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Updates on Local Women's Health Research

Articles

• The influence of subjective social status on vulnerability to postpartum smoking among young pregnant women.
• Am J Public Health. 2007 Aug;97(8):1476-82. Epub 2007 Jun 28.
• Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Mullen PD, Velasquez MM, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Greisinger A, Wetter DW.
• Department of Health Disparities Research, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA. lrreitze@mdanderson.org
• CONTEXT: Associations between subjective social status, a subjective measure of socioeconomic status, and predictors of risk for postpartum smoking were examined among 123 pregnant women (aged 18-24 years) who stopped smoking because of pregnancy. The goal was to identify how subjective social status might influence the risk for postpartum smoking and to elucidate targets for intervention. METHODS: We used multiple regression equations to examine the predictive relations between subjective social status and tobacco dependence,self-rated likelihood of postpartum smoking, confidence, temptations, positive and negative affect, depression, stress, and social support. Adjusted analyses were also conducted with control for race/ethnicity, education, income, and whether participant had a partner or not (partner status). RESULTS: In unadjusted and adjusted analyses, subjective social status predicted tobacco dependence,likelihood of postpartum smoking, confidence, temptations, positive affect,negative affect, and social support. Adjusted analyses predicting depression and stress approached significance. CONCLUSIONS: Among young pregnant women who quit smoking because of pregnancy, low subjective social status was associated with a constellation of characteristics indicative of increased vulnerability to postpartum smoking. Subjective social status provided unique information on risk for postpartum smoking over and above the effects of race/ethnicity, objective socioeconomic status, and partner status.
• Publication Types: Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
• PMID: 17600249 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

• Satisfaction with care among low-income female outpatients.
• Psychol Health Med. 2007 May;12(3):334-45.
• Rubio RN, Pearson HC, Clark AA, Breitkopf CR. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
• Patient satisfaction correlates with important health behaviors and outcomes. Little is known about satisfaction in disadvantaged populations of different racial/ethnic backgrounds. The current study evaluated demographic and psychological correlates of patient satisfaction among a low-income, multiethnic sample of female outpatients attending cervical cancer screening. Participants included 338 African American, Latina, and white women ages 18 - 49 years attending University of Texas Medical Branch Regional Maternal & Child Health Clinics. Data were obtained via self-report and chart review. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ).Total PSQ scores reflected two distinct underlying subscales (satisfaction and dissatisfaction), which differed from the original factor structure of the PSQ. Satisfaction was predicted by patient beliefs that their health is self-determined, beliefs that doctors control their health, self-esteem, and education. Dissatisfaction was predicted by patient beliefs that good health is a matter of chance/luck, self-esteem, social desirability, and income. Higher self-esteem, education, and beliefs that health is controlled by oneself or doctors correlated with higher satisfaction with care in the clinic setting. Understanding the influence of patient characteristics on perceptions of care is important for physicians to foster relationships with patients that increase feelings of satisfaction, decrease dissatisfaction, and ultimately,improve health outcomes.
• Publication Types: Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
• PMID: 17510904 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

• Promotora diabetes intervention for Mexican Americans.
• Diabetes Educ. 2007 Jul-Aug;33(4):660-70.
• Lujan J, Ostwald SK, Ortiz M.
• University of Texas at El Paso, 1101 North Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, USA. jlujan1@utep.edu
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effectiveness of an intervention led by promotoras (community lay workers) on the glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes health beliefs of Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes living in a major city on the Texas-Mexico border. METHODS: One hundred fifty Mexican American participants were recruited at a Catholic faith-based clinic and randomized into 2 groups. Personal characteristics, acculturation, baseline A1C level, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes health beliefs were measured. The intervention was culturally specific and consisted of participative group education, telephone contact, and follow-up using inspirational faith-based health behavior change postcards. The A1C levels, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes health beliefs were measured 3 and 6 months post baseline, and the mean change between the groups was analyzed. RESULTS: The 80% female sample, with a mean age of 58 years, demonstrated low acculturation, income, education, health insurance coverage, and strong Catholicism. No significant changes were noted at the 3-month assessment, but the mean change of the A1C levels, F(1, 148) = 10.28, P < .001, and the diabetes knowledge scores, F(1, 148) = 9.0, P < .002, of the intervention group improved significantly at 6 months, adjusting for health insurance coverage. The health belief scores decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention resulted in decreased A1C levels and increased diabetes knowledge, suggesting that using promotoras as part of an interdisciplinary team can result in positive outcomes for Mexican Americans who have type 2 diabetes. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are suggested.
• Publication Types: Randomized Controlled Trial,Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• PMID: 17684167 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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The research updates provide a snapshot of only some of the latest women's health research findings from local or statewide sources. We welcome Houston area and statewide researchers and other health professionals to send us any women's health research updates that have been published within the past 60-90 days. Send your name, title of article, journal title, date & abstract to research@whn.library.tmc.edu . Our research committee will review and post based upon content and availability of space.