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Background: Annual breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly recommended to assist mammography for women at high risk of breast cancer (BC). This study explored the knowledge, attitude, and willingness toward breast MRI screening among women at high risk of BC. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled women at high risk of BC between August 2022 and January 2023 in Beijing, China. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships among knowledge, attitude, and willingness. Results: A total of 596 questionnaires were collected, and 412 questionnaires (69.13%) were valid. The women's knowledge and attitude scores were 7.75 ± 2.79 (possible range: 0–12) and 48.53 ± 6.31 (possible range: 13–65). Among the women, 297 (72.09%) were willing to undergo regular breast MRI screening. The SEM showed that knowledge had direct effect on attitude [β = 0.77, 95% CI: (0.57, 0.98), P < 0.001], the attitude had direct effect on willingness [β = 0.02, 95% CI: (0.01, 0.02), P < 0.001], knowledge had an indirect effect on willingness through attitude [β = 0.01, 95% CI: (0.01,0.02), P < 0.001], and the direct effect of knowledge on practice was not significant. Conclusions: The women at high risk of BC had insufficient knowledge and a relatively positive attitude toward breast MRI screening. Most of them were willing to undergo regular breast MRI screening. Advertising and public health education programs should be designed to improve their knowledge and attitude, therefore improving their willingness and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-objectification, defined as an excessive focus on one's physical appearance over non-observable qualities, has attracted considerable attention from feminist scholars. In the current research, we hypothesized that cultural tightness (i.e., strong social norms and severe sanctions against norm-deviant behavior) predicts and increases self-objectification among women. This hypothesis was confirmed across four studies via a mixed-method approach, including archival and ecological data (Study 1), a large-scale survey (Study 2, N = 4,083), and two controlled experiments (Studies 3a and 3b, N = 858). Specifically, we found higher self-objectification among women living in China in provinces with tighter cultures as reflected by the search queries for cosmetic surgery terms online (Study 1), Chinese female college students who perceived tighter culture in daily life (Study 2), and both US Americans (Study 3a) and Chinese female participants (Study 3b) who were temporarily induced to support cultural tightness (vs. cultural looseness). Across the studies, the effect of cultural tightness on self-objectification was observed among women, but this effect was reduced (Study 2) or even absent (Studies 3a and 3b) among men. Collectively, these findings establish a relationship between cultural tightness and women's tendency to self-objectify, and advance understanding of the cultural roots of self-objectification and potential targets for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines whether a pivotal event central to gender relations—marriage—is associated with changes in sexism. Drawing upon a nationally representative study assessing sexist attitudes across 14 years, event-aligned piecewise latent growth models examined change in hostile and benevolent sexism (1) across the years prior to marriage, (2) within the year immediately post marriage, and (3) across the years following marriage (N = 1,615). Matching average trajectories established in prior research, hostile sexism and women's benevolent sexism showed small declines across the years prior to marriage. Immediately post marriage, however, men's hostile sexism and women's hostile and benevolent sexism significantly increased from pre-marriage levels, before returning to declining trajectories across the following years. By contrast, men's benevolent sexism was stable prior to marriage, did not change within the year immediately post marriage, but then significantly departed from the pre-marriage trajectory by declining across the years following marriage. These novel findings reveal that investigating meaningful life events provides new insight into the factors that may be associated with changes in sexism. The results also open new avenues to advance understanding of the relationship experiences and motivations that may reinforce and reduce sexist attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medication use during pregnancy is a critical concern due to potential risks to both the mother and fetus. To the extent of our knowledge, there has been no prior research to assess medication use and identify the specific factors of pregnant women within the Yemeni community. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Yemeni pregnant women regarding medication use and assess the factors associated with the knowledge during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted through face-to-face interviews using a validated structured questionnaire. The study was conducted on pregnant women receiving antenatal care at tertiary care hospitals in four governorates in Yemen. Univariable and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to examine the relationship between participant variables and their knowledge. A P-value of less than.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 1003 pregnant women, 35.4% (n = 355) were aged 21–25 years, 33.9% (n = 340) had primary education, 73.6% (n = 738) lived in urban areas, 12.2% (n = 122) were smokers, 38.3% (n = 384) reported chewing khat, and the majority (90.2%, n = 905) were unemployed. Also, 65.5% (n = 657) of the participants reported taking folic acid in their current pregnancy. A total of 2,623 medications were utilized during pregnancy, with 17.8% during the first trimester (n = 468). Around 39.3% (n = 1,037) of medications used fell under the blood and blood-forming organs category. Education level (AOR: 4.00, P <.001), insurance status (AOR: 1.71, P =.026), information about medication risks to the fetus (AOR: 1.96, P =.023), the use of folic acid either in a previous pregnancy (AOR: 1.65, P <.008) or in the current pregnancy (AOR: 4.26, P <.001), and checking the medication leaflet (AOR: 5.67, P <.001) were predictors of higher knowledge. Conclusion: The findings underscore the pressing need for educational interventions aimed at pregnant women. By bridging knowledge gaps and promoting informed decision-making, such initiatives can contribute to a safer and healthier pregnancy journey, reducing the inclination towards self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the projected impact of new male contraceptives, resources and investments directed at their development remain limited in part due to concerns that men would not actually use them. Now, more than 30 studies have been conducted over the last 30 years—regionally and internationally, within clinical trials, and across populations—examining men and women's attitudes towards new male contraceptive methods, all consistently demonstrating interest in and willingness to use new methods. Yet even these studies, inclusive of competitive contraceptive market projections, seem not to be convincing enough. Rather than study whether men would be willing to use male contraceptives, more resources should be devoted to developing the infrastructure and supporting the cultural changes needed to ensure that when new male contraceptives inevitably emerge, that they will be disseminated quickly and made readily accessible. Men's views on what their roles are in society, families, relationships, and pregnancy prevention are changing in ways that may impact what they consider to be acceptable contraceptive risks. As society moves toward more gender equitable beliefs, men's positive involvement in contraception might organically develop into an expected behavior. Interventions aimed at sensitizing men toward gender equitable beliefs may pay dividends in improving male contraceptive acceptability. The current lack of a reversible male contraceptive method prevents us from collecting data that might disprove presumptions that men would be unwilling to take on responsibility for pregnancy prevention. However, studies of men's involvement in (1) over‐the‐counter emergency contraception, (2) vasectomy, and (3) abortion offer case studies for men's increasing consciousness of opportunities for shared contraceptive responsibility, the structural and sociopolitical barriers that men face when trying to participate in family planning, and how these might translate into new male contraceptive interest and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the depiction of women in Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence and Naguib Mahfouz's Palace of Desire (Qasr Al-Shawq) according to the feminist approach. The study seeks to compare and contrast the way these two novels, which are considered among reputable 20th century fiction, represent female characters and their struggles for asserting their individualities in two types of male-dominated societies. That is to say, Shashi Deshpande, the Indian authoress of That Long Silence fathoms the struggles of women in a traditional Indian society. In this novel, she mirrors the great challenges that women face in such a patriarchal system. Therefore, this research traces the heroines' experience highlighting how the novelist has tackled misogynism and biased societal prospects. On the other hand, Mahfouz's Palace of Desire sheds light on the stereotyped images of women and feminists attempts to free women within the changing political and societal setting of Egypt then. Aida's personality represents the ambitious woman who reconciles with her desires and does her best to assert herself in a male-dominated society despite all the social constraints trying to limit her aspirations. In this comparative study between the two concerned novels, the researcher seeks to reveal the similarities and differences in the representations of women in two different cultural backgrounds. So, the paper examines how each of these two novelists criticizes the patriarchal structures and advocates feminism in his/her society exposing the ways through which gender roles and societal norms are presented. The study shows a deep understanding of feminist literary criticism by highlighting the cultural influence of the two societies in which women's sufferings are revealed. So, the findings of the research offer new insights into the gender roles, misogynism, stereotyped images of women, old traditions and patriarchal systems in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the opinions of women residing in Turkey regarding abortion and its correlation with spirituality. A descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study included 487 women and data was collected between October and December 2023. The Descriptive Information Form, Stigmatizing Attitudes, Beliefs and Actions Scale (SABAS), and Spirituality Scale (SS) were used to evaluate the data and determine the correlation between them. Of the women surveyed, 78.6% reported no prior experience with curettage. The participants had low SABAS scores (26.95 ± 7.43) and high SS scores (22.50 ± 5.80). Age, education, employment status, religious affiliation, history of curettage, age at first childbirth, number of children, and number of siblings were all significantly correlated with SABAS and SS (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the participants' SABAS total score and all sub-factor scores, as well as their SS total scores. It was also determined that as women's stigmatization and negative attitudes towards curettage increased, their spiritual feelings increased as well (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between SS score and age and SABAS, and a negative correlation was found with the number of births (p < 0.05). It was found that women's stigmatizing attitudes towards abortion were influenced by their spiritual beliefs. To prevent women from being caught between the consequences of unwanted pregnancies and their spiritual beliefs, it is important to meet their needs for family planning and health counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Research in Developmental Social Work is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) has been associated with adverse effects and death among people with low immunity, including pregnant women. Despite introducing the vaccine as the proper means to curb the spread of the pandemic, vaccine uptake is still low. This study assessed the influence of perception, attitude, and trust toward COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care Clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, utilizing a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional analytical design conducted in Mbeya urban, distribution of sample size during data collection based on client's volume at three government health facilities (one tertiary health facility, one secondary health facility, and one primary health facility) in Mbeya Urban, Tanzania. Data were collected from 333 pregnant women who attended ANC during the data collection period using a questionnaire with closed-ended questions administered to respondents face-to-face. Data cleaning and analysis were done using Excel and Stata/SE 14.1 software for bivariate and multivariate data; Pearson's chi-squire and Fisher's test were used to analyze the independent determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Results: The proportion of pregnant women vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine was 27%. There was a statistically significant association between the respondents' vaccine uptake with primary education and < 5 work experience to vaccine uptake P = 0.015 (AOR = 6.58; 95% CI; 1.45–29.85), and P = 0.046 (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI; 1.02–5.89) respectively. The association of attitude influence to COVID-19 vaccine uptake was statistically significant (acceptance of vaccine due to its availability, vaccine acceptance for protection against COVID-19 pandemic to respondent and her baby, experience from other vaccines) was statistically significant at P = 0.011 (AOR = 4.43; 95% CI; 1.41–13.93), P = 0.001 (AOR = 45.83; 95% CI; 18.6-112.89) respectively. The level of trust in the COVID-19 vaccine influenced respondents' association with vaccine uptake in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (P = 0.633 (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI; 0.53–2.48), respectively. Conclusion: Pregnant women's positive attitude and trust in the COVID-19 vaccine influenced them to uptake it; our conclusion supports the WHO guidelines that the COVID-19 vaccine should be administered to pregnant women since it is a safer means to curb COVID-19 pregnancy-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Ghana has embraced the concept of women's empowerment as a vital tool for sustainable development, it has become crucial to evaluate the role that women's empowerment plays in the fertility preferences of married and cohabiting women in the country. The study's objective was to examine the association between women's empowerment, the ideal number of children and women's ability to have their desired number of children. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Both Poisson and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out. Women who had justification for wife-beating (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.98 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.96 to 0.99]) and those who were autonomous (IRR 0.94 [95% CI 0.93 to 0.95]) had lower rates of having the ideal number of children. Moreover, women who had justification for wife-beating (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.25 [95% CI 1.13 to 1.39]) and those who were involved in decision-making (aOR 1.31 [95% CI 1.19 to 1.44]) had higher odds of having the ability to have the desired number of children. However, autonomous women (aOR 0.78 [95% CI 0.71 to 0.86]) had lower odds of having the ability to have the desired number of children. Significant associations were found between women's empowerment (women's attitude towards justification for wife-beating, autonomy), an ideal number of children and the ability to have the desired number of children. These findings present target areas for policies and interventions aimed at determining Ghanaian women's fertility preferences and empowering them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, green packaging has become a hot topic for consumers and retailers, along with increasing environmental sustainability awareness. The benefit of packaging extends beyond protecting the product; it also aims to mitigate environmental issues caused by packaging waste. This study aims to test the antecedents of intention to purchase toward green packaging among young consumers and seeks to discover whether gender is an essential determinant to explain intention to purchase. A total of 276 university students in Surabaya, Indonesia, participated as respondents in this study. The results indicated that women have a higher level of intention to purchase toward green packaging than men. Moreover, the antecedents' patterns of intention to purchase toward green packaging differ between men and women. The intention to purchase of green packaging for men was only influenced by perceived behavioral control (PBC) and willingness to pay (WTP); whereas the predictors for women are attitude, willingness to pa (WTP), subjective norm (SN), and indirect environmental concern (EN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines two lexemes from the speech of the Bulgarian Catholics of Belene, originating from rites and dances of the Orthodox population in the city, by which are named unacceptable actions. The examples are interesting for how confessional difference manifests itself through language, transforming neutral vocabulary into emotional-expressive with a negative or disapproving tone. By means of the word бръзъùцъ, related to the observance „Brazaya", a mocking and contemptuous attitude towards a woman with a funny, ugly or scary face is expressed. The second example under consideration, èръйшалдъ, derives from a dance characteristic of the Orthodox population of Belene, and is used in a negative sense for a person who expresses his joyous emotions unrestrained or who is rebellious and stubborn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension is the property of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Far-right attacker manifestos provide researchers and practitioners with insights into the thoughts, beliefs, and motivations of their authors. However, a systematic analysis of the gendered ways in which these attackers construct and present their experiences and opinions has not yet been produced. This study fills that gap by analysing the presentations of masculinity across 19 far-right manifestos authored by men. Discourse analysis of terrorist manifestos can unearth where mainstream and extremist discourses coalesce: which elements are taken from the mainstream and embedded into extremist discourse, and what parts of extremist discourse are utilised by mainstream actors. Drawing on the theories of Connell, Firestone, and Laclau, I argue that the attackers in this study discursively construct themselves as men in reference to hegemonic ideas of what constitutes "the man" in Western society. They also attempt to justify their actions and mobilise others to do the same by appealing to "the (white) child" and the duty of themselves as (white) men to protect it. Women are almost entirely neglected in the manifestos, which reflects sexist attitudes surrounding women's agency and presence in society. This paper contributes to the understanding of hegemony and gender in far-right discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a large number of Muslim refugees have resettled in the United States for the last decades, few studies have looked into maternal healthcare access and utilization among Muslim refugee women in the country. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the factors influencing maternal healthcare access and utilization among Muslim refugee women resettled in the United States. In-depth interviews were conducted among Afghan, Iraqi, and Syrian refugee women (n = 17) using an interview guide informed by Social Cognitive Theory and its key constructs. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, imported into MAXQDA 2020 (VERBI Software), and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. Data analysis revealed several themes at the micro, meso, and macro-levels. Micro-level factors included women's attitudes toward hospitals and prenatal care, as well as their life skills and language proficiency. Meso-level factors, such as cultural norms and practices, social support and network, as well as health care provider characteristics, were also identified. Macro-level factors, such as the complex healthcare system and access to insurance, also appeared to influence maternal healthcare access and utilization. This study revealed the complex contextual factors that refugee populations face. Given the population's heterogeneity, a more nuanced understanding of refugee maternal health is required, as are more tailored programs for the most vulnerable groups of refugee women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization reports that depression affects more than 280 million people globally. Women are approximately 50% more likely to experience depression compared to men. Depression during pregnancy leads to deterioration of the mother's and the fetus's health. We aim to explore women's perceptions and attitudes toward using antidepressants and to identify the factors that influence decision-making regarding antidepressant use. Method: A cross-sectional survey, employing a convenience sampling method, was conducted on a university campus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The survey was developed by the investigators and validated by health practitioners. Answers were reported using a 5-point Likert scale. The responses were summed up to give a total score for each respondent. Respondents who scored above or equal 75% of the total score was considered positive perception or favorable attitude. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing participants' perception and attitude toward taking antidepressants. Results: A total of 991 subjects were surveyed. The majority of women had negative perceptions and favorable attitudes towards using antidepressants during pregnancy reaching 64%. While women with positive perceptions and favorable attitudes represented about 20% of the study subjects. Participants reported that social stigma, religious beliefs, and fear of addiction significantly influenced their attitudes toward antidepressant use. Conclusions: This study explores women's perceptions of depression and antidepressant use, revealing that a significant proportion of Saudi women have a negative perception. The research emphasizes the need for tailored awareness programs to promote informed decision-making regarding antidepressant usage among Saudi women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does women's representation in politics affect working‐class women's attitudes toward political processes? Despite their increasing presence in the workforce, many women continue to concentrate in occupational sectors characterized by high economic vulnerability and low social status. This dynamic has important implications for the politics of representation. Previous studies suggest that women politicians positively affect women voters' political attitudes, but women's representation in politics is likely to have differing impacts on the political attitudes of working‐class and professional women. This study demonstrates that women's representation has a large class impact among women voters. In particular, using cross‐national data from 31 OECD countries as well as panel survey data from the British Election Study, we show that in countries with a higher degree of women's representation, there is more skepticism among women in low‐skill sectors toward voting and leadership than among those in white‐collar sectors. This is because there exist higher standards of accountability and relatability for women representatives among women voters. Given such high expectations, there is greater room for dissatisfaction among working‐class women than among their white‐collar counterparts when they constantly experience occupational segregation despite a high share of women in politics. In these settings, by contrast, women voters with high‐skill jobs are more likely to believe that voting and leadership matter, as they can better associate themselves with women political elites. Since men voters do not have strong expectations for relatability and accountability for public officeholders, the class impact of women's representation is weak among men. These findings have important implications for the symbolic representation of marginalized groups and democratic accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary loss of urine or the inability to control urination. The International Continence Society defines UI as any complaint of involuntary loss of urine. UI is a very important health problem that affects women’s quality of life. It can lead to a decrease in women’s self-confidence and prevent them from participating in social activities. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of UI in women living in Turkey, the factors affecting it, and women’s attitudes toward UI. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 903 women who applied to 17 family health centers in Mersin, Turkey, between May 10th to June 10th 2019 for any reason. The data of the study were obtained using the descriptive information form and the Urinary Incontinence Attitude Scale (UIAS). Data analysis was performed with SPSS-21 using percentiles, mean±standard deviation, and Pearson chi-square tests. Results: According to the results obtained, 28.9% of the women had UI problems, more than half (54.6%) of the women with UI did not present to a health institution for this problem, and 54.8% did not receive any treatment. In addition, the frequency of experiencing UI was higher in those with a chronic disease (59.2%) than in those without any chronic disease, and the difference was significant. Conclusion: The demographic and fertility characteristics of the women influenced the frequency of experiencing UI. In addition, among the women participating in the study, those with negative attitudes toward UI experienced more UI problems. There should be greater efforts to raise awareness among women on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although women drivers engage in fewer risky behaviors and have a lower involvement in traffic accidents than men, there is a commonly held stereotype that they are bad drivers. To understand this perception, various psychosocial factors related to sexism have been studied. However, very little is known about sexist attitudes towards women drivers, especially when studied through implicit attitude models. The aim of this study was to understand implicit and explicit sexist attitudes towards women drivers. A sample of N = 104 participants from Mar del Plata, Argentina, completed a stimulus classification task using response times to measure implicit attitudes, and three self-reporting measures of explicit attitudes, ambivalent sexism, and control of prejudices. The results indicated more positive implicit attitudes and low explicit antipathy towards women drivers. No age differences were found, but gender differences were observed (i.e., women showed more positive implicit and explicit attitudes towards their own group). Implicit and explicit attitudes showed a moderate correlation with each other and were not associated with a concern with acting prejudiced scale. Hostile sexism was a predictor of sexist driving attitudes. The results are discussed in the context of previous evidence on sexism in driving and implicit attitude models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the character arcs of three women characters in Akhtaruzzaman Elias' novel Khwabnama. As Kulsum, Hamida, and Phuljaan navigate devastating personal events and labor to resuscitate or somehow keep alive fraying relationships, the sheer effort required to sustain the domestic alive while navigating potential entrapment spills over in more-than-real ways to shape the world beyond the home in Khwabnama. Potential descent into despair and madness, multiple forms of irreparable loss, alongside desire and exhaustion, become central nodes through which women mediate the novel's broad sweep of events. Drawing on the stories of Khwabnama's women, I argue that the more-than-real world of Khwabnama is mediated through, and secured by, the fraught webs of domesticity and everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring is a general ethical responsibility that makes human existence worthwhile and fulfilling. Whenever society is distressed be it by a famine, war, poverty or a pandemic, the impact falls hard on women, children and people living with disability. We all need to be cared for and we owe the same obligation to others, especially those who care for us. However, during crises, the ethics of care becomes integral and, more often, men are not readily available to offer it. Arguably, the duty to care is one of the most compelling obligations that make human and non-human beings survive any form of distress. However, it is unfortunate that women face more of the brunt of the requirements of the duty to care than their male counterparts, particularly in the home front. This was most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when most ill persons were kept in the home because healthcare institutions were overwhelmed with numbers of infected persons scrambling for limited and non-existent resources. The pressure was not only on scarce resources, but COVID-19 also brought into sharp focus the need for better care for those who care for the sick in the home, especially during times of national distress. This article is a critical reflection on the impact of COVID-19 on women healthcare providers (HCPs) caring for the sick in the home. It particularly focuses on the caring burden created by COVID-19 and how it impacted on women's mental health acknowledging that, currently, there is limited feminist analysis of moral distress among women healthcare providers in rural communities and healthcare institutions. Through the ethics of care theory and the feminist political economy lens, the article further explores the care challenges faced by women during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The article employs in-depth interviews and focused group discussions as the methods of data collection. It also proffers interventionist strategies that could be employed to lessen the burden of care on women. The findings show that more women healthcare givers suffered a lot of pressure from the impact of COVID-19 since they received little recognition and appreciation from both patients and the healthcare institutions they worked for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, urban‐to‐urban migration is an emerging migration trend that may have different impacts on fertility behavior. Based on the China General Social Survey, this study provides an in‐depth examination of the impact of urban‐to‐urban migration on fertility behavior. The findings show that urban‐to‐urban migrants tend to adopt more conservative fertility decisions, including lowering the likelihood of having children, delaying the age of first birth, and lengthening birth intervals. Traditional catch‐up and interference hypotheses fail to account for these results, whereas findings from the selectivity hypothesis suggest that urban‐to‐urban migrants anticipate lower numbers of children and maintain more open attitudes towards sexuality, potentially contributing to the conservative fertility behaviors. In addition, the study also reveals that urban‐to‐urban migration appears to promote a more open and liberal attitude towards childbearing, particularly weakening discriminatory attitudes towards women entrenched in feudal notions. This study has not only enriched the theories of migrant fertility behavior but also offered a new perspective on the recent changes in China's fertility rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore the enduring barriers to gender equality in the Nordic film industry, with a focus on positions of power and structural biases. Despite considerable efforts over the past decades to highlight gender inequality – resulting in more women in creative positions in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland – a significant gap remains. Our analysis of 1,070 films produced and released theatrically between 2010 and 2020 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden shows men dominating directing, writing, and producing roles in 75 per cent of the cases, with women slightly more present in producing. The study finds a negative correlation between the dominance of men in producing roles and the presence of women in directing and writing roles. Factors such as the size of the creative team and co-production had less impact on the proportion of women in key creative positions than expected, whereas a higher proportion of women in managerial roles is linked to an increased presence of women in positions of directing (Sweden) and writing (Finland). These results indicate that while some progress has been made, structural barriers still significantly hinder gender equality in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across Scandinavia, one can witness a situation where gender equality has previously been at the forefront of the political and societal agenda, but where progress now seems to be slowing down. The news media is a domain where this negative development is particularly pronounced, and several studies have established that the Scandinavian news media display a more unequal gender representation than the society they supposedly mirror. In this article, we report on an ongoing cross-Scandinavian research project on news media content, where we explore not only the traditional metrics of how many men and women are in the news, but also, more importantly, how women and men are portrayed in news media content. The study demonstrates significant gender discrepancies, echoing findings from previous studies on the quantitative representation of women and men, and, more importantly, it introduces presentation as an additional qualitative metric. Consequently, we contribute with an analytical framework involving a range of qualitative parameters through which the news media industry can comprehensively evaluate gender equality within their content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coaching and performance context in women's rugby is not well understood, despite growing popularity worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes and tackle training practices of women's rugby coaches in relation to tackle safety and performance. A globally distributed online survey exploring coaches' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards tackling women's rugby was completed by 357 coaches (mean age 41 ± 0.6 years) from 58 countries. The cross-sectional survey was distributed from March 2023 to June 2023. Survey development was guided by the Health Action Process Approach and informed by coaching experts, research evidence synthesis, and guidelines for international tackle safety programmes. Coaches believed that the risk of tackle injury in women's rugby is high and that proper tackle technique for safety is very important. More than 75% of coaches had never completed a tackle-specific training course, with only 39% aware of the availability of such courses. Time spent on controlled-contact and full-contact activities varied from 0 to 40+ min per week, averaging 10–20 min for both types of training. Barriers to the effectiveness of tackle training related to sociocultural factors, coach knowledge gaps, training environments, and player training considerations. Coach education, improved infrastructures, and physical development were ranked the highest priorities for improving tackle safety and performance. These findings inform future implementation strategies for tackle safety and performance in the context of women's rugby, highlighting the need to involve coaches in providing practical solutions, and the role of education and institutional/organisational support in facilitating such improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the world of sport is experiencing an increase in women's participation and interest, it is still viewed as an inferior product when compared with men's sport. In particular, Australian Rules Football has an extended history of excluding women from participatory opportunities, feeding into discriminatory stereotypes that football is for men. Guided by social role theory, we aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of the diversity in community perspectives surrounding women's participation in football in Australia and the various factors that encourage and dissuade consumption of women's football. The findings emphasise that negative attitudes toward women's football are deeply rooted in societal and gender norms, whilst positive attitudes may be facilitated by progressive ideologies and a desire for gender equality more broadly. This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the complex relationship between general sports support and active consumerism in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractViolence against women (VAW) or domestic violence (DV) is a serious violation of human rights and is a major global health issue. Nearly 1 in 3 women globally have been subjected to physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner. VAW is a considerable issue in Turkey, as evidenced by one study showing that 43.4% of Turkish women surveyed had experienced at least one type of violence in their lifetime. Healthcare professionals and other practitioners are often the first point of contact for VAW survivors and can play an essential role in the recognition and intervention process. This descriptive, cross-sectional study examines the perspectives of women shelter staff on survivors of VAW in Turkey, considering how demographic factors influence these staff members’ views of VAW survivors. Seventy-nine women completed the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) revealing a significant association between the education levels of the participants and their AWS score. In addition, married women held more stigmatizing attitudes toward VAW survivors than single women. This study can serve as a valuable for researchers, professionals, and policymakers to learn and understand how culture and family values influence gender-based biases and tolerance levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the role of nuclear medicine practitioners in communicating imaging results to patients. The authors explore the ethical considerations and the varying practices in different countries, particularly focusing on the situation in France. They conducted a survey of French patients and found that the majority expressed a desire to meet with the nuclear medicine physician to discuss their results. The article emphasizes the importance of aligning patient expectations with the practices of nuclear medicine physicians and suggests strategies for improving communication and training in this area. [Extracted from the article]

International concern for the human rights of Afghan women has spiked since the Taliban consolidated power in Afghanistan in fall 2021. Yet little is known about how to effectively advocate for women's human rights under this new context. We present findings from a random sample of all adult Afghan internet users' attitudes toward peace, security, gender, and human rights and find significant support for women's human rights as a national priority within Afghanistan, even when controlling for other priorities and even among many men and women aligned with the Taliban. Given that men now have much more political power in Afghan society to protect women's rights, we paid particular attention to men's attitudes toward women's human rights. Our evidence from an embedded survey experiment, building on earlier literature from other countries, demonstrates that fathers of eldest daughters are particularly likely to favor prioritizing women's rights when primed to think about the gender of their eldest children. Thus, the human rights and humanitarian community should spend more time and attention engaging with this demographic, and specifically creating marketing and advocacy strategies that encourage men to think about or act on behalf of their eldest daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the traditional fishing sector of Ecuador, integrating a gender perspective enhances sustainability and addresses climate change by recognizing the vital roles and knowledge of women in fisheries management. The objective of this study was to validate the content, comprehension, and construction of the designed questionnaire. Additionally, it is intended to identify perceptions of sustainability and climate change amongst women and men in fisheries, and compare their views on the dimensions of sustainability and climate change. The research implemented a questionnaire with a metrically satisfactory scale, providing information on how men and women perceive sustainability and climate change in the artisanal fishing sector. The data were collected by designing an ad hoc questionnaire denominated "Gender perception as regards sustainability and climate change" following a process in which the validity of the content (experts > 0.5823; Content Validity Ratio (CVR) > 6.1; Content Validity Index (CVI) > 0.852), decompression (pilot study, N = 30) and construct (KMO = 0.71) were analyzed. The results of the internal consistency reliability analysis indicated that the Likert scale had a high index of reliability, as evidenced by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.70. This analysis provided evidence of the structure and validity of the scale, resulting in a reliable, integral, and short tool with which to measure perceptions of sustainability and climate change. The questionnaire was administered to 1464 people employed in the traditional fishing industry (17.14% women) in 40 fishing community ports near the coastal profile of Ecuador (Esmeraldas and Manabí). Most of those surveyed stated that the current traditional fishing quotas are not very sustainable in the long term (47.10%, n = 690) and that climate change may significantly negatively impact catch rates (50.30%, n = 736). Finally, the Wilcoxon test of tests confirmed that women had significantly more positive attitudes than men towards sustainability (3.03 ± 0.69) and climate change (3.35 ± 0.64). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many scholars argue that gender affects welfare attitudes: women support welfare policies more than men in most welfare societies. However, in South Korea, women tend to oppose welfare policies or show no gender gap in welfare attitudes. As welfare programs in South Korea are expanding, I investigate whether women's attitudes towards welfare policies have changed and if they differ based on self‐interest. I analysed welfare attitude data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS) for 2013 and 2022 using ordered logistic regression models, finding that women in South Korea supported almost all welfare policies less than men. However, in terms of income redistribution and free preschool and childcare service provision, there were no gender differences observed. Furthermore, cleavages among women were found regarding attitudes towards support for the unemployed and free preschool and childcare service provision based on self‐interest. Additionally, progressive women exhibited more supportive attitudes across all domains of welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is a condition that causes an abrupt emotional downturn during the initial moments of milk ejection in a breastfeeding mother. Depression, anxiety, hopelessness, anger, irritability, homesickness, and stomach hollowness are all possible symptoms. The exact cause of D-MER remains unknown. However, it is proposed that it is caused by an alteration in oxytocin signaling response where secretion of oxytocin upregulates the stress response instead of its downregulation. Activation of the defensive response of the mother by oxytocin during breastfeeding, disruption in dopamine levels, and activation of vasopressin-regulated pathways are other probable causes. Due to a lack of awareness, this phenomenon is easily misdiagnosed as postpartum depression and aversion by many healthcare professionals. Its prevalence in various populations of the world remains unknown due to the lack of research studies conducted in these populations. While no medically approved therapeutic strategy is available, supportive techniques such as maintaining a healthy diet, mental distraction, relaxation methods, and increasing skin-to-skin contact can help alleviate dysphoria during breastfeeding. However, due to a lack of D-MER research, specific challenges exist regarding early withdrawal from breastfeeding and women's help-seeking attitude toward perinatal mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to better understand the knowledge and attitudes of men and women internationally towards oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: An online 25-question survey was distributed internationally via email and social media. Knowledge and attitudes towards OC among different regions and genders were assessed. The study population consisted of adults from North America (NA, 15.7%), Southeastern and Eastern Europe (SE, 34.7%), Central and Western Europe (CWE, 12.7%), Asia (12.7%), and Middle East (ME, 8.9%). Results: A total of 496 respondents initiated the survey and the completion rate was 80.2%. The mean (SD) age was 35.2 (12.1) years. Over 70% were aware of OC, but only 4.8% had previously undergone the procedure. Most considered ages 26–31 as optimal for OC and correctly identified conditions that could impact the chance of spontaneous conception. Significant differences were observed regarding etiologies that would render OC acceptable. Only in NA and ME did solid majorities strongly agree that it is acceptable to proceed with OC to allow more time to find the right partner or for professional opportunities. More similar opinions were observed between genders. When medical conditions existed, large majorities across all nationalities and genders strongly agreed that OC is acceptable. In NA, SE, and ME most respondents would consider or recommend OC for any reason, whereas most respondents in CWE and Asia would do that only for certain social reasons or medical necessity. Conclusion: A good understanding of OC was observed. Nationality appeared to impact opinions on appropriate indications for this procedure, though overall positive attitudes were documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'arthrose est la maladie articulaire la plus fréquente. Le mode de définition (clinique, radiologique) doit être précisé ainsi que l'articulation ciblée pour l'appréciation des donnés épidémiologique et des multiples facteurs de risque clairement identifiés ou encore discutés (non envisagés ici). En France, la prévalence de l'arthrose symptomatique de la hanche et du genou en population générale âgée de 45 à 75 ans s'établit à 1,9 % pour les hommes et 4,7 % chez les femmes. Son taux d'incidence augmente rapidement avec l'âge, de façon plus marquée chez les femmes que chez les hommes. Des facteurs de risque systémiques peuvent être en cause : âge, sexe féminin, ethnie, génétique (30 à 65 % du risque), nutrition (vitamines D, C, K), obésité et syndrome métabolique, densité et masse osseuse élevées. Des facteurs de risque locaux interviennent aussi tels que la morphologie articulaire (particulièrement l'effet came), les troubles statiques (genu varum), l'activité physique excessive, les traumatismes articulaires ou encore les déficits musculaires. Le facteur individuel majeur modifiable, dont la prévalence ne va faire qu'augmenter dans les années à venir est l'obésité. Il est donc impératif de mieux comprendre le lien reliant l'excès de poids à l'arthrose afin de mettre en place des politiques de santé adaptées. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease. In France, the prevalence of symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis in the general population aged 45 to 75 is 1.9% in men and 4.7% in women. The incidence rate increases rapidly with age, more markedly in women than in men. Systemic risk factors may be involved: age and gender, ethnicity, genetics (30 to 65% of the risk), nutrition (vitamins D, C, K), obesity and metabolic syndrome, high bone density and mass. Local risk factors are also involved: joint morphology (particularly the cam effect), static disorders (genu varum), excessive physical activity, joint trauma, muscle deficiencies. The major modifiable individual factor, whose prevalence is set to increase in the years ahead, is obesity. It is therefore imperative to better understand the link between excess weight and osteoarthritis, in order to implement appropriate health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While women's political inclusion is central to international conflict resolution efforts, public attitudes in conflict states towards women's political inclusion remain understudied. We expect insecurity to depress support for female political leadership in conflicts where women's political inclusion is violently contested. Citizens wanting security through force prefer male leaders because of stereotypes privileging men's military prowess. However, citizens wanting security through reconciliation also favour men for fear that female leadership would provoke more violence. We assess these expectations with experimental and observational data from the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In the survey experiment, priming respondents to think about insecurity decreases support for female leadership, but only among women. In observational data, insecurity correlates with more polarized attitudes towards women's political representation in some regions and greater support for female leaders in others. Insecurity's impact on public support for female leadership in conflict states may be highly heterogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to understand bisexual women's lived experiences and meaning-making with regard to same-sex performativity (SSP)– that is, heterosexual women's engagement in public same-sex behavior such as kissing. Cisgender bisexual women (N = 187) provided qualitative descriptions of their perceptions of SSP. Two research questions guided this feminist phenomenological study: (a) How do bisexual women perceive and make sense of SSP, including women who engage in SSP? and (b) What factors influence bisexual women's perceptions and meaning making of SSP? We found that bisexual women made sense of SSP by situating their perceptions and experiences of SSP in a heteropatriarchal context. Bisexual women perceived the link between SSP and the male gaze as challenging bisexual legitimacy and reinforcing negative stereotypes about bisexuality; nevertheless, many bisexual women were resistant to decrying SSP. Our findings reveal bisexual women's complex interpretive work and negotiation with tensions that underpin their sense of SSP— they perceive heterosexual women's engagement in male-oriented SSP behavior as potentially harmful, yet are reluctant to condemn this behavior and limit women's opportunities for sexual expression. These findings highlight the need to recognize the impact of heteronormativity and gendered power dynamics on bisexual and heterosexual women's experiences, embodiment, and expressions of sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The politics of respectability continues to inform the messages that Black women receive from family members across a range of experiences, from comments on their hair and body to expectations around dating and marriage. In the current study, we explored Black college women's perspectives on the types of respectability messages they received in familial contexts from girlhood through emerging adulthood. We used Black feminist theory and consensual qualitative research methods to analyze semi-structured interview data from 48 Black college women (18–24 years old) attending predominantly White institutions. We identified four themes of respectability socialization: (a) perpetuating gendered racialized scripts, (b) policing appropriate appearance, (c) protecting virtue in a patriarchal society, and (d) promoting a "lifting as we climb" mentality. Our findings indicate that family members try to prepare Black women for gendered racial stereotypes and oppression by tasking them with behavior modification starting in girlhood. We consider gendered racial socialization practices in Black families that can simultaneously disrupt the pressure to reinforce respectability politics and support Black girls' identity development, even amidst the anti-Black and misogynoiristic realities of the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skateboarding is a masculine-inflected, male dominated informal lifestyle sport which carries inherent risk of pain and injury, which is expected to be met with stoicism as part of claiming 'authentic' skateboarder identity. We examine young women skateboarders' attitudes to these risks, focusing on how they understand, minimise and cope with injury and pain as an ongoing accompaniment to skateboarding practice. We consider how they see injury and pain in relationship to learning and at times experience muscle and injury pain as positive. We conclude that, while young women seem to be taking on the masculinist attitudes to risk, pain and injury that characterise skateboarding as a community of practice, there is some evidence of resistance to this. We also note that the apparent preference of many UK-based young women skateboarders for transition skateparks, due to problems encountered in street spaces, may make them more susceptible to serious injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounding skill shortages from Japan's shrinking and ageing workforce is low female participation in research and science-related areas. Why do so few women choose to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)? Previous research suggests the influence of gendered images of STEM fields, but do these apply to Japan, and if so, how? We introduce multiple studies that shed light on gendered images and elucidate the roles of those who affect women's choices and women's own attitudes. Our findings further suggest that a social climate of inequality affects the gendered images of STEM fields. Finally, we offer a critique of recent quota-based systems for increasing women's STEM participation in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to perform a psychoanalytic analysis of Pat Barker's, The Silence of the Girls, with an emphasis on how the novel depicts trauma, silence, and the feminine experience. It also aims to study lack and desire as well as frustrated behavior of female characters of the novel. Specifically, via the lens of Jacques Lacan's psychoanalytic theory, the study aims to reveal how Barker's story challenges and subverts the patriarchal framework of Homer's Iliad by providing voice to the hitherto silenced female characters. Recounted from the viewpoint of Briseis, a Trojan princess who becomes Achilles' concubine, The Silence of the Girls is a version of Homer's Iliad. The book addresses themes of trauma and silence by reorienting the narrative from the normally male-dominated story to the experiences of women. This study uses a close reading of the book to examine the protagonist's journey. Using Lacan's theories of the Symbolic, the Real, and the Mirror Stage, the study investigates how silence in the story serves as a coping strategy for trauma as well as a means of resistance against patriarchal tyranny. The analysis shows that by giving voice to oppressed female characters, Barker's story successfully subverts the patriarchal rhetoric of the original epic. It illustrates how silence in the book is a calculated form of defiance against patriarchal systems that aim to silence the feminine voice, as well as a sign of trauma. This study advances our knowledge of how trauma, silence, and gender interact in modern literature, advancing both Barker's research and Lacanian psychoanalytic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is important in helping couples to achieve their reproductive intentions. National surveys have consistently reported higher fertility, lower use of family planning (FP), and higher unmet needs for FP in Upper Egypt. This study aims to identify the factors associated with the use of PPFP in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt, and to assess the current status of integration of PPFP counseling in the existing maternal and child health services (MCH). Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional study design, collecting data from 455 postpartum women aged 15 to 49 years in 4 primary health care (PHC) centers in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. The women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 4 sections: the first section included the participants' demographic characteristics; the second section included women's obstetric history; the third section included questions about PPFP knowledge, attitude, past and current use of contraception; and the fourth section assessed the current status of integrating PPFP counseling within antenatal, natal, and postnatal services. Results: In total, 54.5% of postpartum women were using a modern contraceptive method. The significant predictors of using PPFP methods were as follows: receiving information about PPFP from health care providers (AOR = 11.46, p < 0.001), better attitude towards PPFP (AOR = 10.54, p < 0.001), using modern FP methods (AOR = 6.98, p < 0.001), resumption of menstruation (AOR = 4.11, p < 0.001), older age (AOR = 2.15, p < 0.05), and better PPFP knowledge (AOR = 1.72, p < 0.001). Only 5.3%, 1.3%, and 3.5% received PPFP counseling during antenatal care (ANC), delivery, and the postpartum period, respectively. Conclusions: Postpartum contraception use was associated with receiving PPFP counseling by health care providers and women's knowledge and attitude regarding PPFP. However, FP counseling was not integrated with other MCH services. Updating the components of MCH services to include PPFP counseling during ANC, at delivery, and during the postpartum period should be prioritized by program planners and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Having children is one of the important factors in the development of society and country. This research was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of educational intervention based on the stages of change on the attitude and behavior of married women to have children. Materials and Methods: This Quasi experimental study was conducted on 80 married women (40 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group) under the cover of Saman Health Center Mashhad in 2022. Sampling was done by simple random method. In order to collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was used whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Educational program was held in 4 sessions for one month for the intervention group and the participants in both groups answered the questionnaire questions before and 3 months after the intervention. The data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: The mean attitude scores of women in the intervention group before and 3 months after the intervention were 16.01±2.21, 17.85±2.06. Statistical tests showed a significant relationship between education and women's attitude towards having children (P<0.01). Also, the educational intervention had an effect on changing behavior of women for having children (P>0.05). Conclusion: The educational intervention in this study was able to significantly improve the attitude of married women in the field of childbearing. However, it is suggested that in the future programs of individuals, the stages of preparation and action in educational interventions should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women migrant domestic workers (WMDWs) constitute 7.7 per cent of migrant workers worldwide, of whom more than a quarter work in the Arab region under the exploitative Kafala , system. In this article, we center employers as key actors in the making of the discursive meaning of Kafala. Utilizing data from a mixed-methods study on Lebanese employers of live-in WMDWs, we investigate whether practices that violate the rights and freedoms of workers are determined by the employers' knowledge of what Kafala and local legal obligations entail versus other factors. The findings reveal that, although knowledge of legal obligations increases compliance with basic worker rights, employers shape the meaning of Kafala through practices that resonate with their discriminatory attitudes and financial interests. Thus, whilst benefit may accrue from enhancing employers' knowledge of local legal obligations, only anti-racism advocacy that addresses deep-seated discriminatory attitudes and mobilizes employer morality would improve the rights and freedoms of WMDWs. The article does not abrogate Kafala as an exploitative system but calls for centering employers who, through their daily practices, contribute to shaping its meaning and reinforcing its power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the correlation between patriarchal attitudes, women's asset ownership, participation in household decision-making and women's educational attainment across 27 post-communist countries. It hypothesizes that patriarchal attitudes hinder women's educational achievements while women's asset ownership and participation in household decision-making facilitate them. Utilizing regression analysis, marginal effects, post-regression simulation, the study tests and confirms these hypotheses. Results show that for every unit increase in women's asset ownership and participation in decision-making, the odds of achieving higher educational attainment increase by approximately 35.7% and 16.5%, respectively. Conversely, a unit increase in patriarchal attitudes decreases these odds by 15.8%. The findings underscore the importance of state and civil society commitment to addressing gender disparities in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conrad's Heart of Darkness is often regarded as a great text in Western Literature. One of its most intriguing aspects is its portrayal of women, or rather, the lack thereof. The novella has been examined from various critical perspectives such as Freudian, Marxist, postcolonial, and deconstructive, just to name a few. However, the treatment of women has received little scholarly attention. In this light, Conrad's nuanced view of women, heavily influenced by Schopenhauer, deserves greater attention. In this male-centric novella, women are nameless, inferior, insignificant, and mostly silent, except for occasional cries. This paper explores Schopenhauer's perspective on women - as primarily suited for childbirth and domestic duties, as well as Conrad's mistrust of women in the novella may reflect personal experiences and societal norms, exemplified in his portrayal of his wife and fictional female characters. This perspective is further reinforced by Schopenhauer's derogatory views on women, emphasizing their perceived intellectual deficiency. Examining the female characters reveals how Conrad confines them to limited roles, echoing patriarchal attitudes of his time. From Marlow's aunt, who blindly supports the colonial project due to her lack of knowledge on important issues, to Kurtz's Intended, who idealizes Kurtz despite his dark deeds, women are depicted as out of touch with reality. Ultimately, this paper offers a deep insight into Conrad's view of women in Heart of Darkness through a Schopenhauerian lens. Our analysis suggests that the female characters represent Conrad's view of women and that he was influenced by Schopenhauer, who belittles women in much of his writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examines the educational diffusion of divorce in Europe and the role of women's decisionmaking therein. Background: As the contextual barriers to divorce have lowered, the divorce rates of less-educated women have increased in many societies. Changes in divorce barriers are likely more pertinent to married women than to married men. However, no previous study has tested whether less-educated women increasingly take the initiative to divorce or whether less-educated women are increasingly left by their husbands. Method: The authors used retrospective panel data from the Generations and Gender Survey, covering 39,650 marital unions across 49 country-cohort contexts in Europe. Multilevel models showed how divorce barriers were associated with the educational gradient in divorce. Competing-risks models decomposed the associations into a wife-initiated share and a husband- or jointly-initiated share. Results: Lower divorce barriers are associated with the educational diffusion of divorce. This diffusion is largely driven by women's own divorce initiation. Conclusion: More permissive family norms and greater economic autonomy enable less-educated women to leave a dissatisfying marriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a worldwide scourge and a topic of great interest in New Zealand, but its patterns and prevalence have not been quantified and compared to those in other comparable countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Using a data set of the 187 IPH cases known to have occurred in New Zealand over 16 years, 174 of which involved current or former marriage (including de facto marriage) partners, we present analyses demonstrating the following. As in other comparable countries, a large majority of IPH victims are women, and the wife's youth, spousal age disparity, and de facto marriage are all associated with elevated risk. New Zealand is also unexceptional with respect to gross IPH rates, a very high incidence of recent marital separation as a trigger for male violence, a substantial incidence of offender suicide when the perpetrators are men but not when they are women and an overrepresentation of stepfamilies among the spousal cases. Despite frequent claims that New Zealand is exceptional in the magnitude of its intimate partner violence problem, the true picture is strikingly similar to that in other comparable countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the attitudes of women towards intimate partner violence (IPV) in Guyana. Methods: We used national data from the publicly available Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in Guyana in 2019 for women aged 15 to 49 years. The prevalence of women who agreed that a husband is justified in beating his wife was analyzed. Respondent reasons included if she: "goes out without telling him", "neglects the children", "argues with him", "refuses sex with him", "burns the food", "has another partner", "stays out late/partying", "refuses to cook or clean", "overspends", and/or "he doesn't have access to her cellphone". Descriptive analyses were carried for all the variables. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with these 10 respondent reasons, separately and in combination. Results: The overall prevalence of women's attitudes justifying IPV against women if there was a 'yes' response to any of the 10 reasons was 17.9% (95%CI: 16.6–19.3%), and varied from 2.7% if she "goes out without telling him", "burns the food", or "overspends" to 10.0% if she "has another partner". This prevalence ranged from 10.2% in urban areas to 19.3% in rural areas (p<0.001), and from 16.1% in coastal to 30.1% in interior areas (p<0.001). Similarly, 25.9% of women from the poorest household agreed that a husband has the right in beating his wife for any of the 10 reasons compared to 11.6% of the richest women (11.6%) (p<0.001). Rural place of residence, ethnicity, geographic region, level of education, wealth quintile, ever used of a computer, and frequency of listening to the radio were significant factors associated with women's attitudes justifying IPV against women (p<0.05). Conclusion: Over one-sixth of the respondents agreed that a husband was justified in committing IPV against women in Guyana. Public health programs focusing on geographic locations, ethnicity, and economic status must be implemented to change attitudes justifying IPV and reduce this significant public health challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women are underrepresented in the field of engineering within academic and professional settings. Based upon premises outlined by social role theory and goal congruity theory, a key factor that contributes to this underrepresentation is a gendered societal belief that there is a disconnect between engineering (seen as more agentic, or self-oriented) and women's values and abilities (which are believed to be more communal, or other-oriented). While there is evidence that this perceived disconnect influences women's pursuit of engineering, the extent to which an intervention could realistically counter these perceptions at key points along the engineering pathway has not been explored. Across two studies, we examine the impact of a communal-based intervention (in which we frame engineering majors and careers in more, though not exclusively, communally oriented ways) on women's engineering-related attitudes and behavioral intentions at two points along the academic-employment pathway: women's major selection and women's job selection. Results: Study 1 found that women with undeclared majors had more positive attitudes (confidence and interest) towards engineering majors when engineering major descriptions were framed as more communal versus more agentic. However, there was no impact on their behavioral intentions to pursue the major. Study 2 found that women with engineering majors were more confident in their ability to be successful in a job role and were more likely to apply when the job role was framed as more communal as compared to more agentic. However, they did not indicate greater interest in the job role. Conclusions: Testing this intervention on relevant populations advances the literature by providing greater evidence for the potential of such an intervention to meaningfully address women's underrepresentation at multiple points along the engineering pathway. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that a messaging-based intervention is impactful with a realistic representation of engineering as both an agentic and communally oriented field, which ensures that the retention of those attracted to the field is not negatively impacted by idealistic messaging. While addressing women's pursuit of engineering is important, work must continue to seek ways to always improve women's experience in engineering contexts as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) may help reduce the rate of HIV infection among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed to assess women's knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP, a crucial component of HIV prevention, using nationwide data. It is the first study of its kind conducted in five SSA countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Tanzania. The primary objective was to examine women's knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP for the prevention of HIV infection, as well as to explore individual- and community-level factors associated with it. Methods: The current study utilized the 2021/22 demographic and health survey datasets from five African nations, namely Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. The analysis was performed using Stata 17. A weighted sample of 77,052 women of reproductive age participated in the survey. Univariate and multivariable multilevel logistic regressions were conducted to assess parameters related to knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP in these countries. In both the univariate regression and the final model, the significance of variables was determined using P values of ≤ 0.2 and < 0.05. Results: Overall, only about 13.88 (95% CI: 13.64,14.12) of women had knowledge and attitudes toward HIV PrEP. The highest (34.29%) and lowest (5.61%) values were observed for Kenya and Tanzania respectively. Higher rates of knowledge, and attitude toward HIV PrEP among women were independently associated with age 25–34 years old (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI:1.41,1.64), and 35–49 years old (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI:1.43,1.69), primary education level (AOR = 1.79,95% CI:1.65,1.95), and secondary/higher education level (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.67,3.20), richer (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI:1.02,1.27), and richest (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI:1.06,1.37), employed women (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI:1.65,1.99), had media exposure (AOR = 1.49,95% CI:1.40,1.59),knowledge of modern contraception (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.94,3.43), had at least one ANC visit (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.47,2.69), gave birth at health institutions (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02,1.37), ever had given birth (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.41,1.66), female household heads (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI:1.17,1.31), rural women (AOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76,0.89). Similarly, women from communities with high ANC coverage (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.61,2.11), high community mass media exposure (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.39,1.88), and high community wealth level (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.30,1.68), and women from the high illiteracy rate community (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61,0.82) showed statistically significant associations with the outcome variable in the final model. Conclusions: Less than one-seventh of women exhibited knowledge of and positive attitudes toward HIV PrEP. All stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and control have recognized the significance of the factors mentioned above. Enhancing maternal health services, such as promoting institutional delivery, contraception, antenatal care (ANC), and women's empowerment, alongside harnessing the power of media and embracing these transformative changes, will contribute to a greater understanding of and more favorable attitudes toward HIV PrEP within the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]