Hispanic individuals' cervical cancer screening disparities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening rates of Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals in the United States, whether a responsive surge in catch-up screenings occurred as society adapted to pandemic changes, and to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics between the study populations. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the All of Us Research Program, which incorporates electronic health record data and survey data from a demographically, geographically, and medically diverse participant group, we assessed the annual cervical cancer screening rates during 2019-2021 by race/ethnicity among eligible individuals ages 21-64. RESULTS: Among 116,052 unique individuals (78,829 NHW and 37,223 Hispanic), Hispanic individuals had lower annual cervical cancer screening rates than NHWI across the three years studied. They experienced a more significant decrease in screening from 2019 to 2020 (39.27 %) compared to NHWIs (21.15 %) and less of a rebound increase in the following year, 2021 (10.33 % vs 13.83 %). Hispanic individuals aged 50-64 experienced the sharpest decline in screening rates (-43.01 % from 2019 to 2020). Hispanic individuals also experienced greater adverse social conditions, including lack of insurance or employment, lower educational attainment, and lower household income. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic individuals experienced a more significant decrease in cervical cancer screening rates with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with NHW individuals and did not experience a robust rebound in cervical cancer screening rates in 2021. As a result, the disparity in cervical cancer screening rates between NHW and Hispanic individuals considerably worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The evaluation of comprehensive medication management for chronic diseases in primary care clinics, a Texas delivery system reform incentive payment program.

BACKGROUND: The Institute of Medicine reported that more than 1.5 million preventable adverse drug events occur annually in the United States. Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) is the medication review process to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient adherence, reduce drug therapy problems and reduce health care costs. University of Texas (UT) Physicians implemented a CMM program in several community-based clinics. We evaluated the effectiveness of CMM to reduce drug therapy problems and achieve medical cost savings. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of CMM participants from October 2015 to September 2016. Program participants included patients aged 18 years or older who had taken more than 4 prescribed medications and were diagnosed with at least one of the following chronic diseases: hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma or diabetes. Under the CMM program, a clinical pharmacist reviewed patients' electronic health records and created action plans to resolve identified drug problems. As part of the evaluation of the clinical process, two independent physicians conducted peer review on the recommendations issued by the pharmacist in order to establish inter-rater reliability of drug therapy problems and potential consequent medical services. The drug therapy problems were identified and classified into four categories: indication, effectiveness, safety and/or compliance. The average cost of avoided medical services was obtained based on cost extrapolations from the literature, combined with hospital discharge data. Potential medical services avoided were linked to the average cost of those services to calculate the total cost savings of the program from the payers' perspective. RESULTS: By reviewing electronic health records of 3280 patients, the pharmacist identified 301 drug therapy problems and resolved 49.8% of these problems with collaboration from the patient's primary care physician or care team. The most commonly identified drug problems were related to potentially adverse drug reactions or inappropriate drug dosage. The CMM program resulted in potential cost savings of $1,143,015. CONCLUSIONS: The CMM program resolved medication therapy problems among program participants and achieved significant health care cost savings.

Suc Khoe là Hanh Phúc (Health is Happiness): promoting mammography and pap test adherence among Vietnamese nail salon workers.

Vietnamese nail salon workers have low cancer screening rates and confront multiple socioeconomic disparities as immigrants to the US. The Suc Khoe là Hanh Phúc (Vietnamese for "Health is Happiness") program was adapted to the cultural and work needs of this population and implemented at nail salons to increase cancer screening adherence. A total of 186 study participants were recruited from 59 nail salons in a neighborhood with mostly Asian population. After being pretested, workers were enrolled in a cancer education session delivered by Vietnamese lay health workers. Non-adherent cases were offered navigation to cancer screening services to a local federally qualified health center. Participants completed a posttest survey five months, on average. At posttest, navigated non-adherent participants were more likely to report a recent Pap test compared to cases not navigated (83.8% vs. 50.0%), an effect not observed for mammography uptake (77.3% vs. 71.4%). Time in the US, marital status, insurance status, having a primary care provider and/or a gynecologist were significantly associated with cancer screening adherence. Low rates of adherence to cancer screening among Vietnamese nail salons workers can be improved by community based programs addressing cultural and work-related barriers confronted by this population.

Treatment decisions for localized prostate cancer: a concept mapping approach.

OBJECTIVE: Few decision aids emphasize active surveillance (AS) for localized prostate cancer. Concept mapping was used to produce a conceptual framework incorporating AS and treatment. METHODS: Fifty-four statements about what men need to make a decision for localized prostate cancer were derived from focus groups with African American, Latino and white men previously screened for prostate cancer and partners (n = 80). In the second phase, 89 participants sorted and rated the importance of statements. RESULTS: An eight cluster map was produced for the overall sample. Clusters were labelled Doctor-patient exchange, Big picture comparisons, Weighing the options, Seeking and using information, Spirituality and inner strength, Related to active treatment, Side-effects and Family concerns. A major division was between medical and home-based clusters. Ethnic groups and genders had similar sorting, but some variation in importance. Latinos rated Big picture comparisons as less important. African Americans saw Spirituality and inner strength most important, followed by Latinos, then whites. Ethnic- and gender-specific concept maps were not analysed because of high similarity in their sorting patterns. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a conceptual framework for management of early-stage prostate cancer that included coverage of AS. Eliciting the conceptual framework is an important step in constructing decision aids which will address gaps related to AS.

Designing Normative Messages About Active Surveillance for Men With Localized Prostate Cancer.

Active surveillance is increasingly recognized as a reasonable option for men with low-risk, localized prostate cancer, yet few men who might benefit from conservative management receive it. The authors examined the acceptability of normative messages about active surveillance as a management option for patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Men with a diagnosis of localized prostate cancer who were recruited through prostate cancer support organizations completed a web-based survey (N = 331). They rated messages about active surveillance for believability, accuracy, and importance for men to hear when making treatment decisions. The message "You don't have to panic … you have time to think about your options" was perceived as believable, accurate, and important by more than 80% of the survivors. In contrast, messages about trust in the active surveillance protocol and "knowing in plenty of time" if treatment is needed were rated as accurate by only about 36% of respondents. For active surveillance to be viewed as a reasonable alternative, men will need reassurance that following an active surveillance protocol is likely to allow time for curative treatment if the cancer progresses.

'It's not like you just had a heart attack': decision-making about active surveillance by men with localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Growing recognition that active surveillance (AS) is a reasonable management option for many men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer led us to describe patients' conceptualizations of AS and reasons for their treatment decisions. METHODS: Men were patients of a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic at a large tertiary cancer center where patients are routinely briefed on treatment options, including AS. We conducted a thematic analysis of interviews with 15 men who had chosen AS and 15 men who received radiation or surgery. RESULTS: Men who chose AS described it as an organized process with a rigorous and reassuring protocol of periodic testing, with potential for subsequent and timely decision-making about treatment. AS was seen as prolonging their current good health and function with treatment still possible later. Rationales for choosing AS included trusting their physician's monitoring, 'buying time' without experiencing adverse effects of treatment, waiting for better treatments, and seeing their cancer as very low risk. Men recognized the need to justify their choice to others because it seemed contrary to the impulse to immediately treat cancer. Descriptions of AS by men who chose surgery or radiation were less specific about the testing regimen. Getting rid of the cancer and having a cure were paramount for them. CONCLUSIONS: Men fully informed of their treatment options for localized prostate cancer have a comprehensive understanding of the purpose of AS. Slowing the decision-making process may enhance the acceptability of AS.

Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among Puerto Rican mothers and daughters, 2010: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer can be reduced by increasing vaccination for HPV. Yet vaccination uptake and completion of the 3-dose series remain low among Puerto Rican females. This study explored psychosocial factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake decisions among Puerto Rican mothers and daughters. METHODS: We conducted 7 focus groups with young women aged 16 to 24 (n = 21) and their mothers (n = 9) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination. We analyzed the focus group transcripts and identified themes by using a constant comparison method of qualitative data analysis and interpretation, guided by a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: The analysis identified several emergent themes related to vaccine uptake: 1) low knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine; 2) inconsistent beliefs about susceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer; 3) vaccine effectiveness; 4) vaccine safety and side effects; 5) concerns that the vaccine promotes sexual disinhibition; and 6) availability of insurance coverage and overall cost of the vaccine. CONCLUSION: Our study found that adolescent girls and young women in Puerto Rico have low levels of knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, low perceived susceptibility to HPV, and concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and these factors may influence uptake and completion of HPV vaccination. Interventions are needed for both mothers and daughters that address these psychosocial factors and increase access to vaccination.

Facilitators to cervical cancer screening in a minority, urban, underserved population.

Objectives: Cervical cancer has markedly declined due to widespread use of screening, but Hispanic women continue to bear a disproportionate amount of the cervical cancer burden due to under-screening. Previous studies have explored barriers to screening but have failed to identify targetable facilitators in this group. We aimed to assess facilitators to cervical cancer screening among a predominantly urban, Hispanic population who presented to a no-cost, community-based clinic. Methods: Patients completed demographic and health information, a validated social determinants of health (SDOH) screen, and a self-reported facilitators survey on factors which enabled them to present to clinic. Descriptive statistics were conducted to assess patients' sociodemographic characteristics, SDOH, and perceived facilitators. Results: 124 patients were included. 98 % were Hispanic, 90 % identified Spanish as their preferred language, and 94 % had no insurance. Median age was 41. 31 % of patients reported a history of abnormal screening. On SDOH, over 80 % of patients screened positive in at least one domain, with the most common being food insecurity (53 %) and stress (46 %). The most frequently reported facilitator was encouragement from a family member/friend (30 %). 26 % of patients reported time off from work and 25 % reported availability of child/elder care as facilitators. Conclusions: Identifying facilitators among patients who present for cervical cancer screening is critical to designing care plans to reach all populations. Our survey showed that the single greatest facilitator to patients presenting for cervical cancer screening was encouragement from a family member/friend. These findings suggest that increasing community involvement and awareness may help to improve cervical cancer screening in a minority, urban, underserved population.

Evaluation of a Clinic-Based, Electronic Social Determinants of Health Screening and Intervention in Primary Care Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly affect individuals' health outcomes, yet universal electronic SDOH screening is not standard in primary care. Our study explores the implementation of an electronic SDOH screening in the electronic health record (EHR) and follow-up intervention among primary care pediatric patients within an academic clinic. METHODS: Beginning in August of 2022, patients and their families determined to have at least one SDOH need qualified for an in-clinic referral to a coordinated care team member. We assessed the overall efficacy and feasibility of the implementation. RESULTS: Over the 4-month pilot, 1473 of 2064 (71.4%) eligible patients were screened, with 472 (32%) patients screening positive on at least one SDOH domain. Of the 472 screened positive, 48 (10.2%) declined a referral. Two hundred and forty-seven of the 424 (58.3%) received a referral to a care coordination team member. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a universal electronic SDOH screening tool within the EHR within an urban, academic-based clinic.

English proficiency, knowledge, and receipt of HPV vaccine in Vietnamese-American women.

Cervical cancer is one of the most important disease burdens experienced by Vietnamese-American women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological agent in almost all cases of cervical cancer. We surveyed Vietnamese-American women to determine receipt of HPV vaccine and assessed if limited English proficiency and knowledge related to HPV vaccine were associated with HPV vaccine uptake. Of the 113 Vietnamese-American women who participated in the study, 58 % (n = 68) was born in Vietnam. The mean years of residency in the United States was 12.75 years. Only 16 (14 %) reported receiving HPV vaccine and 11 (9 %) reported receiving all three shots. Thirteen women responded that they are not at all likely to receive HPV vaccine. Of the whole sample, 47 % (n = 53) reported proficiency in spoken and written English. English proficiency was significantly associated with receipt of HPV vaccine (OR = 4.4; confidence interval (95 % CI) = 1.2; 16.50; p = 0.03). Of the knowledge items, 70 % (n = 79) responded correctly that HPV increases the risk for cervical cancer. However, as many as 60 % responded incorrectly, that HPV infection can be cured with medication. The item, "People infected with HPV can be cured with medication," was the most important variable associated with receipt of HPV vaccine. Specifically, those with correct response were 3.8 times more likely to report receiving the HPV vaccine (OR = 3.8; 95 % CI = 1.1; 13.5; p = 0.04). Important public health needs are the development and evaluation of educational programs on HPV and cervical cancer that are designed for Vietnamese-American women.

Using Electronic Reminders to Improve Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations among Primary Care Patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to delays in routine preventative primary care and declines in HPV immunization rates. Providers and healthcare organizations needed to explore new ways to engage individuals to resume preventive care behaviors. Thus, we evaluated the effectiveness of using customized electronic reminders with provider recommendations for HPV vaccination to increase HPV vaccinations among adolescents and young adults, ages 9-25. Using stratified randomization, participants were divided into two groups: usual care (control) (N = 3703) and intervention (N = 3705). The control group received usual care including in-person provider recommendations, visual reminders in exam waiting rooms, bundling of vaccinations, and phone call reminders. The intervention group received usual care and an electronic reminder (SMS, email or patient portal message) at least once, and up to three times (spaced at an interval of 1 reminder per month). The intervention group had a 17% statistically significantly higher odds of uptake of additional HPV vaccinations than the usual care group (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36). This work supports previous findings that electronic reminders are effective at increasing immunizations and potentially decreasing healthcare costs for the treatment of HPV-related cancers.

A validation study of PHQ-9 suicide item with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale in outpatients with mood disorders at National Network of Depression Centers.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, suicide is one of the serious public health problems and a major cause of death. Several researchers and clinical settings use the patient health questionnaires (PHQ-9) to gauge depression and psychological distress among adults and to predict suicide and death. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive potential of suicide Q9 of the PHQ-9 compared to the Columbia-suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS). METHODS: Adults aged 19 or older, identified with a primary mood disorder diagnosis during their initial clinic visit between 2012 and 2020 from the National Network of Depression Centers, were included in the study. The accuracy of the PHQ-9 suicide item was compared with the gold standard, the C-SSRS. RESULTS: Out of 2677 study participants, 31.6 % (n = 846) and 11.65 % (n = 312) had positive responses to the PHQ-9 suicide item and C-SSRS response, respectively. The sensitivity of the PHQ-9 compared to the C-SSR was 74.7 % (95%CI: 69.6 %-79.2 %), specificity 74.1 % (95%CI: 72.3 %-75.8 %), positive predictive value 27.5 % (95%CI: 24.6 %-30.6 %), and negative predictive value 95.7 % (95%CI: 94.7 %-96.5 %). The secondary analysis results showed better validity results of the PHQ-9 suicide item when compared to the suicide ideation item of the C-SSRS. LIMITATIONS: This study is among mood disorder patients so additional research would be necessary among populations with different conditions. CONCLUSION: For initial suicide screening, the PHQ-9 suicide item would over identify patients as at risk for suicide and the C-SSRS should be used mood disorder clinics to identify suicide risk.

Palliative Care Consultation in the Intensive Care Unit Reduces Hospital Costs: A Cost-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care aims to improve or maintain quality of life for patients with life-limiting or life-threatening diseases. Limited research shows that palliative care is associated with reduced intensive care unit length of stay and use of high-cost resources. METHODS: This was an observational, non-experimental comparison group study on all patients 18 years or older admitted to any intensive care unit (ICU) at Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center for 7 to 30 days from August 2013 to December 2015. Length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs were compared between the treatment group of patients with palliative care in the ICU and the control group of patients with usual care in the ICU. To adjust for confounding of the palliative care consultation on LOS and hospital cost, an inverse probability of treatment weighted method was conducted. Generalized linear models using gamma distribution and log link were estimated. All costs were converted to 2015 US dollars. RESULTS: Mean LOS was 13 days and mean total hospital costs were USD 58,378. In adjusted and weighted analysis, LOS for the treatment group was 8% longer compared to the control group. The mean total hospital cost was estimated to decrease by 21% for the treatment group versus the control group. We found a reduction of USD 33,783 in hospital costs per patient who died in the hospital and reduction of USD 9113 per patient discharged alive. CONCLUSION: Palliative care consultation was associated with a reduction in the total cost of hospital care for patients with life-limiting or life-threatening diseases.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Mental Health Symptoms in Adults Undergoing Covid-19 Testing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Understanding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons receiving COVID-19 testing will help guide mental health interventions. We aimed to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and mental health symptoms at 8 weeks (baseline) after a COVID-19 test, and compare prevalence of mental health symptoms at baseline to those at 16-week follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of adults who received outpatient COVID-19 testing at primary care clinics. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 test results with mental health symptoms. Mental health symptoms reported at baseline were compared to symptoms at 16 weeks follow-up using conditional logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: At baseline, a total of 124 (47.51%) participants reported at least mild depressive symptoms, 110 (42.15%) participants endorsed at least mild anxiety symptoms, and 94 participants (35.21%) endorsed hazardous use of alcohol. Females compared to males were at increased risk of at least mild depressive symptoms at baseline (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.08; 95% CI: 1.14-3.79). The odds of at least mild depressive symptoms was significantly lower among those residing in zip codes within the highest quartile compared to lowest quartile of household income (AOR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.81). Also, non-Hispanic Whites had significantly higher odds of reporting hazardous alcohol use compared to non-Whites at baseline (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.05-3.57). The prevalence of mental health symptoms remained elevated after 16 weeks. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: We found a high burden of symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as hazardous alcohol use in a diverse population who received testing for COVID-19 in the primary care setting. Primary care providers need to remain vigilant in screening for symptoms of mental health disorders in patients tested for COVID-19 well after initial testing.

Early weight gain predicting later weight gain among depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if early weight gain in depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users predicts continued excessive weight gain and to identify risk factors of early weight gain in DMPA users. METHODS: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users (N=240) were assessed before initiating contraception and every 3 months for 36 months. Early weight gain was defined as more than 5% baseline weight gain within 6 months of DMPA use. Mean weight gain at 6-month intervals was estimated based on early weight gain status (at or below 5% gain compared with above 5% gain). Multiple logistic and mixed-model regression analyses were used. RESULTS: About one-fourth of DMPA users had early weight gain. The mean weight gain of the at or below 5% group and above 5% group was 0.63 kg and 8.04 kg, 1.48 kg and 10.86 kg, and 2.49 kg and 11.08 kg after 12, 24, and 36 months (P<.001 at all observations), respectively. Early weight gainers also had a much steeper slope of weight gain over time than the regular weight gainers (0.35 kg/month compared with 0.08 kg/month, P<.001). Risk factors for early weight gain were body mass index less than 30 (odds ratio [OR] 4.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.513-10.455), parity (OR 2.23, 95% CI:1.040-4.761), and self-reported increased appetite after 6 months of DMPA use (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.505-6.214). CONCLUSION: Most DMPA users who gain excessive weight experience more than a 5% weight increase within 6 months. These data help physicians predict who is at risk of excessive gain and counsel them appropriately. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

The role of minor and adult children in the adjustment of women living with HIV.

The present study examined how having children can relate to the psychological functioning of HIV-positive women, and the place and function children have in their mother's social support and social burden networks. As part of initial face-to-face interviews with 46 HIV-positive women enrolled in a longitudinal study, participants indicated their maternal status, the nature of their social support and burden (with a modified Multidimensional Social Support Inventory) and their levels of depressive symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory). Using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and non-parametric analyses when statistical assumptions were not met, findings indicate that women with minor children reported fewer depressive symptoms and more confidence in regulating social support than women without children. Maternal status was not significantly related to other measures of social support. Women with minor children reported greater comfort and confidence in regulating social burden and reported experiencing less social burden than women with adult children only. Women with adult children only reported intermediate levels of depression, but high levels of received burden and low levels of comfort and confidence in regulating (lessening) this burden. Analyses of women's social networks (Fisher's Exact Test) indicated that minor children were less likely to be named regarding support than adult or other family members and were infrequently turned to for practical, emotional, or HIV-related support. Adult children were more often listed as providing various types of support than minor children, yet these relationships were also often associated with relatively higher levels of social burden.

Is "Active Surveillance" an Acceptable Alternative?: A Qualitative Study of Couples' Decision Making about Early-Stage, Localized Prostate Cancer.

The objective of our study was to describe decision making by men and their partners regarding active surveillance (AS) or treatment for early-stage, localized prostate cancer. Fifteen couples were recruited from a cancer center multispecialty clinic, which gave full information about all options, including AS. Data were collected via individual, semi-structured telephone interviews. Most patients were white, non-Hispanic, had private insurance, had completed at least some college, and were aged 49-72 years. Ten chose AS. All partners were female, and couples reported strong marital satisfaction and cohesion. All couples described similar sequences of a highly emotional initial reaction and desire to be rid of the cancer, information seeking, and decision making. The choice of AS was built on a nuanced evaluation of the man's condition in which the couple differentiated prostate cancer from other cancers and early stage from later stages, wanted to avoid/delay side effects, and trusted the AS protocol to identify negative changes in time for successful treatment. Treated couples continued to want immediate treatment to remove the cancer. We concluded that having a partner's support for AS may help a man feel more comfortable with choosing and adhering to AS. Using decision aids that address both a man's and his partner's concerns regarding AS may increase its acceptability. Our research shows that some patients want to and do involve their partners in the decision-making process. Ethical issues are related to the tension between desire for partner involvement and the importance of the patient as autonomous decision-maker. The extended period of decision making, particularly for AS, is also an ethical issue that requires additional support for patients and couples in the making of fully informed choices that includes AS.

Quality of Life Among Asian American Youth.

The aims of the present study were to examine whether Asian American youth experience disparities in quality of life (QL) compared with Hispanic, African American, and white youth in the general population and to what extent socioeconomic status (SES) mediates any disparities among these racial/ethnic groups. Data were obtained from the Healthy Passages study, in which 4,972 Asian American (148; 3%), Hispanic (1,813; 36%), African American (1,755; 35%), and white (1,256; 25%) fifth-graders were enrolled in a population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in three U.S. metropolitan areas. Youth reported their own QL using the PedsQL and supplemental scales. Parents reported youth's overall health status as well as parent's education and household income level. Asian American youth experienced worse status than white youth for three of 10 QL and well-being measures, better status than Hispanic youth on six measures, and better status than African American youth on three measures. However, the observed advantages for Asian American youth over Hispanic and African American youth disappeared when the marked SES differences that are also present among these racial/ethnic groups were taken into account. In contrast, the differences between Asian American and white youth remained after adjusting for SES. These findings suggest that the disparities in QL that favor white youth over Asian American youth exist independent of SES and warrant further examination. In contrast, the QL differences that favor Asian American over Hispanic and African American youth may be partly explained by SES. Interpretations are limited by the heterogeneity existing among Asian Americans.

Reporting guidelines: optimal use in preventive medicine and public health.

Numerous reporting guidelines are available to help authors write higher-quality papers more efficiently. Almost 200 are listed on the EQUATOR (Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research) Network's website and they vary in authority, usability, and breadth, making it difficult to decide which one(s) to use. This paper provides consistent information about guidelines for preventive medicine and public health and a framework and sequential approach for selecting them. The EQUATOR guidelines were reviewed for relevance to target audiences; selected guidelines were classified as "core" (frequently recommended) or specialized, and the latter were grouped by their focus. Core and specialized guidelines were coded for indicators of authority (simultaneous publication in multiple journals, rationale, scientific background supporting each element, expertise of designers, permanent website/named group), usability (presence of checklists and examples of good reporting), and breadth (article sections covered). Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Selected guidelines are presented in four tables arranged to facilitate selection: core guidelines, all of which pertain to major research designs; guidelines for additional study designs; topical guidelines; and guidelines for particular article sections. A flow diagram provides an overview. The framework and sequential approach will enable authors as well as editors, peer reviewers, researchers, and systematic reviewers to make optimal use of available guidelines to improve the transparency, clarity, and rigor of manuscripts and research protocols and the efficiency in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Relational Uncertainty, Perceived Fairness, and the Division of Household Labor in Cohabiting and Married Couples.

This study examined the relationship between relational uncertainty and perceptions of division of household labor (DHL) in cohabiting and married couples. Specifically, research questions explored perceived fairness in DHL and relational uncertainty, perceptual convergence of contributions, convergence of perceptions and relational uncertainty, and convergence of perceptions and relationship satisfaction. A behavioral methodology called the Household Portrait Technique was employed to examine how couples discuss how they decide who does what in the household. A total of 33 couples independently completed a self-report instrument and jointly participated in the Household Portrait activity. Results showed that husbands and wives were agreed in their perceptions of fairness. Couples agreed that husbands do more of the outdoor work and automobile maintenance whereas wives do more of the childcare. Convergent perceptions regarding DHL was positively associated with relational certainty and marginally associated with relationship satisfaction.