Social environmental impact of COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction: an explorative review

BACKGROUND

To date, no attempt has been made to collate literature on the relationship between the social environmental impact of COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this explorative review was to assess and compare the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male healthcare workers and males during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A systematic review of major databases from inception to February 2021 was conducted. Prevalence data were extracted, and a random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken.

OUTCOMES

The pooled prevalence of ED amongst healthcare workers working in COVID-19 specific environments, and non-healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Of 52 initial studies, six were included for the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of ED in healthcare workers working in a COVID-19 environment was 63.6% (95% CI 20.3-92.3%), and in non-healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was 31.9% (95% CI 19.5-47.6%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of ED in healthcare workers working in COVID-19 environments was higher than representative samples and is of concern. Sexual health (and by extension, overall health), should be a priority when considering ways to care for this population. Considering the social environmental impact of COVID-19 on sexual health and in particular on ED, it is important to provide adequate psychological support systems and to promote quality of life with particular attention to sexual health.

Transitioning into the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic: Understanding the experiences of student diagnostic radiographers

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic, with associated pressures on healthcare services and workforce, had implications for final year Diagnostic Radiography students completing their training and transitioning into employment. The aim of this study was to explore their experience as novice practitioners starting work and integrating into the workforce during a time of national crisis.

Methods

Five early career Diagnostic Radiographers, eligible to join the temporary HCPC register, were recruited. One to one interviews were completed online exploring their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Participants had the option of using photographs to aid communication.

Results

Interviews were transcribed, emerging themes identified and coded. Four main themes emerged specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, (i) perceived challenges associated with joining the workforce, (ii) managing expectations and unexpected outcomes during transition, (iii) adapting to changes in systems and structures, (iv) sense of uncertainty relating to professional identity. The impacts were experienced beyond the work environment into social and personal lives. Participants demonstrated resilience as they adapted to their shifting lives and drew on the support of clinical colleagues and University academics for help. They did report feelings of concern and anxiety. The participants all expressed a sense of feeling valued and supported in their new roles.

Conclusion

The Pandemic was unprecedented and created uncertainty in terms of workforce requirements. This study highlights the personal impact and professional responses of novice practitioners, who felt a sense of duty and care to help support the NHS and others.

Implications for practice

This will help in the understanding of the transition of student into employment and what wider support needs to be in place prior, during and after this phase.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cannabis use in 15,822 US adults: cross-sectional analyses from NHANES

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to analyse the overall and sex-specific associations between cannabis use and physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional analyses from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

Data on cannabis use and leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour from NHANES cycles 2007-2008 to 2015-2016 were analysed. Multivariable regression models were carried out.

RESULTS

About 15,822 participants were analysed (mean age ± standard error = 37.5 ± 0.19 years, range 20-59 years). Significantly higher odds were found for being active and ever used cannabis in the overall sample (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.4) and in males (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.5) and females (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.4), respectively. In respective of sedentary behaviour, ever used cannabis was associated with higher odds of TV viewing ≥2 h/day in the overall sample (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.4). However, this association was observed in males only (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6). Ever used cannabis was associated with total sitting time (beta-coefficient = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.1-0.4), which was more evident in females (beta-coefficient = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis consumption was associated with higher levels of physical activity and sitting time. When intervening to reduce cannabis consumption in the US populations, it may be appropriate to promote physical activity and ensure physical activity is maintained once cannabis consumption is stopped.

Comparing accelerometer, pedometer and a questionnaire for measuring physical activity in bronchiectasis: a validity and feasibility study?

Background

There are challenges for researchers and clinicians to select the most appropriate physical activity tool, and a balance between precision and feasibility is needed. Currently it is unclear which physical activity tool should be used to assess physical activity in Bronchiectasis. The aim of this research is to compare assessment methods (pedometer and IPAQ) to our criterion method (ActiGraph) for the measurement of physical activity dimensions in Bronchiectasis (BE), and to assess their feasibility and acceptability.

Methods

Patients in this analysis were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The ActiGraph and pedometer were worn for seven consecutive days and the IPAQ was completed for the same period. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20 (IBM). Descriptive statistics were used; the percentage agreement between ActiGraph and the other measures were calculated using limits of agreement. Feedback about the feasibility of the activity monitors and the IPAQ was obtained.

Results

There were 55 (22 male) data sets available. For step count there was no significant difference between the ActiGraph and Pedometer, however, total physical activity time (mins) as recorded by the ActiGraph was significantly higher than the pedometer (mean ± SD, 232 (75) vs. 63 (32)). Levels of agreement between the two devices was very good for step count (97% agreement); and variation in the levels of agreement were within accepted limits of ±2 standard deviations from the mean value.

IPAQ reported more bouted- moderate - vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [mean, SD; 167(170) vs 6(9) mins/day], and significantly less sedentary time than ActiGraph [mean, SD; 362(115) vs 634(76) vmins/day]. There were low levels of agreement between the two tools (57% sedentary behaviour; 0% MVPA₁₀₊), with IPAQ under-reporting sedentary behaviour and over-reporting MVPA₁₀₊ compared to ActiGraph. The monitors were found to be feasible and acceptable by participants and researchers; while the IPAQ was accepta ble to use, most patients required assistance to complete it.

Conclusions

Accurate measurement of physical activity is feasible in BE and will be valuable for future trials of therapeutic interventions. ActiGraph or pedometer could be used to measure simple daily step counts, but ActiGraph was superior as it measured intensity of physical activity and was a more precise measure of time spent walking. The IPAQ does not appear to represent an accurate measure of physical activity in this population.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials Registration Number NCT01569009: Physical Activity in Bronchiectasis.

Statin prescription initiation and lifestyle behaviour: a primary care cohort study

Background

Statin prescribing and healthy lifestyles contribute to declining cardiovascular disease mortality. Recent guidelines emphasise the importance of giving lifestyle advice in association with prescribing statins but adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendations is sub-optimal. However, little is known about any change in patients’ lifestyle behaviours when starting statins or of their recall of receiving advice. This study aimed to examine patients’ diet and physical activity (PA) behaviours and their recall of lifestyle advice following initiation of statin prescribing in primary care.

Method

In 12 general practices, patients with a recent initial prescription of statin therapy, were invited to participate. Those who agreed received a food diary by post, to record food consumed over 4 consecutive days and return to the researcher. We also telephoned participants to administer brief validated questionnaires to assess typical daily diet (DINE) and PA level (Godin). Using the same methods, food diaries and questionnaires were repeated 3 months later. At both times participants were asked if they had changed their behaviour or received advice about their diet or PA.

Results

Of 384 invited, 122 (32 %) participated; 109 (89.3 %) completed paired datasets; 50 (45.9 %) were male; their mean age was 64 years. 53.2 % (58/109) recalled receiving lifestyle advice. Of those who did, 69.0 % (40/58) reported having changed their diet or PA, compared to 31.4 % (16/51) of those who did not recall receiving advice. Initial mean daily saturated fat intake (12.9 % (SD3.5) of total energy) was higher than recommended; mean fibre intake (13.8 g/day (SD5.5)), fruit/vegetable consumption (2.7 portions/day (SD1.3)) and PA levels (Godin score 7.1 (SD13.9)) were low. Overall, although some individuals showed evidence of behaviour change, there were no significant changes in the proportions who reported high or medium fat intake (42.2 % v 49.5 %), low fibre (51.4 % v 55.0 %), or insufficient PA (80.7 % v 83.5 %) at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Whilst approximately half of our cohort recalled receiving lifestyle advice associated with statin prescribing this did not translate into significant changes in diet or PA. Further research is needed to explore gaps between people’s knowledge and behaviours and determine how best to provide advice that supports behaviour change.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12875-016-0471-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Exploring lay views on physical activity and their implications for public health policy. A case study from East Belfast

It is now recognised that inactive lifestyles underpin much of the disease burden evident in the richer nations of the world. Indeed, the WHO has identified physical inactivity as a 'global public health problem' and has established minimum physical activity (PA) targets for people at different stages of the life-course. Yet, according to WHO, just under 1/3 of working age adults across the globe meet those targets and it is not at all clear how the disjunction between the recommendations of policy makers and the behaviour of ordinary people might be surmounted. Using an opportunity to examine the impact of an urban regeneration project on community residents in East Belfast (Northern Ireland) this paper examines the views of some 113 people on how to increase rates of PA in an area of multiple deprivation. The results of the analysis suggest that lay people rarely consider PA as a discrete issue, or one that centres on individuals and their motivation, but rather as one component in a complex web of concerns, processes and events that include such things as the actions of neighbours and relatives, material and political environments, vandalism, violence, and the weather. We explore and unravel the nature of those concerns using novel methods of content analysis that generate 'issue webs'. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which lay people conceptualize 'activity' and to the manner in which they point to ways of encouraging activity that are rooted in everyday life rather than in the corpocentric, agent-centred and often sport dominated strategies favoured by local policy makers. Our results support those who argue that interventions to increase rates of PA need to move beyond behavioural approaches that focus on individuals and consider the social, political and material contexts in which 'activity' occurs.

Brisk walking, fitness, and cardiovascular risk: a randomized controlled trial in primary care

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of 30 min of self-paced, non-supervised, brisk walking, 5 days per week on the health and fitness of people aged 50-65 years.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial. Members of the intervention group (n = 21) were directed to walk briskly for 30 min, 5 days per week, for 12 weeks. Individuals were given the choice to complete the 30 min of walking in one session or in shorter bouts of no less than 10 min. They were asked to record in a diary the time spent walking and the number of steps taken during a single walk using a pedometer. Participants in the control group (n = 10) were asked to maintain their habitual lifestyle and not change their activity or dietary habits. Measurements of body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, functional capacity, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein subfractions were taken before and after the program. Changes in 10-year risk estimate for coronary heart disease and stroke were calculated using Framingham risk equations.

SETTING

Three urban general practices patients: 31 healthy, sedentary 50- to 65-year-old participants recruited following contact by their general practitioner.

MAIN RESULTS

The mean time spent walking by the intervention group was 27.72 (+/-9.79) min/day: their adherence to the protocol was 90.3%. Significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reduction in stroke risk, and increased functional capacity were found within the walking group between baseline and 12-week measurements. No changes were found in these parameters within the control group. Significant reductions in 10-year risk of CHD were observed in both groups. No significant changes were found in lipid levels or anthropometric measurements in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides evidence for the benefit to fitness and cardiovascular risk of the "30-min brisk walking, 5 days a week" message to people aged 50-65 years who participated in an unsupervised home-based walking program. Further study to overcome the problem of poor recruitment and determine the minimum effective dose of exercise to improve cardiovascular risk prediction scores is required.

Reproductive and sexual health in males with cystic fibrosis: a case for health professional education and training

PURPOSE

To survey the attitudes and clinical practice of health professionals to identify current practice and possible barriers to discussion of sexual and reproductive health issues in adolescent males with cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS

An interview schedule was developed to seek information about attitudes to reproductive and sexual health in males with CF and to elicit details of reported professional practice of health care providers from four CF centers in Massachusetts.

RESULTS

Of 32 health professionals interviewed, 66% informed parents about male infertility soon after diagnosis in infancy; 22% of those not informing parents at this time waited until later childhood or adolescence; and 12% reported they did not discuss these issues with parents during childhood or adolescence. All respondents reported they discuss infertility with male adolescents. The mean age thought most appropriate to discuss infertility was 13.8 (+/-2.2) years, although most do so at 15.2 (+/-2.8) years (p <.05). Fifty percent report routinely discussing that sexual performance is not affected by CF; 38% discuss the importance of condom use; 50% discuss normal sexual performance; 13% offer semen analysis to adolescents; and 3% inform males about small-volume ejaculates. Reproductive options are discussed with adolescents by 19% of clinicians. The themes of embarrassment, insufficient time, the difficulty of finding the "right" time, and insufficient training were identified as barriers to these discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater training for health professionals in the reproductive and sexual health issues of CF is a step to more complete, timely, and comfortable discussion of this area of health care.

Reproductive health in males with cystic fibrosis: knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of patients and parents

Males with cystic fibrosis (CF) are generally infertile as a result of aberrant development of Wolffian duct derivitives. The personal significance of this and related reproductive and sexual health (RSH) issues is unknown. We set out to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding RSH in a group of adolescent and adult males with CF, as well as the knowledge and attitudes of parents. This descriptive study was based on a semi-structured interview utilizing in-depth interview techniques. Questions included aspects of knowledge, attitudes, and experiences. Adolescent (aged 14-17 years) and adult (at least 18 years) males attending the Children's Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Boston, MA, USA, or hospitalized at the Children's Hospital over that period were eligible; the accompanying parent of the adolescent was also interviewed. Consecutive eligible males were interviewed over a 3 month period. Summary data are presented, attitudinal data are analyzed qualitatively, and a selection of representative transcript data are reported to describe the range of opinions. Fifty males (10 adolescents, 40 adults) participated; this constituted a consecutive sample of 44% of the eligible clinic population. Ninety percent of adults, 60% of adolescents, and 50% of parents knew of male infertility. The mean age (+/-SD) at which adults recalled first hearing this was 16.0 +/- 4.7 years and 13.9 +/- 1.6 years for those adolescents who knew of infertility. Nineteen (48%) of adults and 5 (83%) of adolescents first heard about infertility from their health care providers. Ninety percent reported no major distress upon first hearing about infertility during adolescence. Increasing significance of infertility with maturity was reported by 12 men (30%); only 4 adults (10%) reported that infertility was not a significant aspect of CF. Forty percent knew that males with CF have a small volume ejaculate, but none had been told this by a health care provider. Thirty percent of men had semen analysis performed and all were azoospermic. We conclude that the majority of males with CF know of likely infertility. The significance of this knowledge changes with time. Poor knowledge and confusion surround a range of RSH issues in males with CF.