1,720,980 research outputs found
Preferences for the format of text messages containing results of online screening for sexually transmitted infections: a service evaluation
No full textWe conducted an online survey to examine the preferences for receiving a text message with results of a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as part of online self-sampling service at Solent NHS Trust. Findings showed that if all tests were negative, participants would prefer to receive one text message. However, in the event of a positive result, a large majority (86%) would prefer to receive a separate text with the name of the STI for which the test was positive. Similarly, three-quarters (74%) of participants would prefer to receive multiple texts indicating which test was inconclusive and required an additional sample. The results of this survey support a change of practice to sending multiple text messages with the results of online self-sampling that include the names of STIs.</p
Feasibility study of the home-based exercises for responsible sex (HERS) intervention to promote correct and consistent condom use among young women
Full text linkBackground: Male condoms are effective in preventing common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy, if used correctly and consistently. However, condom use errors and problems are common and young people report negative experiences, such as reduced pleasure. The Kinsey Institute Home-Based Exercises for Responsible Sex (KIHERS) is a novel condom promotion intervention for young women, which aims to reduce condom errors and problems, increase self-efficacy and improve attitudes towards condoms, using a pleasure-focussed approach. The study objective was to test the operability, viability and acceptability of an adapted version of the KIHERS intervention with young women aged 16–25 years in the United Kingdom (UK) (Home-Based Exercises for Responsible Sex-UK (HERS-UK). Methods: A repeated-measures single-arm design was used, with a baseline (T1) and two follow-up assessments (T2 and T3), conducted 4 weeks and 8 weeks post intervention over a 3-month period. Participants were provided a condom kit containing different condoms and lubricants and were asked to experiment with condoms alone using a dildo and/or with a sexual partner. Ten process evaluation interviews were conducted post intervention. Results: Fifty-five young women received the intervention; 36 (65%) completed T2 and 33 (60%) completed T3. Condom use errors and problems decreased, self-efficacy increased and attitudes towards condoms improved significantly. The proportion of participants who reported using a condom for intercourse in the past 4 weeks increased from T1 (20; 47%) to T2 (27; 87%) and T3 (23; 77%) and using lubricant with a condom for intercourse increased from T1 (6; 30%) to T2 (13; 48%)) and T3 (16; 70%). However, motivation to use condoms did not change. Cronbach’s alpha scores indicated good internal consistency of measures used. Qualitative data provided strong evidence for the acceptability of the intervention. Conclusions: HERS-UK was implemented as intended and the recruitment strategy was successful within a college/university setting. This feasibility study provided an early indication of the potential effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention, and the benefits of using a pleasure-focussed approach with young women. Measures used captured change in outcome variables and were deemed fit for purpose. Future research should explore cost-effectiveness of this intervention, in a large-scale controlled trial using a diverse sample and targeting young women most at risk of STIs.</p
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
'Jabs for the boys': time to deliver on HPV vaccination recommendations
Full text linkHuman papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes in the UK were established in 2008, and targeted females aged 12–13 years. This decision was based on recommendations from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), after assessing the available evidence for the impact and cost effectiveness of HPV vaccination programmes. The theory was that reducing HPV rates in females would result in lower infection rates in males of a similar age. This herd immunity did not extend to men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) or heterosexual men having sex abroad. Public Health England (PHE) undertook a trial of a targeted HPV vaccination programme for MSM in 2016–2017. The 12-month pilot involved MSM up to 45 years of age being offered Gardasil® 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, through genitourinary medicine (GUM) and HIV clinics across England. GPs were not included in the pilot as there was insufficient evidence of acceptability and effective delivery. The pilot was reported as a success, and PHE has recommended rolling out this programme across England.1 The JCVI issued an interim statement regarding extending HPV immunisation to adolescent males in July 2017, again concluding that there was insufficient evidence for benefit in males.2 However, after strong responses through stakeholder consultations, continued pressure from lobby groups such as HPV Action (www.hpvaction.org), and further analysis of the latest research, the JCVI recently (18 July 2018) recommended extending the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent males.
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Behavioural factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability amongst men who have sex with men in the United Kingdom
Full text linkReducing new chlamydia infection among young men by promoting correct and consistent condom use: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Full text linkBackground: The health, social, and economic costs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health concern. Young people are considered one of the groups most at risk for acquiring and transmitting STIs. Correct and consistent condom use has been shown to be the most effective method for reducing STIs; however, condoms are often not used properly. Evidence shows that brief behavior change interventions that focus on skills, communication, and motivation to acquire safe sex practices should be adopted into routine care to reduce STIs. Funding for sexual health services in England has declined dramatically, so novel ways of reducing clinic attendance are being sought. The home-based intervention strategy (HIS-UK) to promote condom use among young men has shown promise in feasibility and pilot studies by demonstrating high acceptability of the intervention in participant and health professional feedback, including aiding men to find condoms they like and feel more confident when using condoms. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HIS-UK when compared to usual condom distribution care among young men. Methods: The 3 trial arms consisting of "e-HIS" (HIS-UK delivered digitally), "ProHIS" (HIS-UK delivered face-to-face), and control condition (usual National Health Service [NHS] care) will be compared against the following 3 primary outcomes: the extent to which correct and consistent condom use is increased; improvement of condom use experiences (pleasure as well as fit and feel); and decrease in chlamydia test positivity. Eligibility criteria include men aged 16-25 years at risk of STIs through reporting of condom use errors (ie, breakage or slippage) or condomless penile-vaginal or penile-anal intercourse with casual or new sexual partners during the previous 3 months. Prospective participants will be recruited through targeted advertisements and an opportunistic direct approach at selected sexual health and genitourinary medicine services and university-associated health centers and general practitioner practices. Community and educational establishments will be used to further advertise the study and signpost men to recruitment sites. Participants will be randomly allocated to 1 of 3 trial arms. A repeated measures design will assess the parallel arms with baseline and 12 monthly follow-up questionnaires after intervention and 3 chlamydia screening points (baseline, 6, and 12 months). Results: Recruitment commenced in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was halted and has since reopened for recruitment in Summer 2021. A 30-month recruitment period is planned. Conclusions: If effective and cost-effective, HIS-UK can be scaled up into routine NHS usual care to reduce both STI transmission in young people and pressure on NHS resources. This intervention may further encourage sexual health services to adopt digital technologies, allowing for them to become more widely available to young people while decreasing health inequalities and fear of stigmatization.</p
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