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Biomedical subjects

Lorraine Sherr

Publications and source records attributed to Lorraine Sherr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

No evidence of an increase in serosorting with casual partners among HIV-negative gay men in London, 1998-2005.

Serosorting is an HIV risk reduction strategy whereby some gay men only engage in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners of the same HIV status. There was no evidence of an increase in serosorting among HIV-negative gay men in London between 1998 and 2005 (1.7%, 1.2%; test for a trend P = 0.1). By way of comparison, the percentage of HIV-positive gay men who reported serosorting more than doubled during this time (6.8%, 17.7%, P < 0.01).

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2007

Barebacking among HIV-positive gay men in London.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the extent to which HIV-positive gay men in London intentionally seek unprotected anal intercourse ("barebacking") and the contribution this makes to total sexual risk. STUDY DESIGN: In 2002 to 2003, HIV-positive gay men surveyed in an HIV outpatient clinic or on the Internet were asked whether they had intentionally looked for anal sex without a condom in the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Of 481 men in the clinic, 59 (12.3%) said they had intentionally looked for anal sex without a condom, 34 (7.1%) only with another HIV-positive man and 25 (5.2%) with a man of unknown or discordant HIV status. Overall, 85 men reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a casual partner of unknown or discordant HIV status; 20 (23.5%) had intentionally looked for UAI with such a partner, whereas the remaining 65 (76.5%) had not. Of 66 men surveyed on the Internet, 32 (48.5%) said they had intentionally looked for anal sex without a condom. CONCLUSION: Although barebackers made a disproportionate contribution to sexual risk, three-fourths of high-risk sex reported by HIV-positive gay men in London was not intentional. The Internet sample overestimated the prevalence of barebacking among HIV-positive gay men because of sampling bias.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Conducting Internet-based HIV/STD prevention survey research: considerations in design and evaluation.

The aim of this paper is to advance rigorous Internet-based HIV/STD Prevention quantitative research by providing guidance to fellow researchers, faculty supervising graduates, human subjects' committees, and review groups about some of the most common and challenging questions about Internet-based HIV prevention quantitative research. The authors represent several research groups who have gained experience conducting some of the first Internet-based HIV/STD prevention quantitative surveys in the US and elsewhere. Sixteen questions specific to Internet-based HIV prevention survey research are identified. To aid rigorous development and review of applications, these questions are organized around six common criteria used in federal review groups in the US: significance, innovation, approach (broken down further by research design, formative development, procedures, sampling considerations, and data collection); investigator, environment and human subjects' issues. Strategies promoting minority participant recruitment, minimizing attrition, validating participants, and compensating participants are discussed. Throughout, the implications on budget and realistic timetabling are identified.

HIV Infections↗
PubMed2006

A feasibility study on recruiting fathers of young children to examine the impact of paternal depression on child development.

Fathers are underrepresented in research on mental health and child outcome. We tested a range of methods of recruitment of fathers to establish feasibility and recruitment rates to obtain a sample for a study on paternal depression and child development. The study took place in North London. Fathers of children aged 6 years and under were approached via: general practice surgeries by post and by face-to-face contact with attendees; child health surveillance clinics face-to-face or via their partners and via hospital postnatal wards face-to-face or by post. Researcher time and associated costs were monitored for each method, and symptoms of depression and anxiety measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Face-to-face recruitment of fathers on the postnatal ward generated the highest return rate of HADS (28/37; 76%), followed by postal recruitment through general practice (41%;124/303). Lower response rates were observed with postal recruitment via postnatal wards (31%), recruitment in child health surveillance clinics (20%) and approaching attendees in general practice (16%). Twelve percent (23/194) and 30% (58/194) of fathers respectively reported depression and anxiety above the cut-off for case-definition. Costs were calculated on pro-rata researcher time. Costs of recruiting one participant ranged from 3 pounds sterling (general practice postal) to 11.75 pounds sterling (child health surveillance clinics), however the general practice attender method was disproportionately expensive (52.50 pounds sterling). This feasibility study shows that it is possible to recruit fathers to mental health studies and provides clear guidance on planning, costing and the expected levels of recruitment for future studies on fathers of young children.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Women living with facial hair: the psychological and behavioral burden.

OBJECTIVE: While unwanted facial hair is clearly distressing for women, relatively little is known about its psychological impact. This study reports on the psychological and behavioral burden of facial hair in women with suspected polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-eight women (90% participation rate) completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning hair removal practices; the impact of facial hair on social and emotional domains; relationships and daily life; anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale); self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale); and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: Women spent considerable time on the management of their facial hair (mean, 104 min/week). Two thirds (67%) reported continually checking in mirrors and 76% by touch. Forty percent felt uncomfortable in social situations. High levels of emotional distress and psychological morbidity were detected; 30% had levels of depression above the clinical cut off point, while 75% reported clinical levels of anxiety; 29% reported both. Although overall quality of life was good, scores were low in social and relationship domains--reflecting the impact of unwanted facial hair. CONCLUSION: Unwanted facial hair carries a high psychological burden for women and represents a significant intrusion into their daily lives. Psychological support is a neglected element of care for these women.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Sustaining HIV testing in pregnancy- evaluation of routine offer of HIV testing in three London hospitals over 2 years.

This study sets out to examine how routine offers of HIV testing for pregnant women in ante-natal (prenatal) clinics are managed over time. Data was collected over two time periods (2002, 2004) from all women booking clinics at three London hospitals. Data from 3,560 women, comprising 2,710 in 2002 (time 1) and 850 in 2004 (time 2) were gathered. Uptake of HIV testing, demographic variables, HIV-associated risks, pregnancy variables and uptake of other ante-natal tests were monitored. In the later study, details of partner testing and time spent discussing HIV was monitored. HIV test uptake with routine offer (RCT) was high. There was a significant increase in HIV testing over time from 85 to 91% (p<0.0001). In 2004, significantly more women had been previously tested for HIV (25 versus 41%, p<0.0001), more women refused all other ante-natal tests (rubella [0 versus 4% p<0.0001], syphilis [1 versus 5%, p<0.0001], Haemoglobin [1 versus 3%, p<0.0001], Down's syndrome [0 versus 13%, p<0.0001] and hepatitis B [1 versus 5%, p<0.0001]). Significantly less women refused HIV test (15 versus 9%, p<0.0001). Initially, HIV was the most frequently refused test (15%), whereas at time 2 Down's syndrome tests were most frequently declined. At time 1, 2% declined any test. By time 2, 14% of the sample declined any test (p<0.0001). Three percent of women had an established HIV risk at time 1 and 6% at time 2. Women with risk factors were significantly less likely to accept testing at time 2, but not at time 1 or not overall. Multivariable analysis was carried out to look at predictors of opting in and opting out of testing. At time 2 HIV test uptake was more likely if less than 3 min was spent discussing it (chi2=9.3, p=0.002). This information was not available at time 1. HIV testing in ante-natal care can be sustained over time. Challenges for the future relate to complex cases, test declining, ensuring that women with risk factors do not systematically decline and providing skills for midwives or referral pathways to deal with more demanding cases. It has been possible to normalise HIV testing. Women have responded with high HIV test uptake, but are also questioning other tests which were previously routinely offered.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Use of crystal methamphetamine among gay men in London.

AIM: To examine the use of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth) and its association with high-risk sexual behaviour among gay men in London. DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys using self-administered questionnaires. SETTINGS: National Health Service (NHS) out-patient human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment clinic in London; NHS HIV testing/sexual health clinics in London; central London gyms. PARTICIPANTS: HIV-positive gay men attending the HIV treatment clinic in 2002-03 (n = 388); HIV-negative gay men attending the HIV testing/sexual health clinics in 2002-03 (n = 266); gay men using the gyms between January and March 2003 (n = 445), 2004 (n = 653) and 2005 (n = 494). MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of gay men who reported: (i) using crystal meth in the previous 12 months; (ii) using other recreational drugs (e.g. cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine); (iii) high-risk sexual behaviour in the previous 3 months. FINDINGS: The percentage of gay men who had used crystal meth in the previous year varied by sample (HIV treatment clinic, 12.6%; HIV testing/sexual health clinics, 8.3%; gyms, 19.5%; P < 0.001) but did not change over time in the gyms (19.8%, 20.7%, 17.8%; P = 0.5). In all samples, the majority of men used crystal meth only once or twice a year. Most crystal meth users (> 80%) had taken other recreational drugs. Crystal meth and other drug users were more likely to report high-risk sexual behaviour than other men, e.g. HIV treatment clinic sample: crystal meth users, 34.7%; other drug users, 18.9%, non-users, 10.6%, P < 0.001. Cause and effect could not be established. CONCLUSION: Among gay men in London surveyed in clinics, approximately one in 10 reported using crystal meth in the previous 12 months (HIV-positive men 12.6%; HIV-negative men 8.3%). Most men used it infrequently--only once or twice a year. There was no evidence of increasing use of crystal meth between 2003 and 2005.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2006

E-dating, identity and HIV prevention: theorising sexualities, risk and network society.

This paper addresses how London gay men use the internet to meet sexual partners, or for e-dating. Based on qualitative interviews conducted face-to-face or via the internet, this research develops an account of how information technologies mediate the negotiation of identity and risk in connection with sexual practice. E-dating itself is a bricolage, or heterogeneous DIY practice of internet-based-communication (IBC). A central aspect of IBC is "filtering" in and out prospective e-dates based on the images and texts used to depict sexual identities. Interpretations and depictions of personal HIV risk management approaches in IBC are framed by the meanings of different identities, such as the stigma associated with being HIV positive. This paper argues for a sexualities perspective in a theory of network society. Further, HIV prevention in e-dating can potentially be addressed by considering the interplay of the HIV prevention imperatives associated with different HIV serostatus identities. There is a case for encouraging more explicit IBC about risk in e-dating and incorporating the expertise of e-daters in prevention activity. There is also a need to rethink traditional conceptions of risk management in HIV prevention to make space for the risk management bricolage of network society.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Heterosexual men and women who seek sex through the Internet.

Heterosexual women (n = 330), heterosexual men (n = 319) and gay men (n = 331) attending a London HIV-testing clinic in 2002-03 completed a confidential self-administered questionnaire concerning their sexual behaviour and use of the Internet for seeking sexual partners (response rate 70%). One-in-twenty (5%) heterosexual women and one-in-ten (10%) heterosexual men had used the Internet to look for sexual partners in the previous 12 months compared with nearly half (43%) the gay men (P<0.001). Rates of high-risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner were elevated among those who used the Internet to look for sex (compared with those who did not). However, people who looked for sex through the Internet were just as likely to meet their high-risk casual partners offline as online. Our findings suggest that high-risk heterosexual women and men are selectively using the Internet to look for sex rather than the Internet per se leading to riskier sexual behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

High-risk sexual behaviour among London gay men: no longer increasing.

Among gay men surveyed annually in central London gyms, the percentage reporting high-risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner increased from 6.7% in 1998 to 15.2% in 2001 (P < 0.001). However, between 2002 and 2005 the percentage reporting high-risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner remained stable for HIV-negative and never-tested men (P > or = 0.3), with some evidence of a decline for HIV-positive men (adjusted odds ratio 0.69 per year, 95% confidence interval 0.48, 0.99, P = 0.047).

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Gay men who look for sex on the Internet: is there more HIV/STI risk with online partners?

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the excess risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) seen among gay men who look for sex through the Internet occurs with men they meet online (through the Internet) rather than offline (in bars, clubs, etc). METHODS: In 2002-2003, 4225 London gay men were surveyed in an HIV treatment clinic, HIV testing clinic, gyms and on UK Internet sites (gaydar and gay.com). All men completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning Internet use and sexual risk behaviour. Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a partner of unknown or discordant HIV status was classified as non-concordant. RESULTS: Between 40 and 50% of men surveyed in the clinics and gyms used the Internet to look for sex. HIV-positive men who looked for sex through the Internet were more likely to report UAI with HIV-positive casual partners they met online rather than offline (clinic sample: met online only 9.9%, met offline only 3.8%, McNemar P < 0.05). Regardless of HIV status, however, men who looked for sex through the Internet were no more likely to report UAI with non-concordant casual partners they met online than offline (eg, HIV-negative men, Internet sample: met online only 9.7%, offline only 11.1%, McNemar P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: In London, HIV-positive gay men appear to meet casual UAI partners of the same status through the Internet. This presents a risk for STI transmission. However, gay men were no more likely to meet casual UAI partners of unknown or discordant HIV status--which presents a risk for HIV transmission--online rather than offline.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The Internet and HIV study: design and methods.

BACKGROUND: The Internet provides a new meeting ground, especially for gay men, that did not exist in the early 1990s. Several studies have found increased levels of high risk sexual behaviour and sexually transmissible infections (STI) among gay men who seek sex on the Internet, although the underlying processes are not fully understood. Research funded by the UK Medical Research Council (2002-2004) provided the opportunity to consider whether the Internet represents a new sexual risk environment for gay and bisexual men living in London. METHODS: The objectives of the Internet and HIV study are to: (i) measure the extent to which gay men living in London seek sexual partners on the Internet; (ii) compare the characteristics of London gay men who do and do not seek sex on the Internet; (iii) examine whether sex with Internet-partners is less safe than with other sexual partners; (iv) compare use of the Internet with other venues where men meet sexual partners; (v) establish whether gay men use the Internet to actively seek partners for unprotected anal intercourse; (vi) determine the potential for using the Internet for HIV prevention. These objectives have been explored using quantitative and qualitative research methods in four samples of London gay men recruited and interviewed both online and offline. The four samples were: (i) gay men recruited through Internet chat rooms and profiles; (ii) HIV positive gay men attending an NHS hospital outpatients clinic; (iii) gay men seeking an HIV test in an NHS HIV testing or sexual health clinic; (iv) gay men recruited in the community. RESULTS: Quantitative data were collected by means of confidential, anonymous self-administered questionnaires (n>4000) completed on-line by the Internet sample. Qualitative data were collected by means of one-to-one interviews (n = 128) conducted either face-to-face or on-line. CONCLUSION: The strength of the Internet and HIV study is its methodological plurality, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative research among online and offline samples, as well as taking advantage of recent advances in web survey design. The study's findings will help us better understand the role of the Internet in relation to gay men's sexual practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Web-based behavioral surveillance among men who have sex with men: a comparison of online and offline samples in London, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) surveyed online (through gay Internet chat rooms and profiles) and offline (in community venues) in London, UK. METHODS: In February and March 2002, 879 MSM completed a self-administered pen-and-paper questionnaire distributed in central London gyms (offline sample). In May and June 2002, 1218 London MSM completed a self-administered questionnaire online, accessed through Internet chat rooms and profiles on gaydar and gay.com. RESULTS: Compared with men surveyed offline, those surveyed online were significantly less likely to only have sex with men (89 vs. 94%), to be in a relationship with a man (44 vs. 52%), or to have been tested for HIV (68 vs. 80%) (P < 0.001). Men recruited online were also younger (mean age, 34 vs. 36 years) and less likely to have had a higher education (67 vs. 79%) (P < 0.001). However, differences between online and offline samples were less pronounced for HIV-positive men and more pronounced for HIV-negative men and those who had never been tested for HIV. Regardless of HIV status, men recruited online were more likely to report high-risk sexual behavior (i.e., unprotected anal intercourse with a partner of unknown or discordant HIV status) than men surveyed offline (32 vs. 22%, P < 0.001). Men recruited online were also significantly more likely to have used the Internet to look for sex (85 vs. 45%, P < 0.001); for HIV-positive and negative men, seeking sex on the Internet was associated with high-risk sexual behavior (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, after controlling for confounding factors, being surveyed online was independently associated with high-risk sexual behavior for HIV-negative and never-tested men (HIV-negative men, adjusted odds ratio for online vs. offline samples, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23, 2.42; P < 0.01; never-tested men adjusted odds ratio 2.45; 95% CI, 1.40, 4.29; P < 0.01). This was not the case for HIV-positive men (adjusted odds ratio for online vs. offline samples, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.69, 2.50; P = 0.4). CONCLUSION: The Internet offers valuable opportunities for conducting behavioral surveillance among MSM because it reaches some men who may not be easily accessed in the community yet who are at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Comparisons of the social, demographic, and behavioral characteristics of online and offline samples must, however, take into account the confounding effects of HIV status and seeking sex on the Internet.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Welfare rights advice in primary care: prevalence, processes and specialist provision.

BACKGROUND: Despite persistent poverty-related health inequalities, few sustained responses have been developed in primary care. Welfare rights provision has been proposed as one potential pathway to addressing health inequalities. OBJECTIVES: This study was set up to address the prevalence of welfare rights issues in general practice, and the practitioner response to unmet need. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to practitioners in GP surgeries of an inner city health authority with high levels of deprivation. By means of a 'most recent case audit', data on welfare advice needs were collected. Practices with in-house welfare rights provision were compared with those surgeries with no such provision. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 153 practitioners, describing their most recent case with a welfare rights need (mean 10.41 days ago). Of the respondents, 70.6% felt that there was a mental health element to this consultation, 49.8% of problems were described as urgent, and 65.8% of patients requested information or guidance. Those practitioners with specialist advisers in the surgery (n = 81) were significantly more likely to find referring patients to advisers easy, that quality of advice for patients was good, that welfare providers enhanced their ability to practice effectively and that such provision improves the health and well-being of patients. In those surgeries without provision (n = 72), patients were more likely to approach their practitioner for advice. GPs were more likely than nurses and other practising staff to see a case with welfare rights needs. Practitioners were more likely to raise the welfare issues if they had specialist advice in the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A large amount of practitioner consultation time is spent on welfare rights-related issues. Although practitioners are skilled in detecting need, and their practice is enhanced by specialist support, expansion is needed to provide the advice which cannot be met by clinical consultation.

Counseling↗
PubMed2002

High-risk sexual behaviour increases among London gay men between 1998 and 2001: what is the role of HIV optimism?

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether HIV optimism (i.e. optimism in the light of new HIV drug therapies) can account for the recent increase in high-risk sexual behaviour among London gay men. METHODS: Gay men (n = 2938) using London gyms were surveyed annually between 1998 and 2001. Information was collected on HIV status, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the previous 3 months, and agreement with two statements concerning the severity of and susceptibility to HIV infection. Those who agreed were classified as 'optimistic'. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2001, the percentage of men reporting high-risk UAI (i.e. UAI with a casual partner of unknown or discordant HIV status) increased: HIV-positive men 15.3-38.8%; HIV-negative men 6.8-12.1%; never-tested men 2.1-7.7%; (P < 0.01). Overall, less than a third were optimistic. In cross-sectional analysis, optimistic HIV-positive and -negative men were more likely to report high-risk UAI than other men (P < 0.05). However, the increase in high-risk UAI between 1998 and 2001 was seen in those who were optimistic and those who were not (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the modelled increase in high-risk UAI over time remained significant after controlling for HIV optimism (P < 0.01), with no significant interaction between optimism and time. CONCLUSION: Among London gay men, no difference was detected between those who were optimistic and those who were not in the rate of increase in high-risk sexual behaviour between 1998 and 2001. Our findings suggest that HIV optimism is unlikely to explain the recent increase in high-risk sexual behaviour in these men.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Use of anabolic steroids and associated health risks among gay men attending London gyms.

AIM: To examine, by HIV status, the use of anabolic steroids among London gay men and their effect on physical and mental health. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: Six gyms in central London. PARTICIPANTS: 772 gay men using the gyms in January-February 2000. MEASUREMENTS: Proportion of gay men who reported (i) using steroids, (ii) sharing injecting equipment, (iii) experiencing side-effects and (iv) having suicidal thoughts or feeling depressed. FINDINGS: Of 772 gay men, 117 (15.2%) had used and 90 (11.7%) had injected steroids in the previous 12 months: HIV positive men (steroid use) 31.7% (40/126), HIV negative men 14.5% (69/477), never-tested for HIV 4.7% (8/169) (p < 0.001). No one reported sharing needles or syringes. HIV positive men were more likely to have used steroids for medical reasons than other men (24.3% versus 5.9%, p=0.01). Nearly all steroid users (96.4%) reported side effects including testicular atrophy (51.0%), insomnia (47.7%), depression between cycles (25.2%) and hypertension (19.0%). Steroid users were more likely to have had suicidal thoughts in the previous 6 months than non-users (22.6% versus 11.2%, adjusted odds ratio after controlling for HIV status 1.84; 95% CI 1.10-3.12, p=0.02) or to have felt depressed (49.1% versus 38.5%, adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.30, p=0.047) CONCLUSION: One in seven gay men surveyed in central London gyms in 2000 said they had used steroids in the previous 12 months. HIV positive men were more likely to have used steroids than other men, some therapeutically. Side effects were reported widely and steroid use was associated with having had suicidal thoughts and feeling depressed, although cause and effect could not be established. Our findings suggest that steroid use among gay men may have serious consequences for both physical and mental health.

Adult↗