BackgroundAlthough gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, few test for HIV at regular intervals. Smartphone apps may be an ideal tool to increase regular testing among MSM. However, the success of apps to encourage regular testing among MSM will depend on how frequently the apps are downloaded, whether they continue to be used over months or years, and the degree to which such apps are tailored to the needs of this population.ObjectiveThe primary objectives of this study were to answer the following questions. (1) What features and functions of smartphone apps do MSM believe are associated with downloading apps to their mobile phones? (2) What features and functions of smartphone apps are most likely to influence MSM’s sustained use of apps over time? (3) What features and functions do MSM prefer in an HIV testing smartphone app?MethodsWe conducted focus groups (n=7, with a total of 34 participants) with a racially and ethnically diverse group of sexually active HIV-negative MSM (mean age 32 years; 11/34 men, 33%, tested for HIV ≥10 months ago) in the United States in Miami, Florida and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Focus groups were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and deidentified for analysis. We used a constant comparison method (ie, grounded theory coding) to examine and reexamine the themes that emerged from the focus groups.ResultsMen reported cost, security, and efficiency as their primary reasons influencing whether they download an app. Usefulness and perceived necessity, as well as peer and posted reviews, affected whether they downloaded and used the app over time. Factors that influenced whether they keep and continue to use an app over time included reliability, ease of use, and frequency of updates. Poor performance and functionality and lack of use were the primary reasons why men would delete an app from their phone. Participants also shared their preferences for an app to encourage regular HIV testing by providing feedback on test reminders, tailored testing interval recommendations, HIV test locator, and monitoring of personal sexual behaviors.ConclusionsMobile apps for HIV prevention have proliferated, despite relatively little formative research to understand best practices for their development and implementation. The findings of this study suggest key design characteristics that should be used to guide development of an HIV testing app to promote regular HIV testing for MSM. The features and functions identified in this and prior research, as well as existing theories of behavior change, should be used to guide mobile app development in this critical area.

To advance research on the sexual effects of prostate cancer in sexual minorities, we conducted telephone interviews with 19 gay and bisexual men (GBM) who had undergone radical prostatectomies. Challenges to sexual functioning included anatomical penile changes, loss of ejaculate, climacturia, and erectile dysfunction. All sexual behavior with other men, not just insertive anal sex, was affected, across all stages of the sexual response cycle. Rather than narrowly focusing on erectile functioning, rehabilitation for GBM needs to be comprehensive in addressing anatomical changes, sexual behavior comprehensively, and functioning across the sexual response cycle. Seven recommendations for practitioner education are identified.

This study reports results from cross-cultural comparisons of (a) the frequency of university students' experiences of bullying victimization and perpetration between students, (b) students' experiences of bullying victimization by university personnel, and (c) the breakdown of victimization by the forms of bullying students have experienced. Gender breakdowns are offered. Survey data were collected from undergraduates in a total of 47 universities, using large sample sizes, similar measures and assessment methods in four countries: Argentina (N = 969), Estonia (N = 1053), Finland (N = 4403), and the United States (N = 2072). The results confirmed previous findings which suggest that a notable number of students experience bullying during university studies by fellow students and/or staff members, and a smaller number of students admit to bully their fellow students. The results add to previous knowledge by demonstrating remarkable cultural differences in the prevalence and forms of bullying and suggesting that bullying at the university level starts to transform similar to bullying in the workplace. The overall rates of bullying victimization and perpetration between students were the highest in Argentina, followed by the USA, Finland, and finally Estonia. However, victimization by university personnel was reported the most in Estonia, followed by Argentina, the USA, and Finland. Gender breakdowns in bullying experiences varied between countries. Verbal forms of bullying were common experiences. The most often reported form in all countries was unjustified criticism, belittling or humiliation related to academic performance. Students in the USA reported the highest frequencies in most forms of victimization. The results are discussed by reflecting on higher education features and comparing cultural characteristics of the countries. Practical implications are provided.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.Maili Pörhölä is an adjunct professor in the School of Humanities at the University of Eastern Finland. Her career has focused on communication research investigating bullying and abuse in social relationships, with a special interest in the transference of these experiences from primary, secondary and higher education contexts to the workplace, examining impacts on individual psychosocial well-being.Kristen Cvancara is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA. Her areas of expertise include interpersonal communication and social influence. She specializes in the study of verbal aggression, investigating how it is learned and used in romantic, familial, and friendship relationships.Esta Kaal is a lecturer and researcher at Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School, Tallinn University, Estonia. She works in the communication research field investigating organizations in public, business, and university contexts. Her main research interests include envir...

Based on an analysis of articles in health communication journals and in regional, national, and international communication journals, this study identifies publication trends and research priorities for health communication articles in the 1990s and the year 2000. Based on a content analysis of article abstracts, researchers determined the extent to which health communication articles appeared in various journals as well as the emphasis on specific topics in health communication research, methodological approaches, and theoretical frameworks. The article concludes with reflections on the implications of this study for future work in the area of health communication.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination completion rates in Asian-American populations are substantially lower than most White Americans. Our objective was to identify the knowledge, perceptions, and decision-making processes about HPV vaccinations in the Hmong population, an Asian-American group with increased risks of HPV-related cancers. We conducted eight focus groups with Hmong adolescents (n = 12) and parents (n = 13) to learn about barriers, facilitators, and decision-making processes regarding general vaccinations and the HPV vaccine. The focus group results were analyzed using thematic analysis, informed by the socioecological model and asset lens. Findings showed that at the individual level, Hmong adolescents and parents had low HPV and HPV vaccine awareness levels (barrier) and strong desires to learn about HPV and the HPV vaccine (facilitator). Community-level barriers included salient narratives about traumatic experiences with vaccines and vaccine research, while facilitators included strong community connections. At the institutional level, barriers included structural constraints in health care settings, while facilitators included ease of obtaining vaccines at school-based clinics and provider authoritative decision-making. Additionally, a range of decision-making processes between parents, adolescents, and providers were present, with parents expressing a strong appeal to engage in more shared decision-making with providers. A linguistically and culturally specific HPV educational program for Hmong adolescents and parents could address the barriers and build on facilitators and assets to promote HPV vaccine uptake in this growing Asian-American community.