Unlearning and relearning sexuality: a qualitative exploration of The Sex Wrap, a sex education podcast

BACKGROUND

Traditional school-based sexuality education has a myriad of problems with its successful delivery, including access to comprehensive sexuality curricula, access to trained facilitators, and community and parental fears. As an alternative form of sexuality education, The Sex Wrap podcast is released in weekly episodes of about 20-45min, providing listeners with diverse, evidence-based sexual health information.

METHODS

Participants in a larger mixed-methods study evaluating The Sex Wrap were invited to participate in qualitative in-depth interviews to explore their experiences with sexuality education, including The Sex Wrap , and how they relate to information received through the podcast. Seventeen interviews were conducted with listeners of The Sex Wrap , aged 20-25years old.

RESULTS

One core category and three axial codes were identified in the interview data. The core category is: sexuality education is an ongoing process that includes learning and unlearning. The three temporally related axial codes are: (1) experiences with formal and informal sexuality education (mostly negative) drove participants to seek more information about sex, (2) participants use The Sex Wrap as a way of exploring and personalising information about sexuality, and (3) participants equipped with comprehensive sexuality education are empowered to educate their peers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that podcast-based interventions, such as The Sex Wrap , can play a key role in young people's process of sexuality education and should be considered for incorporation into other forms of sex education.

Exploring human papillomavirus vaccination decision making through mother and adolescent dyad interviews

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of our research was to explore how parents and their adolescent children make decisions about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and to inform future interventions that aim to facilitate inclusive decision-making processes.

METHOD

Purposive and snowball sampling strategies targeted parents and their adolescent children (ages = 11-13) in a large city in Australia. We conducted separate and joint semistructured interviews in 2013 with six mother-adolescent dyads (50% female adolescents and 50% male). Interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS

Factors that both facilitate and impede decision making emerged, including: background knowledge, values, historical experiences, parenting style, and opinion weights.

DISCUSSION

New interventions, strategies, and tools that are informed by these decision-making factors can be used to aid productive, mutual decision making between parents and adolescents and support adolescent autonomy and self-sufficiency in health decision making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Corrigendum to: Social media's role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

Background:Adolescents use social media more frequently than other age groups. Social media has been described as a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. As part of mixed-methods research investigating the association between social networks and sexual agency, we present qualitative findings on how LGBTQ adolescents connect online to form support networks.Methods:We recruited 30 adolescents aged 14-17years who identified as LGBTQ in terms of their gender or attraction in the longitudinal Social Networks and Agency Project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or face-to-face across Australia. Thematic analysis was used to explore perceptions and experiences of participants in relation to social media use and relationships.Results:Two overarching themes were identified: LGBTQ adolescents use social media for identity, relationships and wellbeing support. Social media is not always free of discrimination for LGBTQ adolescents. Many LGBTQ participants joined Facebook groups to connect with LGBTQ peers. Facebook was considered a vital support for those with mental health concerns including suicidal ideation. Participants gave and received support from group members, which was considered useful for those feeling isolated or victimised. LGBTQ adolescents formed friendships, romantic relationships and gained information on sex, relationships, and sexual health from these groups. Participants described negative experiences including discrimination within Facebook groups, mismanaged groups and exposure to anti-LGBTQ sentiments.Conclusion:Social media is an environment where LGBTQ adolescents can connect, educate and support each other, which may have beneficial effects for this marginalised group. There remain issues with social media including discrimination against and within LGBTQ communities.

Social media's role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

Background Adolescents use social media more frequently than other age groups. Social media has been described as a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. As part of mixed-methods research investigating the association between social networks and sexual agency, we present qualitative findings on how LGBTQ adolescents connect online to form support networks. Methods We recruited 30 adolescents aged 14-17years who identified as LGBTQ in terms of their gender or attraction in the longitudinal Social Networks and Agency Project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or face-to-face across Australia. Thematic analysis was used to explore perceptions and experiences of participants in relation to social media use and relationships. Results Two overarching themes were identified: LGBTQ adolescents use social media for identity, relationships and wellbeing support. Social media is not always free of discrimination for LGBTQ adolescents. Many LGBTQ participants joined Facebook groups to connect with LGBTQ peers. Facebook was considered a vital support for those with mental health concerns including suicidal ideation. Participants gave and received support from group members, which was considered useful for those feeling isolated or victimised. LGBTQ adolescents formed friendships, romantic relationships and gained information on sex, relationships, and sexual health from these groups. Participants described negative experiences including discrimination within Facebook groups, mismanaged groups and exposure to anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Conclusion Social media is an environment where LGBTQ adolescents can connect, educate and support each other, which may have beneficial effects for this marginalised group. There remain issues with social media including discrimination against and within LGBTQ communities.

COVID-19 infection in patients with intestinal failure: UK experience

BACKGROUND

The direct effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with intestinal failure (IF) has not been described.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide study of UK IF centers to evaluate the infection rates, presentations, and outcomes in patients with types 2 and 3 IF.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients with IF contracted COVID-19 between March and August 2020; this included 26 of 2191 (1.2%) home parenteral nutrition (HPN)-dependent adults and 19 of 298 (6.4%) adults hospitalized with type 2 IF. The proportion of patients receiving nursing care for HPN administration was higher in those with community-acquired COVID-19 (66.7%) than the proportion in the entire HPN cohort (26.1%; P < .01). Two HPN-dependent and 1 hospitalized patient with type 2 IF died as a direct consequence of the virus (6.7% of 45 patients with types 2 or 3 infected).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to describe the outcomes of COVID-19 in a large cohort of patients requiring long-term PN. Methods to reduce hospital and community nosocomial spread would likely be beneficial.

What adolescents think of relationship portrayals on social media: a qualitative study

Background Understanding the factors influencing adolescents' relationship views is important because early romantic relationships often act as precursors for relationships in adulthood. This study sought to examine the types of relationship-focused content adolescents witness on social media and how they perceive its effect on their romantic relationship beliefs.

METHODS

Sixteen semistructured interviews were conducted with Australian adolescents aged 16-19 years who were purposively sampled from a larger longitudinal study. Interview transcripts were analysed qualitatively using constructivist grounded theory.

RESULTS

Participants described the types of romantic relationship portrayals they saw on social media, including relationship-focused trends like 'Relationship Goals' and 'Insta-Couples'. Participants explained their ability to identify incomplete and unrealistic relationship portrayals, as well as the pressure to share their relationships online in the same incomplete fashion. Views regarding the influence of social media were varied, but most believed social media relationship portrayals had some level of influence on young people's relationship views; some participants believed this occurred regardless of awareness of the incompleteness of the online portrayal.

CONCLUSIONS

Although participant interview data revealed the pervasiveness of social media relationship portrayals, it also revealed the sophisticated capabilities of adolescents in critiquing online media portrayals.

Development and validation of measures to evaluate adolescents' knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV), involvement in HPV vaccine decision-making, self-efficacy to receive the vaccine and fear and anxiety

OBJECTIVES

We describe the development and validation of measures of human papillomavirus (HPV)/HPV vaccination knowledge, fear/anxiety about vaccination, involvement in HPV vaccine decision-making, and self-efficacy with regard to getting the vaccine, designed to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to affect these domains (collectively termed the HAVIQ: HPV Adolescent Vaccine Intervention Questionnaire).

STUDY DESIGN

Literature search, cognitive interviews and cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A literature search identified existing items that were modified for the present measures. Experts reviewed draft measures for face and content validity. Cognitive interviews with adolescents were also used to assess content validity. Adolescents completed the measures and an internal reliability analysis of each measure was performed.

RESULTS

The four experts concurred that the measures had face validity. Cognitive interviews identified items requiring refinement. Content validity was examined with ten experts and was deemed acceptable. There were 1800 adolescents who completed the measures; Cronbach's alpha was >0.6 for three of the four measures. The four final measures are brief, comprising 25 items in total.

CONCLUSIONS

The measures are robustly developed and validity-tested. The HAVIQ may be used in research settings to evaluate adolescents' knowledge and experiences of the process of HPV vaccination in a school-based vaccination programme.

Subjects with prostate cancer are less likely to develop esophageal cancer: analysis of SEER 9 registries database

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is five times more common among men. EAC tissue exhibits an increased concentration of androgen receptors. We previously reported lower EAC incidence following prostate cancer (PC), suggesting androgen deprivation therapy may reduce EAC incidence, but were unable to demonstrate reducing incidence of EAC with time (latency effect) that would support a cumulative effect of anti-androgen treatment.The Survival Epidemiology and End Results (SEER9) dataset from 1977–2004 was therefore examined to identify subjects with a first malignant primary of PC.Subjects were followed until second primary cancer diagnosis,death, or time period end. Age- and period-adjusted standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated as an estimate of relative risk of an esophageal second malignant primary. Between 1977 and 2004, 343,538 subjects (following exclusion criteria) developed PC as a first primary malignant tumor, providing 2,014,337 years of follow-up.Subsequently 604 esophageal cancers developed, with 763 expected. The incidence of EAC fell following PC [SIR0.83 (95 % CI 0.74–0.93)] with a latency effect identified with SIR 1.1 3 months to 1 year post-PC, SIR 0.85 1–5 years post-PC, and SIR 0.75 greater than five years post-PC. The incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after PC was also reduced [SIR, 0.79 (0.69-0.89)],with evidence of a latency effect also seen. There is a reduced risk of developing esophageal cancer, both EAC and ESCC, following PC. Androgen deprivation therapy may contribute, but changes in lifestyle following PC diagnosis and decrease in ESCC incidence are also plausible explanations.

Effects of stretch or distention on phenylephrine-induced constriction of human coronary artery bypass grafts

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of grafting saphenous veins into the arterial circulation and to compare the responsiveness of saphenous veins and mammary arteries to vasoconstrictors (phenylephrine or potassium) and a vasodilator (the calcium antagonist isradipine).

DESIGN

Prospective, controlled, in vitro study.

SETTING

Laboratory facility in a university teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Small excess segments of internal mammary arteries or saphenous veins obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Vessel segments were cut into rings to measure isometric tension development in isolated tissue chambers. The law of LaPlace for a cylinder was applied to determine tensions in vitro corresponding with arterial or venous tensions in vivo or distending pressures ex vivo.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Stretching saphenous vein rings from venous to arterial tensions reduced maximal phenylephrine-induced constriction but did not alter their dose response to phenylephrine, potassium, or isradipine. At arterial tensions, potassium, but not phenylephrine, was more potent in constricting mammary artery than saphenous vein; isradipine was more potent as a vasodilator of potassium-constricted mammary artery than saphenous vein. Maximal phenylephrine-induced or potassium-induced constriction was no different for either vessel at arterial tensions; however, prior distention of veins to tensions corresponding with pressures of 200 or 300 mmHg significantly (p < 0.01, Dunnett's test) reduced subsequent constriction.

CONCLUSION

Phenylephrine may be more likely to constrict native internal mammary arteries than distended autogenous saphenous vein grafts in vivo because high-pressure distention of veins markedly inhibits their vasoreactivity.

A natural history of cleidocranial dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia associated with clavicle hypoplasia and dental abnormalities. The condition is caused by mutations in the CBFA1 gene, a transcription factor that activates osteoblast differentiation. Clinical characteristics associated with CCD have previously been described in case reports and small case series. This study was undertaken to gain a more complete delineation of clinical complications associated with CCD. The study population was composed of 90 CCD individuals and 56 relative controls ascertained from genetic and dental practices in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. A number of previously unrecognized complications were significantly increased including: genua valga, scoliosis, pes planus, sinus infections, upper respiratory complications, recurrent otitis media, and hearing loss. Primary Cesarean section rate was significantly increased compared to relative controls and the general population rate. Finally, dental abnormalities, including supernumerary teeth, failure of exfoliation of the primary dentition, and malocclusion, are serious and complex problems that require intervention. Clinical recommendations based on the results of this study are included.

Conjunctival flora observed in 70 healthy domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Conjunctival swabs were taken from both eyes of 70 healthy domestic rabbits and cultured to determine the microbial population. Bacteria were recovered from 83 per cent of the specimens. DNase-negative Staphylococcus species (57 per cent) were the most commonly recovered organisms followed by Micrococcus species (25 per cent) and Bacillus species (19 per cent). Other organisms isolated included Stomatococcus species (8 per cent), Neisseria species (8 per cent), Pasteurella species (6 per cent), Corynebacterium species (6 per cent), Streptococcus species (6 per cent) and Moraxella species (4 per cent), and other bacteria were isolated less frequently. Statistical analysis showed that there appeared to be no significant difference between the bacterial isolation rates from different breeds of rabbit. Significantly more of the swabs taken from young rabbits yielded cultivable bacteria than did those taken from rabbits over 12 months of age.

Nonprescription tinted eyewear optical accuracy study

BACKGROUND

Nonprescription tinted eyewear, commonly referred to as noncorrective sunglasses or plano sun eyewear, often induce measurable amounts of prismatic deviation. With high-wrap eyewear this effect becomes more pronounced. The purpose of this project was to assess the amount of horizontal and vertical prismatic deviation induced by some popular premium plano sun eyewear intended for use by athletes.

METHODS

Prismatic deviations for two identical pairs of high-wrap, steep base curve, plano sun eyewear from each of six prominent national brands were measured in both primary gaze and along a peripheral line of sight 30 degrees to the right of straight-ahead.

RESULTS

Most of the eyewear induced base-out and base-down prism in each lens in primary gaze. All eyewear induced base-in prism with temporal gaze and base-out prism with nasal gaze at 30 degrees laterally. Most eyewear induced base-down prism with lateral gaze as well.

CONCLUSIONS

Plano sun eyewear is often purchased for use in bright environments during visually demanding sports, such as golf, baseball, and volleyball. It is well-documented that athletes possess superior visual function as compared to nonathletes or lesser-level athletes. Further studies are indicated to determine the impact of this prism on the average wearer and the elite athlete.

Direct effects of triiodothyronine on human internal mammary artery and saphenous veins

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid hormone (3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine is under investigation as a positive inotrope and vasodilator for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study determined the direct effects of triiodothyronine on human blood vessels.

DESIGN

Prospective, controlled, in vitro study.

SETTING

Laboratory facility in a university teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Small excess segments of internal mammary arteries or saphenous veins were obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Vessel segments were cut into rings to measure isometric tension development in isolated tissue baths containing Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 degrees C. Rings were prestretched in vitro to resting tensions analogous to mean arterial or central venous pressures in vivo and then constricted with potassium or phenylephrine. Rings were exposed to increasing concentrations of triiodothyronine (4 x 10(-12) to 1 x 10(-4) mol/L) to obtain dose-response curves.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

High concentrations (> or = 3.3 x 10(-5) mol/L) of trilodothyronine produced dose-dependent relaxation of preconstricted rings. The relaxation was not selective for arteries or veins at arterial resting tensions, and with either potassium or phenylephrine as a vasoconstrictor. Propranolol had little effect on subsequent triiodothyronine-induced relaxation of potassium-constricted rings at resting arterial tensions.

CONCLUSIONS

Triiodothyronine, in supraphysiological and suprapharmacological concentrations, dilates preconstricted rings of human blood vessels in vitro; however, triiodothyronine had no demonstrable vasomotor effects on human internal mammary artery or saphenous vein in clinically relevant concentrations (10(-9) to 10(-8) mol/L). Triiodothyronine administration in vivo most likely has little direct effect on the tone of human vascular smooth muscle, particularly coronary artery bypass conduits.

17-beta-estradiol increases mitogenic activity of medium from cultured preadipocytes of massively obese persons

Having reported that omental preadipocytes from massively obese persons release into the culture medium proteins mitogenic for preadipocytes, this study aimed to determine whether estrogens contribute to the production of these factors. Sub-cultured omental preadipocytes from 13 massively obese women were grown in the presence or absence of 17-beta-estradiol, and during the last 24 h the conditioned medium was prepared in the absence of serum. Media from cells of 8 of 13 subjects contained significantly higher mitogenic activity when grown in the presence of 17-beta-estradiol. 17-Alpha-estradiol was not effective. The bioassay system involved rat perirenal preadipocytes, since these have been well characterized. Partial purification by gel filtration chromatography indicated that the estrogen-dependent factors had Mr greater than 250,000 and approximately 30,000. Thus, estrogens might contribute to the development of massive obesity in genetically susceptible subjects by promoting the production of paracrine/autocrine principles by adipose cells.

Hormonal effects of an induction dose of etomidate for patients undergoing urgent myocardial revascularization

The use of etomidate for induction of anesthesia in patients requiring urgent coronary artery surgery provides good cardiovascular stability. However, long-term etomidate infusions may cause transient signs of adrenocortical suppression. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an induction bolus dose of etomidate would cause clinically relevant endocrine dysfunction in urgent coronary artery bypass patients. With institutional review board approval, 11 patients were prospectively randomized to a diazepam (control) or etomidate rapid sequence induction. The diazepam group (n=6; mean, 69 years) received 0.4 mg/kg of diazepam. The etomidate group (n=5; mean, 54 years) received 0.3 mg/kg of etomidate. Maintenance anesthesia included nitrous oxide, oxygen, pancuronium, and fentanyl in increments up to 32 microg/kg. Hemodynamics, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were measured both intraoperatively and postoperatively. The only significant difference between the two groups in hemodynamic parameters was a higher heart rate in the etomidate group. Both agents adequately controlled the stress response to intubation as judged from the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine. and cortisol. However, in both groups epinephrine and norepinephrine increased between intubation and removal of the aortic cross-clamp. Cortisol also increased from the time of cross-clamp removal to 12 and 24 hours post-bypass. During anesthesia and surgery in the pre-bypass period, there was a decrease in cortisol over time in the etomidate group, and there was an increase with diazepam. Thus, etomidate provided stable hemodynamics, possible mild intraoperative adrenocortical suppression, a depressed hormonal stress response to intubation, and a normal hormonal reaction to the later part of surgery and the postoperative period.

The Effects of Cold Acclimation upon the Oxygen Consumption of Two Species of Free-Living Nematodes

Two species of free-living nematodes, Panagrellus redivivus and Turbatrix aceti, were cultured axenically at control (20 C) and cold (10 C) temperatures. Oxygen consumption of worms from each population was measured manometrically on days 2 through 8 after exposure to these temperatures. In both species, the slope of the oxygen consumption curve for the controls was greater than that of the worms exposed to the cold on day 2. The slope of the curve of the cold-exposed worms gradually increased until day 7. At this time, the slope of the oxygen consumption curve from the cold-exposed worms exceeded or equaled that of the controls. This is taken as an indication of the onset of the cold-acclimated state in both species of worms by day 7.