauchi
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Public HealthAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Junko Hirayama
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Public HealthAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kengo Nagashima
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical and Translational Research CenterKeio University HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Toru Takebayashi
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Akizumi Tsutsumi
- Department of Public HealthKitasato University School of MedicineSagamiharaJapan
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Gentili A, Failla G, Melnyk A, Puleo V, Tanna GLD, Ricciardi W, Cascini F. The cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions: A systematic review of the literature. Front Public Health 2022; 10:787135. [PMID: 36033812 PMCID: PMC9403754 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.787135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Digital health interventions have significant potential to improve safety, efficacy, and quality of care, reducing waste in healthcare costs. Despite these premises, the evidence regarding cost and effectiveness of digital tools in health is scarce and limited. Objectives The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions and to assess whether the studies meet the established quality criteria. Methods We queried PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for articles in English published from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 that performed economic evaluations of digital health technologies. The methodological rigorousness of studies was assessed with the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS). The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2009 checklist. Results Search identified 1,476 results, 552 of which were selected for abstract and 35 were included in this review. The studies were heterogeneous by country (mostly conducted in upper and upper-middle income countries), type of eHealth intervention, method of implementation, and reporting perspectives. The qualitative analysis identified the economic and effectiveness evaluation of six different types of interventions: (1) seventeen studies on new video-monitoring service systems; (2) five studies on text messaging interventions; (3) five studies on web platforms and digital health portals; (4) two studies on telephone support; (5) three studies on new mobile phone-based systems and applications; and (6) three studies on digital technologies and innovations. Conclusion Findings on cost-effectiveness of digital interventions showed a growing body of evidence and suggested a generally favorable effect in terms of costs and health outcomes. However, due to the heterogeneity across study methods, the comparison between interventions still remains difficult. Further research based on a standardized approach is needed in order to methodically analyze incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, costs, and health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gentili
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy,*Correspondence: Andrea Gentili
| | - Giovanna Failla
- Department of Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andriy Melnyk
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Valeria Puleo
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- Statistics Division, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Walter Ricciardi
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Fidelia Cascini
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Stratton E, Lampit A, Choi I, Malmberg Gavelin H, Aji M, Taylor J, Calvo RA, Harvey SB, Glozier N. Are Organizational EHealth Interventions Becoming More Effective at Addressing Employee Mental Health; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e37776. [PMID: 36166285 PMCID: PMC9555335 DOI: 10.2196/37776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health conditions are considered the leading cause of disability, sickness absence, and long-term work incapacity. eHealth interventions provide employees with access to psychological assistance. There has been widespread implementation and provision of eHealth interventions in the workplace as an inexpensive and anonymous way of addressing common mental disorders. Objective This updated review aimed to synthesize the literature on the efficacy of eHealth interventions for anxiety, depression, and stress outcomes in employee samples in organizational settings and evaluate whether their effectiveness has improved over time. Methods Systematic searches of relevant articles published from 2004 to July 2020 of eHealth intervention trials (app- or web-based) focusing on the mental health of employees were conducted. The quality and bias of all studies were assessed. We extracted means and SDs from publications by comparing the differences in effect sizes (Hedge g) in standardized mental health outcomes. We meta-analyzed these data using a random-effects model. Results We identified a tripling of the body of evidence, with 75 trials available for meta-analysis from a combined sample of 14,747 articles. eHealth interventions showed small positive effects for anxiety (Hedges g=0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.39; P<.001), depression (Hedges g=0.26, 95% CI 0.19-0.34; P<.001), and stress (Hedges g=0.25, 95% CI 0.17-0.34; P<.001) in employees’ after intervention, with similar effects seen at the medium-term follow-up. However, there was evidence of no increase in the effectiveness of these interventions over the past decade. Conclusions This review and meta-analysis confirmed that eHealth interventions have a small positive impact on reducing mental health symptoms in employees. Disappointingly, we found no evidence that, despite the advances in technology and the enormous resources in time, research, and finance devoted to this area for over a decade, better interventions are being produced. Hopefully, these small effect sizes do not represent optimum outcomes in organizational settings. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42020185859; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=185859
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Stratton
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amit Lampit
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Isabella Choi
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hanna Malmberg Gavelin
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Melissa Aji
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Jennifer Taylor
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Rafael A Calvo
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel B Harvey
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
- St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, Australia
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Salsabilla A, Azzahra AB, Syafitri RIP, Supadmi W, Suwantika AA. Cost-Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Asia: A Scoping Review. J Multidiscip Healthc 2022; 14:3587-3596. [PMID: 35002248 PMCID: PMC8721158 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s332579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the area where there is a lack of medical experts, telemedicine gives a lot of benefits to deal with the distance and limited public infrastructure. Objective This study aimed to review the literature on the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine in Asian countries and possibly to provide recommendations on implementing telemedicine in this region. Methods Articles were independently screened in two selected databases (PubMed and EBSCO). The framework of patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) was applied by considering Asian population, the intervention of telemedicine, current situation (without telemedicine) as the comparator, and cost per QALY gained as the major outcome. Results A total of 870 articles were identified from two databases: PubMed (n = 689 articles) and EBSCO (n = 181 articles). After removing 181 duplicates, 689 articles were screened by title and abstract, excluding 665 records. After the full-text screening on 24 articles, 8 articles were selected for further analysis. Various perspectives were applied in the included studies, such as societal, healthcare, and program perspectives. All studies applied different time horizons, such as 3-month, 25-year, 40-year, and lifetime. Among all included studies, several studies applied mathematical modeling. Conclusion The implementation of telemedicine in Asia can be a promising intervention since it can enhance the effectiveness of health services by saving time and travel costs. It also can reduce the overall costs of treatment, improve patients' quality of life, and expand access to essential health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Salsabilla
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Alifia B Azzahra
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Raden I P Syafitri
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Woro Supadmi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Auliya A Suwantika
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.,Center of Excellence in Higher Education for Pharmaceutical Care Innovation, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.,Center for Health Technology Assessment, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
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Kalampalikis A, Chatziioannou SS, Protopapas A, Gerakini AM, Michala L. mHealth and its application in menstrual related issues: a systematic review. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2021; 27:53-60. [PMID: 34615425 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1980873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this research was to evaluate how menstrual tracking applications can promote gynaecological health. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a systematic review in Medline and Scopus, for papers evaluating menstrual tracking mobile applications. We excluded review articles and those not written in English. RESULTS We identified 14 articles measuring the outcome resulting from the use of a single Fertility Tracking Application (FTA). Eight studies evaluated 2 different applications used as a contraception method. One study assessed a fecundity enhancing application. Five studies referred to applications, used to treat or monitor various gynaecologic issues. All studies reported efficacy for their intended use or a high satisfaction rate. DISCUSSION There is a plethora of FTAs, however a minority of them are appraised by medical experts. Several safety and privacy concerns have been expressed regarding their use and these issues should be addressed in the future. All studies identified in our search demonstrated that FTAs can facilitate users in terms of contraception, fertility, and menstrual awareness. CONCLUSION Menstrual tracking applications can serve as a valuable health tool, nevertheless, their content should be more vigorously evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kalampalikis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Athanasios Protopapas
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna M Gerakini
- School of Medicine, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Lina Michala
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Schantz JS, Fernandez CS, Anne Marie ZJ. Menstrual Cycle Tracking Applications and the Potential for Epidemiological Research: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2021; 8:9-19. [PMID: 34055569 PMCID: PMC8162175 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-020-00260-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We reviewed published studies on menstrual cycle tracking applications (MCTAs) in order to describe the potential of MCTAs for epidemiologic research. RECENT FINDINGS A search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for MCTA literature yielded 150 articles. After exclusions, there were 49 articles that addressed the primary interest areas: 1) characteristics of MCTA users in research, 2) reasons women use or continue using MCTAs, 3) accuracy of identifying ovulation and utility at promoting and preventing pregnancy, and 4) quality assessments of MCTAs across several domains. SUMMARY MCTAs are an important tool for the advancement of epidemiologic research on menstruation. MCTA studies should describe the characteristics of their user-base and missing data patterns. Describing the motivation for using MCTAs throughout a user's life and validating the data collected should be prioritized in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle S. Schantz
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Claudia S.P. Fernandez
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Z. Jukic Anne Marie
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709
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Fernández-Martínez E, Onieva-Zafra MD, Abreu-Sánchez A, Fernández-Muñóz JJ, Parra-Fernández ML. Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 17:E53. [PMID: 31861698 PMCID: PMC6981649 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Absenteeism can clearly have a negative impact on academic performance among university students. Certain experiences or symptoms such as menstrual pain are very common in women and can lead to absenteeism. The current study was aimed at examining the presence of menstrual experiences or symptoms and their impact upon absenteeism among healthy (illness-free) female university nursing students in Spain. A total of 299 students participated in this research, which was a descriptive cross-sectional, observational study. An ad hoc online questionnaire was used based on sociodemographic and gynecological data, together with the noted menstrual experiences; the most prevalent of which were bloating, which affected 87.3% of students; dysmenorrhea and irritability, which affected 76.3%; and fatigue, which affected 70.6%. Students with dysmenorrhea had a 6.95 higher (odds ratio (OR) 6.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.39-14.25) odds of absenteeism; in those who reported dizziness, the odds of absenteeism was 4.82 times higher (OR 4.82; 1.76-13.23); in those who manifested nausea and vomiting, the percentage of absenteeism was 3.51 higher (OR 3.51; 95% CI 1.51-8.15); in those who presented sleep alterations, the odds were 2.95 higher (OR 2.95; 95% CI 1.39-6.25); and for those who felt depressed the odds were 2.18 times higher (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.21-3.94) Absenteeism was found to be more likely in women with dysmenorrhea. However, in addition, higher odds of absenteeism were also found in women with nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sleep disorders, and those who feel depressed. These menstrual experiences can be considered a relevant problem among young women, leading to absenteeism, and a negative influence on academic performance. It is essential to raise awareness of the socioeconomic impact of absenteeism and establish new strategies for improving menstrual experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Dolores Onieva-Zafra
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, University of Castilla-La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | - Ana Abreu-Sánchez
- Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (E.F.-M.); (A.A.-S.)
| | | | - María Laura Parra-Fernández
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, University of Castilla-La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
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