Factors associated with health-related quality of life among Indian women in mining and agriculture

BACKGROUND: Women facing social and economic disadvantage in stressed communities of developing countries are at greater risk due to health problems. This paper investigates the relationships between structural, health and psychosocial predictors among women in mining and agricultural communities. This paper is a report of a study of the predictors of the health-related quality of life among Indian women in mining and agricultural communities. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The instruments used are SF-36 Health Survey and Coping Strategy Checklist. ANOVA, MANOVA and GLM were used in the analysis. The study was conducted between January-September 2008 with randomly selected women in a mining (145) and an agricultural community (133) in India. RESULTS: Women in the agricultural community had significantly increased Physical Health, Mental Health and SF36 scores compared with those in the mining community. Years of stay, education and employment were significant predictors among women in the agricultural community. 39% (33%) and 40% (26%) of the variance in Physical and Mental health respectively among women in agricultural and mining communities are predicted by the structural, health and psychosocial variables. CONCLUSION: Perceived health status should be recognised as an important assessment of Physical and Mental Health among women in rural stressed communities. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural coping strategies are significant predictors of health related quality of life. Implications. Nurses should use the SF-36 as a diagnostic tool for assessing health related quality of life among women and discuss coping strategies, so that these can target women’s adaptive behaviour. This should be an essential part of the nursing process for facilitating adaptive process for improved health related quality of life

Effectiveness and meaningfulness of breast cancer survivorship and peer support for improving the quality of life of immigrant women: A mixed methods systematic review protocol

Objective: The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness and meaningfulness of breast cancer peer survivorship and support group in improving the quality of life of immigrant adults. Introduction: Immigrant women use fewer follow-up and peer support services following treatment for breast cancer than people who have not recently immigrated to a new country. Review questions: This JBI convergent segregated approach to a mixed methods systematic review will address the following review questions. What is the impact of survivorship and peer support groups on improving the quality of life for immigrant women survivors? What is the impact of acculturated interventions for breast cancer survivors to improve quality of life? Inclusion criteria: The inclusion criteria include immigrant women who have completed their initial course of breast cancer treatment. The exclusion criteria include non-immigrant - women and men (above 18 years) who are not diagnosed with breast cancer, or currently undergoing active or advanced treatment, or end of life care. Methods: The proposed systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews. The search strategy will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research reports published in academic journals and a grey literature search for unpublished research reports. A mixed method integrated approach to synthesis and integration will be used. Findings of method synthesis will be configured according to JBI methodology convergent segregated mixed methods systematic review. Systematic review registration number: Registration of title in PROSPERO 2020: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#loginpage

Prevalence of pregnancy anxiety and associated factors

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pregnancy-specific anxiety (PSA) and its associated factors among pregnant women during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Design: A prospective explorative survey was conducted among 500 low-risk Indian pregnant women of age 18–35 years. Setting: A major maternity government hospital in southern state of Kerala, India. Participants: 500 low risk pregnant women who attended the major maternity government hospital during the period June 2004–July 2005 were selected as convenient sample. Methods: An exploratory research design with a prospective cohort approach was adopted for the study. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety Inventory (PSAI) were used to collect the data. Results: Highest prevalence of pregnancy-specific anxiety (PSA) was reported during the third trimester of pregnancy. All pregnant women rated high levels of third trimester childbirth anxiety compared to other three components of pregnancy-specific anxiety. Nulliparous pregnant women reported higher levels of PSA than parous pregnant women (M = 134.40, M = 116.8). Young age, nulliparous status and nuclear family nature were identified as common risk factors of pregnancy-specific anxiety. Conclusion: During the transition to motherhood, the risk factors and timing of heightened pregnancy-specific anxiety differ. Higher prevalence of pregnancy anxiety among nulliparous and younger pregnant women necessitates an integrated routine screening of PSA during prenatal care. Early detection, prevention and management of pregnancy anxiety will enable women to cope with the challenges of pregnancy