Why Parents Use the Emergency Department Despite Having a Medical Home

Despite having a medical home, pediatric patients continue emergency department (ED) utilization for various reasons. This study examines parental reasons associated with the decision to seek ED care in a group of low-income, inner-city, publicly insured children. Surveys were conducted with parents of children (age = 0-19 years) presenting to a community-based clinic, which has an established medical home model with enhanced access. Most patients (88.3%) had a pediatrician, and nearly all (93.3%) reported a visit to the ED; most (75.7%) were aware of clinic walk-in hours, but less than half (42.6%) were aware of an after-hours phone line. There was no difference in those who were aware of walk-in hours or an after-hours phone line and a reported ED visit. Half of the parents (52.5%) thought their child's medical problem was serious. In addition to providing enhanced efforts, medical homes should strive to make families aware of increased access.

Adolescent-Parent Dyadic Retention in an Interview Study and Changes in Willingness to Participate in a Hypothetical Microbicide Safety Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

In this study we describe adolescent and parent retention and changes in willingness to participate (WTP) in research among adolescents, parents, and adolescent-parent dyads.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Adolescent-parent dyads were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study to assess research participation attitudes using simultaneous individual interviews of the adolescent and parent with a return visit 1 year later using the same interview.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents (14-17 years old) and their parents.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The relationship between participant characteristics and dyad retention was assessed. WTP was measured on a Likert scale and dichotomized (willing/unwilling) to assess changes in WTP attitudes over time for adolescents, parents, and dyads.

RESULTS

Eighty-three percent of the 300 dyads were retained. Dyads in which there was successful contact with the parent before follow-up were more likely to be retained (odds ratio, 4.88; 95% confidence interval, 2.57-9.26). For adolescents at baseline, 59% were willing to participate and 55% were willing to participate at follow-up (McNemar S = 0.91; P = .34). For parents at baseline, 51% were willing to participate and 57% were willing to participate at follow-up (McNemar S = 5.12; P = .02). For dyads at baseline, 57% were concordant (in either direction) and 70% of dyads were concordant at follow-up (McNemar S = 10.56; P = .001).

CONCLUSION

Over 1 year, parent contact might positively influence successful adolescent retention. Parents become more willing to let their adolescents participate over time, with dyads becoming more concordant about research participation.

A qualitative analysis of the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship: parents' descriptions of their intentions, decision-making behaviour and planning processes towards HPV vaccination

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to identify factors influencing the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship.

DESIGN

A total of 445 parents who received a brief intervention to promote HPV vaccination were categorized based on their intentions post-intervention (yes/unsure/eventually/never) and subsequent adolescents' vaccine status (yes/no). Fifty-one of these parents participated in qualitative interviews.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Parents described their intentions, decision-making and planning processes towards vaccination. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Parents in the 'Yes/Yes' category were knowledgeable about HPV/vaccine, described strong, stable intentions, considered themselves the primary decision-makers about vaccination and said they vaccinated immediately. 'Yes/No' parents described strong intentions and thought their adolescent was vaccinated OR described hesitant intentions, seeking advice/agreement from others and noting barriers to vaccination without solutions. 'Unsure/Yes' parents described their intentions as strengthening with information from credible sources and identified strategies for overcoming barriers. 'Unsure/No' and 'Eventually/No' parents had misinformation/negative beliefs regarding vaccination, described being ambivalent or non-supportive of vaccination and cited barriers to vaccination. 'Never/No' parents held negative beliefs about vaccination, described strong, stable intentions to NOT vaccinate, deferring the decision to others, and reported no planning towards vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Intention characteristics and planning processes could moderate the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship, potentially serving as targets for future vaccine strategies.

Comparing adolescent and parent reports of externalizing problems: A longitudinal population-based study

Adolescent and parent reports of adolescent mental health problems often correlate poorly, and understanding this discrepancy has clinical importance. Yet contextual factors have only been inconsistently explained. At the 14- and 17-year follow-ups of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, 1,596 parent-child dyads completed the parent-reported Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the adolescent-rated Youth Self-Report (YSR). Maternal, family, adolescent, and parent factors were examined as potential predictors of discrepancies. When adolescent YSR scores were in the clinical range but parents' CBCL ratings were not, adolescents were more likely to report alcohol intoxication in the last 6 months, illicit drug use, low school motivation, and depression. When parents reported externalizing behaviour in the clinical range but adolescents did not, the characteristics associated with this were a younger maternal age, receiving social security benefit, stress related to parenting, depression, and poor family functioning. These new results will inform clinical management and research with adolescents who present with behavioural disorders. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? We know that adolescent and parent reports of adolescent mental health problems often correlate poorly, but little is known about which contextual factors lead to disagreement. Understanding the factors that influence agreement is clinically relevant for predicting and identifying externalizing behavioural disorders. This is a large-scale study with the ability to assess the impact of numerous psychosocial factors on instrument disagreement. What the present study adds We found that substance use, depression and low school motivation impacted on discrepancy in externalizing behaviour scores for 14-year-old male adolescents and their parents. Parental depression, stress, low family income, and family dysfunction also led to a higher likelihood of discrepancy in scores.

Adolescents' and Parents' Attitudes Toward Adolescent Clinical Trial Participation: Changes Over One Year

Little is known about how adolescents' and parents' thoughts about participation in clinical trials change over time. In this study, adolescent (14-17 years)-parent dyads were asked about willingness to participate in a hypothetical reproductive health study. A year later, they were asked how their thoughts about the study had changed. Qualitative responses were coded and analyzed using framework analysis. Thirty-two percent of adolescents and 18% of parents reported changes in thoughts; reasons included general changes in perception, clearer understanding, new knowledge or experiences, increased maturity/age of adolescents, and changes in participants independent of the study. Adolescents and parents may benefit from learning about studies multiple times, and investigators should account for development and new experiences to optimize adolescent research enrollment.

Advance provision of emergency contraception to young men: An exploratory study in a clinic setting

PURPOSE

To explore the acceptability of advance provision of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) to young men seeking health care.

METHODS

For this exploratory study in a clinic setting, we approached young men aged 16-35 to participate in a survey eliciting socio-demographics, sexual and contraceptive history, and knowledge about ECPs. We offered young men advance provision of ECPs and compared characteristics of 126 young men who did and did not accept the ECPs.

RESULTS

Most (76%) of the participants accepted advance provision and left with an ECP pack, with even higher proportions among males whose sexual histories were suggestive of increased risk of involvement in an unintended pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study holds promise to inform scale up of advance provision of ECPs among young men.

Computer-Assisted Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Facilitate Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Fitness Behavior Changes: A Randomized Trial for Young Men

PURPOSE

Despite recent declines, teen unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in the United States remain at levels higher than comparable nations. Initiatives to prevent teen pregnancy have focused primarily on female adolescents; how to effectively engage young men to reduce their risk of fathering a teen pregnancy has not been well studied. We proposed to adapt an innovative computer-assisted motivational interviewing (CAMI) intervention, originally designed and tested with young women, for use with young men, aged 15-24 years, to reduce their risk of fathering a teen pregnancy. This manuscript describes the design of a CAMI intervention for young men aimed at preventing teen pregnancy and improving fitness.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial will recruit 945 sexually active young men between the ages of 15 and 24 years from three health centers in New York City. Participants will be assigned by permuted block randomization to two study arms: one aimed at reducing involvement in unintended teen pregnancy (CAMI-teen pregnancy prevention) and the other at improving overall fitness (CAMI-Fitness). Except for topic, both intervention arms will provide four sessions of Motivational Interviewing coaching and use a mobile app to track behavior and set goals. We will assess young men's sexual and reproductive health behaviors and fitness at baseline, 12, 24, 36, and 64 weeks using a mobile device app created for the study.

RESULTS

Pending ongoing study.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the study are expected to enhance our understanding of the efficacy of CAMI to enhance young men's reproductive health and fitness behaviors.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Related Risk Perceptions Do Not Predict Sexual Initiation Among Young Women Over 30 Months Following Vaccination

PURPOSE

We examined longitudinally the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine-related risk perceptions and initiation of sexual activity among adolescent women over 30 months after HPV vaccination.

METHODS

Participants included 91 sexually inexperienced women aged 13-21 years receiving the HPV vaccine who completed at least three of five study visits. At every visit, participants completed surveys assessing HPV vaccine-related risk perceptions (perceived risk of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] other than HPV, perceived need for safer sexual behaviors), and sexual initiation. Outcomes were sexual initiation and age of sexual initiation. Associations between risk perceptions and outcomes were examined using ordered logistic regression models for sexual initiation and interval censored survival analyses for age of sexual initiation.

RESULTS

Mean age at baseline was 14.9 years (standard deviation [SD] 1.4). Most participants perceived themselves to be at risk of STIs other than HPV (mean scale score = 4.0/10; SD 2.1) and perceived a need for safer sexual behaviors (mean scale score = 1.5/10; SD 1.5). By 30 months, 65 participants (78%) initiated sex. Perceived risk of STIs and perceived need for safer sexual behaviors were not associated with sexual initiation or age of sexual initiation. Older age at baseline was associated with sooner sexual initiation (p = .02) and older age at sexual initiation (p < .001). Results of ordered logistic regression and survival analyses were unchanged when controlling for baseline age.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV vaccine-related risk perceptions were not associated with sexual initiation or age of sexual initiation, providing further support that HPV vaccine-related risk perceptions are unlikely to lead to riskier sexual behaviors.

Adolescent-Parent Dyad Descriptions of the Decision to Start the HPV Vaccine Series

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To examine how adolescent-parent dyads describe decision-making regarding initiation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series, specifically who they viewed as making the final decision.

DESIGN

Semistructured interviews with adolescent-parent dyads were audio-recorded and transcribed. Responses to the question: "How did you make a decision about whether or not to receive the HPV vaccine series?" were content-coded for each individual member of the dyad.

SETTING

Adolescent medicine clinics of 2 large urban medical centers and through snowball sampling.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents 14-17 years of age and a parent (N = 262). Qualitative analyses were conducted for those who agreed that they were offered and started the HPV vaccine series (n = 109).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Descriptions of the decision-making included 1 person (adolescent or parent) making the decision or joint decision-making by the adolescent and parent together.

RESULTS

More than half of the dyads did not agree on who made the decision to start the vaccine. Most adolescents and parents described a similar account about when they were offered the HPV vaccine, although the interpretation of the event in terms of the decision-maker might have differed. More than half of adolescents and parents individually mentioned the health care provider in their description of the HPV vaccine decision-making process even though they were not queried about the role of the provider.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the range of descriptions of these dyads is helpful to guide interventions to promote vaccine uptake in a manner that balances provider expertise, adolescent autonomy, and parental involvement.

Management of Adolescent-Parent Dyads' Discordance for Willingness to Participate in a Reproductive Health Clinical Trial

The objective of this study is to understand the resolution of discordance between adolescent-parent dyads about participation in research. Adolescent (14-17 years) and parent dyads were recruited from NYC pediatric clinics to assess attitudes toward research participation. A subset of dyads participated in videotaped discussions about participation in a hypothetical study. Videos from dyads that held strongly discordant opinions about participation ( n = 30) were content-coded and analyzed using a thematic framework approach. Strategies used to resolve discordance included asserting authority, granting autonomy, or recognizing inaccurate assumptions using a variety of communication behaviors. Missed opportunities to enroll initially discordant dyads may be avoided by allowing time for adolescents and parents to elicit information, clarify a situation, or convince the other.

Longitudinal Analysis of Quality of Life, Clinical, Radiographic, Echocardiographic, and Laboratory Variables in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease Receiving Pimobendan or Placebo: The EPIC Study

Background

Changes in clinical variables associated with the administration of pimobendan to dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and cardiomegaly have not been described.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of pimobendan on clinical variables and the relationship between a change in heart size and the time to congestive heart failure (CHF) or cardiac‐related death (CRD) in dogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly. To determine whether pimobendan‐treated dogs differ from dogs receiving placebo at onset of CHF.

Animals

Three hundred and fifty‐four dogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly.

Materials and Methods

Prospective, blinded study with dogs randomized (ratio 1:1) to pimobendan (0.4–0.6 mg/kg/d) or placebo. Clinical, laboratory, and heart‐size variables in both groups were measured and compared at different time points (day 35 and onset of CHF) and over the study duration. Relationships between short‐term changes in echocardiographic variables and time to CHF or CRD were explored.

Results

At day 35, heart size had reduced in the pimobendan group: median change in (Δ) LVIDDN −0.06 (IQR: −0.15 to +0.02), P < 0.0001, and LA:Ao −0.08 (IQR: −0.23 to +0.03), P < 0.0001. Reduction in heart size was associated with increased time to CHF or CRD. Hazard ratio for a 0.1 increase in ΔLVIDDN was 1.26, P = 0.0003. Hazard ratio for a 0.1 increase in ΔLA:Ao was 1.14, P = 0.0002. At onset of CHF, groups were similar.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Pimobendan treatment reduces heart size. Reduced heart size is associated with improved outcome. At the onset of CHF, dogs treated with pimobendan were indistinguishable from those receiving placebo.

U.S. pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes about behavioral strategies and vaccines to prevent Zika acquisition

INTRODUCTION

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause significant infant morbidity. Little is known about pregnant women's attitudes regarding behavioral strategies and hypothetical vaccination to prevent Zika infections and sequelae.

METHODS

Pregnant women across the United States (N = 362) completed an online questionnaire regarding attitudes about Zika, including six behavioral prevention strategies (i.e., abstaining from sex, using condoms, not traveling to an area with Zika, their partner not traveling into an area with Zika, using mosquito repellant, wearing long pants and sleeves) and vaccination.

RESULTS

Most women (91%) were married/living with the baby's father, 65% were non-Hispanic White, and 71% had been pregnant. Seventy-four percent were worried about Zika, while 30% thought they were knowledgeable about Zika. The mean knowledge score was 5.0 out of 8 (SD = 2.09), and the mean behavioral strategies score was 4.9 out of 12 (SD = 3.7) with a range of 0 (none would be hard to do) to 12 (all would be hard to do). In a multivariable model, having had a sexually transmitted infection, living/traveling in an area with Zika, and worrying about Zika were significantly related to reporting behavioral strategies as hard to do. Seventy-two percent would be willing to be vaccinated. In the multivariable model, living/traveling in an area with Zika, believing they knew a lot about Zika, worrying about Zika, and considering Zika vaccine development as important were significantly associated with willingness to get vaccinated.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women were worried about Zika, yet had gaps in their factual knowledge. Most women reported they would get vaccinated if a vaccine was available. Pregnant women who reported themselves as vulnerable (being worried, having lived in or traveled to a Zika area) were more likely to view behavioral strategies as hard to do and to accept vaccination.

Young Men's Disclosure of Same Sex Behaviors to Healthcare Providers and the Impact on Health: Results from a US National Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Many men who have sex with men (MSM) do not disclose their same sex behaviors to healthcare providers (HCPs). We used a series of logistic regression models to explore a conceptual framework that first identified predictors of disclosure to HCPs among young MSM (YMSM), and subsequently examined young men's disclosure of male-male sexual behaviors to HCPs as a mediator between sociodemographic and behavioral factors and three distinct health outcomes [HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination]. We determined the predictors of disclosure to HCPs among YMSM and examined the relationship between disclosure and the receipt of appropriate healthcare services. Data were collected online through a US national sample of 1750 YMSM (ages 18-29 years) using a social and sexual networking website for MSM. Sexual history, STI/HIV screening history, sexual health, and patient-provider communication were analyzed in the logistic regression models. Participants were predominantly white (75.2%) and gay/homosexual (76.7%) with at least some college education (82.7%). Young men's disclosure of male-male sexual behaviors to HCPs was associated with the receipt of all healthcare outcomes in our model. Disclosure was a stronger mediator in HPV vaccination than in HIV and STI testing. Disclosure to non-HCP friends and family, HCP visit in the past year, and previous STI diagnosis were the strongest predictors of disclosure. Young men's disclosure of male-male sexual behaviors to HCPs is integral to the receipt of appropriate healthcare services among YMSM. HPV vaccination is more dependent on provider-level interaction with patients than HIV/STI testing.

Adolescent and Parent Willingness to Participate in Microbicide Safety Studies

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To understand adolescents' and parents' willingness to participate (WTP) in a hypothetical phase I prevention study of sexually transmitted infections, discordance within adolescent-parent dyads, and expectations of each other during decision-making.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Adolescent-parent dyads were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study about research participation attitudes.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents (14-17 years old) and their parents (n = 301 dyads) participated.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Individual interviews at baseline assessed WTP on a 6-level Likert scale. WTP was dichotomized (willing/unwilling) to assess discordance.

RESULTS

WTP was reported by 60% (182 of 301) of adolescents and 52% (156 of 300) of parents. In bivariate analyses, older adolescent age, sexual experience, and less involvement of parents in research processes were associated with higher level of WTP for adolescents; only sexual experience remained in the multivariable analysis. For parents, older adolescent age, perceived adolescent sexual experience, and conversations about sexual health were significant; only conversations remained. Dyadic discordance (44%, 132 of 300) was more likely in dyads in which the parent reported previous research experience, and less likely when parents reported higher family expressiveness. Adolescents (83%, 248 of 299) and parents (88%, 263 of 300) thought that the other would have similar views, influence their decision (adolescents 66%, 199 of 300; parents 75%, 224 of 300), and listen (adolescents 90%, 270 of 300; parents 96%, 287 of 300). There were no relationships between these perceptions and discordance.

CONCLUSION

Inclusion of adolescents in phase I clinical trials is necessary to ensure that new methods are safe, effective, and acceptable for them. Because these trials currently require parental consent, strategies that manage adolescent-parent discordance and support adolescent independence and parental guidance are critically needed.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Adolescents with Chronic Medical Conditions: A National Survey of Pediatric Subspecialists

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Many adolescents with chronic medical conditions (CMCs) are at risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, associated complications, and underimmunization and often identify a pediatric subspecialist as their main provider. This study aimed to assess the HPV-related understanding, beliefs, and practices of pediatric subspecialists, which are largely unknown.

DESIGN AND SETTING

National cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Pediatric endocrinologists, hematologist/oncologists, pulmonologists, and rheumatologists identified using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile (n = 418).

INTERVENTIONS

Subspecialists who care for adolescents with CMCs in the outpatient setting were recruited to complete a Web-based survey on their HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, comfort, and practices.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

HPV vaccination recommendation.

RESULTS

Over half of respondents (50.4%; n = 196/389) reported sometimes or always recommending HPV vaccination to adolescent patients with CMCs. Factors positively associated with recommendation included hematology/oncology (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-11.81) or rheumatology (AOR, 6.55; 95% CI, 1.67-25.74) specialization, seeing more adolescent patients with CMCs (AOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), and sometimes or always discussing sexual health (AOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.05-6.08) or checking vaccine status (AOR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.59-9.20) with these patients. Those who thought it was important, but were uncomfortable discussing sexual health when recommending HPV vaccination (AOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.70) or who reported insufficient HPV vaccine information (AOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23-0.88) or lack of primary-subspecialty care provider communication (AOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.93) as barriers to HPV vaccination were less likely to recommend HPV vaccination.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that many subspecialists fail to recommend HPV vaccination to adolescents with CMCs and highlights potential targets for future interventions.

Vaccination of special populations: Protecting the vulnerable

One of the strategic objectives of the 2011-2020 Global Vaccine Action Plan is for the benefits of immunisation to be equitably extended to all people. This approach encompasses special groups at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as preterm infants and pregnant women, as well as those with chronic and immune-compromising medical conditions or at increased risk of disease due to immunosenescence. Despite demonstrations of effectiveness and safety, vaccine uptake in these special groups is frequently lower than expected, even in developed countries with vaccination strategies in place. For example, uptake of the influenza vaccine in pregnancy rarely exceeds 50% in developed countries and, although data are scarce, it appears that only half of preterm infants are up-to-date with routine paediatric vaccinations. Many people with chronic medical conditions or who are immunocompromised due to disease or aging are also under-vaccinated. In the US, coverage among people aged 65years or older was 67% for the influenza vaccine in the 2014-2015 season and 55-60% for tetanus and pneumococcal vaccines in 2013, while the coverage rate for herpes zoster vaccination among those aged 60years or older was only 24%. In most other countries, rates are far lower. Reasons for under-vaccination of special groups include fear of adverse outcomes or illness caused by the vaccine, the inconvenience (and in some settings, cost) of vaccination and lack of awareness of the need for vaccination or national recommendations. There is also evidence that healthcare providers' attitudes towards vaccination are among the most important influences on the decision to vaccinate. It is clear that physicians' adherence to recommendations needs to be improved, particularly where patients receive care from multiple subspecialists and receive little or no care from primary care providers.

Pregnant women's attitudes about topical microbicides for the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy

We sought to understand pregnant women's product preference and likelihood of use of topical microbicides for bacterial vaginosis (BV) prevention and treatment. Pregnant women (N = 196) in a obstetrics clinic completed a survey between June 2014 and January 2015 about vaginal product use for BV. This cross-sectional study explored product preferences, likelihood of product use for BV management and father of the baby (FOB) involvement. Most participants were under 30 (68%) and underrepresented minorities (47% Hispanic, 21% African-American). Most women preferred the gel (69%). Only 30% were likely to use either product for prevention of BV; 76% if high risk for BV; 83% treatment of BV. Anticipated FOB involvement in decision-making included that 46% would ask his opinion, 38% would inform him of the decision and 7% would need approval. Most (87%) would ask the FOB for reminders and 66% for insertion help. Those under 30 were more likely to agree to ask the FOB for reminders (p < 0.01) and insertion help (p = 0.05). African-American women were less likely to have their FOB help with insertion (p < 0.01). Product preferences may be less critical than risk perception. Involvement of the FOB in decision-making may be vital.

Vaccine hesitancy and healthcare providers

While most people vaccinate according to the recommended schedule, this success is challenged by individuals and groups who delay or refuse vaccines. The aim of this article is to review studies on vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers (HCPs), and the influences of their own vaccine confidence and vaccination behaviour on their vaccination recommendations to others. The search strategy was developed in Medline and then adapted across several multidisciplinary mainstream databases including Embase Classic & Embase, and PschInfo. All foreign language articles were included if the abstract was available in English. A total of 185 articles were included in the literature review. 66% studied the vaccine hesitancy among HCPs, 17% analysed concerns, attitudes and/or behaviour of HCPs towards vaccinating others, and 9% were about evaluating intervention(s). Overall, knowledge about particular vaccines, their efficacy and safety, helped to build HCPs own confidence in vaccines and their willingness to recommend vaccines to others. The importance of societal endorsement and support from colleagues was also reported. In the face of emerging vaccine hesitancy, HCPs still remain the most trusted advisor and influencer of vaccination decisions. The capacity and confidence of HCPs, though, are stretched as they are faced with time constraints, increased workload and limited resources, and often have inadequate information or training support to address parents' questions. Overall, HCPs need more support to manage the quickly evolving vaccine environment as well as changing public, especially those who are reluctant or refuse vaccination. Some recommended strategies included strengthening trust between HCPs, health authorities and policymakers, through more shared involvement in the establishment of vaccine recommendations.

Qualitative Analysis of Sexually Experienced Female Adolescents: Attitudes about Vaginal Health

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To explore adolescent's perceptions of vaginal health, practices, and vaginally-placed products.

DESIGN

Semistructured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed until theoretical saturation was achieved.

SETTING

Adolescent medicine clinics in New York City.

PARTICIPANTS

Female adolescents (N = 22) who were sexually experienced, predominately Hispanic (73%, n = 16) with a mean age of 17.7 years (range, 15-20 years).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Interviews were used to assess perspectives on vaginal health, specific vaginal hygiene practices, and attitudes about vaginally-placed products (contraceptive rings, intrauterine devices), and proposed multipurpose technologies administered as ring or gel). The interviews were transcribed and coded for relevant themes.

RESULTS

Overlapping themes included young women's view of their vagina as a space that needed to be healthy for sexual partners and future fertility. The vagina could not be presumed to be healthy and conversations about vaginal health were limited to include only specific individuals. All reported a variety of practices to maintain their vaginal health, including showering 1-5 times a day and using soaps specifically for the vagina. Attitudes about vaginally-placed products revealed concerns about the sensory experience of having a product in the vagina, safety concerns and interest in the product's objective (prevention of pregnancy or infection).

CONCLUSION

Adolescents have very specific views and practices about their vaginas. Clinicians should initiate conversations about vaginal health and hygiene with adolescents and focus on the normalcy of the vagina. Development of vaginally-placed products should focus on the sensory experience, safety, and purpose of the product.

Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly: The EPIC Study-A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Pimobendan is effective in treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Its effect on dogs before the onset of CHF is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Administration of pimobendan (0.4–0.6 mg/kg/d in divided doses) to dogs with increased heart size secondary to preclinical MMVD, not receiving other cardiovascular medications, will delay the onset of signs of CHF, cardiac‐related death, or euthanasia.

Animals

360 client‐owned dogs with MMVD with left atrial‐to‐aortic ratio ≥1.6, normalized left ventricular internal diameter in diastole ≥1.7, and vertebral heart sum >10.5.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded, multicenter clinical trial. Primary outcome variable was time to a composite of the onset of CHF, cardiac‐related death, or euthanasia.

Results

Median time to primary endpoint was 1228 days (95% CI: 856–NA) in the pimobendan group and 766 days (95% CI: 667–875) in the placebo group (P = .0038). Hazard ratio for the pimobendan group was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.47–0.87) compared with the placebo group. The benefit persisted after adjustment for other variables. Adverse events were not different between treatment groups. Dogs in the pimobendan group lived longer (median survival time was 1059 days (95% CI: 952–NA) in the pimobendan group and 902 days (95% CI: 747–1061) in the placebo group) (P = .012).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Administration of pimobendan to dogs with MMVD and echocardiographic and radiographic evidence of cardiomegaly results in prolongation of preclinical period and is safe and well tolerated. Prolongation of preclinical period by approximately 15 months represents substantial clinical benefit.

Influence of Gender and Gender-Specific Recommendations on Adolescent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination

INTRODUCTION

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was introduced for female adolescents prior to male adolescents. Understanding coverage patterns related to gender-specific recommendations and factors associated with early adoption and timely completion may be important for future vaccines.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of HPV vaccine initiation (one or more dose) and completion (three or more doses) patterns in adolescents aged 11-18 years using 2009-2013 New York Citywide Immunization Registry data. Log binomial models assessed patient-specific (age, insurance) and practice-specific (facility type, number of adolescents, poverty level) variables on early adoption (within 1 year of recommendation) and timely completion (within 12 months) by gender.

RESULTS

Of 1,494,767 adolescents, 50.2% were male, 57.5% were vaccinated in private practices, 58.7% in practices with more adolescents, and 48.8% in highest poverty locations. More female (54.0%) than male (33.5%) adolescents initiated vaccination (p<0.001). Of those, 56.1% received three or more doses, 34.1% within 12 months (30.0% male, 36.8% female, p<0.001). In 2009-2012, the proportion of still-eligible male adolescents who newly initiated increased from 0.1% to 17.0%; rates for female adolescents increased from 15.4% to 17.3%. Vaccination initiation within 1 year of gender-specific recommendations was similar (27.4% female, 27.3% male). For both genders, the uninsured were less likely to have early adoption and timely completion. Being publicly insured was associated with early adoption in both genders, but with timely completion in male adolescents only. Being seen in a public facility and in a practice with more adolescents was also associated with early adoption.

CONCLUSIONS

Changing HPV vaccine recommendations had minimal cross-gender impact. Early adoption and timely completion patterns were mostly similar across genders.

Gender-specific predictors of genital herpes vaccine acceptance in a college population

Vaccines represent one promising method for reducing the sexually transmitted disease (STD) epidemic. This study evaluated whether influences on the decision to accept a genital herpes vaccine differed by gender. In all, 518 college students completed a questionnaire on sexual history, health beliefs, and acceptance of a potential genital herpes vaccine. Each predictor variable plus a gender interaction term were analysed in separate logistic regression models. Follow-up analyses were performed by gender for outcomes that displayed significant interactions. Results indicated that a prior history of an STD and increased perception of risk for acquiring genital herpes were significant predictors of vaccine acceptance for men, while younger age and concerns about vaccine safety were significant predictors for women. Endorsement of a vaccine strategy targeting sexually experienced people was an influential factor for both genders, but was a much stronger one for women. Results suggest that gender-specific strategies may be crucial to genital herpes vaccine acceptance.