scholarly journals An Investigation Into the Relationship Between STI-Related Stigma and the Psychological and Social Wellbeing of Individuals Diagnosed With an STI in an Irish Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbie Robinson ◽  
David McGovern

Little is known about the relationship between the stigma associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the psychosocial wellbeing of those living with STIs. Stigma stems from societal norms and no prior study has explored this relationship among adults living in Ireland, where traditionally chaste and religious views regarding sexuality are upheld. The present study aimed to explore the psychosocial wellbeing of adults living with STIs in Ireland and identify if female and Catholic participants were disproportionately affected by STI-related stigma. 685 participants (224 male, 450 female, 10 non-binary, 1 unknown, aged 18-51 years) completed an online survey consisting of questions regarding demographic information, STI history, four measures of wellbeing (depression/anxiety, mental wellbeing, self-esteem and social wellbeing) and STI-related stigma. Participants reporting higher STI-related stigma had significantly lower psychosocial wellbeing than those reporting lower STI-related stigma (p < .001). Females with an STI reported significantly higher STI-related stigma (p = .001) and significantly lower psychosocial wellbeing than males (p = .001). No differences were found in overall wellbeing or stigma between those with and without an STI and between Catholics and non-Catholics. Based on these findings, it is recommended that targeted support is provided to women and those living in culturally stigmatising environments to buffer the risk of stigmatisation and decreased psychosocial wellbeing associated with an STI diagnosis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Ehlke ◽  
Michelle L. Kelley

This cross-sectional study examined whether depressive symptoms strengthened the relationship between different forms of sexual coercion victimization and drinking to cope motivations, which was hypothesized to influence alcohol use. Participants were 214 female undergraduates who completed an online survey. Participants who experienced any lifetime sexual coercion and reported higher depressive symptoms were the most likely to report drinking to cope motivations, which in turn were associated with alcohol use. Depressive symptoms did not strengthen the relationship between specific forms of sexual coercion, drinking to cope, and alcohol use. Increasing emotion regulation strategies among sexual coercion victims may reduce drinking.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 556-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel O'Farrell ◽  
Maria Quigley ◽  
Paul Fox

This study was undertaken to determine whether non-circumcised men have inferior standards of genital hygiene behaviour, as measured by reported washing of the whole penis, compared with circumcised men. Male attenders at a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic at Ealing Hospital, London had routine STI tests and examinations performed and were asked about the frequency and thoroughness of genital washing. One hundred and fifty non-circumcised and 75 circumcised men were enrolled. Not always washing the whole penis, including retracting the foreskin in non-circumcised men every time they washed (defined as inferior genital hygiene behaviour) was more common in non-circumcised (26%) than circumcised men (4%) (crude odds ratio = 8.43, 95% confidence interval: 2.51–28.3, P<0.001) and those with balanitis (42% and 5%, P=0.036). Circumcised men were more likely than non-circumcised men to wash the genital area more than once a day (37% and 19%, P=0.011). Studies investigating the relationship between male circumcision status and other outcomes, for example HIV infection, should include assessment of genital hygiene.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
lulua falah alasousi ◽  
sara alhammouri ◽  
sara alabdulhadi

Background: Rising fear and panic among public during COVID19 pandemic increase concern regarding anxiety cases in Kuwait. Media capture our attention during this period looking for daily virus update lead to more fear . Our purpose of this study to examine the relationship between anxiety and media exposure among Kuwaiti during COVID19 outbreak Method: cross sectional study among Kuwaiti citizen between age23-55yrs old was conducted from April,21,2020 to May,15,2020 using online survey. Total of 1230 participants involve in the current study after exclusion criteria removed. Beside demographic data and media exposure anxiety was assessed using generalized anxiety disorder scale GAD-7. multivariable regression was used to identify the correlation between anxiety and media exposure Result: the result show that there is positive correlation between media exposure and anxiety during COVID19 outbreak in Kuwait (p<.001), furthermore it revealed that there is significant relationship between the frequency of exposure and anxiety(<.001) Conclusion: from this study we can understand that during COVID19 pandemic exposure to media can cause anxiety therefore measures should be taken by the governments to fight misinformation and physician should pay more attention to mental health disease during this period.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e048983
Author(s):  
Tianyu Jiang ◽  
Xudong Zhou ◽  
Leesa Lin ◽  
Yanzheng Pan ◽  
Yuyuan Zhong ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe the situation of COVID-19-related stigma towards patients with COVID-19 and people from the city of Wuhan in China and to assess the associations between COVID-19-related stigma, health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics during March 2020, the early stage of the pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional online survey.SettingThe study surveyed 31 provinces in China.ParticipantsThis study surveyed 5039 respondents in China.Outcome measuresPublic stigma towards both patients with COVID-19 and Wuhan residents was measured. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with public COVID-19-related stigma.ResultsAmong the participants, 122 (2.4%) reported themselves and 254 (5.0%) reported the communities they lived in as holding a stigmatising attitude towards patients with COVID-19, respectively. Additionally, 114 (2.5%) and 475 (10.3%) reported that themselves and the communities they lived in, respectively, held a stigma against people from Wuhan, which was the most severely affected area in China. People aged over 40, lived in areas with severe epidemics (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.03, 95% CI (1.05 to 3.92)) and who felt it difficult to find and understand information about COVID-19 (aOR=1.91, 95% CI (1.08 to 3.37); aOR=1.88, 95% CI (1.08 to 3.29)) were more likely to stigmatise patients with COVID-19. People who were male, aged 41–50 and had difficulty understanding information (aOR=2.08, 95% CI (1.17 to 3.69)) were more likely to stigmatise people from Wuhan.ConclusionsPatients with COVID-19 and Wuhan residents suffered stigma at both the individual and the community levels. Those who had low health literacy, who lived in areas with a large number of COVID-19 cases and who were of ethnic minorities were more likely to stigmatise others. Tailored interventions are encouraged to improve health literacy and consequently to reduce public COVID-19-related stigma.


Author(s):  
Mihai-Bogdan IOVU ◽  
Remus RUNCAN ◽  
Patricia-Luciana RUNCAN ◽  
Felicia ANDRIONI

Background: In recent years, Facebook has increasingly become an essential part of the lives of people, particularly youths, thus many research efforts have been focused on investigating the potential connection between social networking and mental health issues. This study aimed to examine the relationship between Facebook use, emotional state of depression, and family satisfaction. Methods: This study used the online survey created in Google Docs on the Facebook ‘wall’, as research method. The survey was available during Jun-Jul 2015 in Romania. In our cross-sectional study on a sample of 708 young Facebook users (aged 13-35), we divided the sample into 3 groups: ordinary, middle, and intense Facebook users. Materials and instruments: the survey comprised a series of basic demographic as well as some measures of Facebook addiction, depression, and family satisfaction. We used two methods connected with extensive Facebook usage, the first one measuring only the intensity of use, and the second one measuring not only the intensity but also the consequences of this use. Results: Facebook engagement is negatively related to family satisfaction. Moreover, Facebook engagement is positively related to depression symptoms. The Pearson correlations showed that higher Facebook intensity is positively associated with Facebook addiction. Conclusion: The study confirm previously published findings of other authors in the fields of social networking psychology. The study examined the relationship between Facebook use, depression, and life satisfaction and the hypotheses were supported.  


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253295
Author(s):  
Khaled Seetan ◽  
Mohammad Al-Zubi ◽  
Yousef Rubbai ◽  
Mohammad Athamneh ◽  
Almu’atasim Khamees ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and has resulted in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological impact. This prospective cross-sectional study is exploring the effect of the pandemic on mental health of medical students. The study was conducted at six Jordanian medical schools using an online survey to collect students’ socio-demographic and academic data. Assessment of mental wellbeing status was done using Kessler’s psychological stress scale (K10); the impact of COVID-19 on life activities and strategies followed to manage the situation were also examined. A total of 553 medical students were recruited for the study. Men constituted 40.1%, and women were 59.9%. Students reported that COVID-19 has affected the aspects of physical fitness (73.1%), study (68.4%), and social relationships (65.6%) the most. Sixty-six percent of the students were concerned about family members’ affection, and more than half (58.4%) explained their concerns about the inability to get clinical sessions and labs. Cooking, baking, and hobby practicing were the most popular methods to improve their mental wellbeing. About half of the participants had a severe mental disorder, and only 13.2% were likely to be well. The study indicates that half of our medical students suffer severe mental disorders, with physical fitness, exercise, and studying being among the most affected aspects during the COVID 19 pandemic. It is recommended that measures need be taken to alleviate students’ stress, which might have deleterious effects in many aspects.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yin ◽  
Angela Chia-Chen Chen ◽  
Shaoping Wan ◽  
Hong Chen

Abstract Background The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. However, only limited research about HIV-related stigma toward PLWH from the perspective of nurses in Liangshan has been conducted. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses and determine factors associated with it in Liangshan, China. Methods Using a stratified, random cluster sampling method, registered nurses (N=1,248; primary hospitals=102, secondary hospitals=592, tertiary hospitals=554) were recruited 10 hospitals in Liangshan. All participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma and HIV knowledge. We used multiple stepwise regression analysis to examine factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among these nurses. Results The mean score of HIV-related stigma among nurses was 50.7 (SD = 8.3; range 25-78). Nurses who were more experienced, had higher levels of education, and were working in tertiary hospitals reported higher level of HIV-related stigma. Those who had better HIV knowledge, reported a willingness to receive HIV-related training, were working in areas that had a high prevalence of HIV, had prior experience working in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) specialized hospitals, and worked in hospitals that had policies to protect PLWH showed a lower level of HIV-related stigma toward PLWH. Conclusions Findings suggested that providing culturally congruent education and training about HIV and care, and having hospitals that promoted policies protecting PLWH, may reduce HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses in China.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal Malik ◽  
Kassandra Harding ◽  
Andres Garcia

BACKGROUND COVID-19 may influence healthcare seeking behaviors among university students due to their beliefs about the virus, disruptions in access to care, or both. This has not been studied among university students, particularly those attending a minority-serving institution (MSI). OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare seeking behaviors among students attending an MSI. METHODS An online survey was sent to all registered students at a public MSI between February and March 2021. Frequency of in-person and virtual contacts with a healthcare professional across a sample of months in 2019 and 2020 were compared using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests. RESULTS Approximately 52.5% reported no in-person visits during the pandemic compared to 47.8% pre-pandemic (Z = -1.800, P = .07). Approximately 47.7% reported no virtual contact during the pandemic compared to 77.5% reporting no virtual contact with a medical provider pre-pandemic (Z = 11.011, P < .001). When in-person and virtual contacts were combined, 43.5% of respondents reported no virtual or in-person contact with medical providers pre-pandemic compared with 34.1% during the pandemic (Z = 3.918, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS Among university students attending a public MSI, in-person visits and contact with their respective healthcare providers decreased during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These results are of particular importance given the relationship between seeking healthcare and the maintenance of health behaviors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Isha Tajane ◽  
Aamena Golwala ◽  
Devanshi Nangia ◽  
Isha Chavan

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced children to spend increased amounts of time at home resulting in adverse effects on their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Parents need to be aware about the changes in the mental and physical health of the children. Objectives: To identify the physical and mental health problems the children are facing because of the lockdown and to assess the awareness of such problems amongst the parents. Design: A cross sectional online survey was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on physical and mental health of the children from parents' perspectives. Setting: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Main Outcome Measure: Parent reported questionnaire. Results and conclusion: There were a significant increase in the number of hours spent on mobile phones, sitting, and sleeping during the lockdown as compared to before the lockdown whereas the number of hours spent on physical activity significantly decreased and also impacted their mental health. By taking part in the survey, the parents of the children became aware of the changes occurring in their child. These findings can guide immediate programmatic and policy efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics.


Author(s):  
Christopher Balchin ◽  
Ai Lyn Tan ◽  
Oliver J. Wilson ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Antonios Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have significantly reduced population-wide physical activity (PA) levels. However, the impact of the pandemic and relevant restrictions on PA participation, and any potential barriers to it, in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not clear. Furthermore, we are unsure if any such PA changes have affected their body weight, mental wellbeing, and/or quality of life (QoL). Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of the lockdown on PA participation in people with RA, versus people without RA. Participants (n = 128; RA = 27, non-RA = 101) completed a self-administered online survey, which included questions on PA, body weight, mental wellbeing and QoL. PA participation during lockdown was significantly lower among RA versus non-RA participants (p < 0.001). Additionally, a similar profile of results was found where more RA participants vs non-RA participants reported reduced habitual PA (59% vs 33%) and increased body weight (59% vs 35%). Mental wellbeing scores were similarly low in both groups during lockdown (RA: 20.8 ± 4.2; non-RA: 22.2 ± 3.4, p = 0.080). Matched group comparisons identified similar trends to full sample analyses. In the first months of the lockdown, more people with RA reported decreased PA participation and increased body weight than their non-RA counterparts. Access to exercise equipment and facilities appears to be the main cause for these results. Looking beyond COVID-19, specific PA promotion for people with RA will be required to prevent a pandemic of inactivity.


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