The Pap test has been an important part of women's medical care for 40 years. Its utilization over time allows us to study both under- and over-screening. Our objective is to study the trends over time in each woman's screening status while simultaneously examining both its underuse and overuse. Our final sample included 55,141 women. We used sequence analysis methods to characterize trajectories of cervical cancer screening use for each woman. We then obtained 3 clusters of sequences. We performed bivariate analyses by comparing variables of interest according to each woman's cluster membership. This study of Pap test reimbursement data shows that 70.7

Vaccine coverage against influenza is suboptimal among people with diabetes. Our principal objective was to study and compare the factors related to a first influenza vaccination in individuals with type 2 diabetes according to age group (<65 years and ≥ 65 years) and then to compare the older age group with diabetes to the general population of that age. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study within the French Constances cohort. The study populations were composed of people with type 2 diabetes and individuals without diabetes 65 years and older. Our variable of interest was the first reimbursement for a vaccine against influenza over the period from 2009 to 2019. We identified 2540 cohort members with type 2 diabetes (<65 years n = 1583; ≥65 years n = 957). The population without diabetes (≥65 years) comprised 18,364 individuals. The factors related to the first influenza vaccination differed significantly between the persons with diabetes younger than 65 years and those aged at least 65 years: age (OR = 1.01/OR = 0.89-P-interaction<0.001), poor perceived health (OR = 1.24/OR = 0.79-P-interaction = 0.048), and indicators of diabetes treatment quality [at least 2 hbA1c assays/year (OR = 1.91/0 R = 0.90-P-interaction<0.001), and blood pressure < 140/90 (OR = 1.24/OR = 0.90-P-interaction = 0.059)]. The only factor related to first influenza vaccination significantly different between individuals aged at least 65 years with and without diabetes was age (OR = 0.83/OR = 1.05-P-interaction<0.001). This study shows that trials are now needed to test the effectiveness of age- and sex-specific messages to increase influenza vaccination coverage among people with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES:We hypothesise that women with type 2 diabetes and hypertension are less likely than comparable men to receive renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibiting antihypertensive treatment, particularly as first-line therapy. This study's main aim is to investigate the delivery of RAS inhibitor treatments by sex and number of antihypertensive treatments used. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study in a cohort. SETTING:Constances cohort, France, 2012-2019. PARTICIPANTS:2541 participants with type 2 diabetes among the 196 477 individuals aged 18-69 included in the Constances cohort. OUTCOME MEASURES:Proportion of individuals treated with RAS inhibitors by sex and number of antihypertensive treatments dispensed. Factors associated with the use of RAS inhibitors. RESULTS:Among 2541 diabetics, 1742 (68.6%) had received at least one antihypertensive treatment during the year preceding inclusion-a percentage that did not differ significantly between men and women (p=0.07). In analyses stratified by the number of antihypertensive classes, RAS inhibitors were delivered significantly less often to women than men for single-drug therapy (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.81; p=0.008) and two-drug therapy (0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.75, p=0.007) but not in regimens of three or more drugs (0.29, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.56; p=0.15). In the multivariate analysis, women received RAS inhibitors significantly less often than men (0.41, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.62; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Women with type 2 diabetes are less likely than men to receive a prescription for RAS inhibitors, although this drug class is recommended as first-line therapy in this population.

Context:Although biological findings show that estrogens are beneficial for muscular mass maintenance and bone resorption inhibition, the association of hormonal exposure with physical performance are controversial. Objective:We investigated the association of reproductive history and exogenous hormone use with hand-grip strength (GS) in women. Methods:Using the data from the CONSTANCES French prospective population-based cohort study, we ran linear mixed models to investigate the association of reproductive history and exogenous hormones use with maximal GS in 37 976 women aged 45 to 69 years recruited between 2012 and 2020. We used multiple imputation by chained equations to control missing values and corrections for multiple testing. Results:The mean age of women was 57.2 years. Mean GS was 26.6 kg. After adjustment for age and confounders, GS increased with age at menarche (β+1 year = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.10-0.17) and duration of breastfeeding (β for ≥10 months vs <5 months = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20-0.59; P for linear trend <.01). Compared to nonmenopausal women, postmenopausal women had significantly lower GS (β = -0.78; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.58). GS was negatively associated with hormone therapy (HT) past use (β = -0.25; 95% CI, -0.42 to -0.07). Conclusion:Our results suggested that menopausal transition was strongly associated with lower GS. However, despite our hypothesis, increased age at menarche and duration of breastfeeding were associated with higher GS and HT past users presented lower GS than HT never users. These findings could help identify women at high risk of poor physical performance.

Background: Despite an improvement in preventive care and perinatal health in previous decades, social inequalities persist, particularly to the disadvantage of isolated or unemployed women. The objective was to analyse the evolution between 1998 and 2016 of the association between women's occupational status and perinatal outcomes.Methods: Data came from four national surveys performed in 1998, 2003, 2010 and 2016. Occupational status was defined by maternal employment status and type of occupation during pregnancy. Preventive behav-iours (initiation of antenatal care, antenatal classes, breast feeding) and health outcomes (hospitalization, preterm birth, birth weight below the 10th percentile) were analysed by occupational status adjusted for other maternal characteristics, for each study year.Results: The studied sample included 12,497 women in 1998, 13,290 in 2003, 13,209 in 2010 and 11,179 in 2016. The proportion of employed women increased from 66% to 75% between 1998 and 2016, and that of housewives decreased from 22% to 12%. The proportion of preterm births globally increased between 1998 and 2016, especially for housewives. The proportion of low birthweight for gestational age (LBWGA) remained similar over the years. From 1998 to 2016, the differences between occupational groups persisted for preterm births and LBWGA.Conclusions: Occupational groups exhibited strong social differences in preventive care over the entire study period and persisted in the recent data. As a major social indicator, women's occupational status during preg-nancy has to be considered as a risk factor of poor preventive behaviour and unfavourable perinatal out-comes.(c) 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Background: In recent decades, several research studies have mentioned a potential mediating effect of health literacy (HL) on the relationship between socioeconomic position and health prevention behaviors. However, no study to date has investigated this hypothesis on HIV prevention behaviors. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate whether HL mediates the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: The study is based on data collected in the Enquête Rapport au Sexe [report to sex] 2019 survey, an anonymous, self-administered online cross-sectional survey in France conducted between February 16, 2019 and March 31, 2019. Data on education level and perceived financial situation were used as measures of SES, whereas HL was assessed from the Health Literacy Questionnaire's “ability to actively engage with health care providers” scale. Mediation analyses were performed with a model-based causal moderated mediation analysis package in R software. Analyses were adjusted for age, place of residence, marital status, and social support. Key Results: The study sample included 13,629 MSM. Median age was 32 years. The majority had an education level higher than upper secondary school (78%) and an adequate HL level (73%). Almost two-thirds perceived their financial situation as comfortable (62%). Overall, PrEP uptake was low (9.5%). The analyses did not show a mediating effect of HL on the relationship between education and PrEP uptake. However, a total mediation effect of HL was observed on the relationship between perceived financial situation and uptake. Conclusions: In the context of PrEP uptake, MSM ability to actively engage with health care providers may offset the effect of a difficult financial situation. In the current French context, where PrEP is now also available in general practitioner settings, this result could inform the development of training and support policies for health professionals and the way in which sexual health issues are addressed in consultations. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2023;7(1):e61–e70. ]

Abstract Background Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage levels remain too low in many countries. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a reminder letter from their general practitioner (GP) on patients’ influenza vaccination. Methods Eligible patients for this controlled non-randomised study were the vulnerable categories targeted by the 2019–2020 national health insurance fund (NHIF) vaccination campaign, on the lists of 14 GPs from three practices in Paris (France) and unvaccinated on January 2, 2020 (mid-campaign). The choice of practices and assigning five GPs to the intervention arm were made for convenience. At mid-campaign, GPs in the intervention arm sent a standardised letter reminding each eligible patient to be vaccinated. In the control arm, GPs worked as usual. The intervention effect, calculated from the NHIF databases, was estimated by the difference between the groups in their vaccination coverage at the end of the campaign, with a linear mixed model adjusted for age, sex, chronic disease (at the patient level) and medical practice (at the GP level). Results The vaccination coverage at the end of the campaign was 14.7% in the intervention group (n = 317) and 1.7% in the control group (n = 493): a difference of 13.1% points (95% confidence interval [9.0–17.2], number needed to send 7.7). At the campaign’s end, vaccination coverage among patients from the lists of GPs in the intervention arm was 62.7%, and 46.2% among patients from the control-arm GP lists. Conclusion Reminder letters could help increase influenza vaccination coverage.

The regular performance of Pap tests for cervical cancer screening reduces this disease's incidence and mortality. Income inequalities have been reported for this screening, partly because in some countries women must advance or even pay out-of-pocket costs. Because immigrant status is also associated with low Pap test uptake, we aimed to analyze the combined impact of immigrant status and low income on cervical cancer underscreening. This study, based on the French CONSTANCES cohort, uses data from the cohort questionnaires and linked health insurance fund data about Pap test reimbursement. To measure income inequalities in screening, we calculated a Slope Index of Inequality (SII) by linear regression, taking into account the migration status of participants. The majority of the 70,614 women included in the analysis were not immigrants (80.2%), while 12.9% were second-generation immigrants, and 6.9% first-generation immigrants. The proportion of underscreening increased with immigrant status, from 19.5% among nonimmigrants to 23.6% among the second generation, and 26.5% among the first (P < 0.01). The proportion of underscreening also increased as income level decreased. The income gradient rose significantly from 14% among nonimmigrants to 21% in second-generation immigrants and 19% in the first generation (P < 0.01). Among first-generation migrants, the shorter the duration of residence, the higher the SII. Women who are first- or second-generation immigrants are simultaneously underscreened and subject to a more unfavorable economic gradient than native French women born to native French parents. The accumulation of several negative factors could be particularly unfavorable to screening uptake.

Background and aims: Several works have shown that control of the principal cardio-vascular risk factors, especially LDL-C, is poorer among women with type 2 diabetes than men with this disease. Our objectives were to compare the statin treatments and LDL-C levels be-tween men and women with type 2 diabetes, according to the potency of the statin they take, while taking their cardiovascular risk level into account.Method and results: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study within the French CONSTANCES cohort. At inclusion, each individual completed several self-administered questionnaires. Data were then matched to their health insurance fund reimbursement data. The study population comprises cohort members with pharmacologically treated type 2 diabetes. We identified 2541 individuals with type 2 diabetes; 2214 had an available LDL-C value. In the total sample, treatment by statins did not differ between men and women, while the women had a higher mean LCL-C level than men. The analyses stratified by cardiovascular risk showed that women at very high cardiovascular risk received significantly less frequent statin delivery than men (OR = 0.72 [0.56-0.92]; p = 0.01). At the same time, women received the same rate of high -potency statins as men. Women taking equivalently potent statins had significantly higher LDL-C levels than men did.Conclusion: For the same cardiovascular risk level and the same statin treatment, women had an LDL-C level higher than that of men. They thus present a residual cardiovascular risk that justifies intensification of their statin treatment if tolerance allows.& COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clin-ical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University.

Objective: To investigate the cross-sectional associations of reproductive history and use of exogenous hormones with fast walking speed (WS) in women. Study design: Between 2012 and 2020, 33,892 French women aged 45 years or more, recruited at health centers, underwent physical function tests and self-reported information on reproductive history and use of exogenous hormones. Linear mixed models with the center as random intercept were used to estimate the association of exposures with WS. Main outcome measures: Fast WS. Results: Mean WS was 172.2 cm/s. WS increased with age at menarche (8+1y = 0.23, 95 % confidence interval = 0.05 to 0.40), age at first birth (8+1y = 0.20, 95 % CI = 0.13 to 0.27) and duration of breastfeeding (8for >= 10 vs <= 5months = 1.38; 95 % CI = 0.39 to 2.36). In addition, parity was quadratically associated with WS, with women with 3 children having the highest WS (p for U-shaped relationship < 0.01). Menopausal status had no impact on WS but age at menopause was positively associated with WS (8+5y = 0.52, 95 % CI = 0.17 to 0.87) and partly explained the deleterious impact of artificial menopause on WS. WS increased with reproductive lifetime duration (8+5y = 0.49, 95 % CI = 0.16 to 0.83) and decreased with time since onset of menopause (8+5y = -0.65, 95 % CI = -0.99 to -0.31). By contrast, there was no association of WS with oral contraception and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that reproductive life characteristics may be associated with WS and timing of exposure could play a role.

Objectives The acceleration in the number of female doctors has led to questions about differences in how men and women practice medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of general practitioner (GP) gender on the use of the three main categories of diagnostic procedures—clinical examinations, laboratory tests and imaging investigations. Design Cross-sectional nationwide multicentre study. Setting French training general practices. Participants The patient sample included all the voluntary patients over a cumulative period of 5 days per office between November 2011 and April 2012. The GP sample included 85 males and 43 females. Methods 54 interns in general practice, observing their GP supervisors, collected data about the characteristics of GPs and consultations, as well as the health problems managed during the visit and the processes of care associated with them. Using hierarchical multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression models, we performed multivariable analyses to assess differences in each of the three main categories of diagnostic procedures, and two specific multivariable analyses for each category, distinguishing screening from diagnostic or follow-up procedures. We searched for interactions between GP gender and patient gender or type of health problem managed. Results This analysis of 45 582 health problems managed in 20 613 consultations showed that female GPs performed more clinical examinations than male GPs, both for screening (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.58) and for diagnostic or follow-up purposes (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.84). Female GPs also ordered laboratory tests for diagnostic or follow-up purposes more frequently (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.43). Female GPs performed even more clinical examinations than male GPs to diagnose or follow-up injuries (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.40). Conclusion Further research on the appropriateness of diagnostic procedures is required to determine to what extent these differences are related to underuse or overuse.

Background and Objective To describe the prescribing trends for sodium valproate (VPA) and alternative drugs during and around pregnancy, comparing 2016 (after the recommendations on valproate for women were reinforced by the European Medicines Agency [EMA]) with 2013 (before the recommendations). Methods Using the French National Health Insurance Database, a cross-sectional study was carried out in 2013 and in 2016, including women who became pregnant and had at least 1 reimbursement claim for VPA in the 2 years prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy. Exposure to VPA and its alternatives was then measured for each quarter, in the 2 years before pregnancy (preconception), during pregnancy, and in the year after pregnancy (postpartum). Results Among pregnant women with epilepsy (n = 2,607 pregnancies), the proportion exposed to VPA during pregnancy decreased from 26.4% to 9.3% between 2013 and 2016, alongside an increase in lamotrigine and levetiracetam use. Among pregnant women with bipolar disorder (n = 4,278 pregnancies), the proportion of women exposed during pregnancy decreased from 3.7% in 2013 to 1.9% in 2016, without any switch to alternative drugs. In both populations, fewer than one third had consulted a specialist before pregnancy. Discussion As recommended by the EMA, a change in practice over the 2013–2016 period was observed, with fewer women exposed to VPA during pregnancy and before pregnancy. However, in 2016, a large number of women were exposed to VPA in the first trimester of pregnancy (n = 471), which could suggest that the timing of pregnancy should be better planned when possible.

Background and Objective To describe the prescribing trends for sodium valproate (VPA) and alternative drugs during and around pregnancy, comparing 2016 (after the recommendations on valproate for women were reinforced by the European Medicines Agency [EMA]) with 2013 (before the recommendations). Methods Using the French National Health Insurance Database, a cross-sectional study was carried out in 2013 and in 2016, including women who became pregnant and had at least 1 reimbursement claim for VPA in the 2 years prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy. Exposure to VPA and its alternatives was then measured for each quarter, in the 2 years before pregnancy (preconception), during pregnancy, and in the year after pregnancy (postpartum). Results Among pregnant women with epilepsy (n = 2,607 pregnancies), the proportion exposed to VPA during pregnancy decreased from 26.4% to 9.3% between 2013 and 2016, alongside an increase in lamotrigine and levetiracetam use. Among pregnant women with bipolar disorder (n = 4,278 pregnancies), the proportion of women exposed during pregnancy decreased from 3.7% in 2013 to 1.9% in 2016, without any switch to alternative drugs. In both populations, fewer than one third had consulted a specialist before pregnancy. Discussion As recommended by the EMA, a change in practice over the 2013-2016 period was observed, with fewer women exposed to VPA during pregnancy and before pregnancy. However, in 2016, a large number of women were exposed to VPA in the first trimester of pregnancy (n = 471), which could suggest that the timing of pregnancy should be better planned when possible.

Although many studies have examined the mention of smoking status in case files, a more important issue in clinical practice is physicians' ability to identify smokers. We sought to analyze physicians' detection of smokers according to characteristics of patients (social especially) and physicians. In 2005–2006, 59 randomly recruited general practitioners from the Paris metropolitan area enrolled every man aged 35–64 years seen during a two-week period. Physicians' detection of smokers was analyzed in a logistic mixed model that considered patient (occupational class, education, income, and social integration) and physician (general demographics, practice organization, smoking control practices, personal smoking status) characteristics. Of the 1096 participating men, 35% smoked. The detection rate (55%) did not vary between physicians. Detection was better for men with low social integration (versus high or intermediate-high, OR = 8.33, 95% CI = 2.23–31.1) and low income (< 1000 versus ≥ 3500 €, OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.00–8.25) and for physicians in practice for less than 20 years (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23–0.82) and ex-smokers (versus never-smoker, OR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.45–6.01), independently of patient age, physical activity, chronic disease and length of the patient-physician relationship. The better detection observed for smokers at the bottom of the social scale and among newer physicians are positive factors that merit confirmation.

Background Many countries currently recommend that screening for cervical cancer begin at the age of 25 years. Premature screening (before that age) could lead to unnecessary follow-up examinations and procedures that turn out to be useless. Our objective is to ascertain if the use of particular contraceptive methods are associated with premature screening. Methods This cross-sectional study based on the CONSTANCES cohort enabled us to include 4297 women younger than 25 years. The factors associated with premature screening were modeled by logistic regression. Missing data were handled by multiple imputations. The multivariate analyses were adjusted for sex life, social and demographic characteristics, and health status. Results Nearly half (48.5%) the women younger than 25 years had already undergone premature screening. Women not using contraceptives (aOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.3–0.5) and those using nonmedicalized contraceptives (condom, spermicide, etc.) (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.6) had premature screening less often than women using birth control pills. Higher risks of premature screening were observed in 20-year-old women (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 2.2–3.3) and in those with more than 5 lifetime partners (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0–3.1), compared respectively with women who were younger and those with 5 or fewer lifetime partners. Conclusion Young women using contraceptives that require a doctor’s prescription are exposed to premature screening more often than those not using contraception and those with nonmedicalized contraceptives.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) do not systematically include preventive recommendations in their practice, and some characteristics of health care organization are associated with more systematic prevention. But the characteristics of health care organization may act in a nonuniform manner depending on the type of preventive care. Thus, one characteristic can be positively associated with one type of preventive care and negatively associated with another. Our aim was to investigate the association between health care organization in general practice and different areas of preventive care (immunization and addiction prevention), in search of nonuniform associations. Methods: We used a representative survey of 1,813 French GPs conducted in 2009. Four preventive care practices were studied: immunization through flu and HPV vaccination, and prevention of addictive behaviors concerning tobacco and alcohol use. Characteristics of GPs' health care organization and the social context of their practice were collected (spatial accessibility to GPs and socioeconomic level of the area of practice). We constructed mixed models to study associations and interactions between the organization variables and preventive care. Results: Four out of five characteristics of GPs' organization have uneven impacts on different types of preventive care (p-interaction < 10(-4)). For example, number of daily consultations is associated with better immunization prevention but with poorer prevention counseling in addictive behaviors. In contrast, working with digital medical files is uniformly associated with both types of preventive care (OR = 1.29 [1.15-1.45]; P < 10(-4)). Conclusion: An approach centered on specific types of preventive care should help deepen our understanding of prevention and possibly help to identify a new typology for preventive care.

INTRODUCTION:Homeless migrant women, facing adverse living conditions and barriers to legal status, are at risk of cervical cancer, HIV infection and may encounter barriers to screening services. We investigate factors associated with each screening in a population of migrant women in France and aim to determine the mean time since last HIV testing according to duration of residence in France. METHODS:We use data from the DSAFHIR study (Rights and Health of Migrant Women in Emergency Housing) investigating health and migration experience of homeless migrant women housed in emergency housing hotels in the Paris Metropolitan area in 2017. We computed multivariate logistic regression models to investigate no lifetime cervical cancer screening (CCS) and no lifetime HIV test. We used linear regression models to analyze time since last HIV test. RESULTS:We included 469 women. 46% of respondents had no lifetime CCS, 31% had no lifetime HIV test. Both screenings were associated with educational attainment and French proficiency. Compared with duration of residence < 1 year, duration ≥ 7 years was associated with a lower likelihood of no lifetime CCS (adjusted Odd Ratio = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07-0.39). Compared to women born in North Africa, women born in West (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.07-0.33) and East Africa (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.02-0.20) were less likely to have no lifetime HIV test. Time since last HIV test increased for each additional year spent in France (coef = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.33). CONCLUSION:While access to CCS remains poor for recent migrants, HIV testing is more likely to occur shortly after migration.

Dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and non-menstrual chronic pelvic pain (NMCPP) are symptoms that are probably underreported and neglected. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and overlapping relations between these symptoms among a general population of French women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional study among the nationwide CONSTANCES cohort study recruiting a representative sample of women within different French areas was constructed. Women aged 18–49 years (n = 21,287) who reported periods in the previous three months and experienced intercourse at least once were asked about prevalence of three types of chronic pelvic pain: mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea; dyspareunia assessed according to its frequency; NMCPP from a binary question. Between the start of 2012 through the end of 2017, 21,287 women were enrolled, 39.8% of them (95% confidence interval (CI), 39.2–40.5) reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea; 20.3% (95% CI, 18.7–21.9) of the youngest group (18–24 years) reported severe dysmenorrhea. Dyspareunia was reported to happen often or always by 7.9% (95% CI, 7.5–8.2) and peaked among the youngest women at 12.8% (95% CI, 11.5–14.1). NMCPP was reported by 17.0% (95% CI, 16.5–17.5). Moreover, 7.5% (95% CI, 6.4–8.6) of the women reported two or more types of severe or frequent pain. More attention should be paid to this substantial proportion (7.5%) of French women of reproductive age who experience multiple, severe and frequent pelvic pain symptoms.