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Betz ME, Meza K, Friedman K, Moceri-Brooks J, Johnson ML, Simonetti J, Baker JC, Bryan CJ, Anestis MD. 'Whether it's your weapon or not, it's your home': US military spouse perspectives on personal firearm storage. BMJ Mil Health 2023:e002591. [PMID: 38135459 DOI: 10.1136/military-2023-002591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the USA, an estimated 45% of veterans personally own firearms. Firearm access increases the risk of suicide, so suicide prevention efforts in the US Department of Defense (DoD) focus on lethal means safety, including reducing firearm access. Spouse input may enhance effective messaging and intervention delivery of lethal means safety. This study used qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of military spouses or partners on personal firearm storage, including at-home decisions, on-base storage and existing messaging from the DoD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Qualitative data were obtained using 1:1 interviews and focus groups with spouses/partners of US military service members (active duty, Reserve, National Guard, recently separated from the military) and representatives from military support organisations. Sessions focused on personal firearm storage (at home or on military installations) and military messaging around secure firearm storage and firearm suicide prevention. Data were analysed using a team-based, mixed deductive-inductive approach. RESULTS Across 56 participants (August 2022-March 2023), the themes were variability in current home firearm storage and spousal participation in decision-making; uncertainty about firearm storage protocols on military installations; mixed awareness of secure firearm storage messaging from the military; and uncertainty about procedures or protocols for removing firearm access for an at-risk person. CONCLUSION US military spouses are important messengers for firearm safety and suicide prevention, but they are currently underutilised. Tailored prevention campaigns should consider spousal dynamics and incorporate education about installation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian E Betz
- Department Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - K Meza
- Department Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - K Friedman
- Department Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - J Moceri-Brooks
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - M L Johnson
- Department Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - J Simonetti
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - J C Baker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - C J Bryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, VA Finger Lakes Health Care System, Canandaigua, New York, USA
| | - M D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Odedina FT, Shamley D, Okoye I, Ezeani A, Ndlovu N, Dei-Adomakoh Y, Meza K, Agaba R, Fathi P, Askins N. Landscape of Oncology Clinical Trials in Africa. JCO Glob Oncol 2021; 6:932-941. [PMID: 32614728 PMCID: PMC7392757 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.19.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The burden of cancer in Africa is of significant concern for several reasons, including that incidence of cancer in Africa continues to rise while Africa is also dealing with communicable diseases. To combat cancer in Africa, oncology clinical trials are needed to develop innovative interventions for cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of clinical trials in Africa and it is difficult for African clinicians to get information on open oncology clinical trials and impossible for African patients with cancer to access this information. The primary objective of this study was to identify open oncology clinical trials in Africa. METHODS This project was part of a large-scale study to develop an African Virtual Platform for Oncology Clinical Trials Registry. The study was a quantitative, web-based, retrospective review of clinical trials registries. RESULTS A total of 109 open oncology clinical trials were identified. Most of the trials were in Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Kenya. The top cancer types for oncology clinical trials in Africa were breast, cervical, and lung cancers. The top sponsor of oncology clinical trials in Africa was academic institutions, especially institutions in the United States. CONCLUSION The paucity of clinical trials in Africa will continue to magnify the global disparities of cancer in the African population. Clinical trials are needed to ensure therapeutic interventions are safe and effective in the African population. In the era of personalized and precision health, it no longer suffices to assume that drugs developed in North America, Europe, or Asia will be effective in the African population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folakemi T Odedina
- University of Florida, Orlando, FL.,Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
| | | | - Ifeoma Okoye
- Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL.,University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Adaora Ezeani
- University of Florida, Orlando, FL.,Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
| | - Ntokozo Ndlovu
- University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Kimberly Meza
- Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
| | - Ruth Agaba
- Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
| | - Parisa Fathi
- University of Florida, Orlando, FL.,Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
| | - Nissa Askins
- University of Florida, Orlando, FL.,Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, Orlando, FL
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