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Ojong SA, Temmerman M, Khosla R, Bustreo F. Women's health and rights in the twenty-first century. Nat Med 2024; 30:1547-1555. [PMID: 38886622 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
In the twenty-first century, the complex relationship between women's health and rights has been influenced by a range of interconnected challenges, including gender inequity, reproductive health disparities, maternal mortality and morbidity, and women's inability to access life-saving, high-quality healthcare services including family planning. Going forward, the world needs to find ways to implement the unfinished agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus prioritizing health and rights for women and girls as essential not only to their survival but also to their progress, agency and empowerment. It is also important to consider the interconnection between women's health and rights and climate change, with its disproportionate impact on the well-being of girls and women, and to address the impact and opportunities afforded by digital technologies. By embracing a holistic approach, societies might be able to advance the cause of women's health and rights in a more inclusive and sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Rajat Khosla
- International Institute on Global Health, United Nations University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Flavia Bustreo
- Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Geneva, Switzerland
- Fondation Botnar Board, Basel, Switzerland
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Kundu J, James KS, Hossain B, Chakraborty R. Gender differences in premature mortality for cardiovascular disease in India, 2017-18. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:547. [PMID: 36949397 PMCID: PMC10035272 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15454-9] [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: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study tries to provide a comprehensive estimate of gender differences in the years of life lost due to CVD across the major states of India during 2017-18. METHODS The information on the CVD related data were collected from medical certification of causes of death (MCCD reports, 2018). Apart from this, information from census of India (2001, 2011), SRS (2018) were also used to estimate YLL. To understand the variation in YLL due to CVD at the state level, nine sets of covariates were chosen: share of elderly population, percentage of urban population, literacy rate, health expenditure, social sector expenditure, labour force participation, HDI Score and co-existence of other NCDs such as diabetes, & obesity. The absolute number of YLL and YLL rates were calculated. Further, Pearson's correlation had been calculated and to understand the effect of explanatory variables on YLL due to CVD, multiple linear regression analysis had been applied. RESULTS Men have a higher burden of premature mortality in terms of Years of life lost (YLL) due to CVD than women in India, with pronounced differences at adult ages of 50-54 years and over. The age pattern of YLL rate suggests that the age group 85 + makes the highest contribution to the overall YLL rate due to CVD. YLL rate showed a J-shaped relationship with age, starting high at ages below 1 years, dropping to their lowest among children aged 1-4 years, and rising again to highest levels at 85 + years among both men and women. In all the states except Bihar men had higher estimated YLL due to CVD for all ages than women. Among men the YLL due to CVD was higher in Tamil Nadu followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. On the other hand, the YLL due to CVD among men was lowest in Jharkhand followed by Assam. Similarly, among women the YLL due to CVD was highest in Tamil Nadu followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. While, the YLL due to CVD among women was lowest in Jharkhand. Irrespective of gender, all factors except state health expenditure were positively linked with YLL due to CVD, i.e., as state health expenditure increases, the years of life lost (YLL) due to CVDs falls. Among all the covariates, the proportion of a state's elderly population emerges as the most significant predictor variable for YLL for CVDs (r = 0.42 for men and r = 0.50 for women). CONCLUSION YLL due to cardiovascular disease varies among men and women across the states of India. The state-specific findings of gender differences in years of life lost due to CVD may be used to improve policies and programmes in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhumki Kundu
- International Institute for Population Sciences, 400088, Mumbai, India
| | - K S James
- International Institute for Population Sciences, 400088, Mumbai, India
| | - Babul Hossain
- International Institute for Population Sciences, 400088, Mumbai, India.
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Abubakari SW, Badasu DM, Apraku EA, Amenga-Etego S, Asante KP, Bawah AA, Owusu-Agyei S. A Competing Risk Analysis of Women Dying of Maternal, Infectious, or Non-Communicable Causes in the Kintampo Area of Ghana. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:690870. [PMID: 34816233 PMCID: PMC8593997 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.690870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Maternal, infectious, and non-communicable causes of death combinedly are a major health problem for women of reproductive age (WRA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Little is known about the relative risks of each of these causes of death in their combined form and their demographic impacts. The focus of studies on WRA has been on maternal health. The evolving demographic and health transitions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suggest a need for a comprehensive approach to resolve health challenges of women beyond maternal causes. Methods: Deaths and person-years of exposure (PYE) were calculated by age for WRA within 15-49 years of age in the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) area from January 2005 to December 2014. Causes of death were diagnosed using a standard verbal autopsy questionnaire and the 10th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Identified causes of death were categorized into three broad areas, namely, maternal, infectious, and non-communicable diseases. Multiple decrements and associated single decrement life table methods were used. Results: Averting any of the causes of death was seen to lead to improved life expectancy, but eliminating infectious causes of death leads to the highest number of years gained. Infectious causes of death affected all ages and the gains in life expectancy, assuming that these causes were eliminated, diminished with increasing age. The oldest age group, 45-49, had the greatest gain in reproductive-aged life expectancy (RALE) if maternal mortality was eliminated. Discussion: This study demonstrated the existence of a triple burden. Infectious causes of death are persistently high while deaths from non-communicable causes are rising and the level of maternal mortality is still unacceptably high. It recommends that attention should be given to all the causes of death among WRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulemana Watara Abubakari
- Kintampo Health Research Center, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana
| | | | - Edward Anane Apraku
- Kintampo Health Research Center, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Seeba Amenga-Etego
- Kintampo Health Research Center, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Kwaku Poku Asante
- Kintampo Health Research Center, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Ayaga Agula Bawah
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Seth Owusu-Agyei
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health & Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Many global health organisations have adopted formal strategies to integrate gender in their programming. In practice, few prioritise the issue. Institutions with considerable global power therefore largely overlook fundamental drivers of adverse health outcomes: gender inequality and harmful gender norms. We analyse the factors shaping attention to gender in organisations involved in global health governance. METHODS Drawing on scholarship from the fields of organisational behavior and management, sociology, international relations and the policy process, we undertook a thematic analysis of peer-reviewed scholarship and organisational documents. We also conducted 20 semi-structured interviews over Skype with individuals working at the cross-section of gender and health. RESULTS In seeking to reform the policies and practices of global health organisations, gender proponents confront patriarchal organisational cultures, hostile political environments and an issue that is difficult to address as it requires upsetting existing power structures. Proponents also face three linked challenges internal to their own networks. First, there is little cohesion among champions themselves, as they are fragmented into multiple networks. Second, proponents differ on the nature of the problem and solutions, including whether reducing gender inequality or addressing harmful gender norms is the primary goal, the role of men in gender initiatives, which health issues to prioritise, and even the value of proponent cohesion. Third, there are disagreements among proponents on how to convey the problem. Some advance an instrumental case, while others believe that it should be portrayed as a human rights issue and using any other argument undermines that fundamental justification. CONCLUSIONS Prospects for building more gender-responsive global health organisations will depend in part on the ability of proponents to address these disagreements and develop strategies for negotiating difficult organisational cultures and political environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusra Ribhi Shawar
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Jeremy Shiffman
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, D.C., USA
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Knaul FM, Rodriguez NM, Bhadelia A, Garcia P, Atun R. Progress on women's health—lessons and opportunities for global cancer control. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Ginsburg O, Bray F, Coleman MP, Vanderpuye V, Eniu A, Kotha SR, Sarker M, Huong TT, Allemani C, Dvaladze A, Gralow J, Yeates K, Taylor C, Oomman N, Krishnan S, Sullivan R, Kombe D, Blas MM, Parham G, Kassami N, Conteh L. The global burden of women's cancers: a grand challenge in global health. Lancet 2017; 389:847-860. [PMID: 27814965 PMCID: PMC6191029 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31392-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 593] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Every year, more than 2 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, yet where a woman lives, her socioeconomic status, and agency largely determines whether she will develop one of these cancers and will ultimately survive. In regions with scarce resources, fragile or fragmented health systems, cancer contributes to the cycle of poverty. Proven and cost-effective interventions are available for both these common cancers, yet for so many women access to these is beyond reach. These inequities highlight the urgent need in low-income and middle-income countries for sustainable investments in the entire continuum of cancer control, from prevention to palliative care, and in the development of high-quality population-based cancer registries. In this first paper of the Series on health, equity, and women's cancers, we describe the burden of breast and cervical cancer, with an emphasis on global and regional trends in incidence, mortality, and survival, and the consequences, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged women in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophira Ginsburg
- Women's College Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Freddie Bray
- Cancer Surveillance Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Michel P Coleman
- Cancer Survival Group, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Verna Vanderpuye
- National Center for Radiotherapy, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - S Rani Kotha
- Institute for Global Health Equity and Innovation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Malabika Sarker
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tran Thanh Huong
- Hanoi Medical University and National Institute for Cancer Control, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Claudia Allemani
- Cancer Survival Group, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Allison Dvaladze
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julie Gralow
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karen Yeates
- Queen's University Faculty of Health Sciences, Office of Global Health, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Nandini Oomman
- Independent Global Health Specialist, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Suneeta Krishnan
- Research Triangle Institute Global India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India; St John's Research Institute, Bengarulu, India
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, King's Health Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre, London, UK; King's Centre for Global Health, King's Health Partners and King's College London, UK
| | | | - Magaly M Blas
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Groesbeck Parham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Natasha Kassami
- Health Economics Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lesong Conteh
- Health Economics Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Christiani Y, Tavener M, Byles JE. Contextualizing urban living as a determinant of women's health in Jakarta, Indonesia. Women Health 2016; 57:1204-1220. [PMID: 27880091 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2016.1263271] [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
Big cities can offer great opportunities for women to have a better life. At the same time, however, the physical and social environment in cities can negatively affect their health. We conducted focus groups with 24 women (aged 18-72 years) living in Jakarta, Indonesia from October to November 2014. Our aim was to elicit women's experiences of living in Jakarta, including their health and accessing health care. The most frequent health problems reported by women in this study were hypertension and arthritis. Women often gave priority to their family, particularly their children, over themselves and their own health. Discussants also thought that the city's physical and social conditions could affect their health, and that women were more prone to feel stress than men. The results of this study highlight the importance of addressing social determinants of health across the life course, including gender, to improve women's health status. Moreover, multi-sectoral collaboration at the municipal and national level is needed for urban planning to create better living conditions for women in the cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yodi Christiani
- a Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, Hunter Medical Research Institute , University of Newcastle , New Lambton Heights , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Meredith Tavener
- a Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, Hunter Medical Research Institute , University of Newcastle , New Lambton Heights , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Julie E Byles
- a Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, Hunter Medical Research Institute , University of Newcastle , New Lambton Heights , New South Wales , Australia
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Wilkinson JF, Short HL, Wilkinson S, Mander A. Commissioning for menopause specialist services: A local perspective: An internet-based survey to assess the potential demand for menopause care in West Cheshire and the skills of local primary care clinicians in this field, with a view to informing future commissioning locally. Post Reprod Health 2015; 21:98-104. [PMID: 26265375 DOI: 10.1177/2053369115595309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the perceived volume of women affected by peri- or post-menopausal issues that present to primary care clinicians in West Cheshire, plus the self-reported confidence of those clinicians in managing the menopause, and whether or not they feel that they and their patients should have access to a specialist menopause service. STUDY DESIGN Completion of an electronic survey. POPULATION General practitioners and practice nurses working in West Cheshire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE To provide evidence for future local commissioning of menopause services. RESULTS Ninety-one clinicians working within West Cheshire were sent an email request to complete the survey with 53 responses received (58%). The majority were general practitioners and were within the 35-54 year age range. The majority perceived that, each week in their clinical practice, they see between one and eight women who are affected by peri- or post-menopausal symptoms. Regarding their self-reported skills and knowledge in managing the menopause, almost half felt they had 'good' knowledge but 'recognised (they) had learning needs'. Seven of the 53 (13%) felt their skills were 'not good'. Two-thirds of those clinicians who completed the survey felt that they and their patients should have access to a specialist menopause service locally. CONCLUSIONS In the area covered by West Cheshire clinical commissioning group, there is no currently commissioned menopause service. This study has demonstrated that a substantial number of women present each week to clinicians working in this area who are felt to have peri- or post-menopausal symptoms. The clinicians have self-reported learning needs. Qualitative data from the survey would suggest training can be difficult to access. There is a clear need, both ethically and medically, for the commissioning of a West Cheshire specialist menopause service, with the proposed model being an integrated and holistic care model. Menopause care, and post-reproductive healthcare generally, provides an opportunity for collaboration and partnership working within an outcomes-based commissioning model. This study could be reviewed and replicated in other areas for comparison.
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Baheiraei A, Bakouei F, Bakouei S, Eskandari N, Ahmari Tehran H. Social Capital as a Determinant of Self-Rated Health in Women of Reproductive Age: A Population-Based Study. Glob J Health Sci 2015; 8:273-80. [PMID: 26383196 PMCID: PMC4803939 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v8n2p273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Recognition of the factors related to women’s health is necessary. Evidence is available that the social structure including social capital plays an important role in the shaping people’s health. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between self-rated health and social capital in women of reproductive age. Methods: This study is a population-based cross-sectional survey on 770 women of reproductive age, residing in any one of the 22 municipality areas across Tehran (capital of Iran) with the multi stage sampling technique. Self-rated health (Dependent variable), social capital (Independent variable) and covariates were studied. Analysis of data was done by one-way ANOVA test and multiple linear regressions. Results: Depending on logistic regression analyses, the significant associations were found between self-rated health and age, educational level, crowding index, sufficiency of income for expenses and social cohesion. Data show that women with higher score in social cohesion as an outcome dimension of social capital have better self-rated health (PV = 0.001). Conclusion: Given the findings of this study, the dimensions of social capital manifestations (groups and networks, trust and solidarity, collective action and cooperation) can potentially lead to the dimensions of social capital outcomes (social cohesion and inclusion, and empowerment and political action). Following that, social cohesion as a dimension of social capital outcomes has positively relationship with self- rated health after controlling covariates. Therefore, it is required to focus on the social capital role on health promotion and health policies.
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Baheiraei A, Bakouei F, Mohammadi E, Majdzadeh R, Hosseni M. Association between social capital and health in women of reproductive age: a population-based study. Glob Health Promot 2015; 23:6-15. [PMID: 26014958 DOI: 10.1177/1757975915572382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Women's health is a public health priority. The origins of health inequalities are very complex. The present study was conducted to determine the association between social capital and health status in reproductive-age women in Tehran, Iran. In this population-based, cross-sectional study, the Social Capital Integrated Questionnaire, the SF-36 and socio-demographic questionnaires were used. Analysis of data by one-way ANOVA test and stepwise multiple linear regression showed that the manifestation dimensions of social capital (groups and networks, trust and solidarity, collective action and cooperation) can potentially lead to the outcome dimensions of social capital (social cohesion and inclusion, and empowerment and political action), which in turn affect health inequities after controlling for socio-demographic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Baheiraei
- Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Bakouei
- Department of Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Eesa Mohammadi
- Department of Nursing, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Majdzadeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Hosseni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Azenha GS, Parsons-Perez C, Goltz S, Bhadelia A, Durstine A, Knaul F, Torode J, Starrs A, McGuire H, Drake JK, Kidwell JD, Rojhani A, Lu R. Recommendations towards an integrated, life-course approach to women's health in the post-2015 agenda. Bull World Health Organ 2014; 91:704-6. [PMID: 24101787 DOI: 10.2471/blt.13.117622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 06/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo S Azenha
- Columbia University, Institute for Latin American Studies, 132 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001, United States of America (USA)
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Bustreo F, Chestnov O, Knaul FM, Araujo de Carvalho I, Merialdi M, Temmerman M, Beard JR. At the crossroads: transforming health systems to address women's health across the life course. Bull World Health Organ 2014; 91:622. [PMID: 24101774 DOI: 10.2471/blt.13.128439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Bustreo
- World Health Organization, avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
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Baheiraei A, Bakouei F, Mohammadi E, Hosseini M. Social capital in association with health status of women in reproductive age: study protocol for a sequential explanatory mixed methods study. Reprod Health 2014; 11:35. [PMID: 24885213 PMCID: PMC4041062 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-11-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's health is a general health priority. Preserving and improving women's health is not only a basic human right, but it is also essential for the health of all nations. Women's health in Reproductive age affects long-term health of theirs, their family members, and community. Origins of health inequalities are very complicated. Health outcomes are influenced by biological, social and political factors, so to improve women's health it is necessary to recognize all these factors. Social capital is one of the social determinants of health that might play a considerable role in health inequalities. The association between social capital and health varies according on the sample studied, the type of health outcome and the context in which it is studied. This mixed methods study was designed to determine and explore of relationship between social capital and health status of women of reproductive age in Tehran (capital city of Iran) with its specific social-cultural characteristics. METHODS/DESIGN This study is sequential explanatory mixed methods study, follow-up explanations variant, with two strands (phases). This design will be implemented in two distinct phases. The first phase is a population-based cross-sectional survey on 770 women of reproductive age residing in any of the 22 municipal districts across Tehran. Based on a need to further understand the quantitative results, researchers will implement a second qualitative phase that is designed to help explain the initial quantitative results. Finally, the researchers will present an interpretation about explanation of quantitative results using the qualitative data. DISCUSSION This study promotes women's health by determining the priorities and designing evidence-based interventions founded on the basic and insightful information provided on social capital and the status of the health of women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Bakouei
- Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Bonita R, Beaglehole R. Women and NCDs: overcoming the neglect. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:23742. [PMID: 24804863 PMCID: PMC4012074 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.23742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two in every three deaths among women are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – largely heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. The global discourse on health, however, largely views women in terms of their reproductive capacity, a persisting myth reflecting gender bias that shifts the focus away from NCDs, violence, and other injuries. Risk factors for NCDs are similar for men and women. Because fewer women actively smoke than men, and drink in less harmful ways, in most parts of the world, the impact of major NCD risk factors is far less in women than in men. In the area of diagnosis and treatment, gender bias can result in women being asked fewer questions, and receiving fewer examinations and fewer diagnostic tests for coronary heart disease and other NCDs compared with men with similar symptoms. In response to a UN meeting in September 2011, member states of WHO have agreed to a global goal to reduce avoidable NCD mortality by 25% by 2025 (‘25 by 25’). A set of voluntary targets and indictors have been agreed upon, although none of them are gender specific. Most require changes at the policy level that will ensure that women – and children – will also benefit. As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals approaches, women and NCDs should be central to the sustainable human development agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Bonita
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;
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