Immigration status as a determinant of health information-seeking behavior among undergraduates of color at an urban commuter college

Background: Health information-seeking behavior (HISB) of college students is of importance due to health information inconsistencies at a time when personal independence and concurrent personal health decision making may be increased. Currently, there is a dearth of research about the HISB of college students, especially from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and describe the sources college students use when engaging in HISB; and to explore associations between HISB and demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students at a diverse, public institution in New York City. The sample was drawn from an institutional social science research pool and asked to complete a survey on HISB. A total of 226 respondents completed the survey. Results: The believed accuracy of the information found online was positively correlated with related behaviors and beliefs. The number of followers on Instagram proved to be an important mediator of HISB of college students. The number of followers a health information provider has was fittingly positively correlated with the belief that social media is a helpful resource for health information r(233)=0.18, P=0.01. Students from families with two or more generations living in the United States accessed health professionals more frequently than students from one or less generation (χ²=8.107(2), P=0.017). Conclusion: Targeted educational programs designed to increase health information seeking skills, including discernment of information quality should be a priority for college students.

"I put it all out there. I have nothing to hide. It's my mom": Parents' and Emerging Adults' Perspectives on Family Talk about Sex

Protective effects of talk with parents about sex, for delaying sex and reducing young people's risky sexual behaviour may extend from adolescence to emerging adulthood. However, little is known about the content and process of this communication, or how parents and their emerging adult children perceive their conversations about sex and relationships. This study offers a novel exploration of family talk about sex during emerging adulthood and addresses topics that are not typically assessed as part of communication research, such as consent and positive talk about sexuality. This study uses thematic analysis to investigate perceptions of family talk about sex in a qualitative sample of 16 pairs of parents and their emerging adult children in the USA, and includes talk about protection, sexual behaviour, pregnancy and parenting; the positive aspects of sex; consent; and sexual orientation. Findings identified variation across topics in terms of 1) similarities and differences in parents' and emerging adults' comfort in talking with each other about sexual topics; and 2) how they perceive this communication across a range of sexual issues. Findings can inform the development of resources to support parents on how to talk with their emerging adult children about sexual issues in a developmentally appropriate way.

A Longitudinal Look at Family Communication about Sexual Issues

Parent–child communication about sex and relationships can protect adolescents from risky sexual behaviors, but few studies investigate how family talk may change over the course of development from adolescence to emerging adulthood. This current study uses thematic analysis to explore continuity and change in perceived talk with parents about sex and relationships, following a United States sample of 15 adolescent participants over three time points: early adolescence (age 13–14), middle adolescence (age 15–16), and emerging adulthood (age 20–21). Analyses addressed participants’ experiences of talk with parents about sex and relationships (comfort, engagement) and the content of talk: dating and relationships, pregnancy and parenting, protection, STIs, and sexual behavior. Findings show that family communication about sex and relationships extends from early adolescence to emerging adulthood, but changes in content to reflect shifts in adolescent and emerging adult development. Further, while positive engagement and comfort with talk about sex remain relatively high over time, participants’ discomfort and negative engagement appear to increase, highlighting challenges for ongoing family communication. These findings suggest a meaningful, ongoing role for parents in family communication about sex and relationships as their children develop, and suggest some opportunities and challenges that parents may face through this process.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among cervical cancer suspected women at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-west Ethiopia

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Syphilis have continued a significant public health problem, especially in areas with substandard infection prevention and control programs. It is known that STIs are largely associated with the increased occurrence of cervical cancer. To date, little is known about the burden of STIs among cervical cancer suspected women in Ethiopia.

Objectives

To assess the seroprevalence of STIs and associated risk factors among cervical cancer suspected women with special emphasis on HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among cervical cancer suspected women at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from February to April 2017. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data on patients’ characteristics. The patient’s serum or plasma samples were tested for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In all aspects, the standard operational procedure was strictly followed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software and presented using tables. Statistical associations were measured using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. A p-value of below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result

A total of 403 cervical cancer suspected women with the mean age of 42.54 (SD + 11. 24) years were enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence of STIs was 16.6% (67/403) and the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis was 36/403 (8.9%), 10/403 (2.5%), 4/403 (1%), and 29/403 (7.2%) respectively. History of multiple sexual partners (Adjusted OR = 3.02, 95%CI 1.57–5.79, P = 0.001), alcohol addiction (Adjusted OR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.07–4.5, P = 0.031), history of STI (Adjusted OR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.76–6.47, P = 0.00) and not use of condom (Adjusted OR = 4.99; 95% CI: 1.5–16.16, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with STIs.

Conclusion

The prevalence of STIs was generally higher among cervical cancer suspected patients. Health education is encouraged to promote awareness about the prevention of STIs.

Review of Chinese young adults' human papillomavirus knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine acceptability

OBJECTIVE

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in reducing HPV-related disease. The 2-, 4-, and 9-valent HPV vaccines have been approved by the Chinese FDA since 2016; however, factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults remain unclear.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

We conducted a systematic review to analyze factors affecting HPV vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults. A comprehensive search of databases (e.g., PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was conducted, and articles between 2011 and 2020 were included.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included in the final review, and eleven were conducted in mainland China and six in Hong Kong. All studies reported low level of HPV-related knowledge. Better knowledge, more concerns about HPV-associated diseases, and being female were found associated with higher vaccine acceptability. The vaccine cost and safety were the major concerns for vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggested a low level of HPV-related knowledge and suboptimal vaccination rate in Chinese young adults. Theory-based interventions addressing knowledge and other influencing factors and involving both males and females are urgently needed to increase vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults.

Childhood trauma and problem behavior: Examining the mediating roles of experiential avoidance and mindfulness processes

OBJECTIVE

Childhood trauma is associated with a variety of risky, unhealthy, or problem behaviors. The current study aimed to explore experiential avoidance and mindfulness processes as mechanisms through which childhood trauma and problem behavior are linked in a college sample.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of college-aged young adults recruited November-December, 2016 (N = 414).

METHODS

Participants completed self-report measures of childhood trauma, current problem behavior, experiential avoidance, and mindfulness processes. Bootstrapped mediation analyses examined the mechanistic associations of interest.

RESULTS

Mediation analyses indicated that experiential avoidance was a significant mediator of the association between childhood trauma and problem behavior. Additionally, multiple mediation analyses indicated that specific mindfulness facets-act with awareness and nonjudgment of inner experience-significantly mediated the same association.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions for college students who have experienced childhood trauma might profitably target mechanisms such as avoidance and mindfulness in order to minimize engagement in problem behavior.

Assessing university students' sexual risk behaviors as predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake behavior

OBJECTIVES

There exists a significant gap in vaccine coverage of the human papillomavirus (HPV) among college-aged students. This study assessed sexual risk-taking behavior among university students and analyzed predictors of HPV vaccine initiation and completion in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data (n = 746) were from an anonymous online, cross-sectional survey distributed to university students, between the ages of 19-26 years, at a private Midwestern university. Both chi-square and multivariable logistics regression models estimated the association between sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk factors (including number of vaginal sexual partners, number of oral sexual partners, initiation of oral sex, and initiation of vaginal sex), with HPV vaccine initiation and completion.

RESULTS

A significant number of participants (40%) had not received a single dose of the HPV vaccine series. Of those who initiated the series, more than half (51%) did not achieve completion. Additionally, a greater number of participants have had multiple (4 or more) oral sexual partners than vaginal sexual partners (25.7% vs. 20.3%). After adjusting for covariates, it was found that sexual risk factors were not significantly associated with HPV vaccine initiation or completion.

CONCLUSION

HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates are suboptimal among university students. High levels of sexual-risk taking behaviors associated with HPV infection persist, yet are not significant predictors of HPV vaccine behaviors in this age group. To increase uptake among 18-26-year-old students, future public health interventions should focus on HPV vaccine education and uptake across the entire population, irrespective of sexual risk profile.

Couples Living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Desires to have children are not lessened by a woman's HIV status. Couples may lack information to conceive safely, and men may be especially uninformed. This study examined reproductive intentions, practices, and attitudes among men in HIV-infected couples, including attitudes regarding the perceived risk of vertical and horizontal transmission, safer conception, and preconception planning.

METHODS

Men ( n = 12) in HIV-infected couples were interviewed regarding reproductive intentions, attitudes, and knowledge and qualitative assessments were coded for dominant themes.

RESULTS

Themes primarily addressed concerns about the health of the baby, men's involvement in pregnancy, safer conception, concerns about HIV transmission and antiretroviral therapy, and HIV infection. Men lacked information on safer conception and newer HIV prevention strategies, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

DISCUSSION

Gaps in knowledge regarding preconception practices among men in HIV-infected couples were identified. Results highlight men's desire for involvement in preconception planning, and opportunities for providers to facilitate this practice and to increase patient education and the use of PrEP are discussed.