Physical activity and cervical cancer testing among American Indian women

Postpartum depression and risk factors among working women one year after delivery in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common mental illness affecting women after childbirth, and working mothers may be faced with unique challenges. This study aimed to examine the depression status among working postpartum women in 1 year of childbirth and explore the relationship between occupational factors and PPD in urban Beijing, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 554 postpartum women was conducted among ten community health service centers in six urban districts of Beijing, China. Sociodemographic, occupational, childbirth and postpartum information were collected. Depression status was obtained using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) was assessed in relation to occupational characteristics, and influencing factors were analyzed through logistic regression.

Results

Of the postpartum women, 29.42% met the criteria for depression. PPD prevalence was significantly higher among women employed in commercial enterprises (39.81%). The analysis of influencing factors showed that age, family or personal monthly income, maternity leave, feeding methods, and postpartum care affected the psychological health of occupational women after childbirth.

Conclusion

PPD prevalence is notably elevated among women employed in commercial enterprises, and specific risk factors contribute to its occurrence. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these risk factors and prevent PPD in this population.

Predictive factors of breast cancer mammography screening among Iranian women

Introduction

Understanding the factors that influence women's cancer screening behavior is crucial in reducing cancer mortality through early detection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the status of mammography and related factors among women who presented to the health centers of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran.

Methods

For this study, a sample of 251,011 women who visited healthcare centers affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences was selected. The study examined several variables, including sociodemographic information, current smoking, nutrition status, and physical exercise. All analyses were performed using Python programming language and SPSS software. Furthermore, to handle imbalanced data, we used SMOTE balancing method that is an oversampling method and produce synthetic samples from the minority class.

Results

The factors of age, education, being employed, having children, family history of cancer, physical activity, smoking status, and diet were all predictors of mammography screening. Moreover, findings showed that age and family history of breast cancer were most important variables to predict mammography status, respectively.

Conclusions

By examining various variables such as dietary habits, exercise, smoking, and demographic properties, it sheds light on the relationships between these factors and mammography screening. This provides valuable insights into the associations between breast cancer screening behavior and preventive lifestyle behaviors. By targeting both preventive lifestyle choices and breast cancer screening behaviors, interventions can effectively promote positive changes in behavior and ultimately reduce the incidence and impact of breast cancer.

Factors influencing the prevalence of cervical cancer screening in Malaysia: a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

In 2020, cervical cancer ranked fourth in terms of both frequency of diagnosis and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. Among Malaysian women, it was the third most prevalent form of cancer. Published data on nationally representative cervical cancer screening in Malaysia have been limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of receiving a Pap smear test in the past three years, its relationship with socio-demographic factors and physical activity.

METHODS

Using a subset of survey data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, a secondary data analysis was performed. Trained research assistants collected data through face-to-face method using a mobile tablet questionnaire system application. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors, physical activity, and cervical cancer screening. The analyses were conducted using STATA version 14 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas, USA), accounting for sample weighs and complex sampling design.

RESULTS

The analysis included 5,650 female respondents, representing an estimated 10.3 million Malaysian female adults aged 18 and above. Overall, 35.2% (95%CI 33.2, 37.4) respondents had a Pap smear test within the past three years. Respondents who were physically active were 1.41 times more likely to have a Pap smear test. Similarly, respondents aged 35-59 (OR 1.84; 95%CI 1.46, 2.34) and those living in rural localities (OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.13, 1.70) had higher odds of receiving a Pap smear test. Compared to married respondents, single respondents (OR 0.04; 95%CI 0.02, 0.07) and widowed/divorcee respondents (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.56, 0.82) were less likely to receive a Pap smear test. Educated respondents were more likely to have had a Pap smear test.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of cervical cancer screening in Malaysia remains low (35.2%). Efforts should be made to strengthen health promotion programs and policies in increasing awareness on the significance of cervical cancer screening. These initiatives should specifically target younger women, single women, and widowed/divorced individuals. The higher cervical screening uptake among rural women should be studied further, and the enabling factors in the rural setup should be emulated in urban areas whenever possible.

Physically fit with a higher cancer risk? Influences of cervical cancer screening among a sample of physically active women ages 21-49 living in the United States

To achieve the lowest risk level for various cancers, individuals would engage in several healthy lifestyle behaviors and age-eligible cancer screenings as recommended. Nonetheless, research has largely omitted exploration of concurrent primary and secondary prevention behaviors. This study was designed to explore influences of cervical cancer screening among physically active women who reported participation in recreational sports.

U.S. based women between the ages of 21–49, who had never been diagnosed with cancer, were eligible to complete a web-based survey. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4.

On average, women were 31 years of age (N = 394) and self-identified as Black (51.3 %). Although low overall (30.7 %), higher odds of cervical cancer screening were associated with age (OR = 1.06, 95 % CI = 1.03–1.10), employment (OR = 2.43, 95 % CI = 1.14–5.18), knowledge of cancer-related risk behaviors (OR = 4.04, 95 % CI = 1.33–12.28), routine doctor’s visit (OR = 4.25, 95 % CI = 1.56–11.54), and team-based vs individual-based sport participation (OR = 1.95, 95 % CI = 1.13–3.34).

Our study provides insight into the health profile of physically active women, ages 21–49, as it relates to risks for cervical cancer. Screening uptake among this diverse sample was much lower than the general population and national goals set by Healthy People 2030. Interventions should be tailored to increase knowledge of cancer-related risk behaviors, access to healthcare, and recommended cervical cancer screenings among even assumed-to-be healthy populations.

BMI, Physical Inactivity, and Pap Test Use in Asian Women in the U.S

INTRODUCTION

In the U.S., limited epidemiologic studies have investigated associations between BMI and physical inactivity and Pap test use among Asian women. The aim was to disentangle associations using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2014 and 2016.

METHODS

In the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, BMI was categorized into four levels (<18.5, 18.5 to <25, 25 to <30, and ≥30) and inactivity was defined as having no physical activity in addition to the individual's regular job during the past month. Analyses were conducted in June 2018. Weighted percentages of covariates were used to descriptively summarize the data. Multivariable logistic regression corrected for sampling weight was used to estimate associations between BMI and inactivity and Pap test use. Subgroup analysis was conducted by income and education.

RESULTS

The analysis included 9,424 women and 59.6% of them had their last Pap test within 3 years. OR in the mutually adjusted model suggested underweight (BMI <18.5 compared with normal weight) was inversely associated with Pap test use within the last 3 years (OR=0.56, 95% CI=0.36, 0.88). Inactivity (compared with activity) was not associated with Pap test use within the last 3 years (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.60, 1.06). Different association patterns of BMI and inactivity were observed by education.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that being underweight, rather than overweight or obesity, is associated with a lower rate of Pap test use in U.S. Asian women. Health interventions to facilitate Pap test use in Asian women should explore other potential targets, not aiming to just prevent obesity or change physical inactivity.

Impact of Physical Inactivity on Risk of Developing Cancer of the Uterine Cervix: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated whether physical inactivity was associated with risk of cervical cancer in women treated at an American cancer hospital.

METHODS

This case-control study included 128 patients with cervical cancer and 512 controls matched on age. Controls were women suspected of having but not ultimately diagnosed with a neoplasm. Physical inactivity was defined in accordance with the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Thus, participants reporting, on average, no moderate or vigorous recreational physical activity were classified as inactive. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Compared with noncancer controls, those with cervical cancer had significantly increased odds of reporting abstinence from recreational physical activity (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.56-3.80). No association was noted between occupational-related physical inactivity and cervical cancer (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.58-1.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that abstinence from regular recreational physical activity is associated with increased odds of cervical cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first US-based study examining these associations. Given the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, this study has identified yet another potential public health benefit to regular physical activity. Further investigation is needed using a larger sample and prospectively collected data to characterize dose of activity to mitigate risk and the optimal window of susceptibility.

Determinants of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women in Turkey

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on breast and cervical cancer screening among women 30 years and older in Turkey. We used data from the National Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2011. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle variables, and cancer screening. Overall, 22.0% of women ever had a Pap smear test for cervical cancer screening and 19.0% ever had a mammography for breast cancer screening(n = 6846). Individuals with a university degree, social security, doing moderate physical activity, and consuming 5 portions of fruit or vegetable/day were more likely to receive Pap smear test and mammography. Residing in the eastern region and living in rural area was associated with lower likelihood of receiving both types of screening.

Self-Reported Physical Activity Among American Indian Adults From Two Diverse Regions

PURPOSE

Physical activity may be a protective factor against the disproportionate rates of chronic diseases faced by American Indians. Nevertheless, few studies report any cultural adoptions made to capture physical activity behaviors among this hard-to-reach population. Existing studies reporting the prevalence of physical activity among American Indians are often aggregated and tend to obscure regional, local, and tribal-level variations. This study examines the prevalence of physical activity and inactivity levels, along with associated factors, among rural dwelling American Indian adults from 2 distinct regions.

METHODS

Baseline self-reported data were collected using a culturally modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form during the Obesity Research Prevention and Evaluation of Intervention Effectiveness in Native North Americans trial (OPREVENT) among rural American Indian adults (aged 18-75 years) from 5 tribal communities in Michigan and New Mexico.

FINDINGS

Most participants were classified as moderately physically active (43.5%), and the majority reported access to physical activity facilities (83.5%). Michigan participants reported engaging in more moderate and total physical activity than those in New Mexico (P < .001) and reported spending less time sitting (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in physical activity among the American Indian communities may be due to regional variations in occupations, climate, and tribal and community support and infrastructure. The unexpected high level of activity evokes uncertainty in the accuracy and appropriateness of the data collection instrument. Research is needed to understand culturally appropriate approaches to measure physical activity and inactivity among rural American Indians.

Association of American Indian cultural identity with physical activity

OBJECTIVE

Cultural factors are associated with health behaviors among American Indians. Accordingly, the objective of our study was to investigate whether cultural identity, defined as the primary language spoken at home, is associated with: 1) higher total physical activity levels, and 2) levels of leisure-time physical activity recommended for health benefits in a diverse sample of American Indians.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of 5,207 American Indian adults 18 to 82 years. Participants resided on the Oglala Sioux (n=2,025) and Cheyenne River Sioux (n=1,528) reservations in South Dakota, and the Gila River Indian Community (n=1,654) in Arizona.

RESULTS

Bicultural participants in South Dakota, but not Arizona, reported significantly higher total physical activity compared to the English-only group (P<.05). About 35% of English only speakers, 39% of American Indian/Alaska Native only speakers, and 39% of participants speaking both languages met the 150 minutes/week activity threshold. Odds of being sufficiently active were higher among bicultural respondents in both regions when compared to respondents endorsing only English, controlling for sociodemographic and health-related covariates (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Bicultural respondents among tribal members in South Dakota had significantly higher total physical activity, and higher levels of sufficient leisure-time activity in both South Dakota and Arizona, compared to those who spoke either language exclusively. Interventions that encourage American Indians to develop their bicultural efficacy and to draw on resources for healthy living that may be available in all the cultures with which they identify are recommended.