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Cannabidiol (CBD) product regulatory efforts must be informed by research regarding consumer perceptions. This mixed-methods study examined CBD product information sources, knowledge, perceptions, use and use intentions among young adults. This study analyzed (i) Fall 2020 survey data from 2464 US young adults (M[subscript age] = 24.67, 51.4% ever users, 32.0% past 6-month users) and (ii) Spring 2021 qualitative interviews among 40 survey participants (27.5% past-month users). Overall, 97.9% of survey participants reported having heard of CBD, 51.4% ever/lifetime use and 32.0% past 6-month use. Survey participants learned about CBD from friends/family (58.9%), products/ads at retailers (36.4%), online content/ads (34.8%), CBD stores (27.5%) and social media (26.7%). One-fourth believed that CBD products were required to be US Food and Drug Administration-approved (24.9%), tested for safety (28.8%) and proven effective to be marketed for pain, anxiety, sleep, etc. (27.2%). Survey and interview participants perceived CBD as safe, socially acceptable and effective for addressing pain, anxiety and sleep. Interview findings expanded on prominent sources of marketing and product exposure, including online and specialty retailers (e.g. vape shops), and on participants' concerns regarding limited regulation and/or evidence regarding CBD's effectiveness/risks. Given young adults' misperceptions about CBD, surveillance of CBD knowledge, perceptions and use is critical as the CBD market expands.

Young adults' perceptions and use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) are understudied. This mixed methods study analyzed (i) Fall 2020 survey data from 2470 US young adults (mean[subscript age] = 24.67; 19.5% and 25.2% past-month cigarette and e-cigarette use; 4.1% ever HTP use) assessing HTP use intentions and perceptions (1 = not at all to 7 = extremely) and (ii) Spring 2021 interview data regarding IQOS (most widely available HTP) in a subset of 40 e-cigarette users. Among survey participants, HTPs versus cigarettes and e-cigarettes showed lower use intentions (mean = 1.27 vs. mean = 1.73, mean = 2.16) but were perceived as less addictive (mean = 5.11 vs. mean = 6.28, mean = 5.82) and harmful (mean = 5.37 vs. mean = 6.65, mean = 5.62). HTPs were perceived more socially acceptable than cigarettes but less than e-cigarettes (mean = 3.39 vs. mean = 3.13, mean = 4.37). Among interviewees, most reported limited HTP knowledge. A few perceived IQOS as a hybrid of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Most perceived IQOS as harmful but less harmful than cigarettes and were uncertain in relation to e-cigarettes. Over half reported minimal interest in trying IQOS; common reasons included IQOS containing tobacco, limited flavors and use complexity. The varied perceptions of IQOS versus cigarettes and e-cigarettes underscore the need for continued surveillance of perceptions, use and marketing of IQOS to inform regulatory oversight and potential interventions.

ObjectiveAmong Asian Americans, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Despite strong evidence that screening can reduce CRC-related mortality, fewer Chinese and Koreans receive screening as compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks. The objective of this study was to examine facilitators and barriers as well as strategies to promote CRC screening in this population.DesignThis study employed a mixed-methods design. We conducted 17 key informant interviews and 12 focus groups in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 120 Chinese and Korean focus group participants, aged 50 to 85, also provided quantitative data through self-administered surveys. All participants were asked to discuss facilitators and barriers of CRC screening, including in relation to culture.ResultsParticipants who had a regular physician and doctor's recommendation for CRC screening were more likely to ever receive a colonoscopy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 9.79 and aOR = 6.61; 95% CI: 2.63, 16.65, respectively). A doctor's recommendation was also significantly associated with receipt of a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (aOR = 4.00; 95% CI: 1.43, 11.15). In terms of barriers, those who reported having no time and not having symptoms were less likely to have a colonoscopy (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.82 and aOR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.23, respectively) than those who had time and symptoms. Preventive healthcare was often not viewed as a priority, particularly for those living the'immigrant life,' who gave precedence to work. Cultural barriers to CRC screening included language (e.g. limited English proficiency and low health literacy); fear of finding CRC and burdening the family especially children; fatalism; and stigma towards cancer.ConclusionsFuture interventions and programs aiming to increase CRC screening among Chinese and Korean Americans should address both cultural and non-cultural factors that influence CRC screening uptake.

Background: Chinese and Korean Americans have lower colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates than other racial/ethnic groups, which may be explained by a low level of CRC knowledge and a high level of misconceptions. Thisstudy explores the role of knowledge in CRC screening among these groups. Methods: Chinese (N=59) and Korean(N=61) Americans older than 50 were recruited from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. They completed a detailedsurvey and participated in focus groups to discuss their knowledge on CRC and CRC screening. Seventeen physicians,community leaders, and patient navigators participated in key informant interviews. Using a mixed methods approach,data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: Participants lacked knowledge about CRC and CRCscreening. More than half did not know that screening begins at age 50 and there are several types of tests available.More than 30% thought CRC screening was not necessary if there were no symptoms or there was nothing they coulddo to prevent CRC. Focus group findings suggested understanding about CRC was limited by an inadequate source oflinguistically and culturally relevant health information. For example, many participants considered CRC a westerncondition mainly caused by unhealthy diet. This led to under-estimations about their susceptibility to CRC. Knowledgewas positively associated with self-reported screening. Participants who had higher knowledge scores were more likelyto report ever having had a colonoscopy and confidence in ability to have CRC screening. Conclusions: Mixed-methodsanalysis provides multi-faceted perspectives on CRC knowledge and its influence on screening. Study findings canhelp inform interventions to increase CRC screening among Chinese and Korean Americans.

Cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are critical for those immunocompromised due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Health education programs, including text messaging, can effectively improve knowledge of cervical cancer and recommended screening. This paper describes the data-driven development of a 4-week text-messaging intervention to improve HPV and cervical cancer knowledge among women living with HIV (WLH). This study reports data from surveys (n  = 81; January 2020 to September 2021) and focus group discussions (FGDs, n  = 39; April–June 2020) conducted among WLH in the DC area. While most WLH revealed that their usual sources of health information were through in-person group sessions, they pointed out that these were impractical options due to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. They noted that a text-messaging intervention was feasible and acceptable. FGD participants' responses structured around the Protection Motivation Theory constructs informed the text-messaging library, covering topics such as (I) understanding of cervical cancer and HPV, (II) cervical cancer prevention and (III) HPV self-sampling. The utilization of low-cost and easily accessible health education interventions, such as mobile-based text messaging, can effectively increase knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer in populations that have been historically difficult to access and during times when health services are disrupted such as during a global pandemic or public health emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minority populations are underrepresented in fields of science, perhaps limiting scientific perspectives. Informed by recent studies using social cognitive career theory, this study examined whether three conceptual constructs: self-efficacy, perceived adult support, and perceived barriers, along with several discrete and immutable variables, were associated with intent to pursue college health science education in a sample (N = 134) of minority youth (67.2% African American). A paper-and-pencil survey about pursuit of college health science was administered to 10th graders with a B- or better grade point average from six high schools in an underserved community. Results indicated that the three conceptual constructs were bivariate correlates of intent to pursue college health science. Only perceived adult support and knowing whether a parent received college education were significant predictors in a multiple regression model. These results build on previous research and provide further insight into youth decision-making regarding pursuit of college health science.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that currently infects nearly 80 million people in the United States (U.S.) and can lead to cancer. HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and lasting protection against HPV infections. Nevertheless, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, HPV and HPV vaccine awareness, and knowledge of HPV-associated cancers among U.S. adults. Using responses from 3504 U.S. adults (aged 18 years and older) from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5 Cycle 2 (January–May 2018), we performed descriptive analysis to assess the level of awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines and knowledge of HPV-associated cancer. Multivariable regression analysis (including race, gender, age, level of education, marital status, number of children younger than 18) was conducted with weighted analysis. About 62% of respondents had heard of HPV and HPV vaccine. Asians had a lower level of awareness than non-Hispanic Whites of HPV (36.4% vs. 66.1%) and HPV vaccine (48.7% vs. 67.1%). Multivariable analysis showed that race/ethnicity was associated with outcomes, with Asians being less likely to have heard about HPV (aOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.07–0.38) and non-Hispanic Blacks (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35–0.91) and Hispanics (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36–0.80) being less likely to have heard of the HPV vaccine than non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, gender, age, marital status, and education were associated with awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine; in particular, individuals who were female, younger (18–45), married, and more highly educated were more likely to have heard of HPV and HPV vaccine. Results highlight disparities in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among racial/ethnic minority populations. Future interventions and legislation should target racial/ethnic minority populations to foster improvements in HPV vaccine uptake and reduce disparities in HPV-associated cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: E-cigarette cessation intervention research is limited. Young adult e-cigarette use and cessation is particularly nuanced, given various user profiles (ie, polytobacco use, co-use with marijuana) warranting different intervention approaches.Methods: The current study is an analysis of baseline survey data (collected September-December 2018) among 1133 young adult (aged 18-34) e-cigarette users in a 2-year longitudinal study. We examined (1) e-cigarette user profiles (ie, e-cigarette only; e-cigarette/other tobacco; e-cigarette/marijuana; e-cigarette/other tobacco/marijuana) and (2) correlates of readiness to quit e-cigarette use in the next 6 months and past-year e-cigarette quit attempts.Results: In this sample (Mage = 23.91, 47.3% male, 35.5% sexual minority, 75.2% White, 13.7% Hispanic), e-cigarette user profiles were as follows: 16.8% e-cigarettes-only, 23.4% e-cigarette/other tobacco, 18.0% e-cigarette/marijuana, and 41.8% e-cigarette/other tobacco/marijuana. Multinomial logistic regression (referent: e-cigarette-only use) indicated that all polyuse groups were more likely to use high-nicotine e-liquids (containing ≥9 mg of nicotine). Other predictors included e-cigarettes/other tobacco users being older and male; e-cigarettes/marijuana users using closed systems; and e-cigarettes/other tobacco/marijuana users being sexual minority (p's < .01). Readiness to quit e-cigarettes and past-year quit attempts were reported by 20.8% and 32.3%, respectively. Per multilevel regression, readiness to quit and quit attempts correlated with using fewer days, high-nicotine e-liquids, and closed systems, but not marijuana, as well as being heterosexual and Black (vs White); readiness to quit also correlated with being single; past-year quit attempts correlated with other tobacco use and being Hispanic.Conclusions: Young adult e-cigarette users demonstrate distinct user profiles and cessation-related experiences that should be considered in developing cessation interventions.Implications: The vast majority of young adult e-cigarette users use other tobacco products and marijuana. Unfortunately, few reported readiness to quit or attempting quit. Moreover, certain subgroups (eg, sexual/racial/ethnic minorities) are more likely to be ready or attempt to quit, but may not be successful. Vaping cessation interventions must attend to these nuances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]