American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

This qualitative study explores the factors contributing to gender-based inequalities in "deaths of despair" (DoD) - those deaths from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-specific causes - among men in two deindustrialised towns in North East England. Understanding gender-based disparities in these causes of death sheds important light on how social and economic factors intersect with certain facets of masculinity, such as stoicism and self-reliance, to drive vulnerability. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and one focus group with 54 stakeholders - people whose work is related to DoD, such as mental health treatment and public health practice - and community members in Middlesbrough and South Tyneside, two towns with above average rates of DoD. Participants included both men and women, predominantly of middle-age or older, with most participants unemployed or retired. Data were analysed using Iterative Categorisation, with findings interpreted through thematic analysis. The study generated three key themes: industrial history and masculinity, masculinity and class, and masculinity as a barrier to help-seeking. The findings demonstrate that economic decline following deindustrialisation resulted in distress and created unique risk factors for substance use and self-harm for men. These results suggest that effective interventions to reduce DoD among men in post-industrial settings must avoid pathologising masculinity itself. Instead, strategies should focus on the broader structural forces that undermine men's access to stable, fulfilling employment and offering forms of support that are compatible with masculine identity. By addressing these determinants, interventions can more effectively close gender-based inequalities and reduce the rate of DoD in deindustrialised areas.

For fathers, the transition to parenthood can be experienced as an emotional phase. Fathers often state feeling overlooked and unsupported during their transition to parenthood. This study addressed this issue by exploring what it means to become a father-a qualitative design with a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Data were collected through open-ended interviews with 19 fathers living in Sweden. The participants were encouraged to reflect on the meaning of becoming a father. Becoming a father means feeling connectedness to their child, their partner, and their friends, as well as creating strategies entailing flexibility, engagement, management, support, and solitude in their new situation. Fathers use digital media for support to create strategies, but it can evoke anxiety. The meaning of becoming a father concludes that they are deeply affected by the new situation. To support fathers during their transition to parenthood, midwives and child healthcare nurses should facilitate reflective conversations with them about their experiences of becoming a father. This study was guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklist.

This research utilizes Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort study data to examine whether financial strain is associated with subsequent lower urinary tract symptoms among men and whether healthcare barriers, health risk behaviors, and comorbid conditions explain this association. CARDIA recruited Black and White participants aged 18 to 30 years at baseline (1985-1986) from four United States cities. The analytic sample was comprised of men with complete data for analyses involving financial strain trajectories across 7 assessments (n = 602) and mediation tests of data collected at 4 assessments (n = 634). The outcome variable, assessed when the mean age of men was 50 years, was the American Urologic Association Symptom Index score, recoded into four symptom categories: none (6.3%); mild (62.6%), moderate (28.5%), and severe (2.6%). Symptom category was regressed on financial strain variables, adjusting for age, race, education, and self-reported benign prostatic hyperplasia. Regression analyses and structural equation modeling tested potential mediators. Compared to not being financially strained across early and midlife adulthood, experiencing more than one shift in financial strain was associated with 84% greater odds (95% confidence interval [1.24, 2.75]) of being categorized into a worse symptom category. Structural equation modeling showed that both difficulty receiving healthcare and depressive symptoms explained an association between difficulty paying for medical care and worse symptoms. Additional research is needed to confirm findings and examine other mechanisms that may further explain associations between financial strain and symptoms, such as stress responses. Accumulated evidence may inform future prevention interventions, including integrated healthcare approaches.

The 1,000-m run is a key component of university physical fitness assessments. Effective supplementation strategies to enhance performance and recovery in this test remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of caffeine (CAF) and beetroot juice (BJ) on 1,000-m performance and used SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis to identify key influencing factors. A randomized crossover design compared the effects of CAF (6 mg/kg body weight), BJ (70 mL providing 6.4 mmol of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$), and their combination with placebo (PLA) on 1,000-m running performance. Twenty healthy male participants took part in the study. Physiological, nutritional, and behavioral data were collected during each condition. SHAP analysis of a multilayer perceptron model quantified the relative importance of various performance determinants, providing a clear assessment of their contribution to the outcome. The CAF + BJ group performed significantly better than PLA (p < .01) in the first 1,000-m run and outperformed both PLA and BJ in the second run (p < .01). Performance declined after recovery in BJ (p < .01) and PLA (p < .01) but improved in CAF + BJ (p < .01). Post-exercise heart rate and blood lactate were highest in CAF + BJ and CAF, with CAF showing significantly higher lactate levels at 10, 15, and 20 min post-exercise compared to CAF + BJ (p < .01). SHAP analysis ranked body fat percentage > weight > age > nighttime sleep duration > nutritional strategy > average vertical jump height > grip strength > resting heart rate > time since last meal > alcohol consumption > height > smoking frequency. This study suggests that CAF and BJ supplementation may improve 1,000-m performance. SHAP analysis introduced a novel framework for identifying key factors, offering insights for targeted interventions. Tailored dietary supplement strategies that address critical physiological and lifestyle factors are important. Combining supplementation with these approaches can further enhance performance and recovery.

Prior disparities in obesity research emphasize socioeconomic status as a potential driver of White-Black differences in obesity prevalence, but there is a paucity of research examining the influence of education on the observed racial difference among men. The objective of this study was to determine whether the relationship between race and obesity varies by education level among Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) men. We used 1999 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data consisting of a sample of 13,583 men (9,459 NHW and 4,124 NHB). Race and Ethnicity were determined by self-reports of whether they were Hispanic or not and their racial group. Education was based on self-reporting of the highest grade level or level of school completed and categorized as: less than high school, high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma, some college or associate degree, and college degree or above. Thirty-four percent of the men were obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m²); a higher proportion of NHB men reported being obese than NHW men (36.0%, n = 1,508, vs. 33.8%, n = 3,140; p = .049). Adjusting for age, marital status, income, insurance status, smoking status, drinking status, self-rated health, physical inactivity, and the number of chronic conditions, NHB men with a college degree or above had a higher prevalence of obesity (prevalence ratio: 1.21, confidence interval [1.06, 1.39]) than NHW men. Findings suggest that among college-educated NHW and NHB men, there is a relationship between race/ethnicity and obesity prevalence.

Varicocele can lead to impaired semen parameters and induce infertility. Varicocelectomy is considered the gold standard for varicocele treatment. However, its impact on improving assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) outcomes remains contentious. This study seeks to compare reproductive outcomes between infertile men who underwent varicocelectomy and those who did not prior to ARTs. In addition, it evaluates the influence of types of fertilization, couples' ages, and treatment years on clinical pregnancy rates. A comprehensive search was conducted through February 2023 across eight electronic databases using combinations of relevant keywords. Observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Fourteen eligible studies (n = 1,705) were included: 12 retrospective studies (n = 1,467) and 2 prospective studies (n = 238). Pooled results indicated that infertile men who received varicocelectomy had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate compared to the control group (OR: 1.38, 95% CI [1.05, 1.83]; I² = 36%, p = .02). The live birth rate was also significantly higher in the treatment group (OR: 2.18, [1.58, 3.01]; p < .00001; I² = 0%). However, miscarriage rates did not significantly differ (OR: 1.07; [0.57, 1.98]; I² = 0%, p = .84). Varicocelectomy significantly improved sperm concentration and normal morphology rate, but did not result in a significant enhancement in sperm motility. Men who underwent varicocelectomy between 2012 and 2019 and subsequently received intracytoplasmic sperm injection exhibited improved outcomes, particularly when their female partners were under 30 years of age. Larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to clarify benefits or avoid unnecessary treatments.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different timing of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation (pre-/post-exercise) on the recovery of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and associated inflammatory factors after resistance training. A double-blind randomized controlled experimental design was used in this study. Twenty-four untrained male college students volunteered to receive BCAA supplementation and completed resistance training. Participants were randomly assigned to the BCAA and placebo groups and sequentially performed two experiments of pre-exercise supplementation and post-exercise supplementation. Thus, four groups were formed: the BCAA-PRE group, the BCAA-POST group, the PLCB-PRE group, and the PLCB-POST group. Muscle soreness, countermovement jump (CMJ), and related blood parameters [interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), blood lactate (B[La])] were measured 30 min, 24 and 48 hr after resistance training. BCAA post-exercise supplementation significantly reduced muscle soreness scores compared to the placebo group at 48 hr after resistance training (p < .05). At 24 hr after resistance training, the BCAA group significantly reduced serum IL-6 and CRP (p < .05), in addition, the BCAA-POST group had lower serum IL-6 and CRP than the BCAA-PRE group (p < .05). No significant difference between groups was detected for CMJ or B[La] (p > .05). Resistance training induced the development of DOMS accompanied by elevated inflammatory factors (CRP and IL-6) and muscle proteins (CK). Compared to pre-exercise BCAA supplementation, post-exercise supplementation was observed to be more effective in alleviating the symptoms of DOMS and reducing inflammatory factors. However, it does not change the state of neuromuscular recovery.

This study aims to analyze the registration information and outcome transparency for five common andrological diseases, as well as the factors influencing result availability. A comprehensive search was performed on ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) to retrieve all clinical trial registration data related to the five defined andrological diseases from the inception of these databases up to September 1, 2024. The search extracted key trial details, including status, type, intervention, and result availability. Of 8,132 trials retrieved, 642 were analyzed. Among these, 259 trials (40.34%) reported results via ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP, or publications, while 113 trials (17.60%) made results publicly available on ClinicalTrials.gov or ICTRP. Among the five andrological diseases, male infertility had the highest rate of result availability (37/74, 50%), whereas benign prostatic hyperplasia exhibited the lowest (71/190, 37.37%). No significant differences were found across diseases (χ² = 3.722, df = 4, p = .435). Factors such as study status, blinding, interventions, center type, location, and duration significantly influenced result availability, whereas study type, stage, funding, outcome indicators, and sample size did not. Clinical trials on andrological conditions show major gaps in registration and result disclosure, with low reporting rates and prevalent non-reporting and selective reporting. Developed countries dominate trial registration and result disclosure while developing countries have limited participation. Trial characteristics also influence result disclosure rates. These challenges compromise the integrity and credibility of research data, impede clinical practice, and hinder the progress of medical research. Measures are needed to improve transparency, reduce selective reporting, and enhance the rigor and credibility of andrology research.

This study investigates the multifaceted factors influencing adjustment to prostate cancer among older men in Esfahan, Iran, using the social ecological model (SEM) as a guiding framework. We employed a qualitative approach, conducting semistructured interviews with 19 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, aged 63 to 92 years (mean age = 71), and six key informants, including spouses and health care professionals. We thematically analyzed the data to identify challenges and facilitators in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental domains of the SEM. The findings revealed a dynamic interplay of factors shaping the adjustment process. Intrapersonal challenges included physical degeneration, psychological distress, stigma, and role reversal, countered by coping strategies such as adopting healthy habits and spirituality. Interpersonal dynamics encompassed family strain and denial, yet the presence of familial support and self-care significantly enhanced adjustment. On an environmental level, financial burdens and health care barriers posed significant challenges. The study furthermore highlighted critical issues like "dysmedication" and "body occupation" which impede effective coping. A complex network of personal, relational, and systemic factors influences the adjustment to prostate cancer among older Iranian men. We urgently need tailored, culturally sensitive interventions to address health care inequities, alleviate economic pressures, and enhance psychosocial support networks, thereby empowering older adults to navigate this challenging journey with greater resilience and dignity.