Biomarkers of inflammatory arthritis and proteomics

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The conversation matters: a qualitative study exploring the implementation of alcohol screening and brief interventions in antenatal care in Scotland

Background Alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) in antenatal care is internationally recommended to prevent harm caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. There is, however, limited understanding of how SBI is implemented within antenatal care; particularly the approach taken by midwives. This study aimed to explore the implementation of a national antenatal SBI programme in Scotland. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with antenatal SBI implementation leaders (N = 8) in eight Scottish health boards. Interviews were analysed thematically and using the ‘practical, robust implementation and sustainability model’ (PRISM) to understand differences in implementation across health boards and perceived setting-specific barriers and challenges. Results In several health boards, where reported maternal alcohol use was lower than expected, implementation leaders sought to optimize enquires about women’s alcohol use to facilitate honest disclosure. Strategies focused on having positive conversations, exploring pre-pregnancy drinking habits, and building a trusting relationship between pregnant women and midwives. Women’s responses were encouraging and disclosure rates appeared improved, though with some unexpected variation over time. Adapting the intervention to the local context was also considered important. Conclusions This is the first study to explore implementation leaders’ experiences of antenatal SBI delivery and identify possible changes in disclosure rates arising from the approach taken. In contrast with current antenatal alcohol screening recommendations, a conversational approach was advocated to enhance the accuracy and honesty of reporting. This may enable provision of support to more women to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and will therefore be of international interest

How can HIV/STI testing services be more accessible and acceptable for gender and sexually diverse young people? A brief report exploring young people's perspectives in Queensland

Issue addressed: Gender and sexually diverse young people (GSDYP) are an important target group for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and there is an immediate need to explore ways to make testing interventions accessible and appropriate for this group. Methods: We used a modified World Café workshop with 14 GSDYP in Brisbane Australia, to inform the development of a pilot community‐based testing intervention. Results: The workshop identified the key features of an ideal service, which would include multiple, accessible sites that offer holistic, affordable services and confidential care by respectful and knowledgeable providers. The service would allow young people to engage in decision‐making processes, have a culturally inclusive, comfortable and friendly atmosphere, and provide free sexual and reproductive health technologies. Conclusion: When designing HIV/STI testing interventions for key groups, health promotion practitioners need to be cognisant of localised and nuanced expectations and ensure that services are tailored to the needs and experiences of the local population. So what?: This study provides insights into the needs and expectations of HIV/STI testing interventions for GSDYP in Australia, a key at‐risk group whose perspectives are not adequately voiced in sexual health research and intervention design. Summary: This study explores facilitators and current barriers to HIV/STI testing with a group of gender and sexually diverse young people in Brisbane, Australia. Outcomes provide insights into the needs and expectations of HIV/STI testing services for this group

Inter-related Factors Influencing Sexual Quality of Life among Women Living with HIV in Banten Province, Indonesia: A Mixed Methods Study

Socio-cultural concerns often restrict women's sexual rights and well-being living with HIV (WLHIV) in developing countries. These convergent parallel mixed methods study combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore factors influencing WLHIV sexual quality of life in Banten Province, Indonesia. A 2017 cross-sectional survey of 207 reproductive-aged WLHIV was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression statistics. Furthermore, in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of survey participants (n = 30) were thematically analyzed. Most of the women (60%) involved reported loss of sexual pleasure and depressed sexual life. Meanwhile, 48% affirmed low sexual quality of life which was associated with unemployment (aOR = 2.90, and 95%CI =1.51–5.58), limited sexual activities (aOR = 2.89, and 95%CI = 1.20–6.93), living with extended family (aOR = 2.68, and 95%CI = 1.27–5.65), and experiencing intimate partner violence (aOR = 2.28, and 95%CI = 1.03–5.03). The respondents described unsatisfactory sexual life in a belief that having sex is a wife's duty and choosing not to talk about sexual issues or refuse sexual invitation in fear of triggering intimate partner violence. Inter-related personal, social, cultural, and religious factors affected the sufferers’ sexual life

Sleep as an Occupation in College Students

The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of sleep in undergraduate college students and explore the relationship between academic self-efficacy and performance in student-related occupations. A quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and correlational research design was used to explore the relationship among sleep quality, perceived self-efficacy, and selected student characteristics. This study included undergraduate students, as well as self-identified student athletes, first generation students, and students with disabilities. To collect data, the researchers conducted an online survey, which consisted of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a demographic and self-efficacy questionnaire. The PSQI was used to evaluate the sleep quality, while the demographic and self-efficacy questionnaire gathered information about student related occupations and self-efficacy. Two hundred and nine college students, aged 17 to 25, participated in the survey. One hundred thirty five (64.6%) participants scored above a five, indicating poor sleep quality while 74 (35.4%) participants obtained good sleep quality as measured by the PSQI, while. The average number of hours slept reported by participants was 6.68. Results support existing evidence suggesting college students are sleep deprived, and over half of participants reported sleep issues that could be addressed by an occupational therapist.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1013/thumbnail.jp

The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Spent Cider Yeast on the Swine Distal Gut Microbiome

peer-reviewedBackground: There is an increasing need for alternatives to antibiotics for promoting animal health, given the increasing problems associated with antibiotic resistance. In this regard, we evaluated spent cider yeast as a potential probiotic for modifying the gut microbiota in weanling pigs using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries. Methodology and Principal Findings: Piglets aged 24–26 days were assigned to one of two study groups; control (n = 12) and treatment (n = 12). The control animals were fed with a basal diet and the treatment animals were fed with basal diet in combination with cider yeast supplement (500 ml cider yeast containing ,7.6 log CFU/ml) for 21 days. Faecal samples were collected for 16s rRNA gene compositional analysis. 16S rRNA compositional sequencing analysis of the faecal samples collected from day 0 and day 21 revealed marked differences in microbial diversity at both the phylum and genus levels between the control and treatment groups. This analysis confirmed that levels of Salmonella and Escherichia were significantly decreased in the treatment group, compared with the control (P,0.001). This data suggest a positive influence of dietary supplementation with live cider yeast on the microbial diversity of the pig distal gut. Conclusions/Significance: The effect of dietary cider yeast on porcine gut microbial communities was characterized for the first time using 16S rRNA gene compositional sequencing. Dietary cider yeast can potentially alter the gut microbiota, however such changes depend on their endogenous microbiota that causes a divergence in relative response to that given diet.This work was funded by Enterprise Ireland, under the Commercialisation Fund (Contract No: CFTD/05/117), the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, 2000–2006, the European Research and Development Fund and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).European Research and Development Fun

Skin cancer in the youth population of the United Kingdom

Skin cancer is disproportionately high in the youth population of the United Kingdom, as compared with other cancers, yet it is a topic which so far has received little recognition, subsequently relevant literature is relatively scarce. In the United Kingdom, malignant melanoma is now one of the commonest cancers in those aged 15–34 years. Furthermore, malignant melanoma the 7th most common cancer in men, and 5th most common cancer in women in the United Kingdom in 2013 accounting for 4% of all cancer cases in the United Kingdom. Moreover, skin cancer is currently the fastest growing cancer in the world with a five-fold increase in frequency since the 1970′s resulting in disfigurement and death. This essay explores this skin cancer age-related anomaly through the lens of public health. A scoping review combined with a thematic analysis of literature, identified risk factors including demographic and environmental risk factors within the youth population. Research suggests that 86% of cases could be prevented alleviating the current financial burden of over £100 million spent on managing skin cancer. I therefore suggest a multi primary and secondary prevention approach through education programs, whilst promoting awareness and tanning alternatives targeting both youth and parental populations. A final recommendation involves government incentives to increase sun protective factor (SPF) in creams, and imposing a complete national ban on tanning beds. All these preventions would contribute to lowering skin cancer prevalence in the youth population whilst also alleviating the financial burden of the disease

Parents' perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study

Objective While there is an emerging literature on the usefulness of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a dearth of quantitative data on the value of assistance dog interventions for the family unit and family functioning. Using previously validated scales and scales developed specifically for this study, we measured parents’/guardians’ perceptions of how having an assistance dog affects: (1) child safety from environmental dangers, (2) public reception of ASD and (3) levels of caregiver strain and sense of competence. We also obtained open-ended response data from parents/guardians on benefits and constraints of having an assistance dog. Setting This study was based in the primary care setting, within the context of a specific accredited assistance dog centre in Ireland. Participants A total of 134 parents/guardians with an assistance dog, and 87 parents of children on the waiting list were surveyed. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measures were scores on environmental hazards and public reception scales. The secondary outcome measures were scores on caregiver strain and competence scales. Results Parents/guardians of children who have ASD and an assistance dog rate their child as significantly safer from environmental dangers (p<0.001), perceive that the public act more respectfully and responsibly towards their child (p<0.001) and feel more competent about managing their child (p=0.023) compared with parents on the waiting list. There was a concentration of positive feeling towards assistance dog interventions with particular focus on safety and comfort for children, and a sense of freedom from family restrictions associated with ASD. The amount of dedication and commitment required to care for a dog were viewed as the primary constraints. Conclusions Our findings indicate that parents perceive that assistance dog interventions can be a valuable intervention for families with children who have ASD