Aim: Our aim was to investigate potential differences in mental health, self-rated health, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol use, and drug use between (1) Prospective exchange students and campus students separated by sex, and (2) male and female students as a group. Method: Comparative cross-sectional design using an online survey containing the following instruments: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviour in Young People in Sweden; Self-Rated Health Questionnaire; and General Health Questionnaire 12. One-hundred and fourteen prospective exchange students and 451 campus students participated in the study. Results: Male prospective exchange students rated their mental health as being better and had used cannabis more often compared with female prospective exchange students. Male prospective exchange students also rated their mental health as being better than male campus students. Female students, in general, rated their mental health as worse than male students. A larger proportion of male prospective exchange students had sex together with alcohol compared with male campus students, and a larger proportion of female prospective exchange students had sex with a new partner and drank more alcohol compared to female campus students. Conclusion: The result shows that risky alcohol use and sexually risky behaviour is prominent amongst prospective exchange students. It is possible that they will continue, and even increase their risky behaviour whilst abroad as they find themselves in a new social context, and free from influence of the rules and restrictions that they might have at home. With limited knowledge of the local culture, native language, and in an unfamiliar environment, it is possible that the risks will be enhanced and possibly decrease their health. This highlights the need for proactive interventions, conceivably with some variations in content between sexes.

Aims: To follow up on exchange students' alcohol use, drug use, mental health, self-rated health, and risky sexual behaviour after a semester abroad and to compare them with students who remained on campus. Methods: The study design was a follow-up study based on a previous baseline survey of 114 prospective exchange students and 451 campus students. Of the original 565 students, 48 (42.1%) prospective exchange students and 209 (43.3%) campus students responded to the follow-up. Both the baseline survey and the follow-up survey included the General Health Questionnaire 12, one single item from Self-Rated Health, and nine items from Knowledge, Attitudes and Sexual Behaviour in Young People in Sweden. Results: We found a statistically significant increase in the weekly consumption of alcohol among exchange students after their semester abroad. A larger proportion of exchange students had sex with a new partner and sex with more than three partners during their semester abroad compared to follow-up campus students. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that exchange students consume alcohol more frequently during their semester abroad and indulge in sexually risky behaviour. Exchange students' use of alcohol and sexually risky behaviour could be associated with even greater risks due to them being in an unknown environment, unfamiliar culture, and with limited support from family and friends. This highlights the need for further research on exchange students' experiences, especially concerning alcohol use and sex while abroad.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate differences between teenagers and young adults in sexual behaviours and exposure to emotional, physical and/or sexual violence, and the associations between sexual behaviours and exposure to violence, among youths who visit a Youth Centre in Sweden.

METHODS: A cross-sectional web survey was used among sexually experienced teenagers, aged 15-19, and young adults 20-24 years, wherein a total of 452 participated. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used in the study.

RESULTS: A majority had unprotected sex during the last year, namely 55.4 % of teenagers and 58.3 % of young adults. A higher proportion of teenagers reported having early sex debut, before 15 years age, compared with young adults (p = .003). A higher proportion of young adults reported having experienced a sexually transmitted infection (p = <.001). Nearly half of the teenagers (44.9 %) and the young adults (44.6 %) stated having been exposed to emotional, physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. Associations were found between all types of exposure to violence and having unprotected sex, using alcohol or drugs together with sex, and having had three or more different sex partners during last year.

CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of age, there was a high proportion of youths, visiting a Youth Centre, having unprotected sex and who experienced exposure to violence. As these experiences may negatively affect youths' future sexual and reproductive health, healthcare professionals should identify youths in need or with early-in-life needs.

Background: Being exposed to violence is a global health problem, increasing the risk of suffering from ill health. The main aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual violence victimisation and its association to self-rated health among youths. The second aim was to investigate whether the youths had disclosed to healthcare professionals at a Youth Centre or others about being exposed. Methods: The cross-sectional study includes data from a web survey of youths, aged 15–25 (n=500), collected in Sweden. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were used for the analyses. Results: In all, emotional, physical or sexual violence during their lifetime was reported by 43.2% and 22.8% of youths during the last year. In total, 88% of the respondents assessed their self-rated health as good, very good or excellent. Those who had been exposed to emotional, physical or sexual violence during their lifetime reported statistically significant lower self-rated health (fair and poor) than those who were not victimised. When healthcare professionals at the Youth Centre asked youths about exposure during their lifetime, one-fifth disclosed having been exposed. Conclusions: Youths who reported any type of violence during their lifetime showed lower self-rated health compared to those who were not exposed. Youth Centres have an important role in identifying youths who are exposed to violence and/or self-report their health as low. Still, only a minority of youths who have been exposed to violence told health professionals at a Youth Centre about it when asked. It is necessary to further investigate how the issues can be best addressed.

Retirement is one of the most important transitions in a person's life, which also might affect health and well-being. Adjustment to a life as retiree does not follow a uniform pattern, which emphasizes the importance of an individual perspective. This article uses transition theory as a theoretical perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 individuals newly retired, focusing on experiences from the last year of work and the time after retirement. Content analysis was used to analyze data. Two themes emerged: ‘become aware of’ and ‘become adapted to’. Nine subthemes describe the individual experiences reflecting positive expectations and outcomes but also feelings of grief and disconnectedness and fears about loss of social network and identity. Transition into retirement should receive more attention from a nursing perspective since experiences such as, for example, grief, disconnectedness and loss of identity if unaddressed could lead to an unhealthy transition.

Aims and objectives: To evaluate the effect of group discussions, in which structured reminiscence and a problem-based method were used, on depressive symptoms, quality of life and self-rated health among older people. Background: Depressive symptoms in older people have a considerable impact on self-rated health and quality of life, with a high rate of co-morbidity and mortality. As the ageing population is growing, late-life depression is becoming an important public health problem and there is a need to find preventive interventions to avert unnecessary suffering. Design: The study was quasi-experimental, with a one-group pretest-post-test design and follow-up after one year. Methods: Initially, a questionnaire was sent to the total population of 55-80-year-old retirees in a community in the northeast of Sweden, (n=679). The questionnaire concerned demographics and covered areas such as health, depression and quality of life. The intervention consisted of group discussions where structured reminiscence and a problem-based method were used. The participants (n=18) met 10 times under the guidance of a group-leader, a registered nurse educated in the method. Each session had different themes with a focus on positive memories but also on the present situation and the future. Parametric, nonparametric tests and content analysis were used.Results: Participants evaluated the intervention positively, showed a decrease in depressive symptoms, an increase in self-rated health and experienced an increased autonomy. No long- lasting effect was seen. Conclusion: Group discussions where structured reminiscence and a problem-based method are used might be an option to prevent depressive symptoms in older people. Relevance to clinical practice: This method might provide an opportunity for older people with depressive symptoms to improve their quality of life, however, to maintain the positive outcome the intervention should probably be continuous.

Aim: The objective was to describe the exchange students’ health and sexual behaviour associated with their exchange studies, and examine the extent to which they had received preventive efforts against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) and safer sex before departure. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a web survey with questions about sexual behaviour, self-esteem and psychological well-being. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics. 

Results: A total of 136 outgoing exchange students from a Swedish University participated. Most of the exchange students rated their health as good, had psychological well-being and rated their self-esteem as being high. Approximately half of the exchange students had sex with a new partner during the exchange semester, and 87% of them had sexually risky behaviour. More than half (61%) of the exchange students had received preventive efforts before departure. No statistically significant difference regarding preventive information was found between those who reported sexually risky behaviour and those who did not. The group that had sexually risky behaviour desired free condoms and access to clinics for sexual health. 

Conclusions: Exchange students rated their health as good, and the majority of them participated in information sessions that addressed preventive efforts on HIV/STI and safer sex before departure. Sexually risky behaviour during exchange studies was reported and highlights the need for more effective preventive measures; for example, a recollection of reading STI information.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of and the association between depressive symptoms and loneliness in relation to age and sex among older people (65–80 years) and to investigate to what extent those who report depressive symptoms had visited a health care professional and/or used antidepressant medication.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Swedish sample randomized from the total population in the age group 65–80 years (n = 6659). Chi square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results: The data showed that 9.8% (n = 653) reported depressive symptoms and 27.5% reported feelings of loneliness. More men than women reported depressive symptoms, and the largest proportion was found among men in the age group 75–80 years. An association between the odds to have a depressive disorder and loneliness was found which, however, decreased with increasing age. Of those with depressive symptoms a low proportion had visited a psychologist (2.9%) or a welfare officer (4.2%), and one in four reported that they use antidepressant medication. Of those who reported depressive symptoms, 29% considered that they had needed medical care during the last three months but had refrained from seeking, and the most common reason for that was negative experience from previous visits.

Conclusion: Contrary to findings in most of the studies, depressive symptoms were not more prevalent among women. The result highlights the importance of detecting depressive symptoms and loneliness in older people and to offer adequate treatment in order to increase their well-being.

Objective

The purpose was to examine mothers’ experiences and feelings related to breastfeeding initiation from a two-decade perspective.

Methods

A repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted at a maternity ward before and after introduction of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and in a follow-up survey. Women participated in 1992 (n = 83), 1993 (n = 74) and 2011 (n = 94).

Results

The duration of time at the first suckling differed; in 2011, the baby sucked 24.4 minutes compared to 12.7 minutes in 1992 (p < .001) and 13.6 minutes in 1993 (p < .001). In 1992, 34.6% of the women reported using supplementary formula compared with 5.9% in 1993 and 9.3% in 2011 (p < .001). The mothers’ contacts with the child or the father as well as their moods did not vary during the years. Mothers rated their feelings towards breastfeeding as being lower in 2011 than in 1992 and 1993 (p = .008). In 2011, mothers experienced breastfeeding as being more difficult and reported a higher degree of tension, insecurity and anxiety.

Conclusions

Supplementation was given to healthy newborn infants, which does not conform to BFHIs intentions. Routines and support in relation to breastfeeding initiation need to be continuously evaluated in order to strengthen and sustain the BFHI.