The Contemporary Porn Debate - Perceptions of Sexual Health of Porn Actors, The 2013 HIV crisis, and Recognizing the Complexities of the Porn Industry

Between August 2012 and January 2013, four adult film performers based in California tested positive for HIV which triggered a moratorium on production, and led the state of California to mandate condom usage in the industry under the Safer Sex in the Adult Industry Act – otherwise referred to as Measure B. The goal of this research is to explore how the discourse surrounding health in the adult film industry, specifically sexual health in relation to the adult film performers during this event, is reflective of contemporary anti-pornography sentiments. These sentiments and biases ultimately lead to regulations of the industry that were not reflective of the adult film performers’ perceptions/concerns in regards to their own occupational safety and health. Therefore these contemporary debates surrounding mandating condom usage in the porn industry demonstrate a disconnect between the opinions expressed in media and in academia versus those expressed by the industry and in its own actors’ testimonies. This discourse also in turn eschews the real complexities of the pornography industry, excluding certain narratives including those of queer porn actors. Listening to these narratives and making an effort to understand these complexities surrounding the industry are important and necessary steps to properly work towards supporting the work, health, and empowerment of adult film actors

The prevalence and under-reporting of needle-stick injuries among dental healthcare workers in Pakistan: a systematic review

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a major occupational health problem among dental healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan, which places them at a significant risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. However, not all NSIs are reported, leading to an underestimation of the actual prevalence. The harmful impacts of NSIs on the healthcare delivery necessitate an urgent need to measure its actual prevalence. Objectives. The aim of this study was to review literature to estimate the prevalence and reporting rates of NSIs among dental-HCWs in Pakistan. Methods. 713 potentially relevant citations were identified by electronic databases and hand searching of articles. Nine primary studies were subsequently identified to be included in the review. Results. The results of the included studies indicate that the prevalence of NSIs among Pakistani dental-HCWs was between 30% and 73%. The rate of reporting of NSIs was between 15% and 76%, and the most common reason was found to be the lack of awareness regarding the reporting system, or of the need to report NSIs. Conclusion. It is evident from the review of the included studies that there is a significantly high prevalence and a low rate of reporting of NSIs among dental-HCWs in Pakistan, suggesting the need to setup an occupational health department in dental settings, for preventing, managing, recording, and monitoring NSIs

An observational study of pediatric healthcare burden in Angelman syndrome: results from a real-world study.

BACKGROUND:The objective of this study is to describe variations in the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS) over the first 12 years of life. Data for this study were drawn from the AS Natural History study (ASNHS), which is an observational study on the developmental progress, behavior, and medical morbidity of individuals with AS conducted over eight years. Caregiver-reported information on hospitalization, surgery, and medication utilization was used to assess HRU. Repeated measures mixed effect models were used to assess the relationship between age and probability of hospitalization, surgery, and prescription medication utilization. RESULTS:Mean age at study enrollment was 6 years of age and both sexes were equally represented. The mean number of visits per participant was three. Results from this study suggest that individuals with AS have a high HRU burden. Hospitalization and surgery burden were highest in the first year of life. Use of medications for seizures and sleep disturbance increased over time. CONCLUSIONS:The study highlights the significant healthcare burden among individuals with AS. Future studies that estimate cost and caregiver burden associated with AS are needed to assess the lifelong economic impact of AS on families and healthcare system

Motivation for Pursuing Further Education amongst Adult Learners

El presente artículo se basa en un estudio cuyo objeto es comprender la motivación y las experiencias de personas de la tercera edad a la hora de obtener el Diploma en Gerontología otorgado por el Centro para el Aprendizaje Permanente, del Instituto Tata de Ciencias Sociales, en Bombay (la India). La cuestión de lo que motiva a los adultos de mayor edad a participar en actividades educativas es importante, especialmente desde la perspectiva del envejecimiento activo. Se seleccionaron seis de un total de trece alumnos pertenecientes a la tercera edad, a quienes se entrevistó en profundidad. Se empleó una metodología cualitativa, que incluye el análisis de contenido, para explorar las experiencias y los antecedentes de las personas de la tercera edad y llegar a obtener un conocimiento sobre su participación en las actividades de aprendizaje mientras cursan el Diploma en Gerontología. Se analizan su motivación, sus experiencias, sus retos y sus beneficios al participar en el aprendizaje permanente. Una de las principales conclusiones del estudio es que, a pesar de que el curso se describe como riguroso y exigente en cuanto al esfuerzo que requiere, se comprueba que los alumnos han percibido un impacto positivo sobre su bienestar social, psicológico e incluso físico. Los métodos de enseñanza favoritos entre los adultos de la tercera edad son las actividades de grupo, el debate y los proyectos basados en las tareas docentes, antes que los exámenes escritos. El estudio recomienda mayor divulgación y publicidad de tales programas educativos entre la tercera edad, y conseguir que los cursos sean más adecuados para las personas mayores, de forma que puedan convertirse en un componente integral del envejecimiento activo.The present paper is based on a study aimed at understanding the motivation and experiences of senior citizen learners in pursuing Diploma in Gerontology at Centre for Lifelong Learning, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The issue of what motivates older adults to participate in educational activities is important specially from the perspective of Active Ageing. Six out of the total thirteen senior citizen learners were selected and interviewed in depth. Qualitative methodology, including content analysis was used to explore older persons’ backgrounds and experiences, and to gain an understanding of their involvement in the learning activities while pursuing Diploma in Gerontology. Their motivation, experiences, challenges, and benefits of engagement in lifelong learning are discussed. One of the major findings of the study is that, despite the course being described as rigorous and demanding in terms of hard work, the learners are found to have perceived a positive impact on their social, psychological and even physical wellbeing. The most preferred teaching method among senior citizen learners are group activities, discussion and assignment-based projects over written examinations. The study recommends more awareness and publicity of such educational programmes among the elderly and courses more elder-friendly so that they may become an integral component in active ageing

Environmental consequences of economic growth and foreign direct investment: evidence from panel data analysis

This paper is aimed at investigating non-linear relationship between foreign direct investment and environmental degradation using panel data of 110 developed and developing economies. The results indicated that environmental Kuznets curve exists and foreign direct investment increases environmental degradation.Economic Growth, FDI, Environment

HIV negative mothers' perceptions of the HIV positive mother

Perceptions of HIV and AIDS are inextricably linked to stigma and discrimination and perceptions of HIV positive mothers are particularly complex. In order to obtain a perspective on social perceptions of HIV positive mothers this study interviewed eight HIV negative, workingclass mothers. By focusing on HIV negative mothers, who shared the social category of motherhood (thereby providing an insider perspective), HIV was fore-grounded and social perceptions of HIV was explored from an outsider perspective. A vignette was used to facilitate a semi-structured interview which explored issues around general perceptions of the HIV positive individual (with a particular focus on issues around stigma and blame); perceptions of HIV positive motherhood and perceptions of the impact of maternal HIV on the child. Interview data was analysed using a qualitative thematic analysis. Results highlighted that motherhood from the perspective of the mother was perceived differently to motherhood from the perspective of the child. From the perspective of the mother, respondents identified with the HIV positive mother as a black, working-class mother and viewed her as ‘normal’ and ‘ordinary.’ Identifying infected mothers as part of the group of black, working-class women, respondents drew on their similarity of being powerless in heterosexual relationships. Thus respondents viewed HIV positive mothers as blameless victims when they became infected as their perception was that promiscuity was not a part of motherhood. When motherhood was considered from the perspective of the child, respondents viewed the HIV positive mother as a soon-to-be absent mother who continued to infect her child. The infected mother was perceived to have a relatively short lifespan and as such was perceived to fail in her duty as mother when she was not available to ensure that her child developed normally. Respondents perceived that the absent and unavailable infected mother produced children who are socially, morally and developmentally disadvantaged when they are teased and ostracized by society, fail to grow and develop normally and eventually turn into criminals