A case study of adolescent girls’ use of social media and its influence on identity and belonging

This research aimed to investigate social constructions of gender identity among girls aged 14-16 years in a state secondary school within the broader framework of social network media use. The research explored the proposition that social network media (SNM) use had a negative impact on the wellbeing of some female students. Given that communication technologies were an integral part of the lives of young people that they took for granted, the researcher argued it was important that educators, parents/carers and policy makers understood the implications of this new context on their development, in order that ways of supporting young people could be established. A case study approach was used to gain a picture of the lived experiences of the respondents, and from a range of data collection methods, the views, perceptions and experiences relating to the case were established. Consequently, the following four key issues were drawn from the data relating to the impact of SNM on the development of gender identity:1.the data showed respondents were using SNM to reinforce existing relationships, keep in touch with peers from offline lives, organize themselves into social groups and support each other2.case study was a successful choice of methodology because it allowed the researcher to uncover details of the lived experiences of those in the sample and extrapolate material from the data to make informed recommendations 3.some respondents indicated SNM could be reinforcing peer relationships at the expense of those with parents4.SNM was perceived as a distracting influence on respondents at school The research concluded that SNM impacted on the development of gender identity and this was evident in the way individuals gained information about social group norms as they co-constructed their identity. Social constructivism usefully framed this process as bonding social capital, and the research showed this was a key element in building, maintaining and reinforcing relationships. Because of SNM use, online and offline worlds were becoming increasingly merged and this was not always understood or acknowledged by parents, educators and policy makers

Pneumococcal and influenza immunization in asplenic persons: a retrospective population-based cohort study 1990-2002

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Splenectomy is associated with increased risk for bacteremia, due to impaired clearance of bloodborne agents and to altered phagocytosis and humoral immunity. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients at risk for splenectomy for a 13-year period to determine immunization coverage, and outcomes of those with and without splenectomy, and with or without receipt of influenza or pneumococcal vaccine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were extracted from the provincial Medical Services Insurance database for insured services rendered by a physician for 1990-2002, and from the Vital Statistics Death database. The eligible cohort was selected based on diagnostic codes for hematologic conditions for which splenectomy might be considered, such as immune thrombocytopenia. Each patient was followed longitudinally from the date of first diagnosis until 31Dec2002, or death, or relocation out-of province. In addition, persons with splenectomy and no hematologic condition were identified and followed for 6 months post-surgery. Infectious illness rates per 100 person-years of observation and death rates were calculated with and without splenectomy. Death rates were determined using splenectomy status as a time-dependent covariate. The relationship between splenectomy and death according to immunization status was examined using Cox proportional hazard ratios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 38,812 persons in the cohort 427 subjects with a hematologic diagnosis had splenectomy and another 452 subjects without a hematologic diagnosis had this surgery. 72% were > 18 years of age. Pneumococcal immunization was recorded in 16.5% of asplenic patients overall, and was not associated with reduced risk of death in these persons (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% CI 0.70 - 1.65). Influenza immunization was recorded in 53.1% of asplenic patients overall, and was associated with reduced risk of death (adjusted HR = 0.46, 0.33-0.62). No pneumococcal or influenza immunization was recorded in patients with a hematologic diagnosis without splenectomy. Infectious illness visits were higher among all patients who had a splenectomy than among those without a splenectomy (151 visits/100 person-years of observation in the post-splenectomy period vs. 120 visits/100 person-years; p < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In asplenic patients, influenza immunization is associated with a 54% reduced risk of death compared to unimmunized asplenic persons; no reduction in risk was demonstrated with (polysaccharide) pneumococcal vaccine. Vaccine coverage in the entire cohort was less than routinely recommended. Improved delivery of infection prevention programs to this population is warranted. Conjugate pneumococcal vaccines should be urgently studied in this immunocompromised population.</p

Some Phonetic Structures of Koasati

This paper presents results of the first quantitative phonetic study of Koasati, a Muskogean language spoken in Louisiana and Texas. We examine vowel quality, length contrasts in vowels and consonants, the limited system of lexical tone contrasts in nouns, and the grammatical system of tone in verbs. We also study the realization of several word-final consonant clusters (fn, tl, lw, etc.) that are absent in related languages and that are typologically unusual due to their sonority reversals. Finally, we examine the cognates in related languages of the tones we document in Koasati nouns and verbs

The values behind climate action:How personal values and perceived group values can motivate and promote climate action

To reach global climate targets, it is key that individuals support and undertake climate action. What motivates such actions? We discuss how climate actions are rooted in – and motivated by – values, which reflect stable and general life goals that guide individuals’ behaviours. We focus on the often studied personal values, as well as on the relatively new perceived group values, and discuss how these can motivate, and be used to promote, climate action. We highlight the importance of biospheric values (i.e., caring about the environment), and the key role perceived group values play in promoting climate action, particularly among less personally motivated individuals

Rate of Decline in Nontreponemal Antibody Titers and Seroreversion After Treatment of Early Syphilis

Syphilis management is complex and demonstration of treatment response requires monitoring of nontreponemal antibody titers for a ≥ 4-fold decline and/or seroreversion to nonreactive titers

Studying Health Outcomes in Farmworker Populations Exposed to Pesticides

A major goal of studying farmworkers is to better understand how their work environment, including exposure to pesticides, affects their health. Although a number of health conditions have been associated with pesticide exposure, clear linkages have yet to be made between exposure and health effects except in cases of acute pesticide exposure. In this article, we review the most common health end points that have been studied and describe the epidemiologic challenges encountered in studying these health effects of pesticides among farmworkers, including the difficulties in accessing the population and challenges associated with obtaining health end point data. The assessment of neurobehavioral health effects serves as one of the most common and best examples of an approach used to study health outcomes in farmworkers and other populations exposed to pesticides. We review the current limitations in neurobehavioral assessment and strategies to improve these analytical methods. Emerging techniques to improve our assessment of health effects associated with pesticide exposure are reviewed. These techniques, which in most cases have not been applied to farmworker populations, hold promise in our ability to study and understand the relationship between pesticide exposure and a variety of health effects in this population

Predictors of Serological Cure and Serofast State After Treatment in HIV-Negative Persons With Early Syphilis

Background. Syphilis management requires serological monitoring after therapy. We compared factors associated with serological response after treatment of early (ie, primary, secondary, or early latent) syphilis

Mass Media for Public Health Messages: Reviews of the Evidence

Background: Mass media campaigns can be used to communicate public health messages at the population level. Although previous research has shown that they can influence health behaviours in some contexts, there have been few attempts to synthesise evidence across multiple health behaviours. Objectives: To: review evidence on the effective use of mass media in six health topic areas (alcohol, diet, illicit drugs, physical activity, sexual and reproductive health, and tobacco); examine whether effectiveness varies with different target populations; identify characteristics of mass media campaigns associated with effectiveness; and identify key research gaps. Design: (A) A systematic review of reviews; (B) a review of primary studies examining alcohol mass media campaigns; (C) a review of cost-effectiveness evidence; (D) a review of recent primary studies of mass media campaigns conducted in the UK. A logic model was developed to inform the reviews. Public engagement activities were conducted with policy, practitioner and academic stakeholders and with young people. Results: The amount and strength of evidence varies across the six topics, and there was little evidence regarding diet campaigns. There was moderate evidence that mass media campaigns can reduce sedentary behaviour and influence sexual health-related behaviours and treatment-seeking behaviours (eg. use of smoking quitlines and sexual health services). Impact on tobacco use and physical activity was mixed, there was limited evidence of impact on alcohol use and no impact on illicit drug behaviours. Mass media campaigns were found to increase knowledge and awareness across several topics, and to influence intentions regarding physical activity and smoking. Tobacco and illicit drug campaigns appeared to be more effective for young people and children but there was no or inconsistent evidence regarding effectiveness by gender, ethnicity or socio-economic status. There was moderate evidence that tobacco mass media campaigns are cost-effective, but weak or limited evidence in other topic areas. Although there was limited evidence on characteristics associated with effectiveness, longer or greater intensity campaigns were found to be more effective, and messages were important, with positive and negative messages and social norms messages affecting smoking behaviour. The evidence suggested that targeting messages to target audiences can be effective. There was little evidence from regarding the role that theory or media channels may play in campaign effectiveness, and also limited evidence on new media. Limitations: Statistical synthesis was not possible due to considerable heterogeneity across reviews and studies. The focus on review-level evidence limited our ability to examine intervention characteristics in detail. Conclusions: Overall the evidence is mixed but suggests that: campaigns can reduce sedentary behaviour, improve sexual health and contribute to smoking cessation; tobacco control campaigns can be cost-effective; longer and more intensive campaigns are likely to be more effective; message design and targeting campaigns to particular population groups can be effective. Future work: Future work could fill evidence gaps regarding diet mass media campaigns and new media campaigns, examine cost-effectiveness in areas other than tobacco, and explore the specific contribution of mass media campaigns to multi-component interventions and how local, regional and national campaigns can work together. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015029205 and PROSPERO CRD42017054999.REF Compliant by Deposit in Stirling's Repositor

Mass media to communicate public health messages in six health topic areas: a systematic review and other reviews of the evidence

Background Mass media campaigns can be used to communicate public health messages at the population level. Although previous research has shown that they can influence health behaviours in some contexts, there have been few attempts to synthesise evidence across multiple health behaviours. Objectives To (1) review evidence on the effective use of mass media in six health topic areas (alcohol, diet, illicit drugs, physical activity, sexual and reproductive health and tobacco), (2) examine whether or not effectiveness varies with different target populations, (3) identify characteristics of mass media campaigns associated with effectiveness and (4) identify key research gaps. Design The study comprised (1) a systematic review of reviews, (2) a review of primary studies examining alcohol mass media campaigns, (3) a review of cost-effectiveness evidence and (4) a review of recent primary studies of mass media campaigns conducted in the UK. A logic model was developed to inform the reviews. Public engagement activities were conducted with policy, practitioner and academic stakeholders and with young people. Results The amount and strength of evidence varies across the six topics, and there was little evidence regarding diet campaigns. There was moderate evidence that mass media campaigns can reduce sedentary behaviour and influence sexual health-related behaviours and treatment-seeking behaviours (e.g. use of smoking quitlines and sexual health services). The impact on tobacco use and physical activity was mixed, there was limited evidence of impact on alcohol use and there was no impact on illicit drug behaviours. Mass media campaigns were found to increase knowledge and awareness across several topics, and to influence intentions regarding physical activity and smoking. Tobacco and illicit drug campaigns appeared to be more effective for young people and children but there was no or inconsistent evidence regarding effectiveness by sex, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. There was moderate evidence that tobacco mass media campaigns are cost-effective, but there was weak or limited evidence in other topic areas. Although there was limited evidence on characteristics associated with effectiveness, longer or greater intensity campaigns were found to be more effective, and messages were important, with positive and negative messages and social norms messages affecting smoking behaviour. The evidence suggested that targeting messages to target audiences can be effective. There was little evidence regarding the role that theory or media channels may play in campaign effectiveness, and also limited evidence on new media. Limitations Statistical synthesis was not possible owing to considerable heterogeneity across reviews and studies. The focus on review-level evidence limited our ability to examine intervention characteristics in detail. Conclusions Overall, the evidence is mixed but suggests that (1) campaigns can reduce sedentary behaviour, improve sexual health and contribute to smoking cessation, (2) tobacco control campaigns can be cost-effective, (3) longer and more intensive campaigns are likely to be more effective and (4) message design and targeting campaigns to particular population groups can be effective. Future work Future work could fill evidence gaps regarding diet mass media campaigns and new-media campaigns, examine cost-effectiveness in areas other than tobacco and explore the specific contribution of mass media campaigns to multicomponent interventions and how local, regional and national campaigns can work together