scholarly journals Awareness of and attitudes to sexually transmissible infections among gay men and other men who have sex with men in England: a qualitative study

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Datta ◽  
David Reid ◽  
Gwenda Hughes ◽  
Catherine H. Mercer ◽  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Body ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Background Rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) have increased over recent years among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales. HIV diagnoses remain high in this group and men with diagnosed HIV are disproportionally affected by STIs. MSM are therefore a priority for health promotion efforts to reduce STIs. Understanding awareness of and attitudes towards STIs is essential in developing health promotion interventions to reduce prevalence. Methods: Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 61 MSM in four English cities included a ranking exercise to gauge how ‘scary’ participants thought 11 STIs are. The exercise sought insights into participants’ awareness of, knowledge about and attitudes towards STIs and blood-borne viruses (BBVs). FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed and data analysed thematically. Results: All groups ranked HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the scariest infections, and the majority ranked syphilis and herpes as highly scary. Scabies was ranked as the least scary by most groups. Rankings were dependent on how well informed participants felt about an infection, its transmission mechanisms, health affect and the availability of vaccines and treatment. Personal experience or that of friends influenced perceptions of particular infections, as did their prevalence, treatment options, visibility of symptoms and whether an STI could be cleared from the body. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that, although some MSM are well informed, there is widespread lack of knowledge about the prevalence, modes of transmission, health implications and treatment regimens of particular STIs.

scholarly journals Fatty acids as novel treatment options for Pseudomonad and Staphylococcal infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (7A) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith Ukachukwu ◽  
Lori Snyder ◽  
Raid Alany
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Palmitoleic Acid ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nonanoic Acid ◽  
Isopropyl Myristate ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Novel Treatment

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria pathogens that cause a myriad of infections affecting various sites in the body including the eyes, ears, lungs, skin, heart, bones, and blood amongst others. These bacteria can be disseminated via the blood to other parts of the body away from the primary site of infection and consequences vary from mild to severe with death occurring in certain instances. Both bacterial infections can occur individually, as well as in co-infection resulting in even worse outcomes. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus exhibit multidrug resistance against current antibiotic treatment regimens, which accentuates the challenge in managing the infections caused by these bacteria. To prevent the looming era of untreatable bacterial infections, alternative treatment regimens that are cost effective and accessible are needed. To explore novel treatment options, twenty-five organic compounds comprising fatty acids and their derivatives were screened for antibacterial activity in broth microdilution assay to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Five candidates (N–nonanoic acid, butyric acid, heptanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, and isopropyl myristate) were effective against P. aeruginosa. Seven candidates (N–nonanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, tridecanoic acid, sebaic acid, undecanoic acid, monolaurin, and monocaprin) were effective against S. aureus. Candidates such as N–nonanoic acid and palmitoleic acid were effective against both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, demonstrating that the same fatty acids show potential to be used against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial infections.

Factors associated with self-reported hepatitis B virus vaccination status among men who have sex with men in the Netherlands

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
C. Den Daas ◽  
P. C. G. Adam ◽  
K. Vermey ◽  
W. Zuilhof ◽  
J. B. F. de Wit
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Hbv Vaccination ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Background Reducing the number of new acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections to zero by 2022 is an important goal in the Netherlands. Free HBV vaccination is available for population groups at higher risk of infection, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Identifying correlates of HBV vaccination among MSM can guide the development of health promotion interventions to increase coverage of HBV vaccination. Methods: We assessed factors associated with the HBV vaccination status of 4270 MSM in the Netherlands. Data were collected through the 2018 online Men & Sexuality survey. Results: Multinomial regression analysis showed that lower education level, having never tested for HIV, not recently diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection, recently having had sex abroad and unknown HBV testing status were associated with higher odds of being unvaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated. Living in Amsterdam and testing HBV negative were associated with lower odds of being unvaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated. Age (25–39 years vs younger ages), living in Amsterdam and using pre-exposure prophylaxis decreased the odds to be partly vaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated; having a migration background increased these odds. Conclusions: HBV vaccination rates among MSM will not reduce HBV transmission to zero. HBV promotion should focus on MSM outside of Amsterdam who are likely less connected with sexual health services and may be at lower (perceived) risk. The factors identified related to HBV vaccination status provide guidance for health promotion interventions to increase uptake and vaccination completion among MSM.

Feminist and Social Justice–Informed Approaches Toward the Enhancement of Positive Embodiment

2019 ◽  
pp. 385-396
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Equity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Domains ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

While feminist and social justice perspectives suggest that positive body-anchored experiences are centrally linked to social equity and power, this lens has not been widely embraced within the body image and eating disorders fields. Key elements in feminist- and social justice–informed health promotion approaches to positive embodiment relate to the (a) goals, (b) content, (c) process, and (d) assessment of health promotion interventions. The chapter discusses each of these four key dimensions and related interventions in the field of body image and embodiment. Such approaches can target varied social domains and institutions, all the way from widely disseminated values and laws to specific interventions with schools and families. Further, they can enrich the fields of body image and eating disorders by informing etiological theories of embodied well-being and distress and health promotion initiatives.

Gay men's sex venues, the men who use them, and gay community perceptions: insights from a convenience sample of gay men attending a community festival in Melbourne

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Jeffrey W. Grierson ◽  
Henry von Doussa
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Social Event ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Gay Community ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Background: Despite being understood as sites for the potential spread of sexually transmissible infections, we know remarkably little about gay men’s sex venues and how they are perceived in the gay community. The present paper aims to describe community attitudes to sex venues and towards the gay men who use them. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire at a gay community social event. Results: Men who use gay men’s sex venues differ from non-users in relation to their age, the number of casual sexual partners they have, their openness about their sexuality and their comfort with sexualised spaces. Also, not all venues are equal and appear to attract diverse clienteles with particular characteristics. Conclusion: Differentiation among gay men’s sex venues and the men who use them may offer opportunities for targeting interventions for sexual health promotion.

Assessing Organizational Factors in Faith-based Organizations Partnering in Health Promotion Interventions

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin K. Tagai ◽  
Cheryl L. Holt ◽  
Mary Ann Scheirer ◽  
Sherie Lou Z. Santos ◽  
Nancy Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Faith Based Organizations ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Considering a Potential Role of Linalool as a Mood Stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (40) ◽  
pp. 5128-5133
Author(s):  
Kate Levenberg ◽  
Wade Edris ◽  
Martha Levine ◽  
Daniel R. George
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Mood Stabilizer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Bipolar Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Short And Long Term

Epidemiologic studies suggest that the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders ranges from 2.8 to 6.5 percent of the population. To decrease morbidity and mortality associated with disease progression, pharmacologic intervention is indicated for the majority of these patients. While a number of effective treatment regimens exist, many conventional medications have significant side effect profiles that adversely impact patients’ short and long-term well-being. It is thus important to continue advancing and improving therapeutic options available to patients. This paper reviews the limitations of current treatments and examines the chemical compound Linalool, an alcohol found in many plant species, that may serve as an effective mood stabilizer. While relatively little is known about Linalool and bipolar disorder, the compound has been shown to have antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-depressive, and neurotrophic effects, with mechanisms that are comparable to current bipolar disorder treatment options.

Immunotherapy and potential predictive biomarkers in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanghui Xu ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Hushan Zhang ◽  
Xueke She ◽  
Jianjun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
The Body ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Ablative Therapies ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Well Differentiated

Neuroendocrine neoplasias (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors scattered throughout the body. Surgery, locoregional or ablative therapies as well as maintenance treatments are applied in well-differentiated, low-grade NENs, whereas cytotoxic chemotherapy is usually applied in high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. However, treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic NENs are limited. Immunotherapy has provided new treatment approaches for many cancer types, including neuroendocrine tumors, but predictive biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of NENs have not been fully reported. By reviewing the literature and international congress abstracts, we summarize the current knowledge of ICIs, potential predicative biomarkers in the treatment of NENs, implications and efficacy of ICIs as well as biomarkers for NENs of gastroenteropancreatic system, lung NENs and Merkel cell carcinoma in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Truckies and the Australian transport industry: Managers’ perspectives about enablers and inhibitors to workplace health promotion

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Marguerite C. Sendall ◽  
Alison Brodie ◽  
Laura K. McCosker ◽  
Phil Crane ◽  
Marylou Fleming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Transport Industry ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

BACKGROUND: There is little published research about managers’ views on implementing and embedding workplace health promotion interventions. OBJECTIVE: To shed light on research-to-practice challenges in implementing workplace health promotion interventions in the Australian road transport industry. METHODS: In this Participatory Action Research project, managers from small-to-midsized companies in the Australian road transport industry were asked their views about enablers and barriers to implementing nutrition and physical activity interventions in their workplace. RESULTS: Managers identified practical assistance with resources, ideas, and staffing as being key enablers to implementation. Barriers included time restraints, worker age and lack of interest, and workplace issues relating to costs and resources. CONCLUSION: Manager perspectives add new insights about successful implementation of workplace health promotion. A Participatory Action Research approach allows managers to develop their own ideas for adapting interventions to suit their workplace. These findings add to a small body of knowledge of managers’ views about implementing workplace health promotion in small-to-midsized road transport companies - a relatively unexplored group. Managers highlight the importance of time constraints and worker availability when designing interventions for the road transport industry. Managers require a good understanding of the workplaces’ socio-cultural context for successful health promotion and health behaviour change.

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