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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 17 of 17 Research Studies DisplayedHenderson JT, Senger CA, Henninger M
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
This updated evidence report and systematic review accompanied the USPSTF final recommendation for behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adults and adolescents, which was published in August 2020. Studies from the previous 2014 review and literature from January 2013 through May 2019 was reviewed to find good- and fair-quality randomized and nonrandomized controlled intervention studies conducted in primary care settings. The review included 37 randomized trials and 2 nonrandomized controlled intervention studies. The study populations were mostly heterosexual adolescents and young adults, females, and racial and ethnic minorities at increased risk for STIs. Thirty-four trials reported behavioral change outcomes after interventions. The largest reductions in STI incidence were reported after group or individual counseling sessions lasting more than 2 hours. Evidence was limited on interventions of shorter duration persisting beyond 1 year.
AHRQ-funded; 2902015000017I.
Citation: Henderson JT, Senger CA, Henninger M .
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Aug 18;324(7):682-99. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.10371..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Mullins BT, Basak R, Broughman JR
Patient-reported sexual quality of life after different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy: analysis of a population-based prospective cohort.
This study compares the effects of different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy on sexual function. A population-based cohort of 835 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer from 2011 through 2013 was recruited in collaboration with the Rapid Case Ascertainment system of the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry. They were enrolled prior to treatment and followed retrospectively using the validated Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices (PCSI) instrument. The sexual function scores were compared among patients who received the following treatment types: external-beam RT (EBRT), EBRT with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), brachytherapy, nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP), and non-nerve-sparing RP. The cohort was surveyed at 24 months post-therapy, and RT alone was found to result in the best preservation of sexual function with brachytherapy, RT with ADT, and nerve-sparing RP yielding similar outcomes. Patients treated with non-nerve-sparing RP experienced the worst sexual function outcome.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Mullins BT, Basak R, Broughman JR .
Patient-reported sexual quality of life after different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy: analysis of a population-based prospective cohort.
Cancer 2019 Oct 15;125(20):3657-65. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32288..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Sexual Health, Surgery, Treatments, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Evidence-Based Practice
Van Gerwen OT, Muzny CA
Recent advances in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Trichomonas vaginalis infection.
Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common, curable non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Despite this burden of disease, it is not currently a reportable disease in the United States. Recent advances in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of T. vaginalis infection are described in this article.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Van Gerwen OT, Muzny CA .
Recent advances in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Trichomonas vaginalis infection.
F1000Res 2019 Sep 20;8. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.19972.1..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Women
Campbell AD, Turok DK, White K
Fertility intentions and perspectives on contraceptive involvement among low-income men aged 25 to 55.
In this study the authors examined the pregnancy-related attitudes and behaviors among men older than 24, who are involved in the majority of pregnancies ending in a birth. Between December 2015 and August 2016, in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 low-income men in Alabama who were aged 25-55, were sexually active and did not want more children. The investigators found that some low-income adult men were uncertain about their pregnancy desires, and many lacked contraceptive knowledge that would help them avoid unwanted pregnancy.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Campbell AD, Turok DK, White K .
Fertility intentions and perspectives on contraceptive involvement among low-income men aged 25 to 55.
Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2019 Sep;51(3):125-33. doi: 10.1363/psrh.12115..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Low-Income, Men's Health, Pregnancy
Wang D
A comparison of in-person and online training in a statewide clinical education program for dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD clinical evidence.
This study compared in-person and online training for dissemination of clinical evidence of HIV, HCV, and STD. The study used 250 clinicians completing four training courses in dual formats over a three-month period. Online training was the preferred format by clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS022057.
Citation: Wang D .
A comparison of in-person and online training in a statewide clinical education program for dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD clinical evidence.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2019 Aug 21;264:2003-04. doi: 10.3233/shti190756..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis, Sexual Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Training, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Birru Talabi M, Cllowse MEB, Blalock SJ
Contraception use among reproductive-age women with rheumatic diseases.
The purpose of this study was to determine contraception use among a cohort of reproductive-age women with rheumatic diseases. Women who had one of 21 possible rheumatic disease diagnoses, and had at least two outpatient rheumatology visits, were included. Findings revealed low use of prescription contraception, and the authors recommended urgent efforts to improve contraceptive care and access for some women with rheumatic diseases.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Birru Talabi M, Cllowse MEB, Blalock SJ .
Contraception use among reproductive-age women with rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis Care Res 2019 Aug;71(8):1132-40. doi: 10.1002/acr.23724..
Keywords: Arthritis, Chronic Conditions, Women, Sexual Health
Sun CJ, Tobin K, Spikes P
Correlates of same-sex behavior disclosure to health care providers among Black MSM in the United States: implications for HIV prevention.
Disclosure of same-sex behavior to health care providers (HCPs) by men who have sex with men (MSM) has been argued to be an important aspect of HIV prevention. However, Black MSM are less likely to disclose compared to white MSM. This analysis of data collected in the United States from 2006-2009 identified individual and social network characteristics of Black MSM that were associated with disclosure that may be leveraged to increase disclosure.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Tobin K, Spikes P .
Correlates of same-sex behavior disclosure to health care providers among Black MSM in the United States: implications for HIV prevention.
AIDS Care 2019 Aug;31(8):1011-18. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1548753..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sexual Health, Men's Health, Prevention
von Hippel C, Adhia A, Rosenberg S
Sexual function among women in midlife: findings from the Nurses' Health Study II.
This study sought to assess the prevalence of recent sexual activity and sexual dysfunction symptoms among middle-aged women and evaluate the associations of partner status, menopause, and health status factors with sexual dysfunction. The investigators concluded that difficulty with sexual function is common among women in midlife, but less so than previously estimated.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: von Hippel C, Adhia A, Rosenberg S .
Sexual function among women in midlife: findings from the Nurses' Health Study II.
Womens Health Issues 2019 Jul - Aug;29(4):291-98. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.006..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Women
Cottrell E, Darney BG, Marino M
Study protocol: a mixed-methods study of women's healthcare in the safety net after Affordable Care Act implementation - EVERYWOMAN.
In this paper, the authors describe a 5-year, mixed-methods study comparing women's contraceptive, preventive, prenatal and postpartum care before and after ACA implementation and between Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states. They conclude that the findings will be relevant to policy and practice, informing efforts that enhance the provision of timely, evidence-based reproductive care, to improve health outcomes, and to reduce disparities among women. Patient, provider and practice-level interviews will serve to contextualize their findings and to develop subsequent studies and interventions to support women's healthcare provision in community health center settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS025155.
Citation: Cottrell E, Darney BG, Marino M .
Study protocol: a mixed-methods study of women's healthcare in the safety net after Affordable Care Act implementation - EVERYWOMAN.
Health Res Policy Syst 2019 Jun 11;17(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s12961-019-0445-y..
Keywords: Women, Access to Care, Medicaid, Policy, Prevention, Maternal Care, Sexual Health
Skaathun B, Voisin DR, Cornwell B
A longitudinal examination of factors associated with network bridging among YMSM: implications for HIV prevention.
In this study, the investigators examined the link between social-environmental factors, network composition and HIV risk among a city-population based sample of young Black men who have sex with Men (YBMSM). The investigators found that bridging (i.e. having non-redundant contacts in one's network, indicating network instability) was associated with adverse social-environmental factors and higher HIV risk, indicating that bridging may be on the explanatory pathway.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Skaathun B, Voisin DR, Cornwell B .
A longitudinal examination of factors associated with network bridging among YMSM: implications for HIV prevention.
AIDS Behav 2019 May;23(5):1326-38. doi: 10.1007/s10461-018-2258-3..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Young Adults, Risk, Sexual Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Wu J, Braunschweig Y, Harris LH
Looking back while moving forward: a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability.
This paper discusses the higher use of female sterilization than long-acting reversible contraception use among women with disabilities compared to women without disabilities. The reasons for that were discussed and the authors advocate for a justice-based intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Wu J, Braunschweig Y, Harris LH .
Looking back while moving forward: a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability.
Contraception 2019 May;99(5):267-71. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2019.01.006..
Keywords: Disabilities, Sexual Health, Vulnerable Populations, Women
Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Bangsberg D
Access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in practice settings: a qualitative study of sexual and gender minority adults' perspectives.
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations remain at disproportionate risk of HIV infection. Despite the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV, PrEP uptake has been slow. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators of PrEP access by examining SGM patients' experiences with accessing health care systems and engaging with providers about PrEP in a variety of practice settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Bangsberg D .
Access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in practice settings: a qualitative study of sexual and gender minority adults' perspectives.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Apr;34(4):535-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-04850-w..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Horner-Johnson W, Moe EL, Stoner RC
Contraceptive knowledge and use among women with intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities: a systematic review.
The objective of this study was to systematically review published literature on women with disabilities and: 1) contraceptive knowledge; 2) attitudes and preferences regarding contraception; 3) contraceptive use; 4) barriers and facilitators to informed contraceptive use; and 5) effectiveness of interventions to improve informed contraceptive decision-making and use. The investigators concluded that women with disabilities may use a more narrow mix of contraceptive methods and were often less knowledgeable about contraceptives than women without disabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Horner-Johnson W, Moe EL, Stoner RC .
Contraceptive knowledge and use among women with intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities: a systematic review.
Disabil Health J 2019 Apr;12(2):139-54. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2018.11.006..
Keywords: Disabilities, Sexual Health, Women
Spees LP, ledikwe JH, Kleinman NJ
Immediate motivators to seeking voluntary medical male circumcision among HIV-negative adult men in an urban setting in Botswana.
The goal of this study was to identify subpopulations of Botswanan men with high levels of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake. An observational cohort of men presenting for circumcision services at two high-volume clinics in Gabo-rone, Botswana's capital, were compared with a matched, population-based random sample of uncircumcised men with regard to factors that played a role in the men's decision to seek VMMC services. The results indicate that married men and highly educated men are more likely to undergo circumcision for personal hygiene reasons. The authors conclude that these findings have implications for activities designed to increase VMMC uptake in Botswana and reduce HIV acquisition risk in men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, ledikwe JH, Kleinman NJ .
Immediate motivators to seeking voluntary medical male circumcision among HIV-negative adult men in an urban setting in Botswana.
AIDS Educ Prev 2019 Apr;31(2):136-51. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.2.136..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Men's Health, Urban Health, Sexual Health
Margolis MA, Brewer NT, Shah PD
Stories about HPV vaccine in social media, traditional media, and conversations.
To understand how stories from media and social interactions shape parents' HPV vaccination decisions, the authors sought to characterize parents' exposure to these stories, as well as associations between story exposure and vaccination behavior. They found that stories of HPV vaccine harms may be associated more strongly with vaccination behavior than stories of HPV vaccine preventable diseases. They recommended that communication campaigns consider strategies to elevate stories of preventable diseases in social and traditional media.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Margolis MA, Brewer NT, Shah PD .
Stories about HPV vaccine in social media, traditional media, and conversations.
Prev Med 2019 Jan;118:251-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.11.005..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Communication, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Promotion, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Sexual Health, Social Media, Vaccination
Thomas HN, Hamm M, Borrero S
Thomas HN, Hamm M, Borrero S, Hess R, Thurston RC. Body image, attractiveness, and sexual satisfaction among midlife women: a qualitative study.
Women often undergo physical changes during the menopause transition, but the relationship between body image and sexual function in midlife is unclear. In this study, the investigators used a qualitative approach to explore how body image relates to sexual function and satisfaction in midlife women. The investigators concluded that supporting positive body image may help midlife women maintain sexual satisfaction with aging.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Thomas HN, Hamm M, Borrero S .
Thomas HN, Hamm M, Borrero S, Hess R, Thurston RC. Body image, attractiveness, and sexual satisfaction among midlife women: a qualitative study.
J Womens Health 2019 Jan;28(1):100-06. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2018.7107..
Keywords: Women, Sexual Health
Lam L, Ahn HJ, Okajima K
Gender differences in the rate of 30-day readmissions after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome.
This study investigated whether women have higher 30-day hospital readmission rates than men who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In general, women have been reported having higher readmission rates than men after ACS. Statewide hospitalization data for 2010 to 2015 in Hawaii was analyzed to compare gender differences. Overall, the women in the study were older, more identified as Native Hawaiian and have more cardiovascular risk factors compared with the men. Readmission rates were found to be higher than for men after undergoing PCI, but as shown above there were more risk factors for these women.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990.
Citation: Lam L, Ahn HJ, Okajima K .
Gender differences in the rate of 30-day readmissions after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome.
Womens Health Issues 2019 Jan-Feb;29(1):17-22. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2018.09.002..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Heart Disease and Health, Sexual Health, Surgery