American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

Suicide rates among Black men in the United States have increased significantly in recent decades, yet limited research explores how intersecting systems of oppression contribute to this trend. This study examines how racial identity and gender norms intersect to shape suicide risk among Black men with lived experiences of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with Black adult men (n = 15) in Maryland who had a history of suicidal ideation or behavior from February 2022 to October 2023. Using thematic analysis and an intersectional framework, we explored how racialized masculinity, public and private regard, and cultural norms around emotional expression influence mental health and help-seeking. Participants described navigating a racialized ideal of masculinity that emphasized toughness, emotional suppression, and self-reliance. These expectations, compounded by systemic racism and internalized stigma, created barriers to vulnerability and support-seeking in moments of crisis. Racial identity, particularly public regard and centrality, shaped how men internalized and performed masculine roles. Many reported gender role stress resulting from the conflict between emotional needs and societal demands, which contributed to isolation and elevated suicide risk. Our study results emphasize the importance of enacting gendered and culturally responsive approaches to suicide prevention efforts. These efforts should also acknowledge and mitigate the compounded effects of racial oppression and gender expectations.

This study investigates the association between the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and erectile dysfunction (ED), a prevalent male sexual health concern. Analyzing data from 2,197 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2004), we employed logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analysis to examine this relationship while conducting comprehensive sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Of the participants, 725 individuals reported ED history. Regression analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between HRR levels and ED likelihood, with fully adjusted models showing a 69% reduced ED risk per HRR unit increase (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.12, 0.77], p = .016). Tertile analysis demonstrated progressive ED risk reduction across ascending HRR categories in all models: Model 1 (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = [0.23, 0.37], p < .001), Model 2 (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = [0.43, 0.82], p = .003), and Model 3 (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = [0.45, 0.97], p = .035). Restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed linear association patterns without significant nonlinearity (p > .05). Sensitivity analyses reinforced HRR's consistent negative correlation with ED risk, whereas subgroup analyses revealed stable associations across demographic strata without significant interaction effects. Our findings identify reduced HRR as an independent risk factor for ED, suggesting its potential utility as a clinical biomarker for early ED detection and prevention strategies. This novel hematological parameter could enhance risk stratification and inform interventions to mitigate disease progression and recurrence, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes in male sexual health management.

This study compared the efficacies of single-dose ceftriaxone therapy at doses of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1 g for gonococcal paraurethral duct infection in men. Forty-eight men with gonococcal paraurethral duct infection were assigned to Groups A, B, and C based on their order of arrival in the clinic; each group comprised 16 patients. Groups A, B, and C received single intramuscular doses of ceftriaxone at 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1 g, respectively. The mean times to resolution of purulent discharge from the paraurethral duct were 1.87 ± 0.81 days in Group A, 1.06 ± 0.25 days in Group B, and 1.13 ± 0.34 days in Group C. The mean times to resolution of erythematous swelling at skin lesions were 4.75 ± 1.69 days in Group A, 3.44 ± 0.89 days in Group B, and 3.31 ± 1.25 days in Group C. The mean times to resolution of tenderness at skin lesions were 5.25 ± 1.00 days in Group A, 3.06 ± 0.10 days in Group B, and 2.38 ± 1.03 days in Group C. The mean times to closure of the paraurethral duct orifice were 9.88 ± 2.92 days in Group A, 6.88 ± 1.71 days in Group B, and 6.38 ± 1.86 days in Group C. The resolution times significantly differed between Group A and Groups B and C (all p < .05); however, there were no significant differences between Groups B and C (all p > .05). The study shows that all three ceftriaxone single-dose regimens effectively cured gonococcal paraurethral duct infection in men. A single 500 mg dose may represent a more suitable treatment option.

The current study engages precarious masculinity as a framework to examine sexual health in magazines marketed for male audiences. Precarious masculinity is the idea that masculinity is fragile and always being challenged or questioned, particularly considering pressures to defend the social status and privilege associated with masculinity. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of the text or "coverlines" on the covers of Men's Health magazines over nearly 40 years (1986-2024; N = 333) of which only 26 (8%) covers address men's sexual health. Such few coverlines on these topics suggests men's "visible invisibility," a concept that describes men's dominant place in society and the prioritization of their sex lives with women, yet also significant gaps in knowledge, access, and care for men's sexual health. Our findings reveal three key themes wherein appeals to precarious masculinity are evident: sexual health concerns (e.g., condoms, vasectomies, and prostates), "the truth about testosterone," and sexual functioning and aesthetics. We identify the verbiage used on the covers of men's magazines as "guy talk" that involves silly, ironic, or slang-laden verbiage. Using guy talk as a marketing tactic both exposes the precarity of masculinity and serves as a compensatory manhood act that allows men to avoid perceived social consequences associated with expressions of vulnerability and thus preserve masculine privilege. We conclude that the guy talk in men's magazines that caters to precarious masculinity and, with men's visible invisibility, does a disservice to men's health and well-being.

Prostate inflammation is a common condition in men characterized by swelling of the prostate gland, often associated with other prostate diseases. Understanding the role of chronic inflammation in prostatic diseases is important due to the changes in prostatic cells and the persistence when undiagnosed. The evaluation and management of chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain (CPP) involve specific diagnostic tests. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection kits that use multiplex real-time PCR in comparison to standard microbiology sperm culture for detecting pathogens in individuals with CP and CPP. This retrospective observational study analyzed data from a database of 68 patients, aged 50.1 ± 17.8 years and treated at a secondary care urology center. PCR testing detected at least one microorganism in 63/68 samples (92.6%), while conventional culture yielded positive results in 12/68 cases (17.6%). The most detected microorganisms by PCR were the Bacteroides/Porphyromonas/Prevotella group (61.8%). Most of the samples were found to be polymicrobial, with the most common high-order combination consisting of Anaerococcus spp., Atopobium cluster, Bacteroides/Porphyromonas/Prevotella, Megasphaera/Veillonella/Dialister, and Peptostreptococcus/Parvimonas. This study concluded that PCR is more effective than traditional sperm culture in detecting organisms (p < .05), especially in identifying polymicrobial infections and fastidious microorganisms in patients with CP and CPP. PCR has higher sensitivity in detecting pathogens, including those often missed by standard culture techniques, leading to improved clinical outcomes, particularly in cases of polymicrobial infection.

Cardiovascular health (CVH) is both a concept and a measure that refers to health behaviors and clinical factors that help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). The neighborhood environment is increasingly recognized as a crucial social determinant of CVH, especially for Black populations. The purpose of this participatory concept mapping (CM) study was to (1) understand perspectives on neighborhood features that influence health and (2) identify which features are most important to achieving CVH behaviors for young Black men. We conducted CM with Black men (n = 30), ages 18 to 34, living in two majority Black communities in one southeastern state. The CM process included three sequential phases-brainstorming, structuring, and interpretation. We defined CVH behaviors as having a healthy diet, healthy weight, engaging in sufficient physical activity, and no tobacco use. Participants depicted neighborhood characteristics across 45 statements that were grouped into eight conceptual clusters. Clusters were rated in terms of relative importance to achieving CVH behaviors. Participants ranked the Economic Opportunity and Health Choices clusters as the most important to achieving CVH behaviors. Conversely, Economic Stressors and Environmental Stressors had the lowest rating of relative importance to achieving CVH behaviors. Pattern matching revealed that average cluster ratings of importance to CVH behaviors achievement were ranked similarly across city type (metropolitan vs. small city) and neighborhood racial composition (most Black vs. racially diverse), but with some nuance. This participant-driven process highlights the neighborhood environment as a meaningful social determinant of fostering or undermining CVH behaviors for young Black men.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of combined carbohydrate (CH) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation on the sports performance of basketball players. A randomized crossover controlled experimental design was employed. A total of 32 collegiate-level basketball players were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: placebo (PLA), CH (30 g/h glucose solution) group, CAF (3 mg/kg body mass) group, and CH + CAF (combined intervention) group. Participants underwent a series of tests, including the countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint (20 m), change-of-direction and acceleration test (CODAT), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo), free throw (FT) test, and straight-line dribbling speed (SLDS) test. Heart rate (HR) and blood lactic acid (BLA) levels were also monitored during the tests. The results revealed that, in the CMJ, 20 m, and CODAT tests, the CAF and CH + CAF groups outperformed the PLA group significantly (p < .05). In the Yo-Yo test, both the CH and CH + CAF groups demonstrated significantly better performance compared with the PLA group (p < .01). However, no significant differences were observed among the groups in the FT and SLDS tests (p > .05). Notably, the BLA levels in the CAF group were significantly higher than those in the PLA and CH groups 1-min postexercise (p < .05), and also significantly higher than in the CH + CAF group (p < .01). Three min after exercise, BLA levels in both the CH + CAF and PLA groups increased significantly (p < .05), with the CH + CAF group showing a greater increase compared with the CH group (p < .01). During exercise, the HR in the CH group was significantly lower than in the PLA group (p < .01), while the HR in the CAF group was significantly higher than in the PLA group (p < .01). Furthermore, the HR in the CH group was significantly lower compared with the CAF group (p < .01), and the HR in the CH + CAF group was significantly higher than in the CAF group (p < .01). After exercise, the HR in the CH group remained significantly lower than in the CAF group (p < .01). In conclusion, the combined supplementation of CH + CAF can effectively improve the overall sports performance of basketball players, with a certain recovery effect on physiological responses, but has no significant impact on professional skills. Overall, joint supplementation has not shown significant synergistic effects, but it can still be used as one of the nutritional strategies, with flexible selection of usage based on actual needs.

The objective of this systematic review was to identify, appraise, and meta-synthesize qualitative evidence regarding the experiences and perceptions of men in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs. The systematic review of qualitative studies searches was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCohost, ProQuest, CINAHL, and PsycINFO of articles published between 2005 and 2025 to ensure information is current and relevant to modern practices and to analyze trends and the evolution of a research field over a significant period of 20 years. In total, 2,074 articles were identified, and after screening using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 12 studies were included in the review. The search strategy included a combination of Smart Texting searching of the three main concepts being examined in this review (experience/perception, pressure at work, and coping strategies). Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Qualitative data were analyzed using a meta-ethnographic approach, comprising reciprocal syntheses of participants' experiences in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs. A lines-of-argument synthesis is presented that identified the key elements of the experiences, perceptions, work environments, and coping strategies of men in white-collar and blue-collar jobs. This systematic review used meta-ethnographic approach to synthesize qualitative evidence regarding the experiences and perceptions of men in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs. The lack of trust together with hegemonic masculinity made it difficult for men to timely communicate and seek help for any prevailing problems. The societal concept that categorizes men as strong gender has not been helpful to the physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing of men.

Deciding when to become a father for the first time is shaped by personal and social factors, yet little is known about the determinants of men's age at first childbearing. This study examines the key personal and social predictors with men's age during their first transition to fatherhood. This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study examined 290 men who, with their wife's first pregnancy, were referred to health centers in Mashhad, Iran for pregnancy care in 2023. Cluster sampling was used. The data-collection tools included the Enrich Marital Satisfaction questionnaire, the Quality of Life questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Snyder Hope Scale, and demographic characteristics. The outcome variable of interest is the age of the men. Data analysis was done using univariate and multiple linear regression models in SPSS 26, with statistical significance set at p < .05. A total of 290 men who became fathers for the first time participated in the study, with a mean age of 29.73 years and a standard deviation of 6.28 years. Among the variables included in the multiple linear regression analysis, the indicators of marital satisfaction (p = .001), marriage span (p = .001), occupation levels (p < .05), some economic status levels (p < .05), and the person who decides the number of children (p = .008) had a significant effect on men during their first transition to fatherhood. The duration of marriage, marital satisfaction, and economic factors are determinants during men's first transition to fatherhood. Governments and policymakers should include men in education and fertility planning by providing them with appropriate solutions.