Are there gender differences in perceived sexual self-efficacy among African-American adolescents?

Background: African American adolescents accounted for more than half of all HIV/AIDS cases in 2009. Behavioral Strategies are needed to help lessen the incidence of HIV/AIDS among this population. Purpose: The aim of his study was to examine sexual self-efficacy practices and beliefs among African American adolescents. We also examined gender differences between African American adolescents to better understand their perceptions of sexual self-efficacy, condom use intention, and other safer sex practices and beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 214 African American adolescents using survey instruments to examine their beliefs, perception and intentions on the use of condoms, sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices. Participants were recruited though a mass media campaign and local youth serving organizations within Sedgwick County, KS. Results: Our findings indicate significant differences exist between genders in perception of sexual self-efficacy among African American adolescents. Females were found to have higher perceived sexual self-efficacy compared to males. Having high negotiation skills and a sexual partner who approved of condom use were significant predictors for high perceived sexual self-efficacy. Conclusions: African American adolescent females were more likely to have higher perceived sexual self-efficacy then African American male adolescents. Because of the dynamics that exist in male and female relationships and the mediating role sexual self-efficacy might play in engaging in safe sex practices, it is important to design gender specific interventions in order to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDS/STI’s

Participation in Youth Running Events: The Role of Parental Involvement and Satisfaction

An increasing number of running events are being targeted to youth and are adding to the growing road racing industry. Offering running events for children along with a lineup of races ranging from 5K runs to marathons for adults is a way for race organizers to expand their businesses, increase economic impact in their communities and meet the needs of the entire family. In addition to economic benefits, there are other benefits associated with running events for youth. Community running events provide one potential intervention to counter rising childhood obesity rates by increasing the levels of physical activity for youth. Parents are seen as important agents in the socialization processes that shape and influence youth physical activity decisions. Most sport participation decisions for youth are ultimately made by parents and because parents play a crucial role in the consumer decisions and activity choices of their children, this study focused on an investigation of parental factors influencing participation of children in youth running events. The purpose of this study was to examine parental involvement, satisfaction and behavioral intentions associated with a youth running event. Specifically, this study sought to determine if the level of parental involvement and satisfaction with a youth running event predicted behavioral intentions for their child’s future participation in running events. Additionally, the effects of parent gender and parent running status were explored. A sample of 366 parents of children who participated in a prominent children’s community running event was used to investigate the influence of parental involvement and satisfaction on behavioral intentions for their child to participate in future running events. The measurement scale for involvement included both an affective and a cognitive subscale. Using multiple linear regression to analyze the data, the overall model was found to be significant (F(3, 326) = 41.733, p \u3c .001), explaining 28% of the variance in behavioral intentions. Results indicated positive relationships between all independent variables (i.e., affective involvement, cognitive involvement and satisfaction) and the dependent variable of behavioral intentions. When comparing the model by gender, parental involvement and satisfaction were significant for female respondents whereas only satisfaction was significant for male respondents. When comparing the model by runner status, parental involvement and satisfaction were significant for parents who were runners; however, satisfaction was the only variable significant for parents who were non-runners. In all of the models, satisfaction was the strongest predictor of behavioral intentions. Based on these results, it is recommended that road race organizers market youth events to parents, particularly mothers. Marketing efforts should focus on ensuring parental satisfaction and include elements to make the event seem relevant and exciting to increase parental involvement and subsequent participation of children in future running events

Defining Birth Equity in Kansas

Background: While some health outcomes improve in the United States, racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related outcomes persist. In the United States and Kansas, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. Description: The Kansas Birth Equity Network (KBEN), is an initiative developed to address racial disparities in maternal and child health outcomes. We used a community-centered approach to collect stakeholder perceptions of birth equity and develop a case definition of birth equity. Methods: An open-ended online survey was designed to collect stakeholders’ definition of birth equity, their organization’s birth equity missions, and future aspirations of birth equity in Kansas. The survey was administered via REDCap and 35 members of KBEN were invited to participate. Common themes were identified, and a case definition was developed. Results: Guided by the health equity framework, three major themes were identified: elimination of birth disparities, reimagining systems of power, and assurance of optimal outcomes. A case definition of birth equity as “the assurance of equitable care through creating a system that eliminates health inequities and values parents and community stakeholders” was created and adopted. Conclusion: Guided by stakeholder perceptions of birth equity and the health equity framework, we achieved consensus that birth equity requires a focus on reimagining systems of power and centering the experiences of Black parents and families

eDECIDE: A Web-Based Problem-Solving Interventions for Diabetes Self-Management: Protocol for a Pilot Clinical Trial

Background: In the US, diabetes affects 13.2% of African Americans, compared to 7.6% of Caucasians. Behavioral factors, such as poor diet, low physical activity, and general lack of good self-management skills and self-care knowledge are associated with poor glucose control among African Americans. African Americans are 77% more likely to develop diabetes and its associated health complications compared to non-Hispanic whites. A higher disease burden and lower adherence to self-management among this populations calls for innovative approaches to self-management training. Problem solving is a reliable tool for the behavior change necessary to improve self-management. The American Association of Diabetes Educators identifies problem-solving as one of seven core diabetes self-management behaviors. Methods: We are using a randomized control trial design. Participants are randomized to either traditional DECIDE or eDECIDE intervention. Both interventions run bi-weekly over 18 weeks. Participant recruitment will take place through community health clinics, University health system registry, and through private clinics. The eDECIDE is an 18-week intervention designed to deliver problem-solving skills, goal setting, and education on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: This study will provide feasibility and acceptability of the eDECIDE intervention in community populations. This pilot trial will help inform a powered full-scale study using the eDECIDE design

Birthing While Black: The Maternal Health Experiences in Kansas

The state of maternal health and infant mortality in the United States is far worse than 33 developed countries (CDCP NCHS, 2018). Black mothers and infants die at twice the rate in comparison to mothers and infants of other races (CDC, 2020). Infant mortality is the death of a child before the age of one. The Sisters and Brothers for Healthy Infants Initiative focuses on education, community engagement, elevating the voices of Black mothers and fathers, and a community birthday party to celebrate Black infants first birthday. This signature event is known as Celebrate Day 366, a day to share information Black infant mortality, co-parenting, and fatherhood, conduct a community conversation on birth equity, and celebrate Black babies first birthday. This paper reflects the results from a panel discussion of community members and stakeholders in Kansas sharing their experiences with maternal and infant mortality. The Health Equity Framework four main components (systems of power, relationships and networks, individual factors, physiological pathways, that are integral to the inequities in maternal health and infant mortality was used to guide our research analysis (Peterson, et. al 2020). As a part of the qualitative content analysis, five themes emerged: 1) stress during pregnancy; 2) advocacy; 3) innovation of technology not equating to health equity; 4) realization of inferior care; and 5) racism and stereotypes. The themes reflected similar lived experiences amongst Black mothers, fathers, and physicians surrounding maternal health and infant mortality inequities. The results of the CD366 panel discussion highlight the importance of exploring how, if at all, Black mothers and fathers, are benefiting from the birthing experience

Ethnic and gender differences in help seeking for substance disorders among Black Americans

This paper uses the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) to examine within group differences regarding help-seeking for substance disorders among a US sample of African American and Caribbean Black men and women. We examined ethnic and gender differences in the type of providers sought for substance disorder treatment, as well as reasons for avoiding treatment. Results indicate that overall, few ethnic differences exist; however, African Americans are more likely than Caribbean Blacks to seek help from human service professionals (including a religious or spiritual advisor) and from informal sources of treatment such as self-help groups. Black men with a substance disorder were more likely to see a psychiatrist than Black women. Findings regarding reasons for avoiding treatment suggest that there may be a need to provide better education about the utility of substance disorder treatment, even before problems reach a high level of severity.The National Institute on Drug Abuse training grant #T32DA007267The National Institute of Mental Health training grant #T32 MH16806-25.The NSAL is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (grant U01-MH57716) with supplemental support from the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Michigan.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/164713/1/Redmond2017_Article_EthnicAndGenderDifferencesInHe.pdfDescription of Redmond2017_Article_EthnicAndGenderDifferencesInHe.pdf : Main articl

Transcriptional Responses of Cultured Rat Sympathetic Neurons during BMP-7-Induced Dendritic Growth

Dendrites are the primary site of synapse formation in the vertebrate nervous system; however, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate the initial formation of primary dendrites. Embryonic rat sympathetic neurons cultured under defined conditions extend a single functional axon, but fail to form dendrites. Addition of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) triggers these neurons to extend multiple dendrites without altering axonal growth or cell survival. We used this culture system to examine differential gene expression patterns in naïve vs. BMP-treated sympathetic neurons in order to identify candidate genes involved in regulation of primary dendritogenesis.To determine the critical transcriptional window during BMP-induced dendritic growth, morphometric analysis of microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2)-immunopositive processes was used to quantify dendritic growth in cultures exposed to the transcription inhibitor actinomycin-D added at varying times after addition of BMP-7. BMP-7-induced dendritic growth was blocked when transcription was inhibited within the first 24 hr after adding exogenous BMP-7. Thus, total RNA was isolated from sympathetic neurons exposed to three different experimental conditions: (1) no BMP-7 treatment; (2) treatment with BMP-7 for 6 hr; and (3) treatment with BMP-7 for 24 hr. Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays were used to identify differential gene expression under these three culture conditions. BMP-7 significantly regulated 56 unique genes at 6 hr and 185 unique genes at 24 hr. Bioinformatic analyses implicate both established and novel genes and signaling pathways in primary dendritogenesis.This study provides a unique dataset that will be useful in generating testable hypotheses regarding transcriptional control of the initial stages of dendritic growth. Since BMPs selectively promote dendritic growth in central neurons as well, these findings may be generally applicable to dendritic growth in other neuronal cell types

Global Diversity of Sponges (Porifera)

With the completion of a single unified classification, the Systema Porifera (SP) and subsequent development of an online species database, the World Porifera Database (WPD), we are now equipped to provide a first comprehensive picture of the global biodiversity of the Porifera. An introductory overview of the four classes of the Porifera is followed by a description of the structure of our main source of data for this paper, the WPD. From this we extracted numbers of all ‘known’ sponges to date: the number of valid Recent sponges is established at 8,553, with the vast majority, 83%, belonging to the class Demospongiae. We also mapped for the first time the species richness of a comprehensive set of marine ecoregions of the world, data also extracted from the WPD. Perhaps not surprisingly, these distributions appear to show a strong bias towards collection and taxonomy efforts. Only when species richness is accumulated into large marine realms does a pattern emerge that is also recognized in many other marine animal groups: high numbers in tropical regions, lesser numbers in the colder parts of the world oceans. Preliminary similarity analysis of a matrix of species and marine ecoregions extracted from the WPD failed to yield a consistent hierarchical pattern of ecoregions into marine provinces. Global sponge diversity information is mostly generated in regional projects and resources: results obtained demonstrate that regional approaches to analytical biogeography are at present more likely to achieve insights into the biogeographic history of sponges than a global perspective, which appears currently too ambitious. We also review information on invasive sponges that might well have some influence on distribution patterns of the future