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The COVID-19 pandemic compounds stressors of daily life among American Indian/Alaska Natives. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 among American Indian/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic whites by examining depressive symptoms, overall stress, resilience, and coping, utilizing the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Of the 207 individuals participating in this study, 109 identified as American Indian/Alaska Native and 98 as non-Hispanic white. Despite demographic similarities, American Indian/Alaska Natives exhibited more stressors related to COVID-19 as well as higher depressive symptom scores compared to non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, COVID-19 stressors were more positively correlated with depressive symptoms for American Indian/Alaska Natives than non-Hispanic whites. For American Indian/Alaska Natives, the predominant coping processes identified were planful problem solving, escape-avoidance, and self-controlling. This study provides data to support programs and policies centered on improving the psychosocial health for American Indians/Alaska Natives and decreasing COVID-19-related health disparities.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the closure of schools, prompting 93% of U.S. households with children to transition to remote schooling. This study investigates coping mechanisms used by parents and the emotional impact of remote schooling on their well-being. A cross-sectional online survey, grounded in the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, was conducted among 133 U.S. parents with children engaged in remote schooling from May to October 2020. Pearson correlations and paired sample t-tests were calculated. Multiple regression was performed to determine how well stress, resilience, and gender predict depressive symptoms. The study participants had an average of 1.96 children. Most commonly used coping mechanisms included planful problem-solving, seeking social support, and escape/avoidance. A statistically significant positive association was found between stress and depressive symptoms. Stress and depressive symptoms increased during the pandemic, while resilience decreased. The resulting statistically significant regression model of stress, resilience, and gender accounted for 75.4% of the variability in depressive symptoms. These results underscore the importance of addressing parental well-being and mental health during times of crisis, particularly when children are engaged in remote schooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students are at high risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, yet their knowledge and self-protective behaviors appear inadequate. Researchers who have measured HPV-related knowledge and behaviors in evaluating college intervention efforts pay secondary attention to black college students because this group generally represents only a small subset of samples of the broader college population. Objective and Participants: The authors' purpose in this study was to examine HPV-related knowledge and behaviors in 351 black undergraduates attending a historically black southeastern university in the spring of 2003. Methods: Voluntary and anonymous student participation was solicited in randomly selected undergraduate classes. Results: Results indicated that most students lacked HPV awareness (64%), became aware of HPV largely after infection, and gained their HPV knowledge from a health-care provider or college class. The authors performed an analysis by gender and found that women were more knowledgeable about HPV than were men. Observed HPV-related knowledge and behaviors were similar to samples of the broader US college population. Conclusions: Findings suggest a greater need for HPV intervention efforts for all college students, including those at black colleges. (Contains 2 tables.)

Evaluation inarguably takes place within social, cultural, historical, economic, and political contexts--the contexts defined by human existence and experience. These contexts envelope many dimensions. Race, ethnicity, language, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation are among the commonly listed demographic attributes of contextual diversity. Not so commonly discussed in conversations about evaluation are the contextual dimensions of power, economy, living situation, and class, among other denominators of equity and sociopolitical status, "and" the contextual dimensions specific to culture. That is, despite the recent flurry of activity and discussion in a number of disciplines meant to lift issues of culture and cultural context to the fore of discovery, theory, and application, the evaluation field has lagged behind. Yet culture is an undeniably integral part of the diverse contexts of evaluation, and therefore an integral part of evaluation. Culture is present in evaluation not only in the contexts in which programs are implemented but also in the designs of these programs and the approach, stance, or methods evaluators choose to use in their work. A common thread between culture and evaluation is the concept of "values". Culture shapes values, beliefs, and worldviews. Evaluation is fundamentally an endeavor of determining values, merit, and worth. In making the case for cultural competence in evaluation, this article emphasizes this common thread. This overview is divided into two main sections: a discussion of the cultural contexts of policy, program, and service delivery; and a look at the implications for evaluation, where the debate currently stands in terms of both evaluation theory and methodology, and an attempt to define what culturally competent evaluation means when one takes these viewpoints into account. The article concludes with examples of what is happening in evaluation practice in terms of incorporating cultural competence, and what still needs to be done. (Contains 1 table.)

African American heterosexual men's perceptions of HIV/AIDS risks has not been well explored. This study's objectives were to gain insight into how heterosexual African American men's unsafe sexual behavior may [...]

Background: Health behaviors of minority populations, including Hispanics, are important from a public health perspective because this subpopulation is growing and health behaviors of this subgroup are understudied. Physical activity is a component of healthy lifestyles and Hispanics have been shown to be less active than are Caucasians. It will be necessary to know correlates of physical activity to enhance the physical activity of this group. Recently, the importance of environmental and cultural factors has been recognized as correlates of physical activity behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify environmental and cultural correlates of physical activity among Hispanic adults. Methods: A 52-item telephone survey was employed to assess physical activity and its potential correlates. Results: The sample included 175 females and 156 males. Respondent ages ranged from 18 to 82 years (x = 38.39 ± 15.0). Approximately 20% of respondents were assigned to a "higher physical activity" group. Predictors of being in this group were having supportive environments, being acculturated, attending some college, and age. Conclusions: Providing environmental supports may be an effective strategy to enhance physical activity levels of adult Hispanics. Older Hispanics, those with lower educational attainments and those of lower acculturation should be targeted for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sexual Health in Faith Traditions Study evaluated the relationships between religiosity, spirituality, internalized homonegativity, and sexual risk behaviors among a sample of African American men who have sex with men living in the Deep South. Participants were recruited primarily from Black Gay Pride celebrations to complete a self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey. Structural equation modeling was used to determine relationships between key constructs and condom use for insertive (n = 285) and receptive (n = 263) anal intercourse in the past 3 months. Almost half of respondents reported using condoms “every time” when engaging in insertive (48.3%) or receptive (45.1%) anal intercourse. Religiosity and spirituality were differentially associated with dimensions of internalized homonegativity. While no significant direct relationships were reported between either religiosity or spirituality and condom use, dimensions of internalized homonegativity mediated significant indirect relationships. Findings suggest that religiosity and spirituality influence African American men who have sex with men’s internalized homonegativity and, subsequently, engagement in safer sex behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the conceptual framework for the provision of culturally competent services in public health settings. Theories from the public health literature and results from the panel were used to strengthen the framework. The framework is viable for the provision of culturally competent services in a variety of public health settings which consists of systems, sub-systems characteristics, and concepts.

Background: To serve the populations targeted by Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) effectively, healthcare providers need educational materials that are evidence based and ethnically relevant and can be easily incorporated into busy clinic settings. We describe a replicable process used to redesign and tailor physical activity and diet education materials for African American women in the southeastern United States. Methods: The process consists of seven phases. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used on data gathered in 2000 from two expert panels and eight focus groups. Results: Expert panelists preferred materials perceived to be high quality, easy to understand, organized to facilitate use by healthcare providers, and with content relevant to African American women. Focus group participants were mostly concerned with the visual appeal and content of educational materials. They liked high-quality materials that are brief; avoid jargon and use simple language, bright colors, and photographs; and provide useful information that acknowledges the context of their lives, including their family roles. Conclusions: The redesign process can produce ethnically and culturally appropriate educational materials for use by WISEWOMAN providers and other healthcare providers in con- junction with cardiovascular (CVD) risk reduction and behavioral counseling. To be effective, materials must address the needs and concerns of both providers and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including Gilbert Lee and colleagues' article about discrimination in emergency food services and a research article about the increased number in hospitalization rates for pneumonia and its implications on the psycho-social correlates of depressive symptoms.

The Southern United States (US) bears the highest burden of HIV prevalence in the country, disproportionately affecting African American communities. Despite the proven efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV transmission, its uptake remains suboptimal in this region. This study aimed to identify factors influencing PrEP-prescribing behaviors among primary care providers (PCPs) in the Southern US through the application of the transtheoretical model of behavior change. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PCPs in 10 Southern states to assess their PrEP-prescribing practices, barriers, and facilitators. The results indicate that non-White PCPs and those practicing in urban and suburban settings are more likely to prescribe PrEP. Key barriers include lack of training, perceived stigma, and systemic issues such as health insurance coverage and time constraints. Significant facilitators are access to prescribing resources, streamlined insurance procedures, and patient motivation. Targeted educational programs and policy changes to address these barriers can enhance PrEP uptake, thereby reducing HIV transmission in high-risk populations. The findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to support PCPs in integrating PrEP into routine care, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes in the Southern US., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. University of Missouri, Columbia issued approval 2056192. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Traylor et al.)

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Internalized Homonegativity Inventory (IHNI) among African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) in the southeastern United States. Data from 261 AAMSM were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Results showed evidence of a two-factor solution: personal and moral homonegativity and gay affirmation. Internal consistencies were greater than .80, and correlations with other variables (e.g., sociodemographics, religiosity, masculinity) provided evidence of validity. Findings suggesting a two-factor instead of a three-factor solution may indicate that the IHNI manifests differently for AAMSM in the Deep South than for predominantly White MSM. Further research should examine how incorporating new conceptions of internalized homonegativity into culturally specific health-promotion interventions for AAMSM might enhance effectiveness.