Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks): Iterative Development of a Sex Communication Video Series for Parents of Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Male Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalmacio D. Flores ◽  
Andre A. Rosario ◽  
Keosha T. Bond ◽  
Antonia M. Villarruel ◽  
Jose A. Bauermeister

Effective parent–child sex communication enhances heterosexual youths’ efficacy to engage in health promotive behaviors, yet there is scarce research on parent–child sex communication with gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) sons during adolescence. Our aim is to describe the development of Parents ASSIST, a web-based series of animated videos for parents of GBQ adolescent males focused on (a) parental education about sexual health topics pertinent to this population’s same-sex concerns, (b) modeling of communication skills for parents to broach and sustain inclusive discussions at home, and (c) norming the role of providers as reliable sources of support when parents seek GBQ-related health information. Community-based advisory boards, comprised of parents and health care providers, respectively, informed the intervention development. Based on study notes and the research team’s reflections, we present lessons learned that focus on content-based and logistical challenges that arose during the intervention development process. This study extends practice and patient education by providing an innovative, primary intervention that partners with parents of an underserved youth population.

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 528-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalmacio Flores ◽  
Sharron L. Docherty ◽  
Michael V. Relf ◽  
Ross E. McKinney ◽  
Julie V. Barroso

Sex communication interventions facilitate positive sexual health outcomes with heterosexual adolescents. The same has yet to be established for male youth with same-sex attractions, behaviors, and identities. Our study describes the experiences of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ)-identifying adolescent males with parent-child sex communication. We conducted 30 in-depth semistructured interviews with a diverse group of 15- to 20-year-old GBQ males. Interview transcripts were coded, and themes were identified using thematic and content analysis. Narratives revealed that sex communication with parents occurs rarely, is heteronormative in content prior to adolescent males’ disclosure as GBQ, and after disclosure is reactionary and based on stereotypes that associate this population with negative health outcomes. Parents were rated poorly as sex educators by adolescent males, and the findings are mixed regarding perception of parents’ knowledge about GBQ-specific information. Parents and health care providers were identified as preferred sources of sex information by GBQ adolescent males. Sex communication with parents throughout adolescence that excludes GBQ males’ same-sex concerns is a missed opportunity for targeted sexual risk reduction. There are multiple ways health care providers can assist parents to plan age-appropriate, sexuality-inclusive, home-based discussions about sex for this group.


2003 ◽  
Vol 42 (02) ◽  
pp. 185-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Haux ◽  
C. Kulikowski ◽  
A. Bohne ◽  
R. Brandner ◽  
B. Brigl ◽  
...  

Summary Objectives: The Yearbook of Medical Informatics is published annually by the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) and contains a selection of excellent papers on medical informatics research which have been recently published (www.yearbook.uni-hd.de). The 2003 Yearbook of Medical Informatics took as its theme the role of medical informatics for the quality of health care. In this paper, we will discuss challenges for health care, and the lessons learned from editing IMIA Yearbook 2003. Results and Conclusions: Modern information processing methodology and information and communication technology have strongly influenced our societies and health care. As a consequence of this, medical informatics as a discipline has taken a leading role in the further development of health care. This involves developing information systems that enhance opportunities for global access to health services and medical knowledge. Informatics methodology and technology will facilitate high quality of care in aging societies, and will decrease the possibilities of health care errors. It will also enable the dissemination of the latest medical and health information on the web to consumers and health care providers alike. The selected papers of the IMIA Yearbook 2003 present clear examples and future challenges, and they highlight how various sub-disciplines of medical informatics can contribute to this.


2020 ◽  

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This disease is highly endemic in some regions of North America, Central America, and South America and is also reported in certain countries of Asia and Africa. It often affects people with impaired immunity, including people living with HIV, among whom the most frequent clinical presentation is disseminated histoplasmosis. The symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis are non-specific and may be indistinguishable from those of other infectious diseases, especially disseminated tuberculosis (TB), thus complicating diagnosis and treatment. Histoplasmosis is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections caused by fungal pathogens among people living with HIV in the Americas and may be responsible for 5–15% of AIDS-related deaths every year in this Region. These guidelines aim to provide recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disseminated histoplasmosis in persons living with HIV. Although the burden of disease is concentrated in the Americas, the recommendations presented within these guidelines are applicable globally. These guidelines were produced in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) handbook for guideline development. The Guideline Development Group elaborated the final recommendations based on a systematic review of scientific literature and critical evaluation of the evidence available using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. These guidelines are intended for health-care providers, HIV program managers, policy-makers, national treatment advisory boards, researchers, and other professionals involved in caring for people who either have or may be at risk of developing disseminated histoplasmosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofía Gómez ◽  
Heide Castañeda

The “DACAmented Voices in Healthcare” project examined the intersection of restrictive immigration policies and health care via photovoice, a participatory action research approach, with immigrant youth living in Arizona, who were recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These “DACAmented” youth took part in nine photovoice sessions exploring their health care experiences and accessibility to care using documentary photography and narratives. They poignantly illustrated their experiences through images identifying their main health concerns and strengths, facilitating the development of health policy recommendations. This article illustrates the thematic findings and discusses policy recommendations and lessons learned from presentations to policy makers and health care providers. Findings suggest that immigrant youth are knowledgeable of their family’s health care needs and hold a unique and important position within mixed-status households. Health care providers can benefit from the proposed recommendations by building bridges to care to address health equity in immigrant communities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110285
Author(s):  
Taylor Newman ◽  
Jung Sun Lee

Produce prescription programs (PPPs) have grown in numbers in the past decade, empowering health care providers to promote health by issuing subsidies for produce to vulnerable patients. However, little research has been conducted on the facilitators that make it easier for PPPs to succeed or the barriers that programs face, which could provide guidance on how to improve future PPP design and implementation. The study sought to identify the facilitators and barriers affecting positive outcomes in Georgia PPPs called Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Programs. A process evaluation with a qualitative comparative case study approach was conducted. Fifteen FVRx providers, ranging from nutrition educators to farmers market managers, were interviewed in a focus group interview or on the phone between 2016 and 2017. Two nutrition education classes and an FVRx best practices meeting were observed, and program documents were collected. Interview transcripts, field notes from observations, and documents were then thematically analyzed. Four overall themes were determined regarding facilitators and barriers experienced by FVRx programs: (1) creating accessible programming may encourage FVRx participation, (2) provider dedication to the program is important, (3) participants’ challenging life circumstances can make participation difficult, and (4) the sustainability of the program is a concern. The findings of this study suggest helpful strategies and challenges for providers to consider when developing and implementing PPPs in Georgia and beyond. Research on the long-term program impact is needed, and policy options for sustainable, scaling up of PPPs should be explored.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.K.L. Chia

Early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer is the most common subtype and stage presenting in countries with organized screening programs. Standard clinical and pathologic factors are routinely used to support prognosis and decisions about adjuvant therapies. Hormone receptor and her2 status are essential for decision-making about the use of adjuvant hormonal and anti-her2 therapies respectively. Genomic assays are now commercially available to aid in either further prognostication or in refining the potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The current genomic assays all generally quantify estrogen receptor and proliferation gene sets (among others) by rna expression, although the specific genes assayed are quite discordant. The present review focuses on the pivotal studies in which each assay attempted to demonstrate clinical utility, with an emphasis on prospective trial data for each assay, if available. Using genomic assays, health care providers will increasingly be able to individualize therapy or de-escalate therapy, optimizing clinic benefit while minimizing toxicities from systemic therapies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-353
Author(s):  
Tara Kirk Sell ◽  
Sanjana J. Ravi ◽  
Crystal Watson ◽  
Diane Meyer ◽  
Laura E. Pechta ◽  
...  

Objectives The spread of Zika virus throughout Latin America and parts of the United States in 2016 and 2017 presented a challenge to public health communicators. The objective of our study was to describe emergency risk communication practices during the 2016-2017 Zika outbreak to inform future infectious disease communication efforts. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 13 public health policy makers and practitioners, 10 public information officers, and 5 vector-control officials from May through August 2017. Results Within the public health macro-environment, extended outbreak timeframe, government trust, US residence status, and economic insecurity set the backdrop for Zika communication efforts. Limited resources, staffing, and partnerships negatively affected public health structural capacity for communication efforts. Public health communicators and practitioners used a range of processes and practices to engage in education and outreach, including fieldwork, community meetings, and contact with health care providers. Overall, public health agencies’ primary goals were to prevent Zika infection, reduce transmission, and prevent adverse birth outcomes. Conclusions Lessons learned from this disease response included understanding the macro-environment, developing partnerships across agencies and the community, and valuing diverse message platforms. These lessons can be used to improve communication approaches for health officials at the local, state, and federal levels during future infectious disease outbreaks.


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