1
|
Borgogna JLC, Anastario M, Firemoon P, Rink E, Ricker A, Ravel J, Brotman RM, Yeoman CJ. Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260813. [PMID: 34890405 PMCID: PMC8664215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular-bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by low levels of vaginal Lactobacillus species and is associated with higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Perceived psychosocial stress is associated with increased severity and persistence of infections, including STIs. American Indians have the highest rates of stress and high rates of STIs. The prevalence of molecular-BV among American Indian women is unknown. We sought to evaluate measures of psychosocial stress, such as historic loss (a multigenerational factor involving slavery, forced removal from one's land, legally ratified race-based segregation, and contemporary discrimination) and their association with the vaginal microbiota and specific metabolites associated with BV, in 70 Northwestern Plains American Indian women. Demographics, perceived psychosocial stressors, sexual practices, and known BV risk factors were assessed using a modified version of the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project survey. Self-collected mid-vaginal swabs were profiled for bacterial composition by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolites quantified by targeted liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry. Sixty-six percent of the participants were classified as having molecular-BV, with the rest being either dominated by L. crispatus (10%) or L. iners (24%). High levels of lifetime trauma were associated with higher odds of having molecular-BV (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.5, 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 1.1-5.3). Measures of psychosocial stress, including historic loss and historic loss associated symptoms, were significantly associated with lifestyle and behavioral practices. Higher scores of lifetime trauma were associated with increased concentrations of spermine (aFC: 3.3, 95% CrI: 1.2-9.2). Historic loss associated symptoms and biogenic amines were the major correlates of molecular-BV. Historical loss associated symptoms and lifetime trauma are potentially important underlying factors associated with BV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna-Lynn C. Borgogna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Michael Anastario
- Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Paula Firemoon
- Fort Peck Community College, Poplar, Montana, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Rink
- Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Adriann Ricker
- School of Public Health–Center for American Indian Health and School of Nursing, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rebecca M. Brotman
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carl J. Yeoman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rink E, FourStar K, Anastario MP. The Relationship Between Pregnancy Prevention and STI/HIV Prevention and Sexual Risk Behavior Among American Indian Men. J Rural Health 2015; 33:50-61. [PMID: 26696246 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship between American Indian men's attitudes toward pregnancy prevention, STI/HIV prevention, and sexual risk behavior. Attention was given to: (1) attitudes and intentions to use condoms and sexual risk behavior; (2) STI/HIV prevention characteristics and sexual risk behavior; (3) attitudes toward abstinence and monogamy and sexual risk behavior; and (4) decision-making in relationships and sexual risk behavior. STUDY DESIGN Our sample included 120 heterosexual American Indian men aged 18 to 24 living on a reservation. Data were collected during in-depth interviews. A community-based participatory research framework was used to ensure the relevancy and acceptability of the study given the sensitivity of the topic. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Results demonstrated that attitudinal factors were associated with sexual risk behavior, particularly inconsistent condom use. Attitudes associated with consistent condom use suggested greater levels of positive dispositions toward prevention and intention to use condoms. Consistent condom use was associated with more cautious attitudes toward sex with multiple sex partners. Study results suggested that American Indian men who reported sex with multiple partners exhibited a set of attitudes and beliefs toward pregnancy prevention and STI/HIV prevention that corresponded with a disposition resulting from their behaviors, in that engaging in sexual risk behavior elevated their levels of risk perception. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that heterosexual American Indian men living in rural environments need sexual and reproductive health programs and clinical services that address differing attitudes toward condom use within the context of multiple sex partners and sexual risk behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Rink
- Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Kristofer FourStar
- School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
| | | |
Collapse
|