Men at risk The Physical, Mental and Social Health of Men in Massachusetts

In 2009, Clark University was accepted as the university to represent Massachusetts in the National Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (http://familyimpactseminars.org). Family Impact Seminars are a series of annual seminars, briefing reports, and discussion sessions that provide up-to-date, solution-oriented research on current issues for state legislators, their aides, and legislative support bureau personnel. The seminars provide objective, nonpartisan research on current issues and do not lobby for particular policies. Seminar participants discuss policy options and identify common ground where it exists

Services just for men? Insights from a national study of the well men services pilots.

Men continue to have a lower life expectancy in most countries compared to women. Explanations of this gendered health inequality tend to focus on male risk taking, unhealthy lifestyle choices and resistance to seeking help from health services. In the period 2005-2008 the Scottish Government funded a nationwide community health promotion programme aimed at improving men's health, called Well Men Service Pilots (henceforth WMS)

Capacitance of thin films containing polymerized ionic liquids

Electrode-polymer interfaces dictate many of the properties of thin films such as capacitance, the electric field experienced by polymers, and charge transport. However, structure and dynamics of charged polymers near electrodes remain poorly understood, especially in the high concentration limit representative of the melts. To develop an understanding of electric field–induced transformations of electrode-polymer interfaces, we have studied electrified interfaces of an imidazolium-based polymerized ionic liquid (PolyIL) using combinations of broadband dielectric spectroscopy, specular neutron reflectivity, and simulations based on the Rayleigh’s dissipation function formalism. Overall, we obtained the camel-shaped dependence of the capacitance on applied voltage, which originated from the responses of an adsorbed polymer layer to applied voltages. This work provides additional insights related to the effects of molecular weight in affecting structure and properties of electrode-polymer interfaces, which are essential for designing next-generation energy storage and harvesting devices

The construction of an idealised urban masculinity among men with concurrent sexual partners in a South African township

Background : The perspectives of heterosexual males who have large sexual networks comprising concurrent sexual partners and who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours are scarcely documented. Yet these perspectives are crucial to understanding the high HIV prevalence in South Africa where domestic violence, sexual assault and rape are alarmingly high, suggesting problematic gender dynamics. Objective : To explore the construction of masculinities and men's perceptions of women and their sexual relationships, among men with large sexual networks and concurrent partners. Design : This qualitative study was conducted in conjunction with a larger quantitative survey among men at high risk of HIV, using respondent-driven sampling to recruit participants, where long referral chains allowed us to reach far into social networks. Twenty in-depth, open-ended interviews with South African men who had multiple and concurrent sexual partners were conducted. A latent content analysis was used to explore the characteristics and dynamics of social and sexual relationships. Results : We found dominant masculine ideals characterised by overt economic power and multiple sexual partners. Reasons for large concurrent sexual networks were the perception that women were too empowered, could not be trusted, and lack of control over women. Existing masculine norms encourage concurrent sexual networks, ignoring the high risk of HIV transmission. Biological explanations and determinism further reinforced strong and negative perceptions of women and female sexuality, which helped polarise men's interpretation of gender constructions. Conclusions : Our results highlight the need to address sexuality and gender dynamics among men in growing, informal urban areas where HIV prevalence is strikingly high. Traditional structures that could work as focal entry points should be explored for effective HIV prevention aimed at normative change among hard-to-reach men in high-risk urban and largely informal contexts

Bulk and surface morphologies of ABC miktoarm star terpolymers comprised of PDMS, PI and PMMA arms

DIM miktoarm star copolymers, composed of polydimethylsiloxane [D], poly(1,4-isoprene) [I], and poly(methyl methacrylate) [M], were synthesized using a newly developed linking methodology with 4-allyl-1,1-diphenylethylene as a linking agent. The equilibrium bulk morphologies of the DIM stars were found to range from [6.6.6] tiling patterns to alternating lamellar and alternating cylindrical morphologies, as determined experimentally by small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy and confirmed by dissipative particle dynamics and self-consistent field theory based arguments. The thin film morphologies, which differ from those found in the bulk, were identified by scanning electron microscopy, coupled with oxygen plasma etching. Square arrays of the PDMS nanodots and empty core cylinders were formed on silica after oxygen plasma removal of the poly(1,4-isoprene) and poly(methyl methacrylate) which generated nanostructured substrates decorated with these features readily observable

Malaysian primary care doctors' views on men's health: an unresolved jigsaw puzzle

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Men have been noted to utilise health care services less readily then women. Primary care settings provide an opportunity to engage men in health care activities because of close proximity to the target group (men in the community). Understanding attitudes towards men's health among Malaysian primary care doctors is important for the effective delivery of health services to men. We aimed to explore the opinions and attitudes of primary care doctors (PCDs) relating to men's health and help-seeking behaviour.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative approach to explore the opinions of 52 PCDs was employed, using fourteen in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions in public and private settings. Purposive sampling of PCDs was done to ensure maximum variation in the PCD sample. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Open coding with thematic analysis was used to identify key issues raised in the interview.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The understanding of the concept of men's health among PCDs was fragmented. Although many PCDs were already managing health conditions relevant and common to men, they were not viewed by PCDs as "men's health". Less attention was paid to men's help-seeking behaviour and their gender roles as a potential determinant of the poor health status of men. There were opposing views about whether men's health should focus on men's <it>overall </it>health or a more focused approach to sexual health. There was also disagreement about whether special attention was warranted for men's health services. Some doctors would prioritise more common conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The concept of men's health was new to PCDs in Malaysia. There was wide variation in understanding and opposing attitudes towards men's health among primary care doctors. Creating awareness and having a systematic approach would facilitate PCDs in delivering health service to men.</p