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Pamela J Murray

Publications and source records attributed to Pamela J Murray.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Depression, stress, and social support as predictors of high-risk sexual behaviors and STIs in young women.

A total of 403 women (aged 14-25 years) were surveyed to determine the association of psychosocial variables with risky sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Depression, stress, and low social support were associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and past STIs. When comparing adolescent women (aged 14-19) to young women (aged 20-25), the adolescents had stronger associations with the outcome variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis.

BACKGROUND: Cervicitis commonly occurs in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), often without concomitant chlamydial or gonococcal infection. The risk factors for cervicitis have not been described. METHODS: We characterized the risk factors for cervicitis, which is defined as endocervical mucopurulent discharge or easily induced bleeding, among women with BV who were 14-45 years of age. Associations between cervicitis and the characteristics of the subjects, including the presence of specific vaginal bacteria and chlamydial or gonococcal infection detected by strand displacement assay, were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 424 women with BV, 63 (15%) had cervicitis. Of these 63 women, only 8 (13%) had chlamydia or gonorrhea. The risk factors for cervicitis, adjusted for variables, included older age (P<.001, for trend), <or=12 years of education (odds ratio [OR], 2.4 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.3-4.6]; P=.006), new male sex partner (OR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.4-5.4]; P=.004), female sex partner (OR, 6.2 [95% CI, 1.3-28.3]; P=.02), recent oral sex (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.2-4.2]; P=.008), and absence of vaginal H2O2-producing Lactobacillus species (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 3.3-5.9; P=.01). No association with cervicitis was seen for current douching or smoking, race, time since or frequency of intercourse, or presence or quantity of vaginal bacteria other than H2O2-producing Lactobacillus species. CONCLUSIONS: Cervicitis is common among women with BV and is associated with some risk factors that are distinct from those associated with endocervical infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis. Absence of H2O2-producing lactobacilli may contribute to the development of cervicitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Specific STI knowledge may be acquired too late.

Adolescent females in this study knew more about their previously diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than about other STIs, including ones that they had unknowingly contracted. They appeared to learn about STIs primarily after diagnosis, too late for effective prevention, early detection, or prompt treatment of their disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Developmental and reproductive health issues in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.

The improved survival of pediatric recipients of solid organ transplants has prompted increased attention to quality of life issues. In adolescents these include attainment of normal growth and development, and involvement in romantic and sexual relationships. This review focuses on the reproductive health care needs of adolescent solid organ transplant recipients, including issues related to puberty, menstruation, and fertility. Contraceptive options, and the implications of their use by transplant recipients, are described. With close clinical follow up, most currently available hormonal contraceptive methods can be considered, and the impact of drug interactions with immunosuppressants can be minimized by eliminating hormone-free intervals. Monitoring for sexually transmitted infections, including oncogenic Human Papilloma Virus and its sequelae, is especially important for transplant recipients. Comprehensive reproductive health care visits are recommended for all sexually active adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Women's satisfaction with an intravaginal Lactobacillus capsule for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess women's satisfaction with a vaginal capsule containing human-derived, H(2)O(2)-producing Lactobacillus crispatus at completion of a randomized, placebo-controlled study for treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). METHODS: Women aged 14-35 years with BV were randomized to Lactobacillus or placebo intravaginal capsule twice daily for 3 days monthly for 3 months. Attitudes were assessed with a standardized scale at the final follow-up visit, and associations of satisfaction with clinical and gram stain cure of BV were determined. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-four women were randomized at enrollment, and 232 (55%) provided data on satisfaction at the final visit. Overall, satisfaction with the capsule was high and was independent of subjects' race, age, and prior history of BV. Report of satisfaction with the capsule, belief that it contained healthy bacteria, and belief that its use improved vaginal health were directly related to clinical cure and to improved Nugent score. Except for women who had BV at the final follow-up visit, most subjects believed that the capsule contained healthy bacteria independent of any outcome reflecting cure. Willingness to use the capsule again was not significantly related to whether subjects experienced clinical cure or normalization of Nugent score at either visit. Adverse effects were rare and were largely related to a perceived difference in vaginal discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with an intravaginal capsule and positive beliefs about its use for BV treatment were prevalent, especially among women with a clinical and microbiological response to BV therapy. However, most women expressed willingness to use the product again regardless of clinical response. Acceptability of and interest in alternative BV treatments, such as L. crispatus intravaginal applications, are high.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed2005

Preadmission patterns of physical activity in a sample of juvenile detainees.

Preadmission patterns of physical activity were examined in a sample of 537 juvenile detainees and compared with the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a national sample of high school students. Overall, detained youth reported similar participation in physical activity, surpassing the student sample in some areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Body piercing practices and attitudes among urban adolescents.

PURPOSE: This article describes adolescents' attitudes and practices toward body piercing and their awareness of associated health risks. METHODS: An anonymous, 32-item, random, convenience-sample survey was administered to 225 participants, ages 12-21 years, at an urban, hospital-based, adolescent clinic. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 16.5 +/- 2.1 years; 78% were female; and 58% were African-American and 30% were Caucasian. Forty-eight percent had a body piercing. About half of participants (range, 45%-62%) endorsed each site as accepted by the public, except for nipple and genital sites, which fewer than 10% endorsed as accepted. African-Americans were more likely to have pierced noses, and to find that site acceptable, whereas Caucasians were more likely to have pierced navels and nipples, and to find those sites acceptable (odds ratio [OR] range, 3.05-19.37). Youth tended to see their own pierced site as more acceptable and less risky than others did (OR range, 8.99-23.61; effect sizes [r] range, .15-.60). The most common health problems from body piercing reported by participants from their personal experience were infection (10%), allergic reaction (1%), and bruising (1%). The most common health problems from body piercing reported by participants based on others' experiences were infection (74%), bleeding (30%), allergic reaction (26%), bruising (19%), and keloids (19%). Those who were pierced in a body-piercing shop reported more infections (18.4%) than those pierced in other places (1.9%) (OR, 11.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-90.91). Youth who had pierced themselves perceived less risk from piercing from a nonprofessional (50%) compared with those pierced by a professional (77%) (p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Youth from this hospital-based urban adolescent clinic considered body piercings to be generally accepted by the public. Pierced youth in our survey often participated in body piercing practices that they perceived as minimally risky and that they defined as normative. Based on these findings, clinicians should discuss body piercing in the context of providing routine anticipatory guidance to adolescents and should educate adolescents about safer piercing strategies to help minimize associated health risks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Gynecologic health care for the adolescent solid organ transplant recipient.

The improved survival of pediatric recipients of solid organ transplants has prompted increased attention to quality of life issues. These include attainment of normal growth, involvement in romantic relationships, and the desire to control fertility. As an increasing number of adolescent transplant recipients are involved in normal social and sexual relationships, they require careful attention to their gynecologic and reproductive health care needs. Anticipating the onset of sexual activity before it occurs may help to prevent a mistimed pregnancy by providing or prescribing condoms and emergency contraception in advance. In addition, many transplant recipients can safely use the currently available methods of hormonal contraception provided there is careful attention to organ function, other medical problems, and concurrently prescribed medications. In adolescent patients, issues such as pubertal development and menstruation, contraception, and routine gynecologic health care are typically addressed by the patient's primary care provider. However, the complexity of the adolescent transplant recipient's medical care necessitates close collaboration among all health care providers caring for the patient. This review is intended to help the transplant team better understand the gynecologic health care needs and treatment options of their adolescent patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Interactive video behavioral intervention to reduce adolescent females' STD risk: a randomized controlled trial.

A longitudinal randomized design was used to evaluate the impact of a theoretically based, stand-alone interactive video intervention on 300 urban adolescent girls' (a) knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), (b) self-reported sexual risk behavior, and (c) STD acquisition. It was compared to two controls, representing high-quality informational interventions. One used the same content in book form; the other used commercially available brochures. Following randomization, the interventions were administered at baseline, with booster sessions at 1, 3, and 6 months. Self-reports revealed that those assigned to the interactive video were significantly more likely to be abstinent in the first 3 months following initial exposure to the intervention, and experienced fewer condom failures in the following 3 months, compared to controls. Six months after enrollment, participants in the video condition were significantly less likely to report having been diagnosed with an STD. A non-significant trend in data from a clinical PCR assay of Chlamydia trachomatis was consistent with that finding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Gynecologic issues of the adolescent female solid organ transplant recipient.

Advances in the field of transplant medicine are providing adolescent recipients with continual improvements in health and quality of life. With expanding opportunities for normal social and sexual relationships, adolescents require careful attention to their gynecologic and reproductive health (Box 1). Medical considerations vary depending on the type of organ transplanted, underlying and comorbid conditions, and current medication use. Most adolescent girls achieve menarche, however, and irregular cycles should be evaluated and managed with the same considerations applied to healthy young women. The management of menstrual disorders frequently uses hormonal contraceptive methods. Many transplant recipients also are sexually active and require a contraceptive method to prevent a mistimed pregnancy. With careful attention to organ function, other medical problems, and concurrently prescribed medications, many transplant recipients can use safely the currently available methods of hormonal contraception.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Colposcopically obtained images of vulvar, vaginal, and cervical epithelium for assessment of safety of intravaginal agents among normal adolescent females: comparison with in vivo exam and interobserver agreement.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess identification of epithelial abnormalities of both in vivo examination as compared with colposcopically obtained images and interobserver assessment of the same images of the lower genital tract in healthy women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety women between the ages of 14 and 21 years were recruited for a phase II trial of a vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus capsule. All women underwent a baseline and 1-week colposcopic examination. Multiple genital tract areas were evaluated for abnormalities and photographed. The original examiner and two experienced colposcopists reevaluated all images masked to previous interpretations. Agreement was evaluated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The representative kappa statistics for direct observation vs photographic interpretation for the vulva, vagina, and cervix are: 37%, -2%, and -4%, respectively. The kappa statistics comparing the three observers ranged from 1% to 39%. CONCLUSIONS.: There is poor agreement between in vivo exams and photographic interpretation, and interobserver assessments of lower genital tract photographs.

Journal Article↗