Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing without face-to-face counselling is increasingly offered at sexual health centers (SHC), and ordering self-sampling tests online is becoming more popular. However, the impact of testing without counselling on behavior is unknown. We examine the impact of STI testing with and without consultation and the combined effect of a positive test result and treatment consultation, on behavioral and psychological characteristics over time. ⋯ Furthermore, condom use increased in chlamydia positive, and decreased in chlamydia negative participants. A treatment consultation/positive test result had a risk-reducing impact on behavioral and psychological characteristics, whereas the impact of a test consultation was limited. Since the majority of young heterosexuals test chlamydia negative, alternative interventions (e.g., online) achieving risk-reducing behavior change targeted to individuals who tested negative are needed.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Mental Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic among US Adults without a Pre-existing Mental Health Condition: Findings from American Trend Panel Survey.
Most individuals in the United States have no history of a mental health condition yet are at risk for psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk and protective factors of psychological distress, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in this group. Data comes from the Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel (ATP), a probability-based online survey panel representative of the US adult population. ⋯ Fifteen percent of the sample experienced 2 psychological distress symptoms for at least 3 days over the past week; 13% had three or more symptoms. Risk factors for higher distress included searching online or using social media to post about coronavirus, reporting that the outbreak caused major changes to personal life, and perception that the virus was a threat to the US economy, the individual's personal health or finances. This has important implications for mental health service delivery.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Exposure to tobacco content in episodic programs and tobacco and E-cigarette initiation.
While prior research suggests a relationship between exposure to tobacco content in movies and smoking, less is known about the impact of exposure to tobacco through episodic programs. This study assessed the relationship between exposure to tobacco content in programs on Netflix and broadcast or cable TV and initiation of combustible tobacco or e-cigarette use among young people. A nationally representative, longitudinal sample (ages 15-21 at baseline) was surveyed about exposure to episodic programs previously analyzed for the presence of tobacco and subsequent use of combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes. ⋯ Results suggest exposure to tobacco in episodic programs may impact future e-cigarette use. Ongoing monitoring of the impact of tobacco content in episodic programs is needed as the number of available programs continues to increase. Findings highlight the need for policy and advocacy efforts to reduce young people's exposure to tobacco content across all media platforms.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Adherence to aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise guidelines and associations with psychological distress: A cross-sectional study of 14,050 English adults.
Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the prevention and management of psychological distress. However, no studies have investigated which combination/s of PA prescribed in the current global guidelines (i.e. aerobic moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] and muscle-strengthening exercise [MSE]) are most strongly linked to reduced psychological distress. This study aimed to examine how PA guidelines adherence is associated with psychological distress. ⋯ Compared to category 1, the likelihood of experiencing high psychological distress was lowest in category 4 (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.77) followed by category 3 (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67-0.90), while it did not differ in category 2 (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.75-2.05). This is the first study to identify the association between PA guidelines adherence and psychological distress in a large population sample. Findings suggest that meeting both aerobic MVPA and MSE guidelines might be most beneficial for mental health.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Associations of home and workplace vaping restrictions with e-cigarette use among U.S. adults.
The current study examined home and workplace vaping restrictions and their associations with e-cigarette use, frequency of e-cigarette use, and exposure to environmental vape aerosol among adults in the U. S. We used data from the 2018 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to determine these associations. ⋯ Vaping restrictions in homes were associated with lower prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use. Those in worksites with complete vaping bans were less likely to be exposed to environmental aerosol at work. Home e-cigarette restrictions appear to have a stronger association with e-cigarette use behaviors than workplace restrictions.