This study suggests that compliance, acceptance, and satisfaction related to the PE-program were good for all participants. Almost half of the proposed solutions were implemented.

J. van der Noordaa, F. de Wolf, E. M. M. de Vroome, and R. A. Coutinho. Risk factors and prevalence of HIV antibodies in homosexual men in the Netherlands. Am J Epidemiol 1987;125:1048-57.As part of the prospective AIDS study in Amsterdam, blood samples were collected from 741 healthy homosexual men with multiple sexual partners, between October 1984 and May 1985. Samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to the human Immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV). Anti-HIV was demonstrated in 233 (31%) of the respondents. Seropositive respondents engaged in anal receptive sexual techniques with more sexual partners than did seronegative respondents, whereas seronegatives engaged in manual sexual techniques with more sexual partners than did seroposrtives. As far as it was possible to control for the interrelations between the measured variables, a direct relation with anti-HIV was established. This leads to the conclusion that when the number of sexual partners is considered a risk factor for HIV, a clear distinction should be made between the sexual techniques practiced with these partners. Two other risk factors for the presence of anti-HIV were the use of cannabis and of nitrite. acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; homosexuality; human immunodeficiency viruses; regression analysis; retrovirus infections; sex behavior

likely to be infected than exclusively homosexual men, and our data suggest that two distinct populations may exist. In general the prevalence of HIV infection in homosexual men clearly exaggerates the risk of heterosexual spread from this source.The part played by the information campaign funded by the government in bringing about modifications in homosexual lifestyle seems to have been small. The most substantial changes had occurred before the campaign started, and the reduced trend towards safer practices in the most recent cohort may be attributable to the government's reluctance to target the homosexual community in its subsequent publicity. Although selection of partners and use of condoms may militate against transmission of HIV, at risk behaviour is clearly still taking place, and more effort is required to reduce it to the best attainable minimum.

The study confirms the multifactorial nature of vitality at work. Since organizational culture may support self-determination, and cultural aspects themselves are positively associated with vitality, organizational culture seems particular important in promoting vitality at work. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle appears important. The associations between vitality at work and effective personal functioning and sustainable employability endorse the combined health-based, business-related and societal importance of vitality at work.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of raised bricklaying on physical workload, reported musculoskeletal disorders, sickness absence, and job satisfaction.Methods A controlled intervention study with a follow-up period of 10 months was performed among 202 bricklayers from 25 construction companies. ResultsThe introduction of devices for raised bricklaying decreased the physical load on the lower back and, to a less extent, on the shoulders and upper extremities. Although raised bricklaying had no effect on the number of lifts, decreases in trunk bending lowered the biomechanical moment. The results showed no decrease in reported musculoskeletal symptoms as a result of the adoption of raised bricklaying. Irrespective of the reason(s), the percentage of bricklayers in the intervention group reporting sickness absence was significantly lower than the same percentage in the control group. The results also showed that, in general, the bricklayers in this study were very satisfied with the use of devices for raised bricklaying.Conclusions Controlled intervention studies on ergonomic improvements are rare. This study shows that the introduction of an ergonomic improvement in the construction industry may reduce physical load and the incidence of sickness absence.

Experimental studies in animals indicate that disruption of the circadian rhythm is carcinogenic, and night work has been suggested to be a probable breast cancer cause in humans. Findings among humans, however are inconsistent, often gathered with retrospective study designs, and only based on specific populations, such as nurses. We used data on night work collected in the Dutch Labor Force Surveys of 1996 until 2009, and individually linked these with National registers on hospital admission. Among 285,723 women without breast cancer at baseline, 2,531 had a hospital admission for breast cancer during an average of 7 years of follow up in the registers. Occasional and regular night work were not associated with the risk of hospital admission for breast cancer (adjusted hazard ratios 1.04; 95 % confidence interval 0.85-1.27, and 0.87; 0.72-1.05, respectively). Working more hours per week, or more years in a job entailing night work did not show increased breast cancer risks. Hazard ratios neither differed between nurses and women with other occupations. Our results show no association of night work with incident breast cancer, and suggest that night work generally does not increase the risk of breast cancer among women in the Dutch working population.

Chronic diseases result in substantial productivity loss due to sickness absence. Given the ageing population, the proposed increase in the state pension age and an increase in sedentary lifestyle and obesity, the prevalence of chronic diseases may be expected to rise. Coordinated efforts to maintain and improve the health of the working population are necessary to minimize socioeconomic consequences.

Background: This study compared the effects of a supportive-expressive group intervention (GI) with an educational control condition (EC) on long-term psychosocial adjustment in gay men with HIV infection. Method: Subjects (n = 85) were randomized after stratification for disease stage and use of antiretroviral medication. GI consisted of 4 months of weekly group sessions followed by 5 monthly maintenance sessions plus written educational material, whereas the EC subjects received educational material only. Results: There were no between-group differences in effects on distress, coping or social support in analyses examining 4 time points over 15 months. Both conditions decreased in distress over time on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and Beck Depression Inventory. Conclusions: Several explanations are offered for the reason why no additional benefit of the GI was found on outcome measures studied when compared with the EC condition and recommendations are made for future psychosocial intervention research with HIV-infected persons.