Exploring perceived barriers for advancement to leadership positions in healthcare: a thematic synthesis of women's experiences.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to explore the voices of women describing the perceived barriers for advancing to leadership positions in healthcare. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A systematic search was conducted through Elton B Stephans Company (EBSCO) host research platform using the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) Complete and American Psychological Association (APA) PsycInfo. Nine papers were selected for this review. Thomas and Harden's (2008) method of thematic synthesis was used drawing from eight qualitative papers and one mixed methods paper describing women's lived experiences in, or advancing to, leadership positions in the healthcare sector. Analysis was conducted using three steps of thematic synthesis: the inductive coding of the text, the development of descriptive themes and the generation of analytical themes. FINDINGS: Through the method of thematic synthesis, six descriptive themes (barriers) emerged: internalised feelings, work-life balance, lack of support, stereotypes, discriminatory behaviours and organisational culture. From these, three analytical themes were identified: personal, interpersonal and organisational. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This review looked at nine papers and documented women's voices. However, the women were in disparate geographical areas across the world and did not consider the specific cultural context in which the women were located. The healthcare sector is very large, and therefore, whilst there are shared commonalities, the disparateness could be a limitation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Barriers were categorised as either structural barriers or attitudinal barriers to determine the policy and practice. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research is crucial to better understanding what remedies need to be implemented to address gender disparity in the sector.

Healthcare professionals' perceived barriers and facilitators of implementing clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify healthcare professionals' perceived barriers and facilitators to clinical practice guideline implementation within stroke rehabilitation. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, Cochrane library, Academic Search Complete and Scopus. Additional papers were identified through hand searching. REVIEW METHODS: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols systematic review approach. Any empirical research that provided qualitative data on healthcare professionals' perceived factors influencing clinical guideline implementation in stroke rehabilitation was included. One reviewer screened all titles and abstract reviews (n = 669). Another two reviewers independently screened 30% of title and abstract reviews, followed by full-text reviews (n = 61). Study quality was assessed using the mixed-method appraisal tool. RESULTS: Data from 10 qualitative, six quantitative and six mixed-method studies published between 2000 and 2022, involving 1576 participants in total, were analysed and synthesised using modified thematic synthesis approach. The majority of participants were therapists n = 1297 (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists). Organisational factors (time constraints, resources) alongside healthcare professionals' lack of knowledge and skills were the most cited barriers to guideline implementation. Contradictory attitudes and beliefs towards stroke guidelines applicability to real-life clinical practice and their evidence base were reported. Organisational support in the form of training, local protocols, performance monitoring and leadership were reported as perceived facilitators. CONCLUSION: Barriers and facilitators are multifactorial and were identified at guideline, individual, team and organisational levels. There is a need to translate perceived barriers and facilitators into implementation interventions especially addressing organisational-level barriers.

Acceptability and Impact of an Educational App (iCare) for Informal Carers Looking After People at Risk of Pressure Ulceration: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are areas of skin damage resulting from sustained pressure. Informal carers play a central role in preventing pressure ulcers among older and disabled people living at home. Studies highlight the paucity of pressure ulcer training for informal carers and suggest that pressure ulcer risk is linked to high levels of carer burden. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study evaluated a smartphone app with a specific focus on pressure ulcer prevention education for informal carers. The app was developed based on the principles of microlearning. The study aimed to explore carer perspectives on the acceptability of the app and determine whether the app increased knowledge and confidence in their caring role. METHODS: In this concurrent mixed methods study, participants completed quantitative questionnaires at baseline and at the end of weeks 2 and 6, which examined caregiving self-efficacy, preparedness for caregiving, caregiver strain, pressure ulcer knowledge, and app acceptability and usability. A subsample of participants participated in a "think aloud" interview in week 1 and semistructured interviews at the end of weeks 2 and 6. RESULTS: Of the 32 participants, 23 (72%) participants completed the week 2 and 16 (50%) completed the week 6 questionnaires; 66% (21/32) of carers participated in qualitative "think aloud" interviews, and 18 (56%) also participated in semistructured interviews at week 2, and 13 (41%) at week 6. Pressure ulcer knowledge scores significantly changed (F1,6.112=21.624; P=.001) from baseline (mean 37.5; SE 2.926) to the second follow-up (mean 59.72, SE 3.985). Regarding the qualitative data, the theme "I'm more careful now and would react to signs of redness" captured participants' reflections on the new knowledge they had acquired, the changes they had made to their caring routines, their increased vigilance for signs of skin damage, and their intentions toward the app going forward. There were no significant results pertaining to improved preparedness for caregiving or caregiving self-efficacy or related to the Caregiver Strain Index. Participants reported above average usability scores on a scale of 0 to 100 (mean 69.94, SD 18.108). The app functionality and information quality were also rated relatively high on a scale of 0 to 5 (mean 3.84, SD 0.704 and mean 4.13, SD 0.452, respectively). Overall, 2 themes pertaining to acceptability and usability were identified: "When you're not used to these things, they take time to get the hang of" and "It's not a fun app but it is informative." All participants (n=32, 100%) liked the microlearning approach. CONCLUSIONS: The iCare app offers a promising way to improve informal carers' pressure ulcer knowledge. However, to better support carers, the findings may reflect the need for future iterations of the app to use more interactive elements and the introduction of gamification and customization based on user preferences.

Investigating the feasibility of MePlusMe, an online intervention to support mental health, well-being, and study skills in higher education students.

INTRODUCTION: While there are several web-based mental health interventions, few target higher education (HE) students. Importantly, more research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Here, we provide a pragmatic evaluation of an online intervention (MePlusMe) specifically designed to improve the mental health, well-being, and study skills of HE students. METHODS: In accordance with the published protocol for a feasibility study, we recruited a convenience sample of 137 HE students to participate in an eight-week intervention, with 26 participants retained at week 8. Validated measures of mood (depression and anxiety), well-being, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, alongside two feedback forms assessing design and functionality (baseline) and engagement (week 4 and 8). RESULTS: We observed significant reductions in levels of anxiety and depression as well as increases in well-being, but no changes in self-efficacy. Participants rated the system design and functionality positively and qualitative findings indicated high levels of satisfaction with MePlusMe. DISCUSSION: Findings support both the acceptability and the effectiveness of MePlusMe. Nonetheless, modest retention rates limit the precision and generalisability of these findings. Further investigation should ascertain optimal duration of engagement, most acceptable means of outcome assessment, and further detail about obstacles to utilisation.

Exploration of the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals during their redeployment to clinical roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals towards their redeployment to frontline clinical roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals working in research were redeployed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the delivery of clinical services across the National Health Service. They are experienced clinicians with research knowledge and skills, and specific working patterns. It is important to understand how these professionals were used and supported during their transition to clinical roles during the pandemic. METHOD: Between July and September 2020, 15 research healthcare professionals were recruited into this qualitative study. Each participant completed a single semi-structured interview lasting approximately 30-60 min, conducted remotely using a teleconferencing platform. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data analysed by the process of inductive thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 12.06 (Nov, 2019). FINDINGS: Four main themes were identified from analysis of the transcripts: (a) initial personal response to the pandemic (subthemes: of anxieties due to unknown disease impact and concern for others); (b) mobilization for clinical redeployment (subthemes: motivations for voluntary redeployment, the professional challenges, personal fears and the organization and preparedness for redeployment); (c) adaptive deployment to clinical roles (subthemes: adapting to new roles and responsibilities, challenges faced and coping mechanisms), (d) reflections and learnings (subthemes: reintegration to original roles and sense of achievement). CONCLUSION: Research healthcare professionals are highly adaptable professionals equipped with core transferable skills. With the appropriate support, re-familiarization and induction they are a valuable resource during the pandemic response. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Research healthcare professionals are experienced practitioners with transferrable skills and strong sense of duty and resilience. Induction programmes to promote recalibration to clinical settings would improve their adaptability, foster confidence and emotional well-being. Careful consideration is required prior to mass redeployment to ensure research continuity in both COVID-19 and other health conditions.

Factors influencing the recruitment and retention of registered nurses in adult community nursing services: an integrative literature review.

BACKGROUND: Adult community nursing services are evolving around the world in response to government policies and changing patient demographics. Amidst these changes, recruitment and retention of community nursing staff are proving a challenge. An integrative literature review has identified multiple factors that influence nurse retention in adult community nursing with sparse information on recruitment factors. Although factors impacting retention of community nurses have been identified, their generalisability around the world is a challenge as they are context and co-dependent. Indicating the need for this area of study to be explored at a local level, as the same factors present with different findings globally. AIM: To establish factors influencing recruitment and retention of registered nurses in adult community nursing services. DESIGN: Integrative literature review. DATA SOURCES: Four electronic databases were searched in August 2019 from January 2008 to December 2018: CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, MEDLINE and PROQUEST. Both qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on factors influencing community nursing recruitment and retention were included. REVIEW METHODS: An integrative literature review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl (The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing 52, 546-553) was followed, supported by Cochrane guidelines on data synthesis and analysis using a narrative synthesis method. The Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa) critical appraisal tools were used for study quality assessment. RESULTS: Ten papers met the study inclusion criteria. Data synthesis and analysis revealed individual and organisational factors influencing the retention of community nurses with the following three dominant themes: (1) work pressure, (2) working conditions and (3) lack of appreciation by managers. CONCLUSION: The review identified context-dependent factors that influence adult community nurses' retention with limited generalisability. There is a lack of data on factors influencing recruitment into adult community nursing; further research is needed to explore factors affiliated to community nursing recruitment.

Sero-risk neutral and sero-risk averse: perceptions of risk and condom use among Black African heterosexual migrant couples in serodiscordant relationships in the UK.

This paper explores how perceptions of risk of infecting HIV-negative partners influence condom use among Black African heterosexual couples in stable relationships with one partner living with HIV (serodiscordant relationships). Twenty-five in-depth couple and individual interviews were analysed through phenomenological reflection and writing. A major finding was that in attempts to preserve their relationships, couples debated condom use strategies based on their perceptions of risk of infecting HIV-negative partners. We recommend that HIV prevention information among Black African heterosexual couples with a partner living with HIV should be understood from the perceptions of risk from both partners.

The experiences of carers looking after people with Parkinson's disease who exhibit impulsive and compulsive behaviours: An exploratory qualitative study.

AIM: To understand the experiences of carers who were confronted by the development of impulsive and compulsive behaviours. BACKGROUND: Impulsive and compulsive behaviours (ICBs) are a serious complication in Parkinson's disease (PD) strongly associated with dopamine replacement therapy used to treat patients. These behaviours comprise abnormal activities such as pathological gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping and hypersexuality. These behaviours place a considerable burden on patients and on their carers and families. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling approach, 13 carers were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted over the telephone. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. COREQ guidelines were adhered to in the reporting of this study. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (a) realisation-developing awareness of ICB symptoms and their causes; (b) reacting-confronting and attempts to manage ICBs; (c) reaching out-help-seeking and selective disclosure; (d) reframing-shifting perspectives on ICBs over time; and (e) resignation-impact on relationships and facing the future. CONCLUSIONS: The profound impact of ICBs on quality of life, relationships and economic stability was clear in the carers' accounts. Possible avenues for future clinical research are suggested. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The potentially devastating effects of ICBs provide a strong imperative for nurses and other health professionals to ensure that close monitoring for symptom development together with patient education is always part of practice.

Parents' Perspectives on Their Child's Music Therapy: A Qualitative Study.

This qualitative study explored parents' perspectives on their child receiving individual music therapy in a community setting in an NHS service in London, UK. Parents of children aged 6-11 receiving or recently discharged from music therapy took part. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews which were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed following procedures of inductive thematic analysis. Music therapy was generally perceived to provide a nurturing environment for children, and communication with music therapists was mostly experienced as helpful, but with some perceived challenges. Parents perceived positive outcomes of music therapy, including children becoming calmer and engaging more with musical activities at home. Understanding of music therapy was perceived as an evolving process for parents. Some parents described a need for more information prior to music therapy. The findings of this study broadly support the model in the service of working with children aged 6-11 without parents generally present during sessions. However, there were indications that, for some families, a more flexible approach might be beneficial for the child. Participants' commentaries on perceived outcomes for children indicate potential for intervention studies investigating the impact of music therapy, while broader perceptions of the value of music therapy indicate a need for studies exploring reasons for effectiveness.

Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of the contents, design, and functionalities of an online intervention promoting mental health, wellbeing, and study skills in Higher Education students.

BACKGROUND: Substantial numbers of students in Higher Education (HE) are reporting mental health difficulties, such as mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Coupled with academic skills challenges, these difficulties can lead to decreased academic performance, low levels of study satisfaction, and eventually drop out. Student support services are facing budget cuts and can only attend to limited numbers of students, usually the ones who present with more severe mental health problems. Moreover, face-to-face contact may not appeal to those students who feel embarrassed by their problems or are afraid of being stigmatised. To address this important problem, an online psychological wellbeing and study skills support system called MePlusMe, has been developed to provide personalised support to its users. In the present study we investigated the feasibility and acceptability of the contents, design, and functionalities of the system. METHODS: An offline version of the system was introduced to 13 postgraduate and undergraduate students (mean age = 31.3 years, SD = 10.25 years; 4 males) in a UK HE Institution, who presented with mild or moderate mental health difficulties. The participants evaluated the design of the system, its functionalities, and contents at Baseline and at Weeks 2, 4, and 8. RESULTS: Participants found the system easy to use, professional, and efficient and its contents non-judgemental and informative. Participants stated that engaging with and practicing the techniques targeted at mental health difficulties led to improvements in positive thinking and self-confidence, while the study skills techniques were practical. Suggestions for further improvement included the development of an app and an option for direct engagement with professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed the acceptability of the contents, design and functionalities of the system, while providing useful information to inform its further development. Next steps include a feasibility study, which will test and quantify the effects on everyday functioning, mood, mental wellbeing, and academic self-efficacy after using the system, and subsequently a randomized controlled trial, which will evaluate its effectiveness.

Barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise in institutionalized older people living with dementia: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Research suggests targeted exercise is important for people living with dementia, especially those living in residential care. The aim of this review was to collect and synthesize evidence on the known barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise of institutionalized older people living with dementia. METHODS: We searched all available electronic databases. Additionally, we searched trial registries (clinicaltrial.gov, and WHO ICTRP) for ongoing studies. We searched for and included papers from January 1990 until September 2017 in any language. We included randomized, non-randomized trials. Studies were not eligible if participants were either healthy older people or people suffering from dementia but not living in an institution. Studies were also excluded if they were not focused on barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise. RESULTS: Using narrative analysis, we identified the following themes for barriers: bio-medical reasons and mental wellbeing and physical ability, relationships dynamics, and socioeconomic reasons. The facilitators were grouped under the following thematic frames: bio-medical benefits and benefits related to physical ability, feelings and emotions and confidence improvements, therapist and group relationships dynamics and activity related reasons. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that institutionalized older people living with dementia, even those who are physically frail, incontinent and/or have mild dementia can demonstrate certain level of exercise adherence, and therefore can respond positively to exercise programs. Tailored, individually-adjusted and supported physical activity, led by a knowledgeable, engaging and well communicating therapist/facilitator improves the adherence to group exercise interventions of institutionalized older people living with dementia.

Meeting the needs of critical care patients after discharge home: a qualitative exploratory study of patient perspectives.

BACKGROUND: With improved survival rates in critical care, increasing focus is being placed on survivorship and how best to support patients in returning to their former activity. Little is known about what support patients themselves view as important, and this has implications for the efficacy and acceptability of services provided. OBJECTIVES: To describe former critical care patients' perspectives on the support needed to optimize recovery. STUDY DESIGN: This is a qualitative exploratory study of the experiences of support received by critical care survivors. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 critical care survivors recruited from a charity and a patient and public involvement group. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to describe patterns in the participants' experiences. FINDINGS: Four themes of support were described: effective management of transfer anxiety, tailored information provision, timely access to services and a supportive social network. CONCLUSION: Survivors of critical care should be equipped with information about their critical care stay, ongoing health issues and recovery and should be provided with holistic care at home. Critical care follow up was an effective way of meeting many of these needs, but this needs to be flexible to be useful to attendees. Peer support groups (face-to-face and online) provided information, reassurance, a social network and an avenue for those who had longer-lasting problems than current services provide for. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Whilst there are commonalities in the problems faced by critical care survivors, recovery is highly individualized, and current support services do not have sufficient flexibility to cater for this. This study shows that many survivors experience after-effects of critical care that outlast the support they are given. These longer-term survivors are often excluded from research studies because of fears of recall bias, resulting in poor understanding of their experiences.

Art engagement and mental health: experiences of service users of a community-based arts programme at Tate Modern, London.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the experiences of mental health service users who took part in an arts-based programme at Tate Modern, a major London art gallery. STUDY DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative design. METHODS: Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 mental health service users who had taken part in a community-based programme at Tate Modern. Additionally, six art educators from Tate Modern were interviewed. Concepts that emerged from the text were identified using thematic analysis. RESULTS: All participants valued the gallery-based programme. The three overarching thematic areas were: the symbolic and physical context in which the programme workshops were located; the relational and social context of the programme workshops; and reflections on the relationship between the arts-based programme and subsequent mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Art galleries are increasingly seen to function as vehicles for popular education with mental health service users. This study adds to the growing body of evidence related to how mental health service users experience and reflect on arts-related programmes targeted at them. This study indicates that emphasis on how users experience gallery-based programmes may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between art and mental health.

Effectiveness of probiotic in preventing and treating antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and/or Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in patients with spinal cord injury: a protocol of systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics may prevent antibiotic-associated and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (AAD/CDAD). Many spinal cord injury centre (SCIC) practitioners consider probiotics generically and may not realise that efficacy can be strain-, dose- and disease-specific. In order to confirm these effects and fully evaluate the extent of probiotic effectiveness in these patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis is indicated. METHODS: The following databases will be searched for relevant studies: Cochrane Library; Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) Database; CINAHL; PsycINFO; Embase; Medline; AMED; International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal and ISRCTN Registry and will hand search a list of conference proceedings. Any randomised controlled trials without restriction of publication status will be included with treatment of AAD/CDAD. Outcomes will include the effect of probiotic on the occurrence of AAD/CDAD and duration of diarrhoea, intensive care unit admission, hospital mortality and length of hospital stay. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts or even full texts and extract data. Two other reviewers will assess study quality. Revman 5.1 software will be used to conduct meta-analysis and calculate the risk ratio for dichotomous data. Weighted mean difference or standard mean difference will be calculated for continuous data. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool will be used to assess the risk of bias. DISCUSSION: This systematic review protocol will provide information on probiotic therapy for AAD and CDAD in spinal cord injury (SCI) population. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication or conference presentation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015016976.

The development and psychometric properties of a measure of clinicians' attitudes to depression: the revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (R-DAQ).

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental disorder associated with substantial disability. It is inadequately recognised and managed, and clinicians' attitudes to this condition and its treatment may play a part in this. Most research in this area has used the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ), but analyses have shown this measure to exhibit problems in psychometric properties and suitability for the health professionals and settings where depression recognition may occur. METHODS: We revised the DAQ using a pooled review of findings from studies using this measure, together with a Delphi study which sought the opinions of a panel of relevant experts based in the UK, USA, Australia, and European countries (n = 24) using 3 rounds of questioning to consider attitude dimensions, content, and item wording. After item generation, revision and consensus (agreement >70%) using the Delphi panel, the revised DAQ (R-DAQ) was tested with 1193 health care providers to determine its psychometric properties. Finally the test-retest reliability of the R-DAQ was examined with 38 participants. RESULTS: The 22-item R-DAQ scale showed good internal consistency: Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.84; and satisfactory test-retest reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.62 (95% C.I. 0.37 to 0.78). Exploratory factor analysis favoured a three-factor structure (professional confidence, therapeutic optimism/pessimism, and a generalist perspective), which accounted for 45.3% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The R-DAQ provides a revised tool for examining clinicians' views and understanding of depression. It addresses important weaknesses in the original measure whilst retaining items and dimensions that appeared valid. This revised scale is likely to be useful in examining attitudes across the health professional workforce and beyond the confines of the UK, and may be valuable for the purpose of evaluating training that aims to address clinicians' attitudes to depression. It incorporates key dimensions of attitudes with a modest number of items making it applicable to use in busy clinical settings.

Circumcision and HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Britain: the insertive sexual role.

The objective was to examine the association between circumcision status and self-reported HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Britain who predominantly or exclusively engaged in insertive anal intercourse. In 2007-2008, a convenience sample of MSM living in Britain was recruited through websites, in sexual health clinics, bars, clubs, and other venues. Men completed an online survey which included questions on circumcision status, HIV testing, HIV status, sexual risk behavior, and sexual role for anal sex. The analysis was restricted to 1,521 white British MSM who reported unprotected anal intercourse in the previous 3 months and who said they only or mostly took the insertive role during anal sex. Of these men, 254 (16.7 %) were circumcised. Among men who had had a previous HIV test (n = 1,097), self-reported HIV seropositivity was 8.6 % for circumcised men (17/197) and 8.9 % for uncircumcised men (80/900) (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI], 0.56, 1.67). In a multivariable logistic model adjusted for known risk factors for HIV infection, there was no evidence of an association between HIV seropositivity and circumcision status (adjusted OR, 0.79; 95 % CI, 0.43, 1.44), even among the 400 MSM who engaged exclusively in insertive anal sex (adjusted OR, 0.84; 95 % CI, 0.25, 2.81). Our study provides further evidence that circumcision is unlikely to be an effective strategy for HIV prevention among MSM in Britain.

HIV infection among ethnic minority and migrant men who have sex with men in Britain.

OBJECTIVE: To examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) from different ethnic and migrant groups living in Britain. METHODS: In 2007-2008, a diverse national sample of MSM living in Britain was recruited through Web sites, in sexual health clinics, bars, clubs, and other venues. Men completed an online survey that included questions on HIV testing, HIV status, and sexual behavior. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety-one ethnic minority MSM, 207 men born in Central or Eastern Europe (CEE), 136 men born in South or Central America, and 11,944 white British men were included in the analysis. Self-reported HIV seropositivity was low for men of South Asian, Chinese, and "other Asian" ethnicity (range, 0.0%-5.8%) and for men born in CEE (4.5%) but elevated for men born in South or Central America (18.7%), compared with white British men (13.1%) (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between these groups in high-risk sexual behavior (P = 0.8). After adjusting for confounding factors in a multivariable model, substantial differences in the odds of HIV infection remained for South Asian and Chinese MSM as well as for migrants from CEE, but not for other groups, compared with white British men; for example, South Asian men, adjusted odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.23, 0.79, P = 0.007. CONCLUSION: There were marked differences in self-reported HIV seropositivity between ethnic minority, key migrant, and white British MSM in this study but not in high-risk sexual behavior. This highlights the importance of health promotion targeting MSM from all ethnic and migrant groups in Britain.

Sexual mixing and HIV risk among ethnic minority MSM in Britain.

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of men who have sex with men (MSM) living in Britain in 2007-2008 to examine sexual mixing among ethnic minority MSM. The sample comprised 115 black, 112 South Asian, 47 Chinese and 4,434 white MSM who reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the previous 3 months. In each ethnic minority group, MSM were three times more likely to report UAI with a partner of the same ethnicity than would be expected by chance alone (χ(2) > 8.43, p < 0.05). Nonetheless, most (>80 %) ethnic minority MSM reported UAI with men from an ethnic group other than their own. In multivariable analysis there was statistical evidence that, compared with white British MSM, self-reported HIV seropositivity remained low for South Asian and Chinese MSM after adjusting for UAI with partners of the same ethnicity (e.g. South Asian MSM, adjusted odds ratio 0.35, 95 % CI 0.19-0.66). This analysis suggests that differences in self-reported HIV seropositivity between ethnic minority and white MSM in Britain cannot be explained by sexual mixing with partners from the same ethnic group.

The experiences of ethnic minority MSM using NHS sexual health clinics in Britain.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the experiences of ethnic minority and white British men who have sex with men (MSM) who attend NHS sexual health clinics in Britain. METHODS: In 2007-2008, a national sample of MSM living in Britain was recruited through websites, in sexual health clinics, bars, clubs and other venues. Men completed an online survey, which included questions about their experience of attending an NHS sexual health clinic. RESULTS: Analysis is restricted to 363 ethnic minority MSM and 4776 white British MSM who had attended an NHS sexual health clinic in the 12 months before the survey. Compared with white British men, men from an Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi background were more likely to be very anxious about attending the clinic (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.58, 95% CI 1.63 to 4.07), express concerns about being overheard at reception (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.58), be uncomfortable in the waiting area (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.22) or be afraid that people in their community would find out that they have sex with men (aOR 7.70, 95% CI 4.49 to 13.22). The adjusted ORs for being afraid that people in their community would find out that they have sex with men were also elevated for black Caribbean, black African, Chinese and other Asian men. CONCLUSION: Sexual health clinics should be aware that some ethnic minority MSM, particularly those from an Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi background, have heightened concerns about clinic attendance and confidentiality compared with white British MSM.