|
|
...on Women
|
|
www.ProjectCork.org
|
Fall 2006
|
The integral place of religion in the lives of rural African-American women who use cocaine.
Brown EJ. Journal of Religion & Health 45(1): 19-39, 2006. (35 refs.)
To understand the culture of rural African-American women who use cocaine, ethnographic research was conducted in rural North Central Florida using in-depth interviews and participant observations with 30 respondents. Fourteen major themes emerged from the data; however, this paper focuses on one theme, that of religion. Nine sub-themes about religion and spirituality emerged. Religion was viewed as a personal relationship with God, which is not dependent on socializing with other church members, but was helpful in sustaining the respondents. While religiosity was a stable and consistent place in the respondents' lives and some relied on their faith in God to replace their addiction, faith was not uniformly utilized by all respondents in this manner. Religiosity among African-American women who use cocaine cannot solely overcome the lack of drug treatment or treatment options and the stigma associated with drug use although it may be a resiliency factor, which warrants promoting. Copyright 2006, Kluwer Academic.
Stages of multiple behavior change as a function of readiness for substance abuse treatment among women at risk.
Brown VB; Melchior LA; Slaughter R; Huba GJ. Journal of Addictions Nursing 16(1-2): 23-29, 2005. (23 refs.)
Based on a multidimensional stages-of-change model, the present work examines changes in readiness to modify several types of risk behaviors among women seeking to enter substance abuse treatment. These behaviors are: seeking mental health counseling, reducing risky sexual behaviors, reducing risk of physical violence, and improving vocational/ educational skills. Participants (n = 261 women; 66.3% African American, 24.1% Latina, and 9.6% Cancasian) were assessed at baseline and an average of six months later. Results of a repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant increases in readiness for behavior change. The interaction between initial readiness to modify substance abuse behaviors and longitudinal change also was significant. Implications for designing programs to address the needs of women with multiple vulnerabilities are discussed. Copyright 2005, Taylor & Francis.
The epidemiology of drinking among women of child-bearing age.
Caetano R; Ramisetty-Mikler S; Floyd LR; McGrath C. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 30(6): 1023-1030, 2006. (52 refs.)
To estimate the prevalence of drinking, binge drinking (4 or more drinks), and alcohol abuse and dependence and to identify predictors of heavier drinking among women of child-bearing age (18-44 years). Subjects are part of a national multistage random sample from the 2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Binge drinking, abuse, and dependence are higher in younger (< 30 years) pregnant and nonpregnant women. Among pregnant women, binge drinking is highest among Whites; alcohol abuse and dependence rates are relatively low and similar in all racial/ethnic groups. Among nonpregnant women, Whites and mixed race women have the highest rates of binge drinking. Alcohol abuse and dependence are highest among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, followed by Native American/Alaska Native women. Women who are White, younger (21-29 years), single, or cohabiting and with a higher income (>$40,000) are at a higher risk for heavier drinking. Drinking and heavier drinking remain at high levels among women of child-bearing age. Prevention efforts must be comprehensive and should target pregnant women who are drinking and those who could become pregnant and are drinking at high-risk levels. Copyright 2006, Research Society on Alcoholism.
A longitudinal examination of the link between parent alcohol problems and youth drinking: The moderating roles of parent and child gender.
Coffelt NL; Forehand R; Olson AL; Jones DJ; Gaffney CA; Zens MS. Addictive Behaviors 31(4): 593-605, 2006. (40 refs.)
The unique and interactive effects of paternal and maternal alcohol problems on the drinking behavior of adolescent girls and boys were investigated. A prospective design was employed to examine changes in youth drinking behavior over a 3-year period in a community-based sample of 695 families. Results revealed that, as maternal alcohol problems increased, the likelihood of adolescent alcohol use increased. Paternal alcohol problems were associated with an increased likelihood of alcohol use for girls only. Findings point to the need for future research to investigate both maternal and paternal alcohol problems in community samples and with a sample size large enough to examine both parent and adolescent gender. Implications for preventive and interventive efforts are considered. Copyright 2006, Elsevier Science, Ltd.
Is beer the drink of choice for women with alcohol use problems? Positive alcohol outcome expectancies as a function of beverage type.
Devoulyte K; Stewart SH; Theakston JA. Addictive Behaviors 31(7): 1133-1143, 2006. (22 refs.)
The primary goal of this study was to evaluate whether women with alcohol problems report differences in their strength of endorsement of specific positive outcome expectancies as a function of alcoholic beverage type. Fifty-four participants completed the Beverage Expectancy Questionnaire (BEQ) that assessed five specific positive outcome expectancies across three different beverage types (i.e., wine, beer, hard liquor). Participants endorsed the strongest expectancies of Social/Sexual Enhancement, Global Positive Affect and Relaxation in the beer-specific context as compared to the wine-specific context. Levels of consumption were significantly higher overall for hard liquor than for wine in the sample as a whole. Quantity of wine drinking was predicted by wine-specific Arousal and Personality Transformation expectancies; quantity of beer drinking was predicted by beer-specific Arousal expectancies; quantity of hard liquor consumption was predicted by hard liquor-specific Personality Transformation, Relaxation, and Arousal expectancies. Clinical implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed. Copyright 2006, Elsevier Science Ltd.
Prospective multicenter observational study of 260 infants born to 259 opiate-dependent mothers on methadone or high-dose buprenophine substitution.
Lejeune C; Simmat-Durand L; Gourarier L; Aubisson S; GEGA. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 82(3): 250-257, 2006. (36 refs.)
Specialized prenatal care and substitution programs improve the perinatal prognoses of pregnant drug-abusers and their infants. Although methadone is well documented, little is known about high-dose buprenorphine (HDB). This prospective, multicenter (n = 35) observational study included 259 women on maintenance during pregnancy: 39% on methadone and 61% on HDB. Major findings were: 46% of them received good prenatal care; 62% had peridural analgesia; 12.3% delivered prematurely ( < 37 weeks); mean gestational age, 38.6 weeks; mean birth weight, 2822 g. Three-quarters of the newborns developed neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) beginning at a mean age of 40 h, with the mean maximum Lipsitz score of 9.1 at 72 h; half of them were treated, mainly with morphine hydrochloride. No baby died. Newborns were discharged with their mothers (96%) or placed in foster care (4%). Comparing methadone with HDB, respectively, mean age at the maximum Lipsitz score was 81 h versus 66 h (P = 0.066). The perinatal medical and social prognoses for these 259 drug addicts and their infants appeared to be improved by specialized prenatal care and was similar for methadone or BHD substitution during pregnancy. Copyright 2006, Elsevier Science.
Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus - An 11-year prospective study of 28 812 postmenopausal women.
Pereira MA; Parker ED; Folsom AR. Archives of Internal Medicine 166(12): 1311-1316, 2006. (32 refs.)
Background: Coffee intake may be associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus because of minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in coffee, but the role of caffeine is unclear. Our objective was to examine the association between total, caffeinated, and decaffeinated coffee intake, as assessed by food frequency questionnaire at baseline, and risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This prospective analysis of the Iowa Women's Health Study (1986-1997) included 28 812 postmenopausal women free of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the general community. The main outcome measure was incident type 2 diabetes mellitus as determined by mailed questionnaire. Results: Coffee intake was categorized as 0, less than 1, 1 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 or more cups per day. During 11 years of follow-up, there were 1418 incident cases of diabetes. Relative risks (RRs) were adjusted for a variety of demographic, adiposity, and lifestyle measures. Compared with women who reported 0 cups of coffee per day, women who consumed 6 or more cups per day had a 22% lower risk (RR = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.01) of diabetes (P for linear trend across categories, .06). This association appeared to be largely explained by decaffeinated coffee (RR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42-1.08; P for trend, .006) rather than regular coffee (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.59-1.05; P for trend, .90). Intake of magnesium and phytate did not explain these associations. Intakes of caffeine from all sources was not associated with risk of diabetes. Conclusion: Coffee intake, especially decaffeinated, was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in this cohort of postmenopausal women. Copyright 2006, American Medical Association.
Exchange, deceit, risk and harm: The consequences for women of receiving injections from other drug users.
Tompkins CNE; Sheard L; Wright NM; Jones L; Howes N. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 13(3): 281-297, 2006
Aims: To explore the consequences for women of being injected with illicit drugs. Methods: In-depth interviews with 45 women injecting drug users who have been injected by other people. Findings: Women's reliance on others to administer injections meant they had less control over their drug use. Exchanging drugs as currency for being injected was common and women had little choice but to provide the injector with drugs. Being injected by others often caused the recipient physical harm. Previous experience of deception and harm meant women became more knowledgeable about their injector's intentions and subsequently tried to reduce future damage when being injected. Women appeared to be confused about the risks associated with being injected and the perceived risks were often complex and polarized. Understanding the context and nature of being injected is important for services when working with injection recipients. Conclusions: This work uncovered ideas about a complex area and highlights the importance for those working with drug users to pay attention to this. Increased training and awareness for drug-service staff about factors influencing being injected and the potential associated risks is recommended. Reinforcing current harm-reduction messages and providing related advice to injection recipients is also important. In improving the knowledge and awareness about being injected, women recipients may gain increased choice and agency in the injection process. Copyright 2006, Taylor & Francis.
Alcohol consumption, smoking and breastfeeding in the first six months after delivery.
Alvik A; Haldorsen T; Lindemann R. Acta Paediatrica 95(6): 686-693, 2006. (31 refs.)
Aim: To study alcohol use and smoking after delivery, and to relate this to breastfeeding. Methods: A longitudinal questionnaire study, representative of pregnant women in Oslo. Ninety-two per cent agreed to join the study. Non-Norwegian speaking and/or immigrants from non-western countries were not invited. Questionnaires were answered at 17 (T1) and 30 (T2) wk of pregnancy, and 6 mo after term (T3). They were completed by 93% (1749 women) at T1, 82% at T2, and 92% at T3. Results: Six months after delivery, 80% reported alcohol use. The mean alcohol consumption per week was less than half compared to the last 6 mo before pregnancy. The women with the highest pre-pregnancy use reduced the most. Binge drinking (>= 5 drinks) was also reported by half as many women (29%). However, 6% reported 12 or more drinks per occasion at least once. No demographic or mental health variables predicted binge drinking after pregnancy. Smoking 6 mo after pregnancy was reported by 18%, a reduction of 50% from before pregnancy. Women breastfeeding for at least 6 mo had higher education, less frequently reported binge drinking after delivery and less frequently suffered postnatal depression. Conclusion: In this population-based sample were 86% breastfed for at least 6 mo, the level of binge drinking is concerning. Copyright 2006, Scandinavian University Press.
Sexual and injection risk among women who inject methamphetamine in San Francisco.
Lorvick J; Martinez A; Gee L; Kral AH. Journal of Urban Health 83(3): 497-505, 2006. (30 refs.)
Methamphetamine (MA) use is on the rise in the United States, with many cities reporting increases of 100% or more in MA-related Emergency Department (ED) mentions. Women are keeping pace with this trend: in 2003, 40% of ED mentions and 45% of MA-related treatment admissions were female. Although there have been extensive examinations of MA use and HIV/STI risk among gay men in recent years, literature regarding female MA users is scarce. This paper examines female methamphetamine injectors in San Francisco, CA, from 2003-2005. We assessed sexual and injection related risk behaviors, comparing female MA injectors to female injectors of other drugs. We also examined whether MA use was independently associated with specific sexual and injection risk behaviors. We found that female MA injectors were significantly more likely than non-MA injectors to report unprotected anal intercourse, multiple sexual partners, receptive syringe sharing and sharing of syringes with more than one person in the past six months. In multivariate analysis, MA use among female injectors was significantly associated with anal sex, more than five sexual partners, receptive syringe sharing, and more than one syringe-sharing partner in the past six months. Deeper exploration of the relationship between MA use and sexual risk among women would benefit HIV/STI prevention efforts. In addition, existing interventions for drug-injecting women may need to be adapted to better meet the risks of female MA injectors. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press, Inc.
Patterns and perceptions of ecstasy use among young, low-income women.
Wu ZH; Holzer CE; Breitkopf CR; Grady JJ; Berenson AB. Addictive Behaviors 31(4): 676-685, 2006. (31 refs.)
A significant number of young, low-income women experiment with ecstasy outside of club or rave settings. The current study examined patterns and risk factors of ecstasy use among this group of women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 696 women aged 18 to 31 who sought gynecological care from two university clinics in southeast Texas between December 1, 2001, and May 30, 2003. Fifteen percent of participants reported ever using ecstasy. Of those, over 90% used it at a friend's home. Compared with women who used only marijuana or other illicit drugs, ecstasy users were more likely to be white, use a larger number of other drugs, be willing to use drugs in the future, and have more friends who used drugs. Fewer ecstasy users strongly disapproved of adult drug use than users of other illicit drugs. Future interventional efforts should target young, low-income women to prevent future experimentation with illicit drugs. Copyright 2006, Elsevier Science, Ltd.
From partying to parenthood: Young women's perceptions of cigarette smoking across life transitions.
McDermott LJ; Dobson AJ; Owen N. Health Education Research 21(3): 428-439, 2006. (45 refs.)
This study explored influences on adoption, maintenance and cessation of smoking among young women as they experienced life transitions: leaving home, gaining employment or attending college/university, marriage and parenthood. Standardized, open-ended telephone interviews were conducted with 80 women (including never smokers, continuing smokers, recent adopters and quitters) aged 24-29 years, recruited from participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The social context of smoking (socializing with other smokers, drinking alcohol and going to pubs and clubs) was perceived to be a predominant influence on smoking from the time young women left home until they settled into a committed relationship or started their own family. Stress was identified as an important factor as they experienced lifestyle changes. An increased sensitivity to the negative aspects of smoking after turning 21 was reported, and around the mid-20s the women became concerned about the addictive nature of cigarettes. Motherhood was seen to carry increased responsibilities to protect children from passive smoking and there was a perceived importance of positive role modelling to protect children from becoming smokers themselves. This study highlights the need for public health campaigns to address the social role that smoking plays in young women's lives, and the perceived use of cigarettes for stress relief. Life changes such as settling down with a partner and the contemplation of motherhood provide opportunities for targeted interventions to promote quitting. Copyright 2006, Sage Publications.
Good mother, bad mother: Perception of mothering by rural African-American women who use cocaine.
Brown EJ. Journal of Addictions Nursing 17(1): 21-31, 2006. (26 refs.)
To understand the culture of rural African-American women who use cocaine, ethnographic research was conducted in a rural county by means of in-depth interviews and participant observation with 30 respondents. Twenty-four respondents were mothers, 21 of whom had minor children. Respondents were recruited by ethnographic mapping, participant obser-vation, use of key informants, and snowball sampling. Fourteen major themes emerged from the data; however, parenting and related subthemes are the focus of this paper. Within the parenting theme, 14 subthemes about good parenting and 6 subthemes about bad parenting emerged as a cohesive pattern of the mothers' perceptions. Overall, respondents bought into the mainstream ideology of motherhood and experienced some stress resulting from their attempts to fulfill their multifaceted mothering role. Most perceived that they were good mothers despite their use of cocaine. Research, service, and social policy recommendations are made. Copyright 2006, Taylor & Francis.
|
