Suchergebnisse

BackgroundResearch on the relationship between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) has yielded mixed results. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent to which 3 measures of perceived risk accurately reflect 5 sexual risk behaviors in a sample of healthy, sexually active young adult women. A positive monotonic relationship between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk for STIs is hypothesized.MethodsA sample of 1192 female U.S. Marine Corps on their first duty assignment 10 to 11 months (on average) after graduation from recruit training answered a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire as part of a larger study evaluating an intervention to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancy that was administered during recruit training.ResultsAll but 1 of the 15 bivariate associations between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk for STIs was statistically significant. The expected positive monotonic relationship was observed except for condom use. Women who never used condoms during intercourse reported lower levels of perceived risk than occasional users and, in some subgroups, consistent condom users. Multivariate analyses further explored the relationship between condom use and perceived risk.ConclusionsThe results suggest that interventions directed at raising awareness of susceptibility to STIs should emphasize how the individual's own behavior puts them at risk, regardless of situation or context.

IntroductionRates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are higher among U.S. military personnel than their civilian counterparts. Yet there is a paucity of military-specific research that has utilized theoretical frameworks to describe the relative influence of the multiple and interrelated risk factors associated with STIs in this population of young, healthy men and women. The aim of this study was to examine the relative influence of Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills Model (IMB) factors known to be associated with condom use and STI diagnosis, as well as examine gender differences among a cohort of young, active duty enlistees who are in the very early stages of their military careers.Materials and methodsData were collected in 2011 to 2013 through self-administered questionnaires and laboratory-confirmed tests of STIs. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess IMB constructs, behavioral risk variables, and sociodemographic factors associated with STI diagnosis and condom use separately among female and male military personnel.ResultsSTIs among males were significantly associated with nonwhite race, lower STI behavioral intentions and STI behavioral skills, and engaging in sex after drinking alcohol. Further, males who reported more positive attitudes toward using condoms, higher confidence in preventing drinking, higher alcohol prevention norms among peers, a lower frequency of drinking alcohol before engaging in sexual intercourse, more sexual partners, and higher STI behavioral intentions were significantly more likely to report using condoms consistently during sexual encounters. Among female participants, a history of STIs was significantly associated with higher numbers of reported sexual partners and greater alcohol prevention efficacy while lifetime consistent condom use was significantly associated only with stronger intentions to avoid behaviors that might result in STI acquisition.ConclusionOur findings support the need for development of STI prevention strategies that include education and skills-building approaches to reduce alcohol misuse among enlisted military personnel, and especially male personnel. Such programs should include factors that uniquely influence the experiences of males and females in the military context.

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are higher among U.S. military personnel than their civilian counterparts. Yet there is a paucity of military-specific research that has utilized theoretical frameworks to describe the relative influence of the multiple and interrelated risk factors associated with STIs in this population of young, healthy men and women. The aim of this study was to examine the relative influence of Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills Model (IMB) factors known to be associated with condom use and STI diagnosis, as well as examine gender differences among a cohort of young, active duty enlistees who are in the very early stages of their military careers. Data were collected in 2011 to 2013 through self-administered questionnaires and laboratory-confirmed tests of STIs. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess IMB constructs, behavioral risk variables, and sociodemographic factors associated with STI diagnosis and condom use separately among female and male military personnel. STIs among males were significantly associated with nonwhite race, lower STI behavioral intentions and STI behavioral skills, and engaging in sex after drinking alcohol. Further, males who reported more positive attitudes toward using condoms, higher confidence in preventing drinking, higher alcohol prevention norms among peers, a lower frequency of drinking alcohol before engaging in sexual intercourse, more sexual partners, and higher STI behavioral intentions were significantly more likely to report using condoms consistently during sexual encounters. Among female participants, a history of STIs was significantly associated with higher numbers of reported sexual partners and greater alcohol prevention efficacy while lifetime consistent condom use was significantly associated only with stronger intentions to avoid behaviors that might result in STI acquisition. Our findings support the need for development of STI prevention strategies that include education and skills-building approaches to ...

We evaluated 55 irb chairs' perspectives on ethical issues in a hypothetical study involving mental health–related genomics research using stored specimens to identify potential barriers and solutions to such research. Most chairs identified the ethical issues of consent and confidentially as important. The majority of Chairs expressed concern about using materials in new research, especially concerning a mental health condition, that was not discussed in the original consent. Few Chairs considered permissible strategies, such as de-identification and waiver of consent, which could allow the proposed research to go forward without consent. Chairs who reviewed more protocols and had attended conferences on human subjects protection identified more of the salient ethical issues in the scenario. Our study could not determine whether Chairs were not familiar with the strategies of de-identification and waiver of consent, or believed that they did not adequately protect participants who had provided specimens for research. Thus, our findings suggest that investigators and IRBs should consider future use of specimens and obtain appropriate consent before collection of specimens. Furthermore, our findings suggest that IRBs can improve review of genomics research involving stored specimens by redesigning forms to prompt IRB members to consider some strategies, such as de-identification and Certificates of Confidentiality, that are recommended for this type of research and by sending members to conferences on human subjects protections and research ethics.