Measuring reconceptualization and reprioritization during France's first COVID-19-related lockdown in women with and without a history of cancer: an adaptation of the SeiQol-DW and PGI

PURPOSE

This study aimed to provide a better understanding of the patient-perceived effects of France's first COVID-19-related lockdown on the quality of life (QoL) of women affected by cancer, and to test an ad hoc measurement scale for evaluating quasi-individualized QoL. QoL was measured for both during (i.e., current) and before (i.e., retrospectively) the lockdown. Respondents were women registered on the research platform Seintinelles.

METHODS

A tool for measuring quasi-individualized QoL was adapted from the SeiQol-DW and PGI. It was distributed as part of a larger online self-questionnaire to a sample of 1303 women with a history of cancer (i.e., former or current) and with no such history.

RESULTS

Current and retrospective QoL scores were not significantly different between the two respondent groups. An analysis of reconceptualization and reprioritization revealed a cancer-specific effect: women with a history of cancer reconceptualized more, while women with no such history reprioritized more.

CONCLUSION

Our novel ad hoc quasi-qualitative tool made it possible to assess the QoL of women with a history of cancer, a particularly vulnerable population in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it highlighted a difference in reconceptualization and reprioritization between this population and women with no such history.

Organization of psychosocial factors associated with worry about acquiring SARS-CoV-2 among women undergoing cancer treatment: an empirical network comparison approach

OBJECTIVES

Pandemic-induced anxiety can have adverse mental and somatic health consequences on cancer patients (CP). This study aimed to (1) explore the intricate relationships between worry related to potential SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 perception, sociodemographic factors, and the perceived effectiveness of lockdown measures and (2) investigate if these relationships differ between cancer patients and individuals without a history of cancer (IWHC).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study in France between December 1 and 14, 2020. Network analysis was employed on a sample of 1889 women, including 282 cancer patients and 1607 noncancer individuals.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that CP were 20% more likely to express worry than IWHC. Anxiety is embedded within a complex network involving sociodemographic, cognitive, and emotional factors. The emotional components related to COVID-19 perception were found to play a crucial role. The networks for both groups were observed to be identical.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study underscores the heightened vulnerability of cancer patients to pandemic-induced anxiety, emphasizing the crucial role of emotional components related to COVID-19 perception. The observed similarities in the anxiety network between cancer patients and those without a history of cancer suggest that universal approaches might be effective across groups.

IMPLICATIONS

Utilizing the Causal Attitude Network Model, we propose potential methods for managing and reducing individual anxiety levels.

Psychosocial factors involved in the very rare use of HIV testing among French MSM: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Among men who have sex with men (MSM) in France, the average time between infection and testing is too long, leading to late diagnosis. A better understanding of very infrequent HIV testing (VIT; i.e. have not tested for at least 6 years) could help reach unknowingly long-infected MSM. Thus, we aim to identify psychosocial factors associated with VIT among MSM in France.

METHODS

We conducted a multivariate regression on the data collected via a cross-sectional survey among 315 MSM.

RESULTS

11.1% (n = 35) had VIT. Being over 50, not knowing about the existence of HIV self-testing, having predominantly heterosexual friends, and the level of belief in the effectiveness of treatment as prevention were significantly associated with VIT.

CONCLUSION

We call for the development, at the same time, of programs that operate at the individual, institutional and societal levels. In particular, we recommend diversifying the modes of promotion and access to prevention tools, especially for MSM over 50 years old or with little or no connection to the gay community.