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Dec 2025
Darvishzadeh Nooshabadi GolnazCorresponding author
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) has proven effective in over 120 outcome studies, particularly for anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. This conceptual paper proposes a theoretical integration of ISTDP with Solution- Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and clinical hypnosis. Each modality offers unique strengths—ISTDP enables rapid emotional processing, SFBT builds client resilience and solutions, and hypnosis enhances neuroplasticity and emotional receptivity. Drawing on existing empirical and neuroscientific literature, this paper synthesizes these modalities into a unified clinical framework. The integrated model emphasizes accelerated change through emotional access, strategic future orientation, and unconscious facilitation. Case examples illustrate the framework's practical applications across complex clinical presentations. The integration addresses gaps in single-modality treatments and provides a cost-effective, neurobiologically supported method of intervention. This article offers clinicians structured decision- making strategies and practical tools for real-time integration, while outlining future directions for empirical research.
Nov 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-21-4010
G. Poda GhislainCorresponding author
University Pedagogical Institute, Public Health Department, Bamako - Mali.
Background: HIV / AIDS affects all social strata and including female sex workers who are a particularly vulnerable group at risk of HIV infection. Objective To assess the risky sexual behavior of female sex workers in Bamako, Mali. Methods This is a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study conducted among 288 female sex workers in the city of Bamako, Mali. This study used a questionnaire to collect information from January to April 2021. Results Out of 288 sex workers, 41% came from neighboring countries (Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania). More than half of the participants had started working as sex workers before the age of 20. More than half of sex workers do not always use a condom. About 32% of female sex workers had previously had anal sex, 20% had experienced group sex, and less than a quarter smoked or drank alcohol before sex. A significant relationship was found between the behavior or practice of sex workers with the following variables: ethnicity (P = 0.04); marital status (P = 0.01); monthly income (P = 0.001), age at first sexual intercourse (P = 0.03); the presence of STDs in the past (P = 0.02), knowledge of HIV status (P = 0.04) and nationality (P = 0.03). Conclusions This study highlights negative risk behaviors of sex workers such as not using condoms consistently, anal sex, alcohol, and smoking. It is therefore important to develop education actions to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sex workers related to HIV/ AIDS in Mali.
Sep 2021
J. Kavana NicholasCorresponding author
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences P.O Box 175 Ifakara, Tanzania
Background This study was done to assess knowledge, attitude and preventive practices towards sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students in Mlimba Division, Ifakara, Tanzania. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021. A total of 365 secondary school students (193 male; 172 female) aged between 12 and 23 years were surveyed by using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Results The study found the majority 95.9% had heard of STDs, 77.8% knew symptoms of STDs, 86.8% knew mode of transmission, 94.0% knew the importance of use of condom during sexual intercourse. Among the sexually-active students, 70.7% had practiced sexual intercourse and 42.2% used condom during sexual intercourse. Conclusion The risky behavior practiced by the sexually-active students in this study is alarming. There is a need to introduce STD education curriculum in secondary schools so that appropriate intervention on STDs can be implemented.
Feb 2021
E.E. Enwereji,Corresponding author
College of Medicine Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Introduction Risk reduction intervention is meant to provide enhanced and desirable interventions for HIV prevention among adolescents especially the in-school. Adolescents have been identified as the most vulnerable groups that can easily acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, adolescents are the appropriate target for HIV prevention efforts. Most interventions for adolescents focus on providing AIDS-related education with the assumption that improving knowledge would enable adolescents to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. Numerous studies have shown that using class-room education alone is insufficient in reducing adolescents’ risky sexual behaviours. Therefore, this study used role-plays and peer facilitation for the study. Materials and Method The study used role-play and peer facilitation for the intervention strategy. The theme of the role-play was ‘My Future is My Choice’ (MFMC) intervention which was aimed to reduce HIV risk behaviours among sexually inexperienced adolescents. The role-play was carried out by 4 peer leaders who were trained in the theoretical framework of role-plays and peer facilitation by a consultant. With mastery and experience they carried out the role play in a regular classroom section for over 3 class periods, co-facilitated with the assistance of a volunteer teacher. A unique feature of this intervention was the dual focus on strategies that influenced both individual risk factors (i.e., attitudes, behavioural skills) and social environments (e.g., peer resources). A school was chosen by simple random sampling for the intervention. In the school chosen, a total sample of 65 students in senior secondary classes 2&3 ( SS2&3) were included in the study. These were the students considered to be sexually active who can respond to the questions in the questionnaire. Self-administered pre-and post-questionnaire were completed by the students. The results were analysed using frequency tables, descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The students studied were between the ages of 13-18 years. There was evidence that the role play ‘My Future is My Choice’ (MFMC) intervention created positive effects on reduction of HIV risk behaviours among the sexually inexperienced participants aged 13–18. Perceptions on methods of preventing risk reduction behaviours were also positively impacted by the intervention as 12(18.5%) and 34(52.3 %) of the respondents realized after post- intervention that having sex with someone outside marriage and being transfused with infected blood respectively Will constitute risk to HIV infection. Conclusion The role play which used the theme ‘My Future is My Choice’ (MFMC) intervention provided safer choices for reducing one or more measures of sexual risk behaviours among the sexual inexperienced respondents. It created the opportunity for the students to recognize that engaging in unprotected sex constitutes high risk for HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-20-3633
E.E Enwereji,Corresponding author
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu Abia State.
Introduction HIV prevention services to in-school adolescents need good planning and management. HIV risk reduction interventions are geared toward measuring sexual risk behaviour outcomes of adolescents that predispose them to HIV infection. The sexual behaviour of adolescents, especially in-school adolescents should be assessed in the process. Adolescents have been identified as the most vulnerable group for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and as such, measures should be taken to prevent them from infection. One important reason for higher HIV prevalence among adolescents, especially girls, is the frequent practice of age-discrepant partnering, where older men, who are more likely to be infected with HIV, form sexual partners with younger girls. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents in the prevention of HIV and AIDs in rural areas of Abia State. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was conducted between January and March 2020. Information was collected from 66 students of a community secondary school in the state. Participants were selected by a multi-stage sampling method and data were obtained using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Results Respondents consisted of 40(60.6%) females and 26(39.4%) males with ages ranging from 13 to 19. Some of the respondents 28 (42.4%), are living with parents while 24(36.4%) live with close relatives. A good number of the respondents 39(59.1%), accepted that their friends are HIV positive. Majority of them 49(74.2%) have not been approached for sexual relationships. About 17(25.8%) of the respondents accepted that they have boyfriends and girlfriends. Out of this number, 12(18.2%) of them said they have been approached for sex and only 2(3%) of them accepted having sexual relationships with the opposite sex. Finding showed that only 1(1.5%) of the respondents claimed to have ever used condoms during sex. Of the sexually active respondents, 49(74.2%) of them are aware that HIV is a virus infection caused by having multiple sex partners while 14(21.2%) were not sure whether HIV is a virus or bacterial infection. Conclusion The study revealed a gap in the knowledge of HIV prevention as well as inappropriate sexual behaviour among the respondents. Therefore, meaningful strategies that will be culturally sensitive to modify adolescent sexual risk behaviours should be adopted.
Nov 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-5014.jphn-19-3067
M. Czerkies LauraCorresponding author
Nestlé Nutrition, Arlington, VA
This study evaluated the impact of switching exclusively formula-fed infants with caregiver-perceived formula intolerance to a reduced lactose, partially hydrolyzed 100% whey-based formula (PHF-W) with Lactobacillus reuteri and 2-fucosyllactose. Infants identified as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ fussy by caregivers were eligible for this single-arm, single-blind study. Subjects switched their current formula to study formula for three weeks. Gastrointestinal tolerance was assessed by the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) at baseline and end of the study. Caregivers ranked their infants’ fussiness (not at all, slightly, moderately, very, extremely) after the first three feedings of study formula and 24 hours after enrollment. A paired t-test was used to compare the change in IGSQ score, and a paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare post-feeding fussiness scores to baseline. Fifty infants (mean±std age 28.9±14.5 days) were enrolled; 41 completed the study per protocol. Mean (±std) baseline IGSQ score was 34.9±10.0, dropping to 22.1±7.5 after three weeks (p < 0.001). 48/50 (96%) caregivers stated their infants’ fussiness improved after 24 hours, and 2 (4%) remained the same. 42/46 (91%) caregivers stated their infants’ fussiness improved after the first feeding, and 4 (9%) remained the same. Caregiver-ranked fussiness significantly improved after the first, second, and third feedings and after 24 hours as compared to baseline (p < 0.001 for all). IGSQ scores significantly improved after three weeks of feeding with PHF-W containing Lactobacillus reuteri and 2-fucosyllactose in infants with caregiver-perceived intolerance, and improvements in fussiness were noted as quickly as after the first feeding.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-9383.jhhr-17-1811
JM Lemmens RyanneCorresponding author
Department of Healthcare, Centre of Expertise PXL Innovation Care, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium
Homecare is very important in oncology care since cancer patients are discharged more and more earlier from the hospital and receiving ambulatory treatments. Homecare nurses have a more general broad educational background, with less specialization regarding specific care, like oncology care. The aim of this study is to develop and test a cross-platform application (named Oncopunt) for homecare nurses involved in oncology care to provide specific nurse-centred information via digital media about skill guidelines specific for oncology care. This study was set-up as a non-experimental feasibility and satisfaction study with one measurement moment to collect information about usability, user-experience and added value of Oncopunt using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and an additional questionnaire. The cross-platform application Oncopunt was build using Drupal and Vimeo and consists of a homescreen, filter/search function and watch-function (full video panel, chapter panel and FAQ). Seventeen homecare nurses completed all questionnaires. The mean SUS score was 83,8 (stdev 11,6) and Oncopunt was rated positively regarding video content, technical issues, website layout, quality of care and user satisfaction. Oncopunt is developed to provide homecare nurses specific nurse-centred information about skills specific for oncology care via digital media . It was rated good on usability, user-experiences and added value for clinical practice.
Jul 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-15-806
AbdullGaffar BadrCorresponding author
Pathology section, Rashid hospital.
Background and Objectives: The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in morbidly obese women using ThinPrep® liquid-based Pap Test™ and HPV DNA Test™ is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether women with morbid obesity have a higher frequency of abnormal Pap smears compared with nonobese women, and to explore the rate of Pap smear screening in morbidly obese women. Design and Setting: We conducted a retrospective study over five years in two general government hospitals in Dubai. Patients and Methods: We screened ThinPrep slides and HPV DNA of morbidly obese women and nonobese women. The age, ethnicity, demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds of the two groups were matched. We studied hypertension (HTN), diabetes (DM), infertility, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), connective tissue disease (CTD), immunosuppression and oral contraceptive pills (OCP) as potential risk cofactors. Results: Only 90 (29%) out of 310 morbidly obese women had had Pap tests. They showed more prevalence (P<0.05) of ASC-US, high-risk HPV DNA and LSIL 16 positive (18%) (95% CI: 7.0, and of endometrial AGCs {4 positive (4.5%) (95% CI: 0.3-13.5)} than the nonobese women (n=8175), {279 positive (3%) (95% CI: 3.0-3.8} , and {2 positive (0.024%) (CI:0.01-0.09)}. There were no endocervical AGCs, HSIL or squamous cancer in morbidly obese women. DM, HTN, OCPs, CTD and STD were more common in morbidly obese women having abnormal Pap smears. Conclusions: Low-grade squamous abnormalities, high-risk HPV, and endometrial AGCs are more frequent in morbidly obese women than in nonobese women. Women with morbid obesity have a low rate of cervical screening. This, among other factors, could increase the risk of these women to abnormal cervical cytology. This vulnerable group should benefit from more frequent cervical cytology screening. Appropriate clinical and educational measures should be implemented to encourage compliance to Pap smears. Weight reduction might help.