scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of an Online Education-Entertainment Intervention to Increase Knowledge of HIV and Uptake of HIV Testing among Colombian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1811
Author(s):  
Ana María del Río-González ◽  
Maria Cecilia Zea ◽  
Sarah K. Calabrese ◽  
Fabián Betancourt ◽  
Jorge Pacheco-Cabrales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Sex With Men

Using a community-based participatory approach, we developed a film to promote HIV testing among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bogotá. Using a 5-step process to develop the intervention, we conducted 11 focus groups with MSM (n = 141) to receive community feedback at each step. To evaluate the intervention we recruited 300 young MSM to complete a baseline survey in December 2017. Between February–June 2018, 63 participants watched the film and completed a post-viewing survey, which showed the intervention was acceptable for the target population. Between August–December 2018, 48 MSM who watched the film and 47 who did not (control group) completed a follow-up survey. To obtain preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the intervention, we assessed the main effect of time (baseline vs. follow-up) and the interaction between time and group (intervention vs. control) on HIV testing uptake and intentions, and knowledge of HIV transmission dynamics and HIV-related rights. Knowledge of HIV rights increased from baseline to follow-up in the intervention group only. HIV Knowledge increased for both groups. HIV testing intentions increased significantly more for non-gay-identified men in the intervention group, but the overall effect of the intervention was not significant. Testing uptake did not change.

scholarly journals Using Facebook as a Platform to Direct Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men to a Video-Based HIV Testing Intervention: A Feasibility Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Alex Washington ◽  
Sheldon Applewhite ◽  
Wendell Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Video Intervention ◽  
Intervention Content ◽  
Sex With Men

Objective: A randomized control pilot study was conducted with Black men who have sex with men (BMSM; N = 42) aged 18–30 years to examine the feasibility of implementing a video intervention delivered using Facebook to motivate HIV testing. Methods: At baseline, participants were unaware of their HIV status and had not tested for HIV in the past 6 months, residing in Los Angeles County. The intervention content included topics such as social influence, HIV knowledge, stigma, HIV positive knowledge, and benefits of knowing one’s HIV status. Findings: Logistic regression revealed that those receiving the video intervention were 7 times more likely to have tested for HIV than those in the control group at 6-week follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 7.00, 95% confidence interval [1.72, 28.33], p = .006). Conclusion: Data suggest that the intervention was feasible for motivating HIV testing.

Walking for Better Outcomes and Recovery: The Effect of WALK-FOR in Preventing Hospital-Associated Functional Decline Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1664-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Cohen ◽  
Anna Zisberg ◽  
Yehudit Chayat ◽  
Nurit Gur-Yaish ◽  
Efrat Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Activity Survey

Abstract Background In-hospital immobility of older adults is associated with hospital-associated functional decline (HAFD). This study examined the WALK-FOR program’s effects on HAFD prevention. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post two-group (intervention group [IG] n = 188, control group [CG] n = 189) design was applied in two hospital internal medical units. On admission, patients reported pre-hospitalization functional status, which was assessed again at discharge and 1-month follow-up. Primary outcome was decline in basic activities of daily living (BADL), using the Modified Barthel Index. Secondary outcomes were decline in instrumental ADL (Lawton’s IADL scale) and community mobility (Yale Physical Activity Survey). All participants (75.1 ± 7 years old) were cognitively intact and ambulatory at admission. The WALK-FOR included a unit-tailored mobility program utilizing patient-and-staff education with a specific mobility goal (900 steps per day), measured by accelerometer. Results Decline in BADL occurred among 33% of the CG versus 23% of the IG (p = .02) at discharge, and among 43% of the CG versus 30% in the IG (p = .01) at 1-month follow-up. Similarly, 26% of the CG versus 15% of the IG declined in community mobility at 1-month follow-up (p = .01). Adjusted for major covariates, the intervention reduced the odds of decline in BADL by 41% (p = .05) at discharge and by 49% at 1-month follow-up (p = .01), and in community mobility by 63% (p = .02). There was no significant effect of the intervention on IADL decline (p = .19). Conclusions The WALK-FOR intervention is effective in reducing HAFD.

Rehabilitative Online Education versus Internet Discussion Group for Hearing Aid Users: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (05) ◽  
pp. 274-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabet Thorén ◽  
Monica Svensson ◽  
Anna Törnqvist ◽  
Gerhard Andersson ◽  
Per Carlbring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Online Discussion Forum

Background: By using the Internet in the audiological rehabilitation process, it might be possible in a cost-effective way to include additional rehabilitation components by informing and guiding hearing aid users about such topics as communication strategies, hearing tactics, and how to handle hearing aids. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of an online education program for adult experienced hearing aid users including professional guidance by an audiologist and compare it with the effects of participation in an online discussion forum without any professional contact. Research Design: A randomized controlled study with two groups of participants. Repeated measures at prestudy, immediate follow-up, and a 6 mo follow-up. Study Sample: Fifty-nine experienced hearing aid users participated in the study, ranging in age from 24 to 84 yr (mean 63.5 yr). Intervention: The intervention group (N = 29) underwent a five-week rehabilitative online education in which activities for each week included information, tasks, and assignments, and contact with a professional audiologist was included. The participants in the control group (N = 30) were referred to an online discussion forum without any audiologist contact. Data Collection and Analysis: A set of questionnaires administered online were used as outcome measures: (1) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, (2) International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids, (3) Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life, and (4) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Significant improvements measured by the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly were found in both groups of participants, and the effects were maintained at the 6 mo follow-up. The results on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed that the participants in the intervention group showed reduced symptoms of depression immediately/6 mo after the intervention. At the 6 mo follow-up participants in the control group reported fewer symptoms of anxiety than they did before the intervention started. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that the Internet can be used to deliver education to experienced hearing aid users who report residual hearing problems such that their problems are reduced by the intervention. The study also suggests that online discussion forums could be used in rehabilitation. A combination of online professional supervised education and online informal discussions could be a promising rehabilitation tool.

scholarly journals A Group Intervention to Promote Resilience in Nursing Professionals: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Gesche Janzarik ◽  
Daniel Wollschläger ◽  
Michèle Wessa ◽  
Klaus Lieb
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Nursing Professionals

In this study, a new group intervention program to foster resilience in nursing professionals was tested for efficacy. In total, 72 nurses were recruited and randomised to either an intervention condition or to a wait list control condition. The study had a pre-test, post-test, follow-up design. The eight-week program targeted six resilience factors: cognitive flexibility, coping, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-care, and mindfulness. Compared to the control group, the intervention group reported a significant improvement in the primary outcome mental health (measured with the General Health Questionnaire) from pre-test (M = 20.79; SD = 9.85) to post-test (M = 15.81; SD = 7.13) with an estimated medium effect size (p = 0.03, η2 = 0.08) at post-test. Further significant improvements were found for resilience and other resilience related outcomes measures. The individual stressor load of the subjects was queried retrospectively in each measurement. Stress levels had a significant influence on mental health. The intervention effect was evident even though the stress level in both groups did not change significantly between the measurements. Follow-up data suggest that the effects were sustained for up to six months after intervention. The resilience intervention reduced mental burden in nurses and also positively affected several additional psychological outcomes.

scholarly journals Impact of Testing on Sexually Transmitted Infections among Female Brothel Sex Workers in Bangladesh: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad Islam ◽  
HongQi Alexis Tan ◽  
Claire C. Bristow ◽  
Md Golam Hasnain ◽  
Russell Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Past studies that have designed interventions to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have typically provided onsite treatment to sex workers who tested positive, which were expensive and difficult to implement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intervention which tested for STIs and provided information on the closest treatment facility on reducing the prevalence of STIs among female brothel-based sex workers (BSWs) in Bangladesh. The study adopted a pre–post interventional design as well as a randomized controlled study design. A baseline sample and follow-up urine sample were collected to evaluate the prevalence of STIs among participants in the treatment, but not control group. A baseline survey and interviews were also conducted for both the groups. The study found a nonsignificant reduction from baseline to follow-up in STI prevalence among intervention participants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.38, 1.45). However, the participants in the intervention group were significantly more likely to have a repeat client (aOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.29) and nonsignificantly less likely to engage with a client suspected of having an STI (aOR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.39, 1.00) than participants in the control group. The intervention testing of STIs and providing information to the positive cases about nearest treatment facilities were not effective in reducing the prevalence of STIs among BSWs. Further study of the clinical and behavioral impacts of such efforts to reduce STIs among BSWs is warranted.

Factors predicting first-time hepatitis C virus testing uptake among men who have sex with men in China: an observational prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zixin Wang ◽  
Phoenix K H Mo ◽  
Yuan Fang ◽  
Mary Ip ◽  
Joseph T F Lau
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Illness Representations ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
First Time ◽  
Hcv Testing

ObjectivesMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study investigated predictors of first-time HCV testing uptake during a 6-month period among a sample of MSM in Hong Kong.MethodsParticipants were 351 Chinese-speaking MSM who had never received HCV testing. Participants completed two telephone surveys 6 months apart. At baseline, participants reported on sociodemographics, sexual behaviours, risk perception, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Illness representations, which refers to how people think about HCV, was measured by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) at baseline. The BIPQ assessed identity (identifying symptoms of HCV), timeline (whether HCV is acute/chronic), consequences (severity of HCV), personal control and treatment control (whether HCV is under volitional control), concern, emotions (anger, guilt or shame) and coherence (overall comprehensibility of HCV). Six months later, participants reported on HCV testing uptake. Logistic regression was used to analyse the associations between baseline predictors and HCV testing uptake.ResultsMost participants were aged ≤30 years (55.0%) and had attained college education or above (85.2%). Among 242 participants (68.9%) who completed the month 6 follow-up, 12.4% had tested for HCV during the follow-up period. After adjustment for HIV testing and chemsex in the last year, participants who perceived more severe consequences of HCV reported higher HCV testing uptake (adjusted ORs (AOR): 2.22, 95% CI: 1.65 to 3.00). Belief that treatment can control HCV (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.26) and having negative emotions related to HCV (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.03) were also positively associated with HCV testing uptake.ConclusionsTargeted health promotion efforts are needed to increase HCV testing among MSM in Hong Kong. Healthcare workers engaged in HCV-related programming should consider modifying the illness representations of HCV. Integrating HCV and HIV testing services may also be beneficial.

scholarly journals Teaching and Practicing Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness Skills in a Web-Based Platform among Older Adults through the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10563
Author(s):  
Stav Shapira ◽  
Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽  
Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽  
Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽  
Avram Mark Clarfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Wait List Control

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration in the development of web-based interventions to alleviate related mental health impacts. The current study explored the effects of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing cognitive behavioral and mindfulness tools and skills to reduce loneliness and depression and to increase social support among older adults in Israel. This pilot randomized controlled trial included community-dwelling older adults (n = 82; aged between 65–90 years; 80% female) who were randomized either to an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention included seven online sessions, over 3.5 weeks. Depression, loneliness, and social support measures were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically and clinically significant reductions in depression in the intervention group, with results maintained at one-month follow-up. Loneliness levels also significantly decreased post-intervention; however, this benefit was not maintained at one-month follow-up. Social support slightly increased both post-intervention and 1-month follow-up—but these changes were not statistically significant. There were no overall changes for the wait-list control group. Our intervention provided promising evidence regarding the effectiveness of an online group intervention to alleviate mental health effects and to promote the coping of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This relatively simple model can be effectively utilized by communities globally to help connect lonely and isolated older inhabitants, both during the pandemic and in more routine times.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Efficacy of Text-Messaging to Promote Care Among Trauma Patients Screened for HIV at an Urban Tertiary Emergency Department in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gimbo M Hyuha ◽  
Hendry Robert Sawe ◽  
Said Kilindimo ◽  
Raya Mussa ◽  
Masuma Gulamhussein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Hiv Negative

Abstract BackgroundDue the high prevalence of Human Immune Virus (HIV), provider-initiated HIV testing for patients attending any health care setting is recommended. However, follow-up and linkage to care by those tested remains poor. We determined the feasibility and efficacy of text-messaging to promote follow-up among otherwise healthy trauma patients who underwent provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling at an Emergency Department (ED) in Tanzania. Material and methodsThis randomized controlled trial was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) ED between September 2019 to February 2020. Adult trauma patients consenting to HIV testing and follow-up text messaging were randomized to standard care (pre and post-test counseling) or standard care plus a series of 3 text-message reminders for follow-up in an HIV clinic, if positive, or retesting, if negative. Investigators blinded to study assignment called participants 2-months after the ED visit if HIV positive, or 4 months if HIV negative. We compared the proportion of people in the intervention and control groups completing recommended follow- up. Secondary outcomes were proportion accepting testing, agreeing to receive SMS and follow-up compliance by HIV status. ResultsOf 290 patients approached, 255 (87.9%) opted-in for testing and consented to the study. The median age of the study population was 29 [IQR 24-40] years. 127 (49.8%) were randomized to the intervention group and 128 (50.2%) to the control group. The short message service (SMS) system verified that 381 text messages in total were received. We traced 242 (94.9%) participants: 124 (51.2%) from intervention group and 118 (48.8%) controls. 100 (39.2%) subjects reported attending a follow-up visit, of which 77 (60.6%) were from the intervention group and 23 (17.9%) were controls. (RR = 3.4, 95%CI (2.3-5.0) resulting in number needed to treat (NNT) of 2.3. Of 246 HIV negative participants, 37% went for repeat-screening: 59% of those in the intervention group and 16% in the control group (RR= 3.7, P =<0.0001, NNT 2.3). Among 9 positive patients, all 5 in the intervention group and 3 of 4 controls had follow-up visits. ConclusionAutomated text message is a feasible and effective way to increase follow up in HIV tested individuals in a limited income country.

scholarly journals Feasibility and efficacy of text messaging to promote care among trauma patients screened for HIV at an urban emergency department in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gimbo M. Hyuha ◽  
Hendry R. Sawe ◽  
Said Kilindimo ◽  
Raya Y. Mussa ◽  
Masuma A. Gulamhussein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Hiv Negative

Abstract Background Due to the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Tanzania, provider-initiated HIV testing for patients attending any health care setting is recommended. However, follow-up and linkage to care by those tested remain poor. We determined the feasibility and efficacy of text messaging to promote follow-up among otherwise healthy trauma patients who underwent provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling at an emergency department (ED) in Tanzania. Material and methods This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) ED between September 2019 and February 2020. Adult trauma patients consenting to HIV testing and follow-up text messaging were randomized to standard care (pre-test and post-test counseling) or standard care plus a series of three short message service (SMS) text message reminders for follow-up in an HIV clinic, if positive, or for retesting, if negative. Investigators blinded to the study assignment called participants 2 months after the ED visit if HIV-positive or 4 months if HIV-negative. We compared the proportion of people in the intervention and control groups completing recommended follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients agreeing to testing, proportion of patients agreeing to receiving text messages, and the proportion of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients in each study arm who followed up. Results Of the 290 patients approached, 255 (87.9%) opted-in for testing and agreed to receive a text message. The median age of the study population was 29 [IQR 24–40] years. There were 127 patients randomized to the intervention group and 128 to the control group. The automated SMS system verified that 381 text messages in total were successfully sent. We traced 242 (94.9%) participants: 124 (51.2%) in the intervention group and 18 (488%) in the control group. A total of 100 (39.2%) subjects reported completing a follow-up visit, of which 77 (60.6%) were from the intervention group and 23 (17.9%) were from the control group (RR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.3–5.0). This resulted in a number needed to treat (NNT) of 2.3. Of the 246 HIV-negative participants, 37% underwent repeat screening: 59% of those in the intervention group and 16% in the control group (RR = 3.7, P = < 0.0001, NNT 2.3). Among the nine positive patients, all five in the intervention group and only three in the controls had follow-up visits. Conclusion Automated text message is a feasible and effective way to increase follow-up in HIV-tested individuals in a limited income country.

Increasing Life-Space Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Persons With Cognitive Impairment Following Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Space ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Independent Life

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.

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