scholarly journals Young people’s perceptions of accessing a community pharmacy for a chlamydia testing kit: a qualitative study based in North East England

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e052228
Author(s):  
Lara Ahmaro ◽  
Laura Lindsey ◽  
Simon Forrest ◽  
Cate Whittlesea
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Chlamydia Testing ◽  
North East ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
People’S Perceptions

ObjectivesChlamydia testing among young people in community pharmacies in North East England has been low compared with other remote settings offering testing for the past few years. To understand why this may be, to maximise service provision, the perceptions of young men and women about pharmacy testing and possible chlamydia treatment were gathered and interpreted.DesignIndepth, semistructured interviews.SettingFour youth centres in North East England.ParticipantsThe study included 26 young people aged 16–23. The sample of participants comprised those with a history of chlamydia testing as well as those never tested.InterviewsFace-to-face interviews were conducted between October 2018 and May 2019. The interview schedule covered young people’s perceptions of sexually transmitted infections, provision of pharmacy sexual and reproductive health and chlamydia testing, and potential chlamydia treatment. Data from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsThe geographical accessibility and long opening times of community pharmacies in North East England were perceived benefits of the service. However, young people had concerns about being judged by pharmacy staff or overheard by customers when requesting the test. Men did not want to be seen by their peers accessing the pharmacy. These barriers were associated with a perceived stigma of chlamydia. Despite this, young people thought that pharmacist advice on the test kit would be important to ensure they complete it correctly. Those never tested favoured how the kit could be taken home to complete the urine sample. The option of including chlamydia treatment was reported to be convenient and comforting.ConclusionSupporting pharmacies in North East England to offer a confidential chlamydia testing service is necessary to overcome young people’s perceived barriers to testing. Delivering testing as an integrated sexual health package with other pharmacy services, together with treatment where suitable, will increase acceptance for testing and timely access to treatment.

Australian pharmacy perspectives on increasing access to medicines through reclassification

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amary Mey ◽  
Michelle King ◽  
Fiona Kelly ◽  
Gary Grant ◽  
James Townshend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Long Term Therapy

Objectives Availability of medicines without prescription can increase consumers’ timely access to treatment and promote self-management of minor ailments and adherence to long-term medications. Globally, access to relevant medicines has improved through increased reclassification of medicines from prescription to non-prescription availability. However, Australian reclassification lags behind countries with comparable health systems, and the factors influencing this are poorly understood. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted during May 2015 to explore the perspectives of Australian pharmacists and support staff on future reclassification. Interview responses were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analysed thematically, primarily informed by the general inductive approach. Results Participants identified a broad range of medicines as candidates for future reclassification by applying risk versus benefit judgements, assessing any medicines with potential for misuse and hazardous medicines as unsuitable. Key drivers for change in classification were underpinned by participants’ desire to support consumers’ management of minor ailments and adherence for those on long-term therapy. Barriers to reclassification were identified by pharmacy staff as internal, negatively impacting pharmacists’ readiness for reclassification and external, negatively impacting the overall progress of change. Conclusions While the research provided valuable insights to inform the ongoing discussion on future reclassification, a larger, more representative sample is needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Patients’ expectations on medicines information

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sevikyan ◽  
I Kazaryan
Keyword(s):  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Medicine Price ◽  
Expiry Date ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Medicines Information ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Effective Use

Abstract Background Medicines information is important for patients as it assists them in achieving more safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. Many patients seek information from community pharmacies' staff. The objectives of this study were to identify specific topics of medicines information which patients expect to receive at community pharmacies. Methods Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1059 visitors of community pharmacies in Armenia. Previously developed questionnaire was used for interviewing patients. Data were analysed with the SPSS statistical software. Results Most of participants acknowledged importance of receiving from community pharmacies' staff information on therapeutic indications of medicines (91.1%), dosage and method of administration (90.8%), the duration of treatment (86.3%), expiry date (85.7%), adverse reactions (85.0%), contraindications (84.6%), storage conditions (77.5%) and type of activity (76.0%). Importance of receiving information on some specific topics depends on patients' age. Participants' acknowledgement of information on interaction with other medicines, certain categories of users, and potential effects on the ability to drive is decreasing with patients' age increasing (p < 0.001). The opposite trend was observed with attitude to receiving information on medicine price that was mostly valued by elderly patients (p = 0.046). The number of patients who trust the information provided was higher among those who more often received comprehensive responses from pharmacists and pharmacy assistants (p < 0.001). Conclusions Receiving medicines information from the staff of community pharmacies is important for patients, and the majority of them trust to information received. Patients are mainly provided with comprehensive responses to their questions about medicines, and there was dependence between a frequency of receiving comprehensive responses and a level of patients' trust the information provided by pharmacy staff. Key messages Increasing patients’ awareness on their right to get medicines information can be beneficial. Comprehensive responses increase patients trust medicines information provided by pharmacists.

Contraception for young people

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-167
Author(s):  
Rajesh Varma
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Competency Testing ◽  
Practice Approach ◽  
Age Appropriate

Significant progress has been made in improving the awareness of young people of available contraception services and their access to these services. Nonetheless, many young people are reluctant to engage with health care professionals, and thus, can experience adverse consequences, such as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. This article presents a best practice approach to the management of young people requesting contraception in primary care. A systematic approach is advocated, employing an age-appropriate consultation style, confidentiality, competency testing, risk assessment and an individualised contraceptive treatment plan.

scholarly journals Australian Community Pharmacy Harm-Minimisation Services: Scope for Service Expansion to Improve Healthcare Access

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Sara S. McMillan ◽  
Hidy Chan ◽  
Laetitia H. Hattingh
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Harm Minimisation ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Education Support

Community pharmacies are well positioned to participate in harm-minimisation services to reduce harms caused by both licit and illicit substances. Considering developments in pharmacist practices and the introduction of new professional pharmacy services, we identified a need to explore the contemporary role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the opinions of stakeholders, pharmacy staff, and clients about the role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation, including provision of current services, experiences, and expectations. Participants (n = 28) included 5 stakeholders, 9 consumers, and 14 staff members from seven community pharmacies. Three over-arching themes were identified across the three participants groups: (i) scope and provision, (ii) complexity, and (iii) importance of person-centred advice and support in relation to community pharmacy harm minimisation services. Community pharmacies are valuable healthcare destinations for delivery of harm minimisation services, with scope for service expansion. Further education, support, and remuneration are needed, as well as linkage to other sector providers, in order to ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy staff are well equipped to provide a range of harm minimisation services.

Sexual education in selected European countries - characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol 598 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-17
Author(s):  
Urszula Kempińska ◽  
Anna Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Sexual Education ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Scientific Truth ◽  
The Right

This article aims to present the characteristics of sex education in selected European countries. Particular attention should be paid to the need for compulsory and diligently conducted sexual education of young people as a preventive measure and a factor providing objective scientific truth. Normative systems and set of beliefs often create social taboos about sexuality. Based on the analysis of scientific sources published in Polish, French and English, this article also shows the essence of sex education in schools, as a way for young people to make the right choices, reduce the occurrence of risky behaviors and protect against and prevent sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy and sexual violence. Acquiring true and consistent with the current state of knowledge information on the human sexual sphere should be carried out throughout life. Conducting professional sex education classes at school would be an opportunity for all students to have equal access to information on this subject. Both for those who talk to their parents and those for whom it is a taboo. The presented effects of the lack of sexual education in schools show that its reliable and professional implementation is a means of providing help to young people and their families. However, in order to change the approach of parents and students to attending classes in this subject, it is necessary to improve the quality of teaching in this subject and to make some changes to the curriculum.

‘My mother thought upper secondary school was OK, but then my sibling said no’ - Young People's Perceptions of the Involvement of Parents and Siblings in their Future Choices

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Aaltonen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Young People ◽  
Vocational Education ◽  
Future Expectations ◽  
Older Brothers ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Support Programmes ◽  
People’S Perceptions

This paper seeks to contribute to the research on the role of the family in the educational decision-making of young people by highlighting two overlooked areas of study: vocational education and the role of siblings. It explores young, mainly working-class Finnish 15- to 17-year-olds’ future expectations and decision-making processes concerning the choice between the academic and vocational tracks by drawing on interviews with the young participants of targeted support programmes and their parents. The aim of the paper is to shed light both on how parents try to influence their children's post-school choices and on young people's perceptions of the influence that parents and older brothers and sisters had on their aspirations towards vocational education. The paper demonstrates how horizons for action and educational choices are influenced by family traditions and advice, but that the pieces of advice dispensed by parents and siblings are not necessarily in congruence with each other. The familial suggestions work as a point of reference which is acknowledged and reflected on in the young people's process of mapping and recognising their own preferences. The paper suggests that while the goals of parents and older siblings would not necessarily be upward mobility, but rather to help young people to make a decent choice within a sector corresponding to their own, it is important to acknowledge their influence as a resource valued by many young people.

scholarly journals New morbidity of the young

Stanovnistvo ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 53-76
Author(s):  
Biljana Stankovic
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Risky Behavior ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Preventive Activity ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Unwanted Pregnancies

In the present phase of epidemiological transition, the most frequent causes of youth morbidity are disorders in reproductive health, mental disorders and injuries which are not life threatening. This, so-called new youth morbidity, is most often caused by their risky behavior, which in the field of sexuality often leads to unplanned pregnancies and abortions, as well as sexually transmitted infections. Misuse of tobacco, alcohol and narcotics, which is most commonly started in adolescence, has an unfavorable short-term and long-term influence on the psycho-physical health of the young. All research, in the world and in our country, indicate gradual yet constant growth of sexual activity of the youth and the age decrease of its starting point, especially when girls are in question. Due to insufficient maturity and inadequate knowledge and consciousness on the necessity of protecting reproductive health, sexual behavior of young people can often be characterized as insufficiently responsible and not supplemented with the usage of adequate protective measures. The result is frequently abortion, which terminates 90% of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies in this age. This creates health and psychosocial risks, as well as giving birth in adolescence which is contrary to the modern health concepts that giving birth should not be performed too early, while the young are still developing. A significant increase in the frequency of sexually transmitted diseases is also present, to which the youth are especially susceptible due to the specific development period in which they are in. A serious medical and sociopathological problem of contemporary society represents the greater and greater misuse of psychoactive substances among the young people, with a tendency of decreasing the average age they are consumed for the first time, as well as the use of drugs and alcohol. With the increase of the anti-smoking campaign and restrictive measures in highly developed countries smoking among young people is decreasing, while it is increasing in Eastern Europe and developing countries. As the health disorders of young people mentioned above, are conditioned, above all, by their risky behavior and insufficient relation towards health, the degree to which they are widespread can be influenced by prevention. Educational and health institutes represent the carriers of preventive activity, which understands health education and aid to young people in overcoming life's skills, along with the necessity to direct support to the family as well, which maintains a significant place in the life of young people and has a important influence on their behavior to risk exposure. A significant influence is also legal and provision regulations, the role of mass media, as well as the activities of political, nongovernmental, religious and other organizations which determine the environment in which young people live.

scholarly journals Out-of-Hospital COVID-19 Deaths: Consequences for Quality of Medical Care and Accuracy of Cause of Death Coding

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (S2) ◽  
pp. S101-S106
Author(s):  
Elizabeth B. Pathak ◽  
Rebecca B. Garcia ◽  
Janelle M. Menard ◽  
Jason L. Salemi
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Young People ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Quality Of Medical Care ◽  
Access To Medical Care ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Objectives. To examine age and temporal trends in the proportion of COVID-19 deaths occurring out of hospital or in the emergency department and the proportion of all noninjury deaths assigned ill-defined causes in 2020. Methods. We analyzed newly released (March 2021) provisional COVID-19 death tabulations for the entire United States. Results. Children (younger than 18 years) were most likely (30.5%) and elders aged 64 to 74 years were least likely (10.4%) to die out of hospital or in the emergency department. In parallel, among all noninjury deaths, younger people had the highest proportions coded to symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions, and percentage symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions increased from 2019 to 2020 in all age–race/ethnicity groups. The majority of young COVID-19 decedents were racial/ethnic minorities. Conclusions. The high proportions of all noninjury deaths among children, adolescents, and young adults that were coded to ill-defined causes in 2020 suggest that some COVID-19 deaths were missed because of systemic failures in timely access to medical care for vulnerable young people. Public Health Implications. Increasing both availability of and access to the best hospital care for young people severely ill with COVID-19 will save lives and improve case fatality rates.

scholarly journals Linguistic Negotiations of Sexual Agency in Sexuality Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brian Walter King
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Sexual Agency ◽  
Subject Positions ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Classroom Resources

<p>The investigative aim of this thesis is to explore the role of language in the construction of sexuality agency during a classroom-based sexuality education programme for adolescents. The thesis begins with an examination of the motivations behind the study of agency in relation to sexuality. Overlapping research gaps in the fields of language and gender/sexuality and sexuality education are identified. Scholars from both fields have pinpointed difficulties with the accessing of agentive sexual subject positions by young people (particularly young women) during conversation. Investigations into sexuality education in New Zealand have suggested that ‘Discourses’ of sexuality in classrooms and broader school communities position students as ‘sexual’ while simultaneously constructing them as innocent and childlike (and thus non-sexual). These ‘large-D’ Discourses have been identified as possible reasons for a lack of decline in the rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease amongst young people despite an overt focus on such topics in sexuality education. The theory is that because they have not developed a sense of agency in relation to sexuality, young people are ill-equipped to navigate the risks of sexual activity. A question which remains is exactly how sexual agency is negotiated through ‘small-d’ discourse (e.g. ‘talk’), by young people in classrooms. This study focuses on language usage during classroom discussions of sexuality in order to shed light on linguistic strategies that young people employ in order to position themselves (or not) as sexual agents during sexuality education, and how they respond to being similarly positioned, both by others and by their classroom resources. In order to gain an understanding of the working dynamics of the school and classroom, an ethnographic approach was employed. The researcher participated in classes for a period of time before the sexuality programme began in order to observe relations between the participants, including the distribution of power amongst teacher and students. These observations were essential to comprehending the understandings that participants bring to the processes and activities under study. This approach also permitted the tracing of the emergence of a community of practice in this classroom. Through close attention to language via poststructuralist discourse analysis, it has been possible to demonstrate how interactants performatively lay claim to (or avoid) sexual agency in this community of practice. By actively participating in discussions of sexuality, the students, both boys and girls, experience being placed in sexually agentive subject positions. They respond in various ways; sometimes aligning, sometimes resisting, other times resignifying those positions in complex interactions of masculinity, femininity, desire, and sexual identity. Finally, the findings of this thesis are assembled in order to consider implications for the study of language and sexuality as well as considering the importance of discursive positionings (by teachers and classroom resources) for future student possibilities in terms of sexual agency development.</p>

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