Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2010. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-161). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-170).

Boston University. University Professors Program Senior theses. / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-02

Somalia’s reproductive health indices are among the worst in the world. Rates of maternal death, total fertility, and sexual and gender based violence reflect the poor reproductive health outcomes of women living in Somalia. Over two decades of civil unrest left the majority of the population without access to basic health care, particularly reproductive health services. Currently, it is estimated that about 1% of women in Somalia use a modern method of contraception, and the country has yet to register a dedicated progestin-only emergency contraceptive pill. This study seeks to explore levels of awareness and the perceived need for emergency contraception (EC), as well as stakeholders’ knowledge of and experiences with reproductive health services in Somalia. Through interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders in Somalia, I learned that awareness about vital services like EC is low, while the need for EC and broader reproductive health services is high. Evidently, stakeholders believe awareness, availability, quality care, culture, religion and good governance are important factors for both delivering and accessing reproductive health care. These study findings will fill an important gap in the literature and support efforts to expand and improve reproductive health service delivery in the country.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of gynecologic cancers both in the United States and worldwide. The morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer has decreased significantly with the development of effective screening for cervical cancer.1 However, refugee women in the United States are often impacted by the disparities in health care and experience increased risk of adverse health outcomes. LITERATURE REVIEW: Current research finds that refugee women in the United States often receive inadequate sexual and reproductive health services, including Pap smears for cervical cancer screening. This disparity leads to a higher burden of preventable morbidity and mortality. For refugee populations, numerous barriers to access have been identified including language, financial, and cultural barriers. Previous studies have identified that refugee women may have limited experience with preventative health care or confront cultural barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Further research must be done to study barriers to accessing cervical cancer screening among specific populations of refugee women. METHODS AND INTERVENTION: This study proposes to interview Iraqi, Bhutanese, and Somali refugee women in the greater-Boston area in order to better characterize experiences and understanding of cervical cancer screening. Investigators will conduct semi-structured interviews to collect narrative data, which will then be analyzed using qualitative analysis software to identify major themes. CONCLUSION: This study will seek to characterize perceptions and experiences of cervical cancer screening services among female refugees in the greater-Boston area. Limitations of this study include lack of generalizability and question-order bias. SIGNIFICANCE: The goal of characterizing barriers to access affecting refugee women in the greater-Boston community is to inform development of more effective public health interventions that will be targeted to the specific needs of local refugee populations. Efforts to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening services could result in decreased morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer for a vulnerable sector of the population.

Context: Rates and types of screening for depression in rural primary care practices are unknown. Purpose: To identify rates of depression screening among rural women in a sample of rural health clinics (RHCs). Methods: A chart review of 759 women's charts in 19 randomly selected RHCs across the nation. Data were collected from charts of female patients of rural primary care providers, using trained data collectors (inter-rater reliability.88 to.93). The Women's Primary Care Screening Form, designed by the authors, was used to collect demographic, health, and screening data. Data describing the characteristics of the clinics were collected using the National Rural Health Clinic Survey. Data regarding formal screening (validated instrument used) or informal (documentation of specific questions and answers regarding depression) in the previous 5 years were recorded. Findings: Characteristics of participating clinics and demographics of the women were similar to published data. Formal screening was documented in 2.4% of patients' charts. Informal screening was documented in 33.2% of charts. Patients with a history of anxiety were more likely to be screened (P <.001), and younger women were more likely to be screened than older women (P <.001). Conclusions: Primary care providers in RHCs use more informal than formal depression screening with their female patients. Providers are more likely to screen younger patients or patients with a diagnosis of anxiety.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Osteoporosis has become a major public health problem as the size of the elderly population has continued to increase. While it is unclear as to the exact relationship between systemic bone disease and the craniofacial skeleton, the dental implications of osteoporosis could include dental implant failure, decreased residual ridge height, and unsuccessful orthodontics or oral surgery procedures. While these concerns remain speculative, it is important for dentists to recognize patients who exhibit high risk for osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for osteoporosis exhibited by female dental patients at Indiana University School of Dentistry and to assess this risk among the various dental specialty subpopulations. Based on general population averages, we hypothesized that approximately 20 percent of the female patients were at high risk for osteoporosis and that differences would be found among the various dental subpopulations. We also hypothesized that the number of teeth present would decrease as the risk for osteoporosis increased. A 12 question survey assessment tool was devised and administered to 220 female dental patients 18 years and older. This survey asked the patient to report selected vital statistics, menstrual status, and other aspects of lifestyle. The average overall age of the patients was 48.2±1.1 years. Of the 220 subjects, 34 percent exhibited serious risk factors for osteoporosis. The orthodontic subpopulation contained the fewest number of patients at high risk for osteoporosis (6 percent). However, they were also the youngest group (33.9±2.0). The complete denture subpopulation had the highest number of patients at high risk for osteoporosis (53 percent) and was the oldest (60.0±2.3). There was a trend for number of teeth to decrease as the risk for osteoporosis and age increased. We also found that in women who had taken hormone replacement therapy for at least five years, there was no association between number of teeth and years postmenopause. However, women who had very little or no hormone replacement therapy, there was a strong correlation for number of teeth retained to decrease as the number of years postmenopause increased (r=0.6). We concluded that there is a difference in dental subpopulations for osteoporosis risk. The clinical implications are that osteoporosis risk is much higher in specific classes of dental patients. Clinicians treating these patients must recognize the need to refer high risk patients for appropriate medical assessment.

This thesis uses online ethnographic methods to analyze the impact of patriarchal values on the illness experiences of women with endometriosis. Current literature suggests that negative impact on patients with endometriosis with regard to cultural discourse surrounding menstruation and chronic illness. Utilizing a combination of critical discourse analysis and constructivist grounded theory, the results of this research demonstrate that patients engage in a form of performance that is reactive to normalization and dismissal of pain by doctors and wider social support due in part to cultural stigmas of menstruation and chronic pain, as well as the inherent power imbalance in the doctor-patient relationship. This performative role as a patient also creates a reclamation of power by participants in the form of strong medical familiarity and casual use of medical terminology. The intent to benefit future research are discussed with the limitations of this study.

Thesis advisor: C. Shawn McGuffey / This study examines the conversations female college students have surrounding women’s health and how these interactions may be perceived as a form of feminist solidarity. Previous research has provided many definitions to the term “feminist solidarity” and has shown the effectiveness of friendships in accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. For this study, 17 undergraduate students at a Jesuit university were interviewed and asked questions relating to feminist solidarity, peer interactions, and experiences surrounding conversations about birth control, abortion, and menstruation. To allow for the analysis of how feminist discourse differs between women of different races, the women were separated into focus groups by race (White, Black, and Asian). The findings supported literature about a feminist solidarity which is rooted in collective action and literature which has shown how friendships are important sources of reproductive and sexual health advice. Moreover, the identity of Asian and Black women were found to be key factors in how they engaged with and perceived feminism. In particular, the experiences of Asian women in this study have contributed to filling the information gap regarding the navigation of feminism and women’s health by women of Asian descent. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Morrissey School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Sociology. / Discipline: Departmental Honors.

Yip Yin Bing. / "July 1999." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-177). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Yip Yin Bing.