Validation of the Scale of Perceived Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Middle-aged and Older Adults

Background: Middle-aged and older adults often mistakenly underestimate the risk to which they are exposed when they engage in risky sexual behaviors. Furthermore, a reliable and valid measurement of the construct is necessary to capture its scope and meaning. Objective: To validate the structure of the Perceived Risk Scale for STIs in middle-aged and older adults, identify their perceived risk of STIs, and identify their relationship with some sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: The sample was composed of 295 middle-aged and older adults. A virtual online sampling was used. Males and females aged 50 years and older, sexually active in the last 12 months, were included. To measure the perceived risk of STIs, the scale of perceived risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was adapted, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the proposed three-factor structure was carried out. Results: The proposed structure of the scale was found to present acceptable adjustment rates (X 2= 48.283, p <.001; CFI = .962, RMSEA = .079, GFI = .963, TLI = .938). 28.1% of the participants presented low perceived risk; 46.8%, medium perceived risk; and 25.1%, high perceived risk. Association between marital status and perceived risk of STIs was identified. Conclusion: The Perceived Risk Scale for STIs is a reliable and valid instrument for capturing perceived risk of STIs in middle-aged and older adults. An appropriate measurement is considered important to accurately examine the relationship between perceived risk and behavior.

Antecedentes: Los adultos de mediana y tercera edad suelen subestimar erróneamente el riesgo al que se exponen cuando realizan conductas sexuales de riesgo, además, es necesaria una medición fiable y válida del constructo para captar su alcance y significado. Objetivo: Validar la estructura de la Escala de Riesgo Percibido a las ITS en adultos de mediana y tercera, identificar su riesgo percibido a las ITS e identificar su relación con algunas características sociodemográficas. Métodos: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 295 adultos de mediana y tercera edad. Se utilizó un muestreo virtual en línea. Se incluyeron hombres y mujeres de 50 años o más, se-xualmente activos en los últimos 12 meses. Para medir el riesgo percibido a las ITS se adaptó la escala de riesgo percibido al Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) y se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio de la estructura propuesta conformada por tres factores. Resultados: Se comprobó que la estructura propuesta de la escala presentaba mostró índices de ajuste aceptables (X2 = 48.283, p <.001; CFI = .962, RMSEA = .079, GFI = .963, TLI = .938). El 28.1% de los participantes presentó un riesgo percibido bajo, el 46.8% un riesgo percibido medio y el 25.1% un riesgo percibido alto. Se identificó la asociación entre el estado civil y el riesgo percibido de ITS. Conclusiones: La Escala de Riesgo Percibido de ITS es un instrumento fiable y válido para captar el riesgo percibido a las ITS en adultos de mediana y tercera edad. Se considera importante una medición adecuada para examinar con precisión la relación entre el riesgo percibido y la conducta.

Perceived and Actual Risk Factors in Patients with Acute Stroke in South India

Risk perceptions are crucial in understanding people's thoughts about stroke risk and their preventive health behaviours. Management of risk factors plays a vital role in preventing stroke. This study aimed to identify the perceived and actual risk factors in patients with acute stroke. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Sri Ramachandra University Hospital, India. A total of 210 in-patients of a stroke unit were included. Patients’ data were obtained by interviewing the patient and /or accompanying family member and by reviewing their medical records using a standard questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The median self-perceived risk factor was three. The most commonly perceived risk factor was hypertension (53.8%), followed by stress, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, alcohol intake, smoking and family history. The perception of risk was low when compared to actual risk (p < 0.016). The patients with coronary heart disease, family history of stroke and congestive heart failure have higher risk of having ischaemic stroke. There was a positive correlation between the actual risk and perceived risk.

Health-seeking behavior and compliance to post exposure prophylaxis among animal bite victims in India

Background: In rabies endemic countries, where every animal bite is potentially a suspected rabid exposure, the exposed individuals should seek early and proper health care. It is also essential to complete the full course of postexposure vaccination to protect against rabies. Objectives: The study aimed at determining the health-seeking behavior of animal bite victims; assessing the perceived risk of rabies transmission from different animals and knowledge on its prevention and finding out the compliance to complete course of rabies vaccination and associated factors. Methods: A multi-centric, health facility-based survey was conducted during May 2017 to January 2018 in six regional-representative states involving 18 health facilities. Study participants were animal bite victims attending the health facilities. The data from all the study participants across the country were compiled and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to find out the association of factors influencing compliance. Results: Among a total of 529 animal bite victims, 83.6% sought postexposure prophylaxis coming directly to health facility; others visited nonallopathic/traditional healers/veterinarians/Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery before coming to health facility. The perceived risk of disease transmission and knowledge on the prevention of rabies was insufficient among the exposed victims. All participants were started with anti-rabies vaccination; the compliance rate for the full course of intramuscular rabies vaccination was 65.9% and for intra-dermal rabies vaccination, it was 85.1%. Among Category III exposures, only 46.2% received rabies immunoglobulin. Conclusions: Health-seeking behavior and compliance to complete course of anti-rabies vaccination is unsatisfactory, which has to be improved to prevent rabies.

Design and standardization of tools for assessing the perceived heart risk and heart health literacy in Iran

Objectives: The aim is to achieve the standard tools for heart health, the present study aimed to design, develop, and standardize the two questionnaires of perceived heart risk scale (PHRS) and heart health literacy scale (HHLS). Methods: The present study was a methodological research conducted on the residents of Kermanshah Province, Iran, using the multi-stage cluster sampling. Further, considering the scientific methods in the psychometric field, the design of the research questionnaires was conducted. In addition, the viewpoints of experts in different domains were qualitatively and quantitatively included to assess the validity of the questionnaires. To assess the reliability of the questionnaires, a sample including 31 subjects was first selected and studied within a fortnight's interval. Then, the reliability and validity of the scales were assessed using factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha in a sample of 771 subjects. Results: After reviewing the viewpoints of experts, the items were adjusted and implemented in the first sample at two stages. The results were indicative of the stability and acceptability of the Cronbach's alpha. In addition, the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed in the second sample too. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the two questionnaires of PHRS and HHLS had acceptable reliability and validity.

Exploring self-efficacy and perceived HIV risk among socioeconomically disadvantaged hispanic men / Exploración de la autoeficacia y la percepción de riesgo de VIH entre hombres hispanos de desventaja socioeconómica

The prevalence of HIV in Chile predominately affects the male population with the primary mode of transmission (99%) through sexual contact. In order to engage in safe sexual practices, men must have high sexual self-efficacy and perceived risk of infection, however, little research examines these variables with respect to HIV prevention. The purpose of this article is to review existing literature on self-efficacy and its connection with perceived HIV risk among Hispanic men, in order to direct future HIV prevention interventions among Chilean men. A literature search was conducted to identify studies for this review using three databases. A combination of Sullivan C., Ferrer l., Irarrázabal L., Villegas C., Cianelli R., Peragallo N. 43 2017, Horiz Enferm, 28,1,42-50 keywords was used to conduct the search and a total of 34 articles were analyzed. All of the articles reviewed examined the Hispanic male population with respect to either self-efficacy or perceived risk, or a combination of the two. Major themes emerging from the review include: substance use, condom use, cultural norms, relationship communication, negotiation, and homonegativity. The existing studies provide evidence for preventing future HIV infection among low socioeconomic status Chilean males and begin to establish a positive relationship between self-efficacy and perceived HIV risk. While additional studies are needed to provide further support, self-efficacy and perceived risk should be integral aspects of future prevention interventions.

La prevalencia del VIH en Chile afecta predominantemente a la población masculina con el principal modo de transmisión (99%) a través del contacto sexual. Para practicar el sexo seguro, los hombres deben teneruna alta autoeficacia sexual y la percepción del riesgo de infección, sin embargo, poca investigación examina estas variables con respecto a la prevención del VIH. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la literatura existente sobre la autoeficacia y su relación con el riesgo de VIH percibida entre los hombres hispanos, a dirigir las futuras intervenciones de prevención del VIH entre los hombres chilenos. Una búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó para identificar los estudios para esta revisión utilizando tres bases de datos. Una combinación de palabras clave se utiliza para llevar a cabo la búsqueda y se analizaron un total de 34 artículos. Todos los artículos revisados examinaron la población masculina hispana con respecto a auto-eficacia y percepción de riesgofrente al VIH. Los temas principales que surgieronde la revisión incluyen: el uso de sustancias, el uso del condón, las normas culturales, la comunicación y la relación de negociación, y homonegatividad. Los estudios existentes proporcionan evidencia para prevenir una futura infección por VIH entre los hombres de estado socioeconómico bajo chilenas y comenzar a establecer una relación positiva entre la autoeficacia y el riesgo de VIH percibido. Se necesitan estudios adicionales para proporcionar más apoyo, autoeficacia y el riesgo percibido debe ser parte integrante de las intervenciones de prevención para el futuro.