Factors Associated with Colorectal Cancer Screening among Younger African American Men: A Systematic Review

Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cancer killer among African Americans in the U.S. Compared to White men, African American men have incidence and mortality rates 25% and 50% higher from CRC. Despite the benefits of early detection and the availability of effective screening, most adults over age 50 have not undergone testing, and disparities in colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) persist. Owing to CRC’s high incidence and younger age at presentation among African American men, CRCS is warranted at age 45 rather than 50. However, the factors influencing young adult (i.e., age \u3c 50) African American men’s intention to screen and/or their CRCS behaviors has not been systematically assessed. To assess whether the factors influencing young adult African American men’s screening intentions and behaviors are changeable through structured health education interventions, we conducted a systematic review, with the two-fold purpose of: (1) synthesizing studies examining African American men\u27s knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding CRCS; and (2) assessing these studies’ methodological quality. Utilizing Garrard’s Matrix Method, a total of 28 manuscripts met our inclusion/exclusion criteria: 20 studies followed a non-experimental research design, 4 comprised a quasi-experimental design, and 4, an experimental design. Studies were published between 2002 and 2012; the majority, between 2007 and 2011. The factors most frequently assessed were behaviors (79%), beliefs (68%), and knowledge (61%) of CRC and CRCS. Six factors associated with CRC and CRCS emerged: previous CRCS, CRC test preference, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, CRC/CRCS knowledge, and physician support/recommendation. Studies were assigned a methodological quality score (MQS – ranging from 0 to 21). The mean MQS of 10.9 indicated these studies were, overall, of medium quality and suffered from specific flaws. Alongside a call for more rigorous research, this review provides important suggestions for practice and culturally relevant interventions

Guest Artist Series: Nouzovský / Goodson Duo

KSU School of Music presents Dangerous Music: Music the Nazis thought no one should hear featuring Petr Nouzovský, cello and Patricia Goodson, piano, guest artists from Prague, Czech Republic. This performance is presented in partnership with the KSU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Robert H. “Robin” Dorff, Dean.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1279/thumbnail.jp

Questioning the HIV-AIDS hypothesis: 30 years of dissent

Since 1984, when the hypothesis that HIV-causes-AIDS was announced, many scholars have questioned the premise and offered alternative explanations. Thirty years later, competing propositions as well as questioning of the mainstream hypothesis persist, often supported by prominent scientists. This article synthesizes the most salient questions raised, alongside theories proposing non-viral causes for AIDS. The synthesis is organized according to four categories of data believed to support the HIV-AIDS hypothesis: retroviral molecular markers; transmission electron microscopy (EM) images of retroviral particles; efficacy of anti-retroviral drugs; and epidemiological data. Despite three decades of concerted investments in the mainstream hypothesis, the lingering questions and challenges synthesized herein offer public health professionals an opportunity to reflect on their assumptions and practices regarding HIV/AIDS. “The HIV/AIDS hypothesis is one hell of a mistake”, wrote Kary Mullis in 1996 [(1), p. 14]. Mullis – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1993 – and other distinguished scientists have claimed the HIV-causes-AIDS hypothesis is false, unproductive, and unethical. They have done so since 1984, when the hypothesis was proposed. Thirty years after countless studies, resources, and attempts to cure have been poured into the HIV-AIDS hypothesis, it may be fruitful to ask: What happened to those views and voices that once disagreed? Have the past three decades, with their scientific, technological, and public health developments, been sufficient to convince critics of the hypothesis’ value? Have these advances been able to silence the questioning? Here, I synthesize the main criticisms aimed at the HIV-AIDS hypothesis, alongside select unorthodox1 theories proposing non-viral cause(s) for AIDS, to argue: far from being condemned to extinction, competing explanations for, and thorough questioning of the mainstream premise persist. Perhaps better known by the lay public than by health professionals, many explanations are, in fact, attracting a growing number of sympathizers. To support the argument, I employ historical research and data synthesis methods. I utilize, as data, trade and professional publications in tandem with authoritative scientific sources. It is important to note that my purpose is not to review the state of the science regarding HIV/AIDS, nor to persuade readers to reject the mainstream hypothesis. Instead, I aim to expose readers to the persisting controversies, and to motivate them to raise questions of their own. Ultimately, then, this article invites the public health workforce to reflect on prevailing assumptions and practices regarding HIV-AIDS. Reflecting on assumptions and practices represents a central task for public health professionals; a vital step to ensure their (our) practice continually grounds itself in the most rigorous ethical standards (3)

Mr. & Mrs: A Social Cognitive Approach to Understanding how the Marital Context Influences Physical Activity

Recent literature has demonstrated the power of marriage in influencing spousal physical activity behavior, yet the relationship between marriage and activity is not fully understood. The purpose of this qualitative study was to add to current literature by examining the mechanisms within the marital context that may influence physical activity. Employing constructs of Social Cognitive Theory to guide the inquiry, researchers used the qualitative techniques of in-depth interviews, photo elicitation and field notes to gather data in 2012 from twelve spousal pairs (n=24 participants). Results indicated verbal persuasion by husbands encouraged wives, yet verbal persuasion by wives was perceived as nagging by men. Verbal persuasion by husbands increased a few of wives’ sense of self-efficacy (25%), yet the majority of women (83%) felt that persuasion increased motivation, not necessarily confidence. Results also highlighted the power of modeling to increase husbands’ physical activity. Overwhelmingly, men reacted less positively to verbal persuasion than modeling (75%). This study demonstrated the utility of Social Cognitive Theory in advancing our understanding of spousal physical activity and underscored the need for health professionals to consider the marital dyad when designing health interventions

The Spread and Utility of Social Network Analysis across a Group of Health Behavior Researchers

Social network analysis (SNA), both as theory and methodology, is a powerful framework for delimiting and studying health behaviors. Using SNA allows scholars to answer new research questions, innovatively investigate the social and systemic contexts of health and behavior, and collaborate on multi- or inter-disciplinary projects. As a result, SNA is growing in popularity within health behavior research and practice. Despite SNA’s contribution and appeal, few health behavior researchers and practitioners have access to formal SNA education; much of the current training efforts occur outside degree-granting curricula. Therefore, the aims of this paper were to: 1) assess the diffusion of SNA, over time, among scholars presenting at AAHB annual meetings; and 2) determine whether AAHB can function as a professional venue for fostering development of SNA-related skills, especially by capitalizing on mentoring relationships. To assess the “spread” of SNA among AAHB scholars, we conducted a network analysis to capture the connections among those presenting research posters between 2016 and 2019. Results indicated sizeable increases in adoption of, and exposure to SNA within this network. Based on these findings, we recommend responding to the growing trends of SNA use by providing conference-based training and education in SNA. We also propose utilizing mentorship ties as leverage points in diffusing SNA within a system of professional scholars and, as a result, advancing health behavior research and practice

Should We Be Confident in Published Research? A Case Study of Confidence Interval Reporting in Health Education and Behavior Research

Confidence intervals (CIs) have been highlighted as “the best” reporting device when reporting statistical findings. However, researchers often fail to maximize the utility of CIs in research. We seek to (a) present a primer on CIs; (b) outline reporting practices of health researchers; and (c) discuss implications for statistical best practice reporting in social science research. Approximately 1,950 peer-reviewed articles were examined from six health education, promotion, and behavior journals. We recorded: (a) whether the author(s) reported a CI; (b) whether the author(s) reported a CI estimate width, either numerical or visual; and (c) whether an associated effect size was reported alongside the CI. Of the 1,245 quantitative articles in the final sample, 46.5% (n = 580) reported confidence interval use; , and 518 provided numerical/visual interval estimates. Of the articles reporting CIs, 383 (64.2%) articles reported a CI with an associated effect size, meeting the American Psychological Association’s (APA) recommendation for statistical reporting best-practice. Health education literature demonstrates inconsistent statistical reporting practices, and falls short in employing best practices and consistently outlining the minimum expectations recommended by APA. In an effort to maximize utility and implications of health education, promotion, and behavior research, future investigations should provide comprehensive information regarding research findings

Synthesis and characterization of monomeric manganese(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of the hexadentate amine ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, C26H28N6 (tpen)

The syntheses and characterization of complexes of manganese(II) and cobalt(III) with the potentially hexadentate ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, C26H28N6 (tpen), are described. The monomeric manganese(II) complex [Mn(C26H28N6)(H2O)](ClO4)2 (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with 4 formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 15.080(1) Å, b = 10.101(1) Å, c = 19.426(2) Å and b = 94.6l(l)°. The structure has been refined to a final value of the conventional R-factor of 0.0401 based on 2586 observed independent reflections. The geometry at the manganese center is seven-coordinate, and is best described as a capped trigonal pyramid with the water molecule forming the cap and the six nitrogen atoms of the tpen ligand occupying the pyramidal sites. The manganese atom and the water molecule lie on a crystallographic twofold axis. The related cobalt(III) complex, [Co(C26H28N6)] (C1O4)3 (4) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with 4 formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 9.829(2) Å, b = 18.364(4) Å, c = 18.128(4) Å and b = 93.64(3)°. The structure has been refined to a final value of the conventional R-factor of 0.0526 based on 3574 observed independent reflections. The complex is approximately octahedral, the coordination being provided by the six nitrogen atoms of the tpen ligand. The EPR spectrum of 1 diluted into the corresponding Cd(II) host has been simulated with the parameters g = 2.00, A = 0.0080 cm-1, D = 0.116 cm-1, and E = 0.0013 cm-1. The small value of E/D is consistent with the observed symmetry of the complex. KEY WORDS: Monomeric manganese(II) complex, Monomeric cobalt(III) complex, Hexadentate ligand, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2004, 18(1), 17-28.

THE COMPLEXITIES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY AMONG MEXICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS

Introduction: Mothers play an important role in preventing childhood obesity; however, might differ in how they define healthy weight and the associated consequences. Due to the lack of research investigating how Mexican American mothers perceive childhood obesity, the purpose of this paper is to qualitatively assess Mexican-American mothers’ perceptions regarding childhood obesity, its causes and consequences. Methods: Three focus groups, two in Spanish and one in English, were conducted with 23 mothers in Bryan, TX. Thematic analysis was performed by three researchers independently using sentences as the unit of meaning. Findings: Mexican American mothers believed that a child needs to be a healthy weight to be healthy; however, the mothers varied in their methods for determining if their child was at a healthy weight. Mothers identified several underlying causes of childhood obesity including genetics, parenting, household characteristics and culture. Conclusion: Understanding the views of mothers of at-risk of rearing overweight children are important in elucidating effective strategies for preventing childhood obesity. Communication messages for this group might be more effective if they are contextualized within the culture, household and family