Construct validity of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) version 2 and the impact of lifestyle modifications on the health-related quality of life among Indian adults with prediabetes: results from the D-CLIP trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to validate the factor structure of the 12-item Short-Form (SF-12) health-related quality of life (HRQOL) survey for Indian adults and assess the impact of lifestyle modification on the SF-12 of Indian adults with prediabetes. METHODS: To validate the context-specific construct of the SF-12, two-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using data from 1285 adults residing in Chennai, India, who screened for the Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program (D-CLIP). D-CLIP was a randomized controlled trial of 578 participants with prediabetes (283 treatment, 293 control), focusing on the effect of lifestyle modifications on the prevention of diabetes. Physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) were computed by using CFA standardized factor loadings. Multiple linear regression was subsequently conducted to estimate the effect of lifestyle modification on post-study changes of PCS and MCS among D-CLIP participants. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha and CFA fit indices demonstrated acceptable reliability and model fit of the SF-12 for Indian adults. The intervention group showed greater mean change in PCS after study participation compared to the controls (1.63 ± 0.82, p = 0.046); no significant difference was observed for MCS between two groups (1.00 ± 0.85, p = 0.242). CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that the SF-12 is suitable for assessing the physical and mental health dimensions of HRQOL for Indian adults. Our findings suggest that the benefits of diabetes prevention lifestyle modification strategies may primarily enhance the physical well-being of adults with prediabetes. Further studies validating the SF-12 in a broader Asian Indian population are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01283308.

Racial/Ethnic and Sex/Gender Differences in Sleep Duration Trajectories From Adolescence to Adulthood in a US National Sample.

Racial/ethnic and sex/gender disparities in sleep duration have been documented in adolescence and adulthood. Identifying racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood can inform interventions on the developmental periods individuals are most at risk for short sleep duration. We examined racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in self-reported sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood using data from waves I, III, IV, and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994-2018; n = 12,593). Multigroup growth mixture modeling was used to enumerate sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood. There were 3 common trajectory types across race/ethnicity and sex/gender groups: 1) consistent increasing short sleepers (i.e., increasing probability of short sleep into adulthood) (67.3%); 2) late-onset short sleepers (i.e., no probability of short sleep duration in adolescence until adulthood) (20.2%); and 3) early-onset short sleepers (i.e., declining probability of short sleep duration from adolescence into adulthood) (12.5%). The prevalence of the consistent-increasing trajectory was highest among Black male respondents, while late onset was highest among White female respondents and early onset greatest among Latinx male respondents. Findings underscore the need to intervene in early adolescence to prevent short sleep duration in adulthood.

Testing Theory-Based Messages to Encourage Women at Average Risk for Breast Cancer to Consider Biennial Mammography Screening.

BACKGROUND: The US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine annual mammography screening for women aged 40-49 at average risk. Little research has been done to develop theory-based communication interventions to facilitate informed decision-making about reducing potentially low-value mammography screening. PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of theory-based persuasive messages on women's willingness to consider delaying screening mammography until age 50 or have mammograms biennially. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled communication experiment online with a population-based sample of U.S. women aged 40-49 (N = 383) who screened to be at average risk for breast cancer. Women were randomly assigned to the following messaging summaries: annual mammography risks in 40s (Arm 1, n = 124), mammography risks plus family history-based genetic risk (Arm 2, n = 120), and mammography risks, genetic risk, and behavioral alternatives (Arm 3, n = 139). Willingness to delay screening or reduce screening frequency was assessed post-experiment by a set of 5-point Likert scale items. RESULTS: Women in Arm 3 reported significantly greater willingness to delay screening mammography until age 50 (mean = 0.23, SD = 1.26) compared with those in Arm 1 (mean = -0.17, SD = 1.20; p = .04). There were no significant arm differences in willingness to reduce screening frequency. Exposure to the communication messages significantly shifted women's breast cancer-related risk perceptions without increasing unwarranted cancer worry across all three arms. CONCLUSIONS: Providing women with screening information and options may help initiate challenging discussions with providers about potentially low-value screening.

The US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine annual mammography screening for women aged 40­49 at average risk. This study aimed to assess the impact of theory-based persuasive messages on women's willingness to delay mammography screening until age 50 or opt for biennial screenings. In a randomized online experiment, 383 U.S. women aged 40­49 at average risk for breast cancer were assigned to three different message groups. The results showed that women exposed to messaging that included mammography risks, family history-based genetic risk, and behavioral alternatives were significantly more willing to delay screening until age 50. However, there were no significant differences in willingness to reduce screening frequency. The tested communication messages effectively shifted women's breast cancer-related risk perceptions without causing unnecessary worry. Providing women with screening information and options may help initiate challenging discussions with providers about potentially low-value screening.

Clinic reported facilitators and barriers to pediatric cancer survivor care delivery among survivorship clinics: A fishbone analysis.

BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors need regular, long-term survivor care. The Children's Oncology Group (COG) recommends that pediatric patients receive ongoing, evidence-based surveillance for late effects, beginning 2 years after the completion of cancer therapy. However, at least a third of survivors are not engaging in long-term survivorship care. This study assessed facilitators and barriers to follow-up survivorship care through the perspectives of pediatric cancer survivor clinic representatives. METHODS: As part of a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial, a representative from 12 participating pediatric cancer survivor clinics completed a survey about site characteristics and a semi-structured interview on facilitators and barriers to survivor care delivery at their institution. Interviews were grounded in the socio-ecological model (SEM) framework and utilized a fishbone diagram to understand what facilitates and impedes survivor care. We ran descriptive statistics and conducted thematic analyses of the interview transcripts to create two meta-fishbone diagrams. RESULTS: All participating clinics (N = 12) have existed for at least 5 years (mean = 15, median = 13, range = 3-31), and half (n = 6, 50%) reported seeing more than 300 survivors annually. In the fishbone diagram, the top facilitators were in the SEM domain of organization, specifically with familiar staff (n = 12, 100%), resource utilization (n = 11, 92%), dedicated survivorship staff (n = 10, 83%), and clinic processes (n = 10, 83%). Common barriers were across the domains of organization, community, and policy, which included distance/transportation to the clinic (n = 12, 100%), technology limits (n = 11, 92%), scheduling issues (n = 11, 92%), and insufficient funding/insurance (n = 11, 92%). CONCLUSION: Clinic staff and provider perceptions are instrumental in understanding multilevel contextual issues related to survivor care delivery for pediatric cancer survivor clinics. Future research can aid in developing education, processes, and services to promote cancer survivor follow-up care.

Exploring dimensions of social capital in relation to healthy eating behaviours in the US rural south.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined relationships between dimensions of social capital (SC) (social trust, network diversity, social reciprocity and civic engagement) and fruit, vegetable, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among rural adults. Potential moderators (neighbourhood rurality, food security, gender and race/ethnicity) were explored to develop a more nuanced understanding of the SC-healthy eating relationship. DESIGN: Data were from a 2019 mailed population-based survey evaluating an eleven-county initiative to address health equity. Participants self-reported health behaviours, access to health-promoting resources and demographics. Logistic regression models were used to analyse relationships between predictors, outcomes and moderators. SETTING: Five rural counties, Georgia, USA. PARTICIPANTS: 1120 participants. RESULTS: Among participants who lived in the country (as opposed to in town), greater network diversity was associated with consuming ≥ 3 servings of fruit (OR = 1·08; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·17, P = 0·029), yet among participants who lived in town, greater civic engagement was associated with consuming ≥ three servings of fruit (OR = 1·36; 95 % CI 1·11, 1·65, P = 0·003). Both food-secure and food-insecure participants with greater social reciprocity had lower odds of consuming 0 SSB (OR = 0·92; 95 % CI 0·86, 0·98, P = 0·014, OR = 0·92; 95 % CI 0·86, 0·99, P = 0·037, respectively). Men with greater social trust were more likely to consume 0 SSB (OR = 1·09; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·18, P = 0·038), and Whites with greater network diversity were more likely to meet daily vegetable recommendations (OR = 1·10; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·19, P = 0·028). CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide a basis for future qualitative research on potential mechanisms through which SC and related social factors influence healthy eating in rural communities.

Smoke-free home restrictions in Armenia and Georgia: motives, barriers and secondhand smoke reduction behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Promoting smoke-free homes (SFHs) in Armenia and Georgia is timely given high smoking and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) rates and recent national smoke-free policy implementation. This study examined theoretical predictors (e.g. motives, barriers) of SFH status, and among those without SFHs, past 3-month SFH attempts and intent to establish SFHs in the next 3 months. METHODS: Multilevel logistic regression analyzed these outcomes using 2022 survey data from 1467 adults (31.6% past-month smokers) in Armenia (n = 762) and Georgia (n = 705). Correlates of interest included SHSe reduction behaviors and SFH motives and barriers; models controlled for country, community, age, sex, smoking status and other smokers in the home. RESULTS: In this sample, 53.6% had SFHs (Armenia: 39.2%; Georgia: 69.2%). Among those without SFHs, one-fourth had partial restrictions, no smokers in the home and/or recent SFH attempts; 35.5% intended to establish SFHs; and ∼70% of multiunit housing residents supported smoke-free buildings. We documented common SHSe reduction behaviors (opening windows, limiting smoking areas), SFH motives (prevent smell, protect children/nonsmokers) and barriers (smokers' resistance). Correlates of SFHs were being from Georgia, other smokers in the home, fewer SHSe reduction behaviors, greater motives and fewer barriers. Among participants without SFHs, correlates of recent SFH attempts were other smokers in the home, greater SHSe reduction behaviors and SFH motives, and fewer barriers; correlates of SFH intentions were being female, greater SHSe reduction behaviors, greater motives, and fewer barriers. CONCLUSIONS: SFH interventions should address motives, barriers and misperceptions regarding SHSe reduction behaviors. Moreover, smoke-free multiunit housing could have a great population impact.

Patterns of Sustainability Capacity Among Organizations That Deliver the National Diabetes Prevention Program: A Latent Profile Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Since the launch of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in 2010, more than 3,000 organizations have registered with the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention to deliver the program; today, however, only approximately 2,000 organizations are registered, indicating challenges with sustainability. We used the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) to explore patterns of sustainability capacity among National DPP delivery organizations. METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional online survey conducted in August and September 2021 of staff members (N = 440) at National DPP delivery organizations. We conducted a latent profile analysis to identify latent subpopulations on the basis of respondent PSAT domain scores. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between derived latent classes, PSAT scores, and respondent characteristics. RESULTS: The 4-class model included 4 groups of capacity for program sustainability, ranging from low to high: low (class 1) with 8.0% of the sample, medium-low (class 2) with 22.0%, medium-high (class 3) with 41.6%, and high (class 4) with 28.4%. Program evaluation (mean score = 5.1 [SD = 1.4]) and adaptation (mean score = 5.3 [SD = 1.3]) were the domains with the highest scores, while funding stability (mean score = 4.0 [SD = 1.6]) and Partnerships (mean score = 4.0 [SD = 1.7]) had the lowest scores. In our sample of National DPP delivery organizations, most reported relatively high capacity for program sustainability, and key indicators associated with sustainability capacity were virtual delivery, location of delivery, funding sources, and organization type. DISCUSSION: Similar to sustainability capacity findings from other PSAT studies, our study found that funding stability and partnerships are areas to strengthen. This insight is useful in sustainability planning at organizational and national levels across multiple programs.

Latent Class Profiles of Police Violence Exposure in 4 US Cities and Their Associations with Anticipation of Police Violence and Mental Health Outcomes.

While studying polyvictimization is well established within the broader violence literature and applied to other types of violence, it has yet to be documented whether polyvictimization also presents in patterns of police violence exposure (i.e., neglectful, psychological, physical, and sexual police violence). Our objective was to analyze latent patterns of co-occurring police contact and their associations with mental health. By applying latent class analysis (LCA) methods to the 2016 and 2017 Surveys of Police-Public Encounters (N = 2615), conducted in 4 Northeastern US cities, we identified classes of direct and vicarious police violence and compared sociodemographic characteristics among classes using multinomial regression. Classes were regressed on mental health outcomes. LCA identified four classes of police contact. Compared to Positive Police Contact (33.0%) class members, members of the (a) Extreme Police Violence (4.0%) class reported higher anticipation of future police victimization, psychological distress, and suicide ideations and attempts; they were more likely to be Black, cisgender men, and Latinx; (b) members of the High Police Violence (23.6%) class reported higher anticipation of future police victimization and psychological distress; they were more likely to be Black, Native American, and multiracial; members of the (c) Low Police Contact (39.5%) class had comparable mental health outcomes; they were more likely to report a household income < $19,999. Notably, no participants were unexposed to police contact. Polyvictimization presents in experiences of police violence and disproportionately impacts structurally marginalized people.

Barriers to Creating Healthier Home Food Environments: Process Evaluation Results From 2 Home Food Environment Intervention Studies.

Few studies have identified barriers to creating a home environment more supportive of healthy eating. We examined barriers faced by participants in a randomized controlled trial and an adaptation study of the Healthy Homes/Healthy Families intervention, which uses health coaches to support low-income families in creating healthier home food environments. Coaches maintained logs of participant interactions as part of a process evaluation. We thematically analyzed logs from interactions with participants, mostly lower-income African American women (n = 114), to identify barriers for each of 8 healthy actions that serve as core elements of the intervention. Difficulty of changing current habits was a barrier for 5 of the healthy actions. No time/convenience and limited family support each influenced 2 of the healthy actions, with interpersonal barriers also stemming from social situations and visitors, including grandchildren. Cost and economic challenges were barriers for 3 of the actions. Hunger, cravings, and limited access to resources (eg, transportation, fresh fruits and vegetables) were each noted as barriers for 1 healthy action. Overall, these findings provide insight for how to better support families who are trying to improve their home food environments and highlight the need for multilevel interventions.

Inequities in Physical Activity Environments and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Rural Communities.

INTRODUCTION: Differential access to environments supportive of physical activity (PA) may help explain racial and socioeconomic disparities in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in rural communities. METHODS: We used baseline data from a mailed survey (N = 728) conducted in 2019 as part of an evaluation of The Two Georgias Initiative to examine the relationships among LTPA, sociodemographic characteristics, and perceived access to supportive PA environments (eg, areas around the home/neighborhood, indoor and outdoor exercise areas, town center connectivity) in 3 rural Georgia counties. RESULTS: More than half of respondents (53.5%) engaged in LTPA in the previous month. Perceptions of PA environments were generally neutral to somewhat negative. In multivariable models, overall PA environment was associated with LTPA (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.06-2.35), as was annual household income >$50,000 relative to ≤$20,000 (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.53-4.83) and race, with Black respondents less likely to engage in LTPA than White respondents (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.85). Of the 5 PA environment domains examined, town center connectivity was significantly associated with LTPA (OR, 1.68, 95% CI, 1.20-2.36). Both the overall PA score (ß = -0.014; 95% CI, -0.029 to -0.002) and town center connectivity (ß = -0.020; 95% CI, -0.038 to -0.005) partially mediated associations between annual household income and LTPA. Areas supportive of PA around the home/neighborhood partially mediated the association by race (ß = 0.016; 95% CI, 0.001-0.034). CONCLUSION: Findings lend support for investing in town centers and racially diverse neighborhoods to increase walkability and PA infrastructure as potential strategies to reduce inequities in LTPA.

Marijuana Use and Increases in Use over Time among Young Adult College Students in the State of Georgia: Analyses of Sociocontexual Predictors.

BACKGROUND: While research has assessed correlates of marijuana use, there has been less focus on predictors of differing levels of changes in use during young adulthood, a critical period for use/escalation. OBJECTIVES: We examined changes in marijuana use and related sociocontextual predictors (e.g., earlier-onset substance use, parental use, college type). METHODS: Using data from Georgia college students (ages 18-25 years) in a 2-year, 6-wave longitudinal study (64.6% female, 63.4% White), 2-part random-effects modeling examined use at any assessment and number of days used. RESULTS: Predictors of use status at any assessment included being male (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = [1.28-2.73]), Black (OR = 1.91, 95%CI = [1.15-3.19]), earlier-onset marijuana (OR = 2.63, 95%CI = [1.70-4.06]), cigarette (OR = 2.04, 95%CI = [1.19-3.48]), and alcohol users (OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.00-2.22]), parental tobacco (OR = 2.14, 95%CI = [1.18-3.86]) and/or alcohol use (OR = 1.55, 95%CI = [1.09-2.20]), and attending private (vs. public) institutions (OR = 1.68, 95%CI = [1.10-2.59]). Predictors of lower likelihood of use over time included being male (OR = 0.87, 95%CI = [0.77-0.98]), earlier-onset cigarette use (OR = 0.82, 95%CI = [0.68-0.98]), parental alcohol use (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = [0.77-0.97]), and private institution students (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = [1.02-1.34]). Predictors of more days used at baseline included being male (OR = 1.77, 95%CI = [1.40-2.23]), Black (OR = 1.42, 95%CI = [1.04-1.93]), earlier-onset marijuana (OR = 2.32, 95%CI = [1.78-3.01]) and alcohol users (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = [1.01-1.66]), and parental tobacco use (OR = 1.90, 95%CI = [1.32-2.73]). Predictors of fewer days used over time included being older (OR = 0.98, 95%CI = [0.97-1.00]), parental tobacco use (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = [0.78-0.95]), and attending private institutions (OR = 0.89, 95%CI = [0.83-0.93]). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention efforts can be informed by current findings that correlates of baseline use (e.g., being male, attending private institutions) also predicted less use over time, and one's earlier use and parents' use of various substances impacted young adult use.

Are Training and Experience Adapting Evidence-Based Interventions Associated With Self-Efficacy and Attitudes? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Students and Practitioners With Varying Levels of Adaptation Experience.

Increasing use of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in local settings will help reduce the research-practice gap and improve health equity. Because adaptation to new settings and populations is essential to effective EBI use, frameworks to guide practice are receiving more attention; most, however, only provide broad guidelines without instructions for making adaptations in practice. Therefore, practitioners may need additional training or technical assistance (TA) to implement and adapt EBIs. This study explores whether practitioners' and students' general EBI training or TA and level of adaptation experience are associated with self-efficacy in adapting EBIs and with attitudes toward EBI use. We analyzed baseline survey data of participants in an evaluation of IM-Adapt Online, a newly developed decision support tool. We asked about previous training on EBIs, general and specific adaptation behaviors, and attitudes toward EBIs and found an association between previous training or TA in using EBIs with higher self-efficacy for using and adapting EBIs. Respondents with prior EBI training were significantly more likely to have higher self-efficacy in EBI behaviors across subdomains and in total than those without training. Respondents reported lowest self-efficacy for planning adaptations (M = 3.35) and assessing fit of EBIs to their local context (M = 3.41). This study suggests the importance of EBI adaptation training and TA to increase adoption and adaptation of EBIs, subsequently. More adaptation-specific training is warranted to assist students, practitioners, and researchers undertaking the adaptation process and implement EBIs. Future training on EBI adaptation can help practitioners tailor EBIs to meet the specific needs of their populations.

Is Social Isolation Related to Emotion Dysregulation and Retention in Care Among Older Persons Living with HIV?

Retention in care is important in managing HIV among older persons living with HIV (PLWH). We used Theory of Loneliness-loneliness affects emotion-regulatory processes which lead to dysfunctional health behaviors-to test whether social isolation is related to retention in care either directly or indirectly through emotion dysregulation in older PLWH (≥ 50 years of age; N = 144). Retention in care was defined as the proportion of attended scheduled medical visits; visit data were collected prospectively over 12 months from electronic medical records. Self-reported social isolation, emotion dysregulation, and covariates were assessed cross-sectionally at baseline. Most participants were male (60%), African American/Black (86%), and single (59%); 56% were optimally retained in care. Retention was related to monthly income, CD4 + T cell count, and drug use with no direct or indirect effects of social isolation on retention in care. Socioeconomic and behavioral vulnerabilities are closely related to retention in care among older PLWH.

RESUMEN: Retención en atención médica es importante para el manejo de VIH con personas mayores que viven con VIH (PMVV). Nosotros usamos la Teoría de Soledad- soledad afecta los procesos que regulan emociones y crea comportamientos de salud disfuncionales- para probar si aislamiento social está asociado directamente o indirectamente con la retención en atención médica por desregular emociones en PMVV (≥ 50 años de edad; N = 144). Retención en atención médica fue definido por la proporción de visitas médicas programadas y atendidas; y los datos de visitas atendidas que fueron programadas fueron recopilados prospectivamente por 12 meses de archivos médicos electrónicos. Aislamiento social auto-reportado, desregulación emocional, y covariables fueron evaluados transversalmente de la línea de base. La mayoría de los participantes fueron masculinos (60%), negros/americanos africanos (86%) y solteros (59%); 56% de nuestra muestra fueron retenidos optimamente en atención médica. Retención en atención médica fue asociada con ingresos mensuales, el conteo de linfocitos cd4 + , y el consumo de drogas ilegales; no encontramos efectos directos ni indirectos del aislamiento social a la retención en atención médica. Vulnerabilidades socioeconómicas y de comportamiento están vinculados estrechamente a la retención en atención médica para PMVV.

Predictors of disparities in retention in care among African Americans living with HIV.

Limited health literacy may contribute to racial disparities in retention in HIV care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of health literacy and patient and social-level factors on retention in care among African Americans living with HIV. This study included 699 participants recruited from outpatient HIV clinics and retention in care was defined as visit adherence. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess predictors of visit adherence among persons with 100% visit adherence compared to less than 100% visit adherence. Controlling for demographic factors, the odds of 100% visit adherence was greater among non-African Americans compared to African Americans. In models that included health literacy, race was no longer significant and health literacy was a significant predictor of 100% visit adherence. Among participants with less than 100% visit adherence, health literacy was not a significant predictor of visit adherence; however, age, marital status, and patient attitudes towards the health care provider were significant predictors. Findings suggest that health literacy may mediate the relationship between race and visit adherence. Future studies should further examine these relationships and develop interventions that target modifiable factors, with a goal of improving health equity and minimizing disparities.

Home food environment and associations with weight and diet among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The home provides the physical and social context for the majority of eating behaviors for U.S. adults. This study describes eleven dimensions of the home food environment among a national sample of U.S. adults and identifies which are associated with diet quality and overweight/obesity. METHODS: A national sample of U.S. adults ages 18 to 75 was recruited from an online survey panel. Respondents (n = 4942) reported on foods available in the home, including 1) fruit and vegetables, 2) salty snacks/sweets, 3) less healthy beverages, as well as 4) food placement, 5) shopping practices for fruits and vegetables, 6) food preparation, 7) portion control methods, 8) family meals from restaurants, 9) family household practices around TV and eating, 10) presence of a TV in the dining area, and 11) ownership of a scale. Self-reported height and weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and percent calories from fat were also assessed. RESULTS: Mean household size was 2.6, 32.7% had children in the home, and 23.1% lived alone. The majority were White (67.7%), with 12.3% Black and 14.3% Hispanic. Mean age was 44.4 and 48.3% were men. In multivariable models, seven features of the home food environment were associated with meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake guidelines, with food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available in the home most strongly associated. Eight of 11 features were associated with percent energy from fat, including restaurant food for family meals, salty snacks and sweets availability, less healthy beverages availability, food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, family eating with the TV on, and having a TV in the dining area. More diverse fruit and vegetable availability was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity, and more frequent family eating while watching TV was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION: Targeting these dimensions of the home food environment may be a promising approach for future intervention research.

Minority stress, depression, and cigarette smoking among Chinese gay versus bisexual men: a two-group structural equation model analyses.

BACKGROUND: Literature in the West suggested that bisexual men have a higher smoking rate compared to gay men. Data on patterns of smoking among gay and bisexual men are limited in Eastern Asian countries like China. This study examined the cigarette smoking prevalence for gay versus bisexual men in China and their unique minority stress - smoking pathways. METHODS: Between September 2017 and November 2018, we surveyed a convenience sample of 538 gay men and 138 bisexual men recruited from local sexual minority organizations in four metropolitan cities in China (i.e., Beijing, Wuhan, Nanchang, and Changsha). Measures included sexual orientation, sociodemographics, theory-based minority stressors, depressive symptoms, and past 30-day cigarette smoking. Two-group (gay men vs. bisexual men) structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test possible distinct mechanisms between theory-based stressors, depressive symptoms, and cigarette smoking among gay men and bisexual men, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 26.51 (SD = 8.41) years old and 76.3% of them had at least a college degree. Bisexual men reported a higher rate of cigarette smoking compared to gay men (39.9% vs. 27.3%). Two-group SEM indicated that the pathways for cigarette smoking were not different between gay and bisexual men. Higher rejection anticipation was associated with greater depressive symptoms (standardized ß = 0.32, p < .001), and depressive symptoms were not associated with cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Minority stress, specifically rejection anticipation, may be critical considerations in addressing depressive symptoms, but not smoking, among both gay and bisexual men in China.

A Path Analysis of Patient and Social-Level Factors on Health Literacy and Retention in Care Among African Americans Living with HIV.

Low health literacy and poor retention in care may contribute to HIV health disparities among African Americans, but causal pathways have not been examined. We utilized an adapted health literacy model to examine the role of health literacy on racial disparities in retention in care. Retention in care for 699 participants was assessed 24-months post survey and operationalized as 100% visit adherence versus less than 100% visit adherence. Most participants were African American (60%) and virally suppressed (93%). Results from a path analysis revealed that non-African American race was related to greater health literacy (p = .023) and to 100% visit adherence (p = .024). Greater health literacy was associated with 100% visit adherence (p = .008), which was in turn related to viral suppression (p < .001). Findings indicate that health literacy partially mediates the relationship between race and retention in care and are among the first to suggest these causal pathways.

Disparities in Retention in Care Among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review.

As national HIV prevention goals aim to increase the proportion of persons living with HIV, determining existing disparities in retention in care will allow for targeted intervention. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify existing disparities in retention in care. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guided this systematic review. Electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sociological Collection, PsychInfo, and Cab Direct/Global Health, were systematically searched and twenty studies were included. This review identified disparities in retention in care that have been documented by race, gender, age, HIV exposure, incarceration history, place of birth, and U.S. geographic location. Research is necessary to further identify existing disparities in retention in care and to better understand determinants of health disparities. Additionally, interventions must be tailored to meet the needs of health disparate populations and should be assessed to determine their effectiveness in reducing health disparities.

Correlates of loneliness in older persons living with HIV.

Loneliness poses a significant risk for morbidity and mortality in the context of older adulthood. Research shows that older persons living with HIV (PLWH) often face increased and complex vulnerability in terms of physical and psychosocial needs which may promote loneliness. The current study sought to identify correlates of loneliness in a sample of 146 older PLWH (age ≥50) recruited from an outpatient HIV clinic in Atlanta, GA. Participants completed a survey on loneliness, depression, HIV-related stigma, social network size, HIV-disclosure status, disease burden, and demographics. HIV biomarkers were abstracted from electronic medical records. Participants were predominantly male (60%) and African American (86%). Twelve percent (n = 17) reported past homelessness/unstable housing. Multivariable modeling revealed that depression and HIV-related stigma explained 41% of the variance in loneliness, above and beyond the effects of past homelessness/unstable housing and disease burden (R2 = 0.41, F(7, 138) = 13.76, p < .001). Findings suggest that targeting HIV-related stigma and depression may reduce loneliness in older PLWH, but more studies are needed to elucidate causal pathways. A greater understanding of the mechanisms by which loneliness affects health among older PLWH could help better inform efforts to improve health in this patient population.

Tobacco Use Trajectories in Young Adults: Analyses of Predictors Across Systems Levels.

INTRODUCTION: Research is needed to examine trajectories of tobacco use beyond cigarette smoking, particularly during emerging middle young adulthood, and to identify distinct multilevel influences of use trajectories. AIMS AND METHODS: We examined (1) tobacco use trajectories over a 2-year period among 2592 young adult college students in a longitudinal cohort study and (2) predictors of these trajectories using variables from a socioecological framework, including intrapersonal-level factors (eg, sociodemographics, psychosocial factors [eg, adverse childhood experiences, depressive symptoms, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms], early-onset substance use), interpersonal factors (eg, social support, parental substance use), and community-level factors (eg, college type, rural vs. urban). RESULTS: About 64.5% were female and 65.0% were white. From age 18 to 26, 27%-31% of participants reported past 30-day use of any tobacco product. We identified four trajectory classes: Abstainers/Dabblers who never or infrequently used (89.2%); Adult users who began using frequently around age 20 and continued thereafter (5.9%); College Smokers who began using before 19 but ceased use around 25 (2.5%); and Teenage users who used during their teenage years but ceased use by 22 (1.9%). Multinomial regression showed that, compared to Abstainers/Dabblers, significant predictors (p < .05) of being (1) Adult users included being male, earlier onset marijuana use, attending public universities or technical colleges (vs. private universities), and living in urban areas; (2) College users included being male, earlier onset marijuana use, and parental alcohol or marijuana use; and (3) Teenage users included only earlier onset marijuana use. CONCLUSION: Distinct prevention and intervention efforts may be needed to address the trajectories identified. IMPLICATIONS: Among young adult college students, the largest proportion of tobacco users demonstrate the risk of continued and/or progression of tobacco use beyond college. In addition, specific factors, particularly sex, earlier onset marijuana use, parental use of alcohol and marijuana, and contextual factors such as college setting (type of school, rural vs. urban) may influence tobacco use outcomes. As such, prevention and cessation intervention strategies are needed to address multilevel influences.