Protective Behaviors Research Articles

Digital Interventions to Modify Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors in a National Sample of Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Young adults engage in behaviors that place them at risk for skin cancer. Dissemination of digital health promotion interventions via social media is a potentially promising strategy to modify skin cancer risk behaviors by increasing UV radiation (UVR) protection and skin cancer examinations. This study aimed to compare 3 digital interventions designed to modify UVR exposure, sun protection, and skin cancer detection behaviors among young adults at moderate to high risk of skin cancer. This study was a hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial of 2 active interventions, a digital skin cancer risk reduction intervention (UV4.me [basic]) compared with an enhanced version (UV4.me2 [enhanced]), and an electronic pamphlet (e-pamphlet). Intervention effects were assessed over the course of a year among 1369 US young adults recruited primarily via Facebook and Instagram. Enhancements to encourage intervention engagement and behavior change included more comprehensive goal-setting activities, ongoing proactive messaging related to previously established mediators (eg, self-efficacy) of UVR exposure and protection, embedded incentives for module completion, and ongoing news and video updates. Primary outcome effects assessed via linear regression were UVR exposure and sun protection and protection habits. Secondary outcome effects assessed via logistic regression were skin self-exams, physician skin exams, sunscreen use, indoor tanning, and sunburn. The active interventions increased sun protection (basic: P=.02; enhanced: P<.001) and habitual sun protection (basic: P=.04; enhanced P=.01) compared with the e-pamphlet. The enhanced intervention increased sun protection more than the basic one. Each active intervention increased sunscreen use at the 3-month follow-up (basic: P=.03; enhanced: P=.01) and skin self-exam at 1 year (basic: P=.04; enhanced: P=.004), compared with the e-pamphlet. Other intervention effects and differences between the Basic and Enhanced Intervention effects were nonsignificant. The active interventions were effective in improving several skin cancer risk and skin cancer prevention behaviors. Compared with the basic intervention, the enhanced intervention added to the improvement in sun protection but not other behaviors. Future analyses will explore intervention engagement (eg, proportion of content reviewed). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03313492; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03313492.

Ethnic affiliation and protective sexual behaviours among youth in Nigeria.

Investing in the sexual and reproductive health of young adults can directly and indirectly contribute to accelerated economic growth. Looking beyond individual determinants of sexual behaviours and focusing on cultural factors such as ethnic affiliation are crucial for interventions and programme planning, particularly in a context like Nigeria. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design, this article explores the associations between ethnic affiliations and protective sexual behaviours of young adults in Nigeria. The quantitative data was derived from a representative sample of 1,393 male and female youth aged 16-24 years in three states purposively selected from three regions in Nigeria, while qualitative data was based on 18 focus groups and 36 in-depth interviews. The quantitative data was analysed using frequency distributions and regressions, while content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive results showed that abstinence was higher for Hausa (80%) young adults compared with Yoruba (72%) and Igbo (68%) young adults. Condom use was lowest for Hausa (56%) young adults compared with Igbo (80%) and Yoruba (81%) young adults. The effect of education on abstinence differed by ethnicity and living with two parents was associated with a higher likelihood of abstinence among youth in all ethnic groups. Fear of early fatherhood and unplanned pregnancy was a prominent reason for protective sexual behaviour among Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa young adults. The findings from this study show that young adults who engage in protective sexual behaviours may identify different rationales for this behaviour based on their ethnic background. Programme planners interested in promoting and encouraging protective sexual behaviours should recognize these multiple reasons across different ethnic affiliations to scale up and sustain existing interventions.

Time Perspective and Motivation to Protective behaviours against Covid-19 in Italian young people

Health Psychology highlights the complexity of factors that influences the individual decision to adopt one, or more, protective behaviours for avoiding diseases and adverse health outcomes. One of the most relevant theory is the Protection Motivation Theory (Rogers, 1975), which has been adopted for identifying the psychological factors involved in many protection behaviours. Another relevant construct for healthy behaviours is represented by the Time Perspective (Zimbardo &amp; Boyd, 1999). This study analysed the relationships between the Protection Motivation Theory applied on Covid-19 and Time Perspective in Italian young people.A group of 130 young people (m. age 26.4; 40 males and 90 females) participated in the study, filling in the Swedish Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Motivation to Protect against Covid-19 Questionnaire. Three single items furthermore explored the prevailingly sources of information for Covid-19 (social media such as Facebook; traditional media such as TV; specialistic magazines such as Le Scienze) used and a single item tested the level of mistrust in Political Institutions and mass-media and its association with protection motivation, beliefs and perceived vulnerability to Covid-19.Perceived vulnerability to Covid-19 and use of protections and perceived efficacy of protections, show positive correlations with Future Positive; beliefs on Covid-19 vaccine resulted as negatively correlated with Present Fatalistic; a positive correlation between mistrust in political institutions and Present Fatalistic has been found. Social media (such as Facebook, Instagram) and traditional mass media (such as TV) as preferred systems of information are both positively correlated with beliefs on Covid-19 vaccine, perceived vulnerability and use of protections, highlighting the role of new forms of circulation of information, but also the relevance of traditional ones for young people. Perceived vulnerability to Covid-19, perceived efficacy of protections give a positive contribution to the intention to get vaccinated; mistrust in political institutions and media on the contrary reduces the intention to take the vaccine.Results are discussed in relations to preventive interventions on the young population for the improvement of self-awareness of persistence of this virus and consequently the necessity of adopting self-protection, with special attention to vaccination. The relevance of time perspective dimensions for protection suggests to include it in the programs devoted to reduce the risk of contagion.

Pengaruh Teknik Relaksasi Nafas Dalam terhadap Penurunan Nyeri Post Sectio Caesarea

Birth can be done in two ways: normal or spontaneous delivery (born through the vagina) and abnormal delivery or delivery with the help of a procedure such as Caesarea Sectio (SC). In the process of cesarean section, surgery is performed, including cuts in the abdomen of the mother (laparatomy) and the uterus (histerectomy) to remove the baby. The study aims to identify nursing orphanages and pain disorders in patients with post-caesarean sections with therapeutic breathing relaxation techniques. This research uses a type of qualitative research with a case study approach on a single subject in the Sakura Room of RSUD H. Andi Depu. The results of this study obtained major and minor data at the time of post-operative examination patients complained of pain, shivering, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and protective behavior. With the data of the study can be formulated nursing diagnosis with discomfort pain. The evaluation was obtained after being given nursing care for 3x24 hours, nursing problems with pain and comfort disorders were resolved. The conclusion is that providing breath relaxation therapy can reduce the pain scale of post-cesarean section patients.

Welfare enhancement or environment improvement: How does China's rural revitalization assistance policy work? Evidence from China

AbstractIn the context of sustainable development, the greatest challenge facing society today is to improve welfare of the disadvantaged while preserving the environment. This paper constructed a theoretical framework of “policy‐welfare‐environment,” explored the effects in terms of individual welfare enhancement and village environment improvement, and conduct empirical tests on a sample of 1208 rural households in China. The results show that: (1) The assistance policy can significantly improve the overall welfare of the disadvantaged groups, and meanwhile, it can improve different dimensions of welfare, with the degree from high to low was a social opportunity, spiritual feeling, and economic situation. (2) The assistance policy can increase the probability of adopting environmental protection behavior, which in turn can significantly improve the village environment. (3) Welfare improvements in social opportunities mediate between the assistance policy and village environment improvements, while improvements in spiritual feelings and economic status do not. In addition, there is age heterogeneity in the welfare enhancement effect of the policy in the economic status dimension and the spiritual feeling dimension. The conclusions provide valuable policy enlightenment for assistance policy formulation and environmental governance, and can protect the ecological environment while improving public welfare, which is in line with the trend of sustainable development.

The application of 2-(3-nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,2-α]pyridine as an effective corrosion-defender for steel in acidic environment

Metal corrosion in acidic settings presents serious problems for many industrial areas. The creation of corrosion inhibitors that are efficient, long-lasting, and ecologically benign is essential. This study introduces a novel corrosion inhibitor, 2-(3-nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,2-α]pyridine (NIP), which was synthesized for protecting mild steel in 1 M HCl. The synthesized NIP was evaluated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Potentio-dynamic Polarization (PDP), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy X-ray analysis (EDX), and theoretical approache, including Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations (MCs). NIP demonstrated outstanding protection behavior, reaching a peak of 91.47 % at a concentration of 1.00 mM. PDP studies classified NIP as a mixed-type inhibitor that effectively mitigated both anodic and cathodic reactions. SEM and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the structural steels, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxides, indicating the presence of the inhibiting agent. DFT calculations identified the imidazole ring and heteroatoms (N and O) as the active sites for corrosion inhibition. The adsorption behavior of NIP on the metal surface has been studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The inhibitory efficiency of NIP was evaluated across a temperature range of 298–323 K, and the results showed a decrease in efficacy with increasing temperature, which provides crucial information for practical applications. The Langmuir model fit indicated a mixed mode of physical and chemical adsorption, with a calculated ΔG°ads value of −33.76 kJ/mol. This novel approach pinpointed reactive sites within the NIP, enhancing our understanding of its protective mechanism at the molecular level.

The pathway to maternal protective parenting behavior: Maternal physiology, child temperament, and maternal beliefs.

Protective parenting, when enacted in contexts that do not require it, predicts child anxiety. Both child (e.g., temperament) and maternal (e.g., physiology and cognition) factors relate to parenting behavior, supporting family systems theory. In order to better understand the development of environmental risk for child anxiety, the present study applied the integrated social information and emotion processing theory to protective parenting, assessing concurrent relations among child temperament, maternal physiology, maternal cognitions, and protective parenting in toddlerhood. The present study also investigated whether the theory could be applied to longitudinal relations, testing cognition as a mechanism by which maternal physiology and child temperament predict maternal protective parenting over time. Study participants included 189 mothers (89.9% White, 2.1% Hispanic, 32.3% with annual household income ≤ $40,000) and children (55.6% male, 81.0% White, 3.7% Hispanic). Results indicated that the theory was partially applicable to both concurrent and prospective mother-child relations implicated in child anxiety development. Namely, child inhibited temperament (IT) related concurrently to maternal beliefs about the harm of child anxiety at child age 1 year, and to maternal protective parenting at child ages 2 and 3 years. Maternal baseline respiratory sinus arrythmia related to protective parenting at child age 3 years. Longitudinally, maternal beliefs at child age 1 year predicted maternal perceptions of child IT at child age 2 years. Maternal beliefs at child age 2 years predicted maternal protective parenting at child age 3 years. Although the mechanistic role of cognition was not supported, child emotion processes and maternal cognitions may uniquely contribute to maternal protective parenting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of participation in cooperatives on the cultivated land quality protection behavior of grain family farms: evidence from China

Effects of participation in cooperatives on the cultivated land quality protection behavior of grain family farms: evidence from China

Relationships between effective safety training, safety knowledge and personal protective equipment related behaviors among firefighters

Introduction: Firefighter injuries and fatalities have been attributed to improper or ineffective use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Although studies have examined predictors of PPE to include situational, leadership, stressors and other psychosocial factors, research has not thoroughly examined the relationships between effective safety training administration, knowledge creation, and the influence of those factors on PPE use among firefighters. Method: This study aimed to assess those relationships by using structural equation modeling analysis. Results: The model fit was good, and findings confirmed the hypothesized model and relationships, which included a positive, significant relationship between effective safety training and safety knowledge and positive, significant relationships between safety knowledge and PPE-related safety behavior outcomes, including the effective use of PASS devices, the correct use of SCBA and PPE during overhaul operations, and the correct use and inspection of PPE among firefighters in general. Practical Applications: Findings support the importance of safety training in the fire service to bolster knowledge and correct PPE use.

Effect of Heat Treatment Temperature on Isothermal Oxidation of Ni-based Fe-33Ni-19Cr Alloy

This project studies the influence of different grain sizes of Ni-based Fe-33Ni-19Cr alloy obtained from heat treatment procedure on high temperature isothermal oxidation. Heat treatment procedure was carried out at two different temperatures, namely 1000℃ and 1200℃ for 3 hours of soaking time, followed by quenching in the water. These samples are denoted as T1000 and T1200. The heat-treated Ni-based Fe-33Ni-19Cr alloy was subjected to an isothermal oxidation test at 950℃ for 150 hours exposure. Oxidized heat-treated alloys were tested in terms of oxidation kinetics, phase analysis and surface morphology of oxidized samples. Oxidation kinetics were determine based on weight change per surface area as a function of exposure time. Phase analysis was determined using the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and surface morphology of oxidized samples was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result, the heat treatment procedure shows varying grain sizes. The higher the heat treatment temperature, shows an increase in grain size with a decrease in hardness value. The oxidation kinetics for both heat-treated samples showed an increment pattern of weight change and followed a parabolic rate law. The oxidized T1000 sample recorded the lowest parabolic rate constant of 3.12×10–8 mg2cm–4s–1, indicating a low oxidation rate, thus having good oxidation resistance. Phase analysis from the XRD technique recorded several oxide phases consisting of Cr2O3, MnCr2O4, and (Ti0.97Cr0.03)O2 oxide phases. In addition, a uniform oxide layer is formed on the oxidized T1000 sample, indicating good oxide scale adhesion, thereby improving the protective oxide behavior.

Concordance of HIV Prevention Advocacy Reports and its Associations with HIV Protective Behaviors

Peer advocacy can promote HIV protective behaviors, but little is known about the concordance on prevention advocacy(PA) reports between people living with HIV(PLWH) and their social network members. We examined prevalence and correlates of such concordance, and its association with the targeted HIV protective behavior of the social network member. Data were analyzed from 193 PLWH(index participants) and their 599 social network members(alters). Kappa statistics measured concordance between index and alter reports of PA in the past 3 months. Logistic and multinomial regressions evaluated the relationship between advocacy concordance and alter condom use and HIV testing behavior and correlates of PA concordance. Advocacy concordance was observed in 0.3% of index-alter dyads for PrEP discussion, 9% for condom use, 18% for HIV testing, 26% for care engagement, and 49% for antiretroviral use discussions. Fewer indexes reported condom use(23.5% vs. 28.1%;\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${ \\chi }^{2}$$\\end{document}=3.7, p=0.05) and HIV testing(30.5% vs. 50.5%; \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\chi }^{2}$$\\end{document}=25.3, p<0.001) PA occurring. Condom advocacy concordance was higher if the index and alter were romantic partners(OR=3.50; p=0.02), and lower if the index was 10 years younger than the alter(OR=0.23; p = 0.02). Alters had higher odds of using condoms with their main partner when both reported condom advocacy compared to dyads where neither reported advocacy(OR=3.90; p<0.001) and compared to dyads where only the index reported such advocacy(OR = 3.71; p=0.01). Age difference and relationship status impact advocacy agreement, and concordant perceptions of advocacy are linked to increased HIV protective behaviors. Alters’ perceptions may be crucial for behavior change, informing strategies for improving advocacy.

The effects of an educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory on the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundEmergency ward nurses face a variety of occupational hazards due to the nature of their occupational and professional duties, which can negatively affect their health. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory on the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards in Tehran, Iran, in 2023.MethodsThe present quasi-experimental study was conducted with two intervention and control groups, using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 124 nurses working in the emergency wards of four hospitals (two hospitals for the intervention group and two hospitals for the control group by random assignment) were selected by multistage sampling method. The educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory was implemented for the intervention group for three weeks. The nurses of both groups completed a demographic questionnaire and the scale of emergency ward nurses’ protective behaviors against occupational hazards before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential methods.ResultsThe two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics at the baseline (p > 0.05). Protective behaviors of emergency nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomics, and psychosocial hazards) were higher in the intervention group than in the control group immediately and one month after the educational intervention. In addition, the measurement over time also showed the positive effect of time and educational intervention on the protective behaviors of emergency nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales in the intervention group.ConclusionThese findings showed that the educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory can be effective and helpful in improving the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales. Future studies can focus on a more specific design of this kind of intervention based on the type of occupational hazards and needs of nurses in different wards.

Unappreciated healthcare inequality against PM2.5-related mortality risk

Understanding the inequality of PM2.5-related health is crucial for promoting health, building a just society, and advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals goals. However, previous research has predominantly concentrated on PM2.5 exposure inequality, neglecting varied prompt responses and protective behaviors against it. Here, we established the relationship between short-term healthcare expenditure and PM2.5 concentration using the number and amount of healthcare transactions across all healthcare categories based on the Union Pay data. We also assessed daily city-specific PM2.5-related mortality and healthcare expenditures and evaluated their inequalities among cities according to the income inequality index, the Gini coefficient. The results show that short-term exposure to PM2.5 leads to severe physiological and health-related economic burdens on Chinese residents. From 2017 to 2019, 77.8 (34.5–121.1) thousand deaths were attributed to daily PM2.5, with healthcare expenditures reaching 93.7 (69.1–118.3) billion Chinese Yuan. Additionally, there were significant inequalities in PM2.5-related mortality and healthcare expenditures among cities. The inequality index for PM2.5-related healthcare expenditures was 0.53, while the inequality index for PM2.5-related mortality was 0.13. The greater inequality in healthcare expenditures than in mortality, implying inadequate healthcare resources amplify the health inequality related to PM2.5 exposure. 28.6% of Chinese cities lacked affordable healthcare resources to address the high physiological burden attributable to PM2.5. Our multidimensional exploration is essential for formulating effective policies addressing environmental health inequality. Focusing on these cities with disproportionate challenges is crucial for creating a more equitable and sustainable society.

Advanced nanocomposite coating for aluminium alloy with enhanced corrosion resistance, flame retardancy, and mechanical strength in aircraft manufacturing industries

Nanocomposites incorporating impermeable two-dimensional materials offer promising solutions for safeguarding metals against corrosion. Here, we explore the integration of [3-(2-aminoethylamino)butyl]triethoxysilane (ABES) functionalized tantalum nitride (Ta3N5) into a coating matrix, leveraging Ta3N5's exceptional chemical and thermal stability to enhance the barrier effect. When combined with graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) within polyurethane (PU), functionalized Ta3N5 contributes to enhanced corrosion resistance and fire-retardant capabilities. Evaluation of aluminium's protective behavior in chloride environments using electrochemical methods reveals significant improvements with varying amounts of functionalized Ta3N5/GCN in PU coatings. The resulting PU composite exhibits superior flame retardation, evidenced by substantial reductions in peak heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke production (TSP) compared to pure PU. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements demonstrate enhanced coating resistance (8.75×10¹¹ Ω.cm²) for PU/functionalized Ta3N5/GCN, even after 45 days of exposure to the electrolyte. Additionally, the newly formulated PU/functionalized Ta3N5/GCN coating exhibits exceptional water repellency, boasting a water contact angle (WCA) of 165°. Regarding mechanical properties, PU/functionalized Ta3N5/GCN displays favorable adhesion strength and hardness within the PU substrate, ensuring sustained integrity even under prolonged immersion. Consequently, this nanocomposite holds promise as a valuable coating component in aerospace applications. Therefore, the integration of functionalized Ta3N5/GCN within the PU matrix represents a novel approach to developing multifunctional coatings with improved performance across various metrics essential for aerospace materials. This work contributes significantly to advancing the field by offering novel solutions for corrosion protection and fire resistance, setting a new standard for the development of advanced coatings in aerospace and beyond.

Human awareness and behavior on the driving of sustainable city environment

As urbanization accelerates and population density & activities increase, the conflict between humans and urban environmental issues becomes prominent. The demand for urban environmental protection involving broad participation of human (e.g., citizens) is rising. Media play a key role in promoting environmental protection awareness and behaviors of citizens. However, there is still a disconnect between media information and citizens' awareness and behaviors, of which the synergistic associations have not been analyzed. This study synthetically explored the coupling relationship between media channels (including traditional & digital media) and environmental protection awareness & behaviors of citizens in Chinese cities through the questionnaire survey. Although the usage rate of traditional media was approximately 50% of that of digital media, traditional media had a significantly greater impact on bridging the gaps between environmental protection awareness and behaviors. Among citizens using the digital media, 60% exhibited weak awareness (e.g., concern level, risk awareness, anxious psychology and cognitive level) and behavior motivation (including recycling, low-carbon living, and public welfare) regarding environmental protection. Improvement measures were further proposed, including strengthening top-level government design, leveraging advanced digital technology, and providing more incentives to citizens. Our findings can contribute to human-driven urban environmental protection and the sustainable development of society.

Determining Factors Influencing Filipinos’ Behavioral Protection against COVID: Integrating Extended Protection Motivation Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Ergonomic Appraisal

This study examined the perceived protective behavior of Filipinos towards COVID-19. It utilized the extended protection motivation theory (PMT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) models with the integration of ergonomic appraisal, applying partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the factors affecting the protective behavior of Filipinos against COVID-19. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 3000 Filipino citizens to measure the factors and their relationships. Results showed that understanding COVID-19 significantly influences the Filipinos’ perceived virus severity and vulnerability. In turn, perceived severity, self-efficacy, attitude, and subjective norms were the significant factors that affected the behavioral intention, impacting protective behavior. In addition, cognitive and macro ergonomics have been found to be the factors that influence the protective behavior of Filipinos against COVID-19. Thus, the study’s findings can be used as a framework for developing pandemic response initiatives that aim to inform and educate Filipinos, especially those who do not have the privilege of accessing information. Lastly, the outcome of this study can be used as a theoretical framework for future researchers who aim to conduct a study in a similar discipline.

Structural disadvantage and HIV risk - comparing risk factors between trans women's partnerships with cis men and trans women sexual partners.

Little is known about differences in HIV risk for trans women by partner gender, particularly with respect to social determinants and partner-level circumstances that affect behavior. We examined differences in demographic, social determinants, and HIV-related risk behaviors for trans women with cis men and trans women sexual partners. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of trans women and their sexual partners conducted between April 2020 and January 2021. Interviews were held remotely during shelter-in-place due to Covid-19 via videoconference. Analysis characterizedassociations between HIV risk and protective behaviors comparing trans women with cisgender men partners to trans women with non-cisgender sexual partners. A total of 336 sexual partners were identified from 156 trans women. Trans women with cis men partners had significantly less education and employment and more incarceration and recidivism than trans women with trans women partners. Trans women and their cisgender men partners had shared experiences of unstable housing, incarceration, and HIV. Trans women with cisgender men partners reported significantly more sex exchange partners, receptive condomless sex, receptive or insertive condomless sex while using substances, and HIV infection compared to trans women with trans women partners. Trans women with cisgender men sexual partners faced higher HIV risk than trans women with trans women sexual partners. These risks may be related to the social and economic drivers that both trans women and their cis men partners faced, including barriers to education and employment, along with incarceration and recidivism. Interventions focused on economic stability, workforce development and post incarceration re-entry support for housing and employment for trans women with cis men partners and the cisgender men partners as well may have the most impact on reducing HIV risk and incidence.

Investigating the causal effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the adoption of protective behaviors in Japan: Insights from a fuzzy regression discontinuity design.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns emerged that vaccinated individuals might engage less in infection-preventive behaviors, potentially contributing to virus transmission. This study evaluates the causal effects of COVID-19 vaccination on such behaviors within Japan, highlighting the significance of understanding behavioral dynamics in public health strategies. Utilizing Japan's age-based vaccination priority for those born before April 1, 1957, this research employs a regression discontinuity design (RDD) to assess the vaccination's impact. Data from the fourth round of a longitudinal online survey, conducted from July 20 to 27, 2021, served as the basis for analyzing 14 infection-protective behaviors, including mask usage, handwashing, and avoiding crowds. A total of 12067 participants completed the survey. The analyzed sample size varied by outcome variable, ranging from 1499 to 5233. The analysis revealed no significant differences in the 14 behaviors examined among fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated individuals. This consistency across groups suggests that vaccination status did not significantly alter engagement in protective behaviors during the observation period. Empirical findings highlight the complexity of behavioral responses following vaccination, indicating that such responses may be influenced by various factors, rather than by vaccination status alone. Additionally, this result underscores the importance of crafting public health policies that account for the intricate interplay between vaccination and behavior. This study contributes to the broader discourse on managing responses to the pandemic and tailoring interventions to sustain or enhance protective health behaviors amid vaccination rollouts.

Hypotussic cough in persons with dysphagia: biobehavioral interventions and pathways to clinical implementation.

Cough is a powerful, protective expulsive behavior that assists in maintaining respiratory health by clearing foreign material, pathogens, and mucus from the airways. Therefore, cough is critical to survival in both health and disease. Importantly, cough protects the airways and lungs from both antegrade (e.g., food, liquid, saliva) and retrograde (e.g., bile, gastric acid) aspirate contents. Aspiration is often the result of impaired swallowing (dysphagia), which allows oral and/or gastric contents to enter the lung, especially in individuals who also have cough dysfunction (dystussia). Cough hyposensitivity, downregulation, or desensitization- collectively referred to as hypotussia- is common in individuals with dysphagia, and increases the likelihood that aspirated material will reach the lung. The consequence of hypotussia with reduced airway clearance can include respiratory tract infection, chronic inflammation, and long-term damage to the lung parenchyma. Despite the clear implications for health, the problem of managing hypotussia in individuals with dysphagia is frequently overlooked. Here, we provide an overview of the current interventions and treatment approaches for hypotussic cough. We synthesize the available literature to summarize research findings that advance our understanding of these interventions, as well as current gaps in knowledge. Further, we highlight pragmatic resources to increase awareness of hypotussic cough interventions and provide support for the clinical implementation of evidence-based treatments. In culmination, we discuss potential innovations and future directions for hypotussic cough research.

Survey of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding personal protection against COVID-19 in the post-pandemic era.

In the emerging post-pandemic era (the 'wavelet' era), humans must coexist with viruses for the foreseeable future, and personal protective behaviors will largely replace national-level preventive measures. In this new normal, encouraging the public to implement proper personal protective behaviors against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is vital to the sustainable development of cities and communities. This knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) survey conducted in Chengdu (N = 900) narrowed the knowledge gap regarding post-pandemic public practices of protective behavior. Findings show that:(1) approximately 1/3 of the respondents are currently not concerned about COVID-19 at all; (2) respondents with different demographics and individual COVID-19-related factors showed significant differences in practice behaviors indoors and outdoors; (3) vulnerable groups performed better in practice behavior indoors/outdoors; (4) because the public may relax their vigilance outdoors, public places may become a transmission threat in the next outbreak; (5) attitudes are important, but limited incentives for practice; and (6) when knowledge increases beyond a threshold (68.75-75% in this study), protective behaviors decrease. Our results suggest that authorities must continue to educate and motivate the public, extending measures to cover personal protective practices, and have targeted policies for specific demographics to ensure equity in healthcare in the event of another pandemic (COVID-19 and alike crisis). Besides, comparing the results of the current study with similar studies conducted in other parts of the world can provide insights into how different populations respond to and adopt COVID-19 protective behaviors. The epidemiologists can use the data collected by this and other KAP surveys to refine epidemiologic models, which can help predict the spread of the virus and the impact of interventions in different settings.