The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model and Unprotected Sex: Assessing the Model's Utility and Predictability Among Bar Patrons in Tshwane, South Africa.

The Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model has been a useful tool for understanding sexual risk behavior. However, its utility in predicting sexual risk behaviors among bar patrons, for whom the bar setting poses a higher risk of alcohol-related sexual risk behavior, has been underexplored. We assessed (1) the extent to which the IMB predicted number of episodes of unprotected sex in the past six months and (2) whether incorporating sex under the influence of alcohol and alcohol use improved the predictability of the model among bar patrons.

A study of medical professionals' perspectives on medicines containing codeine in South Africa.

Background: Misuse of codeine available on prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) has been highlighted as a potential problem in South Africa.

Objective: To examine the perceptions of medical professionals regarding codeine use (prescribed and OTC), misuse, dependence and treatment options in South Africa.

Method: Data for the study were obtained using a sample of medical professionals obtained through random and convenience sampling.

Purchasing Over The Counter (OTC) Medicinal Products Containing Codeine - Easy Access, Advertising, Misuse and Perceptions of Medicinal Risk.

Purpose: Codeine containing medicines can carry a number of health risks associated with the increase in reported misuse and dependence, however they are still readily available over the counter (OTC) in many countries. The aim of this novel study was to report on the results of a survey of customers purchasing OTC codeine containing medicinal products at pharmacies in Ireland, South Africa and England; exploring use, sources of knowledge and perception of risks.

Methods: The study design was an exploratory cross sectional survey.

Codeine misuse and dependence in South Africa: Perspectives of addiction treatment providers.

Background: General practitioners are referring patients with codeine-related problems to specialist treatment facilities, but little is known about the addiction treatment providers, the kinds of treatment they provide, and whether training or other interventions are needed to strengthen this sector.

Objectives: To investigate the perspectives of addiction treatment providers regarding treatment for codeine misuse or dependence.

Method: Twenty addiction treatment providers linked to the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use and the South African Addiction Medicine Society were contacted telephonically and asked 20 questions.

Experiences of Codeine Use, Misuse and Dependence: Application of Liese and Franz's Cognitive Developmental Model of Substance Abuse.

Background: Misuse of codeine-containing medicines is an emerging public health issue.

Aims: We present the application of Liese and Franz's (1996) cognitive developmental model of substance abuse to the trajectory from legitimate codeine use for pain, towards that of therapeutic and other forms of misuse, and physical and psychological dependence. It illustrates a cognitive behavioural analysis of the experiences of codeine misusers - which 'surfaces' the specific beliefs, thoughts, emotions and behaviours of this group of hidden codeine dependent individuals, who are distinct and unique from other opioid-dependent cohorts.

Experiences of alcohol consumption and taking antiretroviral medication among men living with HIV in Tshwane, South Africa.

Hazardous alcohol consumption may compromise optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among patients. Adoption of hegemonic notions of masculinity may encourage health-risk behaviours, such as alcohol consumption, and discourage health-enhancing behaviours, such as ART adherence among men. This study aimed to explore linkages between masculinity, alcohol consumption, and taking ART medication among male ART recipients in South Africa.

Medical professionals' perspectives on prescribed and over-the-counter medicines containing codeine: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To explore prescribing practitioners' perspectives on prescribed codeine use, their ability to identify dependence and their options for treatment in the UK.

Design: Cross-sectional design using a questionnaire containing closed-ended and open-ended items.

Setting: A nationally representative sample of prescribing professionals working in the UK.

Practice implications and recommendations for managing codeine misuse and dependence.

Codeine, a weak opiate, requires increased pharmacovigilance relating to availability, heterogeneous nature of misuse, dependence and associated harm. A scoping review of literature on codeine was conducted using Arksey & O'Malley's framework (1). Databases searched included PubMed, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane library and Medline from 1994 to 2014.

"Codeine Is My Helper": Misuse of and Dependence on Codeine-Containing Medicines in South Africa.

Misuse of codeine-containing medicines is an emerging global public health concern. The majority of research has been conducted in developed countries (European Members States, Australia, the United States). This study aimed to gain an understanding of unique individual and collective experiences of trajectories of codeine misuse and dependence in South Africa.

Alcohol use, sexual relationship power, and unprotected sex among patrons in bars and taverns in rural areas of North West province, South Africa.

We examined the relative importance of alcohol consumption and sexual relationship power (SRP) in predicting unprotected sex among 406 bar patrons in North West province, South Africa. We assessed participants' demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, SRP, and number of unprotected sexual episodes in the past 6 months. In correlational analyses, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with frequency of unprotected sex for both males and females.

HIV-untested men who have sex with men in South Africa: the perception of not being at risk and fear of being tested.

A community-based needs assessment among men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa found that 27 % (n = 280/1,045) of MSM had never been tested for HIV. The most frequently reported reasons for not having been tested were the perception of not being at risk (57 %) and fear of being tested (52 %). This article explores factors associated with these two reasons among the untested MSM.