Intention to quit water pipe smoking among Arab Americans: Application of the theory of planned behavior

In this study, we examined the effect of theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs on the intention to quit water pipe smoking by using an observational, survey-based, cross-sectional study design with a convenient sample of Arab American adults in Houston, Texas. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of intention to quit water pipe smoking in the next year. A total of 340 participants completed the survey. Behavioral evaluation, normative beliefs, and motivation to comply were significant predictors of an intention to quit water pipe smoking adjusting for age, gender, income, marital status, and education. Interventions and strategies that include these constructs will assist water pipe smokers in quitting.     

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results of an Online Survey

BackgroundSocial distancing in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect the sexual behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). In early March 2020, Israel imposed travel restrictions and limited social contacts to household members only. The effects of these restrictions on the sexual behavior and mental health of MSM are unknown.AimTo assess sexual behaviors and mental health of Israeli MSM during social distancing and to compare sexual behaviors before and during social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsData were collected through anonymous web-based questionnaires in a popular geospatial application used by MSM between March and April 2020 during the social-distancing period.OutcomesThe dependent variable was casual sex, in violation of social-distancing regulations. Independent variables were demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors before and during social-distancing restrictions, and mental health.ResultsOf the 2,562 participants, 1,012 (39.5%) continued to meet new casual sex partners during this period. Being of a younger age, single, and with higher levels of mental distress predicted engagement in casual sex during the social-distancing period. MSM reduced their sexual risk and limited sexual repertoire—in particular, kissing with their sexual partners. Participants also spent more time in dating applications than in the pre–social-distancing period and increased their use of sex phone, webcams, and porn consumption. They perceived the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus to be greater than that of HIV: only 3.2% could imagine themselves having sex with a partner who is infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with 30.1% in case of HIV, P < .01.Clinical ImplicationsMSM reduced their risk behaviors during social distancing because of the threat of COVID-19. Casual sex during social distancing was associated with negative feelings of mental distress. Future public health response in the future waves of COVID-19 morbidity should strike a balance between containment measures and the need for social distancing with its possible mental and social burdens.Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first study in Israel and one of the few in the world to examine sexual behaviors among MSM during the COVID-19 social distancing period. It involved a relatively large sample, through convenience sampling, which limits causality. Findings should be interpreted cautiously, specifically because COVID-19–related behaviors and circumstances may change rapidly.ConclusionThe negative feelings of distress due to social distancing should be considered as a potential barrier to adherence among vulnerable populations, such as MSM. Future public health response should strike a balance between containment measures and its possible mental, social, and financial burdens.Shilo G, Mor Z. COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results of an Online Survey. J Sex Med 2020;17:1827–1834.     

Reliability and Construct Validity of the Malay Version of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) for Smoking Cessation

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Malay translated version ofthe Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) intention to quit smoking questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional studywas performed involving 185 male smokers. The forward-backward translation procedure was adopted to translate thequestionnaire from English to Malay. The internal consistency and stability were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and acorrelation analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted. Result: The translated questionnaire showed goodinternal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.86, 0.64, 0.74 and 0.90 for each of the four respective factors.The test-retest reliability revealed acceptable stability, with Spearman’s correlation coefficients ranging from low tomoderate (r>0.30-0.50) and a satisfactory inter class correlation coefficient (ICCs). The construct validity achieved anacceptable factor loading for each construct which ranged from 0.40 to 0.90. Conclusion: The current study providedpsychometric evidence for an appropriate, reliable and valid tool of TPB Malay version. This questionnaire could beapplied in evaluating smoking cessation interventions in Malaysia.     

The relationship between parenting stress,parental intelligence and child behavior problems in a study of Korean preschool mothers

The current study examined the relationship between Korean mothers’ parenting stress and parental intelligence, and child behavior problems as well as the mediation effects of parental intelligence, which tested the association between parenting stress and child behavior problems. A sample of 436 typically developing children and their mothers participated and were assessed by the Parenting Stress Index—Short Form, the Parental Intelligence Scale and the K‐Child Behavior Check List. Results indicated that parenting stress, parental intelligence and child behavior problems were related; especially, parenting stress significantly predicted child behavior problems. Despite its substantive relationship, parental intelligence did not appear to mediate this relationship.     

布鲁杆菌病职业人群高危行为习惯调查及健康教育效果评价

目的 调查辽西地区布鲁杆菌病(简称布病)职业人群的高危行为习惯,评估健康教育干预效果.方法 采取分层随机整群抽样的方法,2008-2010年对辽西地区与牛羊等牲畜有密切接触的职业人群高危行为习惯进行现况调查,从中抽取凌海市职业人群作为干预组,实施为期3个月的布病高危行为习惯健康教育,其余职业人群作为对照组.在健康教育基线期和终末期问卷调查干预组和对照组布病高危行为习惯情况.结果 基线期共调查916名观察对象,其中干预组499人,对照组417人.布病高危行为习惯(接触流产牲畜时防护、病畜及时扑杀、病畜深埋处理、不贩卖加工病畜、不吃病死畜肉、不喝生奶、不吃未熟乳肉制品、对饲养牲畜进行免疫)正确率干预组分别为70.9%(354/499)、64.3%(321/499)、53.8%(268/499)、92.2%(460/499)、82.2%(410/499)、87.5%(437/499)、93.6%(467/499)、56.2%(280/499),对照组分别为68.8%(287/417)、59.2%(247/417)、54.7%(228/417)、89.2%(372/417)、85.6%(360/417)、88.5%(369/417)、94.0%(392/417)、55.9%(233/417),组间比较差异无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).终末期共调查908名观察对象,其中干预组499人,对照组409人;干预组上述8种布病高危行为习惯正确率分别为85.4%(426/499)、79.0%(394/499)、69.9%(349/499)、96.4%(481/499)、94.3%(471/499)、94.9%(474/499)、94.0%(469/499)、99.4%(496/499),对照组分别为66.8%(273/409)、57.3%(234/409)、50.1%(205/409)、85.3%(349/409)、88.8%(363/409)、89.5%(366/409)、90.1%(369/409)、57.2%(234/409),组间比较差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为43.991、49.833、37.111、35.032、9.537、9.826、4.485、253.808,P均＜0.05).干预组在基线期除不吃未熟乳肉制品外,其他7种布病高危行为习惯正确率与终末期比较,差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为30.426、26.284、27.854、7.364、36.027、17.238、9270.286,P均＜0.05).结论 健康教育干预可以显著地提高布病职业人群高危行为习惯正确率,值得进行交流和推广.

Abstract：

Objective To find out demography characteristic and risk behaviors of occupation groups and to evaluate the effect of health education. Methods A baseline survey was conducted among occupation groups in the western part of Liaoning province by stratified random cluster sampling. Health education started to intervene in occupation groups in Linghai city of Liaoning province. An investigation of brucellosis related behaviors was carried out before and after a health education among occupation groups. Other occupational groups were as the control group. The research on high-risk behaviors of occupation groups was in the following eight aspects: protection taken when contact with abortion livestock, timely slaughter and burying deeply of sick animals, not selling sick animals do not eat dead meat, nor drink raw milk, do not eat raw meat, and immunity of livestock. Results Before the intervention, a total of 916 objects, of which intervention group 499 and control group 417 were investigated. The high-risk behaviors of brucellosis were not significantly different between the two groups[70.9% (354/499), 64.3%(321/499 ), 53.8% (268/499), 92.2% (460/499), 82.2% (410/499 ), 87.5% (437/499), 93.6% (467/499), 56.2%(280/499) in intervention group, 68.8% (287/417), 59.2% (247/417 ), 54.7% (228/417), 89.2% (372/417 ), 85.6%(360/417) ,885%(369/417),94.0%(392/417),55.9%(233/417) in control group, all P ＞ 0.05]. After the intervention,a total of 908 survey objects, of which intervention group 499 and control group 409, were investigated. The above eight aspects of high-risk behaviors in the intervention group were 85.4% (426/499),79.0% (394/499),69.9%(349/499),96.4%(481/499),943%(471/499),94.9%(474/499),94.0%(469/499), 99.4%(496/499), respectively; in the control 66.8% (273/409),57.3% (234/409),50.1% (205/409),85.3% (349/409),88.8% (363/409),89.5%(366/409) ,90.1% (369/409), and 57.2% (234/409), respectively. Between the two groups, the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 43.991,49.833,37.111,35.032,9.537,9.826,4.485,253.808, all P ＜ 0.05 ). The above seven aspects of high-risk behaviors except do not eat raw dairy at the beginning of intervention were compared with those of after the intervention, the differences were statistically significant (x2 = 30.426,26.284,27.854,7.364,36.027,17.238,9270.286, all P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Health education intervention can significantly improve the behavior change rate of occupational groups at high risk of brucellosis, and the education intervention is worthwhile to communicate and promote.     

Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study

BackgroundMarijuana use is increasingly prevalent in the United States. Effects of marijuana use on sexual function are unclear, with contradictory reports of enhancement and detriment existing.AimTo elucidate whether a relation between marijuana use and sexual frequency exists using a nationally representative sample of reproductive-age men and women.MethodsWe analyzed data from cycle 6 (2002), cycle 7 (2006–2010), and continuous survey (2011–2015) administrations of the National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. We used a multivariable model, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropographic characteristics, to evaluate whether a relationship between marijuana use and sexual frequency exists.OutcomesSexual frequency within the 4 weeks preceding survey administration related to marijuana use and frequency in the year preceding survey administration.ResultsThe results of 28,176 women (average age = 29.9 years) and 22,943 men (average age = 29.5) were analyzed. More than 60% of men and women were Caucasian, and 76.1% of men and 80.4% of women reported at least a high school education. After adjustment, female monthly (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.07–1.68, P = .012), weekly (IRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15–1.60, P < .001), and daily (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01–1.32, P = .035) marijuana users had significantly higher sexual frequency compared with never users. Male weekly (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.41, P = .006) and daily (IRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.21–1.53, P < .001) users had significantly higher sexual frequency compared with never users. An overall trend for men (IRR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.05–1.11, P < .001) and women (IRR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04–1.10, P < .001) was identified showing that higher marijuana use was associated with increased coital frequency.Clinical ImplicationsMarijuana use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function.Strengths and LimitationsOur study used a large well-controlled cohort and clearly defined end points to describe a novel association between marijuana use and sexual frequency. However, survey responses were self-reported and represent participants only at a specific point in time. Participants who did not answer questions related to marijuana use and sexual frequency were excluded.ConclusionA positive association between marijuana use and sexual frequency is seen in men and women across all demographic groups. Although reassuring, the effects of marijuana use on sexual function warrant further study.Sun AJ, Eisenberg ML. Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study. J Sex Med 2017;14:1342–1347.     

Hostility,Agreeableness-Antagonism,and Coronary Heart Disease

Although the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP) is widely considered to be an important risk factor for CHD, several recent studies have failed to find associations between TABP and CHD. As a result, investigators using the Structured Interview have begun to examine more specific aspects of TAPB, and Potential for Hostility has emerged as the probable 'toxic component' of the pattern. Other measures of cold-blooded or antagonistic hostility have also been associated with CHD, and this form of hostility can be understood as part of the broader personality domain of Agreeableness vs. Antagonism. We suggest that agreeableness-antagonism itself as well as related traits such as mistrust, manipulativeness, arrogance, and aggression should also be examined as promising predictors of CHD