Participant-Reported Experiences of Conversations about Sexually Transmitted Infections with Romantic Partners: Perceptions of Ownership and Privacy.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect millions of people annually, costing $16 billion in direct costs each year. Young adults often avoid communicating with their romantic partners about STIs for fear of stigma, thereby limiting their own and their partners' ability to make informed and accurate health decisions. Using Communication Privacy Management theory as the theoretical framework, this study investigates how young adults in romantic relationships communicate about STIs with their partner. Findings show that participants report having conversations about STIs, but do not engage in regular STI testing, thereby limiting their ability to provide accurate information. They also discuss STIs in general rather than the communicating about their own history with STIs, being tested for STIs, or discussing STI test results with their partners. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

A qualitative study to explore the acceptability and usefulness of personalized biofeedback to motivate physical activity in cancer survivors.

Objective: Many cancer survivors do not meet recommended levels of exercise, despite the benefits physical activity offers. This study aimed to understand experiences of insufficiently active overweight/obese breast or colorectal cancer survivors, in efforts to (1) examine regular physical activity barriers, and (2) determine perceptions and acceptability of a remotely delivered physical activity intervention utilizing wearable sensors and personalized feedback messages. Methods: In-person and virtual small group interviews were conducted engaging overweight/obese cancer survivors (n = 16, 94% female, 94% breast cancer survivors) in discussions resulting in 314 pages of transcribed data analyzed by multiple coders. Results: All participants expressed needing to increase physical activity, identifying lack of motivation centering on survivorship experiences and symptom management as the most salient barrier. They indicated familiarity with activity trackers (i.e., Fitbit) and expressed interest in biosensors (i.e., continuous glucose monitors [CGMs]) as CGMs show biological metrics in real-time. Participants reported (1) personalized feedback messages can improve motivation and accountability; (2) CGM acceptability is high given survivors' medical history; and (3) glucose data is a relevant health indicator and they appreciated integrated messages (between Fitbit and CGM) in demonstrating how behaviors immediately affect one's body. Conclusions: This study supports the use of wearable biosensors and m-health interventions to promote physical activity in cancer survivors. Glucose-based biofeedback provides relevant and motivating information for cancer survivors regarding their daily activity levels by demonstrating the immediate effects of physical activity. Integrating biofeedback into physical activity interventions could be an effective behavioral change strategy to promote a healthy lifestyle in cancer survivors.

Disparities in Patient- and Family-Centered Care Among Children With Health Conditions.

The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of patient- and family-centered cae (PFCC) received by children in the United States (US) with chronic and developmental health conditions and determine associations between the presence of the conditions and parents' perceptions of PFCC after controlling for covariates. Linked data from the 2012-2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 2013-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (n = 7,835) were tested using crude and adjusted logistic regression procedures. Parents of children with developmental delays had 32% lower odds (95% CI = 0.51-0.90) of reporting their healthcare provider always exhibited all PFCC qualities. Parents of children with allergies and developmental delays had 26% (95% CI = 0.58-0.95) and 42% (95% CI = 0.42-0.80) lower odds of reporting their provider always listened carefully compared to parents whose children did not. Findings demonstrate the importance of continuous training for providers to tailor communication for families who have children with health conditions.

Influence of Pediatric Patients' Developmental or Chronic Health Condition Status as a Predictor of Parents' Perceptions of Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

Our study aimed to estimate how a pediatric patient's health condition status influences parents' perceptions of patient- and family-centered care (PFCC). We analyzed five years (2013-2017) of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data in efforts to expand understanding of the family influence in pediatric health encounters, using family systems theory as our theoretical lens. The sample included 36,675 parents of children with developmental or chronic health conditions who reported visiting a health-care provider within the past 12 months. The independent variable was a combined measure of any developmental or chronic health conditions previously diagnosed in the child being assessed. Dependent variables included parent reports of communication variables related to how often providers: listened; showed respect; spent enough time; and explained things well. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds of receiving PFCC using a dichotomous measure of PFCC quality and separate domains. Results found that 1) the dichotomous variable of PFCC showed that parents of children with health conditions were less likely to report their provider always performed all elements of PFCC compared to parents whose children did not have any health conditions; 2) parents of children with developmental or chronic health conditions were less likely to report their provider always explained things well compared to parents whose children did not have any health conditions. Efforts to improve PFCC should focus on training providers to demonstrate high-quality practices to improve health outcomes for pediatric patients with developmental or chronic conditions.

A Qualitative Examination of COVID-19's Impacts on Physical Activity and Perceptions of Remote Delivery Interventions.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic is correlated with decreased physical activity (PA). Transitioning to remote work may impact people's acceptability and preferences for remotely delivered behavioral interventions, including PA. The objective was to examine perceptions of COVID-19 impacts on PA engagement and motivation, and perspectives related to remotely delivered PA interventions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional small-group interview. SETTING: Harris County, Texas. Participants: Insufficiently active, overweight/obese adults (16 healthy adults [aged 25-52 years], and 7 cancer survivors [aged 50-74 years]). METHOD: Group discussion was guided by semi-structured questions. Audio-transcribed data (278 pages) was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's process centering identification, analysis, organization, description, and reports. RESULTS: Overall, participants expressed a decreased level of PA due to the pandemic. Difficulties (e.g., care-taking activities, working from home, and safety concerns) negatively affected motivation. Participants indicated high acceptability of remotely delivered PA interventions, with advantages of virtual technology features (e.g., did not have to maintain a gym membership) and even accountability in maintaining a PA routine (e.g., using virtual groups to engage in community support). CONCLUSION: Participants described COVID-19 negatively affects access to PA opportunities yet also expressed willingness to engage in remotely delivered PA interventions instead of in-person programs because of their COVID-19 experiences. Remote interventions can greatly increase accessibility and offer opportunities to provide personalized motivation and accountability that people need to be more physically active.