Blog posts by Periklis Papaloukas
Papers by Periklis Papaloukas
De Montfort University, Jul 1, 2020
This chapter provides a brief description of the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) and lesbian, ... more This chapter provides a brief description of the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) health, and the study rationale (1.2). It also offers an overview of the thesis, chapter by chapter (1.3). The next sections contextualise MS, LGBTQ health, and MS within LGBTQ contexts in a more detailed manner (1.4, 1.5 & 1.6). Further, Chapter 1 critically reflects on three theoretical understandings of chronic illness and LGBTQ health (1.7). In order to better comprehend and adequately investigate the lived psychosocial experience of being an LGBTQ person with MS a review of the literature in relation to the 1) physical nature of MS (1.4.1), 2) lived psychosocial experience of MS (1.4.2), 3) LGBTQ health (1.5) and 4) MS as an experience seen from a non-heterosexual and a non-cisgender perspective (1.6) are presented. The chapter ends with concluding remarks (1.8) and the aims and research questions of the thesis (1.9). 1.2. Research rationale and brief background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological, autoimmune condition which impacts a person's nervous system. The condition has an irregular progression and it is degenerative (McCabe et al., 2004) potentially causing disability after it compromises the ability of the brain to communicate with different parts of the body (Russell et al., 2006). This has as consequence a series of impacts and symptoms, both physical-including cognitive issues, mobility issues, sensory changes (
Non pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have been widely recommended in the battle against Covid... more Non pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have been widely recommended in the battle against Covid-19. Numerous NPIs, including personal protection, social distancing, and environment and travel measures, have been implemented globally to reduce Covid-19 incidence and mortality. Adherence to these measures is crucial in determining their effectiveness. This article discusses some important barriers and facilitators to adherence, based on existing knowledge and mainly recent literature in the area. We propose three ways in which adherence may be improved, including: (i) targeting individual-level barriers; (ii) addressing structural and societal factors; and (iii) facilitating healthy social norms/social emotions. Collectively, these highlight the important role of individual behavior (and adherence) in containing, and mitigating the impact of, Covid-19 now and into the future
Methods in Psychology, 2021
Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2020
Introduction This study focuses on the meanings and experiences that men living in Leicester, UK ... more Introduction This study focuses on the meanings and experiences that men living in Leicester, UK attribute to the gay sauna, the role of the gay sauna in their sense of identity, and how they construe their sexual behavior in this context. Methods In 2015, twenty male sauna users participated in a qualitative interview study. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis yielded four themes: (1) identity authenticity in the gay sauna; (2) social connectedness among sauna users; (3) sexual risk and sexual health in the sauna; and (4) protecting the identity functions of the gay sauna. The themes show that engagement with the gay sauna can enhance feelings of identity authenticity and belongingness, and that individuals seek to protect these identity functions of the gay sauna despite recognizing the gay sauna as a “high-risk” environment. To protect identity, the notion of sexual risk is distanced from their own identities. Discussion Sauna users may experience bet...
Critical Public Health, 2018
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is currently being trialed for seronegative gay and other men who... more Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is currently being trialed for seronegative gay and other men who have sex with men (GMSM) at risk of HIV infection in England. However, research from other countries where PrEP is available shows limited literacy and uptake by GMSM at risk of HIV. We collected focus group data from 18 GMSM (13 HIV− and 5 HIV+) from Leicester, an ethnically diverse city in the English Midlands. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and three themes are presented. The first theme 'I can't get my head around people like that': Representations of PrEP users within and beyond gay communities explores how PrEP users are vilified by some GMSM and the wider media. The second theme, 'There's a culture of anti-trust': PrEP, stigma and the interpersonal politics of HIV disclosure discusses how PrEP influences HIV disclosure and sexual decision-making in casual sero-discordant sexual encounters in a context where seropositive men experienced pervasive HIV stigma and HIV− men were suspicious of HIV+ sexual partners. In the final theme, 'I'm still suspicious': Discourses of doubt and distrust participants voiced concern over the safety of PrEP and the motives of drug companies, healthcare agencies and PrEP activists. We consider these findings through a critical lens of wider theorising around the relationship between public health agencies and GMSM communities and consider the impact of these perspectives on likely engagement with PrEP in an English context. We call for more critically informed and nuanced ways of promoting health and well-being amongst men from these communities.
Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2017
BMC public health, Aug 17, 2016
Over the past decade, new diagnoses of HIV have increased eightfold among men who have sex with m... more Over the past decade, new diagnoses of HIV have increased eightfold among men who have sex with men (MSM) of other or of mixed ethnicity in the UK. Yet there is little intervention research on HIV among black and minority ethnic (BME) MSM. This article aimed to identify effective HIV and sexual health prevention strategies for BME MSM. We searched three databases PubMed, Scopus and PsychInfo using a combination of search terms: MSM or men who have sex with men and women (MSMW); Black and Minority Ethnic; HIV or sexual health; and evaluation, intervention, program* or implementation. We identified a total of 19 studies to include in the review including those which used randomised control, pre/post-test and cross-sectional design; in addition, we included intervention development studies. A total of 12 studies reported statistically significant results in at least one of the behavioural outcomes assessed; one study reported significant increases in HIV knowledge and changes in safer ...
Background: Over the past decade, new diagnoses of HIV have increased eightfold among men who hav... more Background: Over the past decade, new diagnoses of HIV have increased eightfold among men who have sex with men (MSM) of other or of mixed ethnicity in the UK. Yet there is little intervention research on HIV among black and minority ethnic (BME) MSM. This article aimed to identify effective HIV and sexual health prevention strategies for BME MSM. Methods: We searched three databases PubMed, Scopus and PsychInfo using a combination of search terms: MSM or men who have sex with men and women (MSMW); Black and Minority Ethnic; HIV or sexual health; and evaluation, intervention, program* or implementation. We identified a total of 19 studies to include in the review including those which used randomised control, pre/post-test and cross-sectional design; in addition, we included intervention development studies.
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Blog posts by Periklis Papaloukas
Papers by Periklis Papaloukas