Correction: "I did not know it was a medical condition": Predictors, severity and help seeking behaviors of women with female sexual dysfunction in the Volta region of Ghana.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: PLOS ONE Staff
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6991947 | biostudies-literature | 2020
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Correction: "I did not know it was a medical condition": Predictors, severity and help seeking behaviors of women with female sexual dysfunction in the Volta region of Ghana.
PloS one 20200130 1
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226404.]. ...[more]
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Project description:OBJECTIVES:The study's main objective was to describe the prevalence and severity of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) amongst a group of Ghanaian women in the outpatient setting of the predominantly rural Volta region of Ghana. Additionally we determine the predictors of FSD severity and care seeking behaviors of women with the condition. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:This was a cross sectional study conducted in the outpatient setting of the Ho Teaching Hospital in the rural-savannah, agro-ecological zone of Volta Region, Ghana. METHODS AND PROCEDURES:FSD was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. FSD was defined with a cutoff of ≤23 so as not to under-estimate the prevalence in this conservative setting. FSFI score >23 was designated "no FSD". We further categorized women with FSD as having mild (FSFI Total score 18-23), moderate (FSFI Total score <18 to >10) or severe (FSFI Total score ≤10) FSD. Due to sample size restrictions, we combined the moderate and severe FSD groups in our analyses and defined "moderate/severe FSD" as an FSFI Total score < 18. Participants with FSD were further asked to indicate whether or not they sought help for their conditions, the reasons they sought help, and the types of help they sought. We used p<0.05 to determine statistical significance for all analyses and logistic regression models were used to determine crude and age-adjusted effect estimates. RESULTS:FSD Prevalence: Out of 407 women approached, 300 (83.8%) agreed and consented to participate in the study. The prevalence of FSD was 48.3% (n = 145). Compared to those without FSD, over a third of the FSD women resided in rural settings (37.90% vs 20.60%; p = 0.001) and tended to be multiparous, with a significantly greater proportion having at least three children (31.70% vs 18.10%; p = 0.033). FSD Severity: Over a quarter of the sample (27.6%, n = 40) met the cut-off for moderate to severe FSD. In age-adjusted models, lubrication disorder was associated with 45 times the odds of moderate/severe FSD (age-adj. OR: 45.38, 95% CI: 8.37, 246.00; p<0.001), pain with 17times the odds (age-adj. OR: 17.18, 95% CI: 4.50, 65.50; p<0.001) and satisfaction almost 5times the odds (age-adj. OR: 4.69, 95% CI: 1.09, 20.2; p = 0.04). Compared to those with 1-3 children, nulliparous women had 3.5 times higher odds of moderate/severe sexual dysfunction as well (age-adj. OR:3.51, 95% CI:1.37,8.98; p = 0.009). FSD-related Health Seeking Behaviors: Statistically significant predictors of FSD-related care seeking included having FSD of pain disorder (age-adj. OR: 5.91, 95% CI:1.29, 27.15; p = 0.02), having ≥4 children (age-adj. OR: 6.29, 95%CI: 1.53, 25.76; p = 0.01). Of those who sought help, seven in 10 sought formal help from a healthcare provider, with General Practitioners preferred over Gynecologist. About one in 3 (31.3%) who did not seek help indicated that they did not know their sexual dysfunction was a medical condition, over a quarter (28.9%) "thought it was normal" to have FSD, and interestingly, 14.1% did not think a medical provider would be able to provide them with assistance. CONCLUSIONS:Sexual dysfunctions are prevalent yet taboo subjects in many countries, including Ghana. Awareness raising and efforts to feminize the physician workforce are necessary to meet the healthcare needs of vulnerable members of Ghanaian society.
| S-EPMC6957185 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND: Female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) are prevalent multifactor problems that in general remain misdiagnosed in primary health care. This population-based study investigated help-seeking behaviors among women with FSD in Iran. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study carried out in Kohgilouyeh-Boyer-Ahmad province in Iran. Using quota sampling all sexually active women aged 15 and over registered in primary health care delivery centers were studied. Experience of sexual problems was assessed using an ad-hoc questionnaire (Female sexual dysfunction: help-seeking behaviors survey) containing 14 items. Trained female nurses interviewed all participants after a verbal informed consent. Data were analyzed in a descriptive manner. RESULTS: In all 1540 women were studied. Of these, 786 (51%) cases had experienced at least one of the FSD problems. Results showed that 35.8% of women with FSD had sought no professional help and the most reasons for not seeking help were identified as: 'time constraints' and believing that it 'did not occur to me' (39.1 and 28.5% respectively). Sixty one percent of women who sought help for FSD reported that 'doctor gave me a definite diagnosis' and 'a definite treatment plan was given' in 57% of cases. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated that FSD problems were prevalent and many women did not seek help for their problem. Finding 'time constraints' and believing that the problem 'did not occur to me' as the most cited reasons for not seeking help might facilitate to understand potential barriers that exist in recognition and treatment of the female sexual dysfunctions. Since FSD might have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and women's quality of life, it seems that there is need to address the problem both at local and national primary health care services.
| S-EPMC2651860 | biostudies-other
Project description:Urinary incontinence has an undeniable impact on the quality of life of affected women; however, talking about incontinence is not comfortable for many women, and they often hide it and do not seek treatment. Predictors affecting women's decisions to seek treatment in communities can be different. This study was designed to identify predictors of help-seeking behaviors among Iranian women with urinary incontinence.MethodsThis cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 199 women with urinary incontinence who met the inclusion criteria by convenience sampling from the beginning of 2020 to the middle of 2021. The Incontinence Severity Index, Bradley's Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis, Medical Embarrassment Questionnaires, Brief-Illness Perception Questionnaire, Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire, Barrier to Incontinence Care Seeking Questionnaire, Medical Help Seeking Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey were all self-administered data collection tools used in this study. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the relationship and prediction of help-seeking behaviors by other variables. To analyze the data, SPSS software version 20 was used.ResultsThe variables of shame, barriers to care, social support, quality of life, and age were found to be predictors of help-seeking behavior in the research population of women with urinary incontinence. Help-seeking had a direct relationship with quality of life and an inverse relationship with other factors. Among these factors, shame has the greatest impact (P = 0/001, β = - 0/37).ConclusionsThe extracted predictors, especially the variable of "shame" as the most important negative factor related to the treatment decisions of women with urinary incontinence, will help to health service providers to take into account these factors in the regular service provision programs that promote women's health, which are effective in facilitating the help-seeking of sufferers and correct guidance towards treatment or rehabilitation.
| S-EPMC10403081 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study aimed to evaluate the impact of parental mental health on adolescent offspring. Data regarding 6512 families from the 2010-2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed; among them, 428 were placed in the suicidal ideation (SI) group and 421 were placed in the matched control (MC) group. This number was selected for the use of the propensity score matching method. The findings highlighted significant associations between parental mental health and adolescent suicidal ideation, with mothers in the SI group having higher odds of Diagnosed Depression (OR 2.109, 1.023-4.350 95% CI), Depressive Mood (OR 2.155, 1.224-3.793 95% CI), and Suicidal Ideation (OR 2.532, 1.322-4.851 95% CI) compared to the MC group. Regarding the fathers, paternal Suicidal Ideation (OR 4.295, 1.747-10.599 95% CI) was the only significant factor for adolescent suicidal ideation. In contrast, maternal depressive symptoms and help-seeking behavior significantly impacted adolescent help-seeking; Maternal Depressive Mood increased with adolescent Help-Seeking (OR 4.486, 1.312-15.340 95% CI) while Maternal Suicidal Ideation reduced the probability of Help-Seeking in the SI group (OR 0.15, 0.031-0.721, 95% CI). Chronic and severe depressive symptoms in mothers could make adolescents less likely to seek help for their suicidal ideations. Therefore, clinicians working with adolescents should prioritize a family-oriented approach.
| S-EPMC10419277 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although older adults may experience health challenges requiring increased care, they often do not ask for help. This scoping review explores the factors associated with the help-seeking behaviors of older adults, and briefly discusses how minority ethnic populations can face additional challenges in help-seeking, due to factors such as language barriers and differing health beliefs. Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-AnalysesScoping Review guidelines, a systematic search of five databases was conducted. Using a qualitative meta-synthesis framework, emergent themes were identified. Data from 52 studies meeting inclusion criteria were organized into five themes: formal and informal supports, independence, symptom appraisal, accessibility and awareness, and language, alternative medicine and residency. Identifying how factors, including independence and symptom appraisal, relate to older adults' help-seeking behaviors may provide insights into how this population can be supported to seek help more effectively.
| S-EPMC9024019 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe heightened vulnerability of women to mental health issues during the period of pregnancy implies that seeking and receiving support for mental health services is a crucial factor in improving the emotional and mental well-being of pregnant women. The current study investigates the prevalence and correlates of seeking and receiving help for mental health services initiated by pregnant women and health professionals during pregnancy.DesignUsing a cross-sectional design and self-report questionnaires, data were collected from 702 pregnant women in the first, second and third trimesters from four health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsIt was observed that 18.9% of pregnant women self-initiated help-seeking for mental health services whereas 64.8% reported that health professionals asked about their mental well-being, of which 67.7% were offered mental health support by health professionals. Diagnosis of medical conditions in pregnancy (i.e., hypertension and diabetes), partner abuse, low social support, sleep difficulty and suicidal ideation significantly predicted the initiation of help-seeking for mental health services by pregnant women. Fear of vaginal delivery and COVID-19 concerns predicted the provision of mental health support to pregnant women by health professionals.ConclusionThe low prevalence of individual-initiated help-seeking implies that health professionals have a high responsibility of supporting pregnant women achieve their mental health needs.
| S-EPMC9983869 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTransition-aged youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, yet they are one of the least likely demographic groups to seek help.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the influences on and patterns in help-seeking for mental health concerns among transition-aged youth who attend postsecondary schools in Canada.MethodsA qualitative research design was used, involving 12 semistructured focus groups with transition-aged youth (17-29 years) who attended postsecondary schools in Canada. A thematic analysis was conducted to code the transcripts and develop themes.ResultsFour main themes and subthemes regarding the process and experience of help-seeking were generated: (1) the influence of formal service providers (accessibility and experiences), (2) the influence of social factors (system navigation and stigma), (3) the influence of health literacy (symptom recognition, acting on symptoms, digital tools and the internet, and mental health awareness campaigns), and (4) the influence of low-intensity sources of support, namely, self-help.ConclusionsTransition-aged youth seek help for mental health problems in different ways. Despite efforts to improve access to mental health services, transition-aged youth continue to face barriers to accessing these services, especially formal sources of support. The factors identified in this study that either hinder or facilitate help-seeking have pragmatic implications for developing help-seeking interventions and delivering mental health services for this population. In addition to other facilitators, family physicians are an important resource in the help-seeking process. Furthermore, digital help-seeking tools have unique characteristics that may make them an important source of support for transition-aged youth.
| S-EPMC7573698 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Failure to seek treatment for mental health disorders is a serious public health concern. Unfortunately, there is little insight into help-seeking and its associated factors in China which has undergone rapid economic development in the past 30 years and has an increasing prevalence of mental disorder. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate help-seeking rates in healthcare and non-healthcare settings and (2) investigate the correlates of help-seeking behavior in a large Chinese survey. METHODS:Data came from the Tianjin Mental Health Survey (TJMHS), a representative sample of adult community residents in the Chinese municipality of Tianjin (n = 11,748). Of these, 1759 individuals had ≥1 axis-I diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical manual- fourth edition (DSM-IV) and were administered a Help-Seeking Questionnaire. RESULTS:15.7% of patients reported that they had ever sought help during their entire lifetime before the interview, with 4.5% seeking help in mental healthcare, 3.2% in other healthcare and 8.1% in non-healthcare settings (e.g., family, friends, and spiritual advisor). Among help-seekers, the first help was mostly sought in non-healthcare settings (58.4%), followed by healthcare (27.5%) and mental healthcare settings (24.5%). Female gender, younger age, having 7-9 years vs 0-6 years of education, a low income, a psychotic disorder and having ≥2 disorders were associated with increased help-seeking. Older age, being married and having a psychotic or organic disorder were associated with increased help-seeking in healthcare vs. non-healthcare settings. CONCLUSION:A small percentage of persons with mental disorders in the Tianjin region seek help and among those who do, variations in the types of help-seeking may be partially explained by demographic and clinical characteristics.
| S-EPMC6883558 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Understanding how frequently women seek assistance after experiencing a miscarriage could potentially help address unmet needs in managing post-miscarriage health problems (PMHP). However, most studies focus primarily on the causes and effects of PMHP and neglect the influence of help-seeking behavior on PMHP. This study examined help-seeking behavior among women who have experienced a miscarriage in Ghana, whether they sought help from healthcare professionals or not, and the impact it had on post-miscarriage health problems (PMHP). The study analyzed subsample data (N = 1,843) from the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey of miscarrying women aged 15-49 years who answered questions on help-seeking after a miscarriage from 900 clusters in ten administrative regions of Ghana, using a two-stage stratified cluster probability sampling design. The study used chi-square and modified Poisson with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) to examine help-seeking behavior among miscarrying women in Ghana and its impact on post-miscarriage health. The PMHP prevalence was 13.5% (95% CI: 12.0-15.1). Of the 1,843 women, 76.2% (95% CI: 74.3-78.2) sought help following a miscarriage, with 73.6% receiving help from healthcare professionals, 4.6% from non-healthcare professionals, and 21.8% receiving help from both groups. Help-seeking behavior was associated with factors such as education, place of residence, marital status, distance to a health facility, and money for treatment. Women who sought help had a 3.0% (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio, (aPR = 0.97, 95% Cl: 0.95-0.99) reduced prevalence of PMHP compared to those who did not seek help after controlling for other factors. Encouraging more women to seek help following a miscarriage could play a critical role in reducing PMHP, which can substantially improve their physical well-being. This finding highlights the need for more health education programs that address potential barriers in women at higher risk of miscarriage-related complications, including those aged ≥ 31 years, from seeking help after a miscarriage.
| S-EPMC10561872 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMigration has been shown to be associated with negative mental health outcomes. Moreover, migrants tend to underutilise mental health services. The current study aimed to assess the association between predictors, divided into three groups (predisposing, enabling and need), and two outcome variables: (1) past professional mental health help-seeking during the stay in the United Kingdom; (2) intentions of mental health help-seeking from a mental health professional within the next three months.MethodsThe study utilised a population-based cross-sectional survey with the final sample of 536 participants. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between predictors and the outcomes.ResultsWe found strong evidence that older age, mental health stigma and living circumstances (predisposing factors), as well as knowledge of the National Health Service, social support, and education (enabling factors) were associated with past and future help-seeking for mental health problems. Finally, mental health status was associated with both past help-seeking and intentions.ConclusionDue to large numbers of migrants in the UK it is vital to ensure that these populations receive adequate mental health support. Findings of the present study may inform development of policies and interventions better tailored to specific migrant populations.
| S-EPMC6127920 | biostudies-literature