American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

The rising phenomenon of stay-at-home husbands (SAHHs) in Hong Kong exemplifies the evolution of masculinities in Asia. The development of emergent masculinities through SAHHs is intertwined with hybrid masculinities to expand the range of visible male roles in an Asian context. The implication of SAHHs is explored through interviews conducted with 31 middle-class SAHHs and 19 wives of SAHHs in Hong Kong. Two key findings are (1) emergent masculinities via SAHHs upend conventional gendered family roles as they become the primary caregivers for their children with notable support from their breadwinner wives and (2) hybrid masculinities in blended gender roles continue to actively evolve in Hong Kong. These findings highlight how emergent masculinities are entwined with hybrid masculinities whereby SAHHs maintain some traditional gender roles and values while embracing tasks associated with child-rearing, which prioritize care, emotional expression, and domesticity. These emerging roles contribute to the literature on masculinity by highlighting Hong Kong SAHHs during the COVID-19 era. The data suggest a reframing of traditional or conventional expectations of masculinities, and through crucial support by their wives, they will continue the trend toward more dynamic gender relations.

Although many forms of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) are widely used in international literature, there is yet to be a Turkish version. The CMNI-30 is an instrument consisting of 30 statements developed to measure masculinity ideologies, with statements representing different behaviors associated with masculinity. The CMNI-30 has proven reliable and valid across different languages and cultures. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the CMNI-30. Tested with 1,091 Turkish men, data were collected after content validation with the 10-factor model of the CMNI-30, indicating good construct validity. Also, convergent validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, item-total score analysis, and test-retest analyses were applied. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the CMNI-30 was similar to its original structure, and all factor loadings were above 0.30. The fit indices were >0.85, and the root mean square error of approximation value was <0.05. Cronbach's alpha value was calculated as 0.871. Item-total correlations ranged between .253 and .541, and the test-retest correlation was found to be r = .344 (p < .001). Convergent validity analysis showed a significant positive relationship between CMNI-30 and Male Role Norms Scale. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the CMNI-30.

Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, with erectile dysfunction (ED) being one of the most prevalent sexual disorders. Nurses play a crucial role in addressing the needs of patients experiencing ED, yet their specific roles and responsibilities remain underexplored. We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review to examine the general and specific roles of registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in caring for patients with ED. Relevant studies were identified through searches in Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Embase, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Two independent researchers assessed the methodological quality of the included studies (N = 14; 12 quantitative and two qualitative) using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and performed data extraction, transformation, integration, and synthesis. Five responsibilities of nursing roles in ED care were identified: (1) risk factor assessment, (2) needs clarification and/or diagnosis, (3) individual or couple education, (4) facilitation and/or provision of treatment, and (5) continuous monitoring. RNs play a fundamental role in assessing and identifying problems, promoting sexual health, educating and supporting treatment adherence, and facilitating interventions or treatments. In contrast, NPs have a distinct role in monitoring laboratory testing, diagnostics, counseling and treating patients, and collaboration with specialists. Both RNs and NPs use a multidisciplinary approach to provide care activities; RNs provide referrals for to get better services internally or externally, while NPs refer for specialists or urologists' consultations to promote comprehensive care. Findings underscore the need for enhanced education and training programs for RNs-to improve their knowledge of assessment, understanding of ED care-and for NPs-to improve knowledge of diagnosis, counseling, treatment, and patient monitoring-to ensure comprehensive and multidisciplinary ED team care.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and respiratory muscle dysfunction. Bioactive lipid mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) play critical roles in regulating inflammation, yet their relationship with diaphragmatic performance in COPD remains poorly understood. This case-control study investigated the association between circulating lipid mediators and diaphragmatic function in 40 male COPD patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent clinical assessment, spirometry, C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement, blood sampling for lipid mediator profiling-including polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived metabolites-and diaphragmatic ultrasound evaluation of excursion and thickening fraction (TF). COPD patients exhibited significantly impaired diaphragmatic function and elevated pro-inflammatory lipid mediators compared with controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.826), Thromboxane B2 (TXB₂) (AUC = 0.832), and Leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) (AUC = 0.737) as strong diagnostic biomarkers for COPD. Among SPMs, RvD1 correlated positively with diaphragmatic excursion (r = .62) and TF (r = .58), Lipoxin A4 (LXA₄) correlated with Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) (r = .66), and Protectin DX (PDX) showed an inverse association with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score (r = -.54). Leukotriene E4 (LTE₄) and Leukotriene D4 (LTD₄) were negatively associated with diaphragmatic performance, while CRP levels inversely correlated with ultrasound parameters. Diaphragmatic TF demonstrated high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (92%) in predicting severe exacerbations. These findings suggest that lipid mediator imbalance contributes to diaphragmatic dysfunction in COPD and that combining lipidomic profiling with diaphragmatic ultrasound may offer a promising approach for assessing systemic inflammation and respiratory muscle performance in male COPD patients.

South African men remain disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, with social norms around masculinity often hindering care-seeking and medication adherence. This study investigates how Coach Mpilo, a peer mentoring intervention led by men who are TB survivors or living openly with HIV, engages concepts of masculinity to improve health outcomes among men in TB/HIV care. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with male peer coaches implementing the Coach Mpilo intervention in Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Coaches, all TB survivors and/or living with HIV, described their experiences supporting newly diagnosed men with TB/HIV. Guided by the Health, Illness, Men, and Masculinities Framework, thematic analysis identified key domains through which masculine norms and social expectations influenced health trajectories and intervention engagement. 20 participants described how men's emotional health is constrained by norms discouraging vulnerability. Participants reported that men's self-reliance and clinic avoidance impede timely care and adherence, and how provider roles, poverty, and structural barriers increase risk, often forcing men to choose work over health care. Coaches discussed hegemonic ideals among their peer clients, and that stigma delays diagnosis and worsens outcomes. Coaches described finding success by framing treatment and health-seeking as acts of strength and responsibility, and by advocating for male-centered clinic spaces and tailored support. Findings illustrate that working with, rather than against, masculine norms can motivate men to engage with TB/HIV services. Peer coaching that reimagines vulnerability as strength, while addressing both social and systemic barriers, holds promise for promoting men's health and reducing disparities in high-burden settings.

Paternal perinatal depression is underrecognized, and existing tools often fail to capture male-specific symptomatic expressions. Fathers experience significant psychosocial changes during the transitional period, yet clinical assessment of paternal mental health remains largely absent from routine clinical practice. This paper introduces a multi-dimensional tool called the P-APGAR. The theory-informed conceptual tool is meant to guide the assessment of fathers' perinatal adjustment, operationalizing core elements of role-based, relational, and emotional adaptation. The model adapts the logic of the traditional newborn APGAR score to a father-centered context based on Paternal Identity, Alienation, Paternal Strain, Generativity, Adjustment, and Resilience. A theoretical synthesis approach was used to integrate findings from qualitative and quantitative literature on paternal perinatal experiences using established theories of family systems, gender role strain, and transitional resilience. This fusion of nursing theory, sociological constructs, and current research shaped the development of the domains, each meant to reflect fathers' experiences of connection, stress, meaningful adaptation, and coping. This analysis includes a brief review of established instruments (BDI, CES-D, EPDS, GMDS, PHQ-9, PBQ, F-PHI, EGDS, MGMQ, MDRS, and PAPA). The P-APGAR framework provides a structured, clinically applicable approach to identifying vulnerable paternal psychosocial patterns not adequately detected by existing maternal-driven depression scales. This model offers a pragmatic structure based on grounded theories for clinical conversations, research development, and future measurement, while emphasizing fathers' relational roles, purposeful actions, and comprehensive adaptive capacities.

Testicular cancer (TCa) comprises the majority of peri/postpubertal male neoplasms and has increased in incidence. A review of the literature finds little information on short-term risks associated with mens' occupational choices. The U.S. Army includes a large population in the age range of highest TCa risk. We examined whether combat duty and occupational categories were associated with TCa in this population during a recent period of prevalent combat operations. We employed official medical, administrative and sociodemographic data on 210,483 males new to active-duty service in the U.S. Army during 2011-2014, when combat operations in Afghanistan continued apace and those in Iraq were waning. We calculated TCa diagnosis incidence rates by occupation and service time, compared predictor distributions, and devised a multivariable survival regression model. There were 44 new recruits diagnosed with TCa (period prevalence: 0.02%; incidence rate: 11.61 per 100,000 person-years). Within up to 4 years of service, the adjusted TCa diagnosis risk increased twofold for those in the infantry occupation when compared with other military occupations (p = .045) but was not associated with combat deployment. Adjusted TCa risks increased with age and White race and decreased with service time. Variation in adjusted TCa diagnosis risk by occupation was seen within 4 years following service entry. This variation could have potentially occurred due to selection effects for which we could not control, yet causative occupational exposures cannot be ruled out with our data. The results suggest the need for further research to identify causal pathways and risk mitigation strategies.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are increasingly utilized in Ghana, as treatment options for couples with infertility, including male factor infertility. While extensive research has focused on female determinants of ART success, comparatively fewer studies have systematically examined the contribution of male partner characteristics beyond routine semen analysis to clinical pregnancy outcomes following ART. The paucity in research is more pronounced in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted at the Chosen Hospital and Fertility Centre between January 2024 and March 2025. The study population comprised 198 male partners of women seeking ART services at the hospital, aged between 30 and 61 years. Baseline data were collected from the male partners before initiation of the ART procedure. The sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data of the men were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and medical records. Venous blood samples were then collected before ART and analyzed for fasting lipids, glucose, complete blood count, liver, and renal function tests. Semen samples were also collected after 3 to 7 days of abstinence and analyzed. Following the ART procedure, 126 (63.6%) of the women tested positive for pregnancy. The sociodemographic, anthropometric, hematological, biochemical, and seminal variables were compared between ART outcomes. The mean ± standard deviation of serum chloride level in mmol/L was higher in males whose partners tested negative for post-ART pregnancy compared to those who tested positive (101.3±3.5 vs 99.9±2.6, P=0.026). No significant disparities in the other variables were observed between the groups. The findings suggest that, although chloride is essential for normal spermatogenesis, high levels of serum chloride could be detrimental to sperm quality. Routine electrolyte measurements of male partners of infertile couples should be performed before ART procedure.

Guangsi Yulin Decoction (GSYLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with therapeutic efficacy against spermatogenesis dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism of the alleviation remains unclear. To investigate the effects of GSYLD on Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycolide (GTW)-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in mice and to explore associated mechanisms, particularly its role in oxidative stress and inflammation. A total of 60 (7-8-week-old) BALB/c mice were grouped into control (NC), model (GTW), low-dose GSYLD (GSYLD-L, 0.27 g/kg/d), high-dose GSYLD (GSYLD-H, 1.08 g/kg/d), and PTEN inhibitor (1.08 g/kg/d GSYLD-H + 0.3 mg/kg PTEN inhibitor). After eight weeks, the model was validated, and semen quality was evaluated by assessing sperm vitality and concentration. Testicular tissues were analyzed by H&E staining, while Western blotting and RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR) were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the GSYLD. In comparison to the GTW group, the GSYLD-H group showed a significant improvement in sperm vitality and concentration (p < .01). GSYLD upregulated PI3K, AKT, and FoxO1, while downregulating PTEN mRNA expression (p < .001). A parallel recovery was observed at the protein level. Specifically, the GSYLD-H group exhibited a significant amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammation, marked by reduced MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels (p < .01) and enhanced SOD activity (p < .001) relative to the GTW group. GSYLD alleviated GTW-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction, potentially through PTEN/PI3K/AKT/FoxO1-mediated regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation.

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.