American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

Men's mental health is a focus area for improving population health worldwide. Traditional masculine norms among men have been reported to make them more susceptible to mental health issues. This study aims to review existing literature on how traditional masculinity norms influence men's willingness to seek mental health support. This review followed stages of systematic review. The review search was initiated in February 2024. The search process was conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published in English between 2000 and 2024. The search terms included "traditional masculinity norms," "men's mental health," "help-seeking behavior," and "barriers to mental health care." Studies were selected based on their relevance to the topic. The inclusion criteria were studies focusing on adult men and examining the relationship between traditional masculinity norms and mental health help-seeking behaviors. Exclusion criteria included studies focusing on children, adolescents, or women and nonempirical articles. Data extraction covered study details, design, population characteristics, and key findings. This study included 47 relevant studies. Two key themes emerged, namely: masculinity and mental health (impact on mental health); and barriers to seeking help. Traditional masculinity norms significantly deter men from seeking mental health support, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive interventions that address these barriers.

Prostate cancer presents a pressing public health challenge in the United States and disproportionately affects Black men. Despite efforts to address these disparities, equitable access to timely diagnosis and optimal treatment remains elusive for many Black men. Using focus group discussions, the researchers aimed to understand what constitutes equitable cancer care and identify tools needed by Black men for equitable navigation of prostate cancer care. Through a community-engaged qualitative design, 29 Black males aged 40 to 75 participated in virtual and in-person focus groups in August 2023. Data analysis employed NVivo qualitative software and an inductive thematic approach. Three overarching themes emerged: general prostate knowledge, barriers and experiences, and preferred communication channels. Participants discussed their understanding of prostate cancer, barriers to screening, experiences with healthcare delivery, and trusted information sources. Findings revealed nuanced differences between groups but emphasized the importance of clear communication, respect, and community support in cancer care. The researchers' future recommendations include developing educational programs, addressing systemic barriers, providing early education on prostate cancer risk, implementing training for providers, creating support groups, and revisiting national guidelines for Black men. The study provides valuable insights into the experiences and needs of Black men when accessing equitable prostate cancer care that are essential for addressing disparities in cancer outcomes.

Both experiencing homelessness and having survived a violent firearm injury are well-known risk factors for being a victim of violence. Despite there being significant racial disparities in these factors, there is no qualitative research examining the experiences of Black men who survive a gunshot wound and were homeless after their injury. Drawing on over a year of ethnographic research at the two busiest hospital-based violence intervention programs in the state of Maryland, this research centers the experiences of violently injured homeless Black men to understand how to best support their health, healing, and social goals. Emergent themes from the research included the significant need for housing after injury, challenges with healing while homeless, and difficult experiences with housing institutions. The findings suggest that additional supportive care services for Black men who survive gunshot wounds are needed to increase access to safe and stable housing.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends individualized decision making about prostate cancer screening for men between 55 and 69 years of age. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanic men are less likely to report having had a prostate-specific antigen test. While these differences have been attributed to individual- and system-level barriers in early detection and screening of prostate cancer (PCa), less is known about Mexican-origin men perceptions of barriers to PCa screening. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we conducted semistructured interviews (5 men with PCa history; 15 men without PCa history) to characterize Mexican-origin men's knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences with PCa screening in Yuma County, Arizona. Mexican-origin men viewed genetic predisposition as the main driver of PCa, yet participants highly endorsed PCa screening as reflected by the high rates of PCa screening in our study sample. Further, men spoke to how PCa is a taboo subject among Mexican-origin men and how getting screened for it is often perceived as a threat to their manhood. Finally, Mexican-origin men identified a variety of system-level barriers to PCa screening including lack of health insurance, elevated medical costs, and lack of transportation. The study findings add to an emerging body of literature on determinants of PCa screening among Mexican-origin men. The results of this study have significant implications for public health as they underscore the need for multifaceted interventions that target both individual behaviors and broader social influences to increase PCa screening rates among Mexican-origin men.

Inclusion of fathers in research and initiatives related to maternal and infant health outcomes is limited, though fathers' involvement with their families has been associated with positive family health outcomes. Engagement of fathers must be done with an understanding of how men view health and fatherhood. This study explores if and how fatherhood influences men's health perceptions and health care-seeking behaviors. This observational study utilized a mixed-method approach to collect data from fathers who were either expecting or had a child under 12 months old. Fathers were invited to complete an electronic survey, and eligible fathers were invited to participate in a focus group discussion. Focus group questions covered four topic areas, and responses were qualitatively analyzed and themed by these topics. Out of 73 eligible fathers who completed the electronic survey, 13 participated in the focus groups. Physical health and mental health were mentioned more often, along with prioritizing healthy routines and habits, and self-improvement were predominant. Fathers also highlighted being positive role models and being committed to their partners. When discussing personal experiences in fatherhood, fathers focused on their family's health over their own. Fatherhood is a rewarding and challenging time that brings many changes to men's lives. This study demonstrates how men's health habits may change because of fatherhood. This evidence can inform how targeted programs can empower men to ensure their highest well-being while optimizing their family's health.

This study aimed to examine whether contextual social deprivation is independently associated with health outcomes. A cross-sectional, multistage sampling design was employed to interview participants from six selected cities in China. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on individual socioeconomic characteristics and contextual social deprivation. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to assess the association between social deprivation and self-rated health. A total of 5,782 valid questionnaires were collected in this study. The prevalence of poor health was 5.3% (95% CI [4.2%, 6.3%]). Multilevel logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between social deprivation and self-rated health. The odds ratios for contextual social deprivation scores of 2, 3, and 4 were 1.89 [1.31, 2.72], 4.21 [2.55, 6.94], and 4.63 [2.77, 7.73], respectively. This study offers new insights into the impact of social deprivation on poor health among urban male residents in China. The research emphasizes the urgent need to address poor health as a key measure to protect the well-being of socially and economically vulnerable populations.

Prostate-related conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer, represent significant health concerns, particularly among aging men. This study utilized a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies to explore the effectiveness of integrative approaches, emphasizing nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications, in managing prostate diseases. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and meta-analyses focusing on dietary patterns, physical activity, and complementary therapies. The findings were synthesized to provide evidence-based recommendations. Results highlight that plant-based diets, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, demonstrate protective effects against prostate conditions, while diets high in saturated fats and processed foods increase risk. Specific bioactive compounds,such as lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, were linked to reduced disease progression. Physical activity emerged as a key component, enhancing hormonal balance, reducing inflammation, and improving survival rates in prostate cancer patients. Aerobic and resistance exercises were particularly effective in mitigating treatment side effects such as fatigue and muscle loss. Stress-reduction techniques, including mindfulness and yoga, alongside moderated alcohol consumption, further improved psychological well-being and overall prostate health. Integrative approaches, combining conventional treatments with holistic care, demonstrated enhanced outcomes by addressing the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of prostate disease. Emerging fields such as nutrigenomics and natural products offer opportunities for personalized interventions, paving the way for innovative management strategies. This study underscores the potential of integrative methods to improve disease outcomes, prevent progression, and enhance the quality of life for men affected by prostate conditions, advocating for their inclusion in prostate disease management protocols.

To analyse and evaluate the safety and efficacy of green light top-firing sharp in the treatment of short-segment urethral stricture in men. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 65 men with short-segment urethral strictures confirmed at our hospital over the past 5 years was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical procedure: the cold knife urethral stricture endotomy group (direct vision internal urethrotomy [DVIU] group, n = 33) and the green light top-firing sharp urethral stricture endotomy + urethral stricture scar vaporisation group (Photoselective vaporization of the prostate [PVP] group, n = 32). Data before and after surgery were collected. The operation time was shorter and intraoperative bleeding was less in the PVP group than in the DVIU group, and the difference between the two groups was significant. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. There were significant differences in the maximum urinary flow rate, residual urine volume, International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life score before and after surgery between the two groups. Green light top-firing sharp treatment of men's short-segment urethral stricture involves less injury, less bleeding and less complications than cold knife urethral stricture dissection and is a safe and effective method.

The combination of Syto16/7-AAD allows the detection of apoptosis at an earlier stage than that of annexin V/7-AAD. The effects of the earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa on fertilization rate and post-embryonic development have not been investigated systematically. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between the earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa in IVF patients and seminal parameters (concentration and morphology), to assess the effect of the earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa on ART outcomes, especially with regard to clinical pregnancy. The earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa was detected by syto16/7AAD using flow cytometry (FCM) in 98 couples (98 IVF) before and after density gradient centrifugation (DGC), and its relationships with the fertilization rate, the normal fertilization rate, the cleavage rate, the good embryo rate and the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate were assessed. Meanwhile, the correlation with seminal parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) was also analyzed. The rate of the earlier apoptosis was significantly negatively correlated to sperm concentration(r = -.302, p = .003) and membrane integrity rate(r = -.862; p < .01) after DGC. There was also a positive correlation between the rate of the earlier apoptosis and sperm mortality rate (r = .225, p = .027) after DGC. A highly significantly negative correlation was found between the rate of the earlier apoptosis and outcomes in IVF patients: the fertilization rate and the normal fertilization rate decreased as the rate of the earlier apoptosis increased (r = -.271, -.288; p = .008,.004). The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate also significantly differed between patients with the earlier apoptotic rate ≥15% and <15% (57.89% vs. 81.69%, p < .01) after DGC. The earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa seems to affect fertilization, however, it does not affect the early embryo development proficiency in IVF procedures. Because of the decreased fertilization rate, the earlier apoptosis of spermatozoa can compromise the number of available embryos and good embryos, resulting in cumulative clinical pregnancy loss.