Health literacy and contraception: a readability evaluation of contraceptive instructions for condoms, spermicides and emergency contraception in the USA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess readability of over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive product instructions currently available, compare the results with previous studies from a decade ago, and review the implications for health care providers, in particular pharmacists counseling on OTC contraceptives. METHODS: A sample of contraceptive instructions was submitted to a readability analysis using four standard readability formulas. Products included condoms, spermicides, and emergency contraception instruction pamphlets. RESULTS: Reading grade levels for condoms ranged from 6th to 12th grade. The average reading levels for the spermicides were 9th-10th grade and for the emergency contraceptives 10th-12th grade. These results were consistent with those of similar studies performed a decade ago. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers need to have at least a high school reading level in order to comprehend current product instructions. Very little has changed in the past decade regarding readability of OTC contraceptive patient instructions, despite calls to simplify written instructions. Healthcare providers, in particular pharmacists, must be aware of these disparities to enhance patient education and advocate for simpler reading materials.     

A correlation with type of sulfonamide resistance gene in Escherichia coli and synergy between trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

Plasmids carrying type I or II sulfonamide-resistance (Sur) genes were evaluated for their effect on synergy between trimethoprim (Tmp) and sulfamethoxyzole (Smx) in E. coli. Strain J53 containing each of three plasmids (R1, pSa, and R388) with the type I Sur gene displayed a synergistic response to Tmp/Smx; strain LE392 containing a plasmid (RSF1010) with the type II Sur gene displayed no synergy. The difference in synergy between type I and type II Sur genes might be explained by the difference in amount of resistant enzyme produced.     

Inhibition of Migration of Mouse Macrophages by Tuberculin-Sensitive Mouse Lymphocytes and by Mouse Migration Inhibitory Factor

The guinea pig migration inhibition technique, an accepted in vitro correlate of delayed hypersensitivity, has been adapted to a murine system. Peritoneal exudate cells from CF-1 mice vaccinated with viable cells of the H37Ra strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were inhibited in vitro by purified protein derivative (PPD) or whole H37Ra microorganisms. Peritoneal exudate cells from the inbred C57Bl/6 mice immunized with H37Ra cells also were inhibited in vitro by PPD or whole H37Ra microorganisms. Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was produced by splenic lymphocytes from the H37Ra-immunized C57Bl/6 mice when incubated with either antigen. Intravenous injection of PPD or viable H37Ra organisms into H37Ra mice resulted in MIF production in vitro by splenic lymphocytes without further antigenic stimulation. Peritoneal exudate cells from nonimmunized C57Bl/6 mice and supernatant fluids from cultures of lymphocytes from nonimmunized C57Bl/6 mice were not inhibited in the presence of antigen. The production of MIF by splenic lymphocytes from immunized C57Bl/6 mice depended upon the conditions under which the lymphocytes were cultured, the time of exposure to antigen (3 days), the use of a higher concentration of PPD for stimulation of lymphocytes than that required for guinea pig cells, and also the use of cells from a highly inbred mouse strain.     

Pornography Use and Intimate Partner Violence Among a Sample of U.S. Army Soldiers in 2018: A Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between pornography use and reported intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among a sample of soldiers in the US Army. The study was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected from soldiers at a military installation in 2018 (n?=?9,052). IPV was defined as any self-reported perpetration of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse of an intimate partner. Multivariable negative binomial regressions were used to assess the association between pornography use and any lifetime perpetration of IPV, controlling for gender, age group, race/ethnicity, relationship status, educational status, military rank, hazardous drinking, depression, stimulant use, depressant use, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Of the population analyzed, 41% of soldiers reported any pornography use per week, and 9.6% reported perpetrating any form of IPV. Soldiers who reported pornography use had between a 1.72- and 3.56-fold greater likelihood of reporting any lifetime perpetration of IPV, controlling for covariates. Given the prevalence and detrimental effects of IPV, longitudinal studies should be designed to further understand predictors of IPV in military populations.

     

Delayed evolution of posttraumatic subdural hygroma

Five hundred and forty-six patients in a consecutive series of 1,601 patients with craniocerebral trauma had computed tomography. One hundred and ninety-six patients had a follow-up CT scan. Thirteen patients (6.6%) developed apparently "silent" subdural hygromas of delayed evolution noted from six to 46 days after injury (average 22 days). Three of 10 patients (30%) improved after operation. No patient with a severe cerebral deficit (decortication or decerebration) improved. The three unoperated hygromas and the six that persisted after operation tended to resolve spontaneously. The infrequent and modest improvement following surgical treatment and the tendency to spontaneous resolution suggest that operation may be unnecessary in many patients with posttraumatic subdural hygroma of delayed evolution.