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Reyes-Díaz M, Celly A, Folch C, Lorente N, Stuardo V, Veras MA, Barros H, Meireles P, Ramírez D, Jonas KJ, Marcus U, Schmidt AJ, Caceres CF, Casabona J. Latin American Internet Survey for Men who have Sex with Men (LAMIS-2018): Design, methods and implementation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277518. [PMID: 36395121 PMCID: PMC9671301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) from Latin America (LA) are still a vulnerable population for known health-related conditions and social problems, availability of comparable data across LA countries for assessment and monitoring purposes is limited. The objective of this article is to present the study design and the questionnaire of LAMIS-2018 (Latin America MSM Internet Survey), its recruitment strategy, rates and sources by country, and the lessons learned from its implementation. LAMIS-2018 was a cross-sectional, internet-based survey targeting MSM living in 18 LA countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela) that gathered data about sexual behaviors, HIV/STI and viral hepatitis knowledge, prophylactic use of antiretrovirals, psychosocial health, and access to sexual health services. The survey went online for four months and was available in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch). Promotion was carried out using dating apps, websites, social networks, and by community-based and academic organizations of each participating country directly in gay venues and in their own premises. Overall, 64,655 MSM participated in LAMIS-2018. Dating apps and websites were the most important recruitment source in most countries, except for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Suriname, where community-based organizations recruited most of the participants. Beyond the LAMIS-2018 implementation description, we highlight the feasibility of such a study in this context, based on the collaboration between community-based and academic organizations to obtain a large sample of MSM in the region. LAMIS-2018 data will contribute to identify determinants of risk behaviors and prevention needs of vulnerable MSM populations in each country of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Reyes-Díaz
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad, Sida y Sociedad (CIISSS), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Peru
| | - Ana Celly
- Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cinta Folch
- Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicolas Lorente
- Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Madrid, Spain
- Coalition PLUS
| | - Valeria Stuardo
- Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria Amelia Veras
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Meireles
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Kai J. Jonas
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Axel J. Schmidt
- Sigma Research, Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos F. Caceres
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad, Sida y Sociedad (CIISSS), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Peru
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Charlton BM, Gordon AR, Reisner SL, Sarda V, Samnaliev M, Austin SB. Sexual orientation-related disparities in employment, health insurance, healthcare access and health-related quality of life: a cohort study of US male and female adolescents and young adults. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e020418. [PMID: 30049672 PMCID: PMC6067349 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate sexual orientation-related disparities in employment and healthcare, including potential contributions to health-related quality of life (HRQL). SETTING Growing Up Today Study, a USA-based longitudinal cohort that began in 1996; predominantly composed of participants who are white and of middle-to-high socioeconomic positions. PARTICIPANTS 9914 participants 18-32 years old at the most recent follow-up questionnaire. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE In 2013, participants reported if, in the last year, they had been unemployed, uninsured or lacked healthcare access (routine physical exam). Participants completed the EQ-5D-5L, a validated, preference-weighted measurement of HRQL. After adjusting for potential confounders, we used sex-stratified, log-binomial models to calculate the association of sexual orientation with employment, health insurance and healthcare access, while examining if these variables attenuated the sexual orientation-related HRQL disparities. RESULTS Sexual minority women and men were about twice as likely as their respective heterosexual counterparts to have been unemployed and uninsured. For example, the risk ratio (95% CI) of uninsured bisexual women was 3.76 (2.42 to 5.85) and of unemployed mostly heterosexual men was 1.82 (1.30 to 2.54). Routine physical examination was not different across sexual orientation groups (p>0.05). All sexual minority subgroups had worse HRQL than heterosexuals (p<0.05) across the five EQ-5D-5L dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). Controlling for employment and health insurance did not substantially attenuate the existing sexual orientation-related HRQL disparities. CONCLUSIONS Research on sexual orientation-related disparities in employment and healthcare has often been limited to comparisons between cohabitating different-sex and same-sex adult couples, overlooking sexual minority subgroups (eg, bisexuals vs lesbians), non-cohabitating populations and young people. Less is known about sexual orientation-related disparities in HRQL including potential contributions from employment and healthcare. The current study documents that disparities in employment, health insurance and various HRQL dimensions are pervasive across sexual minority subgroups, non-cohabitating couples and youth in families of middle-to-high socioeconomic positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M Charlton
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allegra R Gordon
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sari L Reisner
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vishnudas Sarda
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mihail Samnaliev
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - S Bryn Austin
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Zhang W, Wang P. Quality of life among men who have sex with men in China measured using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e11310. [PMID: 29979401 PMCID: PMC6076159 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000011310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the quality of life (QOL) of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) and to explore possible factors associated with QOL among them.A cross-sectional study of 370 MSM in Dalian and Huludao city was conducted to evaluate QOL in MSM using the Chinese version of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). A t test was used to compare the QOL score of our sample with the Chinese norm. ANOVA, t test, and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to assess the association of QOL with basic characteristics.The QOL score of MSM was lower than the Chinese norm (P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that marital status and monthly income were factors associated with physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) among MSM population (P < .05). Married MSM had poorer QOL, and respondents with higher income levels had better QOL.The government may need to develop more effective prevention strategies to improve the mental component of QOL in the Chinese MSM population, especially the married MSM population.
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Haapa T, Suominen T, Paavilainen E, Kylmä J. Experiences of living with a sexually transmitted disease: an integrative review. Scand J Caring Sci 2017; 32:999-1011. [PMID: 29193238 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This integrative review describes experiences related to living with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). DESIGN The data search was conducted using the CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid), PsycINFO and PubMed databases between the years 2000 and 2016. A manual search was also used. The retrieved data consisted of 33 original articles which were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis. RESULTS Based on the results, an infected person has a need for information about STDs and experiences emotions such as a loss of purity and control over his/her body. In addition, the ego of the infected person is wounded due to the infection. Concerns about the results of treatments, suffering side effects, and experiences of unprofessional behaviour by nursing staff are related to the treatment of an STD. Having an STD in everyday life means coping with a changing condition, but there are resources that can provide support. The quality of life can also be negatively affected by an STD, and a future with an STD can manifest different hopes and concerns. In relation to other people, an STD has a marked effect, especially concerning sexual relations. The person's sex life can fade away; however, it may remain as an enjoyable experience. The infected person may also adopt safer sexual behaviours or continue with a risk-taking behaviour. CONCLUSION The results of this review can be used in the development of nursing practices, as well as be used in the prevention of STDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Haapa
- Nursing Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Suominen
- Nursing Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Eija Paavilainen
- Nursing Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jari Kylmä
- Nursing Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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Liu J, Qu B, Zhu Y, Hu B. The influence of social support on quality of life of men who have sex with men in China: a preliminary study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127644. [PMID: 26010133 PMCID: PMC4444086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The quality of life (QOL) of men who have sex with men (MSM) has received increasing attention in recent years. Our study surveyed the QOL and explored the influence of social support on QOL in Chinese MSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2013 to March 2014 of 438 MSM in Huludao and Zhengzhou City, China. The results of univariate analysis showed that higher QOL scores were associated with receiving psychosocial counseling, higher health education, younger age and marital status of being single or unmarried p < 0.05). The structural equation model fitted well, with χ2 = 2083.47 (p < 0.05), RMSEA = 0.07, and GFI = 0.88. Among the latent factors, social support, with a factor load of 0.47, had greater impact on QOL than demographic characteristics. Within social support, the item loads for psychosocial counseling and health education were 0.17 and 0.29, respectively. Basic demographic characteristics also influenced social support, with a factor load of -0.65. For demographic characteristics, the greatest item loads were for marital status and age (0.77 and 0.71, respectively). These findings suggest that strengthening social support, especially for older and married individuals, would improve QOL in MSM in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Bo Qu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Yaxin Zhu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Bingxue Hu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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Liu J, Qu B, Hu B, Jiang N, Wang D. The quality of life of men who have sex with men in China: reliability and validity testing of the SF-36 questionnaire. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83362. [PMID: 24367592 PMCID: PMC3868567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population in China. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 373 MSM from September to December, 2012, in Zhengzhou and Huludao City, China. Internal reliability of the questionnaire was calculated by Cronbach's α coefficient. Validity was analyzed through construct validity, divisional validity, and collective validity testing. RESULTS The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the SF-36 questionnaire was 0.943, while the Cronbach's α coefficients for each of the dimensions were all > 0.70. Results showed that the SF-36 questionnaire was reliable and valid. CONCLUSIONS This study provided evidence that the SF-36 is an acceptable, valid and reliable instrument in evaluating the quality of life of MSM in Mainland China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Faculty of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Qu
- Faculty of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingxue Hu
- Faculty of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Faculty of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongbo Wang
- Faculty of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Thomas C, Wootten A, Robinson P. The experiences of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer: results from an online focus group. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2013; 22:522-9. [PMID: 23730947 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Research concerning gay and bisexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer is sparse. An online focus group was conducted over a 4-week period with participants responding to a range of discussion questions concerning their experiences following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Emerging themes were identified and consensus reached. A summary of each of the themes was produced which the coders agreed conveyed the essence of the online discussion. All men who took part in the online focus group reported that prostate cancer significantly impacted their lives. Unexpectedly, some participants actually gained a positive perspective and adopted a sense of empowerment. Participants spoke about emotional responses to a diagnosis of prostate cancer, accessing help and support, the impact of incontinence, the impact of sexual changes on identity, a re-evaluation of life, changed sexual relationships, the need to find the most suitable healthcare professionals and identification of current needs to improve quality of care. These areas of disquiet suggest that the psychological impact of this disease may be quite significant over an extended time-frame. Further research needs to be undertaken to assess the degree of distress accompanying the treatment of gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Thomas
- School of Human Biosciences and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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