Differences in Changes in Game Usage Time and Game Use-Related Factors Depending on Parity in a Prospective Study of Pregnant Women in Japan

Game usage has recently been increasing, but the actual situation of game usage and issues among pregnant women are not clarified. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to examine changes in game usage, lifestyle, and thoughts about game usage during pregnancy depending on parity and to clarify the characteristics of pregnant women who continue to use games. We conducted three web surveys in early, mid- and late pregnancy in 238 pregnant women. For primiparous women who continued to use games, there was a significant increase in game usage time from early to late pregnancy (p = 0.022), and 25.0% of those women had anxiety that they might have a game addiction. For primiparous women in mid-pregnancy and multiparous women in early and late pregnancy, the proportions of women who thought that they could not use gaming sufficiently due to pregnancy and child-rearing were significantly higher in women who continued to use games. In both primiparous women and multiparous women, the proportion of partners who used games was significantly higher in women who continued to use games. It is necessary for midwives to discuss with pregnant women and their partners about game usage and to provide advice about control of game usage in daily life

Game Usage in Pregnant Women at Early Gestation in Japan

Background: Gaming addiction is becoming a problem in young women. However, there has been no report on game usage in pregnant women. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the current status of computer game usage and the existence of game addiction and also to determine the associations of game usage time with lifestyle, personal relationships and thoughts about games in pregnant women at early gestation. Subjects and Methods: We recruited pregnant women who received a pregnancy checkup during the first trimester. We distributed QR codes for the online survey. We conducted a web questionnaire survey including Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS) in 178 pregnant women. Results: The proportion of women with game usage was 40.4%. The mean game usage time per day was 72.9 minutes. There were no pregnant women whose IGDS score was more than 5 points. We divided 72 participants into three groups by tertile according to game usage time per day: group A (≦ 30 mins), group B (> 30 and ≦ 90 mins) and group C (> 90 mins). There were no significant differences in current smoking, alcohol drinking and daily life behavior among the three groups. There were significant differences in the proportions of women who had difficulty for establishing personal relationships by face-to-face communication and who thought that they might have a game addiction among the three groups. Pregnant women with longer game usage time had a high IGDS score. Conclusion: We showed for the first time the proportion of pregnant women who use games in the early period of gestation. Pregnant women with longer game usage time may require careful observation

Comparisons of game usage time and game usage-related factors in Japanese women before pregnancy and during early pregnancy

Considering the increase in game usage among young people, many women may use games before pregnancy. However, it has not been shown whether game usage time changes in women after they become pregnant. This study was carried out to compare game usage time and game usage-related factors in Japanese women before pregnancy and during early pregnancy. We recruited pregnant women during the first trimester. We conducted a web questionnaire survey in 351 pregnant women. The time spent playing games was significantly shorter during the early gestation period than before pregnancy, and 35.7% of the women who played games before pregnancy did not play games in the early gestation period. We divided women who played games before pregnancy into two groups: one group of women who played games both before and in the early gestation period (n=133) and one group of women who played games before pregnancy but did not play games in the early gestation period (n=74). The proportion of women who smoked before pregnancy and the proportion of women who thought they might have game addiction were significantly higher in women who played games both before and in the early gestation period. The proportion of partners who played games was also significantly higher for women who play games both before and in the early gestation period. We found that many women stopped playing games or reduced their game usage time after becoming pregnant. Careful observation may be required for women who continue to play games during pregnancy

ジョセイ ノ ショウガイ オ ツウジテ カンガエル ジョセイ イガク トワ

In obstetrics and gynecology, there were three major fields such as perinatology, oncology and reproduction. “Menopausal medicine” in women during the menopausal transition, including menopausal symptoms, urogynecology and osteoporosis, has entered as new field, and the scope is going to extend to “Medicine of women’s health”. Medicine of women’s health is covered the field throughout the life of women based on the menopause. Low vitamin D level during pregnancy may induce hypertension and diabetes in the future and follow-up of blood pressure and glucose metabolism is needed for pregnant women with low vitamin D level. Women with bilateral oophorectomy before menopause may induce bone fractures, coronary heart diseases and cognitive disorders due to estrogen deficiency. The proportions of pregnancy induced hypertension （PIH） and gestational diabetes （GDM） are high in pregnant women more than 40 years of age, and PIH and GDM are involved in the occurrence of hypertension and diabetes in the future, respectively. Women with past history of infertility associated with endometriosis and women with cigarette smoking are associated with earlier menopause, suggesting that these women have risk factors for the diseases due to estrogen deficiency. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweaty and depression are associated with high levels of IL‐8 and IL‐6. These high levels of IL‐8, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 may be involved in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. Hormone therapy and Japanese Kampo medicine may be useful for prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases in the future. Recently, menopausal transition is classified in detail since endocrinological features are complex during the menopausal transition. Studies for menopausal transition may be important. Medicine of women’ s health is important as a field throughout the life of women for total health

育児をする父親のメンタルヘルス測定尺度の開発

The mental health of fathers influences the development of children and the functioning of families significantly. However, there is no useful scale for the mental health screening of childrearing fathers. This study developed a Mental Health Scale for Childrearing Fathers (MSCF) and determined its reliability and validity. Childrearing fathers are working fathers who co-parent with their spouses. This survey was conducted in two stages: a pilot study and a main survey. Data were obtained from 98 fathers raising preschoolers in the pilot study and 306 fathers in the main survey. The collected data were used to confirm the construct validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency reliability. The final MSCF consisted of 25 items comprising four factors: peaceful familial connection, healthy mind and body, satisfying paternal alliances, and leading a meaningful life as a parent. The internal consistency reliability estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.918. The validity of the MSCF was logically secured using a confirmatory factor analysis. The MSCF can be an effective tool for mental health screening among fathers in relation to the burden of childrearing during regular infant health checks

maternal mental status, social supports

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between maternal mental status and social supports during pregnancy and until one month after childbirth in order to evaluate the actual situation in a local city. A survey was conducted on 78 pregnant women who completed the CES-D (depression score), STAI (anxiety score) and Social Support Scale. Data were collected four times : during the second trimester, the third trimester, postpartum hospitalization, and 1 month after childbirth. The CES-D and STAI scores were initially high during pregnancy and decreased during the postpartum period. The Social Support Scale score, however, was initially low during pregnancy and increased during the postpartum period. The CES-D and STAI scores was significantly and negatively correlated with The Social Support Scale score during all four time periods. Participants ≧ 35 years of age scored lower on The Social Support Scale than did participants < 35 years of age in the second trimester, third trimester, and 1 month after childbirth. These findings should assist with the implementation of a comprehensive support center and may be useful for a local city in Japan

Differences in Menstruation-Related Symptoms of University Students Depending on Their Living Status in Japan

Mothers and family members of young female students play important roles for guiding their self-care strategies for menstruation-related symptoms; which often affect their daily life and academic life. The aim of this study is to clarify the differences in menstruation-related symptoms before and during menstruation in university students living alone and university students living with their family in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess menstruation-related symptoms before and during menstruation using the menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ). Among 135 students; the proportion of students living alone was 60.7% and the proportion of students living with their family was 39.3%. Before menstruation; the MDQ total score and the scores for negative affect and behavior change were significantly higher in students living alone than in students living with their family. During menstruation; scores for negative affect and impaired concentration were also significantly higher in students living alone. In addition; before menstruation; scores for an increase in appetite and craving for sweets were significantly higher in students living alone. Thus; living alone affected the psychological aspects of menstruation-related symptoms in young women. The results suggest that university students who live alone should be aware of the importance of talking about their menstruation problems with family members and seeking their advic

The Changes in Menstrual and Menstrual-Related Symptoms among Japanese Female University Students : A Prospective Cohort Study from Three Months to Nine Months after Admission

Menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s physical and psychological health. Understanding how these symptoms evolve over time is crucial to provide appropriate support and healthcare services to young women. This study aimed to investigate changes in menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms among first-year female university students. A prospective longitudinal design was used to compare the symptom profiles between two time points (three and nine months after admission). Out of 100 female university students, 30 responses were analyzed. Data on menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms were collected using standardized questionnaires focusing on menstrual status and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ); no notable changes occurred between the time points. Approximately half reported having irregular menstruation during the three time periods. Among the sub-scales, premenstrual “impaired concentration” showed a tendency to be lower, whereas menstrual “water retention” tended to be higher in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. “Distractible” was found to be significantly lower in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. There was a significant association between a sleep duration of <7 h and worsened MDQ scores. These findings may underscore the importance of providing comprehensive lifestyle and menstrual education to new university students, along with access to appropriate medical care

Association between Menstruation-Related Symptoms and the Type of Stress in Japanese Female University Students : A Prospective Cohort Study from Admission to the Second Year

Menstruation-related symptoms in young women are associated with lifestyle factors such as stress. This study aimed to examine menstrual conditions, menstruation-related symptoms, and types of stress in Japanese female students from their first to second years of university and the association between menstruation-related symptoms and stress levels. This prospective longitudinal cohort study utilized a self-reported web survey with the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) at three timepoints (2, 8, and 14 months) following admission and continuing into the second year. Data from 33 out of 102 students, who were followed throughout the study period, were used for analysis. Results indicated a trend towards changes in menstrual regularity, with the lowest (48.5%) at timepoint 1 and the highest (72.7%) at timepoint 3, and significant changes in perceived bleeding amount. Stress related to study and academic performance was consistently highest, with significant differences across timepoints. Intra-menstrual MDQ scores were highest at timepoint 1, with significant variations in impaired concentration severity across timepoints. Significant correlations were found between the MDQ scores and stress related to health and personality at all timepoints, and to future prospects, friendships, study, and academic performance at different timepoints. In short, stress related to academic performance, along with a strong correlation between MDQ scores and specific stress types, such as health and personality, was observed across all timepoints. This implies the need to provide new students with health education regarding menstruation and stress management before specific timepoints

Differences in strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms in full-time workers and part-time workers in Japan

Working hours and working conditions are different for full-time workers and part-time workers. In this study, it was hypothesized that the strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, and the proportion of women receiving clinical care differ between full-time and part-time workers. Four hundred and eighty-seven Japanese female workers aged 45 to 60 years responded to a health questionnaire about their understanding of menopause and their strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms. Based on the surveyed responses, the proportions of women with menopausal symptoms were 43.0% (80/186) in full-time workers and 48.2% (145/301) in part-time workers. There was no significant difference in the female worker response rate, nor were there significant differences in the proportions of full-time workers and part-time workers who had an understanding of menopause causes and treatments and who were able to cope with menopausal-related symptoms. However, there were significantly more full-time workers than part-time workers who received routine clinical care and who visited a hospital. On the other hand, significantly more part-time workers than full-time workers exercised and took dietary supplements as a means of coping with their symptoms. There are differences between female full-time and part-time workers regarding the strategies employed for coping with menopausal symptoms. The proportion of women receiving clinical care for their symptoms is greater among full-time employees than part-time employees. A physical examination can be a valuable opportunity for working women with menopausal symptoms to receive advice from a doctor or a nurse practitioner