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- Abdulcadir, Jasmine, et al.
(author)
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Seven Things to Know about Female Genital Surgeries in Africa
- 2012
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In: The Hastings center report. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0093-0334 .- 1552-146X. ; 42:6, s. 19-27
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Starting in the early 1980s, media coverage of customary African genital surgeries for females has been problematic and overly reliant on sources from within a global activist and advocacy movement opposed to the practice, variously described as female genital mutilation, female genital cutting, or female circumcision. Here, we use the more neutral expression female genital surgery. In their passion to end the practice, anti-mutilation advocacy organizations often make claims about female genital surgeries in Africa that are inaccurate or overgeneralized or that don't apply to most cases. The aim of this article—which we offer as a public policy advisory statement from a group of concerned research scholars, physicians, and policy experts—is not to take a collective stance on the practice of genital surgeries for either females or males. Our main aim is to express our concern about the media coverage of female genital surgeries in Africa, to call for greater accuracy in cultural representations of little-known others, and to strive for evenhandedness and high standards of reason and evidence in any future public policy debates. In effect, the statement is an invitation to actually have that debate, with all sides of the story fairly represented.
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2. |
- Adern, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunction and pain in adult general practice patients
- 2014
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In: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0001-6357 .- 1502-3850. ; 72:8, s. 585-590
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To analyse the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and related pain (TMD-pain) among adult recall patients in general dental practice. Materials and methods. From November 2006 to September 2008, all adults attending a Swedish Public Dental Service (PDS) clinic for recall examination were asked two standardized questions about temporomandibular pain and dysfunction. Mouth-opening capacity was measured. The responses to the questions and mouth-opening capacity were combined to give a TMD-pain score, on a scale of 0-3. The patients' acceptance of their TMD condition was also noted. Results. The subjects comprised 2837 adults (53% females, 47% men). Of the total sample, 4.9% reported a TMD-pain score of 1-3. The gender difference was significant: women predominated (p < 0.003). Forty-three per cent of those with TMD-pain scores of 1-3 (36% men, 47% women) considered that the condition warranted treatment, especially those registering a pain score (significant difference between pain and dysfunction groups, p < 0.000). Conclusions. The TMD-pain score shows promise as a useful instrument for detecting and recording TMD-pain. The prevalence of TMD disclosed in the study is high enough to be considered a public health concern. Most of the subjects with lower scores on the TMD-pain scale accepted their condition as not severe enough to require treatment.
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3. |
- Andren, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Effects of treatment with oral appliance on 24-h blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension : a randomized clinical trial
- 2013
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In: Sleep and Breathing. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1520-9512 .- 1522-1709. ; 17:2, s. 705-712
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Continuous positive airway pressure treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aims of the present pilot study were to evaluate the potential effects of oral appliance (OA) therapy on BP, to assess various outcome BP measures, and to inform sample size calculation. Seventy-two patients with OSA and hypertension were randomly assigned to intervention with either an OA with mandibular advancement (active group) or an OA without advancement (control group). Before and after 3 months of treatment, the patients underwent nocturnal somnographic registration and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. Among the various BP measures, the largest trend toward effect of OA treatment was seen in 24-h mean systolic BP with a 1.8 mmHg stronger BP reduction in the active group compared with controls. A stronger trend toward effect was seen in a subgroup with baseline ambulatory daytime mean systolic BP > 135/85 mmHg where the mean systolic BP fell, on average, 2.6 mmHg. Additional exclusion of patients with baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) a parts per thousand currency sign15 gave a significant reduction in mean systolic BP of 4.4 mmHg (P = 0.044) in the active group compared with controls. In patients with OSA and hypertension, OA treatment had a modest trend toward effect on reducing BP. A stronger trend toward treatment effect was seen after excluding patients with normal baseline ambulatory BP. Additional exclusion of patients with baseline AHI a parts per thousand currency sign15 showed a significant treatment effect. Data to inform sample size for an adequately powered randomized study are provided.
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4. |
- Backhausen, Mette G., et al.
(author)
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Pregnancy planning and lifestyle prior to conception and during early pregnancy among Danish women
- 2014
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In: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1362-5187 .- 1473-0782. ; 19:1, s. 57-65
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To investigate the extent to which Danish women attending antenatal care plan their pregnancies and to determine the association between pregnancy planning and the intake of folic acid, alcohol consumption and smoking habits prior to conception and before the 16th week of gestation. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 258 women. Main outcome measures: intake of folic acid, alcohol consumption and smoking. Pregnancy planning was assessed by the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) and the five graded Swedish Pregnancy Planning Scale. Results Most (77%) of the participants reported that their pregnancies were very or fairly well planned. Higher median LMUP scores were observed in women taking folic acid (p < 0.001), in those consuming less alcohol, and in women who stopped smoking prior to pregnancy (p = 0.043). However, 43% of the respondents with a high degree of pregnancy planning and 98% of those with a low degree of planning had not taken folic acid prior to pregnancy. Binge drinking during early pregnancy was reported by 20% of women with a high degree of planned pregnancy and 31% of those with a low degree (p = 0.1). Conclusion Pregnancy planning was associated with a healthier lifestyle but still many women could improve their lifestyle in connection to pregnancy. Their level of alcohol consumption is higher than that recommended for best pregnancy outcome.
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5. |
- Bazargani, Farhan, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Three-dimensional Analysis of Effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Facial Sutures and Bones : A systematic review
- 2013
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In: Angle orthodontist. - : The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation Inc. - 0003-3219 .- 1945-7103. ; 83:6, s. 1074-1082
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate the evidence on three-dimensional immediate effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment on growing patients as assessed by computed tomography/cone beam computed tomography (CT/CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: The published literature was searched through the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library electronic databases from January 1966 to December 2012. The inclusion criteria consisted of randomized controlled trials, prospective controlled studies, and prospective case-series. Two reviewers extracted the data independently and assessed the quality of the studies. Results: The search strategy resulted in 73 abstracts or full-text articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. When treating posterior crossbites with a RME device, the existing evidence points out that the midpalatal suture opening is around 20%-50% of the total screw expansion. There seems to be no consistent evidence on whether the midpalatal sutural opening is parallel or triangular. The effect on the nasal cavity dimensions after RME seems to be apparent and indicates an enlargement between 17% and 33% of the total screw expansion. Circummaxillary sutures, particularly the zygomaticomaxillary and frontomaxillary sutures and also spheno-occipital synchondrosis, appear to be affected by the maxillary expansion. Overall, however, the changes were small and the evidence not conclusive. Conclusions: CT imaging proved to be a useful tool for assessment of treatment effects in all three dimensions. The majority of the articles were judged to be of low quality, and therefore, no evidence-based conclusions could to be drawn from these studies.
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7. |
- Binder, Pauline, et al.
(author)
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Conceptualising the prevention of adverse obstetric outcomes among immigrants using the 'three delays' framework in a high-income context
- 2012
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In: Social Science and Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0277-9536 .- 1873-5347. ; 75:11, s. 2028-2036
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Women from high-mortality settings in sub-Saharan Africa can remain at risk for adverse maternal outcomes even after migrating to low-mortality settings. To conceptualise underlying socio-cultural factors, we assume a 'maternal migration effect' as pre-migration influences on pregnant women's post-migration care-seeking and consistent utilisation of available care. We apply the 'three delays' framework, developed for low-income African contexts, to a high-income western scenario, and aim to identify delay-causing influences on the pathway to optimal facility treatment. We also compare factors influencing the expectations of women and maternal health providers during care encounters. In 2005-2006, we interviewed 54 immigrant African women and 62 maternal providers in greater London, United Kingdom. Participants were recruited by snowball and purposive sampling. We used a hermeneutic, naturalistic study design to create a qualitative proxy for medical anthropology. Data were triangulated to the framework and to the national health system maternity care guidelines. This maintained the original three phases of (1) care-seeking, (2) facility accessibility, and (3) receipt of optimal care, but modified the framework for a migration context. Delays to reciprocal care encounters in Phase 3 result from Phase 1 factors of 'broken trust, which can be mutually held between women and providers. An additional factor is women's 'negative responses to future care', which include rationalisations made during non-emergency situations about future late-booking, low-adherence or refusal of treatment. The greatest potential for delay was found during the care encounter, suggesting that perceived Phase 1 factors have stronger influence on Phase 3 than in the original framework. Phase 2 'language discordance' can lead to a 'reliance on interpreter service', which can cause delays in Phase 3, when 'reciprocal incongruent language ability' is worsened by suboptimal interpreter systems. 'Non-reciprocating care conceptualisations', 'limited system-level care guidelines', and 'low staff levels' can additionally delay timely care in Phase 3.
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8. |
- Binder, Pauline, 1965-, et al.
(author)
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More than re-establishing the partner relationship : Intimate aftercare for Somali parents in diaspora
- 2013
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 29:8, s. 863-870
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: to explore the sexual relationship and couples' perceptions about intimate partner support following childbirth. Design: a hermeneutic design using a naturalistic inquiry framework as a qualitative proxy for medical anthropology. Data were collected using a fictional and culturally-specific narrative during focus group discussions (FGDs) in early 2011. Analysis was conducted by ‘functional narrative analysis’ and interpreted for conceptual constructions. Recruitment was by snowball and purposive sampling. Setting:a diasporic context among participants living in six urban centres across Sweden. Participants: successful recruitment included 16 Somali-Swedish fathers and 27 mothers. Three FDGs were conducted with fathers (3–7 participants) and seven with mothers (3–6 participants). Findings: within day 40 post partum, parents learn to rely on each other in the absence of traditional support networks. After the first 40 days, the re-introduction of sexual intimacy is likely to occur. Of the fathers experiencing postpartum sexual aversion, these seemed to experience ‘existential angst’ resulting from a combination of profound remorse over having put the partner into what they perceived as a life-threatening situation during childbirth and their perceived moral and ethical obligations to provide support in this setting. Mothers in general did not directly discuss their own sexuality. Women could imagine men's sexual aversion after witnessing childbirth. However, they seemed unaware of men's potential for angst. Mothers are situated between the loss of traditional postpartum support networks, comprised of close female kin, and their own newly-defined responsibilities in the host setting. Fathers embrace their new role. Both partners articulated the mother's new role as enhancing autonomy and independence in the host setting. However, women held mixed attitudes about fathers replacing traditional kin support. Implications for practice: to date, late postpartum aftercare for immigrant African parents is anecdotally linked to evidence-based recommendations, which have been identified for parents who are ethnically-congruent to a western study setting. Our findings suggest that aftercare meant for Somali parents living in these settings requires an understanding of how traditional intimate support and the postpartum sexual relationship are re-negotiated in the diasporic context. This includes recognition of the father as a willing and supportive partner.
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9. |
- Binder, Pauline, et al.
(author)
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Shared Language Is Essential : Communication in a Multiethnic Obstetric Care Setting
- 2012
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In: Journal of health communication. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1081-0730 .- 1087-0415. ; 17:10, s. 1171-1186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study focuses on communication and conceptions of obstetric care to address the postulates that immigrant women experience sensitive care through the use of an ethnically congruent interpreter and that such women prefer to meet health providers of the same ethnic and gender profile when in a multiethnic obstetrics care setting. During 2005–2006, we conducted in-depth interviews in Greater London with immigrant women of Somali and Ghanaian descent and with White British women, as well as with obstetric care providers representing a variety of ethnic profiles. Questions focused on communication and conceptions of maternity care, and they were analyzed using qualitative techniques inspired by naturalistic inquiry. Women and providers across all informant groups encountered difficulties in health communication. The women found professionalism and competence far more important than meeting providers from one's own ethnic group, while language congruence was considered a comfort. Despite length of time in the study setting, Somali women experienced miscommunication as a result of language barriers more than did other informants. An importance of the interpreter's role in health communication was acknowledged by all groups; however, interpreter use was limited by issues of quality, trust, and accessibility. The interpreter service seems to operate in a suboptimal way and has potential for improvement.
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10. |
- Borevi, Karin, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Välfärdsstaten och de nyanlända : en flyktingplaceringspolitisk probleminventering
- 2010
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to make an inventory overview of challenges and problems in the area of refugee settlement policies. An analysis is made of the political development, from the mid 1980s and onwards, of this hotly debated issue in Swedish politics. Then we identify a number of principal themes and problems which arise in relation to questions of dispersal programmes and refugee reception. The paper is based on an ongoing research project at Uppsala University, where refugee settlement policies are studied from a comparative Scandinavian perspective, focusing both on the national level and on the local level.
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