ABSTRACT
Previous body image research often grouped both gay and bisexual men into a single category: sexual minoritised men, limiting our understanding of how sexual identity influences body image. However, there is strong reason to believe that bisexual and gay men experience distinct body image concerns. Here, we explored motivations to alter one's leanness and muscularity, as well as (dis)satisfaction with body fat, muscularity, height and penis size, and functionality appreciation across gay, bisexual, and straight cisgender men. We sampled 378 white participants aged 18 to 85 (nbisexual = 125, ngay = 128, nstraight = 125). We found that bisexual men were significantly less motivated to be lean and showed lower muscularity dissatisfaction relative to gay men but showed comparable levels to straight men. Our findings demonstrate that despite research perceiving the body image of bisexual and gay men as homogenous, they experience differences in their body image concerning leanness and muscularity dissatisfaction. Future body image research should incorporate this understanding by not artificially grouping bisexual and gay cisgender men and instead acknowledging the potential uniqueness in their experiences.
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PURPOSE: Adolescent alcohol consumption is detrimental to multiple facets of health. However, there is a scarcity of data available on time trends in adolescents' alcohol consumption particularly from non-Western countries and low- and middle-income countries. Thus, we examined the temporal trend of alcohol use in a large representative sample of school-going adolescents aged 12-15 years from 22 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. METHODS: Data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey were analyzed. Alcohol consumption referred to consuming alcohol on at least one day in the past 30 days. Crude linear trends of past 30-day alcohol consumption by country were assessed by linear regression models. RESULTS: Data on 135,426 adolescents aged 12-15 years were analyzed [mean (standard deviation) age 13.8 (1.0) years; 52.0% females]. The overall mean prevalence of past 30-day alcohol consumption was 14.1%. Of the 22 countries included in the study, increasing, decreasing, and stable trends were observed in 3, 8, and 11 countries, respectively. Specifically, significant increases were observed in Benin between 2009 (16.1%) and 2016 (38.6%), Myanmar between 2007 (0.9%) and 2016 (3.6%), and Vanuatu between 2011 (7.6%) and 2016 (12.2%). The most drastic decrease was observed in Samoa between 2011 (34.5%) and 2017 (9.8%), but the rate of decrease was modest in most countries. DISCUSSION: Among school-going adolescents, decreasing trends in alcohol consumption were more common than increasing trends, but the rate of decrease was limited in most countries, suggesting that more global action is required to curb adolescent alcohol consumption.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Underage Drinking , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Male , Prevalence , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Africa/epidemiology , Asia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
This study aimed to update the gender-based terminology of a measure used to assess attitudes toward trans and gender diverse people (the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale; TABS) in order to reflect appropriate and inclusive language standards and conventions while maintaining the psychometric integrity of the tool. The updated TABS was administered to 247 heterosexual, cisgender adults in the UK. Participants also completed the original TABS as well as measure of self-esteem and social desirability to test construct validity. We demonstrate that after updating the language of the TABS to reflect best-practice, the psychometric properties of the TABS were unaffected.
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People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face a disproportionately high prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes compared with the non-homeless population and are known to utilize primary healthcare services less frequently while seeking help in emergency care facilities. Given that primary health services are more efficient and cost-saving, services with a focus on mental health that are co-designed with the participation of users can tackle this problem. Hence, we aimed to synthesize the current evidence of such interventions to assess and summarize the characteristics and effectiveness of co-designed primary mental healthcare services geared towards adult PEH. Out of a total of 10,428 identified records, four articles were found to be eligible to be included in this review. Our findings show that co-designed interventions positively impacted PEH's mental health and housing situation or reduced hospital and emergency department admissions and increased primary care utilization. Therefore, co-designed mental health interventions appear a promising way of providing PEH with continued access to primary mental healthcare. However, as co-designed mental health interventions for PEH can improve overall mental health, quality of life, housing, and acute service utilization, more research is needed.
Subject(s)
Ill-Housed Persons , Mental Health , Adult , Humans , Quality of Life , Social Problems , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Suicide is one of the most important causes of deaths in the United Kingdom, and the numbers are currently increasing. AIM: There are numerous identified determinants of suicidality, and physical multimorbidity is potentially important but is currently understudied. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association of physical multimorbidity with suicidality. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007, which was conducted in England between October 2006 and December 2007 by the National Center for Social Research and Leicester University were analyzed. Respondents were asked about 20 physical health conditions, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were assessed. RESULTS: Out of 7,403 individuals aged 16 years or over, the prevalence of physical multimorbidity, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts were 35.1%, 4.3%, and 0.7%, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no physical conditions, 1, 2, 3, and ⩾4 conditions were associated with significant 1.79 (95% CI [1.25, 2.57]), 2.39 (95% CI [1.63, 3.51]), 2.88 (95% CI [1.83, 4.55]), and 6.29 (95% CI [4.12, 9.61]) times higher odds for suicidal ideation. Mediation analysis showed that cognitive problems (mediated percentage 39.2%) and disability (37.5%) explained the largest proportion between multimorbidity and suicidal ideation. Pain (38.0%) and cognitive problems (30.7%) explained the largest proportion between multimorbidity and suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: In this large sample of UK adults, physical multimorbidity was associated with significantly higher odds for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Moreover, several potential mediators were identified, and these may serve as future targets for interventions that aim to prevent suicidality among people with physical multimorbidity.
Subject(s)
Suicidal Ideation , Suicide, Attempted , Adult , Humans , Multimorbidity , Mediation Analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk Factors , England/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Public health restrictions, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have had potentially wide-ranging, unintended effects on health-related behaviours such as diet and physical activity and also affected mental health due to reduced social interactions. This study explored how health-related behaviours and mental health were impacted in a sample of the UK public during the first set of COVID-19 public health restrictions. Two online surveys were administered in the UK, one within the first three months of the restrictions (Timepoints 1 (T1involving pre-pandemic recall) and 2/T2) and another ten weeks later (Timepoint 3/T3). Moderate−vigorous physical activity (MVPA), outdoor time, sitting time, screen time and sexual activity were self-reported. Diet was assessed using the Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education questionnaire. Mental health was measured using the short-form Warwick−Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and Becks' Anxiety and Depression Inventories. Differences between timepoints were explored using the Friedman, Wilcoxon signed-rank, McNemar and McNemar−Bowker tests. Two hundred and ninety-six adults (74% under 65 years old; 65% female) provided data across all timepoints. Between T1 and T2, MVPA, time outdoors and sexual activity decreased while sitting, and screen time increased (p < 0.05). Between T2 and T3, saturated fat intake, MVPA, time outdoors, and mental wellbeing increased while sitting, screen time and anxiety symptoms decreased (p < 0.05). This study found that depending on the level of COVID-19 public health restrictions in place, there appeared to be a varying impact on different health-related behaviours and mental health. As countries emerge from restrictions, it is prudent to direct necessary resources to address these important public health issues.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Aged , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Male , Mental Health , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Self Report , United Kingdom/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Introduction: In Europe, young sexual and gender minority (SGM) people continue to face discrimination in the labour sector despite advances in legislation towards their acceptance and equal treatment. Non-discrimination policy strategies helping SGM individuals are not equally enforced in all contexts, making it difficult for many SGM individuals to disclose their identity, hence undermining their health and well-being. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2020 and February 2021 with 55 SGM youth (18-27 years) having work experience from Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and the UK. Results: From the analysis, three overarching themes were significant: (1) societal discrimination played a major role in sociocultural factors and policy considerations, (2) workplace discrimination had distinct factors and impacts on SGM individuals and (3) SGM inclusion should use strategies to ensure workplace diversity and equality. Conclusions: SGM individuals from contexts of poor acceptance tended to hide their identity in the workplace, while transgender and non-binary individuals were prone to experience force-disclosure and discrimination in all aspects of employment. There is a lack of resolute reaction from policy makers in managing problems faced by SGM people in workplaces. New laws improving the status of SGM people need to be further adopted, staff training should be implemented, and managers are crucial in achieving an inclusive climate in the workplace.Policy ImplicationsIt is essential to implement policies on how to effectively handle problems faced by sexual and gender minority people in the workplace.
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Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide in young people aged 15-19 years. However, little is known about the correlates of multiple suicide attempts in adolescents, especially from a global perspective. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association of putative physical, behavioral, and social correlates with multiple suicide attempts among adolescents aged 12-15 years from 61 countries. Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey (2009-2017) were analyzed. Multiple suicide attempts was classified as having attempted suicide at least twice in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the potential correlates. Data on 162,994 adolescents [mean (SD) age 13.8 (0.9) years; 50.8% boys] were analyzed. The overall prevalence of multiple suicide attempts was 4.4% [range 1.2% (Laos) to 13.8% (Ghana)]. Among those who had attempted suicide at least once in the past 12 months, in the overall sample, food insecurity, smoking, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, amphetamine use, sedentary behavior, sexual intercourse, sleep problems, loneliness, no close friends, and bullying victimization were all independently associated with higher odds for multiple suicide attempts although some regional differences were observed. Our study results indicate potential target factors that could be addressed amongst those who had attempted suicide in the past to reduce future suicide attempts and possibly completed suicides. Furthermore, it is possible that region-specific interventions are necessary.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Suicide, Attempted , Adolescent , Adult , Asia , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Suicidal Ideation , Young AdultABSTRACT
Medical care of transgender and non-binary (TNB) patients if often a complex interdisciplinary effort involving a variety of healthcare workers (HCWs) and services. Physicians not only act as gatekeepers to routine or transitioning therapies but are also HCWs with the most intimate and time-intensive patient interaction, which influences TNB patients' experiences and health behaviors and healthcare utilization. The aim of this study was to investigate the physician-patient relationship in a sample of TNB individuals within the Austrian healthcare system, and explore its associations with sociodemographic, health-, and identity-related characteristics. A cross-sectional study utilizing an 56-item online questionnaire, including the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire 9 (PDRQ-9), was carried out between June and October 2020. The study involved TNB individuals 18 or older, residing in Austria, and previously or currently undergoing medical transition. In total, 91 participants took part, of whom 33.0% and 25.3% self-identified as trans men and trans women, respectively, and 41.8% as non-binary. Among participants, 82.7% reported being in the process of medical transitioning, 58.1% perceived physicians as the most problematic HCWs, and 60.5% stated having never or rarely been taken seriously in medical settings. Non-binary participants showed significantly lower PDRQ-9 scores, reflecting a worse patient-physician relationship compared to trans male participants. TNB patients in Austria often report negative experiences based on their gender identity. Physicians should be aware of these interactions and reflect potentially harmful behavioral patterns in order to establish unbiased and trustful relations.
Subject(s)
Transgender Persons , Austria , Cross-Sectional Studies , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and erectile dysfunction after cancer treatment are clinically important complications, but their exact prevalence by various kinds of cancer site and type of treatment is unknown. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the available evidence and provide pooled estimates for prevalence of EjD and erectile dysfunction in relation to all cancer sites and identify characteristics associated with EjD in cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and case-control studies. We searched 4 electronic databases (Medline®, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Embase®) until July 22, 2020. All retrospective or prospective studies reporting the prevalence of EjD in male patients with cancer were included in this review. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted calculating prevalence proportions with 95% confidence intervals. Prevalence proportions were calculated for the incidences of EjD by cancer site and type of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 64 studies (a total of 10,057 participants) were included for analysis. The most common cancer sites were bladder, colon, testis and rectum. The prevalence rates of EjD after surgical intervention ranged from 14.5% (95% CI 2.2-56.3) in colon cancer to 53.0% (95% CI 23.3-80.7) in bladder cancer. The prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction ranged from 6.8% (95% CI 0.8-39.1) in bladder cancer to 68.7% (95% CI 55.2-79.6) in cancer of the rectum. CONCLUSIONS: In a large study-level meta-analysis, we looked at a high prevalence of EjD and erectile dysfunction at various cancer sites and across different treatment types. Prospective studies of EjD and erectile dysfunction after various kinds of cancer treatments are warranted.
Subject(s)
Ejaculation , Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology , Erectile Dysfunction/etiology , Neoplasms/complications , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/epidemiology , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology , Humans , Male , PrevalenceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between sexual orientation and functional limitations in a large representative sample of the English population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Data were from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7403 adults aged 16-95 years (51.4% female; mean age, 46.3±18.6y) were included in the present study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual orientation was assessed using 2 items adapted from the Kinsey scale and was dichotomized into heterosexual and sexual minority orientation. Functional limitations were assessed using 7 activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Functional limitations were defined as at least 1 difficulty in 1 of 7 ADL and IADL. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between sexual orientation (independent variable) and functional limitations (dependent variable). RESULTS: The level of sexual minority orientation and prevalence of functional limitations in the sample was 7.1% and 32.9%, respectively. After adjusting for several potential confounders, sexual minority orientation was positively and significantly associated with functional limitations (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.95; reference group: heterosexual orientation). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this study, interventions aiming to prevent against and/or manage/reduce functional limitations in sexual minorities are needed. More research is also warranted to better understand mediators (eg, obesity, cognitive complaints, psychiatric disorders) involved in the sexual orientation-functional limitation relationship.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Disabled Persons/statistics & numerical data , Physical Therapy Modalities/standards , Sexual and Gender Minorities/statistics & numerical data , Sexuality/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the correlates of increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions that were implemented in a sample of UK adults. METHODS: This paper presents analyses of data from a cross-sectional study. Adults aged 18 years and over, residing in the UK and self-isolating from others outside their own household were eligible to participate. Participants reported increase or no increase in their level of alcohol consumption from before to during lockdown, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression and mental wellbeing. Socio-demographic characteristics were compared between adults with and without reported increased alcohol consumption. The associations between reported increased alcohol consumption and mental health outcomes were investigated using logistic and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: 691 adults (61.1 % women; 48.8 % aged 35-64 years) were included in the analysis. Of these, 17 % reported increased alcohol consumption after lockdown. A higher proportion of 18-34-year olds reported increased alcohol consumption compared to older groups. The prevalence of poor overall mental health was significantly higher in individuals with increased alcohol consumption (vs. no increase) (45.4 % versus 32.7 %; p-value = 0.01). There was a significant association between increased alcohol consumption and poor overall mental health (OR = 1.64; 95 % CI = 1.01, 2.66), depressive symptoms (unstandardized beta = 2.93; 95 % CI = 0.91, 4.95) and mental wellbeing (unstandardized beta=-1.38; 95 % CI=-2.38, -0.39). CONCLUSIONS: More than one in six UK adults increased their alcohol consumption during lockdown and a higher proportion of these were younger adults. Increased alcohol consumption was independently associated with poor overall mental health, increased depressive symptoms and lower mental wellbeing. These findings highlight the importance of planning targeted support as we emerge from lockdown and plan for potential second and subsequent waves.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Depression/epidemiology , Mental Health , Quarantine/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2 , United Kingdom/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Objectives: To examine the relationship of food insecurity with sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners and non-condom use. Methods: Data on food insecurity (hunger) and sexual behaviors from 205,296 adolescents from 53 countries. Associations were analyzed using meta-analysis. Results: Overall, 16.0% of the adolescents ever had sexual intercourse and the prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity was 44.9% and 6.2%, respectively. Moderate and severe food insecurity was associated with higher odds for sexual intercourse. Any food insecurity was significantly associated with condom nonuse at last sex. Conclusions: Food insecurity was associated with higher odds of ever having sexual intercourse dose-dependently.
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BACKGROUND: Identifying correlates of sexual behavior among young adolescents is critical for preventing adverse outcomes linked to such behavior. AIM: This study examined the relationship of bullying victimization with sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, and non-condom use in adolescents aged 12-15 years across 53 countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 145,342 adolescents aged 12-15 years participating in the Global School-based Student Health Survey 2003-2016 were analyzed. Data on bullying victimization were assessed by the question "During the past 30 days, on how many days were you bullied?" OUTCOMES: Data on several sexual behaviors were collected: (i) ever having had intercourse, among those who reported having had intercourse; (ii) multiple (≥2) lifetime sexual partners; and (iii) condom use in last sexual intercourse. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations. The overall prevalence of any bullying in the past 30 days and lifetime sexual intercourse were 28.8% and 13.1%, respectively. Compared with those who were not bullied in the past 30 days, those who were bullied for 20-30 days were 2.08 (95% CI = 1.65-2.63), 1.70 (95% CI = 1.10-2.63), and 1.72 (95% CI = 1.12-2.67) times more likely to report sexual intercourse, non-condom use, and multiple sex partners, respectively. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides further evidence that bullying victimization is a global phenomenon and interventions are required to reduce its prevalence and unwanted consequences. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The main strength was the large sample of young adolescents across 53 countries. However, findings from the present study should be interpreted in light of its limitations. First, the study was cross-sectional in nature and thus the direction of the association cannot be established. Second, the data only included young adolescents who attend school. Third, data were self-reported and thus reporting bias may exist. Fourth, the measure of sexual activity used was not able to distinguish between penetrative and nonpenetrative sex. Fifth, adolescents who are victims of bullying may also be exposed to other types of violence such as child maltreatment and sexual assaults, for which data were not available. Finally, the present data set did not contain data on sexual orientation. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for interventions either acting to educate about the potential negative consequences or to prevent risky sexual behavior in young adolescents who experience bullying victimization. Smith L, Grabovac I, Jacob L, et al. Bullying Victimization and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents Aged 12-15 Years From 53 Countries: A Global Perspective. J Sex Med 2020;17:2148-2155.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Bullying , Crime Victims , Adolescent , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is likely to be associated with sexual activity. However, to date, there is no literature on the relationship between overweight/obesity and sexual activity outcomes. AIM: Thus, the present study assessed the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, and weight status with sexual activity and number of previous sexual partners in a representative sample of U.S. adults. METHODS: Data on leisure time physical activity, total sitting time, weight status, sexual behavior outcomes, and other characteristics were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Study cycle 2007 to 2016. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations among body mass index, leisure time physical activity, and total sitting time with past-year sexual activity and number of sexual partners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self reported frequency of past-year sexual activity and number of sex partners in the past year. RESULTS: In a sample of 7,049 men (mean age: 38.3 ± 0.3 years) and 7,005 women (mean age: 38.7 ± 0.2 years) being overweight was associated with higher odds of frequent sexual activity (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.2-1.7) among men, but lower odds among women (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.6-0.9). Sufficient physical activity was associated with higher odds of frequent sexual activity among both men (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.5) and women (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0-1.4). In those living alone, being obese was associated with lower odds of having at least 1 sexual partner for men (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) and women (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4-0.8). Being sufficiently physically active was associated with higher odds of having at least 1 sexual partner only in men (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.2-2.2). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals need to be made aware of these results, as they could be used to plan tailored interventions. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the large, representative sample of U.S. adults and objective measures of anthropometry. Limitations include the cross-sectional design of the study and that all variables on sexual history were self-reported. CONCLUSION: The present study identifies novel modifiable behavioral and biological antecedents of sexuality outcomes. Grabovac I, Cao C, Haider S, et al. Associations Between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Weight Status With Sexuality Outcomes: Analyses from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Sex Med 2020;17:60-68.
Subject(s)
Body Weight/physiology , Exercise , Sedentary Behavior , Sexual Behavior , Adult , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Motor Activity , Nutrition Surveys , Obesity/epidemiology , Self Report , Sexual Partners , SexualityABSTRACT
Myriad social groups are targets of hostile and benevolent (i.e., ambivalent) prejudice. However, prejudice toward gay men is typically conceptualized as hostile, despite the prevalence of benevolence toward gay men in popular media. This article aims to compare gay men with other targets of ambivalent prejudice (i.e., women and elderly people) and draw on the stereotype content and microaggressions literatures in order to develop a theory of ambivalent homoprejudice. The resultant framework, comprising repellent, adversarial, romanticized, and paternalistic homoprejudice was investigated using seven focus groups of heterosexuals and gay men (N = 22), and the findings were consistent with stereotype content theory. Directions for future research into the deleterious effects of ambivalent homoprejudice and possible empowering interventions are discussed.
Subject(s)
Homophobia , Homosexuality, Male , Adult , Female , Focus Groups , Heterosexuality/psychology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sexual and Gender Minorities , StereotypingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess both the credibility and strength of evidence arising from systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and physical health outcomes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. METHODS: We performed an umbrella review of observational studies. Evidence was graded as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or nonsignificant. RESULTS: From 3413 studies returned, 20 were included, covering 55 health outcomes. Median number of participants was 18 743 (range 403-225 000 000). Overall, 45 (81.8%) of the 55 unique outcomes reported nominally significant summary results (P < .05). Only 5 outcomes (9.0%; higher likelihood of presence of breathlessness, higher chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] prevalence, maternal sepsis, higher risk of anemia, and higher risk of all fractures among people living with HIV [PLWHIV]) showed suggestive evidence, with P values < 10-3; only 3 (5.5%; higher prevalence of cough in cross-sectional studies, higher incidence of pregnancy-related mortality, and higher incidence of ischemic heart disease among PLWHIV in cohort studies) outcomes showed stronger evidence using a stringent P value (<10-6). None of the unique outcomes presented convincing evidence (Class I), yet 3 outcomes presented highly suggestive evidence, 5 outcomes presented suggestive evidence, and 37 outcomes presented weak evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Results show highly suggestive and suggestive evidence for HIV and the presence of a cough, COPD, ischemic heart disease, pregnancy-related mortality, maternal sepsis, and bone fractures. Public health policies should reflect and accommodate these changes, especially in light of the increases in the life expectancy and the incidence of comorbidities in this population.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Pre-Eclampsia , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Observational Studies as Topic , Pregnancy , Systematic Reviews as TopicABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older people present an under-represented population in research, with limited research citing higher prevelance of depression, loneliness, rejection, and overall poorer health and well-being outcomes. Our study compares well-being, defined as quality of life, life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and depression, among LGB people with their heterosexual peers'. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), a representative panel study of older adults aged 50 and older. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data were from ELSA wave 6, collected 2012-2013. A total of 5691 participants were included in the analysis, with 326 (5.7%) self-identifying as LGB. MEASURES: Well-being was measured using CASP-19, a quality of life questionnaire; the Satisfaction with Life Scale for life satisfaction; and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for depressive symptoms. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using the question "During the past three months, how satisfied have you been with your overall sex life?" In addition, t test and chi-square tests were used to test differences in sociodemographic characteristics between LGB and heterosexual participants. Bivariate logistical regression and linear regression were used to test associations between sexual orientation and well-being outcomes. RESULTS: In unadjusted models, LGB participants reported significantly lower mean quality of life and life satisfaction, and had significantly lower odds of reporting satisfaction with their overall sex life and higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms above threshold. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, there remained significant differences between LGB and heterosexual groups in mean quality of life scores (B = -0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.87 to -0.06, P = .037) and odds of sexual satisfaction (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: LGB older people report lower quality of life and lower sexual satisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts, possibly associated with a number of unwanted social experiences.