PrEP and condom use: A tale of unintended consequences?

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Correlates of Caffeinated Energy Drinks, Substance Use, and Behavior Among Adolescents

Background: Caffeinated energy drinks (CCEDs) are frequently consumed by adolescents aged 10-19, yet the effects of consumption on adolescent behavior are not well understood. Previous research has identified positive associations between CCED use and other substances such as alcohol and marijuana but studies among adolescents are lacking. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using data collected from the 2019 Alcohol, Drug Addition, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board/Wood County Educational Service Center’s youth survey. Ten public schools in Wood County, Ohio participated (n=6,152). Results: CCED use was common among our sample (43.4% overall). Reported consumption increased with age and was positively associated with alcohol use and cough medicine use. Furthermore, CCED use was associated with three behavioral outcome categories: anger, delinquency, and negative mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Due to the ubiquity of use and associated substance use and behavioral outcomes, CCED use among youth requires more attention

Food Allergy in Youth: A Primer for Allied Health Professionals

Purpose: Many youth struggle with the physical, mental, and social burdens of food allergy. The exact cause of food allergies is unknown, but several theories exist such as the “couch potato theory”, “hygiene hypothesis”, “microflora theory”, and “alarmins” theory. This non-systematic literature review summarizes the problem of youth food allergy and provides guidance to allied health professionals. Method: A literature search of the relevant literature from years 2000 through 2017 was conducted using PubMed with the key words “food allergy”, “youth”, and “management”. Results: Youth with food allergy may experience anxiety, social isolation, bullying, and depression, in addition to life-threatening allergic reactions. Managing food allergies successfully requires a team approach and begins with accurate diagnosis and identification/avoidance of specific food protein triggers. Conclusions: Several federal laws exist to help protect food allergic youth from accidental exposure. Allied health professionals play important roles in helping adolescents avoid life-threatening reactions to food allergens

Is the Earth Crying Wolf? Exploring Knowledge Source and Certainty in High School Students\u27 Analysis of Global Warming News

The marked contrast between the scientific consensus on global warming and public beliefs indicates a need to research how high schoolers, as future citizens, engage with and make meaning from news articles on such topics. In the case of socioscientific issues (SSIs) such as global warming, students’ acquisition of knowledge from the news is mediated by their epistemic understandings of the nature of science (NOS) and use of informal reasoning in evaluating claims, evidence, and sources. This exploratory qualitative study examined twelve U.S. high school students’ understandings, opinions, and epistemic beliefs concerning global warming knowledge. Researchers examined microgenetic changes as students discussed global warming during semi-structured interviews and a close reading of global warming news texts. Although results showed that most students could articulate a working concept of global warming, in follow-up questions, a subset offered personal opinions that differed from or contradicted their previously stated understandings. Meanwhile, students who offered opinions consistent with the scientific consensus often argued that the dangers of global warming were exaggerated by politicians and scientists who wished to profit from the issue. This study suggests a need for more explicit focus on NOS and scientific news literacy in curricula, as well as further research into the interplay between epistemic beliefs and the informal reasoning students use to negotiate diverse sources of SSI knowledge—from the classroom to the news media and public life

Factors Impacting COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Resistance Among College Students in Northwest Ohio

Background: Vaccination is a critical strategy for controlling the transmission of COVID-19 and for returning to normalcy on college campuses; however, vaccine hesitancy and resistance persist as a significant barrier. This study utilized the integrated behavior model (IBM) and the precaution adoption process model (PAPM) to identify factors predictive of COVID-19 vaccine willingness (receptive, hesitant, and resistant) among college students. Methods: A sample of 1248 students at 2 universities in northwest Ohio were surveyed online in 2021. Stata/SE, version 17 (StataCorp) software was used to conduct stepwise logistic regression to investigate the association of theoretical constructs with vaccine willingness, after controlling for COVID-19 related factors and sociodemographic factors. Results: Most students (82.5%) were vaccine receptive, 6.9% were vaccine hesitant, and 10.6% were vaccine resistant. Vaccine hesitancy was higher among students aged 18 to 22 years (9.3%), undergraduates (16.5%), and students who identified as Black (13%) or Middle Eastern (14.3%). Lower vaccine hesitance was significantly predicted by IBM constructs of positive attitudes, high self-efficacy, and high salience. Not getting an influenza vaccine in the past 3 years and viewing vaccination as a personal choice were significantly associated with higher vaccine hesitancy. Lower odds of vaccine resistance were predicted by higher subjective norms. Descriptive norms, not getting an influenza vaccine in the past 3 years, agreeing with conspiracies, and viewing vaccination as a personal choice were strongly predictive of higher vaccine resistance. Conclusion: Identifying the factors that predict vaccine hesitancy and resistance among college students is critical for college administrators, and for those who are designing health communication campaigns, to increase vaccination among this priority population

Breaking Down the Administrative Barriers: Condom Availability in the School Setting

School nurses are at the forefront of health resource decisions, education, and health advocacy in the school setting. When it comes to sex education and condom availability, navigating the politics and controversy surrounding student access and education is not an easy task. Moreover, recent research shows school administrators are not aware of sexual health issues in their district and are not typically supportive of condom availability, limiting evidence-based practice implementation in the school setting. At the district level, school nurses must recognize these challenges and develop plans to promote science-based interventions for students? sexual health.; School nurses are at the forefront of health resource decisions, education, and health advocacy in the school setting. When it comes to sex education and condom availability, navigating the politics and controversy surrounding student access and education is not an easy task. Moreover, recent research shows school administrators are not aware of sexual health issues in their district and are not typically supportive of condom availability, limiting evidence-based practice implementation in the school setting. At the district level, school nurses must recognize these challenges and develop plans to promote science-based interventions for students? sexual health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Residents in Nursing Homes: The Nurses' Perspective

Background: Examining registered nurses' perceptions of sexually transmitted disease (STD) education among residents in nursing homes allows for broader insight into why STDs continue to increase among older adults. Methods: A 4-page pilot survey was mailed to nursing home directors of nursing in Northwest Ohio (n=99) with a response rate of 32%. Directors of nursing were the target population as they are the most likely employee to hold registered nurse licensure. The health belief model formed the basis for the survey. Results: Most nurses did not see STDs or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as problems among their residents (100% and 96%, respectively) yet support for sex among residents was high. All (100%) agreed sex among married residents should be supported, while 77% agreed sex among nonmarried residents should be supported. Most nurses stated they were comfortable discussing HIV risk (84%), STD risk (84%), erectile dysfunction (75%), sexual desire and intimacy (72%), and correct condom use (66%). The most commonly reported perceived barriers to STD education were family opposition (63%), resident embarrassment (56%), and lack of education regarding the prevalence of STDs in older adults (53%). The most commonly reported perceived benefits to STD education were being seen as a leading facility for healthy initiatives (66%) and promotion of healthy sexual relationships among residents (56%). Conclusion: There was strong support for STD education among nurses though implementation remains rare. Addressing the most commonly perceived barriers and benefits may prove beneficial in increasing the number of LTCFs that provide STD education to residents