Perceptions of airway gene therapy for cystic fibrosis

Airway gene therapy could produce lasting benefit for cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, however patient and public support is critical for successful adoption. Two separate quantitative online surveys were conducted to examine perceptions towards airway gene therapy for CF among people with CF, their families, and members of the public. Data was collected from a total of 213 participants across both studies, with 43 having a diagnosis of CF, 122 having a family member with CF, and 135 knowing someone with CF. Participants in both studies displayed positive perceptions towards gene therapy and were supportive of involvement in CF gene therapy trials. Around 50% hoped gene therapy could provide a cure. In Study 1 gene therapy was the most important research area, but in Study 2 this was new daily drugs. Almost all thought gene therapy was still required even if modulators already improved quality of life. The factors that influence acceptance, whether trials would be positively viewed, and whether individuals with CF are receptive to gene therapy, are essential to determine prior to clinical trials. Our findings indicate people have positive opinions about airway gene therapy for CF, but further education is vital.</p

Additional file 1 of #Ihaveembraced: a pilot cross-sectional naturalistic evaluation of the documentary film Embrace and its potential associations with body image in adult women

Additional file 1:. Embrace Survey containing all questions and measures completed via Qualtrics online

Additional file 1 of Hashtag fitspiration: credibility screening and content analysis of Instagram fitness accounts

Supplementary Material

Predicting men’s intentions to seek help for cancer symptoms: a comparison of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model

Targeted behavioural interventions are needed to address psychosocial factors leading to slower help-seeking for cancer symptoms among men. This study compared the variance in men’s help-seeking intentions explained by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model. A cross-sectional survey of 127 men was conducted, testing symptom knowledge and theory-derived constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioural control) and Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers). The outcome variable was intention to seek help for cancer symptoms. Separate and combined hierarchical regressions tested the relative predictive power of the two models, potential overlap in variance explained, and the most salient constructs within the models. Separate regressions (controlling for age and symptom knowledge) showed each model explained 10–12% variance in men’s help-seeking intentions over and above the adjusted variables. The combined regression indicated symptom knowledge, perceived benefits, and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of men’s intentions (35% total variance explained). The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model may not be optimal models for explaining men’s help-seeking intentions for cancer symptoms, however, select constructs are important correlates. Future interventions may usefully target symptom knowledge, health beliefs, and control beliefs.</p

Additional file 1 of Mental health promotion in youth sporting clubs: predictors of stakeholder participation

Supplementary Material

Teaching in focus: The value of implementing a program-specific teaching support project for staff wellbeing and student success

This paper reports on a program-level teaching support initiative that was implemented in a Health Sciences undergraduate degree with a large and highly casualised teaching team. It has been argued that to improve student retention and success, universities need to consider implementing comprehensive teaching support models that address institutional, program, and individual level needs. We report on the implementation of our project and reflect on participant feedback, which demonstrated the value of the program for improving staff wellbeing. We argue that introducing support strategies for staff at a local level is essential not only for delivery of high quality learning experiences, but also for staff wellbeing which, in turn, has important implications for student success and retention

Zooming in: The relationship between appearance concerns and perceived performance whilst videoconferencing among Australian adults

Videoconferencing for work/study purposes has increased rapidly due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Given this practice often involves viewing one's own video image, higher appearance concerns whilst videoconferencing may be linked to poorer performance whereby individuals may not feel they are able to engage or have control during a work/study meeting. The present study cross-sectionally examined whether both facial appearance concerns and fear of negative evaluation during videoconferencing for work/study purposes were directly and indirectly related to performance control and engagement, through self-focused attention and appearance distraction. Adult participants (N = 534, Mage = 26.32, SD = 11.08; 78% female) completed an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Path analysis revealed direct and indirect effects, suggesting that heightened appearance self-consciousness was associated with greater self- and appearance-focused attention. In turn, this was related to impaired performance during videoconferencing. Multigroup analyses demonstrated that the magnitude of the proposed correlational effects were comparable across men and women. Given the ongoing reliance on videoconferencing, these findings have important theoretical and practical implications