A Scoping Review on Sex and Gender Differences in the Adverse Health Outcomes of Individuals with Sickle Cell Trait.

Although there is an emerging body of evidence that addresses the adverse health outcomes of individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT), it is not clear if the findings are generalizable from a sex and gender perspective. The purpose of this scoping review was to complete an assessment of main concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and determine the potential value of conducting an eventual systematic review. The research question guiding this scoping review is: In SCT individuals with adverse health outcomes, what is known about sex and gender differences? We conducted a scoping review of research on SCT from 2016 to 2022 across five databases, with 36 research studies included in the review.

Assessment of the Validity and Quality of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Screening Tools Available for Women Globally: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review has the following aims: (1) to identify measurement tools used globally by healthcare providers to diagnose PCOS in women at elevated risk; (2) to assess the comprehensiveness of these tools regarding mental health and chronic pain; (3) to list strategies for validating, disseminating, and implementing these tools; and (4) to provide future recommendations for experts in healthcare settings. This review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Arksey and O'Malley York methodology. Studies were sourced from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, with inclusion criteria focusing on peer-reviewed articles addressing PCOS diagnosis and associated comorbidities.

HPV Vaccination Rates in Military Females: The Need for a Multi-Level and Evidence-Based Approach.

To mitigate the impact of personal and structural barriers hindering HPV vaccination in military women, multiple research studies have advocated for adding the HPV vaccine to the mandatory list for enlistees. Intervention Mapping (IM) is a systematic and stepwise theory-based approach that has been used to inform the development of health promotion interventions and implementation strategies in community and clinical settings at national, regional, and global levels. Development and evaluation of effective strategies and multi-level interventions using IM may increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine among military females who are at-risk of HPV infections and associated co-morbidities.

US Navy Sailors Modify Their Eating Behaviors to Pass Cyclic Physical Readiness Tests.

Objective: Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.

Design: Focused ethnography using interviews and military policies.

Setting: Three US Naval installations.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic pain among females and individuals of childbearing age: A scoping review.

Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review is to explore research studies on the association between chronic pain and polycystic ovary syndrome to create local (U.S.-based) and global recommendations to improve access to and quality of affordable symptom management and treatment options for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

A scoping review of mechanisms of auricular acupuncture for treatment of pain.

Objectives: Auricular acupuncture (AA) is becoming increasingly common in primary care clinics, emergency departments and peri-operatively for pain relief. Over the last decade, since the last comprehensive reviews were published, the literature has expanded. In this scoping review, we seek to document the efficacy of AA in treating both acute and chronic pain, describe the mechanism of action of AA in treating pain, and discuss how AA has been integrated into Western medicine to date.

Perceptions of pain in aging females undergoing spinal cord stimulation.

Effects of age and sex on chronic pain outcomes following spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have not yet been assessed. We retrospectively reviewed 1 year outcomes from a database of patients receiving thoracic SCS. Subjects were divided into four cohorts: pre-menopausal and post-menopausal females, and aged-matched males.

The Experience of Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Military.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent reproductive endocrinopathy in women, ranging from 5% to 26% depending on diagnostic criteria applied. Common manifestations of PCOS include overweight and obesity, abnormal menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, increased facial and body hair, acne, and infertility. These abnormalities and associated complications have significant military operational and readiness implications.

Effects of COVID-19 disease on PAI-1 antigen and haematological parameters during disease management: A prospective cross-sectional study in a regional Hospital in Ghana.

Background: Individuals with COVID-19 experience thrombotic events probably due to the associated hypofibrinolysis resulting from the upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen. This study evaluated plasma PAI-1 antigen levels and haematological parameters before treatment and after recovery from severe COVID-19 in Ghana.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sunyani Regional Hospital, and recruited 51 patients who had RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2.

Exploring Influences of Eating Behaviors Among Emerging Adults in the Military.

Objective: Identify factors influencing eating behaviors among emerging adults in the military.

Design: Focused ethnography using interviews, observations, and artifacts for data.

Setting: Three US Naval installations.

Role of Integrative Health on Neuropathic Pain.

Purpose Of Review: Patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain experience continuous or intermittent spontaneous pain throughout their lives. Pharmacological treatments often provide limited relief; therefore, a multidisciplinary approach should be utilized to manage neuropathic pain. This review examines the current literature on integrative health modalities (anti-inflammatory diets, functional movement, acupuncture, meditation, and transcutaneous therapy) for treating patients with neuropathic pain.

Continuing the legacy of a military women's health research interest group.

The Military Women's Health Research Interest Group (MWHRIG) was established in 2010. The purpose of the MWHRIG is to support military clinicians and leaders in determining research priorities, and making evidence-based practice and policy decisions relevant to sex- and gender-appropriate healthcare. This article highlights the history of the MWHRIG, and current activities inclusive of research, mentorship, and collaboration.

The Military Women's Health Delphi Study: A Research Agenda for the Next Decade.

Introduction: As the burgeoning roles of women afford them the opportunities to perform in all combat and combat support assignments, the impact of all environmental, occupational, physical, and psychosocial factors inherent in military training and operations on their health must be considered. A robust foundation of knowledge is necessary to ascertain, prevent, and treat the potential impacts on women's health. However, a systematic review of the literature from 2000-2015 revealed widespread gaps in scientific knowledge of the musculoskeletal, psychological, occupational, and reproductive health of military women.

Promoting Military Women's Health Through Research Design.

Although active duty women (ADW) represent over 17% of the total U.S. Armed Forces, there are few evidence-based guidelines to promote the health of women who serve in contemporary military roles.

A Grounded Theory Approach to Navigating Infertility Care During U.S. Military Service.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to understand how active duty service members and their partners navigate the infertility care process within the Military Health System (MHS) while managing a military career.

Materials And Methods: We obtained Institutional Review Board approval to employ a qualitative design using grounded theory methods. We recruited participants using purposive sampling, followed by theoretical sampling.

Shared Decision-Making During Labor and Birth Among Low-Risk, Active Duty Women in the U.S. Military.

Introduction: The cesarean birth rate of 24.7% in the Military Health System (MHS) is lower than the national rate of 31.7%.

Integrative Review of Racial Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes Among Beneficiaries of the Military Health System.

Objective: To examine the extent to which racial disparities exist in the perinatal outcomes of beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS).

Data Sources: We searched the PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases.

Study Selection: We selected articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals in which the authors examined race in relation to perinatal outcomes among beneficiaries of the MHS.

A Scoping Review of Unintended Pregnancy in Active Duty United States Military Women.

Introduction: The purpose of this scoping review was to apply the Social Ecological Model for Military Women's Health to literature on unintended pregnancy (UIP) to answer the question: In United States active duty military women (population) with the potential for UIP (context), what is known about risk factors, prevention, and pregnancy outcomes (concepts)?

Methods: We conducted this review based on a PRISMA-ScR protocol registered a priori in Open Science Framework. Following a literature search of six databases and the grey literature, we used DistillerSR to manage data screening and data charting. The Social Ecological Model for Military Women's Health served as the theoretical framework to chart findings regarding UIP at the individual, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels.

A Scoping Review of Cervical Cancer Risk Factors, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment in U.S. Active Duty Military Women.

Introduction: Maintaining military readiness requires integration and delivery of appropriate sex-specific health care services for active duty servicewomen (ADSW). Cervical cancer screening (CCS) provides early detection, intervention, and treatment, allowing for reductions in human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer cases. This scoping review examines existing cervical cancer evidence related to ADSW and identifies research gaps, leverage points, and policy recommendations within the context of the social ecological model for military women's health.

Sexually Transmitted Infections in U.S. Military Women: A Scoping Review 2000-2018.

Purpose: High rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been documented among U.S. military servicemembers.

Adjustment Disorders in U.S. Active Duty Military Women: A Scoping Review for the Years 2000 to 2018.

Background: Adjustment disorder (AD) is the most common mental health diagnosis in the U.S. military and is more than twice as likely to be diagnosed in active duty servicewomen as compared with male servicemembers.

A Social Ecological Model for Military Women's Health.

Background: U.S. military women's health (MWH) is influenced by unique life experiences while serving in combat and combat support roles in the armed forces.

Menstrual Practices in Operational Military Women.

Introduction: Women's sex-specific health care and hygiene needs are part of military readiness for female service members and important for their leaders to ensure unit readiness. Promoting readiness that includes women's health needs contributes to the overall strength of the military. Because women comprise over 15% of today's military force and growing in proportion, readiness for military women has obtained increased attention in research and health practice.

Nursing's Role in Preventing and Managing Back Pain in Military Members: Proceedings of the First Back Pain Summit.

This is a review of the proceedings of the first Military Nursing Back Pain Summit focusing on nursing's role in preventing and managing back pain. The purpose of the summit was to present the state of the science in back pain and to identify key gaps in research, policy, education, and treatment that could be undertaken by military nurses, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, and nurse scientists. Several key points were highlighted during the summit: (1) back pain is multifactorial and preventable; (2) military service members have unique risk factors for developing back pain; (3) both acute and chronic back pain impact readiness and sustaining readiness is the primary mission of military medicine; (4) back pain is most effectively managed with multiple treatment approaches; (5) military culture must pivot away from an attitude of ignoring persistent pain or "toughing it out" to prevent acute back pain from becoming chronic; (6) integrating military nurses within operational units will be important for effective prevention, education, screening, and treatment within dispersed Multi-Domain Operations; and (7) early self-management is an important area for nursing research and intervention to empower service members to maintain and sustain their back health.