Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people experiencing incarceration: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on people experiencing incarceration (PEI), focusing particularly on clinical outcomes compared with the general population. DESIGN: Systematic review with narrative synthesis in accordance with the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination's good practice guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Social Policy and Practice, Criminology Connection, ASSIA, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web Of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Cochrane COVID-19 reviews, COVID-19 Evidence Reviews and L*OVE COVID-19 Evidence databases were searched up to 21 October 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included studies presenting data specific to adults ≥18 years experiencing incarceration, with exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. All studies with a comparison group, regardless of study design and country were included. Studies with no comparison group data or not measuring clinical outcomes/health inequalities were excluded. Studies focussing on detained migrants, forensic hospitals, prison staff and those not in English were also excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Data underwent narrative synthesis using a framework analysis based on the objectives, for infection rates, testing, hospitalisation, mortality, vaccine uptake rates and mental health outcomes. There was no scope for meta-analysis, due to the heterogeneity of evidence available. RESULTS: 4516 references were exported from the databases and grey literature searched, of which 55 met the inclusion criteria. Most were from the USA and were retrospective analyses. Compared with the general population, PEI were usually found to have higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and poorer clinical outcomes. Conflicting data were found regarding vaccine uptake and testing rates compared with the general population. The mental health of PEI declined during the pandemic. Certain subgroups were more adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as ethnic minorities and older PEI. CONCLUSION: PEI have poorer COVID-19 clinical outcomes than the general public, as shown by largely low-quality heterogenous evidence. Further high-quality research of continuing clinical outcomes and appropriate mitigating interventions is required to assess downstream effects of the pandemic on PEI. However, performing such research in the context of incarceration facilities is highly complex and potentially challenging. Prioritisation of resources for this vulnerable group should be a focus of national policy in the event of future pandemics. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022296968.

Mitigating COVID-19 Burden in People Experiencing Incarceration: A Systematic Review.

People experiencing incarceration (PEI) have poorer COVID-19 clinical outcomes compared with the general population. Many interventions were implemented in incarceration facilities to mitigate the burden of COVID-19. This systematic review seeks to analyze the effectiveness of these interventions. Twenty-two studies were included. Reduction of the incarcerated population/interfacility transfers, cohorting of new and infectious incarcerated people, mass asymptomatic testing (despite often low uptake), hygiene measures, and prioritization of PEI in vaccine policy had some evidence of effectiveness at reducing transmission and risk of COVID-19 in incarceration facilities. Visitation suspension had conflicting evidence of effectiveness. Studies were of low or medium quality. Inadequate control of confounding variables limited the reliability and validity of conclusions drawn. Many studies relied on retrospective, third-party data. Higher quality research is required.

Methodological approaches to measuring mental health in a cost-of-living crisis: A rapid review.

BACKGROUND: Cost-of-living crises are damaging to population mental health and require a public health response. It is important to assess whether public health interventions are effective. We aimed to identify population-level methods and measures and the appropriateness of the measures for vulnerable populations. METHODS: A rapid evidence review was undertaken. Nineteen databases, including grey literature, were searched for evidence published between 1970 and April 2023. RESULTS: Seven reviews, nine primary studies and two reports from grey literature were identified. Methods consisted of analyses of existing data from national or regional cohort studies, household panel surveys, repeated cross-sectional surveys, routine medical data, or data on suicide death rates. Twelve brief validated mental health measurement tools, embedded in population-level surveys, were identified. Two quasi-experimental studies used data from a UK household panel survey to examine the impact of the introduction of specific welfare policies on mental health. Studies identified socio-economic vulnerabilities, but it was not possible to determine whether data were effectively captured from people from minority ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: Population-level surveys can be used in quasi-experimental studies to measure the effects of a public health initiative with specific roll out dates to tackle cost-of-living impacts. It is unclear as to whether the identified methods and tools are suitable for use with people from minority ethnic groups.

Group-level workplace interventions to improve mental health in low control, high-demand office-based jobs. A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Workplace psychosocial risk factors, including low autonomy and high demands, have negative consequences for employee mental health and wellbeing. There is a need to support employees experiencing mental health and well-being problems in these jobs. This scoping review aims to describe group-level workplace interventions and their approaches to improving the mental health and well-being of employees in office-based, low autonomy, and high demands jobs. METHODS: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a search was conducted across 4 databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA). We explored studies presenting group-level interventions, mode of implementation, facilitators and barriers, and intervention effectiveness. The search was restricted to include office-based, low autonomy, and high-demands jobs. Primary outcome of interest was mental health and secondary outcomes were work-related and other well-being outcomes. RESULTS: Group-level workplace interventions include an array of organizational, relational, and individual components. Almost all included a training session or workshop for intervention delivery. Several had manuals but theories of change were rare. Most workplace interventions did not use participatory approaches to involve employees in intervention development, implementation and evaluation, and challenges and facilitators were not commonly reported. Key facilitators were shorter intervention duration, flexible delivery modes, and formalized processes (e.g. manuals). A key barrier was the changeable nature of workplace environments. All studies employing behavioural interventions reported significant improvements in mental health outcomes, while no clear pattern of effectiveness was observed for other outcomes or types of interventions employed. CONCLUSIONS: Group-based interventions in low-autonomy office settings can be effective but few studies used participatory approaches or conducted process evaluations limiting our knowledge of the determinants for successful group-based workplace interventions. Involving stakeholders in intervention development, implementation, and evaluation is recommended and can be beneficial for better articulation of the acceptability and barriers and facilitators for delivery and engagement.

The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Community Diagnostic Centres: A Rapid Review.

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of community diagnostic centres as a potential solution to increasing capacity and reducing pressure on secondary care in the UK. Methods: A comprehensive search for relevant primary studies was conducted in a range of electronic sources in August 2022. Screening and critical appraisal were undertaken by two independent reviewers. There were no geographical restrictions or limits to year of publication. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse data and present findings. Results: Twenty primary studies evaluating twelve individual diagnostic centres were included. Most studies were specific to cancer diagnosis and evaluated diagnostic centres located within hospitals. The evidence of effectiveness appeared mixed. There is evidence to suggest diagnostic centres can reduce various waiting times and reduce pressure on secondary care. However, cost-effectiveness may depend on whether the diagnostic centre is running at full capacity. Most included studies used weak methodologies that may be inadequate to infer effectiveness. Conclusion: Further well-designed, quality research is needed to better understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community diagnostic centres.

Seeking support for abortion online: a qualitative study of women's experiences.

INTRODUCTION: Social support can mitigate the impact of stress and stigma before or after an abortion. However, stigma anticipation can limit access to in-person support. Informal online spaces can offer opportunities to address unmet support needs including supplementing in-person support lacking within stigmatised contexts. While earlier studies have explored content of posts comprising personal accounts of abortion, little is known about the nuances of how and to what end online spaces are navigated. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely (online or by telephone) with 23 women living in Scotland (aged 20-54 years) recruited through social media and online advertisements. Reflexive thematic analysis was supported by NVivo12 software. RESULTS: Key themes: obtaining support that was unavailable from in-person networks; preparation for abortion; reducing feelings of isolation. The majority of participants independently searched online for accounts of abortion, with only three receiving any signposting to specific resources. Without guidance, finding relevant, supportive content was not straightforward. The search process was additionally complicated by the prevalence of abortion stigma online, which generated an additional burden at a potentially challenging time. Those who received direction towards particular resources reported primarily positive online experiences. CONCLUSIONS: While online content could address perceived in-person support gaps, the process of finding supportive content without guidance can be complex. Online searching may also expose women to stigmatising material and interactions. Signposting by abortion services towards well-moderated and trustworthy online resources could be constructive in limiting exposure to stigma and misinformation, while allowing those seeking it to access better support.

Development and Validation of a Brief Measure of Sexual Wellbeing for Population Surveys: The Natsal Sexual Wellbeing Measure (Natsal-SW).

Sexual wellbeing is an important aspect of population health. Addressing and monitoring it as a distinct issue requires valid measures. Our previous conceptual work identified seven domains of sexual wellbeing: security; respect; self-esteem; resilience; forgiveness; self-determination; and comfort. Here, we describe the development and validation of a measure of sexual wellbeing reflecting these domains. Based on the analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews, we operationalized domains into items, and refined them via cognitive interviews, workshops, and expert review. We tested the items via two web-based surveys (n = 590; n = 814). Using data from the first survey, we carried out exploratory factor analysis to assess and eliminate poor performing items. Using data from the second survey, we carried out confirmatory factor analysis to examine model fit and associations between the item reduced measure and external variables hypothesized to correlate with sexual wellbeing (external validity). A sub-sample (n = 113) repeated the second survey after 2 weeks to evaluate test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a "general specific model" had best fit (RMSEA: 0.064; CFI: 0.975, TLI: 0.962), and functioned equivalently across age group, gender, sexual orientation, and relationship status. The final Natsal-SW measure comprised 13 items (from an initial set of 25). It was associated with external variables in the directions hypothesized (all p < .001), including mental wellbeing (0.454), self-esteem (0.564), body image (0.232), depression (-0.384), anxiety (-0.340), sexual satisfaction (0.680) and sexual distress (-0.615), and demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.78). The measure enables sexual wellbeing to be quantified and understood within and across populations.

The Impact of Being Homeless on the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19: Systematic Review.

Objective: The homeless population experiences inequality in health compared with the general population, which may have widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the impact of being homeless on the outcomes of COVID-19 is uncertain. This systematic review aimed to analyse the impact of experiencing homelessness on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19, including the effects on health inequalities. Methods: A review protocol was developed and registered in PROSPERO (PROSPERO registration 2022 CRD42022304941). Nine databases were searched in November 2022 to identify studies on homeless populations which contained primary research on the following outcomes of COVID-19: incidence, hospitalisation, mortality, long COVID, mental wellbeing, and evidence of inequalities. Included studies were summarised with narrative synthesis. Results: The searches yielded 8,233 initial hits; after screening, 41 studies were included. Overall, evidence showed that those in crowded living settings had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection compared to rough sleepers and the general population. The homeless population had higher rates of hospitalisation and mortality than the general population, lower vaccination rates, and suffered negative mental health impacts. Conclusion: This systematic review shows the homeless population is more susceptible to COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the actual impact of the pandemic on this population, and of interventions to mitigate overall risk, given the low certainty of findings from some of the low-quality evidence available. In addition, further research is required to ascertain the impact of long COVID on those experiencing homelessness, since the present review yielded no studies on this topic.

School-based relationship and sexuality education intervention engaging adolescent boys for the reductions of teenage pregnancy: the JACK cluster RCT.

Background: The need to engage boys in gender-transformative relationships and sexuality education (RSE) to reduce adolescent pregnancy is endorsed by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of If I Were Jack on the avoidance of unprotected sex and other sexual health outcomes. Design: A cluster randomised trial, incorporating health economics and process evaluations. Setting: Sixty-six schools across the four nations of the UK. Participants: Students aged 13-14 years. Intervention: A school-based, teacher-delivered, gender-transformative RSE intervention (If I Were Jack) versus standard RSE. Main outcome measures: Self-reported avoidance of unprotected sex (sexual abstinence or reliable contraceptive use at last sex) after 12-14 months. Secondary outcomes included knowledge, attitudes, skills, intentions and sexual behaviours. Results: The analysis population comprised 6556 students: 86.6% of students in the intervention group avoided unprotected sex, compared with 86.4% in the control group {adjusted odds ratio 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 1.26], p = 0.42}. An exploratory post hoc analysis showed no difference for sexual abstinence [78.30% intervention group vs. 78.25% control group; adjusted odds ratio 0.85 (95% CI 0.58 to 1.24), p = 0.39], but more intervention group students than control group students used reliable contraception at last sex [39.62% vs. 26.36%; adjusted odds ratio 0.52 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.920), p = 0.025]. Students in schools allocated to receive the intervention had significantly higher scores on knowledge [adjusted mean difference 0.18 (95% CI 0.024 to 0.34), p = 0.02], gender-equitable attitudes and intentions to avoid unintended pregnancy [adjusted mean difference 0.61 (95% CI 0.16 to 1.07), p = 0.01] than students in schools allocated to receive the control. There were positive but non-significant differences in sexual self-efficacy and communication skills. The total mean incremental cost of the intervention compared with standard RSE was £2.83 (95% CI -£2.64 to £8.29) per student. Over a 20-year time horizon, the intervention is likely to be cost-effective owing to its impact on unprotected sex because it would result in 379 (95% CI 231 to 477) fewer unintended pregnancies, 680 (95% CI 189 to 1467) fewer sexually transmitted infections and a gain of 10 (95% CI 5 to 16) quality-adjusted life-years per 100,000 students for a cost saving of £9.89 (95% CI -£15.60 to -£3.83). Limitations: The trial is underpowered to detect some effects because four schools withdrew and the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.12) was larger than that in sample size calculation (0.01). Conclusions: We present, to our knowledge, the first evidence from a randomised trial that a school-based, male engagement gender-transformative RSE intervention, although not effective in increasing avoidance of unprotected sex (defined as sexual abstinence or use of reliable contraception at last sex) among all students, did increase the use of reliable contraception at last sex among students who were, or became, sexually active by 12-14 months after the intervention. The trial demonstrated that engaging all adolescents early through RSE is important so that, as they become sexually active, rates of unprotected sex are reduced, and that doing so is likely to be cost-effective. Future work: Future studies should consider the longer-term effects of gender-transformative RSE as students become sexually active. Gender-transformative RSE could be adapted to address broader sexual health and other settings. Trial registration: This trial is registered as ISRCTN10751359. Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (PHR 15/181/01) and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 11, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Adolescent pregnancy is often thought to be an issue for young women alone, but it is important to engage young men to tackle the problem and find solutions. The If I Were Jack intervention was especially designed to engage with boys as well as girls aged 14 years and to promote positive masculinity and gender equality to prevent adolescent pregnancy and promote positive sexual health. It uses tailored interactive films and resources, made with the help of students and teachers, to make it relevant to each of the four UK nations. This relationship and sexuality education intervention encourages adolescents to avoid unprotected sex by delaying sexual activity until they feel ready and to use reliable contraception once sexually active. It also promotes knowledge, attitudes (such as beliefs about gender and masculinities), skills and intentions for safe and pleasurable relationships. In this trial, we compared students in 33 schools randomly allocated to deliver the intervention with students in 33 schools that continued with their usual relationship and sexuality education practices. Four schools withdrew, two because of COVID-19 school closures. This left a total of 6556 students who completed questionnaires at the start of the study and 12­14 months later. Responses from all these students showed that If I Were Jack had a positive impact on knowledge, attitudes and intentions required for safe and pleasurable relationships, but did not have a significant effect on overall avoidance of unprotected sex. This was because the intervention had no effect on delaying sexual activity. However, we found that the intervention was effective in increasing the use of reliable contraception as students became sexually active, as well as for those who already were sexually active prior to receiving the intervention. We also found that If I Were Jack was likely to provide value for money by reducing unintended pregnancies and improving sexual health.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of long-term conditions in Wales: a population data linkage study using primary and secondary care health records.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly had an impact on health service provision owing to surges and sustained pressures on the system. The effects of these pressures on the management of long-term or chronic conditions are not fully understood. AIM: To explore the effects of COVID-19 on the recorded incidence of 17 long-term conditions. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an observational retrospective population data linkage study on the population of Wales using primary and secondary care data within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. METHOD: Monthly rates of new diagnosis between 2000 and 2021 are presented for each long-term condition. Incidence rates post-2020 were compared with expected rates predicted using time series modelling of pre-2020 trends. The proportion of annual incidence is presented by sociodemographic factors: age, sex, social deprivation, ethnicity, frailty, and learning disability. RESULTS: A total of 5 476 012 diagnoses from 2 257 992 individuals are included. Incidence rates from 2020 to 2021 were lower than mean expected rates across all conditions. The largest relative deficit in incidence was in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease corresponding to 343 (95% confidence interval = 230 to 456) undiagnosed patients per 100 000 population, followed by depression, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, anxiety disorders, and asthma. A GP practice of 10 000 patients might have over 400 undiagnosed long-term conditions. No notable differences between sociodemographic profiles of post- and pre-2020 incidences were observed. CONCLUSION: There is a potential backlog of undiagnosed patients with multiple long-term conditions. Resources are required to tackle anticipated workload as part of COVID-19 recovery, particularly in primary care.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of patiromer in the UK: evaluation of hyperkalaemia treatment and lifelong RAASi maintenance in chronic kidney disease patients with and without heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with and without heart failure (HF) often present with hyperkalaemia (HK) leading to increased risk of hospitalisations, cardiovascular related events and cardiovascular-related mortality. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy, the mainstay treatment in CKD management, provides significant cardiovascular and renal protection. Nevertheless, its use in the clinic is often suboptimal and treatment is frequently discontinued due to its association with HK. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of patiromer, a treatment known to reduce potassium levels and increase cardiorenal protection in patients receiving RAASi, in the UK healthcare setting. METHODS: A Markov cohort model was generated to assess the pharmacoeconomic impact of patiromer treatment in regulating HK in patients with advanced CKD with and without HF. The model was generated to predict the natural history of both CKD and HF and quantify the costs and clinical benefits associated with the use of patiromer for HK management from a healthcare payer's perspective in the UK. RESULTS: Economic evaluation of patiromer use compared to standard of care (SoC) resulted in increased discounted life years (8.93 versus 8.67) and increased discounted quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) (6.36 versus 6.16). Furthermore, patiromer use resulted in incremental discounted cost of £2,973 per patient and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £14,816 per QALY gained. On average, patients remained on patiromer therapy for 7.7 months, and treatment associated with a decrease in overall clinical event incidence and delayed CKD progression. Compared to SoC, patiromer use resulted in 218 fewer HK events per 1,000 patients, when evaluating potassium levels at the 5.5-6 mmol/l; 165 fewer RAASi discontinuation episodes; and 64 fewer RAASi down-titration episodes. In the UK, patiromer treatment was predicted to have a 94.5% and 100% chance of cost-effectiveness at willingness-to-pay thresholds (WTP) of £20,000/QALY and £30,000/QALY, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the value of both HK normalisation and RAASi maintenance in CKD patients with and without HF. Results support the guidelines which recommend HK treatment, e.g., patiromer, as a strategy to enable the continuation of RAASi therapy and improve clinical outcomes in CKD patients with and without HF.

"We're Just Tired": Influences on Sexual Activity Among Male-Partnered Women in Midlife; A Mixed Method Study.

Studies into decline in sexual activity among women in midlife produce equivocal findings, some implicating hormonal and physiological changes, others psycho-social and environmental factors. Women's perspectives rarely inform interpretation of the data. Associations between sexual satisfaction, activity and function, and health and lifestyle factors were explored using data from 2133 female participants in the third British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (2010-2012). Semi-structured interviews (2012-2015) with 23 women aged 45-59 reporting sexual dissatisfaction in Natsal-3 explored their perceptions of the influences on their sexual activity. Analysis of the survey data showed sexual dissatisfaction to be less common than low frequency and function. Neither menopausal stage nor age was independently associated with any of the dimensions of sexual experience. Only relationship unhappiness was independently associated with all three and communicational difficulty with two (dissatisfaction and lower function). In-depth interviews identified influences on sexual activity not captured in the survey. Tiredness attributed to contemporary challenges of midlife was a dominant theme. Relationship quality mediated its adverse impact. Sexual experience in midlife must be interpreted in light of both life-stage and era, notably, the increasing demands on women in contemporary society and their impact on vitality. Efforts to address sexual wellbeing should take account of the wider social context.

Impact of ferric carboxymaltose for iron deficiency at discharge after heart failure hospitalization: a European multinational economic evaluation.

AIMS: Iron deficiency (ID) is comorbid in up to 50% patients with heart failure (HF) and exacerbates disease burden. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) reduced HF hospitalizations and improved quality of life when used to treat ID at discharge in patients hospitalized for acute HF with left ventricular ejection fraction <50% in the AFFIRM-AHF trial. We quantified the effect of FCM on burden of disease and the wider pharmacoeconomic implications in France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Sweden. METHODS AND RESULTS: The per country eligible population was calculated, aligning with the 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) HF guidelines and the AFFIRM-AHF trial. Changes in burden of disease with FCM versus standard of care (SoC) were represented by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), hospitalization episodes and bed days, using AFFIRM-AHF data. A Markov model was adapted to each country to estimate cost-effectiveness and combined with epidemiology data to calculate the impact on healthcare budgets. Between 335 (Sweden) and 13 237 (Germany) DALYs were predicted to be avoided with FCM use annually. Fewer hospitalizations and shorter lengths of stay associated with FCM compared to SoC were projected to result in substantial annual savings in bed days, from 5215 in Sweden to 205 630 in Germany. In all countries, FCM was predicted to be dominant (cost saving with gains in quality-adjusted life years), resulting in net savings to healthcare budgets within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive evaluation of FCM therapy highlights the potential benefits that could be realized through implementation of the ESC HF guideline recommendations regarding ID treatment.

Upskirting: A Systematic Literature Review.

Upskirting' - the non-consensual taking and/or dissemination of intimate images taken surreptitiously up a skirt - is a relatively new addition to the repertoire of men's violence against women and girls. Recently, it has received considerable media and public attention in many countries and some academic scrutiny. This systematic review explicates how scholars construct upskirting as a matter for academic inquiry and a social problem that requires remedy. Four research sub-questions address how scholarship constructs: the problem of upskirting; perpetrators of upskirting; victims of upskirting, and remedies. Five bibliographical databases were searched, yielding 26 sources that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies (16) and most of the earlier work are from the discipline of Law. Other studies come from a combination of Criminology, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Computing. The predominance of legal scholarship has created a framing of upskirting which constructs it as an individual sexual act, for purposes of sexual gratification, as gender-neutral, as the act of aberrant individuals, and scrutinises the act of taking the photograph. By contrast, scholarship from other disciplines is more likely to locate upskirting as highly gendered behaviour in the context of gendered relations of power, and of violence against women and girls, and to consider both the act of taking the photograph and its dissemination online. We argue that future research ought to: approach upskirting as a form of violence against women and girls; be empirical and intersectional, and engage with victims and perpetrators.

Sexting among British adults: a qualitative analysis of sexting as emotion work governed by 'feeling rules'.

Sexting has generated considerable public and professional interest with concerns centring on young people, and potential harms to mental and sexual health. Little research thus far has explored the practice among adults and none has focused on the cultural norms relating to the emotional experience of sexting across different ages and genders. We conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of adults aged 18-59 years in Britain on the role of digital technologies in participants' sexual lives. In this paper, we draw on the accounts of 34 people with experience of sexting. We identified three main themes in participants' accounts related to the emotional aspects of sexting: (1) trust, (2) desire/intimacy and (3) shame. Under each theme, we identified motivations, 'feeling rules', and examples of 'emotion work' relating to the self, the other and the dyad. We conclude that there are shared cultural norms that constitute what appropriate sexting should feel like. Interventions aiming to minimise harms arising from sexting need to build on commonly held cultural conventions regarding the 'rules of the game' concerning feelings as well as behaviours.

Involving young people in sexual health research and service improvement: conceptual analysis of patient and public involvement (PPI) in three projects.

BACKGROUND: Although increasingly recognised as valuable within sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research and service improvement, examples of patient and public involvement (PPI) are underdocumented, including specific issues relating to young people's involvement. This article aims to contribute to greater transparency about the practical, methodological and ethical considerations of SRH-related PPI with young people, and to offer recommendations for their meaningful involvement. METHODS: Guided by a conceptual tool for evaluating youth participation (the '7P' framework), we analysed learning from PPI within three projects (two academic studies and one service improvement project) that worked with young people to shape sexual health research and practice in Scotland. ANALYSIS: Cross-project analysis of seven interconnected domains (purpose, positioning, perspectives, power relations, protection, place and process) generated productive dialogue about the nuances of meaningfully involving young people in shaping SRH research and services. Key learning includes the importance of: young people's early involvement in agenda-setting for SRH improvement; developing trusting partnerships that can support involvement of diverse groups of young people; creating multiple ways for young people to contribute, including those that do not rely on direct conversation; and formative evaluation of young people's experiences of involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Mainstreaming young people's meaningful involvement in shaping SRH research and services requires systems-level change. Resources are required to support SRH researchers and practitioners to share learning and build sustainable multi-sector partnerships, which in turn can increase opportunities for young people from diverse groups to engage with SRH-related PPI activities.

Interventions to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 for people experiencing homelessness and their effectiveness: a systematic review.

Objectives: People experiencing homelessness also experience poorer clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Various interventions were implemented for people experiencing homelessness in 2020-2022 in different countries in response to varied national guidance to limit the impact of COVID-19. It is important to understand what was done and the effectiveness of such interventions. This systematic review aims to describe interventions to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in people experiencing homelessness and their effectiveness. Methods: A protocol was developed and registered in PROSPERO. Nine databases were searched for studies on interventions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness. Included studies were summarised with narrative synthesis. Results: From 8,233 references retrieved from the database searches and handsearching, 15 were included. There was a variety of interventions, including early identification of potential COVID-19 infections, provision of isolation space, healthcare support, and urgent provision of housing regardless of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: The strategies identified were generally found to be effective, feasible, and transferable. This review must be interpreted with caution due to the low volume of eligible studies and the low quality of the evidence available.

The Effectiveness of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Cardiorenal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the cardiorenal risk reduction properties of antihyperglycemic medications originally prescribed for type 2 diabetes, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) is rapidly emerging. We completed a meta-analysis of recent literature to provide evidence-based estimates of benefit across various populations and outcomes. METHODS: We searched Medline and Cochrane databases from 2015 to September 2021 for randomized controlled trials of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA with placebo control. Reviewers screened citations, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and certainty of evidence. We assessed statistical and methodological heterogeneity and performed a meta-analysis of studies with similar interventions and components. RESULTS: A total of 137,621 adults (51% male) from 19 studies were included; 14 studies with unclear risk of bias and 5 with low risk of bias. Compared with standard of care, use of SGLT2i showed significant reductions for the outcome of cardiovascular (CV) mortality (14%), any-cause mortality (13%), major adverse CV events (MACE) (12%), heart failure (HF) hospitalization (31%), CV death or HF hospitalization (24%), nonfatal myocardial infarction (10%), and kidney composite outcome (36%). Treatment with GLP-1RA was associated with significant reductions for the outcome of CV mortality (13%), any-cause mortality (12%), MACE (14%), CV death or HF hospitalization (11%), nonfatal stroke (16%), and kidney composite outcome (22%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of GLP-1RA and SGLT2i leads to a statistically significant benefit across most cardiorenal outcomes in the populations studied. This review shows a role for SGLT2i and GLP-1RA in cardiorenal protection in adults, independent of type 2 diabetes status.

The Cost Effectiveness of Patiromer for the Treatment of Hyperkalaemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease with and without Heart Failure in Ireland.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperkalaemia can be a life-threatening condition, particularly in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease with and without heart failure. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy offers cardiorenal protection in chronic kidney disease and heart failure; however, it may also cause hyperkalaemia subsequently resulting in down-titration or discontinuation of treatment. Hence, there is an unmet need for hyperkalaemia treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease with and without heart failure to enable renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor use in this patient population. In this study, we develop a de novo disease progression and cost-effectiveness model to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes associated with the use of patiromer for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease with and without heart failure. METHODS: A Markov model was developed using data from the OPAL-HK trial to assess the health economic impact of patiromer therapy in comparison to standard of care in controlling hyperkalaemia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease with and without heart failure in the Irish setting. The model was designed to predict the natural history of chronic kidney disease and heart failure and quantify the costs and benefits associated with the use of patiromer for hyperkalaemia management over a lifetime horizon from a payer perspective. RESULTS: Treatment with patiromer was associated with an increase in discounted life-years (8.62 vs 8.37) and an increase in discounted quality-adjusted life-years (6.15 vs 5.95). Incremental discounted costs were predicted at €4979 per patient, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €25,719 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Patients remained taking patiromer treatment for an average of 7.7 months, with treatment associated with reductions in the overall clinical event incidence and a delay in chronic kidney disease progression. Furthermore, patiromer was associated with lower overall rates of hospitalisation, major adverse cardiovascular events, dialysis, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor discontinuation episodes and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor down-titration episodes. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of €45,000 per quality-adjusted life-year in Ireland, treatment with patiromer was estimated to have a 100% chance of cost effectiveness compared with standard of care. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated an economic case for the reimbursement of patiromer for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease with and without heart failure in Ireland. Patiromer was estimated to improve life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy, whilst incurring marginal additional costs when compared with current standard of care. Results are predominantly attributed to the ability of patiromer to enable the continuation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor treatment whilst also reducing potassium levels.