Help-seeking behavior for erectile dysfunction： clinic-based survey in China

The behavior of Chinese patients seeking help for erectile dysfunction （ED） has not been described in detail. This was an observational study conducted using an outpatient clinic-based questionnaire survey of ED patients. From 2008 to 2009, physicians in 10 medical centers in China enrolled 2693 men （aged 25-70years） diagnosed with ED. The diagnosis was based on the International Index of Erectile Function 5 （IIEF-5） Questionnaire. The men completed a survey that asked questions about demographics, marital status, education level and household income as well as help-seeking behavior and awareness of medical therapy. The mean age of the 2693 men was 43.4 5.3years; 73% were 〈50-years-old and 49% had a high household income. The mean time between noticing ED and taking the first treatment was 4.3 2.1months. Of the 2577 respondents, physicians （54%） and the internet （52%） were most frequently consulted sources for information about ED. Young ED patients preferred using the internet and older patients preferred consulting with physicians. Western medicine （19%） and traditional Chinese medicine （16%） were most frequently used for treatment. Young ED patients preferred to first search the internet for information, whereas older patients first asked physicians for help. Side effects of treatment were the greatest concern, especially for older patients. Physicians and the internet are frequently consulted for ED information and therapy. On the basis of these survey results, we believe that physicians in China should enhance health education about ED, especially via the internet.

Association of social distance toward schizophrenia with help-seeking among mothers of adolescents in Japan

Negative maternal attitudes toward schizophrenia may be linked with delayed treatment of their children. We investigated the relation between negative attitudes toward schizophrenia and help-seeking among mothers of junior and senior high school students in Japan. The participants were 1309 Japanese mothers of junior and senior high school students. Social distance was evaluated by using the Social Distance Scale-Japanese version (SDS-J). In addition, mothers were asked about help-seeking for a child with sleeplessness, social withdrawal, and strange behavior. One-way analysis of variance and Student’s t-test were used to evaluate associations between social distance toward schizophrenia and help-seeking. Most (76.4%) participants were aged 40 - 49 years. Maternal demographic characteristics significantly associated with social distance were employment and participation in welfare activities for people with mental illness. In responding to a child with sleeplessness, social withdrawal, and strange behavior, the level of maternal social distance was not significantly associated with the likelyhood of seeking psychiatric help. However, mothers with greater social distance were less likely to seek help at a psychiatric clinic. Maternal social distance toward schizophrenia was not significantly associated with seeking psychiatric help;however, it did affect the type of facility selected among those would seek such help.

Schizophrenia knowledge and attitudes toward help-seeking among Japanese fathers and mothers of high school students

The prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia are nonspecific and include social withdrawal, sleeplessness, decreased desire, and loss of concentration. Schizophrenia outcomes might be improved if greater therapeutic effort was focused on people with prodromal symptoms. To hasten help-seeking for schizophrenia, we developed a schizophrenia education program for families of patients. Help-seeking and schizophrenia attitudes and knowledge were analyzed among Japanese parents (666 fathers and 613 mothers) of high school students by using the Social Distance Scale-Japanese version, the Link Devaluation-Discrimination Measure and our own questions on help-seeking and schizophrenia knowledge. Statistical analysis included cross-tabulation, the χ2 test, and multiple regression analysis. Most (97.5%) fathers were aged 40 - 59 years;most (78.3%) mothers were aged 40 - 49 years. There was a significant difference between fathers and mothers in basic knowledge of schizophrenia (P < 0.001);however, fathers and mothers did not significantly differ in their attitudes toward schizophrenia (P > 0.05). When asked what treatment they would seek for a child with sleeplessness or social withdrawal, fathers and mothers significantly differed in seeking help medical care at a department of psychosomatic medicine (P < 0.05) and in seeking help from the nurse at their child’s school (P < 0.001). Fathers and mothers also differed in relation to the decision not to seek help (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that basic knowledge significantly differed between fathers and mothers (P = 0.001). In an analysis of parental response to a child with sleepiness and social withdrawal, multiple regression analysis revealed that fathers and mothers significantly differed in the likelihood of seeking help at a department of psychosomatic medicine and from a school nurse and in the likelihood of not seeking help (P < 0.05, P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, help-seeking behavior differed between Japanese fathers and mothers. These findings should assist in developing schizophrenia education programs that aim to hasten intervention.

Lay Perceptions about Tuberculosis among Non-UK-Born Black Africans in the United Kingdom

Background: Tuberculosis among non-UK-born Black Africans has been gradually recognized as a public health problem in the UK despite the various interventions implemented. Objectives: To explore the perceptions of non-UK-born Black Africans about TB health risk;to explore the health seeking behavior of the non-UK-born Black Africans in relation to TB and to explore lay views on TB health education and screening as opportunities for health promotion. Methodology and Study Design: A qualitative methodology was used on a purposively selected sample of 12 non-UK-born Black Africans living in Leeds. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the lay perceptions about TB. Thematic analysis was used to derive important themes in accordance to the study objectives. Ethical approval was provided by Leeds Metropolitan University. Setting: Community setting of non-UK-born Black Africans in Leeds, UK. Results: This population holds mixed views and perceptions about tuberculosis, few facilitators and many barriers existed to current TB prevention efforts. The barriers included: language barriers, barriers related to services and systems, immigration status and stigma despite the benefits involved. The potential for black African communities to readily increase the likelihood of behavior change was found as an important finding for this study. Conclusions: Tuberculosis is a preventable public health problem. Involvement of the non-UK-born black Africans communities in the TB prevention may be beneficial for reducing and tackling TB rates in this population. Such an approach is potentially inexpensive and more readily implementable than other suggested strategies such as changes to immigration policies.

Mental Health Literacy of University Students in Vietnam and Cambodia

Mental health literacy(MHL)refers to knowledge and attitudes that shape the recognition,management,and prevention of mental disorders.While the topic has been exhaustively researched in Western countries,research from Southeast Asia still is limited.Previous studies in this field showed a moderate recognition of mental disorders,a high prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes and a low willingness to seek professional help among Southeastern-Asian populations.This study explored the level of MHL among university students from different parts of Vietnam and Cambodia.Correlations with influencing factors(gender,age,study year,educational attainment of the parents,urban/rural origin,ethnicity,personal experiences with mental disorders)were also explored.An online survey,using a 30-item Vietnamese version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale(MHLS),was conducted at six university sites in Vietnam and Cambodia.Data of 1032 students from different study branches were included.The MHL of Vietnamese and Cambodian university students was lower,compared to samples from Australia or the UK.Females and students with a personal experience of mental disorders(self or family)showed a significantly higher MHL.No differences in MHL were found between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds(professional attainment of parents,urban/rural origin).Findings on the influence of ethnicity were inconclusive.MHL needs to be improved among the university students of Vietnam and Cambodia.Mental health promotion should specifically target male students,students from STEM branches,and international students.

Factors Affecting the Duration between Symptom Onset and Diagnosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Background: The prognosis of patients with tumors is partly influenced by the stage when patients are diagnosed. Therefore, the time of confirmed diagnosis after onset can be considered as a prognostic predictor. Although a few of studies work on it, factors that influence the duration remain poorly understood in different areas. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with gastric cancer. Participants completed questionnaires by either phone or face-to-face interviews. Results: Females are with a longer interval than males. Farms lived in rural area and with New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme are associated with a longer time interval. Patients whose income is mainly from their spouses also have a longer interval. Abdominal pain seems to be associated with longer interval time, while vomiting leads to a shorter time interval. Taking medicine after symptoms appear is associated with longer time intervals, especially those take medicine nonstandardly and more than 2 weeks. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the medical resource in rural area should still be enhanced;meanwhile taking medicine without doctor’s advice should be cut down. Additional efforts must be made to devise strategies to properly guide patients’ behavior.

大学生心理健康问题影响专业心理求助行为的机制——一项追踪研究

对某高校1551名大学新生进行三次追踪,采用结构方程模型考察亲子依恋、友伴关系、求助意愿在心理健康问题对求助行为影响中的综合作用机制。结果发现:(1)心理健康问题对求助行为的正向预测作用显著,对求助意愿的负向预测作用显著,求助意愿在心理健康问题对求助行为的影响中起遮掩作用;(2)友伴关系在心理健康问题通过求助意愿对求助行为影响中的调节作用不显著;(3)父子依恋和母子依恋在心理健康问题通过求助意愿对求助行为的影响中起调节作用;具体而言,在低母子、低父子依恋组,随着心理健康问题的增加,求助意愿的变化趋势不显著;而在高母子、高父子依恋组,随着心理健康问题的增加,求助意愿显著下降。