Fear appeals and binge drinking: A terror management theory perspective

Objectives The aim of the current research was to test the terror management theory‐derived hypotheses that exposure to information about the mortality‐related risks of binge drinking would make mortality salient (Study 1) and, hence, exacerbate willingness to binge drink amongst those who perceive this behaviour to benefit self‐esteem (Study 2). Study 1 Participants (N=97) were allocated to one of five experimental conditions. Results confirmed that exposure to information about the mortality‐related risks of binge drinking made mortality salient. Study 2 Participants (N=296) were allocated to one of three experimental conditions. Exposure to mortality‐related information about the risks of binge drinking was found to result in greater willingness to binge drink among (i) binge drinkers and (ii) non‐binge drinkers who perceived this behaviour to benefit self‐esteem. There was no evidence, however, that exposure to such information influenced binge drinking over the following week. Conclusions Research findings suggest that mortality‐related health promotion campaigns might inadvertently make mortality salient, and hence precipitate the very behaviours which they aim to deter among some recipients.     

Chronic problem wounds of dog limbs

Other dermatoses are capable of affecting the limbs and paws of dogs. One should approach the diagnostic workup of these cases in an organized manner, first obtaining a thorough history and performing a physical examination. A variety of diagnostic tests, including skin scrapings, cytology, fungal cultures, bacterial cultures, hematology, serum biochemical profiles, urinalysis, serology, radiology, histopathology, and direct immunofluorescence testing, may be necessary before a definitive diagnosis is reached. Therapy may be surgical, medical, or a combination of both depending upon the etiologic agent.     

An outbreak of bloodstream infections in an outpatient hemodialysis center.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate and control an increase in bloodstream infections (BSIs) in an outpatient hemodialysis center. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for patients receiving dialysis at the center from February 2000 to April 2001. A case-control study compared microbiological data for all BSIs that occurred during the study period with those for BSIs that occurred during a baseline period January 1999 to January 2000). BSI rates before and after a 1-month intervention (May 2001) were assessed. A case was defined as a new BSI during the study period. RESULTS: The outbreak was polymicrobial, with approximately 30 species. The baseline BSI rate was 0.7 per 100 patient-months. From February 2000 to April 2001, the BSI rate increased to 4.2 per 100 patient-months. Overall, 75% of the BSIs were associated with central venous catheters (CVCs), but CVC use did not fully explain the increase in BSIs. In January 2000, when the center changed ownership, prepackaged CVC dressing kits and biweekly infection control monitoring were discontinued. Beginning in May 2001, staff were educated on CVC care, chlorhexidine replaced povidone-iodine for cutaneous antisepsis, gauze replaced transparent dressings, antimicrobial ointments containing polyethylene glycol at CVC exit sites were discontinued, and patients with CVCs were educated on cutaneous hygiene. After the intervention period, by October 2001, rates decreased to less than 1 BSI per 100 patient-months. CONCLUSIONS: Proper cutaneous antisepsis and access site care is crucial in preventing BSIs in patients receiving hemodialysis. Infection control programs, staff and patient education, and use of optimal antisepsis agents or prepackaged kits are useful toward this end.     

The relationship among violence victimization, witnessing violence, and youth distress

Purpose: To assess how current practice in middle school substance use prevention programs compares with seven recommended guidelines adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for school-based tobacco use prevention programs.

Methods: Substance use prevention practice was analyzed using data from a 1999 mailed questionnaire of a nationally representative sample of 1496 public and private schools with middle school grades that reported having a substance use prevention program. Respondents answered questions about substance use prevention education and activities in the whole school and in their own classroom. Weighted prevalence estimates for the seven recommendations are presented, and multiple regression was used to analyze correlates of implementation of the recommendations.

Results: An estimated 64.2% of schools met four or more of the recommendations for school-based substance use prevention practice; 4.0% met all seven recommendations. Schools were most likely to report having and enforcing substance use prevention policies (84.3%) and least likely to report training teachers in substance use prevention (17.9%). More recommendations were implemented in schools that were public and had larger enrollments, greater perceived availability of resources, greater school board and parental support for substance use prevention, and had hired a school substance use prevention coordinator.

Conclusions: The low prevalence of comprehensive substance use prevention programs in U.S. middle schools may limit the potential impact of school programs on the prevalence of youth substance use.