Osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy in Hong Kong Chinese men.

A total of 277 Hong Kong Chinese men participated in this prospective cohort study. Their osteoporosis knowledge was average. Their perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis was low. Barriers to lifestyle modifications were the strongest predictor for self-efficacy in adopting these activities. These results are useful for planning osteoporosis public awareness campaigns for men. PURPOSE: Male osteoporosis had long been neglected despite one-third of fractures occurring in men. Lifestyle modification through education is the main tactic in osteoporosis prevention, but current programs and strategies are designed for postmenopausal women. Understanding men's knowledge, health belief, and self-efficacy in adopting osteoporosis prevention strategies can help to design a specific program for men. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in three men's health clinics in Hong Kong from September to October 2020, recruiting 277 men aged ≥ 20 years. They completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, 14 general questions from the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz (FOOQ), Male Osteoporosis Knowledge Quiz (MOKQ), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), and Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES). Scores from these scales and their association with sociodemographic data were reported. Correlations between age, knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy were studied using the Health Belief Model. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.4 years old, and 52% had university education. Their mean FOOQ + MOKQ score was 10.8 out of 20; mean OHBS score was 129.2 out of 210; and mean OSE-Exercise and OSE-Calcium scores were 66.4 and 68.9 out of 100 respectively. Self-efficacy of exercise was correlated with young age, perceived exercise benefits, and little barriers to exercise (p < 0.01). Self-efficacy of calcium intake was positively correlated with health motivation and self-efficacy of exercise and negatively correlated with barriers to calcium intake (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Male osteoporosis awareness programs should focus on improving knowledge, enhancing awareness on susceptibility, promoting benefits of lifestyle modification, and helping men overcome perceived barriers.

Sexual function and quality of life in Chinese couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment: a prospective cohort study.

Couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are prone to sexual dysfunction and lower quality of life (QoL), but whether the incidence of these problems differs with the type of ART is unknown. As such, we conducted this cross-sectional survey to compare the sexual function and QoL of 75 couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI), and 160 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). They completed an anonymous questionnaire which included: (i) demographic characteristics; (ii) female sexual function index (FSFI) or (iii) international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5); and (iv) fertility QoL questionnaire (FertiQoL). Overall, 22.6% of wives and 39.1% of husbands were at risk for sexual dysfunction, and the risk was similar in IUI and IVF groups. Mean core/treatment/total FertiQoL scores of husbands were higher than wives: 74.98 vs. 68.24/70.02 vs. 65.87/73.52 vs. 67.54 (all p < 0.001). FertiQoL scores were similar in IUI and IVF groups except wives' treatment FertiQoL score was significantly higher in the IUI group (68.93 vs. 64.44; p = 0.009). This study confirms that risks for sexual dysfunction were similar in IUI and IVF couples. Wives undergoing IVF had significantly lower treatment FertiQoL score. In both IUI and IVF groups, husbands' QoL was better than wives' QoL.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sexual Problems and Distress in Chinese Unmarried Young Women: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Research conducted in the West has shown that sexual function and distress was common in white women from younger to older adulthood; however, little research attention to date has been given to Chinese young women. AIM: Our primary aim is to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexual problems and distress in Chinese unmarried young women. METHODS: Between November 2015 and June 2017, 431 young women who visited 3 sexual health clinics completed an anonymous questionnaire detailing their demographics, sexual behavior, current sexual relationship, sexual function, and sexual distress. Descriptive bivariate analysis and logistic regression analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual function and distress were assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 76 young women (17.6%) obtained total FSFI score ≤23.45 (Chinese cut-off), 47 of whom scored 11 or above for FSDS-R. Individual domain and total FSFI scores were significantly correlated with FSDS-R score (P < .001). Based on domain scores, 35.5%, 18.8%, 12.8%, and 10.7% of them were at risk for orgasmic, pain, arousal, and desire problems, respectively. Arousal and lubrication problems were strongly associated with distress. Sexual problems were associated with not initiating sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.50, P = .001), often had sexual fantasy (OR 0.55, P = .036), and willingness for vaginal sex (OR 0.49, P < .001). Sexual distress was associated with having life stressors (OR 1.88, P = .012) and willingness for vaginal sex (OR 0.61, P = .003). Self-perception of body being unattractive to boyfriend (OR 3.33, P = .015), not initiating sex (OR 3.21, P = .001), willingness for vaginal sex (OR 0.39, P < .001), and no life stressors (OR 0.46, P = .036) were associated with both sexual problem and distress. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Physicians should be alerted to sexual problems in young women and encourage those with distress to seek help. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Using validated psychometric tools to assess sexual problems and distress provides reference for future comparison. Admission and recall biases are unavoidable in observational questionnaire study. Depression was not evaluated and might bias the estimation of distress. CONCLUSION: About 11% of Chinese young women had sexual problems and were distressed (ie, sexual dysfunction). They were characterized by having a self-perception that their body was unattractive to their boyfriend, not initiating sex, unwilling for vaginal sex, and having life stressors. Lo SS-T, Kok W-m. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sexual Problems and Distress in Chinese Unmarried Young Women: An Observational Study. J Sex Med 2018;15:1620-1628.

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids with behenic acid at the sn-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols.

A long chain saturated fatty acid (SFA), behenic acid, is incorporated into the sn-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols in palm olein (POo) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOS) by solvent-free interesterification catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. The enzymatic interesterified HOS (EIE-HOS) yielded 76.5% of BOO and BOB as compared to 45.6% in POo (EIE-POo). The sn-2 position of EIE-HOS displayed 5.3 mol% of SFA which is significantly lower compared to 13.5 mol% in EIE-POo (P < 0.001). The sn-1, 3 positions of EIE-POo exhibited greater amount of behenic acid (82.0 mol%) in relation to EIE-HOS (64.0 mol%) (P < 0.001). Due to the greater variety of constitutive triacylglycerol, EIE-POo showed greater differences between onset (To) and offset temperature (Tf) in the melting endotherms (76.99 °C) as compared to EIE-HOS (68.65 °C), and may offer more intensive cooling sensation and flavor release.

Sexual functioning and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese women with infertility problem.

Infertility is estimated to affect 10-15% of couples in industrialized countries and many of them are under tremendous stress. Stress can lead to poor quality of life and sexual dysfunction in general, but little is known about their prevalence in infertile women. We, therefore, conducted this cross-sectional survey in two primary care subfertility clinics between August 2012 and April 2013. A total of 159 women completed two validated Chinese questionnaires: Female Sexual Function Index and core Fertility Quality of Life. The overall Female Sexual Function Index score (mean ± SD) of the whole group was 24.99 ± 4.22. Using the urban Chinese cut-off, the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, low desire, arousal disorder, lubrication disorder, orgasmic disorder and sexual pain were 32.5%, 15.7%, 19.3%, 22.3%, 33.1% and 15.1%. The core Fertility Quality of Life score of the whole group was 59.76 ± 13.59 and the subgroup of infertile women with sexual dysfunction (n = 50) had significantly lower mean core Fertility Quality of Life score than those without sexual dysfunction (n = 109) (55.03 versus 61.88) (p = 0.005). Among the subscales, the relational score had the strongest correlation with sexual dysfunction. Infertile women with sexual dysfunction had significantly worse quality of life especially in the relational aspect.

Sexual behavior and symptoms among reproductive age Chinese women in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: As sexual medicine evolves, much advancement has been achieved in understanding male sexuality and treating male sexual dysfunction. Less is known about female sexual pattern, the prevalence of sexual problems, and their correlation with confounding factors. AIM: To enhance our understanding of female sexuality and the risk factors that contributed to sexual problems in reproductive age women. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in family planning and prepregnancy checkup clinics from December 2007 to December 2009, with 2,146 sexually active Chinese women aged 21 to 40 years completed the entire questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of sexual symptoms, coital frequency, and other sexual behavior-related activities were measured. RESULTS: Overall, 59.0% of respondents had at least one sexual problem. In this sample, 31.8% of respondents reported no desire; 31.7% had arousal problems; 40% had anorgasmia, and 33.8% experienced coital pain for at least 3 months within the past 1 year. Chi-square test showed significant correlation among the four types of sexual problems(P < 0.001). Univariate regression model showed that all sexual symptoms were significantly correlated with unidirectional coitus initiation, low coital frequency, and low foreplay enjoyment. Loglinear model revealed that desire, arousal, and orgasmic problems were correlated with low foreplay enjoyment. Arousal problem was correlated with high acceptance toward pornography and history of medical disease. Coital pain was correlated with secondary education and planning to have more children. Both unidirectional coitus initiation and low coital frequency were major contributors to all four sexual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual problem is a prevalent health issue among reproductive age women. A number of risk factors are identified, which provide useful direction to the design of counseling and education materials that might help to enhance sexual performance in women.

Sexuality of Chinese women around menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To study the sexual activities and prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in midlife Chinese women and their correlations with demographic factors, sexual dissatisfaction and interpersonal difficulty. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of women aged 40-60, who requested gynecological checkup or attend social activities at Women's Club. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual activities, sexual dysfunctions, sexual dissatisfaction, demographic factors and interpersonal difficulty were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 371 eligible subjects, 22.4% and 39.6% women had low intimacy and coitus frequency (0 to <12 acts in one year), respectively. The odds ratios for low coital frequency in the natural menopausal and surgical menopausal subgroups were 3.00 and 5.09, respectively (95% confidence interval: 1.73-5.19 and 1.77-14.69, respectively). Overall, 77.2% women had at least one type of sexual dysfunctions; this proportion was highest in the surgically menopausal subgroup (88.9%) followed by the naturally menopausal subgroup (79.3%), the perimenopausal subgroup (78.2%) and the premenopausal subgroup (72.2%) (p=0.003). No lubrication (42.9%) was the commonest sexual dysfunction and predominantly affected naturally and surgically menopaused women (p=0.001). Sexual dysfunction was the major contributor to sexual dissatisfaction (0.80), followed by interpersonal difficulty (0.2). Arousal disorder was the pivot of interaction between sexual dissatisfaction, menopausal status and low coital frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese women had fewer intimate contacts and less coitus when menopause progressed. No lubrication was the commonest sexual dysfunction and predominantly affected menopaused women. Our model showed that sexual dysfunction is the main contributor to sexual dissatisfaction.

Smoking-cessation and adherence intervention among Chinese patients with erectile dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Whether the association between smoking and erectile dysfunction is causal is uncertain. No RCTs have been previously conducted on cessation counseling and additional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) adherence counseling among smokers with erectile dysfunction. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine if smoking-cessation counseling in conjunction with NRT increases quitting and NRT adherence compared to usual care, and if stopping smoking would improve erectile function among Chinese erectile dysfunction patients who smoke. DESIGN: An RCT was conducted. Data were collected in 2004-2007 and analyzed in 2008. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 719 Chinese adult erectile dysfunction patients who smoked at least 1 cigarette per day, intended to quit smoking within the next 7 days, and would use NRT. INTERVENTIONS: Group A1 received 15-minute smoking-cessation and 3-minute NRT adherence counseling at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks with free NRT for 2 weeks. Group A2 received the same treatment, except for the adherence counseling. Group B received 10 minutes of quitting advice. All subjects received a self-help quitting booklet at first contact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported 7-day tobacco abstinence at 6 months, 4-week NRT adherence at 1 month, and improvement in erectile dysfunction condition at 6 months. RESULTS: The intervention groups (A1+A2) achieved higher rates of abstinence, both self-reported (23% vs 12.8%, RR=1.79, 95% CI=1.22, 2.62) and biochemically validated (11.4% vs 5.5%, RR=2.07, 95% CI=1.13, 3.77), than the control group. The NRT adherence rate did not differ between Groups A1 and A2 (13.7% vs 12.7%, RR=1.08, 95% CI=0.69, 1.69). An improvement in erectile dysfunction status from baseline to 6 months was associated with self-reported quitting at 6 months but not with intervention status. CONCLUSIONS: Although quitting smoking was associated with improvement in erectile dysfunction, this study found significant outcome differences among the means used to achieve smoking cessation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN13070778.

Emergency contraception: knowledge, attitude and prescription practice among doctors in different specialties in Hong Kong.

AIM: Few studies have evaluated doctors' knowledge, attitudes and practices as regards emergency contraception (EC). Some studies have reported inadequate knowledge, bias and wrong prescriptions by doctors. This article compares the prescription pattern, attitude and knowledge of EC in Hong Kong doctors in different specialties. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to family physicians, obstetrician-gynecologists and doctors working in family planning clinics to ascertain their attitudes to EC. Those who provided EC described the types of EC used, whether drugs were given in advance and answered a 12-question knowledge test. Those who did not provide EC stated why. RESULTS: A total of 443 completed questionnaires were analyzed: 70.9% of doctors agreed that the benefits of EC outweigh its risks and 61.2% agreed that doctors should discuss it with clients. Advanced provision was supported by 54.2% of doctors but reduced to 32.5% if the target client was a girl aged 16 or below. Even fewer doctors (40.2%) supported the over-the-counter sales of EC pills. In the knowledge test, family planning doctors scored 10.45 out of 12 and obstetrician-gynecologists in private practice had the lowest score of 6.08. Family planning doctors used levonorgestrel pills while private family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists used Yuzpe. Among 352 doctors who provided EC, only 21.7% of private family physicians and 15.9% of private obstetrician-gynecologists prescribed it in advance. CONCLUSIONS: Only doctors working in family planning clinics were competent in their knowledge of emergency contraception and up to date with current practice. Although half of the doctors supported advanced provision, few implemented it. Most doctors did not support advanced provision to young girls nor the over-the-counter sales of EC pills.