The Assessment of TikTok as a Source of Quality Health Information on Human Papillomavirus: A Content Analysis.

Background Various studies have evaluated the quality of health-related information on TikTok (ByteDance Ltd., Beijing, China), including topics such as COVID-19, diabetes, varicoceles, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and others. However, there is a paucity of data on studies that examined TikTok as a source of quality health information on human papillomavirus (HPV).

Pregnancy and the Rising Challenge of Opioid Dependency: A Summary of Potential Solutions.

The increasing incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women in the United States constitutes a significant public health concern, jeopardizing both maternal and fetal health. Proposed solutions include opioid maintenance therapy, telemedicine, and integrated prenatal care centers. These strategies seek to mitigate harm and enhance therapeutic accessibility, yet encounter obstacles, including stigma, technological access, and ethical problems.

Prevalence and predictors of cigarette smoking among people with HIV in Western Jamaica.

With highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV infection has become a treatable chronic disease. However, modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking continue to impact the morbidity and mortality of people with HIV (PWH). We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with cigarette smoking and motivation to quit among PWH in Western Jamaica.

Boosting self-efficacy and improving practices for smoking prevention and cessation among South American cancer care providers with a web-based algorithm.

Background: Digital technologies have positively impacted the availability and usability of clinical algorithms through the advancement in mobile health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if a web-based algorithm designed to support the decision-making process of cancer care providers (CCPs) differentially impacted their self-reported self-efficacy and practices for providing smoking prevention and cessation services in Peru and Colombia.

Methods: A simple decision-making tree algorithm was built in REDCap using information from an extensive review of the currently available smoking prevention and cessation resources.

Comparing Stroke Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Groups in Texas.

Background: Knowledge gaps remain on stroke risk and disparities between sexual minority (SM) subgroups. In this study, stroke risk between SM subgroups, specifically gay/bisexual men and lesbian/bisexual women (G/BM and L/BW), was assessed.

Method: Data were collected in June 2022 using a bilingual (English and Spanish) cross-sectional paper-and-pen survey distributed among 183 SM individuals attending the 2022 Houston Pride Parade and Festival, as well as across Texas via phone call or online format.

Strengthening Brain Research in Africa.

This paper explores the emerging field of neuroscience in Africa, considering the unique genetic diversity, socio-cultural determinants, and health inequalities in the continent. It presents numerous brain research initiatives, such as ABDRN, AMARI, APCDR, and H3Africa, aimed at understanding genetic and environmental factors influencing brain disorders in Africa. Despite numerous challenges like the brain drain phenomenon, inadequate infrastructure, and scarce research expertise, significant progress has been achieved.

Designing and pilot-testing SmokefreeSGM: a text-based smoking cessation intervention for sexual and gender minority groups.

Background: Although the prevalence of smoking is significantly higher among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) than the general population, no text-based smoking cessation intervention has been specifically tailored to this group. The objective of this phase of our study was to develop SmokefreeSGM, an SGM-tailored text-based smoking cessation program, and pilot test its design to inform the refinement of the program.

Methods: SmokefreeSGM was adapted from SmokefreeTXT, the National Cancer Institute's text-based smoking cessation program, to respond to the needs of SGM smokers.

Prevalence of self-reported cancer based on sexual orientation in the United States: a comparative analysis between lesbian, bisexual, gay, and heterosexual individuals.

Purpose: Our study aimed to compare the prevalence and likelihood of self-reported (SR) cancer diagnosis between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) groups and the heterosexual population in the United States between 2017 and 2021.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2017-2021, which included 134,372 heterosexual and 4576 LGB individuals aged 18 and above. The prevalence of any SR cancer and some selected cancers were calculated for the LGB and compared with heterosexual adults.

The STOP Program: a Hybrid Smoking Prevention and Cessation Training for Cancer Care Providers in Colombia and Peru.

We designed and tested the feasibility of the Smoking Cessation Training Program for Oncology Practice (STOP), a hybrid (face-to-face plus web-based) educational intervention to enhance Spanish-speaking cancer care professionals' (CCPs') ability to provide brief smoking prevention and cessation counseling to cancer patients and survivors. Changes in the CCPs' competencies (knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practices toward smoking and smoking cessation services) were assessed post-training. Sixty CCPs from one major cancer center in Colombia (n = 30) and Peru (n = 30) were invited to participate in a 4-module hybrid training program on smoking prevention and cessation.

Developing and pre-testing a digital decision-tree smartphone application for smoking prevention and cessation among HIV care providers.

Objectives: The diagnosis and continuous care of chronic conditions such as HIV infection present potential teachable moments for delivering smoking prevention and cessation interventions for patients. We designed and pre-tested a prototype of a smartphone application(app), Decision-T, specifically designed to assist healthcare providers when providing personalized smoking prevention and cessation services to their patients.

Methods: We developed the Decision-T app based on transtheoretical algorithm for smoking prevention and cessation following the 5-A's model.

Comparing Smokeless Tobacco Use between Male-to-Female and Female-to-Male Transgender Adults in the United States.

: The shifted gender social norms and tobacco cessation advice associated with estrogen therapy as a result of thrombosis risk could be responsible for the tobacco use differences between Male-to-Female (MTF) and Female-to-Male (FTM) transgender adults. Research has established this disparity in cigarette smoking, but none has looked at smokeless tobacco. : This study aimed to compare smokeless tobacco use MTF and FTM transgender adults in the United States.

Testing the accuracy of autofluorescence device in diagnosing oral potentially malignant disorders among people with HIV seeking dental care.

Objectives: Although many studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of autofluorescence in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), there has been a paucity of such information in high-risk populations. Our study thereby tested the accuracy of using autofluorescence in the oral examination of suspicious lesions among patients seeking care at an HIV-specialized dental clinic in Houston, Texas.

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective single-arm design in which forty-four (44) HIV-infected individuals seeking dental care at a specialized-HIV dental clinic were recruited.