16 research outputs found
Effectiveness of mobile application for menstrual management of working women in Japan: randomized controlled trial and medical economic evaluation
No full textAims: Hormonal imbalances can affect a woman’s physical and mental condition, impacting her daily life and productivity. A mobile application, “Karada-no-kimochi”, predicts the menstrual cycle based on recorded data, and provides the information regarding menstruation. This study investigates the effectiveness of the application from health condition and labor productivity loss perspectives, and evaluates its cost-effectiveness for employed women in Japan. Materials and methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed to compare the use of the application and non-intervention in female workers (20–45 years) based on an online survey. A discrete-event model based on the RCT data, published literature, and claims data was used for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Results: The intervention and non-intervention groups comprised 612 and 914 women, respectively. In the intervention group, the incidences of depression (0.16%) and dysmenorrhea (0.33%) were significantly lower than those of the non-intervention group (0.77% and 1.31%, respectively) in the third month. While labor productivity and absenteeism varied, presenteeism showed almost no change across groups. The quality-adjusted life year in the intervention group was 6.84 (0.07 higher than that in the non-intervention group). By analyzing medical expenses and making assumptions regarding productivity, we estimated that the aggregate of medical expenses, productivity loss, and application fee for the intervention group could be lower than that of the non-intervention group by over JPY 130,000 (USD 1,170, as of December 2017) per individual. Limitations: The subjects included were willing or relatively willing to use the application. Because all outcomes were based on online surveys, the results depended on the objectivity and preciseness of the reports provided by users, and those with severe symptoms might not provide reports. Conclusions: The results suggest that using the application is cost-effective and might reduce the incidence of dysmenorrhea and depression.</p
Association Between Sexual Health and Delivery Mode
No full textIntroduction: Female sexual function changes considerably during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, women's physical and mental health, endocrine secretion, and internal and external genitalia vary during these times. However, there are limited studies on the relationship between delivery and sexual function.
Aim: The present study aimed to demonstrate the association between sexual function and delivery mode.
Methods: Mothers who delivered a single baby at term were recruited for the study, and 435 mothers were analyzed.
Main Outcome Measures: The Female Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) scores and mothers' backgrounds were assessed at 6 months after delivery.
Results: The delivery mode affected the SFQ28 partner domain. Episiotomy affected the arousal (sensation) domain. Multiple regression analysis revealed that maternal age and cesarean section were significantly associated with several SHQ28 domains.
Conclusion: This study suggests that routine episiotomies at delivery should be avoided to improve postpartum maternal sexual function. Maternal age and cesarean section were found to affect postpartum sexual health. Song M, Ishii H, Toda M, Tomimatsu T, Katsuyama H, Nakamura T, Nakai Y, and Shimoya K. Association between sexual health and delivery mode. Sex Med 2014;2:153–158
Maternal Depression and Mother-to-Infant Bonding: The Association of Delivery Mode, General Health and Stress Markers
No full textLevel of S100B protein expression in the amnion at various gestational ages in the third trimester of normal pregnancies.
No full textpeer reviewedBACKGROUND: S100B protein is a unique calcium-binding protein. Its biological role within the cell populations is not completely defined. Some pathological conditions that develop during pregnancy could affect S100B concentrations in the amniotic fluid, cord blood, and maternal serum. The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between S100B protein expression in the amnion, amniotic fluid and gestational age in the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: Amnion, amniotic fluid, maternal peripheral and umbilical cord blood samples were collected from healthy women who delivered at 31-36 weeks (n=17), 37-40 weeks (n=22), and 41-42 weeks (n=21). The expression of S100B in the amnion was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time (RT)-PCR, and its concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood sera were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The S100B protein expression in the amnion and its concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood sera of patients in the third trimester were not significantly different at various gestational ages. CONCLUSIONS: The S100B protein expression in the amnion and the S100B protein concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood do not vary significantly in the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancies
Relationship between human tumor-associated antigen RCAS1 and gestational diabetes mellitus.
No full textpeer reviewedPROBLEM: The human tumor-associated receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) is considered to play a role in the inhibition of the maternal immune response during pregnancy. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of RCAS1 protein in the placenta and to compare its concentration in maternal and cord blood sera between normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHOD OF STUDY: Samples were obtained from women with GDM (n = 8), women with type 1 DM (n = 5), and healthy term controls (n = 27) after delivery. Placentas were studied by immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. For assessment of RCAS1 concentrations in maternal and cord blood sera, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed. RESULTS: The RCAS1 protein mRNA expression in the placentas of patients with GDM was significantly lower than that in the controls (P = 0.005). The maternal blood RCAS1 protein concentration of the GDM cases was also significantly lower than that in the controls (P = 0.0411), whereas the cord blood RCAS1 protein concentration was significantly higher in the GDM and type 1 DM groups than in the controls (P = 0.0311 and P = 0.0192, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that RCAS1 protein might have an important role in the development of GDM
The maternal blood serum human tumor-associated protein RCAS1 in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus
No full textEffect of information awareness on attitudes toward human papillomavirus vaccination intentions in Japan
No full textBACKGROUND: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate among Japanese high school girls remains critically low, reflecting ongoing public apprehension and misinformation. This study explores the relationship between information presentation and attitudes toward HPV vaccination in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey of female high school students aged 15 to 16 and mothers of daughters of similar age across Japan. The first screening questionnaire investigated the vaccine uptake among eligible students. The detailed questions assessing awareness of HPV vaccination information, including vaccine eligibility and its cost, effectiveness, lifetime prevalence of HPV infection, and vaccine safety, were asked to the respondents. After presenting each piece of information, we investigated how the information influenced the vaccination attitudes of unvaccinated students and mothers of unvaccinated girls. RESULTS: Data collection occurred from August 20 to August 24, 2021. Of 473 students, 68 (14.4 %) had already been vaccinated before the study. Over half of the 245 participating students were aware of vaccine eligibility and cost (68.7 %) and effectiveness (63.6 %), but fewer understood lifetime prevalence (28.7 %) and safety (45.3 %). In contrast, awareness of the same questions in 245 mothers was higher than that in the students: 90.2 %, 92.5 %, 55.4 %, and 61.1 %, respectively. Among unvaccinated students and mothers of unvaccinated girls, the intention to get vaccinated increased the most after being informed about the lifetime risks of HPV infection; 50.5 % of students and 38.8 % of mothers showed a positive attitude toward the HPV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Bridging the awareness gap between students and mothers is crucial for improving HPV vaccination rates. The findings underscore the potential of specific, targeted information to influence vaccination intentions, particularly regarding the HPV infection rate
