Adult women are disproportionately burdened by overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and there is limited understanding of the sociocultural context of this problem. In this qualitative research synthesis, we aimed to surface contextual influences that potentially predispose adult women and adolescent girls to overweight and obesity. PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, PROQUEST, EMBASE, Web of Science were searched to locate qualitative research articles conducted in sub-Saharan African countries beginning in year 2000. After assessment for eligibility and critical appraisal, 16 studies were included in the synthesis. Textual data and quotes was synthesized using the methods proposed by the Joan Briggs Institute and a thematic analysis framework. The synthesized studies were conducted in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Botswana. The three overarching themes across these studies were body size and shape ideals, barriers to healthy eating, and barriers to physical activity with cultural and social factors as cross-cutting influences within the major themes. Culturally, the ideal African woman was expected to be overweight or obese, and voluptuous and this was associated with their identity. While overweight and obesity was not acceptable among adolescent girls, they also desired to be voluptuous. Healthy food choices among women and girls were hampered by several factors including affordability and peer pressure. Both adult women and girls experienced ageism and institutional discrimination as barriers to physical activity. This is the first qualitative research synthesis to amplify the voices of women and girls in SSA countries highlighting the challenges they face in maintaining a healthy weight. Sociocultural, institutional and peer-related factors were powerful forces shaping body size preferences, food choices and participation in physical activity. Our study findings provide insights for the design of contextually appropriate interventions and lay the foundation for further research studies.

INTRODUCTION) Modern contraception is a safe and effective clinical service for reducing unintended pregnancy and improving birth spacing for women. Provider counseling is an important factor that may influence women’s decision making, satisfaction, and self-efficacy with contraception use. This study measures women’s perceptions of recent provider interactions and examines the extent to which these perceptions are associated with method satisfaction and confidence in use. We hypothesize that women who perceive more positive interactions are ultimately more satisfied and confident with their contraceptive method choice. METHODS) A cross-sectional survey of adult reproductive-aged women in two southern states (aged 18 to 44 years old) was used for the analysis. The Statewide Survey of Women was conducted in 2017 by NORC at the University of Chicago. Women were asked to rate providers across a series of statements reflecting aspects of patient-centered contraceptive counseling using a 5-point Likert scale. Responses were dichotomized to reflect those with very good/excellent experiences compared to those with less favorable experiences (Poor, Fair, Good). Women were subsequently asked about their level of satisfaction with current contraceptive methods and confidence in use, also using a 5-point Likert scale. These measures were also dichotomized. A chi-squared test for independence and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine associations between patient-provider interactions, satisfaction and confidence in contraceptive use. FINDINGS) The survey included 4,281 respondents. The majority of women reported being satisfied with their current contraceptive method (92.6%) and confident in its use (94.9%). Approximately 93% of women who felt respected as a person by their provider also reported being satisfied with their current birth control method, compared to 73% among women who did not feel respected as a person (p<0.001). Among women who felt their provider allowed them to say what mattered to them about their birth control method, 93.5% were satisfied with their current method, compared to 75% among those who did not feel allowed to say what mattered (p<0.001). Women who felt like their provider took their preferences for birth control into consideration were also more satisfied with their current birth control method compared to those who did not feel the same way (93.7% versus 73.5%; p<0.001). Women who felt their provider allowed them to say what mattered and those who felt their provider took their preferences into consideration were also associated with higher rates of confidence in correct use. Women reporting that their provider gave them enough information to make the best decision about their birth control method was also associated with greater confidence in correct use (95.6% versus 87.5%; p=0.007). CONCLUSION) Findings suggest that positive patient-provider interactions are associated with increased satisfaction in current contraceptive method use. Interestingly, women reporting that providers did not give them enough information to make the best decision about birth control methods also reported being less confident in using their current method. Collectively, these findings support existing evidence suggesting that patient-provider interactions are important for patient-centered care and can be used to inform future clinical practice guidelines around contraceptive counseling.

Background: Nigeria currently ranks 4th on the list of countries with the highest absolute number of people living with HIV (1.8 million) and is classified by UNAIDS as having a Generalized HIV epidemic (prevalence of 1.3%). Given that knowledge of HIV/AIDS is a key predictor of transmission, there is a need to understand the current state of HIV knowledge among Nigerian women. Method: A cross-sectional study using data from the individual (women’s) recode dataset from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative household cluster survey of 41821 Nigerian women aged 15-49. Data analysis was done using SAS version 9.4. Following descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests followed by logistic regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between explanatory variables and the outcome variable(comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS - a binary variable, coded as yes if a participant knows both HIV prevention methods, is aware that any healthy-looking person can have the virus, and rejects the two most common local misconceptions, otherwise no.) The results were reported using odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Approximately 94% of participants had ever heard of HIV/AIDS, but less than half (45.4%) of them had comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. 81.2% of the participants were aware that any healthy-looking person can have the virus, 70.7% correctly identified the two best preventive practices against HIV (having one faithful uninfected partner and using condoms every time one has sex), and 60.4% rejected the two commonest local misconceptions about HIV transmission (the beliefs that people can get HIV from mosquito bites and through witchcraft). All predictive variables were significantly associated with having comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. After adjustment, older participants(Age groups > 15-19 had higher odds of having comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS than younger ones(15-19) with aOR 1.34, 1.48, 1.53, 1.51, 1.49, and 1.36; p-values all <0.0001. Urban residents had more odds than rural dwellers (aOR 1.36, CI 1.29–1.44), and participants with secondary education or higher, had more odds than those with no education(aOR of 1.50, CI 1.40-1.61). Participants in other religious groups had more odds than Catholics(aOR 1.42, CI 1.02–1.96), so are wealthier compared to poorer ones(middle and high wealth indices with aOR 1.13 and 1.50; CI 1.06–1.21 and 1.40-1.61). Access to mass media at least once a week was associated with higher odds than no access (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.28-1.41). Having more than one sexual partner (2, 3, 4, and 5+ partners with aOR 0.73, 0.62, 0.68, and 0.75; 95% CI 0.69-0.78, 0.57-0.67, 0.61-0.77 and 0.67-0.83) is associated with fewer odds than having one partner and so is belonging to other Christian groups compared to Catholics (aOR 0.77, CI 0.71-0.83). Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for a more pragmatic HIV/AIDS-related knowledge intervention targeted at all age groups while paying close attention to adolescents, rural area residents, and less educated women. Further studies are vital to monitor the progress of HIV interventions.

Introduction: Over 420,000 women aged 13-44 in Tennessee depend on publicly funded contraceptive services, yet only 42.9% receive them. Lack of access to contraception leads to unintended pregnancies, which are associated with higher rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study explores perceived barriers to contraception and patient awareness of preexisting resources to mitigate such barriers in a rural region. Methods: Women with a confirmed pregnancy establishing obstetric care at East Tennessee State University’s resident clinic were offered a 20-question survey assessing demographic variables and perspectives to contraceptive care. Results: 141 survey respondents met inclusion criteria. 95.7% denied using contraception prior to conception. Of these, 24.8% reported their pregnancy was unintended. Only 59.6% reported knowing where they could access free long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC) in the community. 50.4% agreed it would be helpful to have a free community clinic providing reproductive health care. Specifically, 73.7% of participants reported they would benefit from free LARCs; 61.0% expressed need for evening hours and 67.4% for weekend hours. Conclusions: One in four women experienced an unintended pregnancy. The known risks of unintended pregnancies to the mother and fetus will likely increase secondary to recent changes in abortion policies. Two in five women reported no awareness of resources for free LARCs in our community, suggesting that knowledge about and access to contraception is lacking at a time which women need autonomy over reproductive choices the most. Initiatives which aim to educate women regarding contraceptive care and to eliminate barriers which hinder access are warranted.

No description available.

Leukocytes are activated in women with preeclampsia, but the class of leukocyte most likely to cause vascular dysfunction is not known. We hypothesized that neutrophils may be the class of leukocyte most involved in causing this dysfunction because neutrophils are the most abundant of the leukocytes and their numbers increase during pregnancy. In this study we compared vascular infiltration of neutrophils (CD66b) with monocytes/macrophages (CD14) and lymphocytes (CD99) in normal non-pregnant women (NNP), normal pregnant women (NP), and preeclamptic women (PE). There was no significant difference in the infiltration of lymphocytes into the maternal vasculature in PE as compared to NNP or NP. There was significantly more neutrophil infiltration into the systemic vasculature in PE women than in NP and NNP women. Monocytes/macrophages were present in tissue but not in vessels. We speculate that neutrophils are the class of leukocyte that causes the majority of vascular cell dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Introdução: a atenção à mulher que experienciou a violência sexual constitui um desafio para os profissionais que a atendem. Quando essa mulher procura o serviço especializado, frequentemente, não dá continuidade ao seguimento ambulatorial preconizado. Essa evasão do serviço pode trazer consequências negativas para a sua saúde, considerando os riscos relacionados à contaminação por doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, gravidez indesejada e comprometimento da saúde mental. Objetivo: compreender os motivos da não adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial por mulheres que experienciaram a situação de violência sexual. Método: estudo fundamentado na fenomenologia social de Alfred Schütz, realizado com 11 mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual e foram atendidas em um serviço especializado de Curitiba, Paraná. Para obtenção dos depoimentos, foi utilizado um roteiro de entrevista com as seguintes questões abertas: fale sobre a situação de você ter passado por um episódio de violência, ter iniciado o tratamento e ter faltado às consultas do seguimento ambulatorial. Depois disso tudo que aconteceu, como você está lidando com a situação? Qual a sua expectativa? A organização e análise dos dados foram realizadas com base na fenomenologia social de Alfred Schütz. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa com seres humanos, sob o Parecer nº 795.072, de 16 de setembro de 2014. Resultados: a tipificação do vivido da mulher que experienciou a violência sexual e não aderiu ao seguimento ambulatorial mostrou-se como sendo aquela que, ao procurar os serviços da rede de atendimento, não se sente acolhida pelos profissionais que a atendem, revive a violência sofrida na delegacia e sente-se constrangida diante dos profissionais de saúde. Tem dificuldades para recordar a situação de violência, revelando a frágil corresponsabilização entre ela e os profissionais de saúde e dificuldades para aderir aos medicamentos prescritos, devido aos efeitos colaterais. Busca a superação da violência sofrida, contando para isso com o apoio de familiares e amigos. Espera ressignificar sua vida por meio da volta aos estudos e ao trabalho. Conclusões: as evidências produzidas neste estudo a partir da perspectiva das mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual e não aderiram ao seguimento ambulatorial mostraram aspectos relevantes para serem discutidos por profissionais de saúde, que incluem a articulação entre os serviços que compõem a rede de atendimento e a melhoria do acolhimento no atendimento a essa mulher, valorizando a relação intersubjetiva entre a mesma e o profissional como um caminho para aumentar a adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial. Compreender tal experiência possibilita que a Enfermagem, inscrita entre os diversos núcleos de saberes necessários para o debate e enfrentamento da violência contra a mulher, possa assumir-se como prática social que se dispõe a exercer uma ação política e ética importante, no sentido de se corresponsabilizar no cuidado à mulher que experienciou a violência sexual, de modo que, acolhida, possa empoderar-se no seguimento ambulatorial preconizado para tais casos. / Introduction: Attention to woman who experienced sexual violence is a challenge for professional nursing care. When this woman looks for the specialized service, often she does not follow the recommended outpatient continuation. This avoidance of service can have negative consequences for her health, considering the contamination risks related to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, and mental health compromising. Objective: This study aims to understand the reasons for non-adherence to outpatient follow-up by women who have experienced situations of sexual violence. Method: This study is based on social phenomenology from Alfred Schütz, carried out with eleven women who have experienced sexual violence and were treated at a specialized service in the city of Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil. For obtaining statements, an interview script with the following open questions was used: (1) Talk about the situation you have undergone a violence episode; how you have started treatment; why you have missed the outpatient follow-up appointments; (2) after all that occurred, how are you dealing with the situation?; and (3) what is your expectation? The data organization and analysis were based on the social phenomenology from Alfred Schütz. The project was approved by the Brazilian Ethics Committee in Research with human beings, under Opinion No. 795072 of 16 September 2014. Results: The characterization of the womans experience who has suffered sexual violence and did not join the outpatient follow-up proved to be the person who, when looking for such service network, does not feel welcomed by the professionals, since reviving the violence suffered at the police station, feels ashamed in front of health professionals. She has trouble remembering the violence situation, showing the delicate co-responsibility between her and healthcare professionals and difficulties to adhere to prescribed medications due to side effects. She seeks to overcome the suffered violence, counting on the support from family and friends. She hopes to reframe her life by returning to school and work.\" Conclusions: The produced evidence in this study, based on the perspective of women who have experienced sexual violence and did not join the outpatients follow-up, showed relevant aspects to be discussed by health professionals, including coordination among the services that make up the service network and the improving care in assisting these women, emphasizing the intersubjective relationship between them and the professional as a way to increase adherence to outpatient follow-up. To understanding this experience allows the nursing, present in various centers of necessary knowledge for debating and addressing violence against women, to position itself in a social practice prepared to engaging in an important political and ethical action of sharing responsibility for assisting the women, who has experienced sexual violence, so that, feeling acceptance, can commit themselves in follow-up services to such cases.

Introdução: A perda óssea é um aspecto de ambas as doenças periodontite e osteoporose. Vários estudos têm analisado se a destruição periodontal poderia ser influenciada pela perda óssea sistêmica. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre perda de inserção clínica e densidade mineral óssea da coluna lombar e quadril, estilo de vida, tabagismo, fatores sociodemográficos e dados clínicos odontológicos em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Métodos: Cento e quarenta e oito mulheres foram entrevistadas, utilizando um questionário estruturado, e examinadas clinicamente. O exame clínico periodontal, realizado por investigadores calibrados, incluiu perda de inserção clínica (PIC); profundidade de sondagem (PS); retração gengival (RG); sangramento a sondagem (SS); placa visível; cálculo supragengival e perda dentária. A amostra foi estratificada em dois grupos como segue: perda de inserção clínica moderada e grave. Os indivíduos do grupo PIC moderada tinham todos os sítios com perda de inserção clínica 5mm. Os indivíduos do grupo PIC grave tinham pelo menos um sítio com perda de inserção clínica > 5mm. A densidade mineral óssea (DMO), medida através de raios-X com dupla energia (DXA), foi avaliada para os sítos da coluna lombar, colo do fêmur e fêmur total (g/cm2). Resultados: PIC grave foi identificada em 86 indivíduos (58,1%). A análise de regressão linear múltipla usando PIC (variável dependente), ajustada por renda familiar, nível educacional e anos de menopausa, demonstrou uma relação inversa entre perda de inserção clínica grave com a densidade mineral óssea do colo do fêmur (p = 0,015), bem como uma associação positiva entre PIC grave e perda dentária (p = 0,000), sangramento a sondagem (p = 0,004) e fumantes pesados (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que a perda de inserção clínica grave foi associada à baixa densidade mineral óssea do colo do fêmur e deletérios parâmetros clínicos odontológicos e tabagismo. Esses resultados demonstram que, além de um adequado cuidado bucal, os indivíduos com perda de inserção clínica grave, também, podem requerer uma atenção adicional á sua saúde óssea sistêmica. / Background: Bone loss is a feature of both periodontitis and osteoporosis, and several studies have analyzed whether the periodontal destruction could have been influenced by systemic bone loss. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between clinical attachment loss and bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip, lifestyle, smoking, socio-demographic factors, and dental clinical variables in postmenopausal woman. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight individuals were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire and clinically examined. The periodontal examination, which was performed by calibrated investigators, included clinical attachment loss (CA loss); probing depth (PD); gingival recession (GR); bleeding on probing (BOP); visible plaque; supragingival calculus; and mean tooth loss. The sample was stratified in two groups as follow as: moderate and severe CA loss. The individuals in the moderate group had all sites with clinical attachment loss 5mm. The individuals in the severe group had at least one site with clinical attachment loss > 5mm. Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was assessed at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femur (g/cm2). Results: Severe CA loss was identified in 86 individuals (58.1%). The multiple linear regression analysis using CA loss (dependent variable), adjusted by menopause, education and family income, demonstrated an inverse relationship of severe CA loss with the BMD of the femoral neck (p=0.015) as well as a positive association of severe CA loss with tooth loss (p=0.000), bleeding on probing (p=0.004) and heavy smokers (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that severe clinical attachment loss was associated with low bone mineral density of the femoral neck and deleterious clinical dental parameters and smoking. Our findings suggest that in addition to appropriate oral care, individuals with severe clinical attachment loss may also require additional attention to their systemic bone health.

A depressão pós-parto (DPP) é um transtorno do humor que pode afetar mulheres de diversas culturas, já sendo considerado um problema internacional de saúde pública. Contudo, há ainda pouco conhecimento científico sobre as características qualitativas da experiência da depressão pós-parto no contexto latino-americano, incluindo o Brasil. Diante dessa lacuna, o objetivo dessa pesquisa foi compreender a trajetória de um grupo de mulheres brasileiras na experiência da DPP. Trata-se de um estudo interpretativo descritivo. Os participantes foram 15 mulheres com diagnóstico clínico de DPP e 9 familiares indicados por elas. A coleta de dados foi realizada na cidade de São Paulo no período de maio de 2011 a janeiro de 2012, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática indutiva. Como resultado, compreende-se que a trajetória das mulheres na experiência da DPP as levou a vivenciar uma maternidade fora dos padrões idealizados que, como consequência, modificou a forma como elas entendiam a própria identidade. A analogia de um quebra-cabeça é utilizada para descrever o desarranjo causado pela DPP na imagem mulher-mãe composta pelas peças identidade e maternidade. O fator que mais afetou a peça maternidade foram os pensamentos que as mulheres vivenciaram de machucar os filhos. Em resposta a isso, elas descreveram diferentes formas de exercer a maternidade. A peça identidade ficou em segundo plano devido à importância sociocultural dada à maternidade. Assim, mesmo os sintomas depressivos tendo afetado a capacidade individual das mulheres e a própria percepção sobre si mesmas, foi apenas a falha em cuidar da criança que despertou a questão da depressão e gerou a necessidade por assistência. Apoio familiar, retorno ao convívio social e tratamento psicofarmacológico foram as principais estratégias adotadas pelas mulheres para recuperar a condição de saúde. Porém, pode-se concluir que as peças do quebra-cabeça mulher-mãe não voltaram a se encaixar como antes. O desarranjo causado pela DPP não foi revertido e, por isso, as mulheres tiveram que se adaptar a um novo normal, no qual a identidade pessoal, a percepção sobre a maternidade, a relação com os filhos e companheiros foram negativamente afetadas. A descrição e a interpretação apresentada nesse estudo podem ser utilizadas por profissionais de saúde para compreender o processo de adoecimento das mulheres na DPP, bem como fornecer inúmeras possibilidades para futuras pesquisas. / Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder affecting women from different cultures, and is considered to be an international public health problem. However, there is still little scientific knowledge regarding the qualitative characteristics of the experience of PPD in the Latin American context, including Brazil. Given this lack of knowledge, the objective of this study was to understand the trajectory of a group of Brazilian women\'s experiences with PPD. This was an interpretive description study. The participants were 15 women with the clinical diagnosis of PPD, and 9 family members chosen by them. Data collection was performed in the city of São Paulo in the period of May 2011 to January 2012, through semistructured interviews. The data underwent inductive thematic analysis. As a result, it was understood that the trajectory of the women experiencing PPD led them to experience motherhood outside of the idealized standards, which consequently modified the way in which they understood their own identity. The analogy of a puzzle is used to describe the rearranging of the woman-mother image, composed of the two pieces \"identity\" and \"maternity,\" caused by PPD. The thoughts that the women experienced of hurting their children proved to be the factor most greatly affecting the puzzle piece \"maternity.\" As a response to this, they described different ways of exercising their motherhood. The puzzle piece \"identity\" took second stage due to the sociocultural importance given to maternity. Therefore, even when the depressive symptoms had affected the woman\'s individual ability, or her perception of herself, it was only when there was a failure to care for the child when questions arose regarding depression, generating the need for help. Family support, returning to social activities, and psychopharmacological treatment were all named as the main strategies to recover their health condition. However, it may be concluded that the woman-mother pieces never fit back together as they once had. The rearranging caused by the PPD was not reverted; the women had to adapt to a new \"normal,\" where their personal identity, their perception of motherhood, and their relationships with their children and partners had been negatively affected. The description and interpretation presented in this study may be used by healthcare professionals to understand the illness process of women in PPD, and provide innumerable possibilities for future research.

Introdução: O tabagismo é um dos hábitos mais difundidos mundialmente, configurando-se em um problema complexo e multifacetado. Enquanto o número de homens fumantes estagnou, o de mulheres está em constante crescimento, estimando-se que cerca de 250 milhões de mulheres fumam diariamente em todo mundo. A maior dificuldade das mulheres em cessarem o tabagismo, e a grande estratégia de marketing da indústria tabagista voltada para esse público, são apontadas como razões para esse fenômeno, somado a isso existe uma escassez de estudos publicados sobre essa questão na literatura brasileira e mundial. Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico e comportamental de mulheres tabagistas atendidas em um Serviço Especializado de Saúde da cidade de São Paulo. Método: Delineada como pesquisa de coorte retrospectivo de abordagem quantitativa, o estudo foi realizado através de busca ativa nos prontuários das pacientes que foram atendidas no serviço especializado para cessação do tabagismo do Estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 2005 e 2010. Para a análise dos prontuários, foi realizado o uso de um questionário, os dados coletados foram armazenados por meio do software SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) e analisados pelo programa RStudio, em que foram realizadas todas as análises. Resultados: A coorte de 655 prontuários caracterizou-se por mulheres com idade média de 49 anos (DP=10,1), solteiras (34%); com segundo grau completo (27,9%), inseridas no mercado de trabalho (54,9%), com nível de dependência a nicotina muito elevado (78,5%) e que apresentavam critérios diagnóstico de depressão (23,6%), ansiedade (24,2%) e hipertensão (21,9%). Como principais razões para o ato de fumar as mulheres tabagistas atribuíam sensação de prazer (50,2%) e propriedades relaxantes (69,3%), e a principal razão alegada para a busca do tratamento foi motivos de saúde (62%). A faixa etária demonstrou associação significativa com a influência de terceiros no início do tabagismo (p=0,05). O tempo de permanência no tratamento mostrou-se positivamente associado ao diagnóstico de depressão (p=0,04) e hipertensão (p<0,01), ao convívio com parentes tabagistas (p<0,01) e procura por tratamento devido a motivos de saúde (p=0,02). O grau de dependência associou-se positivamente com a precocidade do início do tabagismo (p<0,01), ao uso de tranqüilizantes (p=0,02), menor nível educacional, em todas as situações em que fumam (p<0,01), exceto com bebidas alcoólicas. Conclusão: Publicações sobre esse fenômeno são escassas no Brasil e no mundo, o estudo apresenta evidências que podem contribuir para proposição de estratégias na prática clínica da cessação do tabagismo feminino, uma vez que identifica o perfil daquelas mulheres que buscam por tratamento, sugerindo também o perfil daquelas que não estão chegando ao serviço, quer por serem consideradas mais vulneráveis para o tabagismo, e/ou por não estarem sendo sensibilizadas pelas campanhas antitabágicas, o que reflete no não desejo da mulher em abandonar o hábito de fumar. / Introduction: Smoking is one of the most widespread worldwide habits, setting up a complex and multifaceted problem. While the number of male smokers has stalled, the womens number is constantly growing and it is estimated that about 250 million women around the world smoke daily. The greatest difficulty in women cease smoking, and a the great marketing strategies of the cigarette industry facing this audience, are cited as reasons for this phenomenon, added to this there is a paucity of published studies on this issue in the Brazilian and world literature. Objective: The objective is to describe the sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral profile of female smokers attending in a Specialized Health Service located in São Paulo, Brazil. Method: This study is outlined as a retrospective cohort with a quantitative approach that was conducted by active search in the records of patients who were treated for smoking cessation between 2005 and 2010. The analysis of medical records was conducted using a questionnaire, and the data were stored using the SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and all analyzes were performed by RStudio program. Results: A cohort of 655 medical records was characterized by women with an average age of 49 years (SD = 10.1), unmarried (34%); with high school degree (27.9%); in the labor market (54.9%), with high level of nicotine dependence (78.5%) that presented diagnostic criteria for depression (23.6%), anxiety (24.2%) and hypertension (21.9%). The main reason for the act of smoking was attributed to the feeling of pleasure (50.2%) and relaxation (69.3%), and the main reason given for seeking treatment was related to health reasons (62%). The age group showed a significant association with the influence of others people at smoking initiation (p = 0.05). The treatment time was positively associated with depression diagnosis (p = 0.04) and hypertension (p <0.01), living with smoking relatives (p <0.01), and search for treatment due to health reasons (p = 0.02). The degree of dependence is positively associated with the early smoking initiation (p <0.01), use of tranquilizers (p = 0.02), lower educational level, in all situations who smoking (p <0 01) except for alcoholic drinks. Conclusion: The publications related to this phenomenon are scarce in Brazil and worldwide. The study presents evidence that can contribute to propose strategies in clinical practice of female smoking cessation, since it identifies the profile of those women who seek treatment, also suggesting that the profile of those who are not getting the service, due to the more vulnerable to tobacco use, and or they are not being sensitized by anti-smoking campaigns, which reflects the desire of the women does not to leave the smoking habit.