Mark D. Faries; Elizabeth Espie; Erik Gnagy; Kyle P. McMorries
Abstract
Background: With the global rise of individuals classified as overweight and obese, weight-related screenings have been promoted to combat their high prevalence and associated health problems. Hopefully, such screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change, however little is ...
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Background: With the global rise of individuals classified as overweight and obese, weight-related screenings have been promoted to combat their high prevalence and associated health problems. Hopefully, such screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change, however little is known about the experience of weight loss triggers.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to elaborate on the experiences and meanings of weight-control triggers in a sample of overweight women prescribed by their physician to lose weight.
Patients and Methods: We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews, grounded in phenomenological practices, to elaborate on the experience and meaning of weight loss ‘triggers’ in a sample of overweight, female patients prescribed to lose weight by their physician.
Results: Weight-related screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change. Overall, we discovered five novel themes that embodied patients’ complex experiences with triggers: (1) trigger realization, (2) trigger meaning, (3) knowing what to do, (4) perceptions of self, and (5) the good, the bad, the monitoring.
Conclusions: We believe our findings advance the novel understanding of experiences with triggers. Specifically, our work sheds light on why triggers occur, and can guide how to create and manage both realized and meaningful triggers for healthy behavior change. The present results suggest that trigger realization can come from several different sources (e.g. medical, emotional, clothing, social), yet women are capable of deflecting any potential trigger experience. In addition, our findings suggest multiple facets of self-monitoring experiences can actually be counterproductive in weight control. The results provide insight for primary care, weight control counseling, and future interventions for triggered patients.
Shohreh Beheshti; Loabat Salehi; Samaneh Ziadlou
Abstract
Background: Sexually transmitted infections are major causes of morbidity among incarcerated women. However, little is known about the prevalence of these infections among female prisoners in Iran.
Objectives: This cross-sectional study, assessed the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among ...
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Background: Sexually transmitted infections are major causes of morbidity among incarcerated women. However, little is known about the prevalence of these infections among female prisoners in Iran.
Objectives: This cross-sectional study, assessed the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among a group of women imprisoned in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: Over a 6-month period, we screened 129 female inmates in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, Iran for sexually transmitted infections by appropriate clinical and routine laboratory assessments. Infected inmates were treated and followed up free of charge by the prison medical staff.
Results: All inmates had evidence of at least one sexually transmitted infection. Chlamydial infection was the most common infection, which detected in 44 (34%) inmates, followed by candidiasis in 34 (26%), trichomoniasis in 26 (20%), syphilis in 8 (6%), and finally gonorrhea in 6 (4.5%) inmates. The least common infection was HIV infection, which was present in only 1 out of 129 subjects. In addition, 1 out of 58 (1.72%) serologically examined prisoners had hepatitis B, and 4 cases from 58 (7%) had evidence of hepatitis C, one of them was a drug addict and the other 3 had histories of past tattooing.
Conclusions: Because of high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in incarcerated women, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive screening program, treatment, follow-up, and partner notification in order to reduce the frequency of STIs in this high-risk, vulnerable group of females.
