Desired Characteristics of HIV Testing and Counseling among Diverse Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Receiving Social Services.

Despite recent calls to integrate HIV testing into social services addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), few studies have reported on survivors' perspectives regarding the desired characteristics of this integration. The purpose of this study was to describe desired characteristics of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing services from a survivor's perspective. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken to describe the perspectives of IPV survivors who may or may not have accessed this service. Four focus groups were conducted with a diverse sample of English and Spanish speakers (N = 25) who sought services through a family justice center and associated shelters. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Three themes were identified, including (1) peace of mind; (2) interacting stigmas and traumas; and (3) making testing easy, comfortable, and tailored. The findings of this study have the potential to influence survivor-centered practices and policies regarding the integration of culturally informed HIV/STI and IPV services.

Health education needs of intimate partner violence survivors: Perspectives from female survivors and social service providers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the health education needs and learning preferences of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in a social service agency located in South Florida, United States. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: An exploratory two-phase sequential mixed-methods study was completed through semistructured interviews with social service providers (n = 10), followed by a survey with predominately female IPV survivors (n = 122, 98.4%). MEASURES: Data obtained from interviews with social service providers were analyzed through conventional thematic content analysis. Data from interviews were used in developing a health survey completed by IPV survivors and analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and t tests. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from interviews including multidimensional health needs, navigating barriers to health care, and self-improvement specific to survivors of intimate partner violence. Survey results indicated that depression and self-esteem were the health education needs of highest priority. Demographic characteristics, including age and language use, were significantly associated to preferred methods of learning, p < .05. CONCLUSIONS: IPV survivors present with various health education needs. Current study findings can inform public health nurses in developing interventions or health-based programs for female IPV survivors in social service agency settings.

Short-term effect of atorvastatin on carotid artery elasticity: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few studies have examined the early effects of statins on carotid artery elasticity, a potential surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk. This study examined the short-term effects of atorvastatin 80 mg daily on carotid elasticity measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. METHODS: The study included 40 stroke-free and statin-naive subjects older than age 45 (mean age, 70±7 years; 55% men; 64% Caribbean-Hispanic). Outcome measures included carotid stiffness indices at 14 and 30 days after initiation of treatment. The systolic and diastolic diameters of the right common carotid artery were averaged from multiple B-mode imaging frames. Absolute and relative changes of strain [(systolic diameter-diastolic diameter)/diastolic diameter], stiffness (ß) [ln (systolic/diastolic blood pressure)/strain], and distensibility (1/ß adjusted for wall thickness) from baseline were compared by the repeated measures t test and were considered significant at α=0.05. RESULTS: Baseline mean stiffness was 0.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.10). It significantly decreased at day 30 to 0.05 (CI, 0.04-0.06; P<0.01). Mean baseline distensibility was 15.25 (CI, 13.18-17.32), increasing significantly at day 30 to 17.23 (CI, 14.01-20.45; P<0.05). An improvement in distensibility of ≥10% from baseline was observed in 29 (73%) subjects. Changes in stiffness and distensibility were maximal among subjects with baseline low-density lipoprotein levels<130 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term treatment with high-dose atorvastatin was associated with improvement in the carotid elasticity metrics. Carotid artery elasticity measured by B-mode ultrasound is a simple noninvasive measure of arterial wall function and may be a useful surrogate end point in clinical trials targeting individuals at increased risk for atherosclerosis.

Determinants of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Acquisition Among Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence.

The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and acquisition among female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were abstracted from intake and HIV/STI testing forms from a family justice center, to identify the socioeconomic and abuse characteristics associated with requesting and obtaining an HIV/STI test (n = 343) and acquisition of HIV/STIs (n = 111). Multiple logistic regression using forward selection was used to identify predictors of HIV/STI testing and acquisition. Females experiencing greater risk of lethality were at higher odds of requesting an HIV/STI test; however, risk of lethality did not predict the receipt of an HIV/STI test. A history of sexual assault was associated with higher odds of acquiring HIV/STIs in the past year. Interventions are needed to facilitate HIV/STI testing among female victims of IPV, especially those with higher risk of lethality and a history of sexual assault.

Current applications of precision medicine: a bibliometric analysis.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted to describe trends in the publication of precision medicine literature over time. Searches identified 5552 articles with exponential growth from 2012 to 2018. Most were published in medical specialty journals, particularly oncology. Precision medicine definitions focused on tailored/individualized/personalized treatments and genetics/biology. Little attention was given to social and environmental determinants of health and health disparities. To fulfill the promise of precision medicine to positively impact broad populations, work is needed to develop the science of precision medicine for addressing health disparities and social and environmental determinants of health. While some precision medicine definitions include all factors that contribute to individual differences in health (e.g., genes, environments and lifestyles), future empirical work that includes and integrates all three areas is also required.

Snoring and insomnia are not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in the Northern Manhattan Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-disordered breathing is a risk factor for stroke, but its association with subclinical atherosclerosis remains controversial. Snoring and insomnia are frequently comorbid with sleep-disordered breathing and may contribute to stroke. Data on the relationship between snoring and insomnia with atherosclerotic disease are sparse. We investigated the relationship between markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, insomnia, snoring, and carotid intima-media thickness, in the Northern Manhattan Study. METHODS: A group of 1605 participants (mean age 65 +/- 8 years; 40% men; 61% Hispanic, 19% black, 20% white) who had carotid intima-media thickness measurements performed was assessed for self-reported sleep habits. Habitual snoring was defined as self-reported snoring greater than four times per week. Presence of insomnia was based on three items extracted from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Carotid intima-media thickness was expressed as a mean composite measure of intima-media thickness in the carotid bifurcation, common, and internal carotid artery. Multivariate linear regression models were used to identify associations between snoring, insomnia, and carotid intima-media thickness. RESULTS: Habitual snoring was present in 29% of the subjects and insomnia in 26%. There was a higher prevalence of self-reported snoring (84%) and insomnia (66%) among Hispanics than non-Hispanics. The mean total carotid intima-media thickness was 0.95 +/- 0.09 mm; among those with self-reported snoring was 0.94 +/- 0.09 mm; and among those with insomnia was 0.95 +/- 0.08 mm. After controlling for age, gender, race-ethnicity, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors, snoring (P=0.986) and insomnia (P=0.829) were not significantly associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness. CONCLUSION: Snoring and insomnia were not significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in this population-based community cohort.