96 research outputs found
Clinical characteristics of childhood asthma
A prospective study was undertaken of 298 asthmatic children attending a paediatric allergy clinic in Bloemfontein. A detailed history was obtained, and skin tests were performed. Male predominance and an early age of onset were confirmed. Symptomatic allergic rhinitis was an extremely common finding. A family history of allergy was obtained in over 90% of cases. Respiratory tract infections, changes in the weather and exercise were found to be the most common asthma-inducing factors. Common allergens were grass pollen (63%) and animal danders. House-dust mite (25%) and dietary allergens (less than 20%) were relatively uncommon. The failure to recognise the symptoms of asthma in children, particularly young children, was identified as an ongoing problem
Associations between substance use and sexual risk behaviour among women aged 16–44 years: evidence from Britain’s third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (NATSAL-3)
The prevalence of, and factors associated with, paying for sex among men resident in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3)
Objectives Men who pay for sex (MPS) are considered a bridging population for sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, the extent, characteristics and role of MPS in transmission is poorly understood. We investigate these questions using data from Britain's third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3).
Methods We performed complex survey analyses of data from 6293 men aged 16–74 years resident in Britain who completed Natsal-3, a probability sample survey undertaken during 2010–2012, using computer-assisted personal interviewing and computer-assisted self-interview.
Results 11.0% (95% CI10.1% to 11.9%) of all men reported ever paying for sex. Among MPS, 18.4% (95% CI 18.2% to 18.7%) of their lifetime sexual partners were paid. 3.6% (95% CI 3.1% to 4.2%) of men had paid for sex in the past 5 years. Partners of MPS constitute 14.7% of all reported partners and MPS report 15.6% of all reported STI diagnoses in the past 5 years. Paying for sex in the past 5 years was strongly associated with reporting larger numbers of sexual partners (adjusted OR, AOR for 5+ partners, past 5 years, 31.50, 95% CI 18.69 to 53.09). After adjusting for partner numbers, paying for sex remained strongly associated with reporting new foreign partners outside the UK (AOR 7.96; 95% CI 4.97 to 12.73) and STI diagnosis/es (AOR 2.34; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.81), all in the past 5 years. Among men ever paying for sex, 62.6% (95% CI 58.3% to 66.8%) reported paying for sex outside the UK, most often in Europe and Asia.
Conclusions MPS in Britain remain at greater risk of STI acquisition and onward transmission than men who do not. They report high numbers of partners, but the minority are paid partners. They are an important core group in STI transmission
Trends in HIV testing and recording of HIV status in the UK primary care setting: a retrospective cohort study 1995-2005
Objectives: To provide nationally representative data on trends in HIV testing in primary care and to estimate the proportion of diagnosed HIV positive individuals known to general practitioners (GPs). Methods: We undertook a retrospective cohort study between 1995 and 2005 of all general practices contributing data to the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD), and data on persons accessing HIV care (Survey of Prevalent HIV Infections Diagnosed). We identified all practice-registered patients where an HIV test or HIV positive status is recorded in their general practice records. HIV testing in primary care and prevalence of recorded HIV positive status in primary care were estimated. Results: Despite 11-fold increases in male testing and 19-fold increases in non-pregnant female testing between 1995 and 2005, HIV testing rates remained low in 2005 at 71.3 and 61.2 tests per 100 000 person years for males and females, respectively, peaking at 162.5 and 173.8 per 100 000 person years at 25–34 years of age. Inclusion of antenatal tests yielded a 129-fold increase in women over the 10-year period. In 2005, 50.7% of HIV positive individuals had their diagnosis recorded with a lower proportion in London (41.8%) than outside the capital (60.1%). Conclusion: HIV testing rates in primary care remain low. Normalisation of HIV testing and recording in primary care in antenatal testing has not been accompanied by a step change in wider HIV testing practice. Recording of HIV positive status by GPs remains low and GPs may be unaware of HIV-related morbidity or potential drug interactions
Trends in sexually transmitted infections in general practice 1990-2000: population based study using data from the UK general practice research database
Objective: To describe the contribution of primary care to the
diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections in
the United Kingdom, 1990-2000, in the context of increasing
incidence of infections in genitourinary medicine clinics.
Design: Population based study.
Setting: UK primary care.
Participants: Patients registered in the UK general practice
research database.
Main outcome measures: Incidence of diagnosed sexually
transmitted infections in primary care and estimation of the
proportion of major such infections diagnosed in primary care.
Results: An estimated 23.0% of chlamydia cases in women but
only 5.3% in men were diagnosed and treated in primary care
during 1998-2000, along with 49.2% cases of non-specific
urethritis and urethral discharge in men and 5.7% cases of
gonorrhoea in women and 2.9% in men. Rates of diagnosis in
primary care rose substantially in the late 1990s.
Conclusions: A substantial and increasing number of sexually
transmitted infections are diagnosed and treated in primary
care in the United Kingdom, with sex ratios differing from
those in genitourinary medicine clinics. Large numbers of men
are treated in primary care for presumptive sexually
transmitted infections
A systematic review of associations between substance use and sexual risk behaviour, stis and unplanned pregnancy in women
Prevalence of infertility and help seeking among 15 000 women and men
STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of infertility and of help seeking among women and men in Britain? SUMMARY ANSWER: One in eight women and one in ten men aged 16-74 years had experienced infertility, defined by unsuccessfully attempting pregnancy for a year or longer, and little more than half of these people sought medical or professional help. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Estimates of infertility and help seeking in Britain vary widely and are not easily comparable because of different definitions and study populations. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A cross-sectional population survey was conducted between 2010 and 2012 with a sample of 15 162 women and men aged 16-74 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants completed the Natsal-3 questionnaire, using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) and computer-assisted self-interview (CASI). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The reported prevalence of infertility was 12.5% (CI 95% 11.7-13.3) among women and 10.1% (CI 95% 9.2-11.1) among men. Increased prevalence was associated with later cohabitation with a partner, higher socio-economic status and, for those who had a child, becoming parents at older ages. The reported prevalence of help seeking was 57.3% (CI 95% 53.6-61.0) among women and 53.2% (CI 95% 48.1-58.1) among men. Help seekers were more likely to be better educated and in higher status occupations and, among those who had a child, to have become parents later in life. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: These data are cross-sectional so it is not possible to establish temporality or infer causality. Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The study provides estimates of infertility and help seeking in Britain and the results indicate that the prevalence of infertility is higher among those delaying parenthood. Those with higher educational qualifications and occupational status are more likely to consult with medical professionals for fertility problems than others and these inequalities in help seeking should be considered by clinical practice and public health. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Funding was provided by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust, with support from the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health. AMJ is a Governor of the Wellcome Trust. Other authors have no competing interests
Scalar mesons moving in a finite volume and the role of partial wave mixing
Phase shifts and resonance parameters can be obtained from finite-volume
lattice spectra for interacting pairs of particles, moving with nonzero total
momentum. We present a simple derivation of the method that is subsequently
applied to obtain the pi pi and pi K phase shifts in the sectors with total
isospin I=0 and I=1/2, respectively. Considering different total momenta, one
obtains extra data points for a given volume that allow for a very efficient
extraction of the resonance parameters in the infinite-volume limit.
Corrections due to the mixing of partial waves are provided. We expect that our
results will help to optimize the strategies in lattice simulations, which aim
at an accurate determination of the scattering and resonance properties.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure
Who reports absence of sexual attraction in Britain? Evidence from national probability surveys
There is little evidence about the prevalence of absence of sexual attraction, or the
characteristics of people reporting this, often labelled asexuals. We examine this using
data from two probability surveys of the British general population, conducted in
1990–1991 and 2000–2001. Interviewers administered face-to-face and self-completion
questionnaires to people aged 16–44 years (N = 13,765 in 1990–1991; N = 12,110 in
2000–2001). The proportion that had never experienced sexual attraction was 0.4%
(95% CI: 0.3–0.5%) in 2000–2001, with no significant variation by gender or age,
versus 0.9% (95% CI: 0.7–1.1%) in 1990–1991; p < 0.0001. Among these 79 respondents
in 2000–2001, 28 (40.3% men; 33.9% women) had had sex, 19 (33.5% men;
20.9% women) had child(ren), and 17 (30.1% men; 19.2% women) were married.
Three-quarters of asexual men and two-thirds of asexual women considered their frequency
of sex ‘about right’, while 24.7% and 19.4%, respectively, ‘always enjoyed
having sex’. As well as providing evidence on the distribution of asexuality in Britain,
our data suggest that it cannot be assumed that those reporting no sexual attraction are
sexually inexperienced or without intimate relationships. We recognise the possibility
of social desirability bias given our reliance on self-reported data, but suggest that its
effect is not easily predicted regarding absence of sexual attraction
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