Connecting Masculinities to Men's Illness Vulnerabilities and Resilience.

Men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience are two predominant and regularly linked constructs in the masculinities and men's health literature. There has been a steady stream of men's strength-based vulnerabilities in the form of illness testimonials amid critiques that such disclosures are mere props for bolstering patriarchal power. The current article presents secondary analyses of case studies with four participants who took part in wide-ranging qualitative health studies to detail diverse connections between masculinities and men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience. Prostate cancer-related vulnerabilities feature in the first case study where Arthur's resilience for reclaiming his erectile function post-prostatectomy mobilizes an objection masculinity contesting his marginality. In the second case study, Chuck's vulnerabilities are conceded as permanent flowing from his severe mental illness, a positionality situating resilience as obligatory for his survival. Here, Chuck embodies a resignate masculinity that accepts but works to manage the harms of his subordinate status. In the aftermath of his young son's suicide, Jack laments that he did not model vulnerabilities. Resilience for understanding his loss influences a reimagined masculinity where Jack contemplates changes to gender norms for his and other men's lives. Lastly, Sami replaces maladaptive actions for dousing vulnerabilities incurred through a partner-initiated separation with resilience for self-growth. Aspiring progress masculinity, Sami deconstructs his emotions and behaviors to positively change how he shows up as a man, father, and partner. The case studies reveal connections between objection, resignate, reimagined, and progress masculinities and men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience to advance empirical, gender theory and methodological insights.

Perfil de homens autores de violência contra as mulheres: revisão sistemática da literatura brasileira / Profile of male perpetrators of violence against women: a systematic review of the Brazilian literature / Perfil de hombres autores de violencia contra las mujeres: una revisión sistemática de la literatura brasileña

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o perfil dos homens autores de violência contra as mulheres na literatura científica brasileira, intencionando auxiliar no direcionamento de práticas socioeducativas das políticas públicas no enfren-tamento desse tipo de violência. O estudo proposto configura uma revisão sistemática realizada por meio dos descritores "violência contra a mulher", "autor de violência", "violência por parceiro íntimo" e "violência doméstica contra a mulher". As bases de dados pesquisadas foram: SciELO, Oasisbr e BVS, compondo a amostra final de 15 artigos. Diante dos estudos que compuseram o estudo, verifica-se características como idade, situação laboral, escolari-dade, uso de álcool e outras drogas, além de histórico de violência familiar. Evidencia-se que o perfil identificado neste artigo apresenta divergências entre pontos das pesquisas nacionais realizadas. Com isso, recomenda-se a formu-lação de um instrumento que uniformize as investigações acerca da temática, assim como a participação ativa de homens autores de violência nas pesquisas. (AU)

This study aims to analyze the profile of men who commit violence against women in Brazilian scientific literature, with the intention of aiding in the development of socio-educational practices within public policies to address this type of violence. The proposed study constitutes a systematic review conducted using the descriptors "violence against women," "perpetrators of violence," "intimate partner violence," and "domestic violence against women." The data-bases searched included SciELO, Oasisbr, and BVS, resulting in a final sample of 15 articles. Based on the studies included in the review, characteristics such as age, employment status, education, and substance use (including alcohol and other drugs), as well as a history of family violence were examined. It is evident that the profile identified in this article presents variations among different national research findings. Consequently, it is recommended to develop an instrument that standardizes investigations on this subject, as well as to actively involve male perpetrators of violence in research. (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar el perfil de los hombres autores de violencia contra las mujeres en la literatura científica brasileña, con la intención de ayudar a orientar las prácticas socioeducativas de las políticas públicas en el tratamiento de este tipo de violencia. El estudio propuesto es una revisión sistemática realizada utilizando los descriptores "violencia contra la mujer", "perpetradores de violencia", "violencia de pareja íntima" y "violencia doméstica contra la mujer". Las bases de datos pesquisadas fueron: SciELO, Oasisbr y BVS, componiendo la muestra final de 15 artículos. En vista de los artículos que integraron el estudio, se verificaron características como edad, situación laboral, escolaridad, uso de alcohol y otras drogas, además de ante-cedentes de violencia familiar. Se evidencia que el perfil identificado en este artículo presenta diferencias entre los puntos de las investigaciones nacionales realizadas. Con esto, se recomienda la formulación de un instrumento que estandarice las investigaciones sobre el tema, así como la participación de hombres perpetradores de violencia en las investigaciones. (AU)

"We Shall Tell them with Love, Inform them what we have Learnt and then Allow them to go" - Men's Perspectives of Self-Collected Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Uganda: A Qualitative Inquiry.

Uganda has high incidence rates of cervical cancer (47.5/100,000/year) due to limited screening access. In settings where men hold most of the decision-making power, they play an important role in women's uptake of cervical cancer screening. We aimed to capture men's knowledge, beliefs and perspectives about cervical cancer, community-based screening and health system barriers. Focus group discussions were conducted with men in rural Uganda. Data were verbatim translated and transcribed into English. Transcripts were analysed in ATLAS.ti using a deductive approach of thematic content analysis and applied to an implementation research framework. Twenty-three men participated in focus groups. Men held poor knowledge of cervical cancer, its causes and treatment. Men felt screening would be acceptable by women if men and women were educated. Men highlighted health system barriers to accessing screening including: 1) poor-quality health services, 2) large distances to facilities/lack of affordable transportation and 3) lack of health workers/mistreatment by health workers. Men described supporting women through assisting with transportation, psychosocial support and sharing information. They requested services for men to be decentralized alongside community outreaches for cervical cancer screening. Engaging men in the implementation, education and planning of community-based cervical cancer screening programs is critical. Not engaging men is a missed opportunity to provide them with services and education. Concerted efforts must be made in educating men and reducing health system barriers to ensure rural women receive cervical cancer screening and follow-up care in low-income settings. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04000503; Registered 27 June 2019.

Efecto mediador de la motivación a buscar venganza en la relación de la ansiedad y la evitación en el apego con la calidad de vida / Mediating effect of revenge-seeking motivation on the relationship of attachment anxiety and avoidance to quality of life

OBJETIVO: Determinar el efecto mediador de la motivación a buscar venganza en la relación de la ansiedad y la evitación en el apego con la calidad de vida. METODOLOGÍA: estudio transversal correlacional. La muestra estuvo constituida por 558 personas de 18 a 65 años de la ciudad de Antofagasta, Chile. Fueron utilizados los instrumentos: Cuestionario WHOQoL-Bref; Experiencia en Relaciones Cercanas; y Motivación a buscar venganza. Se realizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que consideró efectos directos, indirectos y totales. RESULTADOS: Del total de participantes, 289 (51,8%) fueron hombres. Las edades fluctuaron entre 18 y 65 años (M=39,7; ±13,42). Se encontraron efectos significativos en la relación entre la ansiedad y evitación en el apego en los dominios físico, psicológico y social-relacional de la calidad de vida. La motivación a buscar venganza tiene efecto de mediación total en la relación entre evitación en el apego y el dominio físico, y efecto de mediación parcial de la evitación en el apego sobre el dominio psicológico de la calidad de vida. CONCLUSIÓN: ansiedad y evitación en el apego disminuyen la calidad de vida y la motivación a buscar venganza media parcial o totalmente la relación entre la evitación en el apego sobre los dominios físico y psicológico de la calidad de vida.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mediating effect of revenge-seeking motivation on the relationship between anxiety and avoidance in attachment and quality of life. METHODOLOGY: cross-sectional correlational study. The sample consisted of 558 people aged 18 to 65 years from the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The following instruments were used: WHOQoL-Bref Questionnaire; Experience in Close Relationships; and Motivation to seek revenge. Structural equation modeling was performed considering direct, indirect and total effects. RESULTS: Of the total number of participants, 289 (51.8%) were male. Ages ranged from 18 to 65 years (M=39.7; ±13.42). Significant effects were found in the relationship between anxiety and avoidance on attachment in the physical, psychological, and social-relational domains of quality of life. Revenge-seeking motivation has full mediation effect on the relationship between attachment avoidance and the physical domain, and partial mediation effect of attachment avoidance on the psychological domain of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Anxiety and attachment avoidance decrease quality of life, and revenge-seeking motivation partially or fully mediates the relationship between attachment avoidance and the physical and psychological domains of quality of life.

Factors explaining men's intentions to support their partner's participation in cervical cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer represents a high burden of disease. Many women in low- and middle-income countries face opposition from their partners and families to undergo cervical cancer screening. Identifying the social, cultural, and psychological factors that underly the opposition to screening by male partners is an important step towards reducing barriers for men to support their wives' participation in cervical screening. This study explored the role of structural and psychological factors deriving from theoretical models as determinants of Indian men's opposition to their partners being screened for cervical cancer. METHODS: A survey among 500 sexually active males was conducted between April 2020 and August 2020 to measure knowledge of cervical cancer and screening, awareness of screening possibilities, attitude towards screening, perceived barriers to screening, and health literacy. Regression analysis was performed to assess which of the potential factors contributed to the intention to support their wives' screening. RESULTS: The majority of participants had very poor knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and screening procedures, tended towards a negative attitude towards screening, and perceived several structural barriers. Attitude towards the screening procedure and routine participation in general screening significantly predicted their intention to support their wives' screening for cervical cancer. Education moderated the association between knowledge and awareness and the intention to support their wives' screening. CONCLUSION: As women often rely on their spouses' financial and emotional support of cervical screening, there is a need for men to be encouraged to support their wives' screening participation. Programs to encourage men to support their wives' cervical screening should focus on their attitude towards screening, educate about cervical cancer and screening procedures, and reduce perceived barriers.

Overweight and associated factors in Basic Education teachers during the Covid-19 pandemic: gender differentials / Excesso de peso e fatores associados entre professores da Educação Básica durante a pandemia de Covid-19: diferenciais de sexo

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of overweight among teachers in Minas Gerais during the Covid-19 pandemic and to review relevant gender associated factors. Methods Cross-sectional and analytical study, websurvey type, carried out with 15,641 teachers of public Basic Education in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection took place from August to September 2020 with the use of a digital form. The dependent variable was overweight, calculated by the body mass index using the teachers' self-reported weight and height. Poisson regression was used, with robust variance. Results Among the participating teachers, 52.4% were overweight. When stratified by gender, 51.1% women and 58.2% men were considered overweight, with a significant difference between them (p<0.001). There was a higher prevalence of overweight among women in the age group of 30 to 59 years (PR=1.39) and in women 60 years or older (PR=1.45) living in the metropolitan region of the state (PR=1.06) who had children (PR=1.19), who were not exercising (PR=1.09) and with a worse dietary pattern during the pandemic (PR=1.12), much afraid of Covid-19 (PR=1.04) and with anxiety and/or depression during the pandemic (PR=1.14). Among men, there was a higher prevalence of overweight among those individuals aged 30 to 59 years (PR=1.19), who lived with a spouse (PR=1.15) working more than 40 hours per week (PR=1.12) and those with the worst dietary pattern during the pandemic (PR=1.10). Conclusion The results showed a 52.4% prevalence of overweight teachers and different associated factors between the genders.

RESUMO Objetivo Estimar a prevalência de excesso de peso entre professores de Minas Gerais durante a pandemia de Covid-19 e analisar os fatores associados segundo o sexo. Métodos Estudo transversal e analítico, do tipo websurvey, realizado com 15.641 professores da educação básica pública de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu de agosto a setembro de 2020, via formulário digital. A variável dependente foi o excesso de peso, calculado pelo índice de massa corporal através do peso e altura autorreferidos pelos professores. Utilizou-se a Regressão de Poisson, com variância robusta. Resultados Entre os professores participantes, 52,4% estavam com excesso de peso. Quando estratificado por sexo, 51,1% das mulheres e 58,2% dos homens estavam com excesso de peso, apresentando diferença significativa entre eles (p<0,001). Houve maior prevalência de excesso de peso entre as mulheres de 30 a 59 anos (RP=1,39) e 60 anos ou mais (RP=1,45), da região metropolitana do Estado (RP=1,06), com filhos (RP=1,19), que não estavam praticando exercício físico durante a pandemia (RP=1,09), com pior padrão alimentar durante a pandemia (RP=1,12), com muito medo da Covid-19 (RP=1,04) e com ansiedade e/ou depressão durante a pandemia (RP=1,14). Entre os homens, houve maior prevalência de excesso de peso entre aqueles de 30 a 59 anos (RP=1,19), que viviam com cônjuge (RP=1,15), que trabalhavam mais de 40 horas semanais (RP=1,12) e aqueles com pior padrão alimentar durante a pandemia (RP=1,10). Conclusão Os resultados evidenciaram que 52,4% dos professores respondentes estavam com excesso de peso, tendo sido encontrados diferentes fatores associados entre os sexos.

As características desejadas em parceiros amorosos selecionados por meio da internet, intenções dos usuários e seus desdobramentos / Desired features of virtual partners, intentions of the users and their developments / Las características deseadas en parejas virtuales, intenciones de los usuarios y sus desarrollo

O presente estudo avaliou as características desejadas em um parceiro virtual quando há intenção de se casar ou ficar. Uma amostra de 210 estudantes universitários respondeu a um questionário com questões elaboradas pelos pesquisadores e a Escala de Atributos do Parceiro Ideal. Verificou-se qual a intenção amorosa dos sujeitos ao utilizarem os aplicativos, a quantidade de encontros concretizados e o tempo de acesso a eles. Os resultados mostraram que as características desejadas em um parceiro para ficar e em um para casar são diferentes, assim como as intenções amorosas entre os sexos e a quantidade de encontros que concretizaram. O tempo de acesso aos aplicativos foi semelhante e as mulheres consideraram que os homens criam mais expectativas sobre o desenvolvimento de um namoro por ferramentas virtuais. Concluiu-se que os homens são mais propensos ao envolvimento sexual casual.

The present study evaluated the desired characteristics in a virtual partner when one wanted to marry or date. A sample of 210 university students answered a questionnaire that contained questions elaborated by the researchers and the Scale of Attributes of the Ideal Partner. It was verified the subjects' loving intention in using the applications, the number of encounters made and the time of access to them. The results demonstrated that the characteristics desired in a partner to date and to marry are different, as well as the love intentions between the sexes and the amount of dates that have materialized. Access time to applications was similar and women considered that men created more expectations about developing relationship by virtual tools. It is concluded that men are more prone to casual sexual involvement.

El presente estudio evaluó las características deseadas en parejas virtuales cuando se anhelaba casarse o coquetear. Participaran 210 estudiantes universitarios que respondieron a un cuestionario presencialmente que contuvo cuestiones elaboradas por los investigadores y la Escala de Atributos de Pareja Ideal. Se verificó cuál fue la intención amorosa de los sujetos al utilizar las aplicaciones, la cantidad de encuentros concretizados y el tiempo de acceso a ellos. Los resultados demostraron que las características deseadas en parejas para coquetear y en un para casarse son diferentes, así como las intenciones amorosas entre los sexos y la cantidad de encuentros que concretaron. El tiempo de acceso a las aplicaciones fue similar y las mujeres consideraron que los hombres creen más expectativas sobre el desarrollo de un noviazgo por medios virtuales.Se concluye que los hombres son más propensos a la implicación sexual casual.

(Re)violências socialmente infligidas a meninos sexualmente abusados por mulheres / Double violence socially inflicted on boys sexually abused by women / (Re)violencia socialmente infligida a niños abusados sexualmente por mujeres

No Brasil, foram reportados aproximadamente 776 casos de abuso sexual infantil (ASI) contra crianças e adolescentes do sexo masculino perpetrado por abusadoras femininas entre 2011 e 2017 (Brasil, 2018). Diversos estudos demonstram evidências de um processo particular na experiência do ASI de meninos, que entravam seu processo de revelação, tornando-o altamente subnotificada. Este artigo pretendeu capturar reações ao ASI de meninos quando cometido por mulheres, pela análise de conteúdo de 292 comentários em reportagens de domínio público que noticiaram casos reais dessa violência. Os resultados demonstraram preponderância do não reconhecimento das práticas sexuais entre mulheres adultas e meninos como abuso (81,5%), contendo ataques depreciativos aos jovens, declarações de impossibilidade de vitimização destes, referências positivas à experiência, entre outras que banalizam a questão. Os múltiplos ataques virtuais registrados e a descaracterização dos casos como abusivos sugerem um processo de (re)vitimização socialmente infligida aos meninos sexualmente violentados, acarretando possíveis danos psicológicos secundários e reforçando estigmas e a subnotificação dessa violência.

In Brazil, approximately 776 cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) against male children and adolescents perpetrated by female abusers were reported between 2011 and 2017 (Brazil, 2018). Several studies demonstrate evidence of a particular process in the boys' CSA experience, which impedes their disclosure process, making it highly underreported. This article aimed to capture reactions to boys' CSA when committed by women, by analyzing the content of 292 comments in public domain news that reported real cases of this violence. The results showed a preponderance of the lack of recognition of sexual practices among adult women and boys as abuse (81.5%), containing derogatory attacks on boys, declarations of their impossibility of victimization, positive references to the experience, among other trivializing trends. The multiple virtual attacks and the mischaracterization of cases as abusive suggest a process of double victimization inflicted on sexually abused boys, causing possible secondary psychological damage, reinforcing stigmas and the underreporting of this violence.

En Brasil, fueron reportados aproximadamente 776 casos de abuso sexual infantil (ASI) contra niños y adolescentes del sexo masculino perpetrados por mujeres abusadoras entre 2011 y 2017 (Brasil, 2018). Varios estudios demuestran evidencias de un proceso particular en la experiencia de ASI de niños, que impide su proceso de divulgación, lo que la hace subnotificada. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo captar las reacciones al ASI de los niños cometida por mujeres, mediante el análisis del contenido de 292 comentarios en informes de dominio público que denunciaron casos reales de esa violencia. Los resultados mostraron una preponderancia del desconocimiento de las prácticas sexuales entre mujeres y niños como abuso (81,5%), conteniendo agresiones despectivas a los jóvenes, declaraciones de imposibilidad de victimización, referencias positivas a la experiencia, entre otras tendencias banalizadoras. Los múltiples ataques virtuales registrados y la caracterización errónea de los casos como no abusivos sugieren un proceso de (re)victimización social infligido a los niños abusados sexualmente, provocando posibles daños psicológicos secundarios, reforzando los estigmas y el subregistro de esa violencia.

Men's Knowledge of and Behavior toward Mammography Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is a public health problem that affects many populations worldwide. Women's health care behavior, including seeking mammography screening, might be affected by men, especially in conservative Arab societies. Few studies have investigated men's behavior toward mammography for female relatives. The main aims of this study were (i) to evaluate men's knowledge about mammography screening and (ii) to assess men's behavior toward women regarding mammogram screening and the factors influencing their behavior. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among male residents of the five main geographic areas of Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire. In addition to sociodemographic data, the questionnaire assessed respondents' general knowledge about mammograms, their behavior toward female family members who use mammography, and their perceptions about awareness campaigns. RESULTS: A total of 9691 male respondents were included in the study. The majority (79%) recommended mammography to their female family members. Multiple factors were significantly associated with men recommending mammograms, including age (p <0.01), education (p <0.01), employment status (p <0.01), and region (p <0.01). Only 33.8% of the participants had a high knowledge score about mammography. Approximately 45% of respondents reported that BC awareness campaigns were weak, while 48% were not aware of BC screening programs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their positive behavior in recommending mammograms to female relatives, men exhibited a notable lack of knowledge about mammography. Establishing national programs and educational campaigns for men to explain the benefits of screening and access to free mammography are essential.
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COVID-19 pandemic decrease men's mental health: background and consequence analysis / A pandemia da COVID-19 piora a saúde mental de homens: análise de antecedentes e consequentes

OBJECTIVE: To analyze, from the perspective of self-report of antecedents and consequences, how the COVID-19 pandemic decrease the health of men living in Brazil. METHODS: Qualitative study, conducted with 200 men living in all regions of Brazil through the application of a semi-structured instrument, hosted on an online platform. The data were analyzed with the Collective Subject Discourse method and anchored in the theoretical framework of Dialectical Historical Materialism. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic decrease men's mental health because it worsened the history of personal, affective, family, occupational, dysfunctional and/or morbid problems, causing consequences of psychic somatization, family dissolution, end of affective relationship, marital conflicts, social isolation, financial difficulty, vulnerability of the work situation and occupational exhaustion, sudden changes in behavior, barriers in access to health care and impaired experiences of death and grief. CONCLUSION: Social support networks need to be strengthened in order to minimize the direct and indirect impacts caused by the pandemic materiality for mental health and the various dimensions of life affected.

OBJETIVO: Analisar, sob o prisma do autorrelato de antecedentes e consequentes, como a pandemia da COVID-19 piora a saúde de homens residentes no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo, realizado com 200 homens residentes em todas as regiões do Brasil, mediante a aplicação de instrumento semiestruturado, hospedado em plataforma on-line. Os dados foram analisados com o método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo e ancorados no referencial teórico do Materialismo Histórico Dialético. RESULTADOS: A pandemia da COVID-19 piorou a saúde mental dos homens, porque aprimorou a história problemática pessoal, afetiva, familiar, ocupacional, disfuncional e/ou mórbida, e causa consequências de somatização psíquica, dissolução familiar, fim do relacionamento afetivo, conflitos conjugais, isolamento social, dificuldade financeira, vulnerabilidade da situação de trabalho e desgaste ocupacional, mudanças repentinas de comportamento, barreiras no acesso aos cuidados de saúde e experiências de morte e luto prejudicadas. CONCLUSÃO: É necessário fortalecer redes de apoio social, a fim de minimizar os impactos diretos e indiretos causados pela materialidade da pandemia para a saúde mental e as várias dimensões da vida afetadas.

Men's Attitudes and Behaviors About Skincare and Sunscreen Use Behaviors.

IMPORTANCE: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and men experience higher rates of skin cancer than women. Despite publicized preventative measures, men are less likely than women to use sunscreen. OBJECTIVE: To assess men's motivations, behaviors, and preferred product characteristics towards daily sunscreen use. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional online survey of 705 men, administered July– August 2019, using Survey Monkey and distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk. PARTICIPANTS: Men ages 20–70, having completed at least High School/GED, and living in the United States were eligible. Sampling strategy ensured diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Main Outcome(s) and Measures: Men’s sunscreen use, behaviors, and preferred skincare product characteristics. RESULTS: Final participants included 705 men. The most frequent skincare products used regularly were liquid soap/body wash (65%), bar soap (47%), and moisturizers (32%). Most men (n=612; 83%) reported not using sunscreen daily, and 38% reported using sunscreen weekly. Income was related to daily and weekly sunscreen use, as males who earned between $40-$50,000 annually used sunscreen less often compared to people who earned $100,000 annually (OR 0.54%, 95% CI −0.34% to .88%; P = .01). Age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and region were not related to daily or weekly sunscreen use. Main motivators for daily sunscreen use included reducing skin cancer risk (n=575; 82%) and looking younger (n=299; 42%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This survey shows lapses in evidenced-based sunscreen behaviors to reduce skin cancer among men. Campaigns to reduce skin cancer should focus on increasing men's interest in daily sunscreen use and adherence to wearing sun-protective products. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(1):88-93. doi:10.36849/JDD.5470.

The male perspective: A mixed methods study of the impact, unmet needs and challenges of caring for women with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: As a formative investigation toward the development of a supportive care intervention for male caregivers, this study explored the emotional impact, unmet needs and challenges experienced by men when caring for a woman with breast cancer. DESIGN: A cross-sectional mixed methods study, with an online survey and interviews. SAMPLE: A total of 89 participants completed the survey, of whom 13 completed interviews. The majority (93%) of participants were husbands of care recipients; of the care recipients, 75% had early stage breast cancer and 45% were diagnosed over 5 years ago. METHOD: Participants completed questionnaires assessing their emotional wellbeing, unmet needs and biopsychosocial challenges, with a sub-sample participating in subsequent interviews to elaborate on survey responses. FINDINGS: Emotional difficulty was reported by <25% of the sample, and 83% reported experiencing at least one unmet need (M = 81.5, SD = 33.2). Of the 39 biopsychosocial challenges presented, 100%, 86% and 73% reported "ever experiencing," "currently experiencing," and "ever needing help," respectively. Interviewed participants echoed the most reported needs and challenges as changes to sex life, fear of recurrence and lack of practical information. CONCLUSIONS: Male cancer caregivers experience diverse challenges and require psychological support and practical information using both online and offline approaches to support their caregiving responsibilities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL PROVIDERS: Healthcare professionals can support male caregivers by: being aware of their information and psycho-social needs; directing caregivers to online interventions for additional information; and facilitating the provision of online psycho-sexual and FCR support.

Reaching hard-to-reach men through home-based couple HIV testing among pregnant women and their male partners in western Kenya: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Globally only 79% of adults living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) know their status and men in sub-Saharan Africa are considered a particularly hard-to-reach population for HIV testing. Home-based HIV couple testing during the antenatal period is a safe and effective method that has been used to test male partners of pregnant women. The goal of this qualitative study was to identify elements that made couple testing successful and describe important characteristics of this home-based intervention from couples' perspectives. METHODS: Couples who received scheduled home-based couple testing during pregnancy in Kisumu, Kenya, were purposively sampled based on HIV status from January to May 2015. An interviewer administered all of the in-depth interviews and two coders were directly involved in the data analysis and reconciled codes several times in the process. RESULTS: Twenty-one couples were enrolled: 9 concordant HIV-negative couples, 8 HIV discordant couples, 3 HIV concordant HIV-positive couples, and 1 whose concordance status was unknown. Median age at the time of home-based couple testing was 24 and 28 years for women and men, respectively. Median relationship duration was 3 years and couples had a median of two pregnancies. The major themes that emerged were that home-based couple testing 1) removed the female burden of requesting couple testing, 2) overcame logistical barriers associated with clinic-based testing, 3) encouraged participants to overcome their fear of testing and disclosure, 4) provided privacy in the home, and 5) provided quality time with the health advisors. Importantly, some women appreciated individual testing at the clinic before couple testing and some couples preferred skilled, anonymous health advisors delivering the intervention rather than known community health workers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this qualitative study suggest that home-based couple testing during pregnancy overcame many of the barriers that limit men's access to and uptake of clinic-based testing. It encouraged participants to overcome their fear of testing and disclosure through a setting that afforded privacy and quality time with skilled health advisors. These qualitative results may help design effective partner and couple HIV testing programs in the antenatal setting and alongside or within other assisted partner notification services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registry: NCT01784783. Registered prospectively on June 15, 2012.

Uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among men who purchase sex in brothels in Indonesia: a pilot intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Along with sexual partners of other high-risk groups, men who purchase sex (MWPS) represented 18% of new HIV diagnoses worldwide in 2018. They are therefore an important population for HIV prevention globally. Despite very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS in many countries, the role of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage has not been explored. We, therefore, conducted a pilot intervention study to evaluate the uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among MWPS in Indonesia. METHODS: MWPS attending seven brothels in Bali between December 2017 and January 2018 were recruited by lay health providers to participate in a brief health survey, and then invited to have a HIV self-test (assisted or unassisted) with an OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test and complete a post-test acceptability survey. RESULTS: A total of 292 men completed the health survey (response rate: 70%) and 188 (64.6%) accepted HIV self-testing. Of these men, 13.3% had ever tested for HIV and 58.9% reported condom use at their last sexual encounter with a brothel-based female sex worker. Nearly all men (98.9%) who accepted a HIV self-test preferred assisted HIV self-testing - of whom 83.9% preferred to be fully assisted and 16.1% opted to be partially assisted and read their results privately. Of the men who accepted the test and showed the result to the lay health providers, 4 (2.1%) received reactive results. Linkage following HIV self-test is a concern, as none of the four men with a reactive result attended HIV testing at the recommended referral HIV testing clinic over a two-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to investigate the acceptance of HIV self-testing when offered to MWPS in brothels by lay health providers. The high uptake of HIV self-testing suggests that this testing model is acceptable and could increase the very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS. The strong preference for fully assisted HIV self-testing highlights the importance of involving lay health providers in future testing programs. When scaling up HIV self-testing programmatically, strategies to improve linkage-to-care should be considered and evaluated.

Preliminary validation of the Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form: Applications to Women, Men, and Prostate Cancer Survivors.

The Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) can be used to assess sexual distress in women, men, and prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. Despite its strong psychometric properties, researchers and clinicians could benefit from a short form of the scale. Two studies were conducted to develop (Study 1) and validate (Study 2) a short form of the SDS (SDS-SF) using samples of women, men, and PCa survivors from previous studies. Results of Study 1 suggested a 5-item SDS-SF. Study 2 showed that the SDS-SF items clustered in one factor with good fit across the three samples and excellent reliability. Sexual distress was associated with higher sexual bother, and poorer sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and relationship quality. The SDS-SF discriminated participants with and without distressing sexual problems. The SDS-SF facilitates the assessment of sexual distress in clinical settings by providing a quick way of screening patients with high levels of sexual distress.

Perfil de comportamento e hábitos de vida de homens frente à masculinidade / Behavior profile and life habits of men in the face of masculinity

Objetivo: avaliar o perfil de comportamento e hábitos de homens frente à masculinidade. Método: descritivo exploratório de abordagem quantitativa, com 61 funcionários masculinos em uma empresa de grande porte num município do Vale do Araguaia, região da Amazônia legal no Mato Grosso, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu por entrevista, a partir do uso do questionário do Ministério da Saúde "Descubra que tipo de homem você é" que foi avaliado por estatística descritiva no programa Epi Info versão 3.5.1. Resultados: constatou-se que 38% raramente consome legumes e verduras; em contrapartida 20% afirmaram consumir doces e alimentos gordurosos diariamente. Sobre o sono, 51% dos entrevistados afirmaram que tem somente até 6 horas de sono por noite. Quanto à atividade física 38% relataram que não praticam, 41% pratica 3 vezes por semana e 21% pratica mais de 3 vezes por semana. Em relação às bebidas de alcoólicas 57% fazem o consumo moderado, e 10% afirmaram serem tabagistas. Com relação à última visita aos serviços de saúde 53% relatam ter realizado há 1 ano, 74% afirmaram que se deslocam ao serviço de saúde somente em caso de doença. Conclusões: observou-se que os homens não aderem à prevenção de doenças e visualizam o serviço de saúde bem como a assistência à saúde como um serviço voltado para ações meramente curativas.

Objective: to evaluate the profile of behavior and habits of men towards masculinity. Method: this is a descriptive exploratory quantitative approach performed with 61 male employees in a large company in a municipality of Vale do Araguaia, Amazônia legal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data collection took place by interview, using the Ministry of Health questionnaire "Find out what kind of man you are", which was assessed by descriptive statistics in the Epi Info version 3.5.1 program. Results: it was found that 38% rarely consumed vegetables and greens; on the other hand, 20% said they consume sweets and fatty foods daily. About sleep, 51% of respondents said they only have up to 6 hours of sleep per night. Regarding physical activity, 38% reported not practicing, 41% practicing 3 times a week and 21% practicing more than 3 times a week. Concerning alcoholic beverages, 57% made moderate consumption, and 10% said they were smokers. About the last visit to the health services, 53% reported having performed 1 year ago, 74% said that they go to the health service only in case of illness. Conclusions: it was observed that men do not adhere to disease prevention and visualize the health service as well as health care as a service aimed at merely curative actions. Discussing human health and implementing the National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for Man (PNAISH) has been a challenge faced continuously by health professionals and researchers in order to promote health actions that genuinely reach Brazilian men.

How men receive and utilise partner support when trying to change their diet and physical activity within a men's weight management programme.

BACKGROUND: The impacts of interventions designed to change health behaviours are potentially affected by the complex social systems in which they are embedded. This study uses Scottish data to explore how men receive and utilise partner support when attempting to change dietary practices and physical activity within the context of Football Fans in Training (FFIT), a gender-sensitised weight management and healthy living programme for men who are overweight/obese. METHODS: Separate semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 men and their cohabiting female partners (total n = 40), 3-12 months after the men had completed FFIT. Data were thematically analysed and individual interviews were combined for dyadic analysis. RESULTS: Men's and women's accounts suggested variations in men's need for, and utilisation of, partner support in order to make changes to dietary practices and physical activity. There were also differences in descriptions of women's involvement in men's behaviour changes. Typologies were developed categorising men as 'resolute', 'reliant'/'receptive' and 'non-responsive' and women as 'very involved', 'partially involved' and 'not involved'. Men were more reliant, and women more involved, in changes to dietary practices compared to physical activity. The role of partner involvement in promoting men's behaviour change seemed contingent on men's resoluteness, or their reliance on the partner support. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight how interactions between men's resoluteness/reliance on cohabiting female partners and the partners' involvement impact the extent to which female partners influence men's changes to dietary practices and physical activity following a weight loss intervention. Understanding this interaction could increase the impact of health interventions aimed at one individual's behaviour by considering other family members' roles in facilitating those changes. The typologies developed for this study might contribute towards the development of behaviour change theories within the cohabiting couple context.

Men with cancer and their experiences of marital relationships: a struggle for control and balance.

Presently, there is a general understanding that health, illness and rehabilitation should be studied in a relational context, and that people's experiences, perceptions and practices in relation to health and recovery are formed relationally and contextually. The aim of this paper is to consider and discuss how men experienced their marital relationships, after being diagnosed with cancer. The empirical material is based on the authors' ethnographic fieldworks, including participant observation and interviews with men who have or have had cancer. The analysis is informed by the anthropologist Michael Jackson's notion of intersubjectivity and his argument that intersubjectivity continually and dialectically moves between the complementary poles of compassion and conflict. We demonstrate how the men appreciated their partners' support and care, but also that the cancer disease and the treatment could cause marital friction and tension. Due to their new life circumstances and subject positions, the men continuously shifted between the poles of compassion and conflict, struggling for balance and control, including negotiations of how to perform their masculinity.

The Influence of Social Relationships on Men's Weight.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how men's social relationships influence their dietary, physical activity, and weight loss intentions and behaviors. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. SETTING: One county in the southwest of England. PARTICIPANTS: Men (n = 19) aged 18-60 years with a body mass index ≥24 kg/m2 who were otherwise healthy. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Men's perceptions of dieting, physical activity and weight loss, and how social relationships influence these behaviors. ANALYSIS: Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded line by line using NVivo software. Themes and subthemes were inductively generated using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were derived: (1) how experiences shape beliefs, (2) being a proper bloke, (3) adapting to family life, and (4) support from outside the home. Men discussed how partners were a greater influence on diet than physical activity. Attitudes toward diet and physical activity were influenced by life events such as becoming a father. It was framed as acceptable for men to talk to their friends about exercise and food intake in general, but they emphasized that this was not for "support." CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Family members were key influences on men's behaviors. Future qualitative research could include interviews with men's families. Findings may inform family weight loss interventions.