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Vazquez Guillamet LJ, Babey MM, Njah M, Blake H, Jasani A, Kyeng R, Hao J, Long D, Tih P, Turan JM, Khan EM, Dionne J. Acceptability, feasibility and potential of an intervention using secret Facebook groups to complement existing HIV prevention strategies among female sex workers in Cameroon, a randomized pilot study. AIDS Care 2024; 36:517-527. [PMID: 37921364 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2275048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
This randomized pilot project evaluated an intervention promoting health care literacy around HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and stigma reduction using private social media groups that complemented existing HIV prevention services among female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon. The intervention was 12 HIV and sexual health videos tailored to FSWs that were released over 8 weeks through a secret Facebook group platform. In-person surveys were administered before, after the intervention, and three months later. No HIV seroconversions were detected; all participants completed follow-up and agreed to recommend the intervention to a coworker. Although the intervention was assessed to be acceptable and feasible to implement, poor internet connectivity was a key barrier. In time-series analysis, the intervention group participants reported improved PrEP interest, PrEP knowledge, and condom use along with reduced PrEP and HIV-related stigma, but no impact on sex-work related stigma or social cohesion. Similar results occurred in the control group. Cross-contamination and small pilot study size might have hindered the ability to detect the differential impact of this intervention. As communications technology increases in Cameroon, it is essential to learn more about FSWs preferences on the use of social media platforms for HIV prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia J Vazquez Guillamet
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mary Mah Babey
- Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Mercy Njah
- Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Hassanatu Blake
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Amy Jasani
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rahel Kyeng
- Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Jiaying Hao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dustin Long
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pius Tih
- Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Janet M Turan
- Department of Health Policy and Organization, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Public Health, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Jodie Dionne
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Li C, Zhao P, Tan RKJ, Wu D. Community engagement tools in HIV/STI prevention research. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:53-62. [PMID: 38050762 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Community engagement is key to the success of sustainable public health interventions. This review highlights recent published studies that describe the use of community-engaged methods in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention research. RECENT FINDINGS We organized the findings using a socio-ecological model. At the individual level, communities were engaged through participation in formative research, short-term consultations and community advisory board participation, as well as co-creation activities. At the interpersonal level, studies reviewed described peer-led interventions that leverage the influence and guidance of peers, patient-led interventions in the form of patient navigation and notification, as well as those that mobilize social networks and the power of social relationships to promote health. At the organizational and community level, multisectoral, multifacility collaborations between community, government, and academic stakeholders were highlighted. At the policy and population level, communities were engaged through community dialogues to disseminate research findings, as well as in developing strategic frameworks and clinical guidelines. Digital tools have also been leveraged for effective community engagement. SUMMARY Communities have an effective role to play in STI prevention and can be engaged at multiple levels. Future efforts may consider the use of community engagement tools highlighted in this review, including digital technologies that have the potential to reach more diverse end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Li
- Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- The University of North Carolina Project China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peipei Zhao
- Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rayner K J Tan
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Forsyth R, Prasad T. Cosmetic Medical Tourists' Use of Online Support Communities: Sharing Information, Reciprocity, and Enduring Relationships. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:10497323231219939. [PMID: 38229465 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231219939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Cosmetic procedures are amongst the most popular procedures sought after by medical tourists. Cosmetic medical tourists utilise numerous sources of information when planning their trips including, where available, discussing their decision with previous medical tourists. Current research on online support communities has investigated the interactions of patients with various health conditions with online support; however, limited research exists on cosmetic medical tourists' participation in online support communities. Here we report findings from our qualitative interview study of Australian cosmetic medical tourists. We found that many of our participants experienced stigma regarding their intention to receive cosmetic procedures and to travel overseas from within their local social networks. Participating in online communities (Facebook groups) enabled them to access information and support from other cosmetic medical tourists. Through using public posting and messaging functionality of the communities, they performed two distinct roles in the groups that parallel the temporal transitions of their journeys: they were information and support seekers pre-surgery and information and support providers post-surgery. The reciprocity they practiced in the provider role occurred due to their desire to 'pay forward' the support they had received from others pre-surgery. This role was performed as a collective, community-based reciprocity rather than a direct mutual exchange. Some participants also transitioned their online relationships into enduing offline friendships demonstrating how online interactions may become enmeshed with broader social networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena Forsyth
- Cyberpsychology Research Group, Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tushar Prasad
- Cyberpsychology Research Group, Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Jawed A, Graham H, Smith J. Digital trends in autism: a scoping review exploring coverage of autism across YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1222187. [PMID: 37829593 PMCID: PMC10565484 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1222187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism continues to be a leading neurodevelopmental disorder across adult and pediatric populations that transcends racial, ethnic, age, and socioeconomic groups worldwide. Autism care and treatment also exerts immense costs on the healthcare system and lost productivity which are partly attributed to the existing resource limitations globally. Organizations, campaigns, and policies exist worldwide in increasing equity and accessibility of resources and services to individuals with autism. In the context of our digital era, a wealth of information is also more readily available on autism through electronic communication including social media platforms. As YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are ever-growing and among the leading social media platforms in contemporary times, examination of content covered on autism across these communication mediums is timely and warranted. This review consolidates findings from 32 sources on the sources, formats, and nature of content covered on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook pertaining to a wealth of dimensions surrounding autism. Strengths and limitations of the studies and endeavors are presented. Implications for future campaign development, health equity, health policy, neurodiversity, and patient care are also delineated. Lastly, recommendations for future research and practice are discussed which present directions for tapping into the potential of YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook as health communication mediums across the ever-changing autism landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysha Jawed
- Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Pediatric Social Work, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Heather Graham
- Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer Smith
- Infant Neurodevelopment Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Novick TK, Custer J, Zonderman AB, Evans MK, Hladek M, Kuczmarski M, Rathouz PJ, Crews DC. Coping Behaviors and Incident Kidney Disease. KIDNEY360 2023; 4:1072-1079. [PMID: 37332108 PMCID: PMC10476686 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Key Points Adaptive coping behaviors are associated with lower odds of incident CKD. Coping behaviors could represent a target to prevent CKD. Background How someone copes may alter the trajectory of their kidney function. We aimed to evaluate whether coping behaviors were associated with incident CKD or rapid kidney function decline. Methods We used data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study (Baltimore, MD) for this longitudinal analysis. Adaptive and maladaptive coping behavioral constructs were measured using the Brief COPE Inventory at visit 1. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the odds of incident CKD and rapid kidney function decline per point increase in coping scales and adjusted for baseline demographics and clinical variables. Results Of 1935 participants, mean age was 48 years, 44% were male, 56% were Black persons, and baseline mean (SD) eGFR was 91 (16) ml/min per 1.73 m2. After a median of 8.2 years, 113 participants developed incident CKD and 341 had rapid kidney function decline. Compared with those who reported they usually did not use adaptive coping behaviors at all (such as emotional support), those with the highest use of adaptive coping had lower odds of incident CKD. Every 1-unit increase in adaptive coping corresponded with a 2% lower adjusted odds of incident CKD (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 0.99). There was no association between maladaptive coping behaviors and incident CKD. Coping behaviors were not associated with rapid kidney function decline. Conclusions Adaptive coping behaviors were associated with lower odds of incident CKD and could represent a target to facilitate CKD prevention. The role of medical care in this association is an area worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa K. Novick
- Division of Nephrology, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas
| | - James Custer
- Biomedical Data Science Hub, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michele K. Evans
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Marie Kuczmarski
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Paul J. Rathouz
- Biomedical Data Science Hub, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Deidra C. Crews
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Fortuna P. Positive cyberpsychology as a field of study of the well-being of people interacting with and via technology. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1053482. [PMID: 36910766 PMCID: PMC9997032 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1053482] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the article is to postulate introducing and developing positive cyberpsychology (PCyb) as a subdiscipline of cyberpsychology, which emerges at the intersection of cyberpsychology, positive psychology, and well-being informed design, and focuses on studying determinants of human well-being through interactions with and via technology. The article presents the rationale for considering the emergence of PCyb based on the importance of research on the positive transformation of people in the era of progressive digitalization and cyborgization, and the growing partnership of cyberpsychology, positive psychology, and well-being informed design in the form of paradigms and ongoing research. Moreover, it highlights the need to reframe cyberpsychology dominated by the study of the "dark side" of technology and the need to integrate and increase the "visibility" of research results on the beneficial effects of technology. The article also accentuates the opening perspective of a more in-depth analysis of the positive transformation process than the one existing within the well-being informed design and underlines a broader plan of innovation use than is taken into account in cyberpsychology and positive psychology. Lastly, it discusses the use of the results of research conducted within PCyb in the design of new technologies, consulting, and education, as well as the possibility of strengthening the voice of psychologists in the debate about the future of humans functioning in the constantly changing technosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Fortuna
- Department of Experimental Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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