Hiding in plain sight: highlighting the research gap on access to HIV and other sexual health services for underrepresented gay men in developed Western countries - insights from a scoping review with a focus on Arab men.

BACKGROUND: Strategies pertaining to HIV and sexual health for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have shifted focus towards underrepresented subgroups within some developed Western countries. Although emerging research exists on some subgroups, limited attention has been given to the needs of Arab GBMSM in these contexts. Considering they are part of a large diaspora, understanding their access to services is crucial. This paper focuses on Arab GBMSM as a case study within a scoping review, highlighting their hidden status within the broader landscape of HIV and sexual health research for GBMSM in the West. METHODS: A multi-method search strategy was employed, including searching four electronic databases using several terms within each of the following search topics: Arab, GBMSM, HIV and other sexual health services, and developed Western countries. RESULTS: Of the 384 articles found, only one addressed the research question and met the inclusion criteria, revealing a stark scarcity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for this population. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights a paucity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for underrepresented GBMSM populations in developed Western countries. The literature indicates that, for Arab men, this may be due to a difficulty in participant recruitment and poor data collection efforts. By focusing on one hidden population, we aim to advocate for inclusive policies and interventions that promote equitable sexual health access for all. Addressing this research gap aligns with broader local and global HIV strategies to reduce disparities among underrepresented GBMSM populations.

Prevalence and risk factors contributing to the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in Chinese international migrants: A narrative review.

AIMS: This paper reviewed the literature on diabetes prevalence and risk factors associated with diabetes among first-generation Chinese international migrants. METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and Maternity and Infant Care were searched until March 2022, for articles written in English. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: In total, 17 articles were included (nine for gestational diabetes, six for type 2 diabetes, and none for type 1 diabetes). The average crude prevalence rate for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes was 12.1% and 9.3% respectively. Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes included older age, sex, family history of type 2 diabetes, higher BMI/waist circumference, longer time since migration, alcohol consumption, smoker, hypertension, and high triglycerides. Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of gestational diabetes included older maternal age, history of gestational diabetes, higher weight/pre-pregnancy BMI, longer time since migration, and Chinese ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a research gap in the diabetes health of Chinese migrants, particularly for type 1 diabetes, highlighting the need for ethnic-specific diabetes research and care, including for subsequent generations of migrants and those living in developing countries.

Information-seeking behaviours in Australian sexual minority men engaged in chemsex.

Introduction: Chemsex refers to using illicit substances to facilitate sexual experiences in men who have sex with men. Chemsex has been linked to significant negative impacts on psychological, social, and physical wellbeing. Little is known about information-seeking behaviours in this population. This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of seeking and engaging with health information. Methods: Self-identified Australian sexual minority men who engage in chemsex (N = 184) participated in an anonymous cross-sectional survey. Variables included chemsex engagement, knowledge, perception and use of harm-reduction information, and associated health and support services. Pearson correlation and ANOVAs were conducted. Wilcoxon-Signed-Rank and Friedman tests were applied to analyse the perceived trustworthiness of information sources. Results: Chemsex represented a meaningful part of sexual events. Most participants knew where to access professional help and harm-reduction information but worried about being judged. Most did not feel comfortable discussing chemsex with health professionals except with sexual health doctors/counsellors. Few users discussed health risks with a professional. Information on chemsex was received through multiple sources with significant differences in perceived relevance and trustworthiness, with sexual health doctors/nurses ranked the most trustworthy information. Interest in non-traditional sources of information was low except for formal peer networks and anonymous personal expert advice. Conclusion: Engagement with health professionals and harm-reduction information is limited in this population, despite high risk and potentially significant adverse health outcomes. Results suggest that new and combined approaches are necessary to reach this population, including peer support networks, anonymous personal advice and changing community attitudes towards chemsex.

Queer binge: harmful alcohol use among sexual minority young people in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The literature suggests that sexual minority young people (SMYP) use alcohol at disproportionate levels when compared with their heterosexual counterparts. Little is known about alcohol dependency symptoms and correlations between high-risk alcohol use/dependency symptoms and minority stress in this population in general and between subgroups. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Descriptive statistics, adjusted odds ratios, and analysis of covariance were used to determine high-risk alcohol use, dependency symptoms, differences between subgroups, and correlations between alcohol use, dependency symptoms, and minority stress. RESULTS: A total of 1556 Australian SMYPs aged 18 to 35 years completed the survey. Fifty percent of the participants reported high-risk alcohol consumption with significant differences between subgroups. Typical dependency symptoms such as 'health, social, legal or financial problems due to alcohol consumption' (16.8%, n = 247) were identified in large parts of the sample. High-risk consumption and dependency symptoms were significantly correlated with minority stress. CONCLUSION: High levels of high-risk alcohol use and dependency symptoms were found, largely consistent with existing literature. However, disparities are not distributed equally in this population, suggesting that future health promotion interventions should focus on SMYP subgroups. Significant correlations between minority stress and dependency symptoms/high-risk use suggest a potential route for future interventions in these populations.

First year nursing students' experiences of social media during the transition to university: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Social media platforms are useful for creating communities, which can then be utilised as a mean for supportive, professional and social learning. OBJECTIVE: To explore first year nursing student experiences with social media in supporting student transition and engagement into higher education. DESIGN: Qualitative focus groups. METHODS: Ten 1st year Bachelor of Nursing students were included in three face-to-face focus groups. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged that illustrates the experiences of transition and engagement of first year student nurses using social media at university. (1) Facilitating familiarity and collaboration at a safe distance, (2) promoting independent learning by facilitating access to resources, and (3) mitigating hazards of social media. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the importance of social media in supporting informal peer-peer learning and support, augmenting online and offline relationships, and building professional identity as a nurse.

Mild cognitive impairment, screening, and patient perceptions in heart failure patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairments are prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, worsening outcomes but often undetected.The aim of this study was to screen HF outpatients for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), determine the areas of cognition affected, patient awareness of cognitive change, and associated factors. METHOD AND RESULTS: HF patients (n = 128) newly registered for the Management of Cardiac Function program, free from neurocognitive disorder, and with sufficient visual acuity were assessed with the use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool (MoCA). MCI was classified as MoCA score ≤22. The sample was elderly (mean, 80.65 years; SD, 11.52). Mean MoCA score was 24.58 (SD 3.45), 22% were classified as impaired, 45% had noticed a change in cognition, and 15% reported that they were affected in their daily lives. Patients noticing this impact had lower MoCA scores (22.74, SD 3.0) than those who did not (25.17, SD 2.96; P ≤ .02). Most impairments occurred for delayed recall, visuospatial/executive function, and abstraction. The odds of impairment increased by the presence of ischemic heart disease (odds ratio, 4.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-15.69). CONCLUSIONS: In HF outpatients without a dementia diagnosis, MCI is prevalent. Screening for MCI and incorporation of compensatory strategies are essential.