Every week, we will provide a brief summary and a link to the published abstract of newly published papers selected from the worldwide literature as being of particular interest to the SelfCare community.
WILL GAY AND BISEXUALLY ACTIVE MEN AT HIGH RISK OF INFECTION USE OVER-THE-COUNTER RAPID HIV TESTS TO SCREEN SEXUAL PARTNERS?
By: A Carballo-Diéguez, T Frasca, C Dolezal et al.
Journal of Sex Research, 2012 49(4): 379-87
Summary: The FDA may license a rapid HIV test for over-the-counter (OTC) sale. This study investigated whether HIV-uninfected, non-monogamous, gay and bisexual men who never or rarely use condoms would use the test with partners as a harm-reduction approach. Sixty participants responded to two computer-assisted self-interviews, underwent an in-depth interview, and chose whether to test themselves. Over 80% of the men said they would use the kit to test sexual partners or themselves if it became available OTC. Studies are needed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using OTC rapid HIV tests as one additional harm-reduction tool.
Abstract.
EFFICACY OF AN OVER-THE-COUNTER INTERVENTION FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES.
By: N. Bosse, M. Machado, A. Mistry.
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 2102 52(4), 535-40
Summary: To evaluate whether patient adherence to appropriate self-care advice from a pharmacist or student provides satisfactory symptom relief in two community pharmacies, pharmacists and students offered a follow-up phone call to patients who were seeking or had accepted the offer for self-care advice for themselves, or others for whom they are primary care-givers. Of the 207 patients offered a follow-up phone call, 83 accepted. Of those who completed one phone call and claimed complete adherence to advice provided, 38 (82.6%) experienced great symptom relief. Three patients followed advice only partially and experienced the same level of improvement. More than 75% of patients classified the follow-up as ‘very helpful’, felt that it led to greater symptom improvement, and would like to see this service offered all of the time. Pharmacist intervention in OTC therapy is widely accepted and can lead to improved patient outcomes.
Abstract.
ALTERNATING ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN FOR PAIN IN CHILDREN.
By: C. Smith, R.D. Goldman.
Canadian Family Physician, 2012; 58(6), 645-647
Summary: Because pain is a very common condition in children, such as after musculoskeletal injuries, many parents ask whether they can alternate over-the-counter analgesics to treat their children’s pain. While some guidelines advise against this, it is common practice. Should alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen be recommended for treating pain in children? Children who have unresolved pain despite the use of either ibuprofen or acetaminophen should have their medication regimen reviewed to ensure they are receiving the medication at an adequate dose and interval. If monotherapy has failed, a short trial of an alternating regimen could be implemented. However, there is a lack of evidence for safety with long-term use of alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Abstract.
RESULTS OF A NATIONAL SURVEY ON OTC MEDICINES, PART 3: PERCEIVED TIME EXPECTATIONS FOR CLINICAL ENCOUNTERS ASSOCIATED WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES.
By: RT Tsuyuki, E Landry, L Lalonde et al.
Canadian Pharmacists Journal 2012 May 145(3): 116-118
Summary: A cross-sectional survey of 2305 practising community pharmacists across Canada to investigate their perceptions of patient expectations for consultation time on OTC use. Pharmacists’ perceptions of time for OTC product consultation were generally quite short, from 1.7 minutes to 3.6 minutes. Pharmacists felt that patients’ expectations for clinical interaction associated with first-time OTC use would be about 2 minutes. This can serve as the basis for development of pharmacist interventions to improve OTC use, balancing patient expectations for the duration of the interaction with what would be clinically important to cover during that interaction. This includes managing patients’ expectations for appropriate pharmacist interactions.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SELF-CARE BEHAVIOUR OF FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DYSMENORRHOEA: A CLUSTER SAMPLING STUDY.
By: SF Chang, MH Chuang.
International journal of nursing practice 2012 Apr 18(2): 117-24.
Summary: To identify factors that affect the self-care behaviour of female high school students with dysmenorrhoea, this study utilized a questionnaire-based survey to understand the self-care behaviour of female high school students dysmenorrhoeal, along with the factors that affect this behaviour. Study participants experienced a moderate level of discomfort from dysmenorrhoea, and perceived dysmenorrhoea as serious. This investigation finds that cues to action raised perceived susceptibility to dysmenorrhoea and the perceived effectiveness of self-care behaviour, and therefore increased the adoption of self-care behaviour. Hence, school nurses should offer female high school students numerous resources to apply correct self-care behaviour.
Abstract.
ANALGESIC USE IN A NATIONAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF GERMAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
By: Y Du, U Ellert, W Zhuang, et al.
European Journal of Pain 2012 16(6), 934-43
Summary: Pain management by analgesic medications may be low among children. This study aims to investigate analgesic use and its correlates among children in Germany. Analgesic use during a 1-week period was investigated in a community sample of 14,836 children and adolescents aged between 3 and 17 years in Germany. The prevalence of analgesic use was 8.9% among the general child population and 17.5% among children with pain that occurred at least once a week. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and ibuprofen were the most frequently used paediatric analgesics, accounting for two-thirds of all analgesics. Most painkillers were self-medicated (67%, bought over the counter or obtained from other sources), used for a short term within 1 week (92%) and taken for the treatment of pain (85%). Use of analgesics was closely associated with girls, older age groups, children with a poor overall health status and children with recurrent pain, irrespective of family immigrant background and socioeconomic status. Analgesic use appears to be low among children in Germany, reflecting largely the fact that pain perceived among children under ambulant care may be mild to moderate and does not need analgesic medication.
Abstract.