Is it time to use nucleic acid amplification tests for identification of persons with sexually transmitted infections?: evidence from seroprevalence and behavioral epidemiology risk surveys in men with chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause multiple problems, and can be easily treated, but frequently present without symptoms. Because of this, commonly used syndromic diagnosis misses a majority of infected persons. Previously, diagnostic tests were expensive and invasive, but newer nucleic-acid amplification tests (NAATs) are available that use urine to non-invasively test for these infections.

Folic acid supplement use and the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest that the use of folic acid may lower the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of timing and duration of folic acid-containing supplement use on the risk for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Leisure-time physical activity and leukocyte telomere length among older women.

Background: Shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a purported marker of cellular aging, is associated with morbidity and mortality. However, the association of physical activity, a modifiable lifestyle behavior, with LTL has not been adequately studied among older adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined associations of various intensity levels of leisure-time physical activity with LTL among 1476 older white and African American women from the Women's Health Initiative Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health study.

HIV and Syphilis Prevalence and Associated Risks in the Cameroonian Armed Forces.

Background: Continued surveillance of the HIV epidemic is critical to monitor changes in trends and risk behaviors. A 2005 study in the Cameroonian Armed Forces (CAF) found an HIV prevalence of 11.3% among male and female service members.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision among Rwanda Defense Force Members.

Introduction: Strong scientific evidence supports voluntary medical male circumcision as part of an overall HIV prevention strategy, but self-report information on circumcision status may be inaccurate. The study objectives were to obtain estimates of male circumcision within the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), to assess the ability of soldiers to correctly report their own circumcision status, and to document the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in the RDF.

Methods: Data were collected from members of the Rwandan military during their annual physical examination.

Conducting HIV Seroprevalence and Behavioral Epidemiology Risk Surveys (SABERS) Among Partner Military Populations.

Background: Characterizing HIV infection and associated risk behaviors within military populations is critical for understanding the epidemic and informing prevention activities. However, the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviors is often unknown. Further, militaries may not have the systems in place or the staff expertise to conduct HIV surveillance and risk behavior studies.

Global HIV Prevention, Testing, and Counseling in Military Populations.

Background: Compared with the general population in low- and middle-income countries, military members tend to be male, young, travel more frequently away from their main sexual partners, drink more alcohol and have a consistent source of income. All of these factors may lead to an increased risk of contracting HIV.

Objective: In response, the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program advocates for the integration of HIV prevention "building blocks" into military health services to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV among foreign uniformed services.

Prevention Interventions for People Living with HIV in Military Settings.

Background: Military HIV prevention programs and healthy living programs were developed in the mid-1980s to manage and support newly HIV-positive military personnel in the US military. Since then, a program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with support from the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), called Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention (PHDP), is currently being rolled out by DHAPP in partner militaries. The program, designed to reduce HIV transmission, is a package of interventions for people living with HIV (PLHIV), including risk reduction counseling, condom provision, disclosure counseling, testing of sexual partner(s) and children, adherence counseling, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and provision of family planning services.

Associations of Accelerometer-Measured and Self-Reported Sedentary Time With Leukocyte Telomere Length in Older Women.

Few studies have assessed the association of sedentary time with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012-2013, we examined associations of accelerometer-measured and self-reported sedentary time with LTL in a sample of 1,481 older white and African-American women from the Women's Health Initiative and determined whether associations varied by level of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). The association between sedentary time and LTL was evaluated using multiple linear regression models.

Maternal Age at Childbirth and Parity as Predictors of Longevity Among Women in the United States: The Women's Health Initiative.

Objectives: To examine associations of maternal age at childbirth and parity with survival to age 90 years (longevity).

Methods: We performed a prospective study among a multiethnic cohort of postmenopausal US women in the Women's Health Initiative recruited from 1993 to 1998 and followed through August 29, 2014. We adjusted associations with longevity for demographic, lifestyle, reproductive, and health-related characteristics.

Replication of Genome-Wide Association Study Findings of Longevity in White, African American, and Hispanic Women: The Women's Health Initiative.

Background: No study has evaluated whether genetic factors are associated with longevity in African Americans or Hispanics, and it is unclear whether genetic factors are associated with healthy aging.

Methods: In this prospective study, we determined whether 14 genetic variants previously associated with longevity in genome-wide association studies were associated with survival to ages 85 and 90 in 11,053 postmenopausal white, African American, and Hispanic women from the Women's Health Initiative. The associations of these variants with healthy aging, defined as survival to age 85 without chronic diseases or disability, were also determined.

Risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in women who discontinued or continued antidepressant medication use during pregnancy.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association between discontinued and continued use of antidepressants and risk for gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: Data from the MotherToBaby pregnancy studies from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed to compare women who discontinued antidepressant use ˂20 weeks of gestation (discontinuers) and women who continued antidepressant use ≥20 weeks of gestation (continuers) to non-users for risk of GH (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg on two or more occasions at ≥20 weeks of gestation) and PE (GH with proteinuria). Maternal data, including exposures and study outcomes, were collected through multiple phone interviews.

Ages at menarche and menopause and reproductive lifespan as predictors of exceptional longevity in women: the Women's Health Initiative.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between reproductive factors and survival to age 90 years.

Methods: This was a prospective study of postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative recruited from 1993 to 1998 and followed until the last outcomes evaluation on August 29, 2014. Participants included 16,251 women born on or before August 29, 1924 for whom survival to age 90 during follow-up was ascertained.

State of the Art Review: Physical Activity and Older Adults.

Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle for all adults and especially for older adults. Using information from the updated 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines, 3 dimensions of physical activity are identified for older adults. These include increasing aerobic activity, increasing muscle-strengthening activity, and reducing sedentary or sitting behavior.

Deportation and mental health among migrants who inject drugs along the US-Mexico border.

This study describes the prevalence and factors of depressive symptoms among a sample of persons who inject drugs (PWID) with a history of deportation from the US in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2014, 132 deported PWID completed a structured questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CESD-10) screening instrument.

The differential associations of preexisting conditions with trauma-related outcomes in the presence of competing risks.

Introduction: Pre-existing chronic conditions (PECs) pose a unique problem for the care of aging trauma populations. However, the relationships between specific conditions and outcomes after injury are relatively unknown. Evaluation of trauma patients is further complicated by their discharge to care facilities, where mortality risk remains high.

Police Victimization Among Persons Who Inject Drugs Along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Objective: Problematic policing practices are an important driver of HIV infection among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Awareness and Acceptability Among U.S.-Born and U.S. Foreign-Born Women Living in California.

We examined human papillomavirus vaccine awareness and acceptance between U.S.-born and U.

Posttraumatic stress disorder after combat zone deployment among Navy and Marine Corps men and women.

Background: As more women are deployed into combat environments, preliminary findings have been inconsistent regarding gender differences in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following deployment. Very little is known about the experiences of Navy and Marine Corps personnel deployed to combat zones.

Methods: The study population consisted of Navy and Marine Corps personnel who completed a Post-Deployment Health Assessment upon return from deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Kuwait during 2008 and 2009 and a Post-Deployment Health Reassessment approximately 6 months later.

Weight patterns before and after total joint arthroplasty and characteristics associated with weight change.

Context: Although prevalence of obesity and incidence of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have dramatically increased over the last two decades in the U.S., little is known of the preoperative and postoperative weight patterns of patients undergoing TJA.

Traumatic brain injury and PTSD screening efforts evaluated using latent class analysis.

Objective: To empirically identify latent classes of service members according to persistent postconcussive symptom patterns and to characterize the identified classes relative to other postdeployment variables including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) screening results. Such comparisons may directly inform policy regarding these routine assessments and translate to improved treatment decisions.

Method: Self-report data were obtained for 12,581 combat-exposed male U.

Regional variation in surgical assessment of lymph nodes for staging among women with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective: To investigate geographical and socioeconomic variations in performance of lymph node dissection for the evaluation of patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: A population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Cancer Institute's SEER Program for 15 geographic registries and county-level measures. Women with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer registered between 2000 and 2008 with known lymph node assessment status were studied.