Association between number of sexual partners and utilization of family planning and sexually transmitted infection services by men aged 15-44 in the United States.

Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a huge public health problem in the United States. Efforts towards reducing unintended pregnancies have previously focused on women, but the role of men in family planning and preventing unwanted pregnancy is becoming clearer. The primary objective of the study was to fully examine the utilization of family planning services by men in the US, and to determine whether factors such as race, health insurance type and number of sexual partners influenced their utilization and receipt of family planning services and STI-related health services. Data were from the 2006-2010 National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG) study conducted in the US. The study sample comprised 7686 men aged 14-44 who ever had sex with women, and who had had at least one sexual partner in the 12 months before the survey. The receipt of family planning and STI-related health services by this group of men was estimated. The results showed that non-Hispanic Black men were more likely to receive family planning and STI-related services than Hispanic and non-Hispanic White males. Given that non-Hispanic Black men are disproportionately affected by STIs and are a high-risk group, the finding that this group received more family planning and STI services is a positive step towards reducing the disproportionately high prevalence of STIs in men in this under-privileged population.

None of Us Will Get Out of Here Alive: The Intersection of Perceived Risk for HIV, Risk Behaviors and Survival Expectations among African American Emerging Adults.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) significantly affects minority emerging adults, among whom the rate of new diagnoses is high and health disparities are more pronounced. Importantly, emerging adults today have limited knowledge of the earlier toll of the virus when it was identified as a killer. Among this population, perceptions of risk for HIV are low and sexual risk taking behaviors are high. The Get SMART Project is a behavioral intervention aimed to provide re-purposed HIV, alcohol, and substance abuse prevention education and HIV testing to African American emerging adults ages 18-24. The project was guided by the Health Belief Model, Community Promise, and Training for Institutional Procedures. Findings revealed that HIV testing is low. Marijuana and alcohol are drugs of choice. Emerging adults do not see themselves at risk for HIV, although they engaged in high-risk behaviors. Additionally, survival expectations influence behavior risk.

Similarities and Differences Matter: Considering the Influence of Gender on HIV Prevention Programs for Young Adults in an Urban HBCU.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disproportionately burdens African American youth and young adults. In studies conducted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) settings, African American youth generally perceive themselves as having a low risk of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) despite having higher rates of unprotected sexual encounters, multiple sex partners, and particularly low rates of HIV testing and awareness of HIV status. These findings position HBCUs in a pivotal role for theory-based research and practice to modify behaviors in order to decrease HIV acquisition risk. Get Students Mobilized and Retooled to Transform (SMART) is an interventional research project in an urban HBCU in a northeastern metropolitan area in the US. The project is designed to assess and then address irresponsible behavior among students on college campuses that leads to illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and underage drinking, and risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of acquiring HIV and STDs. As gender plays a critical role in interventions, this article explores gender similarities and differences to inform the planning and implementation of Get SMART and any subsequent projects that address substance and alcohol use and HIV in an HBCU setting. Survey research was conducted to find similar and different factors that may be valuable in implementing and tailoring evidence-based interventions in a predominantly African American campus setting. Survey results revealed that more young adult women consume alcohol and use marijuana than young adult men. Young adult men were also more likely to be tested for HIV when compared to young adult women.

The importance of leadership in Soldiers' nutritional behaviors: results from the Soldier Fueling Initiative program evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Improving Soldiers' nutritional habits continues to be a concern of the US Army, especially amidst increasing obesity and high injury rates. This study examines leadership influence on nutritional behaviors within the context of the Soldier Fueling Initiative, a program providing nutrition education and improved dining facility menus to Soldiers in Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). METHODS: A mixed methods design using surveys (N=486) and focus groups (N=112) was used to collect data at Fort Jackson, SC, and Fort Eustis, VA, in 2011. RESULTS: Survey results showed 75% of Soldiers in BCT believed their drill sergeant was helpful in making performance-enhancing food choices, and 86% agreed their drill sergeant believed it is important to eat for performance. Soldiers in AIT perceived their cadre as less helpful than their BCT drill sergeants and agreed less frequently that the AIT cadre believed it was important to eat for performance (P<.05). These measures of leader influence were significantly associated with nutritional attitudes and behaviors in both BCT and AIT. Focus groups revealed 5 key themes related to cadre influence and nutrition behavior (listed in order of most to least frequent): (1) cadre influence food choices through consequences related to selection, (2) cadre teach Soldiers how to eat, (3) cadre rush Soldiers to eat quickly to return to training, (4) cadre influence choice through example but often do not make healthy choices, and (5) cadre have no influence on food choices. COMMENT: Leaders influence most Soldiers' nutrition practices within the training environment, particularly within BCT. Given that leader influence can impact Soldiers' attitudes and behaviors, it is critical that military leaders become knowledgeable about optimal nutrition practices to disseminate appropriate information to their Soldiers, avoid reprimand associated with trainees' food choices, reinforce key messages associated with nutrition programming, and lead by example in their own food choices.

The WHISK (Women's Health: Increasing the Awareness of Science and Knowledge) Pilot Project: Recognizing Sex and Gender Differences in Women's Health and Wellness.

Women's health encompasses a continuum of biological, psychological, and social challenges that differ considerably from those of men. Despite the remarkable advances in science, women's health and sex differences research is slowly gaining recognition and acceptance. It is important that women's health gain attention as women are usually the gatekeepers of care for the family. Women's health and health outcomes are strongly influenced by sex and gender differences as well as geography. Around the world, the interplay of biology and culture brings about differences in men's and women's health, which have been largely overlooked. The Women's Health: Increasing the Awareness of Science and Knowledge (WHISK) Pilot Project was a multidisciplinary project aimed to increase the awareness of sex and gender differences in women's health and research among healthcare professionals. Theater expression and creative art were used to translate knowledge, enhance understanding, and increase the awareness of sex differences. Findings from this project clearly showed an apparent increase in knowledge and cultivation of new insights.

La salud de las mujeres abarca un continuo de retos biológicos, psicológicos y sociales que difieren considerablemente de los de los hombres. Pese a los notables avances de la ciencia, la investigación sobre la salud de las mujeres y las diferencias entre sexos va obteniendo reconocimiento y aceptación con mucha lentitud. Es importante que la salud de las mujeres consiga atraer la atención, pues las mujeres controlan por lo general el acceso de la atención médica a la familia. La salud y los resultados médicos de las mujeres están fuertemente influidos por las diferencias de sexo y género y por la geografía. En todo el mundo la interacción entre biología y cultura provoca diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en cuanto a la salud, diferencias que durante mucho tiempo se han obviado. El proyecto piloto WHISK fue un proyecto multidisciplinario cuyo objetivo era aumentar la concienciación sobre las diferencias de sexo y género en la salud de las mujeres y la investigación entre los profesionales sanitarios. Se utilizó la expresión teatral y el arte creativo para reflejar los conocimientos, ampliar la comprensión y aumentar la concienciación sobre las diferencias entre sexos. Los resultados de este proyecto mostraban con claridad un visible aumento del conocimiento y el desarrollo de nuevas perspectivas.