Men's Clinic Research Articles

Real Men Do Good Sex: Black South African Masculinities in Men's Clinic International Adverts

This article focuses on the representations of black masculinities in television advertisements for Men's Clinic International, a popular franchise of clinics in South Africa that specialises in men's sexual and reproductive health. It explores the ideological assumptions underlying the various constructions of manhood portrayed in the adverts in relation to men's sexual health. Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis of the texts, namely the centrality of the phallic, masculinity as a sexual performance and the nature and representation of femininities. The article discusses how the adverts work to portray models of black masculinity and male sexuality in such a way that “true” manhood is framed as heterosexual, monogamous, intertwined with male vulnerabilities, performance-based and largely dependent on the female partner's sexual satisfaction.

A Computable Phenotype Model for Classification of Men Who Have Sex With Men Within a Large Linked Database of Laboratory, Surveillance, and Administrative Healthcare Records.

Background: Most public health datasets do not include sexual orientation measures, thereby limiting the availability of data to monitor health disparities, and evaluate tailored interventions. We therefore developed, validated, and applied a novel computable phenotype model to classify men who have sex with men (MSM) using multiple health datasets from British Columbia, Canada, 1990–2015.Methods: Three case surveillance databases, a public health laboratory database, and five administrative health databases were linked and deidentified (BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort), resulting in a retrospective cohort of 727,091 adult men. Known MSM status from the three disease case surveillance databases was used to develop a multivariable model for classifying MSM in the full cohort. Models were selected using “elastic-net” (GLMNet package) in R, and a final model optimized area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. We compared characteristics of known MSM, classified MSM, and classified heterosexual men.Findings: History of gonorrhea and syphilis diagnoses, HIV tests in the past year, history of visit to an identified gay and bisexual men's clinic, and residence in MSM-dense neighborhoods were all positively associated with being MSM. The selected model had sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 94%. Excluding those with known MSM status, a total of 85,521 men (12% of cohort) were classified as MSM.Interpretation: Computable phenotyping is a promising approach for classification of sexual minorities and investigation of health outcomes in the absence of routinely available self-report data.

Modifying the health system to maximize voluntary medical male circumcision uptake: a qualitative study in Botswana.

BackgroundIn 2007, the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS endorsed voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) as an add-on HIV-prevention strategy. Similar to many other sub-Saharan countries, VMMC uptake in Botswana has been low; as of February 2016, only 42.7% of the program target had been achieved. Previous work has examined how individual-level factors, such as knowledge and attitudes, influence the update of VMMC. This paper examines how factors related to the health system can be leveraged to maximize uptake of circumcision services, with a focus on demand creation, access to services, and service delivery.MethodsTwenty-seven focus group discussions with 238 participants were conducted in four communities in Botswana among men (stratified by circumcision status and age), women (stratified by age), and community leaders. A semi-structured guide was used by a trained same-gender interviewer to facilitate discussions, which were audio recorded, transcribed, translated to English, and analyzed using an inductive analytic approach.ResultsParticipants felt demand creation activities utilizing age- and gender-appropriate mobilizers and community leaders were more effective than mass media campaigns. Participants felt improved access to VMMC clinics would facilitate service uptake, as would designated men’s clinics with male-friendly providers for VMMC service delivery. Additionally, providing comprehensive pre-procedure counseling and education, outlining the benefits and disadvantages of the surgical procedure, and explaining the differences between the surgical and non-surgical procedures, were suggested by participants to increase understanding and uptake of VMMC.ConclusionCultural acceptability of circumcision services can be improved by engaging age- and gender-appropriate community mobilizers. Involving influential community leaders, providing a forum for men to discuss health issues, and bringing services closer to people can increase VMMC utilization. Service delivery can be improved by communicating the pros and cons of the procedure to the clients for informed decision-making.

Pilot evaluation of the Making Employment Needs [MEN] Count intervention: Addressing behavioral and structural HIV risks in heterosexual Black men

Few community-based HIV interventions exist for Black men at heterosexual risk for HIV. None focus on structural HIV risks such as unemployment and unstable housing. This study involved a pilot evaluation of the MEN (Making Employment Needs) Count HIV intervention, a three session peer counselor-delivered program of HIV risk reduction and gender-equity counseling, and employment and housing case management. A single-arm intervention trial of MEN Count was conducted with Black men recruited from a community men's clinic and social services program. Eligible men were those who reported two or more sex partners in the past six months and current unemployment and/or recent homelessness. Most participants (68%) had a history of incarceration. Participants (N = 50) were surveyed on outcomes at baseline (Time 1), posttest (Time 2; 60–90 days after baseline), and two-month follow-up (Time 3). The majority of participants were retained in the program (86%) and the final follow-up survey (76%). McNemar tests revealed significant reductions in the past 30-day unprotected sex from Time 1 (74%) to Time 2 (47%) and to Time 3 (47%), and in homelessness from Time 1 (58%) to Time 3 (32%). Significant increases in employment from Time 1 (8%) to Time 2 (29%) and Time 3 (32%) were also seen. Participants completed a brief participant satisfaction survey at posttest. Most (n=28, 65%) rated the program as excellent, and an additional 10 (23%) rated it as good. Although there was no significant reduction in multiple sex partners, a trend was observed from Time 1 (56%) to Time 2 (44%) and Time 3 (42%). Findings suggest that the MEN Count model is a feasible and promising HIV prevention program for Black men at heterosexual risk for HIV. Larger scale implementation and more rigorous evaluation of MEN Count are needed to confirm the study findings.

Managing chlamydia infections in young men: results from an audit of a public men's clinic in New York City

Research on management of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among men has largely been neglected. Findings from an audit of 284 CT-infected men from 2004 to 2005 attending a young men's clinic primarily serving Latino men in New York City, NY, USA, are presented. Ninety-nine percent received treatment, with 81% treated within 14 days of a positive test. Three percent reported no partner in the last three months, 17% were referred by a CT-positive partner and 24% were missing partner information. Among the rest, 18% received expedited partner therapy, 4% directly observed therapy, 12% partner referral and 65% did not receive documented partner management. Of the 34% who had a post-treatment visit at least three months after their index visit, only 36% received a test for re-infection. Among primarily Latino men in an urban clinic in New York City, a high proportion of CT cases were treated in a timely manner. However, documentation of partner management was often lacking and few CT cases received tests for re-infection.

Setting up a men's clinic has never been an easy task. I have done it, and here is my story

Setting up a men's clinic has never been an easy task. I have done it, and here is my story

The Young Men's Clinic: addressing men's reproductive health and responsibilities.

The Young Men's Clinic: addressing men's reproductive health and responsibilities.

The Young Men's Clinic: Addressing Men's Reproductive Health and Responsibilities

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive HealthVolume 35, Issue 5 p. 220-225 The Young Men's Clinic: Addressing Men's Reproductive Health and Responsibilities Bruce Armstrong, Corresponding Author Bruce Armstrong Bruce Armstrong is director, Young Men's Clinic, and associate clinical professor, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York.Author contact: ba5@columbia.eduSearch for more papers by this author Bruce Armstrong, Corresponding Author Bruce Armstrong Bruce Armstrong is director, Young Men's Clinic, and associate clinical professor, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York.Author contact: ba5@columbia.eduSearch for more papers by this author First published: 12 February 2007 https://doi.org/10.1363/3522003Citations: 23AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume35, Issue5September 2003Pages 220-225 RelatedInformation

The Young Men's Clinic: Addressing Men's Reproductive Health and Responsibilities

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive HealthVolume 35, Issue 5 p. 220-225 The Young Men's Clinic: Addressing Men's Reproductive Health and Responsibilities Bruce Armstrong, Corresponding Author Bruce Armstrong Bruce Armstrong is director, Young Men's Clinic, and associate clinical professor, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York.Author contact: ba5@columbia.eduSearch for more papers by this author Bruce Armstrong, Corresponding Author Bruce Armstrong Bruce Armstrong is director, Young Men's Clinic, and associate clinical professor, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York.Author contact: ba5@columbia.eduSearch for more papers by this author First published: 12 February 2007 https://doi.org/10.1363/3522003Citations: 23AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume35, Issue5September 2003Pages 220-225 RelatedInformation

Clinic Men's Health

Mr Patel needs encouragement to reveal to his practice nurse that his diabetes may be causing his impotence. Ian Peate shows how a sensitive approach can help him.

Men’s health

While men’s health is covered in primary and secondary cardiac clinics, actual Well Men clinics are few and far between. Aimed at the UK market, UK and USA medical experts give detailed and well referenced information covering heart disease, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, diseases linked to male deaths. There are also chapters on male sexual dysfunction, male infertility, sexually transmitted diseases, osteoporosis, common sports injuries, and suicide, an increasing problem in young men. This publication has come at a time when PCG/Ts are looking for innovative ideas to improve the health of the community. IT would be an excellent reference book but the price will prohibit individual nurses from purchasing it.

Involving men in reproductive health: the Young Men's Clinic.

This report describes the population of young men who use the Young Men's Clinic in New York City, presents a profile of their reproductive behaviors, and describes the clinic's model of service delivery. Data were gathered through a routine clinic visit form administered by clinic staff. The clinic sees approximately 1200 predominately Dominican young men each year for a wide range of clinical and mental health services. Two thirds of clients had ever been sexually active, three quarters had ever used birth control, and 69% had used birth control at their last sexual encounter. The Young Men's Clinic may serve as a model for health care delivery to adolescent and young adult males.

Las representaciones sociales sobre la esterilización masculina. El punto de vista de los orientadores del servicio de vasectomía en la Clínica del Hombre, en Bogotá, Colombia

Vasectomy service providers at the Clínica del Hombre (Men's Clinic) in Bogotá, Colombia, construct their representations concerning male sterilization on the basis of biomedical discourse, their interaction with clinic users, and their own life experiences. During provision of such services, the counselors are the health professionals who have the closest contact with these clients of the clinic. Counselors are in charge of exploring their motivations in requesting the service, in addition to providing information allowing them to take a calm, sound decision. They also directly filter demand based on their experience, knowledge, and skills, in permanent negotiation between institutional criteria (number of children and gap between them, client's age, steadiness of couple's relationship, and conviction concerning the decision), and their perception and assessment of the client. An analysis of the counselors' representations of decision-making as pertaining to vasectomy indicates that it is a relatively simple and harmless procedure as well as a liberating option in terms of family planning.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases in College Men: A Preliminary Clinical Investigation

Continuing efforts to educate college students about the dangers of unprotected sexual intercourse have resulted in little evidence of positive change in sexual behavior. This clinical study examined the sexual behavior, perceived risk of human immunodeficiency virus, and pathology of 66 university men attending a health center's men's clinic for treatment of sexually transmitted disease (STD). The study demonstrated the existence of a high-risk group of men who, despite sexually transmitted disease pathology, high numbers of sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, and delays in seeking treatment, perceive their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS as being extremely low. This preliminary investigation suggests the need for specific education interventions and future in-depth studies of this population.