A Qualitative Study of Patients' Attitudes toward HIV Testing in the Dental Setting

An estimated 1.1 million people in the USA are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 200,000 of these individuals do not know that they are infected. In 2006, the CDC recommended that all healthcare providers routinely offer HIV screening to adolescent and adult patients. Nurse-dentist collaborations present unique opportunities to provide rapid oral HIV screening to patients in dental clinic settings and reach the many adults who lack primary medical providers. However, little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of this type of innovative practice. Thus, elicitation research was undertaken with dental providers, students, and patients. This paper reports the results of qualitative interviews with 19 adults attending a university-based dental clinic in New York City. Overall, patients held very positive attitudes and beliefs toward HIV screening in dental sites and identified important factors that should be incorporated into the design of nurse-dentist collaborative HIV screening programs

Naturalization of the microbiota developmental trajectory of Cesarean-born neonates after vaginal seeding

Early microbiota perturbations are associated with disorders that involve immunological underpinnings. Cesarean section (CS)-born babies show altered microbiota development in relation to babies born vaginally. Here we present the first statistically powered longitudinal study to determine the effect of restoring exposure to maternal vaginal fluids after CS birth.This work was partially supported by the C&D Research Fund, the Emch Fund for Human Microbiome Studies, and CIFAR FS20-078 #125869 (to M.G.D.-B.); Chilean CONICYT PIA/ANILLO grant ACT172097 and Chilean SOCHIPE Project 022019 (to P.R.H.); and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (2019-0350), the Emerald Foundation, an NIH Pioneer award (1DP1AT010885), the National Institute of Justice (2016-DN-BX-4194), the San Diego Digestive Diseases Research Center (NIDDK 1P30DK120515), Janssen Pharmaceuticals (20175015)Peer reviewe

Trauma and Sexual Risk: Do Men and Women Veterans Differ

PURPOSE: Trauma has been associated with risky sexual behavior in diverse populations. However, little is known about this association among men and women veterans. This study hypothesized that 1) a history of trauma would be associated with risky sexual behavior among men and women veterans, 2) interpersonal trauma would predict risky sexual behavior among women, whereas noninterpersonal trauma would predict risky sexual behavior among men, and 3) military-related trauma would constitute additional risk. Using data from 567 women and 524 men veterans enrolled at the Veterans Health Administration, this study investigated the association between trauma-related experiences and risky sexual behavior in the last 12 months. Risk and protective factors that have been frequently associated with sexual behavior in previous research were also included in the model. METHODS: This study was drawn from the Women Veterans Cohort Study, a national survey of veterans. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed after multiple imputation for missing data. RESULTS: Predictive factors associated with risky sexual behavior differed between men and women veterans. Among women, childhood sexual victimization and intimate partner violence were associated with risky sexual behavior. Among men, binge drinking was the single significant risk factor. Military exposures were not significantly associated with risky sexual behavior in either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: This study lays the groundwork for theory-generating research into the psychological underpinnings of noted associations and underscores the importance of integrated health services to address the range of issues affecting sexual behavior and related health outcomes

Sex Differences in Military Sexual Trauma and Severe Self-Directed Violence

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has demonstrated an association between military sexual trauma and risk for suicide; however, risk for self-directed violence such as suicide attempt or nonsuicidal self-injury following military sexual trauma is understudied. This study examines the relationship between military sexual trauma and serious self-directed violence resulting in hospitalization, as well as whether this relationship differs by sex. METHODS: Participants were 750,176 Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn veterans who were enrolled in Veterans Health Administration care during the period of October 1, 2001-September 30, 2014 and who were screened for military sexual trauma. Data were analyzed in 2019. Bivariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed. RESULTS: Women veterans were more likely to screen positive for military sexual trauma (21.33% vs 1.63%), and women and men were equally likely to experience serious self-directed violence (1.19% women vs 1.18% men). Controlling for demographic variables and psychiatric morbidity, military sexual trauma predicted serious self-directed violence for both men and women. Further, men with military sexual trauma were 15% less likely to experience self-directed violence compared with women with military sexual trauma (hazard ratio=0.85, 95% CI=0.74, 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Military sexual trauma is associated with risk for serious self-directed violence for both men and women veterans, and the relationship may be pronounced among women. Results underscore the importance of incorporating military sexual trauma into treatment and preventative efforts for self-directed violence

Feasibility of implementing rapid oral fluid HIV testing in an urban University Dental Clinic: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>More than 1 million individuals in the U.S. are infected with HIV; approximately 20% of whom do not know they are infected. Early diagnosis of HIV infection results in earlier access to treatment and reductions in HIV transmission. In 2006, the CDC recommended that health care providers offer routine HIV screening to all adolescent and adult patients, regardless of community seroprevalence or patient lifestyle. Dental providers are uniquely positioned to implement these recommendations using rapid oral fluid HIV screening technology. However, thus far, uptake into dental practice has been very limited.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach with convenience samples of dental faculty and students. Six in-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with dental faculty and three focus groups were conducted with fifteen dental students.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results were fairly consistent and indicated relatively high levels of acceptability. Barriers and facilitators of oral fluid HIV screening were identified in four primary areas: scope of practice/practice enhancement, skills/knowledge/training, patient service/patient reactions and logistical issues.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Oral fluid HIV screening was described as having benefits for patients, dental practitioners and the public good. Many of the barriers to implementation that were identified in the study could be addressed through training and interdisciplinary collaborations.</p