journal of men's health

2011-12-01

Editor's Comments

Ajay Nehra — 2011-12-01

The recently convened 10th Anniversary Meeting of the International Society of Men's Health was a tremendous academic success. International leaders presented and discussed the impact of Men's Health as well as the socioeconomic challenges in Men's Health. The European Men's Health Forum (EMHF) presented its inaugural review on the response to the European Union (EU) report on the State of Men's Health in Europe. Led by Professor Alan White and Dr Ian Banks, the EMHF presented some key aspects of that report. By the year 2060, the EU is expected to see 23.8 million fewer men in the 15–64 year age bracket and a corresponding increase of 32 million men over the age of 65. Key demographic data, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and education, were presented as well. What has become apparent is that poor lifestyle and preventable risk factors are still some of the causes of premature morbidity and mortality in men, with an estimated 50% of these premature deaths being avoidable. European smokers and alcohol consumption are major contributors to the overall morbidity and mortality in the EU, and along with the level of physical activity, these were the major aspects discussed in the EMHF review. Furthermore, data on obesity were also presented, with declining manual labor, increased sedentary lifestyle, reduction in walking, reduced opportunities for exercise, and changes in dietary patterns, along with prolonged working hours all considered as being related and playing an integral role in the level of obesity that is developing in the EU.

News from the European Men's Health Forum

2011-12-01

Health benefits of seafood for men

Alexandra McManus, Lynda Fielder, Wendy Newton, James White — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: Evidence supports the idea that the regular consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3s) has positive effects on men's health. The best source of these essential fatty acids is seafood, particularly oily fish. This article summarises evidence pertaining to the benefits associated with regular dietary intake of fish on men's health.Methods: An extensive review of international academic libraries, databases and published literature was conducted. Quality assessment ratings were applied and thematic classifications based on major health issues relevant to men were constructed.Results: A total of 168 articles from peer-reviewed journals were identified, with 60 studies providing moderate to high level evidence of an association between the consumption of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. The majority of the studies showed a positive link between the intake of Omega 3s and the prevention and management of chronic disease in men. Evidence also showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer and lower lung cancer mortality in men who consumed high seafood diets.Conclusion: There is conclusive evidence of an association between the dietary intake of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. However, men are less likely to consume fish as a main protein source, often tending towards diets high in red meat. Health promotion interventions should consider: the attitudes of men toward food and the impact of these attitudes on food choices; men's perceptions of fish and seafood, particularly in comparison to other protein sources; and the role that particular foods play for males in traditional social situations.

Fathers’ experiences of support during pregnancy and the first year following childbirth – findings from a Swedish regional survey

Ingegerd Hildingsson, Mats Sjöling — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: Support during pregnancy is mainly directed towards pregnant women, although parenthood is viewed as a joint project by society and by parents themselves. Research has shown that fathers often feel excluded by health care professionals. The aim of the present study was to describe personal and professional sources of support used by prospective and new fathers and to study factors associated with fathers having no support from anyone in mid-pregnancy.Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study of 655 new fathers living in a northern part of Sweden who completed four questionnaires.Results: The majority of fathers reported having good personal support at most time points, but 18% reported that they did not have support from anyone, when asked in mid-pregnancy. A logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were associated with not receiving support from anyone: having previous children (odds ratio (OR) = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.7–7.0, P <0.001), expectations from the midwife to attend antenatal visits (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.1–3.4, P <0.05), not attending parent education classes (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.1–4.8, P <0.05), not feeling involved by the prenatal midwife (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.1–3.3, P <0.05), and not being offered the opportunity to attend fathers’ groups (OR=3.5; 95% CI=1.1–12.3, P <0.05).Conclusion: Although personal support seemed satisfying for the majority of fathers, those with no support from close family/friends also lacked support from midwives as well in terms of the organization of care.

Attitudes to a male contraceptive pill in a group of contraceptive users in the UK

Susan Walker — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: Small scale trials of male hormonal contraception have produced encouraging results. Attitudes to, and beliefs about, a proposed male pill may affect uptake.Methods: This paper examines attitudes towards a proposed ‘male contraceptive pill’ among a self selected sample of 54 men and 134 women, living in a non-metropolitan centre in the East of England, United Kingdom who were already users of contraception. Thirty four respondents were also interviewed and their views on the male pill were qualitatively analysed.Results: The acceptability of a male pill was high, with just under half (49.5%) of the respondents indicating that they woud use it. Gender, length of relationship, age and educational achievement did not affect the reported acceptability. However, 42% of respondents expressed concerns that men would forget to take a male pill. Women were significantly more likely to express this concern than men. Furthermore, 26% of respondents expressed health concerns. Willingness to take a male pill was associated with expressing the view that increased protection against pregnancy would be an advantage of such a method. Those unwilling or undecided were more likely to express concerns about the effect of a pill on future fertility.Conclusions: A male pill was accepted as a potential aid to increased fertility control by a large proportion of a convenience sample of contraceptive users in the East of England. If a male pill were to be marketed in the UK this study suggests that concerns about effects on future fertility and health risks may need to be addressed.

A novel, self-guided, home-based intervention to promote condom use among young men: a pilot study

2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: Current HIV prevention programs are often expensive to implement and require significant commitment on the part of participants and staff. These factors limit widespread implementation. Thus, there is an increasingly recognized need to develop and test brief interventions designed to promote safer sex.Methods: This study tested the potential efficacy of a brief, self-guided, home-based intervention to promote consistent and correct condom use among young men by focusing on condom use skill, enjoyment, and self-efficacy. The central focus of The Kinsey Institute® Homework Intervention Strategy (KIHIS) is that men practice applying, using, and removing condoms alone (a “low pressure” situation) trying various condoms and lubricants. A repeated measures evaluation compared 2-week, 6-week (n=28) and 4-month (n=17) follow-up evaluations to baseline (pre-intervention).Results: Despite the limited sample size, significant post-intervention improvement was found for condom use experiences, confidence in the ability to use condoms, self-efficacy for condom use, and condom comfort as well as a reduction in breakage and erection problems.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the KIHIS, with its inherent potential for easy translation to public health sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics (requiring very little clinic resources), may have lasting and positive effects on subsequent condom use attitudes, skills, and behaviors.

Analyzing the efficacy of a new natural compound made of the alga Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris and BIOVIS® in order to improve male sexual function

F. Iacono, D. Prezioso, A. Ruffo, G. Di Lauro, L. Romis, E. Illiano — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a new composite natural drug based on Tribulus terrestris, BIOVIS® and the alga Ecklonia bicyclis in order to improve male sexual function, selecting patients using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity Testing (NPTR) using the RigiScan® device and hormonal levels.Materials and methods: A total of 164 patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) were enrolled between September 2009 and January 2010. Patients were classified as having mild (n=64), moderate (n=62) or severe (I=38) ED. Mean age was 53.1 years. A new compound (150mg of the alga Ecklonia bicyclis, 396mg of Tribulus terrestris and 144mg of BIOVIS®) was administered to all patients twice a day for 60 days. The IIEF questionnaire was administered and NPTR testing was carried out using the Rigiscan® device both pre and post-treatment with all patients.Results: 150 patients were evaluable, and their IIEF scores were all significantly improved, with an increase of 78% in the mild ED group, an 80% improvement in the moderate ED group, and an improvement of 108% in the severe ED group compared with the baseline. The mean IIEF scores for all the patients showed significant improvement after 8 weeks of treatment with this new composite drug (baseline 14.3±1.5 to 26.2±3.2; P=0.01). Among other parameters penile rigidity and tumescence, as tested using the RigiScan® showed significant improvement for treated patients. Furthermore, no significant side effects were claimed.Conclusion: The active components of these three natural compounds (namely protodioscin, a steroidal saponin, contained in Tribulus terrestris; the polyphenols, dieckol, florofucofuroeckol and bieckol, contained in the alga Ecklonia bicyclis; and the polymers of d-glucosamine and n-acetyl-d-glucosamine contained in BIOVIS®) when combined, seem to work in synergy not only improving erectile function but also stimulating testosterone-dependent sexual desire. Protodioscin is able to stimulate testosterone production and it also has an androgen-mimetic action, binding and activating the testosterone receptors. Polyphenols play an anti-nflammatory role, modulating the cytokines (lipopolisaccarids, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) with a potent antioxidant and antifibrotic effect. BIOVIS® acts on both the non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic system (NANC) and on the endothelial cell system as a strong nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) stimulator. Our study demonstrated that this new composite drug was effective in the oral treatment of ED.

Factors influencing children's knowledge and attitudes toward medicines in Malaysia

Omar Thanoon Dawood, Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim, Anna Christina Abdullah — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Background: The use of medicine for the treatment of health problems is a common practice among children. Most children form attitudes, beliefs and expectations about medicines through their past experience with medicines, and through observing their parents or family members taking medicines.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and attitudes toward medicines among primary schoolchildren and to evaluate the factors that may be associated with such knowledge and attitudes.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren from the fifth and sixth grades (aged 11–12 years) in four conveniently selected primary schools in Penang Island. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the children and their parents. All schoolchildren from grades 5 and 6 in the four schools were recruited into the survey. The total sample size was 1000 children and 1000 of those children's parents.Results: The findings indicated that the average knowledge score was 7.36±2.38 for 11-year olds and 8.09±2.08 for 12-year olds, out of a maximum point score of 12. However, there was a significant difference between children related to their age and race (P<0.05). Older children were more knowledgeable about medicines. Furthermore, the education level of the parents and their socioeconomic status influenced children's knowledge and attitude scores regarding medicines.Conclusion: This study indicated that children have limited knowledge about medicines and some negative attitudes toward medicines. This suggests that a plan for school-based health education is needed especially on the topic of medicine education.

Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

W. Scott Craig — 2011-12-01

Abstract: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily associated with childhood, yet it has become increasingly clear that ADHD continues to impair many domains of functioning in adulthood. This article reviews many aspects of adult ADHD, including its definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and etiology, as well as the treatment options available. Some of these aspects are illustrated in a Case Study.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Glenn Skow — 2011-12-01

Abstract: The most common site for an arterial aneurysm, i.e. the focal dilatation of the original blood vessel, is the abdominal aorta. Studies have suggested that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are rare in women under the age of 55 and in men under the age of 60. However, in men older than 60, AAAs are nearly 10 times more common in men than in women, and many of these affected men will be asymptomatic. This article reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, including screening guidelines, and treatment options for AAA, with reference to a case study of a 72 year old male smoker diagnosed with an AAA.

Testosterone replacement therapy in males with hypogonadism in Sweden: a cost-effectiveness analysis

2011-12-01

Background: Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is recommended for the treatment of primary and secondary hypogonadism. However, the long-term implications of this therapy have not been investigated extensively. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to evaluate health outcomes and costs associated with life-long TRT in patients suffering from Klinefelter syndrome and late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).

journal of men's health

Contents

Editor's Comments

News from the European Men's Health Forum

Health benefits of seafood for men

Fathers’ experiences of support during pregnancy and the first year following childbirth – findings from a Swedish regional survey

Attitudes to a male contraceptive pill in a group of contraceptive users in the UK

A novel, self-guided, home-based intervention to promote condom use among young men: a pilot study

Analyzing the efficacy of a new natural compound made of the alga Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris and BIOVIS® in order to improve male sexual function

Factors influencing children's knowledge and attitudes toward medicines in Malaysia

Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Testosterone replacement therapy in males with hypogonadism in Sweden: a cost-effectiveness analysis