Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Prevention Is Political: Political Party Affiliation Predicts Perceived Risk And Prevention Behaviors For Covid-19, Marc T. Kiviniemi, Heather Orom, Jennifer L. Hay, Erika A. Waters

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Many US politicians have provided mixed messages about the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and whether and to what extent prevention practices should be put in place to prevent transmission. This politicization of the virus and pandemic may affect individuals' risk perceptions and willingness to take precautions. We examined how political party affiliation relates to risk perception for one's own and other people's likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection/COVID-19 illness.

METHODS: We surveyed members of a nationally-representative, probability-sampling based survey panel (N = 410) to examine their risk perceptions, precautionary behaviors, and political party affiliation.

RESULTS: The more strongly one identified …

Psychosocial Mediators Of Perceived Stigma And Suicidal Ideation Among Transgender Women, Krishna Kiran Kota, Laura F. Salazar, Rachel E. Culbreth, Richard A. Crosby, Jamal Jones

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Transgender women (TGW) in the U.S. experience high rates of stigma, depression, and elevated rates of suicide. This study examined correlates of suicidal ideation and estimated the conditional indirect effects of perceived stigma and psychosocial mediators on suicidal ideation.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, TGW (N = 92) were recruited through snowball sampling in Atlanta, Georgia. Structured interviews were conducted. Suicidal ideation was assessed by combining two variables that measured suicidal thoughts. Logistic regression models were performed to identify the potential risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation. We examined hypothesized psychosocial factors, including anxiety, depression, psychosocial impact …

Is Sex With Older Male Partners Associated With Higher Sexual Risk Behavior Among Young Black Msm?, Nicholas Chamberlain, Leandro A. Mena, Angelica Geter, Richard A. Crosby

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Participants at a sexual health clinic completed a survey with questions regarding sexual risk behavior and partner characteristics. Of 585 participants eligible for analysis, 124 reported generally having older male partners. These participants were significantly more likely to be HIV-infected (p < 0.001), have four or more sex partners as a “bottom” (p = 0.04), have concurrent partners (p = 0.01), and have partners suspected of having an sexually transmitted infection (p = 0.05) than participants without older partners. With analysis restricted to HIV− individuals, risk behaviors did not differ significantly between the groups. HIV− individuals with older partners may be at increased risk of HIV infection due …

Contextual Factors And Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young, Black Men, Jamal Jones, Laura F. Salazar, Richard A. Crosby

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Young Black men (YBM), aged 13 to 24 years, face a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STI acquisition among YBM is due to incorrect and inconsistent condom use and is exacerbated by multiple sexual partners. Sexual and reproductive health is influenced by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social determinants that contribute to increased risk for STI acquisition. However, there are key social determinants of sexual health that play a major role in adolescent sexual risk-taking behaviors: gender norms, environment, peers, and families as well as a desire to impregnate a woman. Associations between contextual factors (risky …

Dealing With Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis-Associated Condom Migration: Changing The Paradigm For Men Who Have Sex With Men, Richard A. Crosby

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

The behavioural aspects of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are challenging, particularly the issue of condom migration. Three vital questions are: (1) at the population-level, will condom migration lead to increases in non-viral sexually transmissible infections?; (2) how can clinic-based counselling best promote the dual use of condoms and PrEP?; and (3) in future PrEP trials, what are the ‘best practices’ that should be used to avoid type 1 and type 2 errors that arise without accounting for condom use behaviours? This communication piece addresses each question and suggests the risk of a ‘PrEP only’ focus to widening health disparities.

Correlates Of Sexual-Risk Behaviors Among Young Black Msm: Implications For Clinic-Based Counseling Programs, Richard A. Crosby, Leandro Mena, Janelle M. Ricks

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

This study applied an 8-item index of recent sexual-risk behaviors to young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and evaluated the distribution for normality. The distribution was tested for associations with possible antecedents of sexual risk. YBMSM (N = 600), aged 16–29 years, were recruited from a sexually transmitted infection clinic, located in the southern US. Men completed an extensive audio computer-assisted self-interview. Thirteen possible antecedents of sexual risk, as assessed by the index, were selected for analyses. The 8-item index formed a normal distribution with a mean of 4.77 (SD = 1.77). In adjusted analyses, not …

Circumcision Status Is Not Associated With Condom Use And Prevalence Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Black Msm, Richard A. Crosby, Cynthia A. Graham, Leandro Mena, William L. Yarber, Stephanie A. Sanders, Robin R. Milhausen, Angelica Geter

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

This study investigated whether intact young Black MSM differed from their circumcised counterparts regarding condom use behaviors and perceptions and HIV/Chlamydia/gonorrhea. Young Black MSM completed a self-interview, including a pictorial item assessing circumcision status and measures of condom use. Twenty-seven percent of 388 participants reported not being circumcised. With one exception, no associations tested approached significance. The mean frequency of unprotected insertive anal sex for circumcised men was about twice as high compared to those intact (P = .04). Intact young Black MSM did not differ from circumcised men relative to prevalence of STIs (including HIV) or condom use behaviors …

Similarities And Differences In Sexual Risk Behaviors Between Young Black Msm Who Do And Do Not Have Sex With Females, Richard A. Crosby, Leandro Mena, Angelica Geter, Demarc Hickson

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

The objective of this study is to determine whether young Black MSM who also have sex with females report similar levels of sexual risk behaviors as those not having sex with females. YBMSM (N = 400) were recruited from an STI clinic, located in the Southern U.S. Men completed an audio-computer assisted self-interview and donated specimens for STI/HIV testing. Forty-three percent recently engaged in penile-vaginal sex. They were less likely to report having concurrent partners (P = .01), unprotected fellatio (P = .04), multiple partners as a bottom (P < .02), any unprotected anal sex as a bottom (P < .013), and any anal sex (P = .007). They were equally likely …

Condom-Associated Erection Problems: A Study Of High-Risk Young Black Males Residing In The Southern United States, Cynthia A. Graham, Richard A. Crosby, Stephanie Sanders, Robin Milhausen, William L. Yarber

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Previous research indicates that young men may experience condom-associated erection loss and that these problems may lead to inconsistent or incomplete condom use. The primary aim of this study was to assess, using a retrospective recall period of 2 months, correlates of condom-associated erection problems among young Black men attending sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. Data were collected in clinics treating patients with STIs in three southern U.S. cities. Males 15 to 23 years of age who identified as Black/African American and reported recent (past 2 months) condom use were eligible. A total of 494 men participated. Nineteen percent reported …

Health Care Avoidance Among Rural Populations: Results From A Nationally Representative Survey, Angela M. Spleen, Eugene J. Lengerich, Fabian T. Camacho, Robin C. Vanderpool

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that certain populations, including rural residents, exhibit health care avoidant behaviors more frequently than other groups. Additionally, health care avoidance is related to sociodemographics, attitudes, social expectations, ability to pay for care, and prior experiences with providers. However, previous studies have been limited to specific geographic areas, particular health conditions, or by analytic methods.

METHODS: The 2008 Health Information Trends Survey (HINTS) was used to estimate the magnitude of health care avoidance nationally and, while controlling for confounding factors, identify groups of people in the United States who are more likely to avoid health care. Chi-square …

Occupational Injuries On Thoroughbred Horse Farms: A Description Of Latino And Non-Latino Workers' Experiences, Jennifer E. Swanberg, Jessica M. Clouser, Susan C. Westneat, Mary W. Marsh, Deborah B. Reed

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Animal production is a dangerous industry and increasingly reliant on a Latino workforce. Within animal production, little is known about the risks or the occupational hazards of working on farms involved in various aspects of thoroughbred horse breeding. Extant research suggests that horse workers are at risk of musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms, kicks, and other injuries. However, limited known research has examined the experiences of the industry's workers, including immigrant workers, despite their prominence and increased vulnerability. Using data collected from thoroughbred farm representatives via a phone-administered survey, a 2-hour face-to-face semi-structured interview, and farm injury logs, this article identifies …

Hpv Vaccination Among Young Adult Women: A Perspective From Appalachian Kentucky, Laurel A. Mills, Katharine J. Head, Robin C. Vanderpool

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have assessed barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake and adherence, particularly among women of Appalachian Kentucky, a population with higher rates of cervical cancer, lower rates of HPV vaccination, and lower socioeconomic status compared with the rest of the nation. The objective of this study was to address women's reasons for declining the HPV vaccine and, among women who initiated the vaccine series, barriers to completion of the 3-dose regimen.

METHODS: We recruited 17 women aged 18 to 26 from a Federally Qualified Health Center who participated in in-depth, semistructured telephone interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded …

Determinants Of Multimethod Contraceptive Use In A Sample Of Adolescent Women Diagnosed With Psychological Disorders, Delia L. Lang, Jessica M. Sales, Laura F. Salazar, Ralph J. Diclemente, Richard A. Crosby, Larry K. Brown, Geri R. Donenberg

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: Despite recommendations for concurrent use of contraceptives and condoms to prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs, multimethod contraceptive use among women is poor. This study examined individual-, interpersonal-, and environmental-level factors that predict multimethod use among sexually active adolescent women diagnosed with psychological disorders.

METHODS: This multisite study analyzed data from 288 sexually active adolescent women who provided sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral data related to birth control and condom use.

RESULTS: 34.7% of the participants reported multimethod use in the past three months. Controlling for empirically and theoretically relevant covariates, a multivariable logistic regression identified self-efficacy, multiple partners, pregnancy history, …

Cancer Information-Seeking Experiences: The Implications Of Hispanic Ethnicity And Spanish Language, Robin C. Vanderpool, Julie Kornfeld, Lila Finney Rutten, Linda Squiers

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Strategies to support cancer information-seeking among Hispanics are needed.

METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to explore cancer information-seeking experiences among respondents according to ethnicity and language of interview.

RESULTS: Over 80% of Spanish-speaking Hispanics had never looked for cancer information. Compared to English-speaking respondents, Spanish-speaking Hispanics who sought cancer information indicated their search took a lot of effort (67%), was hard to understand (54%), and frustrating (42%). Spanish-speaking Hispanics noted minimal confidence in obtaining cancer information.

CONCLUSIONS: Language and cultural differences must be considered in the design, implementation, and dissemination of …

Bridging The Critical Chasm Between Service And Research: The Cancer Information Service’S Collaboratory, Linda Squiers, Nigel Bush, Robin C. Vanderpool, Ludmila Cofta-Woerpel, Cecilia Fabrizio

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

As a collaboratory for cancer communication and education research, the National Cancer Institute's (NCIs) Cancer Information Service (CIS) is in an ideal position to bridge the critical chasm that exists between service and research. This article describes the CIS' current research program as well as the CIS Research Agenda launched in 2005. The CIS' progress in developing and supporting recently funded studies that address this agenda is detailed. The unique resources and opportunities available to researchers, public health practitioners, health care providers, and community-based organizations interested in developing collaborative cancer communication and cancer education studies with the CIS are identified …