Factors associated with HIV voluntary disclosure of people living with HIV to their steady sexual partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: results from a community-based participatory research

Introduction: HIV disclosure to a steady sexual partner (SSP) is important both in preventing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV). “Its determinants have been poorly investigated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” The study objective was to determine factors independently associated with voluntary disclosure to one's SSP in PLHIV receiving services from a Congolese community-based organization (CBO). Methods: a community-based participatory research was performed and 300 PLHIV were interviewed by members of the CBO, using a standardized questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the variables independently associated with disclosure. Results: in this sample, 79 of the 127 participants (62%) included in the analysis declared having voluntarily disclosed their serostatus to their SSP. Declaring to be in a relationship (Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval): 4.2 (1.4-12.6)), having tested for HIV because of symptoms (2.5 (1.0-6.4)), having taken the test on one's own initiative (3.2 (1.3-8.0)), having felt sympathy and indifference from people when disclosing (6.0 (1.4-26.9) and 5.0 (1.1-22.8), respectively) as well as having a higher score of the "regular discussion about daily life with HIV" index (1.7 (1.1-2.5)) were significantly associated with disclosure to one's SSP. Conclusion: several individual and contextual factors were associated with voluntary disclosure to SSP in this study, highlighting the complex nature of the disclosure process. Interventions encouraging disclosure should be designed "so as to adapt to one's personal life with HIV as well as psychosocial environment"

The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation as an add-on modality to graded motor imagery for treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: A randomized proof of concept study

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of graded motor imagery (GMI) for the management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is supported by evidence, but its treatment effect remains generally modest. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been advocated as an adjunct intervention to enhance the effect of motor imagery approaches in pain populations. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of GMI+active tDCS compared to the GMI+sham tDCS in the treatment of CRPS type I. METHODS: 22 patients (n=11/group) were randomly assigned to the experimental (GMI+tDCS) or placebo (GMI+sham tDCS) group. GMI treatments lasted 6 weeks; anodal tDCS was applied over the motor cortex for 5 consecutive days during the first 2 weeks and once a week thereafter. Changes in pain perception, quality of life, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, anxiety and mood were monitored after 6 weeks of treatment (T1) and 1-month post treatment (T2). RESULTS: GMI+tDCS induced no statistically significant reduction in pain compared to GMI+sham tDCS. Although we observed significant group differences in kinesiophobia (P=0.012), pain catastrophizing (P=0.049) and anxiety (P=0.046) at T1, these improvements were not maintained at T2 and did not reached a clinically significant difference. DISCUSSION: We found no added value of tDCS combined with GMI treatments for reducing pain in patients with chronic CRPS. However, given that GMI+sham tDCS induced no significant change, further studies comparing GMI+tDCS and tDCS alone are needed to further document tDCS's effect in CRPS

Promoting healthy eating in early pregnancy in individuals at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: does it improve glucose homeostasis? A study protocol for a randomized control trial

BackgroundHealthy eating during pregnancy has favorable effects on glycemic control and is associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). According to Diabetes Canada, there is a need for an effective and acceptable intervention that could improve glucose homeostasis and support pregnant individuals at risk for GDM.AimsThis unicentric randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the effects of a nutritional intervention initiated early in pregnancy, on glucose homeostasis in 150 pregnant individuals at risk for GDM, compared to usual care.MethodsPopulation: 150 pregnant individuals ≥18 years old, at ≤14 weeks of pregnancy, and presenting ≥1 risk factor for GDM according to Diabetes Canada guidelines. Intervention: The nutritional intervention initiated in the first trimester is based on the health behavior change theory during pregnancy and on Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. It includes (1) four individual counseling sessions with a registered dietitian using motivational interviewing (12, 18, 24, and 30 weeks), with post-interview phone call follow-ups, aiming to develop and achieve S.M.A.R.T. nutritional objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound); (2) 10 informative video clips on healthy eating during pregnancy developed by our team and based on national guidelines, and (3) a virtual support community via a Facebook group. Control: Usual prenatal care. Protocol: This RCT includes three on-site visits (10–14, 24–26, and 34–36 weeks) during which a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test is done and blood samples are taken. At each trimester and 3 months postpartum, participants complete web-based questionnaires, including three validated 24-h dietary recalls to assess their diet quality using the Healthy Eating Food Index 2019. Primary outcome: Difference in the change in fasting blood glucose (from the first to the third trimester) between groups. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval.DiscussionThis RCT will determine whether a nutritional intervention initiated early in pregnancy can improve glucose homeostasis in individuals at risk for GDM and inform Canadian stakeholders on improving care trajectories and policies for pregnant individuals at risk for GDM.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05299502, NCT0529950

Associations entre la qualité alimentaire en début de grossesse, l'adiposité abdominale, l'homéostasie glycémique et d'autres variables métaboliques pendant la grossesse

Thèse ou mémoire avec insertion d'articles.La grossesse est une période déterminante pour la santé de la personne enceinte et celle de l'enfant, à court et à long terme. L'obésité et le diabète gestationnel sont les conditions les plus fréquentes chez les personnes enceintes et peuvent entraîner plusieurs complications. Afin d'éviter des issues périnatales défavorables, une homéostasie du glucose adéquate est essentielle chez toutes les personnes enceintes. Bien que la communauté scientifique s'intéresse de plus en plus à l'alimentation en contexte gestationnel et à ses associations avec diverses complications de grossesse, force est d'admettre que la littérature offre des données limitées quant aux associations entre l'alimentation et la santé métabolique chez la mère en contexte gestationnel. De plus, malgré l'importance de l'alimentation durant cette période, l'adoption de saines habitudes alimentaires représente un défi auprès des personnes enceintes, notamment chez celles présentant un embonpoint ou une obésité avant leur grossesse. Il apparaissait ainsi nécessaire de mieux documenter la santé métabolique en contexte gestationnel et ses associations avec la qualité alimentaire. Par conséquent, l'objectif général de ce mémoire est de caractériser les associations entre la qualité alimentaire en début de grossesse, l'adiposité abdominale, l'homéostasie du glucose et d'autres variables métaboliques, notamment les concentrations de fructosamine sérique, tout au long de la grossesse. Les principaux résultats découlant de cette recherche mettent en évidence qu'une alimentation de meilleure qualité chez les personnes enceintes dès le début de la grossesse est associée à un plus faible niveau d'adiposité abdominale et une meilleure homéostasie glycémique pendant la grossesse. Ce mémoire démontre également l'influence partielle que peuvent avoir le statut pondéral avant la grossesse et le profil adipeux sur de nombreux paramètres métaboliques, comme le contrôle glycémique et la résistance à l'insuline, de même que sur leurs associations avec la qualité alimentaire pendant la grossesse. Ces résultats contribuent, d'une part, à enrichir la littérature relative à la santé métabolique des mères pendant la grossesse et, d'autre part, confirment le besoin d'une prise en charge nutritionnelle dès le début de cette période charnière.Pregnancy is a critical window which can influence both the health of the mother and the child, in the short and long term. Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus are the most frequent conditions among pregnant individuals and can lead to multiple gestational complications. Thus, adequate glycemic homeostasis is essential in all pregnant individuals since it is associated with lower risks of several adverse perinatal outcomes. Although the scientific community is increasingly interested in diet during pregnancy and its associations with various gestational complications, the literature is limited regarding the associations between diet and metabolic health in the gestational context. Furthermore, despite the importance of healthy eating during pregnancy, the adoption of a high quality diet is a challenge for pregnant individuals, particularly those who were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy. It was therefore necessary to better document the metabolic health in pregnancy and its associations with diet quality. Therefore, the overall objective of the present thesis is to characterize the associations between diet quality in early pregnancy, abdominal adiposity, glycemic homeostasis, and other metabolic variables, including serum fructosamine concentrations, throughout pregnancy. The main results from this research highlight that a higher quality diet in early pregnancy is associated with lower levels of abdominal adiposity and better glycemic homeostasis during pregnancy. This work also demonstrates the partial influence that pre-pregnancy weight status and adipose profile can have on metabolic parameters, such as glycemic control, insulin resistance, as well as their associations with diet quality during pregnancy. These results contribute to the literature on the metabolic health of individuals during pregnancy and confirm the need for nutritional counseling at the beginning of this important period

Attention et performance sportive : état de la question en psychologie du sport appliquée

International audienceThis article presents a review of literature on attentional processes involved during competitive performance. Many studies have tried to enhance our understanding of the concept of attention in experimental psychology, yet studies dealing with the focus of attention in sport psychology are scarce. It is therefore relevant to examine the different theories in order to outline the practical issues in terms of teaching and training. In the first section, the goal is to summarize the principal theories and models of attention that are of interest for physical activities and sports. Based on this review, we will then expose the importance of newer approaches related to attentional processes. The latter are more focused on choking and on anxiety-performance relationships. The second goal is to outline applied perspectives that are meant to prevent performance slumps, by examining the various positions of the authors. Finally, the limits of these studies will be mentioned, and the further avenues of research in sport psychology will be exposed.Cet article a pour objectif de réaliser une synthèse de la littérature portant sur les processus attentionnels mis en jeu lors de la réalisation d'une performance sportive. Si de nombreux travaux se sont attachés à mieux appréhender le concept d'attention dans le champ de la psychologie expérimentale, les recherches relatives aux points d'attention en psychologie du sport appliquée sont plus rares. Il est donc pertinent de confronter les différentes théories pour en dégager des applications pratiques en termes d'enseignement et d'entraînement. Dans une première partie, l'objectif est de rappeler les principales théories et modèles de l'attention applicables au champ des activités physiques et sportives. En nous appuyant sur cette synthèse, nous confrontons de nouvelles approches relatives aux processus attentionnels. Celles-ci s'intéressent à un phénomène connu des experts, la contre-performance, en établissant des liens avec d'autres facteurs influençant la performance, notamment l'anxiété. Le second objectif est d'en dégager des perspectives appliquées, en confrontant les différentes propositions des auteurs, qui ont pour but d'éviter ce phénomène de contre-performance. Enfin, les limites des études relatives à cette thématique sont discutées, et les perspectives de recherche en psychologie du sport sont évoquées

A la rencontre du THz

National audienc

A la rencontre du terahertz

International audienc

Evidence of Kerr effect at the surface of metal film

International audienc

A la rencontre du THz

National audienc

An Investigation of Attentional Foci and their Temporal Patterns: A Naturalistic Study in Expert Figure Skaters

International audienceThis study aimed to explore attentional foci and their temporal patterns in expert skaters in real competition situations. Individual self-confrontation interviews were held with 8 expert figure skaters while they watched their videotaped program performed in official competitions. Qualitative data analysis revealed that skaters used a substantial number of loci, which were classified by content and characteristics. Event listing was used to display the patterns of foci over time, revealing that skaters used distinct processes to prepare for, perform, and evaluate different program elements. These results highlighted the great flexibility and variability of attentional focus, according to circumstantial factors