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Biomedical subjects

E Brendstrup

Publications and source records attributed to E Brendstrup.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

An exploratory study of reflexological treatment for headache.

CONTEXT: Headache is the most frequently reported symptom among Danish adults, and studies in various European countries indicate migraine headache prevalence rates similar to those in Denmark. OBJECTIVE: An exploratory study of reflexological treatment for headache was conducted from 1993 to 1994 to examine which patients with headache underwent a course of reflexological treatment, why patients sought reflexological treatment, what previous experience patients had with medication for headache, and what outcomes patients experienced from reflexological treatment. DESIGN: Prospective and exploratory study using random sampling and the following data collection methods: headache diaries, registration schemes for practitioners, questionnaires, and qualitative interviews. SETTING: Denmark. PATIENTS: 220 patients with migraine and/or tension headache. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated for a maximum of 6 months by 78 reflexologists systematically drawn from the membership lists of 5 alternative therapist associations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A diagnosis of each patient's type of headache at the outset of treatment was made by a consulting physician according to the International Headache Society Classification (1988). RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, 81% of patients reported that they were helped by the treatments or were cured of their headache problems. Nineteen percent of those who had formerly taken drugs to control their headaches were able to stop medication support following participation in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Reflexological treatment seems to improve patients' general well-being, energy level, ability to interpret their own body signals, and ability to understand the reasons for headache. However, these relationships may be due to other factors in the treatment environment. Additional studies are necessary to determine the proximate cause of reflexology's therapeutic benefits.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Homosexual and bisexual men's coping with the AIDS epidemic: qualitative interviews with 10 non-HIV-tested homosexual and bisexual men.

This paper describes how the threat of HIV infection is appraised and coped with by homosexual and bisexual men. Very little is known about men who do not want to be HIV tested, thus non-HIV-tested homosexual and bisexual men have been interviewed in depth about themes concerning their lives during the AIDS epidemic. Men with sexual risk behaviour appeared to be very reluctant to participate, and therefore six men with safe sexual behaviour and four men with unsafe sexual behaviour were interviewed. The results showed that all the men were well informed about AIDS and preventive measures. Reasons for not wanting a test were fear of psychological distress caused by a possible positive test and the fact that no treatment is available. The men who had adopted safe sex appraised their sex lives to have suffered a minor loss but found that sexuality played a subordinate role compared to trust and friendship. The men with risk behaviour considered sexuality to play an important role in their lives. They found condoms a barrier to intimacy and used defensive strategies to manage stress. Most of them were able to exchange social support with their network but had difficulties in setting their own limits. All four men had experienced undertreated traumatic events in their past. The results indicate that knowledge of AIDS and satisfactory social support do not necessarily result in safe sexual behaviour. The role of undertreated traumatic events forming barriers against adopting safe sexual practices should be further studied. Proposals are put forward for future health education programmes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Attitudes towards HIV infection and sexual risk behaviour. A survey among Danish men 16-55 years of age.

To describe attitudes towards HIV infection in relation to sexual risk behaviour and sociodemographic factors in a representative sample of Danish men 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by prepaid mail. The response rate was 55%, corresponding to 1,155 participants. In contrast to the official AIDS prevention strategy, 28% of the participants stated that HIV infected persons should be forbidden to have sexual relationships, and 44% that they should be registered by the authorities. 33% of the participants had had sexual behaviour which may be associated with increased risk of HIV infection: more than one female partner during the previous 12 months, sexual contact with prostitutes or sex with other men. Despite good basic knowledge of AIDS, only 41-59% of these men perceived themselves at risk, and only 47%-54% of men perceiving themselves at risk had adopted risk-reducing sexual behaviour. The results indicate a need for innovative health education of the general public about AIDS prevention at community and individual level. In the absence of effective treatment and without prospect of a vaccine in the near future the prevention of AIDS must focus on modifying behaviour associated with increased risk of HIV infection, in particular sexual behaviour.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

HIV testing in Denmark: a nominator-denominator study.

In order to describe prevalence and trends of HIV infection, demographic variables, risk factors, and reasons for seeking testing, and self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to approximately 75% of all individuals tested for antibodies to HIV on a voluntary basis, in all parts of the Danish health-care system, in November 1987 and in April 1988. The number of questionnaires returned was 2143 (55%). Overall, HIV prevalence was 1.2% and was highest among homosexual and bisexual men: 6% in November and 9% in April, with no statistical difference. Sixteen per cent of the men reported homosexual behaviour, 7% reported intravenous drug use, and 60% more than one opposite-sex partner within the last 12 months. No substantial difference was observed between reported risk factors in November and April. Overall, 18% had been tested at least once before; this figure rose to approximately 50% among homosexual men and intravenous drug abusers, a substantial number of whom had engaged in risk behaviour since the latest test. Sixty percent of men and 75% of women were tested at general practitioners', and 22% and 13% at sexually transmitted disease clinics; only 6% of men and 3% of women had used alternative test sites. It is concluded that studies of anti-HIV-tested people can give detailed information about patterns of HIV testing and indications of trends in HIV infection rates, thereby supplementing other forms of HIV surveillance.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

Occurrence of sexual behaviour related to the risk of HIV-infection. A survey among Danish men, 16-55 years of age.

To describe the occurrence of sexual behaviour involving increased risk of HIV-infection in a representative sample of Danish men, 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by mail. The response rate was 55% corresponding to 1,155 participants. The sexual behaviour of 33% of the men was potentially risky, with a chance of HIV-infection. Homosexual experience was reported as 3% and sexual contact with female prostitutes as 14%. During the previous twelve months, 1% had had homosexual contact, 2% had had contact with prostitutes, and 22% had more than one female partner; most of these men had "one night stands" and used condoms infrequently. Consequently, a significant minority of the participants engaged in sexual behaviour which might facilitate the dissemination of HIV-infection. Although the prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals in Denmark is low, intense health education will be needed in order to prevent heterosexual spread of HIV in the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗