HIV-protection through condom use: Testing the theory of planned behaviour in a community sample of heterosexual men in a high-income country

Given the increasing importance of heterosexual HIV-transmission in Europe and Switzerland, the present study tested the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in a prospective study on the HIV-protection behaviour in a community sample of heterosexual men. The study focused on condom use in sexual encounters with new partners. Participants were 982 Swiss men between the ages of 25 and 65 who were surveyed using standardised questionnaires in two computer-assisted telephone interviews that took place in autumn 2002 and spring 2003. The TPB was able to predict condom use in sexual encounters with new and casual partners. In accordance with the theory, condom use was predicted by intention. Perceived behavioural control and attitude were significant predictors of intention, whereas subjective norm was not. Thus, in line with other studies, the present study highlighted the somewhat limited explanatory power of the theory. Further theoretical and empirical work is needed to develop extensions to the theory.     

How much behaviour change should we expect from health promotion campaigns targeting cognitions? An approach to pre-intervention assessment

For those planning interventions based on social cognition models, it is usually not clear what impact on behaviour will follow from attempts to change the cognitions specified in these models. We describe a statistical simulation technique to assess the likely impact of health promotion targeting Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)-based predictors of condom use. We apply regression-based simulation techniques to data from the SHARE project (n?=?756 Scottish adolescents) to assess the potential impact of changes in cognitions on condom use. Results support the predictive utility of TRA-based models of psychological antecedents of condom use but also provide a cautionary warning about the magnitude of behaviour change likely to be achieved by interventions based on such models.     

Psychoimmunology and aids: Psychological distress and herpes simplex virus in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals

Abstract

No studies investigating the relationship of herpesviruses and psychological distress in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are available in the literature. Antibody titers for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr (EBV) and Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) were assessed from sera drawn at the lime of psychological testing for one hundred HIV seropositive subjects. Increased psychological distress was correlated with increased titers of antibody to HSV, but not to CMV or EBV. Psychological distress may play a role in the devastating HSV infections experienced by immune deficient individuals. A stress mediated reactivation/potentiation hypothesis is discussed, where distress reactivates latent HSV which in turn potentiates HIV replication. These results may have implications for treatment of individuals co-infected with HIV and HSV.     

The relationship of social support to physical and psychological aspects of AIDS

Abstract

This study explored the social support networks of 50 homosexual males with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Data gathered by self report questionnaires and medical records included diagnosis, number of medical symptoms, sociodemographics, extensive information about social support networks, mood state and physical health status. Variables associated with good psychological and physical adaptation included satisfaction with support, instrumental support and emotional support. Results of this study conflict with previous studies in that worse physical condition was not positively associated with satisfaction with support, was related to less instrumental support and was not associated with increased quantitative support. The measures of satisfaction with support, instrumental support and emotional support were all quite high, even though network size was small.     

An evaluation of the UK government health education campaign on AIDS

In the absence of an effective treatment for HI V the only means of containing its spread is through changes in behaviour. Health education is a key route for achieving this. To be effective, a health education campaign must result in behaviour change. The United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Security has attempted to address these needs in a recent health education campaign, which took the form of whole page newspaper advertisements in the national press. Groups of higher and lower risk subjects were questioned before and after the campaign. The desire for information was high and the vast majority of respondents named the medical profession as the desired source to turn to. 31.1% of the lower risk group and 50% of the higher risk group noticed and read the campaign. Information scores were slightly increased but the campaign had no effect on adjusting misconceptions and anxiety was not lowered. Attitudes and behaviour were unaltered. These results are discussed in the light of a content analysis of the campaign.     

The utility of McGill pain questionnaire subscales for discriminating psychologica disorder in chronic pain patients

Abstract

The practice of separately scoring the sensory, affective and evaluative suhscules of the McGill Pain Questionnaire has not bccn unequivocally supported hy rcsearch, While there is moderate support for the three-factor Structure of this scale, recent studies have revealed strong intercorrelations among these factors and have not supported thcir differential predictive ahility. Present factor analytic results provide support for solutions involving a global factor in conjunction with either two or three subscale factors. The differential relationships of the sensory and affective factors to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Zung Dcpression Inventory demonstrate support for the validity of separately scoring the two factors in chronic pain patients. Preliminary guidelines are provided for the clinical use of the MPQ to discriminate psychological disorder in chronic pain patients.     

Sexuality And The Internet

Supporters of dominant scientific theories sometimes attack competing, less favoured theories in ways that conflict with expectations of proper scientific behaviour, for example by using double standards. To reduce concern about their actions, supporters can use a variety of techniques: cover up the violation of expectations; devalue the competing theory and its advocates; interpret the process as proper; use expert panels, meetings and other formal processes to give a stamp of approval to the dominant view; and intimidate opponents. These are the same five methods used regularly by perpetrators of actions widely seen as unjust, such as violent attacks on peaceful protesters. When these methods fail, the attack can backfire on the attackers. Orthodox scientists’ treatment of the theory that AIDS originated from contaminated polio vaccines used in Africa in the 1950s illustrates how this framework can be applied to science. Opponents of this theory have used all five methods of inhibiting concern about violations of expected scientific behaviour. This analysis shows why supporters of orthodoxy have a tactical advantage over challengers.     

病耻感对于精神病患者的影响以及文化对策

本文分析三种类型歧视所造成的患者及其家属的痛耻感,论述我们应当如何利用适当的文化应对策略来消除歧视、减少病耻感,从而有效地克服病耻感对于患者及其家属的负面影响。文化差异与病耻感的形成直接相关,文化作为一个重要变量,影响着精神卫生问题以及相应的服务政策,深入研究和认识儒家文化的核心价值有助于减少对于精神病患者的歧视,帮助他们克服病耻感。中国道家文化推崇道法自然,无为而治,可以发展出有效的心理疗法,对于精神疾病是一剂对症的良药。     

家属参与授权教育对老年原发性高血压伴同型半胱氨酸血症患者管理中的应用

探讨家属参与授权教育对老年原发性高血压伴同型半胱氨酸血症患者的干预效果.选取120名老年原发性高血压伴同型半胱氨酸血症患者,随机分成试验组和对照组,每组60名,两组均采取相同的药物治疗,给予常规的授权教育模式.试验组在此基础上给予家属参与授权教育模式,为期6个月.试验组与对照组比较,总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三脂（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）及血压值低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;试验组的生存质量及满意度评分均高于对照组,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.经过为期6个月的健康教育干预,这一模式取得了较好的效果.