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Biomedical subjects

J G Joseph

Publications and source records attributed to J G Joseph.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Chronic abdominal wall pain. Diagnostic validity and costs.

Chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP) is common and frequently mistaken for visceral pain. We determined the stability of this diagnosis with Main Outcome Measures of: (a) change of pain intensity after local anesthetic-corticosteroid injection, (b) pain relief after three or more months follow-up, and (c) costs of diagnostic procedures for visceral causes of abdominal pain in patients with confirmed CAWP. Seventy-nine patients fulfilled tentative criteria for CAWP; 72 (91%) experienced > or = 50% pain relief with anesthetic injection and were followed for at least three months (mean = 13.8 months). Abdominal pain in four patients was later diagnosed as caused by visceral disease. CAWP was confirmed in 56 of remaining 68 patients; 12 of 19 patients with recurrent pain were unavailable for re-injection of anesthetic. Thirty patients with confirmed CAWP had had diagnostic procedures to exclude visceral disease costing almost $700 per patient. CAWP is usually easily identified and treated; greater awareness should minimize misdiagnosis.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1993

Social relationships of men at risk for AIDS.

Survey data collected in 1984-85 from a community sample of 637 gay and bisexual men were used to determine the features of social relationships that were most conductive to changes in both psychological health and AIDS-related sexual risk behavior. Multiple regression analyses showed that both the perceived availability of social support and the absence of conflicts in the social network were related to improve psychological health. At the same time, the subjective experience of integration into social networks was associated with increased psychological distress, and validation (the experience of being accepted by others) was related to a higher level of risk activity. These findings are discussed in terms of the social relationships among community members that share a common stressor--in this case the shared problem of being at risk for AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Recreational drugs and sexual behavior in the Chicago MACS/CCS cohort of homosexually active men. Chicago Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)/Coping and Change Study.

Since initial reports emerged of an association between recreational drug use and high-risk sexual behaviors in gay men, there has been interest in studying this relationship for its relevance to behavioral interventions. Reported here are the longitudinal patterns of alcohol and recreational drug use in the Chicago Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)/Coping and Change Study (CCS) of gay men. A pattern of decreasing drug use over 6 years was observed that paralleled a decline in high-risk sexual behavior (i.e., unprotected anal intercourse). In contrast, alcohol consumption tended to be more stable over time, and to show no relationship to sexual behavior change. Men who combined volatile nitrite (popper) use with other recreational drugs were at highest risk both behaviorally and in terms of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) seroconversion throughout the study. Popper use also was associated independently with lapse from safer sexual behaviors (failure to use a condom during receptive anal sex). Use of other recreational substances showed no relationship to sexual behavior change patterns, and stopping popper use was unrelated to improvement in safer sexual behavior. When popper use and lapse from safer sex were reanalyzed, controlling for primary relationship status, popper use was associated with failure to use condoms during receptive anal sex among nonmonogamous men only. These findings suggest an association between popper use and high-risk sexual behavior among members of the Chicago MACS/CCS cohort that has relevance to HIV prevention intervention efforts.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

A longitudinal study of psychological distress in a cohort of gay men. Effects of social support and coping strategies.

This study presents analyses on questionnaire data collected from a panel of 520 gay men at risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, enrolled in the Coping and Change Study (1985-1987). The data were assessed to determine the association of social support and coping styles with subsequent depression and global distress and to investigate whether these predictors of mental health are stable or transient over time. Three different measures of the subjective, qualitative nature of social support were significantly associated with subsequent mental health. Those who reported a subjective sense of isolation experienced significantly more adverse mental health 6 months later at all three measurement periods. Scattered effects were found for perceived social conflict and perceived social support from others. These results indicate that certain types of social support appear to influence mental health in this cohort and, furthermore, that some associations are transient and others more stable over time.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

The effects of social support on Hopkins Symptom Checklist-assessed depression and distress in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative gay men. A longitudinal study at six time points.

Questionnaire data were collected from a panel of 342 gay men at risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome enrolled in the Coping and Change Study between 1985 and 1987, and 1988 and 1990. Data were obtained across a period of 5 years in six serial wave pairs to determine the relationship of social support to Hopkins Symptom Checklist-assessed subsequent depression and general distress and to investigate whether the trends observed were stable or transient over time. Both objective and subjective components of social support demonstrated dramatic within-person stability over time (r = .47 to .86). A measure of subjective social support was modestly but significantly associated with lower depression at four of the six time periods and a lower level of general distress at one time period. Before appropriately controlling for current depression, subjective social support appeared to account for up to a third of the variance in future depression; after such controls were included in the regression equation, it became apparent that the independent contribution of support only ranged from 4% to 6% across the study period. This emphasizes the importance of including current mental health in longitudinal analyses. The respondents' social participation and involvement with others did not affect either depression or general distress at any time during the study period. These results indicate that while social participation may have no effect, subjective social support appears to influence often mental health in this cohort. Furthermore, human immunodeficiency virus seropositive men may at times benefit from such support.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Predictors of sexual behavior change among men requesting their HIV-1 antibody status: the Chicago MACS/CCS cohort of homosexual/bisexual men, 1985-1986.

It has been proposed that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing and counseling are effective means of altering sexual behavior among individuals at risk of HIV infection and transmission. However, the evidence supporting this hypothesis is inconclusive. This study examines the factors associated with sexual behavior change among a group of participants in the Chicago MACS/Coping and Change Study (CMACS/CCS) who requested their HIV antibody status when they were first given the opportunity, between 1985 and 1986. A set of demographic and psychosocial predictors were tested in association with 4 possible outcome patterns of sexual behavior change during the time of antibody status disclosure. For comparative purposes, a randomly selected sample of men who did not request disclosure of their HIV antibody status was analyzed. The results revealed that, among the 177 individuals who requested disclosure, the group experiencing an adverse sexual behavior change (i.e., from low risk before disclosure to high risk after disclosure) reported, before disclosure, the highest level of mental distress and denial-fatalism coping strategies and had the lowest levels of social support compared with other groups being analyzed. The psychosocial predictor most strongly associated with adverse sexual behavior change appears to be the use of denial-fatalism coping. Such an association was not found among the nondisclosed comparison group. These results suggest that a subgroup of at-risk, well-educated, white men, with overall high knowledge of HIV transmission, may not benefit from current HIV counseling and testing. Such men at risk for adverse behavioral outcomes might be identified in advance of HIV-1 antibody testing by their psychosocial profile, and thus appropriate counseling resources could be targeted to them.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of childhood disability in a southern Indian city: independent effect of small differences in social status.

A random sample of mothers living in two neighbourhoods of a southern Indian city were interviewed in order to determine the prevalence of serious disability in children 2-9 years old. These areas were selected because residents constitute either the lowest class or the next higher socioeconomic class (next-to-lowest class), with monthly incomes of US$ 10-15 and 32-42 respectively. A previously validated screening instrument was used with documented sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95% when applied under similar conditions. Disability was found to be more common among children of the lowest class families (17.2%) when compared with the next-to-lowest class families (8.4%); with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.36 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-3.64). Specific types of disability were examined and found to be consistently more prevalent in the lowest class. These results suggest that comparatively small differences in social status can be associated with important differences in health status.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Gay identity and risky sexual behavior related to the AIDS threat.

This paper explores the relationship between risky sexual behavior and issues of gay identity in homosexual men. We identify three main conceptual categories important to gay identity: sexual identity, gay social interaction, and identity development milestones. Each of these categories are analyzed as to their predictive effect on risky sexual behavior related to the threat of HIV, at six-month and eighteen-month intervals. The results suggest that successful integration into a gay network plays a role in reducing risky sexual behavior among homosexual men, regardless of the chronological timing of personal events marking a gay man's "coming out" history.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Predictors of relapse in sexual practices among homosexual men.

Selected sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral variables were used to predict maintenance or relapse in sexual practices over a 1-year interval in a cohort of homosexual men in Chicago. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to define predictive models for safer practices separately for insertive and receptive and sex. Demographic and psychosocial variables were not associated with subsequent relapse. Neither was HIV serostatus. Using more rigorous multiple logistic regression, only monogamous relationships, less peer support, and less assertiveness in negotiating safer sex appeared to predict relapse to less safe practices. The importance of interpersonal variables and social norms for future interventions among homosexual men is discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Relapse in sexual behavior among homosexual men: a 2-year follow-up from the Chicago MACS/CCS.

Serial biannual cross-sectional assessments of HIV sexual risk indicated a consistent increase in safer sexual practices among homosexual men participating in the Chicago-Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)/Coping and Change Study (CCS) in 1986-1988. Safer sexual practices were achieved by avoidance of anal sex and less often by consistent use of condoms. Longitudinal patterns of variability in individual behavior were also assessed. After 1 year of follow-up, 53% of the participants maintained safer practices in receptive anal sex, 6% maintained unsafe practices, while 31% relapsed at least once. After 2 years, 45% maintained safer practices, 3% maintained unsafe practices and 47% relapsed at least once. Similar trends were observed in insertive anal sex.

Chicago↗
PubMed1990

Psychological functioning in a cohort of gay men at risk for AIDS. A three-year descriptive study.

This study describes the mental health of a large cohort of gay men participating in the Chicago Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study/Coping and Change Study. Six biannual questionnaires were self-administered between 1984 and 1988. General mental health was determined by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL). An abbreviated version of the Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale (CESD-5) and an adapted Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) question also measured depression. Suicidal ideation was assessed by one question in the HSCL. AIDS-specific distress was determined by three subscales specifically developed for this study. While mean HSCL and CESD-5 scores were stable during the observational period, AIDS-specific distress increased over time. The HSCL scores for the cohort were somewhat elevated above general population norms but considerably below psychiatric outpatient norms. Fewer than 12% of the men reported elevated HSCL or CESD-5 scores three or more times. A self-reported episode of depression of two weeks or more, measured by the DIS screening question, was experienced by 40.1% of the sample. Suicidal ideation was reported on three or more visits by 18.8% of the men. The younger members of this cohort exhibit greater general and AIDS-specific distress. Income was inversely associated with general distress. HIV-seropositive participants had generally higher AIDS-specific distress scores than those who were seronegative, but their scores were equivalent on the HSCL and CESD-5.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Behavioral change in longitudinal studies: adoption of condom use by homosexual/bisexual men.

We compared reporting serial cross-sectional prevalence of sexual behavior over time, to reporting individual patterns of behavioral change in a cohort of homosexual men at a six-month interval. Aggregate prevalence rates underestimated the magnitude of change to safer practices, and failed to provide information on relapse to less safe practices. We conclude that it is important to report data based on individual fluctuations in behavior for the evaluation of change over time.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The Health Belief Model in understanding compliance with preventive recommendations for AIDS: how useful?

The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been applied to a variety of health conditions: most are less threatening and require less complex responses than those arising in the case of AIDS. The utility of the HBM in understanding preventive behaviors in AIDS is examined in a cohort of homosexual men at two different time points. Longitudinal analyses estimated the relationship of indices assessing susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers, as well as sociodemographic factors, to sexual behavior across the next 18 months. Analyses further defined these associations in specific subgroups of participants, such as those initially at lower or higher risk. In general, measures of severity and socioeconomic advantage had the most consistently beneficial effect on various measures of behavior. Little or no beneficial effect was observed for other components of the HBM, notably a measure of perceived susceptibility. These analyses suggest that the special features of AIDS may require development of more adequate theoretical frameworks.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Effects of HIV infection, perceived health and clinical status on a cohort at risk for AIDS.

Data from a general population sample of 621 healthy homosexual men are used to evaluate the social and emotional effects of HIV antibody status, clinical signs detected by medical examination, and subjectively perceived symptoms. Participants are unaware of their serologic status at the time of data collection, thus allowing the effects of the virus to be separated from reactions to the knowledge of serologic status. The data show that seropositivity for HIV is not associated with elevated levels of social or emotional impairment. Clinical signs lead to impairment in baseline data, but these effects do not persist at a second wave. This weakening suggests that the effects are mediated by psychological pathways rather than biologic ones. This suspicion is confirmed in further analyses, which show that the effects of clinical signs are mediated by subjectively perceived symptoms. These results show that neither social nor emotional impairment is likely to be a prodromal sign of HIV infection in otherwise healthy homosexual men. The substantial levels of distress found among these men is more directly influenced by psychological determinants than biologic ones. This suggests that physicians should be aware of the psychological toll imposed on gay men who develop health problems in the current atmosphere of uncertainty regarding risk of AIDS.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1988

AIDS and behavioral change to reduce risk: a review.

Published reports describing behavioral changes in response to the threat of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) are reviewed. These studies demonstrate rapid, profound, but expectably incomplete alterations in the behavior of both homosexual/bisexual males and intravenous drug users. This is true in the highest risk metropolitan areas such as New York City and in areas with lower AIDS incidence. Risk reduction is occurring more frequently through the modification of sexual or drug-use behavior than through its elimination. In contrast to aggregate data, longitudinal descriptions of individual behavior demonstrate considerable instability or recidivism. Behavioral change in the potentially vulnerable heterosexual adolescent and young adult populations is less common, as is risk reduction among urban minorities. Reports of AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes generally parallel the pattern of behavioral changes. Nonetheless, few studies investigate the relationship of knowledge and attitudes to risk reduction. Future studies should provide much-needed information about the determinants as well as the magnitude of behavioral changes required to reduce the further spread of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Breast self-examination in an urban population: estimates of prevalence and quality of performance.

Interview data from 434 women (aged greater than or equal to 20 years) in two Wellington suburban areas were used to estimate the prevalence and quality of performance of breast self-examination. Although 98% of women were familiar with breast self-examination, and 73% had performed it at least once, only 39% did so at least monthly. Its practice was significantly more common in the middle years (30-59), among Europeans, and in women with tertiary education. Thoroughness or quality of performance was assessed by comparison with Cancer Society recommendations. Scores for examination technique were generally high (mean = 73%) compared with those assessing timing (mean = 47.5%) and conditions under which breast self-examination was performed (mean = 43.3%). Results from this study were compared with 1975-76 New Zealand survey data which produced lower estimates of the prevalence of monthly breast self-examination. Both studies found that more than a quarter of women have never practiced it. Future research and intervention efforts should be directed toward this group of women.

Adult↗