RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To explore hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma among individuals who inject substances in South Central Indiana. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a community-based participatory research approach. The community partner was a grassroots harm reduction organization. SAMPLE: Participants in this study were at least 18 years of age, current residents of Indiana, and self-identified as injection substance users (n = 179). MEASUREMENTS: The survey measured hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma, as well as differences in hepatitis C risk scores among key demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Most participants identified as male (n = 106, 59%), White (n = 139, 78%), and straight (n = 143, 80%). People of color reported lower hepatitis C knowledge than White participants. Women had significantly lower hepatitis C knowledge compared with men. LGBTQ participants reported increased hepatitis C risk compared with straight participants. Increased frequency of substance use was associated with decreased stigma. Unhoused participants demonstrated significantly lower hepatitis C knowledge compared with housing-secure participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings increase understanding that knowledge and risk around hepatitis C are associated with demographic characteristics. Results underscore the need for tailored public health interventions to increase hepatitis C knowledge, reduce stigma, and improve testing and treatment among vulnerable populations.
RESUMO
Background: Prior research suggests transgender individuals with multiple minority statuses experience higher psychological stress compared to their singly disadvantaged counterparts, and both Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and transgender minorities experience more frequent and severe forms of discrimination than White and cisgender individuals. Aims: This study aims to examine racial/ethnic differences in gender-related discrimination and psychological distress within a sample of transgender individuals. Methods: Using data from a convenience sample of 99 self-identified transgender adults recruited through North American LGBTQ organizations, data were analyzed to determine the relationship between race/ethnicity, gender minority stress, and psychological distress. Results: When White and BIPOC participants are compared, no significant group differences were found in levels of gender discrimination or victimization. However, some individual racial/ethnic groups reported significantly higher or lower scores and results indicate that changes in reported gender minority stress are in fact positively correlated with reported psychological distress. Conclusion: This research highlights that BIPOC are a heterogeneous group; by solely examining race/ethnicity as a binary variable, studies mask potential important differences among different groups.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: Reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging policy issue that requires mitigation strategies, such as mask-wearing and social distancing. Whether youth will conform to these strategies is unclear. METHODS: We leverage data on 1,152 youth's mask-wearing and social-distancing behaviors from observations of five in-person live-streamed high school graduations from one U.S. public school district in July 2020. Multiple researchers took ethnographic field notes and systematically recorded public health behaviors for each graduation. We also use data from the local public health department, school district, newspapers, community observations, and the National Center for Education Statistics. We then conducted a descriptive quantitative analysis of mask-wearing status by gender, ethnicity, and school, along with a qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Nearly 70% of students wore their masks properly while receiving their diploma, although 9.6% wore no mask and 18.7% struggled with mask fit. Almost all students removed masks for graduation photos after adults suggested they should, although 80% of them were wearing their mask properly before the photo. We found significant school variation, but no gender or ethnic variation in student mask-wearing. School variation aligned with political themes of student speeches and in adult commitment to safety measures. Student speakers at all schools mentioned altruistic concern about COVID-19. All schools struggled with social distancing throughout the ceremony, except when students were seated in socially distanced chairs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important insights into youth conformity to COVID-19 guidelines and strategies to protect public health during in-person schooling.
