Variation in the psychosocial determinants of the intention to prescribe hormone therapy prior to the release of the Women's Health Initiative trial: a survey of general practitioners and gynaecologists in France and Quebec

BACKGROUND: Theory-based approaches are advocated to improve our understanding of prescription behaviour. This study is an application of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) with additional variables. It was designed to assess which variables were associated with the intention to prescribe hormone therapy (HT). In addition, variations in the measures across medical specialities (GPs and gynaecologists) and across countries (France and Quebec) were investigated. METHODS: A survey among 2,000 doctors from France and 1,044 doctors from Quebec was conducted. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. A clinical vignette was used to elicit doctors' opinions. The following TPB variables were assessed: attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, attitudinal beliefs, normative beliefs and power of control beliefs. Additional variables (role belief, moral norm and practice pattern-related factors) were also assessed. A stepwise logistic regression was used to assess which variables were associated with the intention to prescribe HT. GPs and gynaecologists were compared to each other within countries and the two countries were compared within the specialties. RESULTS: Overall, 1,085 doctors from France returned their questionnaire and 516 doctors from Quebec (response rate = 54% and 49%, respectively). In the overall regression model, power of control beliefs, moral norm and role belief were significantly associated with intention (all at p < 0.0001). The models by specialty and country were: for GPs in Quebec, power of control beliefs (p < 0.0001), moral norm (p < 0.01) and cytology and hormonal dosage (both at p < 0.05); for GPs in France, power of control beliefs and role belief (both at p < 0.0001) and perception of behavioural control (p < 0.05) and cessation of menses (p < 0.01); for gynaecologists in Quebec, moral norm and power of control beliefs (both at p = 0.01); and for gynaecologists in France, power of control beliefs (p < 0.0001), and moral norm, role belief and lipid profile (all at p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In both countries, compared with GPs, intention to prescribe HT was higher for gynaecologists. Psychosocial determinants of doctors' intention to prescribe HT varied according to the specialty and the country thus, suggesting an influence of contextual factors on these determinants

Dépistages des cancers gynécologiques en médecine générale - Variabilité des pratiques de soins

Actuellement les gynécologues sont en France les professionnels de santé les plus impliqués dans le dépistage des cancers gynécologiques, mais les généralistes, qui voient l ensemble de la population, sont les mieux placés pour dispenser des soins préventifs à tous et de façon équitable.Ce travail visait à comprendre la variabilité des pratiques de dépistage des cancers gynécologiques (par le frottis cervico-utérin et la mammographie) chez les femmes consultant en médecine générale, en fonction notamment de la position sociale des patientes et de l organisation du cabinet de leur médecin.Il s intègre dans une étude menée en 2005-06 sur les principaux soins préventifs destinés aux adultes des deux sexes. Sur une période de deux semaines, toutes les patientes de 50 à 69 ans de 59 généralistes franciliens tirés au sort (taux de participation des généralistes : 39 %) ont été incluses au fil des consultations. Les données ont été recueillies auprès des patients par téléphone et auprès des médecins en face-à-face à leur cabinet. L essentiel des analyses a été réalisé avec des modèles logistiques mixtes à intercept aléatoire pour tenir compte de la structure hiérarchique des données.Au total, 66,7 % des patients éligibles (n=4106) ont participé à l étude, sans différence selon le sexe des patients.Même parmi des femmes utilisant le système de santé, on observe des inégalités sociales, mais uniquement concernant le frottis (n=858). Un gradient de dépistage défavorable au bas de la hiérarchie sociale existe pour la profession (indice relatif d inégalité = 2,3), le niveau d études (IRI = 2,0) et les revenus (IRI = 3,0). L analyse des contributions à ces gradients de diverses dimensions de la position sociale (logement, quartier, richesse du foyer, statut vis-à-vis de l emploi, relations sociales et assurance santé) montre que la richesse du foyer, les caractéristiques du quartier et le type d assurance santé expliquent entre 20 et 60 % de ces inégalités.L investissement des généralistes dans le dépistage semble restreint comme en témoignent les taux de renseignement d une date de dernier frottis ou de dernière mammographie dans les dossiers médicaux (23 % pour le cancer du col utérin et 38 pour le cancer du sein). Les praticiens semblent mieux renseigner les dossiers des patientes du bas de la hiérarchie professionnelle et les dossiers des femmes dont ils savent qu elles ne sont pas suivies par un gynécologue.L organisation des consultations apparaît centrale dans notre enquête. La participation des patients à l étude était meilleure parmi les médecins proposant des consultations sur rendez-vous (OR = 2,12 pour les patients hommes et 3,38 pour les femmes). Cette organisation jouerait aussi sur les pratiques de soins : les médecins ayant des consultations plus courtes s impliquent moins dans le dépistage du cancer du sein (n=898, OR = 0,65). Ces aspects organisationnels permettent d expliquer environ un quart de la variabilité des pratiques entre les médecins.Ces résultats devraient inciter les généralistes à investir davantage les dépistages des cancers gynécologiques et peut-être à opérer des changements organisationnels. Ce travail, au croisement de la recherche en médecine générale et de l épidémiologie sociale, a fait émerger une réflexion sur l analyse de données provenant de patients suivis sur le long cours par des professionnels de santé. Il ouvre aussi des perspectives sur la mise en place d interventions pour réduire les inégalités sociales observées dans les patientèles.Currently gynecologists are the healthcare professionals most involved in screening for gynecologic cancers in France, but general practitioners, who see the entire population, are best placed to provide preventive care equitably and to all.The aim of this work was to understand the variability in practices of screening for gynecologic cancers (by Pap smears and mammography) among women seeing general practitioners, especially as a function of the patient's social position and the organization of their doctor's office.It was included as part of a study conducted in 2005-06 of the principal types of preventive care for adults of both sexes. Over a two-week period, this study included all consecutive patients aged 50-69 years seen by 59 randomly drawn general practitioners in the Paris metropolitan region (participation rate of general practitioners: 39%). Data were collected from the patients by telephone and from the physicians in face-to-face interviews in their office. Most of the analyses were performed with mixed logistic models with a random intercept to take the hierarchical structural of the data into account.Overall, 66.7% of the eligible patients (n=4106) participated in the study; this rate did not differ by sex.Social inequalities were observed even among women who use the health-care system, but only for the Pap smear (n=858). A gradient with screening lowest at the bottom of the social hierarchy was observed for occupation (relative index of inequality = 2.3), educational level (RII = 2.0), and income (RII = 3.0). Analysis of the contributions to these gradients of diverse dimensions of social position (housing, neighborhood, household wealth, employment status, social relations, and health insurance) showed that household wealth, neighborhood characteristics, and type of health insurance explain between 20 and 60% of these inequalities.General practitioners' investment in screening seems limited, as shown by the rates of information in the medical files about the date of the last Pap smear (23%) or the last mammography (38%). Physicians appear to keep this information better for women at the bottom of the occupational hierarchy and women whom they know are not seeing a gynecologist.The organization of doctors' consultations appeared central in our survey. Patient participation in this study was best among the physicians who offered appointments for consultations (OR = 2.12 for male patients and 3.38 for the women). This organization also appeared to play a role in care practices: physicians with shorter consultations were less involved in screening for breast cancer (n=898, OR = 0.65). These organizational aspects explained approximately a quarter of the variability of practices between physicians.These results should encourage general practitioners to spend more time in screening for gynecologic cancers and perhaps to modify the organization of their practice. This study, at the intersection between research in general practice and in social epidemiology, leads to a discussion about the different strategies for analysis of data from patients followed over the long-term by healthcare professionals. It also opens up perspectives for interventions to reduce social inequalities in patient lists.PARIS11-SCD-Bib. électronique (914719901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Female urinary incontinence, from pregnancy to menopause: a review of epidemiological and pathophysiological findings.: Female urinary incontinence, a review

International audienceHypotheses that might explain urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth have been examined. The prevalence of urinary incontinence reaches a maximum during pregnancy and decreases after childbirth. Cesarean delivery is associated with lower rates of stress incontinence than vaginal delivery. Women delivered by cesarean section differ from women who had a vaginal delivery through pre-existing characteristics associated with the incontinence risk, producing a selection bias. The only randomized trial (intention of vaginal delivery vs. elective caesarean section) was not conclusive. The suspected etiological factors consist of congenital elements, obesity, aging, pregnancy and vaginal delivery. They are likely to have an effect at different times and on different portions of the urethral sphincter complex. Unfortunately, there exist no cohorts facilitating description of the natural history of female urinary incontinence. Given the small amount of usable data available, it is not possible to draw any conclusions concerning the possible long-term protective effects of cesarean section

Caesarean delivery in a migration context: the role of prior delivery in the host country

International audienceMigrant women in industrialised countries experience high caesarean section (CS) rates but little is known about the effect of a previous delivery in the host country. This study set out to investigate this effect among migrant women in France, using data from the DSAFHIR study on healthcare access of migrant women living in emergency housing hotels, collected in the Paris Metropolitan area in 2017. Respondents reported life-long history of deliveries. We focused on deliveries occurring in France in 2000-2017: 370 deliveries reported by 242 respondents. We conducted chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions, adjusting for the clustering of deliveries among respondents by computing standard errors allowing for intragroup correlation. Mode of delivery was associated with duration of residence among multiparous women with no prior CS, with a higher CS rate with shorter duration of residence (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.04). In this group, a previous delivery in France was associated with a lower CS rate (5% vs. 16%, p = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, compared with women with previous birth in France, women giving birth in France for the first time had a higher risk of CS, regardless of duration of residence (aOR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.3-12.1 for respondents with short duration of residence, aOR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.2-18.0 for respondents with longer duration of residence). Efforts directed at decreasing the CS rate among migrant women should target women giving birth in the host country for the first ti

Do vulnerable groups access prevention services? Cervical cancer screening and HIV testing among homeless migrant women in the Paris metropolitan area

International audienceIntroduction Homeless migrant women, facing adverse living conditions and barriers to legal status, are at risk of cervical cancer, HIV infection and may encounter barriers to screening services. We investigate factors associated with each screening in a population of migrant women in France and aim to determine the mean time since last HIV testing according to duration of residence in France. Methods We use data from the DSAFHIR study (Rights and Health of Migrant Women in Emergency Housing) investigating health and migration experience of homeless migrant women housed in emergency housing hotels in the Paris Metropolitan area in 2017. We computed multivariate logistic regression models to investigate no lifetime cervical cancer screening (CCS) and no lifetime HIV test. We used linear regression models to analyze time since last HIV test. Results We included 469 women. 46% of respondents had no lifetime CCS, 31% had no lifetime HIV test. Both screenings were associated with educational attainment and French proficiency. Compared with duration of residence < 1 year, duration ≥ 7 years was associated with a lower likelihood of no lifetime CCS (adjusted Odd Ratio = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07–0.39). Compared to women born in North Africa, women born in West (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.07–0.33) and East Africa (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.02–0.20) were less likely to have no lifetime HIV test. Time since last HIV test increased for each additional year spent in France (coef = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.33). Conclusion While access to CCS remains poor for recent migrants, HIV testing is more likely to occur shortly after migration

Menopause, hormone treatment and urinary incontinence at midlife.

International audienceWhether there is any association between urinary incontinence and menopause is the subject of debate, partly due to the fact it is difficult to tell the difference between the effects of menopause and those of ageing. For some time it was hoped that hormonal treatment for menopause would be beneficial for urinary incontinence because there are hormonal receptors in the urinary tract. The goal of this survey of current knowledge on the subject is to explore thoroughly the relationship between menopause and urinary incontinence. Our study is based on a review of the literature dealing with the epidemiology of urinary incontinence in women aged between 45 and 60, and the effects of hormonal treatment with respect to the symptoms of involuntary loss of urine. Analysis of the epidemiological data drawn from large cohorts shows that on the one hand, the menopause has little if any impact on the risk of urinary incontinence, and on the other hand that the effects of oestrogen medication on urinary incontinence vary according to how it is administered and the type of incontinence. The effect of oral hormone treatments for menopause is rather negative with respect to stress incontinence. Vaginal treatment appears to be beneficial for overactive bladder symptoms

L’âge à la ménopause naturelle et ses déterminants dans une population française (cohorte Gazel)

International audienc