Journal of Mens Health最新文献

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is associated with multiple symptoms that have a significant impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We were interested to establish the extent to which disease and treatment-related symptoms affect the HRQoL of patients with CRPC from the patients’ perspective, so we undertook a review of current literature and also obtained feedback at an international meeting. Our review of evidence from the literature found that the majority of patients with CRPC are significantly affected by a number of disease- and treatment-related symptoms that have a negative impact on their HRQoL. These findings highlighted the need for treatment decisions to be based on an assessment of quality as well as quantity of life for this patient population. We also established that there are substantial differences in the perception of HRQoL between patients and their physicians. Physicians remain the most direct influence on patient choice, therefore they have a responsibility to fully inform patients about their disease stage, the available treatment options and potential impact on HRQoL. Despite advances in the treatment and management of CRPC, further improvements in HRQoL are necessary. As a consequence, all future treatment approaches for CRPC should take into account both survival benefit and the impact on HRQoL. Furthermore, patients, their partners and physicians should all be involved in the treatment decision-making process. This should include an assessment of HRQoL to ensure potential impact and benefit is fully understood.

Background

In the modern era, many men spend inadequate time focusing upon healthy living. However, men are increasingly “connected” by email and mobile Internet devices, which are now commonplace at most socio-economic levels. We hypothesized that reaching men electronically, with 90 second video clips on men's preventative health topics might provide effective health education.

Methods

Six health topics felt to be of broad interest to men were selected for video preparation. Literature reviews led to the preparation of 90 second video clips, termed Men's Health PITCHes. These were sent electronically to a cohort of men and women who had previously consented to receive electronic health-related information from our hospital. PITCHes were also made available through the Facebook and Twitter social networks, and our hospital website. Data regarding the email open rates, the average viewing time, and total viewing time for each video were collected for up to 1 year after the delivery of the first PITCH.

Results

The average email open rate for the six videos was 30.74%, which compared favorably to standard healthcare industry open rates. Less than 1% of recipients of each PITCH requested removal from the email list. There was a total of 2,951 viewing sessions comprising a total viewing time of over 85 hours.

Conclusion

Short men's health educational video clips may be an effective way of reaching men with important health information. Capitalizing upon digital communication permits rapid dissemination of useful men's health information, reaches a large numbers of viewers, and may impact men's health-related behaviors.

The most common site for an arterial aneurysm, i.e. the focal dilatation of the original blood vessel, is the abdominal aorta. Studies have suggested that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are rare in women under the age of 55 and in men under the age of 60. However, in men older than 60, AAAs are nearly 10 times more common in men than in women, and many of these affected men will be asymptomatic. This article reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, including screening guidelines, and treatment options for AAA, with reference to a case study of a 72 year old male smoker diagnosed with an AAA.

Background

Support during pregnancy is mainly directed towards pregnant women, although parenthood is viewed as a joint project by society and by parents themselves. Research has shown that fathers often feel excluded by health care professionals. The aim of the present study was to describe personal and professional sources of support used by prospective and new fathers and to study factors associated with fathers having no support from anyone in mid-pregnancy.

Methods

This was a prospective longitudinal study of 655 new fathers living in a northern part of Sweden who completed four questionnaires.

Results

The majority of fathers reported having good personal support at most time points, but 18% reported that they did not have support from anyone, when asked in mid-pregnancy. A logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were associated with not receiving support from anyone: having previous children (odds ratio (OR) = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7–7.0, P <0.001), expectations from the midwife to attend antenatal visits (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1–3.4, P <0.05), not attending parent education classes (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1–4.8, P <0.05), not feeling involved by the prenatal midwife (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1–3.3, P <0.05), and not being offered the opportunity to attend fathers’ groups (OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.1–12.3, P <0.05).

Conclusion

Although personal support seemed satisfying for the majority of fathers, those with no support from close family/friends also lacked support from midwives as well in terms of the organization of care.

Background

Current HIV prevention programs are often expensive to implement and require significant commitment on the part of participants and staff. These factors limit widespread implementation. Thus, there is an increasingly recognized need to develop and test brief interventions designed to promote safer sex.

Methods

This study tested the potential efficacy of a brief, self-guided, home-based intervention to promote consistent and correct condom use among young men by focusing on condom use skill, enjoyment, and self-efficacy. The central focus of The Kinsey Institute^® Homework Intervention Strategy (KIHIS) is that men practice applying, using, and removing condoms alone (a “low pressure” situation) trying various condoms and lubricants. A repeated measures evaluation compared 2-week, 6-week (n = 28) and 4-month (n = 17) follow-up evaluations to baseline (pre-intervention).

Results

Despite the limited sample size, significant post-intervention improvement was found for condom use experiences, confidence in the ability to use condoms, self-efficacy for condom use, and condom comfort as well as a reduction in breakage and erection problems.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the KIHIS, with its inherent potential for easy translation to public health sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics (requiring very little clinic resources), may have lasting and positive effects on subsequent condom use attitudes, skills, and behaviors.

Background

Small scale trials of male hormonal contraception have produced encouraging results. Attitudes to, and beliefs about, a proposed male pill may affect uptake.

Methods

This paper examines attitudes towards a proposed ‘male contraceptive pill’ among a self selected sample of 54 men and 134 women, living in a non-metropolitan centre in the East of England, United Kingdom who were already users of contraception. Thirty four respondents were also interviewed and their views on the male pill were qualitatively analysed.

Results

The acceptability of a male pill was high, with just under half (49.5%) of the respondents indicating that they woud use it. Gender, length of relationship, age and educational achievement did not affect the reported acceptability. However, 42% of respondents expressed concerns that men would forget to take a male pill. Women were significantly more likely to express this concern than men. Furthermore, 26% of respondents expressed health concerns. Willingness to take a male pill was associated with expressing the view that increased protection against pregnancy would be an advantage of such a method. Those unwilling or undecided were more likely to express concerns about the effect of a pill on future fertility.

Conclusions

A male pill was accepted as a potential aid to increased fertility control by a large proportion of a convenience sample of contraceptive users in the East of England. If a male pill were to be marketed in the UK this study suggests that concerns about effects on future fertility and health risks may need to be addressed.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily associated with childhood, yet it has become increasingly clear that ADHD continues to impair many domains of functioning in adulthood. This article reviews many aspects of adult ADHD, including its definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and etiology, as well as the treatment options available. Some of these aspects are illustrated in a Case Study.

Background

Evidence supports the idea that the regular consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3s) has positive effects on men's health. The best source of these essential fatty acids is seafood, particularly oily fish. This article summarises evidence pertaining to the benefits associated with regular dietary intake of fish on men's health.

Methods

An extensive review of international academic libraries, databases and published literature was conducted. Quality assessment ratings were applied and thematic classifications based on major health issues relevant to men were constructed.

Results

A total of 168 articles from peer-reviewed journals were identified, with 60 studies providing moderate to high level evidence of an association between the consumption of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. The majority of the studies showed a positive link between the intake of Omega 3s and the prevention and management of chronic disease in men. Evidence also showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer and lower lung cancer mortality in men who consumed high seafood diets.

Conclusion

There is conclusive evidence of an association between the dietary intake of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. However, men are less likely to consume fish as a main protein source, often tending towards diets high in red meat. Health promotion interventions should consider: the attitudes of men toward food and the impact of these attitudes on food choices; men's perceptions of fish and seafood, particularly in comparison to other protein sources; and the role that particular foods play for males in traditional social situations.