Beyond reproductive health: listening to women about their health in disadvantaged Beirut neighborhoods.
In this article, we aim to contextualize gynecological problems within a broader health and social context, expanding the lens beyond reproductive health. Questionnaires were administered to 1,869 ever-married women aged 15 to 59 that included questions on living, general health, and gynecological problems. These questions were open-ended, allowing women to respond in their own words. Women reported a multitude of health problems, indicating competing priorities. Musculoskeletal complaints emerged as the most prevalent and most important health problem. One in four women reported a gynecological problem, mainly reproductive tract infections (RTIs), when asked directly. Selected quotes provide clues about the complex relationship between women's lives and health.
American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. hzurayk@aub.edu.lb
Huda
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Zurayk
Cynthia
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Myntti
Mylene T
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Salem
Afamia
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Kaddour
Faysal
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El-Kak
Samer
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Jabbour
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D033262:Narration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health