Sexo, drogas y series de adolescentes: análisis sociales de los adolescentes en las series televisivas

The aim of this study is to analyze the attitudes and social behaviors of the protagonists of teen series; that is, fiction series produced for teenagers. With this aim, a content analysis has been carried out, a technique that has allowed the identification of the most common behaviors and consequences in said fiction series. The sample is composed of the first season of the seven series best rated by their audience in the first quarter of 2020: Elite (Netflix: 2018- ), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix: 2018- ), Sex Education (Netflix: 2019- ), 13 Reasons Why (Netflix: 2017), I Am Not Okay with This (Netflix: 2020- ), Riverdale (The WC: 2017- ) y Euphoria (HBO: 2019- ). The results indicate a high percentage of scenes of unprotected sex and alcohol consumption with hardly any negative consequences.

Risky Sexual Behavior Profiles in Youth: Associations With Borderline Personality Features

Adolescence and young adulthood are peak periods for risky sexual behaviors (RSB) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. RSB is a major public health concern and adolescents with BPD may be particularly vulnerable to RSB, but this is understudied. The aim of this study was to identify distinct RSB profiles in youth and determine whether a specific profile was associated with BPD features. Participants were 220 adolescents and young adults (age 14–21) recruited from the community. To identify groups of adolescents and young adults who engage in similar RSB, a latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted on sexually active youth (57%). Next ANOVA was used to identify how profiles differed in terms RSB dimensions and BPD features. We identified three distinct RSB profiles: (1) a Low RSB profile that was manifested by the majority (77.7%) of youth; (2) an Unprotected Sex in Relationships profile (13.3%) and; (3) an Impulsive Sex Outside Relationships profile (12%) which was manifested by youth with significantly higher BPD features. The findings shed light on the difficulties youth with BPD manifest around integrating sexuality, intimacy, fidelity, and love. This contrasts with the majority of youth who are sexually active in the context of relationships and engage in little or no RSB. The findings have important clinical implications. Adolescent sexuality is frequently in the blind spot of clinicians. To address the elevated risk of RSB in adolescents with BPD, interventions are needed to help adolescents navigate this period and improve their understanding of the reasons for RSB while addressing difficulties in establishing sexual and attachment relationships.

Factors associated with readiness to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) among young people (15-24 years) at four HIV clinics in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Introduction: Globally, the HIV burden continues to rise among young people despite the discovery of ART. This study assessed demographic and psycho-social factors among young people associated with readiness to be initiated on ART. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among newly diagnosed HIV positive young people aged 15-24 years at 4 HIV clinics at Mulago Hospital. Readiness was measured as a self-report by the individual to the question,“How ready do you feel to start ART? Results: Of the 231 young people enrolled, the mean age (SD) was 20.7years (+/-2.8) and most were female (66.2%). Majority were very ready (53.3%) and very motivated (51.1%) to start ART. Higher treatment readiness was associated with being female (95% CI [5.62, 8.31], p=0.003), thinking that ART cures HIV (95% CI [0.43, 0.86], p=0.005), history of having unprotected sex (95% CI [0.79, 0.87], p=<0.001), anticipating negative HIV results (95% CI [0.26, 0.88], p=0.017), internalized stigma (95% CI [0.83, 0.98], p=0.018) and knowledge of positive ART effects for others (95% CI [0.84, 0.93], p=<0.001). Conclusions: Understanding the underlying factors associated with ART readiness among young people can inform strategiesto support and increase individuals’ readiness to initiate ART and early engagement in care. Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy Readiness; Young people; Sub-Saharan Africa.

Risky sexual behaviors among undergraduates of Pamo University of Medical Sciences: Exploring contributory factors and outcomes

Undergraduates experience overwhelming changes and challenges that expose them to risky sexual behaviors, an act that leads to physical, psychosocial harm and its predictors contribute to lost lecture hours among campus students; hence this study aims at exploring contributory factors and outcomes of risky sexual behaviors among Nursing and Medicine students in PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria. Descriptive survey was conducted in 2019 and 280 students in their first and second year of study from the participating Departments were selected from study population of 491 using Yaro Yamanes sample size formula. Proportionate sampling technique followed by simple randomization was done. Ethical approval and consent were obtained while confidentiality and anonymity were maintained. WHO-adapted questionnaire was administered to respondents with the help of a research assistant. Data was collected using a 3-point Likert statistically-validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.8, analyzed and computed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Mean values below 2.0 were judged insignificant. Findings shows that Ignorance (x¯=2.81), lack of sex education (x¯=2.79), were among the factors that significantly influenced participant’s risky sexual behavior, however, reduced fun associated with use of condom (x¯=1.99) and equivalent of unprotected sex with trust (x¯=1.97) had insignificant impact. Interestingly, participants expressed similar outcomes of risky sexual behavior recording- sexually transmitted infection (x¯=2.80), pregnancy (x¯=2.76) abortion (x¯=2.71), out of School due to non-support by family (x¯=2.65); among others. Finally, risky sexual behavior among undergraduates affects the academic pursuit and there is need to continue reproductive health education if Sustainable Development Goals five and six will be achieved.

High body mass index and altered androgen hormones are the disruptors of fertility among women undergoing ART

Background: The body mass index (BMI) affects reproduction and pregnancy outcomes. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least one year. The inability to have children affects men and women across the globe.Methods: It was a retrospective study on couples coming for treatment of subfertility in Lahore Institute of Fertility and Endocrinology (LIFE). The institutional ethical review committee approved. Patients are divided into three groups, normal weight (BMI ≤25kg/m²), overweight (26-30 kg/m²), and obese (>30 kg/m²). Data were collected from July 2017 to May 2018. The number of infertile women who underwent assisted fertilization at LIFE was 222.Results: Two hundred and twenty-two sub-fertile patients were selected. Their ages were between 25-36 years. The mean age was 31 ± 3.91 years. There was a significant relationship between the number of follicles and BMI (p-value=0.03). Outcome parameters are significantly correlated with all groups of BMI. Embryo transfer is insignificantly correlated with BMI. (p-value = 0.07)Conclusion: According to this study, obesity is associated with poor embryos in obese women with more than 30 BMI. Furthermore, women who were obese might need a higher dose of FSH, and the live birth rate is higher in women with normal BMI.

Efficacy Trial for a Smartphone Game to Prevent HIV among Young Africans: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in the Context of COVID-19 (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Adolescent girls contribute about a quarter of all new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a need for more effective intervention approaches to help young adolescents safely navigate through adolescence and into adulthood. We are assessing the efficacy of Tumaini, a smartphone game designed to prevent HIV among young Africans. Against the background of COVID-19, meaningful alteration of the research protocol was necessary to ensure successful implementation, and retention of the study participants in ongoing research. OBJECTIVE The objective of our protocol is to: (1) determine if Tumaini delays sexual debut and increases condom use at first sex, and (2) determine whether it influences behavioral mediators of early and unprotected sex. METHODS Participants were recruited from Kisumu County, in Western Kenya. This study is a two-arm, individual-randomized controlled trial that enrolled 1,004 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. The intervention arm participants are playing Tumaini, while the control arm are provided with Brainilis, a commercially available control game. The study period will last 45 months. At baseline, participants in both arms completed a baseline survey and biological testing for HIV and HSV-2; participants will have annual gameplay sessions in years 1-3. They will also complete a total of 12 follow-up surveys. At endline, repeat biological testing will be conducted. Protocol adaptations were necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented in accordance with local public health guidelines. RESULTS Participants were enrolled between October 2020 and November 2020. We plan to complete study procedures in September 2024. Enrolled participant sample was 50.1% female (n=499) and had a mean age of 14.0 years (SD=0.6 years). CONCLUSIONS This ongoing research demonstrates that with appropriate revisions to planned protocol activities guided by the need to maintain study integrity, protect both study participants and staff, and adherence to IRB and local health authority guidelines, human subject research is possible in the context of a global pandemic. If the trial demonstrates efficacy, Tumaini would provide an alternative, remote means of delivering age-appropriate education to pre-adolescents on safer sex, HIV prevention and effective life skills on a highly scalable, low cost and culturally adaptable platform. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04437667).

Utilisation of Emergency Contraception Among Final Year University Female Students

Introduction: Unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion have become serious public health concerns around the world, particularly among female students in both developed and developing countries. The general objective of this study was to investigate the utilization of emergency contraception among final-year female students of a public university in Ghana. Methods A stratified random sample was used to enroll 199 female university students for descriptive cross-sectional research. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. To compare categorical variables, Chi-square analysis was employed, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Majority (88.4%) of the respondents demonstrated sufficient knowledge, and 84.4% had a favorable attitude towards emergency contraceptives (ECs). On the indications for EC; after unprotected sex (65.3%), after a missed period (22.6%), when one is raped (83.4%), unwanted pregnancy (75.9%), and rupture of condoms (88.9%) were identified. The majority (59.3%) of students have used EC, with most of the students (43.7%) using Postinor-2. The overall attitude towards EC and Residence (X2=7.5; p=0.023), Religion (X2=6.2; p=0.042), and marital status (X2=17.1, p=0.001) were statistically significant. There was a significant association between the use of EC and Residence (X2=10.9; p=0.004) and marital status (X2=8.6; p=0.035). Conclusion The findings of this study indicated that students had a high degree of awareness, understanding, and attitude about EC, with a significant number of the respondents likely to utilize it in the future. This may aid in the treatment of female students' sexual and reproductive health issues and prevent dropping out of school as a result of unwanted pregnancy. Also, there is the need to engage opinion leaders to address their concerns to allow for the effective utilization of emergency contraceptives.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress as a Contributor of Anesthetic Agents' Effects on Embryo Quality and ICSI Outcome in Iraqi Patients

Infertility is described as a couple's failure to conceive for at least a year, using unprotected sex. Even though all anesthetic chemicals have been revealed in the follicular fluids, general anesthesia is still used in many IVF centers for patients who want to get pregnant. This study included 60 infertile women randomly divided into two groups under general anesthesia. 30 patients were given a Ketamine dose of 0.5 mg/Kg and the other 30 patients were received Remifentanil dose of 0.5 µg/Kg for induction of anesthesia. We collected serum for Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels assessment for all patients before and after starting general anesthesia. Routine ICSI procedures was performed on all participants, including clinical evaluation (history, examination, and investigation), controlled ovarian and ovulation stimulation, oocyte retrieval under general anesthesia, follicular fluid collection for postoperative anesthesia medication concentration (Remifentanil and Ketamine), oocyte stripping, oocyte maturity assessment, intra-oocyte sperm injection into mature cells (MII), fertilization and division evaluation and embryo categorization, embryo selection and transfer, luteal phase support, and beta-hCG determination. ROS concentrations were compared between the Remifentanil and Ketamine groups. There was no significant difference in embryo features between Remifentanil and Ketamine, indicating that neither one is superior to the other in this regard. When Remifentanil or Ketamine was taken, there was no significant difference in ROS levels in serum or follicular fluid.

Emergency contraception methods: efficacy, safety and acceptability

Prevention of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and their complications is one of the major problems of healthcare. The most effective method of unwanted pregnancies prevention is family planning with highly effective contraceptive methods. Currently number of unwanted pregnancies cases is still numerous. Problem of unwanted pregnancy cannot be solved completely with any method of contraception. Every fourth pregnancy in the world is considered as unplanned, more than half of them end in abortion, which can pose a threat to health of the patient. Overall, more than 90% of abortions are performed due to unwanted pregnancies. Emergency contraception continues to play an important role in family planning today. It is known that the effectiveness of emergency contraception decreases with the time after unprotected sex. Today a variety of emergency contraception methods exists, which allows individual approach to specific patient. The article presents the results of randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating all currently used methods of emergency contraception from the evidence-based point of view. The article also describes drugs specifics, features, and effects on the reproductive system.