The impact of brief messages on HSV-2 screening uptake among female defendants in a court setting: a randomized controlled trial utilizing prospect theory

Exploring the Effects of Source Credibility and Message Framing on STI Screening Intentions: An Application of Prospect and Protection Motivation Theory

Roughly half of all new sexually transmitted infections (STI) occur in adolescent and college-aged populations. College students tend to underestimate their personal risks of contracting STIs. Consequently, many college students do not engage in protective behaviors that would reduce STI transmission rates. This study examined the effect of source credibility (high vs. low) and message framing (positive vs. negative) on college students' behavioral intentions to get screened for STIs via a 2 × 2 experiment (n = 207). Further, drawing on both Prospect Theory and Protection Motivation Theory, the study tested whether coping and threat appraisals mediated the effects of source credibility and message framing on behavioral intentions. Results reveal that both highly credible sources and negatively framed messages influenced behavioral intentions to screen for STIs. However, the interaction term of source credibility by message frame was not significant. Mediation models suggested that efficacy perceptions partially explained the effect of source credibility on behavioral intentions, but not for the effect of message framing. Perceptions of severity and susceptibility did not mediate the effect of either source credibility or message framing. Practical and theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

The Effect of Message-Framing on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Among Nulliparous Women in Shushtar, Iran

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continuing it for 2 years, along with complementary feeding, are the primary objectives of public health plans and nutrition around the world. Self-efficacy is a theoretical framework that could be a strong predictive for breastfeeding. This study aimed to determine the effect of message-framing on self-efficacy of breastfeeding in nulliparous women in Shushtar.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2015 on 210 nulliparous women in Shushtar (Iran). The participants were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The study tool was the short form of breastfeeding self-efficacy scale that was completed on arrival of the study (days 3–5), at the end of week four and at the end of week eight. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19, using Chi-square, ANOVA, and repeated measurements.

Results

Mean age of participants was 24.52 years old with standard deviation of 95.4. Mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy in gain-framed group at days 3–5, week four and week eight was 47.94, 57.43 and 52.8 respectively; in loss-framed group it was 47.76, 56.11 and 52.64 respectively; and in control group it was 45.16, 48.68 and 45.31 respectively. No significant difference was observed between the score of average self-efficacy of days 3–5 and week eight in control group (p=0.93). However, in gain-framed group (p=0.001) and loss-framed group (p=0.004), a significant difference was observed.

Conclusion

Results of this study showed that message-framing promotes breastfeeding self-efficacy in nulliparous women and in this regard, there is no difference between gain-framed and loss-framed messages.

Type-specific detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 using the cobas® HSV 1 and 2 test on the cobas® 4800 platform

INTRODUCTION

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are among the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections (stis) globally. these infections are strongly associated with increased risk of hiv acquisition and rare, but devastating, neonatal disease. available treatment options can reduce HSV transmission and improve quality of life. accurate diagnosis early in disease can improve patient management. Areas covered: This paper describes the clinical manifestations of HSV infection often used for clinical diagnostic purposes. The paper then describes the evolution of laboratory diagnostic assays. Serology, culture and molecular diagnostics are described since all are currently in use. The features and performance characteristics of the cobas 4800 HSV1 and HSV2 Test (cobas HSV) on the cobas 4800® system (cobas 4800) are described in detail. Expert commentary: Diagnosis of HSV has historically been unreliable or technically difficult, but the availability of molecular assays such as the cobas HSV test for detection and typing of herpes can improve our ability to correctly manage this disease. Utilization of tools such as the cobas HSV assay may help shorten the time to accurate diagnosis and treatment thus potentially reducing the risk of transmission and the global burden of HSV.