Invited Commentary: Mental health services utilization disparities at the intersection of Asian ethnoracial identity and limited English proficiency.

Nguyen et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2024;XXX(XX):XXX-XXX) analyzed data from the U.S. National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to show that Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) adults with limited English proficiency have substantially lower levels of mental health services utilization compared with White adults without limited English proficiency. The findings add to the growing literature using an intersectionality framework to understand health and healthcare disparities. We comment on the authors' notable examination of intersecting minoritized identities in mental health services utilization and the welcome emphasis on AANHPI health. We discuss the limitations of the NSDUH data, which is administered in English and Spanish only, and its limited ability to support analyses disaggregated by ethnoracial subgroups. We conclude by identifying gaps related to funding, training, and data disaggregation, and highlight the role of mixed methods approaches to advance our understanding of intersectionality and health disparities research.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus-related Disparities in Undergoing Emergency General Surgical Procedures in the United States, 2016-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) and people living with hepatitis C virus (PLWHCV) experience inequities in receipt of emergency general surgery (EGS) care. BACKGROUND: PLWHIV and PLWHCV face discrimination in many domains; it is unknown whether this extends to the receipt of EGS care. METHODS: Using data from the 2016 to 2019 National Inpatient Sample, we examined 507,458 nonelective admissions of adults with indications for one of the 7 highest-burden EGS procedures (partial colectomy, small-bowel resection, cholecystectomy, operative management of peptic ulcer disease, lysis of peritoneal adhesions, appendectomy, or laparotomy). Using logistic regression, we evaluated the association between HIV/HCV status and the likelihood of undergoing one of these procedures, adjusting for demographic factors, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. We also stratified analyses for the 7 procedures separately. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, PLWHIV had lower odds of undergoing an indicated EGS procedure [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73-0.89], as did PLWHCV (aOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.63-0.70). PLWHIV had reduced odds of undergoing cholecystectomy (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.58-0.80). PLWHCV had lower odds of undergoing cholecystectomy (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.53-0.62) or appendectomy (aOR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: PLWHIV and PLWHCV are less likely than otherwise similar patients to undergo EGS procedures. Further efforts are warranted to ensure equitable access to EGS care for PLWHIV and PLWHCV.

Trajectory of Healthcare Contact Days for Veterans With Advanced Gastrointestinal Malignancy.

How and where patients with advanced cancer facing limited survival spend their time is critical. Healthcare contact days (days with healthcare contact outside the home) offer a patient-centered and practical measure of how much of a person's life is consumed by healthcare. We retrospectively analyzed contact days among decedent veterans with stage IV gastrointestinal cancer at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from 2010 to 2021. Among 468 decedents, the median overall survival was 4 months. Patients spent 1 in 3 days with healthcare contact. Over the course of illness, the percentage of contact days followed a "U-shaped" pattern, with an initial post-diagnosis peak, a lower middle trough, and an eventual rise as patients neared the end-of-life. Contact days varied by clinical factors and by sociodemographics. These data have important implications for improving care delivery, such as through care coordination and communicating expected burdens to and supporting patients and care partners.

Consuming Patients' Days: Time Spent on Ambulatory Appointments by People With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In qualitative work, patients report that seemingly short trips to clinic (eg, a supposed 10-minute blood draw) often turn into "all-day affairs." We sought to quantify the time patients with cancer spend attending ambulatory appointments. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients scheduled for oncology-related ambulatory care (eg, labs, imaging, procedures, infusions, and clinician visits) at an academic cancer center over 1 week. The primary exposure was the ambulatory service type(s) (eg, clinician visit only, labs and infusion, etc.). We used Real-Time Location System badge data to calculate clinic times and estimated round-trip travel times and parking times. We calculated and summarized clinic and total (clinic + travel + parking) times for ambulatory service types. RESULTS: We included 435 patients. Across all service day type(s), the median (IQR) clinic time was 119 (78-202) minutes. The estimated median (IQR) round-trip driving distance and travel time was 34 (17-49) miles and 50 (36-68) minutes. The median (IQR) parking time was 14 (12-15) minutes. Overall, the median (IQR) total time was 197 (143-287) minutes. The median total times for specific service type(s) included: 99 minutes for lab-only, 144 minutes for clinician visit only, and 278 minutes for labs, clinician visit, and infusion. CONCLUSION: Patients often spent several hours pursuing ambulatory cancer care on a given day. Accounting for opportunity time costs and the coordination of activities around ambulatory care, these results highlight the substantial time burdens of cancer care, and support the notion that many days with ambulatory health care contact may represent "lost days."

Use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and posttraumatic stress disorder risk in the UK Biobank: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that the use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers is linked to a lower prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but longitudinal studies are scarce. We aimed to estimate the association between the use of RAS blockers and the risk of PTSD among individuals taking antihypertensive medications. METHODS: This longitudinal study included participants aged 40-69 from the UK Biobank. Exposure data were obtained from the initial assessment (2006-10), while outcome data were obtained from the online mental health questionnaire administered 6-11 years later (2016-17). We included participants who were under antihypertensive treatment and did not have a prior diagnosis of PTSD before the initial assessment. Use of RAS blockers was defined as self-reported regular use, at the initial assessment, of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Among participants who experienced adverse life experiences, cases of probable PTSD were defined with the six-item PTSD Checklist-Civilian version score ≥ 14. Logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between RAS blocker use and the risk of probable PTSD. RESULTS: Of the 15,954 participants (mean age = 59.9 years; 42.6% women) under antihypertensive treatment with no prior history of PTSD at the initial assessment, 64.5% were taking RAS blockers. After a mean follow-up of 7.5 years, 1,249 (7.8%) were newly identified with probable PTSD. RAS blocker users had a lower risk of probable PTSD than RAS blocker non-users (OR = 0.84 [95% CI: 0.75-0.94]), whereas the use of other antihypertensive medications showed no such association (users vs. non-users; calcium channel blockers, OR = 0.99 [95% CI: 0.88-1.11]; beta-blockers, 1.20 [1.08-1.34]; and thiazide-related diuretics, 1.15 [1.03-1.29]). The association between probable PTSD risk and the use of ACEi vs. ARB showed no significant difference (p = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals under antihypertensive treatment, the use of RAS blockers was associated with a decreased risk of probable PTSD. This added benefit of RAS blockers should be considered in the selection of antihypertensive medications.

Breast cancer risk among women with schizophrenia and association with duration of antipsychotic use: population-based cohort study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a major global health issue, especially among women. Previous research has indicated a possible association between psychiatric conditions, particularly schizophrenia, and an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the specific risk of breast cancer in women with schizophrenia, compared with those with other psychiatric disorders and the general population, remains controversial and needs further clarification. AIMS: To estimate the risk of breast cancer among people with schizophrenia compared with people with other psychiatric disorders and people in the general population. METHOD: We utilised medical claims data of women aged 18 to 80 years in the Korean National Health Information Database from 2007 to 2018. Individuals with schizophrenia were defined as women with ICD-10 codes F20 or F25 (n = 224 612). The control groups were defined as women with other psychiatric disorders (n = 224 612) and women in the general Korean population (n = 449 224). Cases and controls were matched by index date and age, in a 1:1:2 ratio. We estimated the hazard of breast cancer using the Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for insurance premiums and medical comorbidities. Among the people with schizophrenia, we used the landmark method to estimate the association between duration of antipsychotic medication use and the incidence of breast cancer. RESULTS: In multivariable Cox regression models, the hazard rate of breast cancer was 1.26 times higher in the people with schizophrenia than in the general population (95% CI: 1.20-1.32). In comparison with the psychiatric patient group, the hazard ratio was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.11-1.28). Among women with schizophrenia, the hazard of breast cancer was greater among those who took antipsychotic medications for 1 year or more compared with those who took antipsychotics for less than 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Women with schizophrenia have an elevated risk of breast cancer, and long-term use of antipsychotics is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Protecting and promoting editorial independence.

We argue that editorial independence, through robust practice of publication ethics and research integrity, promotes good science and prevents bad science. We elucidate the concept of research integrity, and then discuss the dimensions of editorial independence. Best practice guidelines exist, but compliance with these guidelines varies. Therefore, we make recommendations for protecting and strengthening editorial independence.

Correlates of Sleep Health among Older-Age People with and without HIV in Uganda.

There is a growing population of older people with HIV (PWH) in Uganda. Sleep problems disproportionately affect older people and PWH. This study aimed to estimate correlates of sleep health among older Ugandans (aged ≥ 50 years) with and without HIV, using data from the Quality of Life and Aging with HIV in Rural Uganda Study. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quality, duration, and efficiency. We fitted multivariable linear and logistic regression models to estimate the associations between sleep outcomes and variables selected based on the Senescent Sleep Model: age, HIV serostatus, loneliness, urbanicity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and perceived stress. Of 556 participants, 271 were PWH and 285 were people without HIV (PWoH). There were no statistically significant differences in sleep outcomes by HIV serostatus. Of the total sample, most reported very good (32.79%) or fairly good sleep quality (49.37%). The mean sleep duration was 6.46 h (SD = 1.74). The mean sleep efficiency was 73.98% (SD = 19.52%) with 36.69% having optimal (≥ 85%) sleep efficiency. A positive depression screen was associated with worse sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.21; 95% CI [0.12, 0.36]), shorter sleep duration (b=-0.44; 95% CI [-0.60, -0.28]), and worse sleep efficiency (aOR = 0.51; 95% CI[0.31, 0.83]). Interventions targeting depression may improve sleep among older Ugandans, independent of HIV serostatus. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the potential bidirectionality of this relationship and elucidate pathways to support sleep health among older Ugandans.

HIV, Social Networks, and Loneliness among Older Adults in Uganda.

Loneliness among older adults has been identified as a major public health problem. Yet little is known about loneliness, or the potential role of social networks in explaining loneliness, among older people with HIV (PWH) in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of PWH reside. To explore this issue, we analyzed data from 599 participants enrolled in the Quality of Life and Ageing with HIV in Rural Uganda study, including older adults with HIV in ambulatory care and a comparator group of people without HIV of similar age and gender. The 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to measure loneliness, and HIV status was the primary explanatory variable. The study found no statistically significant correlation between loneliness and HIV status. However, individuals with HIV had smaller households, less physical and financial support, and were less socially integrated compared to those without HIV. In multivariable logistic regressions, loneliness was more likely among individuals who lived alone (aOR:3.38, 95% CI:1.47-7.76) and less likely among those who were married (aOR:0.34, 95% CI:0.22-0.53) and had a higher level of social integration (aOR:0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.92). Despite having smaller social networks and less support, older adults with HIV had similar levels of loneliness as those without HIV, which may be attributed to resiliency and access to HIV-related health services among individuals with HIV. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to better understand the mechanisms involved.

A systematic comparison of additive and interaction approaches to modeling the effects of syndemic problems on HIV outcomes in South Africa.

Much of the research on the effects of syndemics on HIV outcomes has utilized an additive approach. However, interaction effects may better account for syndemic synergy than an additive approach, but it remains difficult to specify interaction effects without empirical guidance. We sought to systematically compare additive and interaction effects approaches to modeling the effects of syndemic problems on antiretroviral therapy (ART) using empirically specified interaction terms. Participants were 194 people with HIV (PWH) who received HIV care in Khayelitsha, South Africa. In a series of linear regression models, we examined ten syndemic problems: depression, alcohol use, intimate partner violence (IPV), post-traumatic stress, social anxiety, substance use, food insecurity, poverty, housing instability, and structural barriers to care. Depression, substance use, and food insecurity were selected for interaction terms based on a prior network analysis, which found these problems to be most central. The additive models did not produce statistically significant findings. However, the interaction effects models yielded significant interaction terms in both the full model and a parsimonious model. There was a statistically significant effect of the interaction between depression and food insecurity on ART adherence (b = 0.04, Robust SE = 0.02, 95%CI [0.001-0.08], p = .012). This pattern of results was replicated in the parsimonious model. Findings suggest that when feasible, interaction effects approaches may be a helpful syndemic modeling technique. Results may inform future intervention targets, such as depression and food insecurity, and the importance of addressing both structural and psychosocial syndemic problems.

COVID-19-Related Outcomes Among Group Home Residents with Serious Mental Illness in Massachusetts in the First Year of the Pandemic.

This study examined COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations among people with serious mental illness who resided in residential care group homes in Massachusetts during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors analyzed data on 2261 group home residents and COVID-19 data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Outcomes included positive COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 hospitalizations March 1, 2020-June 30, 2020 (wave 1) and July 1, 2020-March 31, 2021 (wave 2). Associations between hazard of outcomes and resident and group home characteristics were estimated using multi-level Cox frailty models including home- and city-level frailties. Between March 2020 and March 2021, 182 (8%) residents tested positive for COVID-19, and 51 (2%) had a COVID-19 hospitalization. Compared with the Massachusetts population, group home residents had age-adjusted rate ratios of 3.0 (4.86 vs. 1.60 per 100) for COVID infection and 13.5 (1.99 vs. 0.15 per 100) for COVID hospitalizations during wave 1; during wave 2, the rate ratios were 0.5 (4.55 vs. 8.48 per 100) and 1.7 (0.69 vs. 0.40 per 100). In Cox models, residents in homes with more beds, higher staff-to-resident ratios, recent infections among staff and other residents, and in cities with high community transmission risk had greater hazard of COVID-19 infection. Policies and interventions that target group home-specific risks are needed to mitigate adverse communicable disease outcomes in this population.Clinical Trial Registration Number This study provides baseline (i.e., pre-randomization) data from a clinical trial study NCT04726371.

A marginal structural model to estimate the effect of antidepressant medication treatment on major cardiovascular events among people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence on antidepressant medication and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been inconclusive. We estimated the association between antidepressant medication and CVD by applying a marginal structural model. METHODS: We analyzed medical utilization records of 27 170 people with PTSD without prior major cardiovascular events in the Korean National Health Insurance Database (NHID). PTSD and CVD were defined in accordance with the recorded ICD-10 diagnostic codes. We acquired information on antidepressant use from the NHID and categorized them by medication type. A composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) outcome was defined as coronary artery disease with revascularization, ischaemic stroke, and/or haemorrhagic stroke. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting to estimate the parameters of a marginal structural discrete-time survival analysis regression model, comparing the resulting estimates to those derived from traditional time-fixed and time-varying Cox proportional hazards regression. We calculated cumulative daily defined doses to test for a dose-response relationship. RESULTS: People exposed to antidepressants showed a higher hazard of MACE [hazard ratio (HR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.53]. The estimated effects were strongest for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.44) and TCAs (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.13-1.56). Exposure to serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors did not appear to increase the risk of MACE. People exposed to higher doses of antidepressants showed higher risk of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: In a national cohort of people with PTSD, exposure to antidepressant medications increased the risk of MACE in a dose-response fashion.

Urbanicity, posttraumatic stress disorder, and effect modification by socioeconomic position: A nested case-control study of the Korean National Health Insurance Database.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to estimate the association between urbanicity and the onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to investigate heterogeneity therein according to age and socioeconomic position (SEP). METHODS: We analyzed administrative data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database for patients with PTSD from 2004 to 2018 (N = 109,230) and for a 1:4 sample of age-, sex-, and enrollment year-matched controls. Information on eligibility, SEP (proxied by insurance premium), place of residence, diagnosis, and medical claims was obtained. Urbanicity of administrative districts was assessed using data from the Korean Statistical Information Service, 2005-2018. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) from baseline and time-dependent models. Subgroup analyses and polynomial splines were used to investigate heterogeneity by age and SEP. RESULTS: Urbanicity was associated with an increased risk of PTSD (per 10%p increase, HR = 1.056, 95% CI 1.050-1.061). A positive association was estimated among patients aged 0-29 years (HR = 1.115, CI 1.106-1.124), while negative associations were estimated among patients aged 30-64 years (HR = 0.990, CI 0.987-0.994) and 65 years or older (HR = 0.992, CI 0.979-1.014). The estimated associations with urbanicity were more prominent at the extremes of SEP, but only among younger participants. CONCLUSION: Urban residence was associated with an increased risk of PTSD diagnosis. The estimated association was larger among younger individuals (but not among middle-aged and older individuals). Among younger individuals, the estimated association was larger at both extremes of SEP.

Linkage to HIV Care Following HIV Self-testing Among Men: Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies from Six Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Gender disparities are pervasive throughout the HIV care continuum in sub-Saharan Africa, with men testing, receiving treatment, and achieving viral suppression at lower rates, and experiencing mortality at higher rates, compared with women. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be highly acceptable among men in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence on linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result is limited. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesize the quantitative and qualitative literature from sub-Saharan Africa on men's rates of linkage to HIV care after receiving a reactive HIVST result. We systematically searched 14 bibliometric databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to document the screening results. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Of 22,446 references screened, 15 articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. Linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result was subject to several barriers: financial constraints due to travelling costs, potential long waiting hours at the clinics, stigma, discrimination, and privacy concerns. Men's rates of seeking confirmatory testing and linking to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result were inconsistent across studies. Combining financial incentives with HIVST was found to increase the likelihood of linking to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result. The variable rates of linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result suggest a need for further research and development into strategies to increase linkage to HIV care.

Drought, HIV Testing, and HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors: A Population-Based Study in 10 High HIV Prevalence Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Droughts are associated with poor health outcomes and disruption of public health programming. Data on the association between drought and HIV testing and transmission risk behaviors are limited. We combined data from Demographic and Health Surveys from 10 high HIV prevalence sub-Saharan African countries with a high-resolution measure of drought. We estimated the association between drought and recent HIV testing, report of condomless sex, and number of sexual partners in the last year. Respondents exposed to drought were less likely to have an HIV test and more likely to have condomless sex, although effect sizes were small. We found evidence for effect modification by sex and age for the association between drought and HIV testing, such that the negative association between drought and HIV testing was strongest among men (marginal risk ratio [mRR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.95) and adolescents (mRR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86-0.93). Drought may hinder HIV testing programs in countries with high HIV prevalence.

Challenges and Fears of Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV Facing Transition to Adult HIV Care.

Adolescents and young adults living with perinatally-acquired HIV (AYLPHIV) have poor outcomes along each step of the HIV care continuum due to challenges in seeking care and advocating for themselves. The transition from paediatric to adult HIV care is a particularly high-risk period for AYLPHIV in rural Uganda. We conducted in-depth interviews with AYLPHIV (n = 30), caregivers (n = 10), and healthcare providers (n = 10) to understand challenges facing AYLPHIV during the transition from paediatric to adult HIV care. Themes were identified by thematic content analysis. Transition-related challenges and fears included difficulty navigating the adult HIV clinic; loss of informational support; long wait times at the adult HIV clinic; lack of privacy, and fear of HIV status disclosure and stigma; and loss of support from caregivers, and health care providers. Before transitioning to adult HIV care, AYLPHIV should be adequately prepared and given appropriate information to help them navigate adult HIV care.

Intersecting Relationships of Psychosocial and Structural Syndemic Problems Among People with HIV in South Africa: Using Network Analysis to Identify Influential Problems.

In South Africa, little is known about interrelationships between syndemic problems among people with HIV (PWH). A better understanding of syndemic problems may yield important information regarding factors amenable to mitigation. We surveyed 194 PWH in Khayelitsha, outside of Cape Town, South Africa. We used network analysis to examine the frequency of 10 syndemic problems and their interrelationships. Syndemic problems among PWH in South Africa were common; 159 (82.8%) participants reported at least 2 co-occurring syndemic problems and 90 (46.9%) endorsed 4 or more. Network analysis revealed seven statistically significant associations. The most central problems were depression, substance use, and food insecurity. Three clusters of syndemics were identified: mood and violence; structural factors; and behavioral factors. Depression, substance use, and food insecurity commonly co-occur among PWH in sub-Saharan Africa and interfere with HIV outcomes. Network analysis can identify intervention targets to potentially improve HIV treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN: En Sudáfrica, poco se sabe sobre interrelaciones entre problemas sindémicos entre personas con VIH (PCV). Un major entendimiento de los problemas sindémicos puede arrojar información importante sobre los factores susceptibles de mitigación. Utilizamos el análisis de redes para examinar la frecuencia de 10 problemas sindémicos y sus interrelaciones. Problemas sindémicos entre PCV en Sudáfrica eran communes; 159 (82.8%) participantes presentaron al menos 2 problemas sindémicos concurrentes y 90 (46.9%) presentaron 4 o más. El análisis de red reveló siete asociaciones estadísticamente significativas. Los problemas más centrales fueron la depresión, el uso de sustancias y la inseguridad alimentaria. Se indetificaron tres grupos de sindemias: estado de ánimo y violencia; factores estructurales; y factores de comportamiento. La depresión, el uso de sustancias y la inseguridad alimentaria comúnmente ocurren simultáneamente entre las PCV en el África subsahariana e interfieren con los resultados del VIH. El análisis de redes puede identificar objetivos de intervención para potencialmente mejorar los resultados del tratamiento del VIH.

Cigarette smoking and misperceived norms among adults in rural Uganda: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about perceived norms about cigarette smoking in Uganda or the extent to which perceptions drive personal cigarette smoking behaviour. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2016-2018 that targeted all adults who resided within eight villages in Rwampara District, southwestern Uganda. Personal cigarette smoking frequency was elicited by self-report. We also asked participants what they believed to be the cigarette smoking frequency of most other adult men and women in their villages (i.e., perceived norms). Frequent cigarette smoking was defined as 4+ times/week. We compared perceived norms to cigarette smoking frequency reports aggregated at the village level. We used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the association between perceived norms and personal cigarette smoking behaviour. RESULTS: Among 1626 participants (91% response rate), 92 of 719 men (13%) and 6 of 907 women (0.7%) reported frequent smoking. However, 1030 (63%) incorrectly believed most men in their villages smoked cigarettes frequently. Additionally, 116 (7%) incorrectly believed that most women in their villages smoked cigarettes frequently. These misperceptions were pervasive across social strata. Men who misperceived frequent cigarette smoking as the norm among other men in their villages were more likely to smoke frequently themselves (adjusted relative risk=1.49; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Most adults overestimated cigarette smoking frequency among village peers. Men who incorrectly believed that frequent smoking was the norm were more likely to engage in frequent smoking themselves. Applying a 'social norms approach' intervention by promoting existing healthy norms may prevent smoking initiation or motivate reductions in smoking among men in rural Uganda.

Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic events, and mental health among adults at two outpatient psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences and adult trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and interpersonal violence, are highly prevalent in low-resource settings and associated with adverse psychological outcomes. However, there is limited focus on the impact of ACEs and trauma on mental health in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study examines the impact of traumatic events and ACEs on depression, anxiety, and stress scores among outpatients receiving psychiatric care at two public mental health treatment facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. METHODS: A sample of 309 participants were recruited between January and June 2022 at Helen Joseph Hospital and Alexandra 18th Avenue Clinic. Participants completed screening measures for mental health outcomes, including the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. We fitted modified Poisson and linear regression models to estimate the impact of ACEs and adult experiences of trauma on depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores. RESULTS: 47.57% (n = 147) of participants screened positive for anxiety, 44.66% (n = 138) for depression, and 17% (n = 54) for severe stress. More females screened positive for anxiety (65.31%), depression (65.94%), and stress (77.78%). Each ACE was associated with a 12% increased risk of depression, a 10% increased risk of anxiety, and a 17% increased risk of stress. In separately estimated models, each additional traumatic event during adulthood was associated with a 16% increased risk for depression, an 8% increased risk of anxiety, and a 26% increased risk of stress. Across all models, being male and self-reported physical health were consistently associated with a reduced risk for depression, anxiety, and stress. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs and experiences of traumatic events as adults were associated with significantly increased risks of anxiety, depression, and severe stress. Given high exposure to ACEs and trauma and the associated impact on the mental health of individuals, families, and communities, there is a need to strengthen and scale innovative combination interventions that address multiple stressors impacting people in low-resource settings.

Association between social networks and symptoms of post-traumatic stress during the pandemic: Cohort study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: This study estimated the association between pre-pandemic social network properties and symptoms of posttraumatic stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea. METHODS: We conducted four online mental health surveys during COVID-19 (from March 14, 2020, to December 11, 2021) among individuals enrolled in a community-based cohort study (previously recruited from 2013 to 2018). Among 4060 people interviewed at the pre-pandemic baseline, 2652 individuals (men = 951, women = 1701) who responded to at least one of the four surveys conducted were included. At baseline, each individual's social network, including size and average closeness, was measured in an egocentric way. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was measured at each survey point. A generalized linear model and a generalized linear mixed model were used after stratified by sex. RESULTS: Among men, network size was negatively associated with total PCL-5 score (b = -0.42, SE = 0.16, p = 0.002). The magnitude of the association increased over time and was maximal by the 4th survey (b = -0.65, SE = 0.31, p = 0.037). Among women, average closeness was negatively associated with the total PCL-5 score (b = -1.16, SE = 0.37, p = 0.002). In analyses disaggregated by symptom clusters, social networks were associated explicitly with symptoms of intrusion and mood but not with avoidance and arousal symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of adults followed for more than a year during the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Korea, social networks established before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had a protective association against developing symptoms of PTSD during the first two years of the pandemic.