Preliminary Findings from a Brief,Peer-Led Safer Sex Intervention for College Students Living in Residence Halls

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a single-session peer-led safer sex intervention, based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills theoretical model, for college students residing in campus residence halls. Participants (N = 108) were assigned to either an hour long control or 5-module intervention session. Compared to the control condition, the intervention increased participants’ information and women’s subjective norms about preventative behavior. Both the control and intervention sessions increased intentions to perform preventative behaviors (e.g., keep condoms available). These preliminary results suggest that this intervention is promising for increasing constructs associated with safer sexual behavior and could easily be implemented by residence hall staff.     

UVA solarium versus UVB phototherapy of atopic dermatitis: a paired-comparison study

In a paired-comparison study, 21 patients suffering from atopic dermatitis were treated with fluorescent tubes radiating mainly ultraviolet A (UVA) on one half of the body and with tubes radiating mainly UVB on the other. Treatment was given three times a week for up to 8 weeks. Eight variables reflecting disease status were recorded and the sum of these comprised the total score. The total score and the overall evaluation score were better with UVA therapy (P less than 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). No statistically significant difference for the pruritus score was found. The reduction in extent of dermatitis, seen with both therapies, was more pronounced with UVA (P less than 0.05). Differences in the healing score were not statistically significant. Treatment with UVA resulted in healing or considerable improvement in 15 patients and 13 patients showed improvement when treated with UVB. A better result was found with UVA in 10 subjects and with UVB in two subjects. Equal results occurred with both UVA and UVB in nine of the patients although most preferred UVA treatment.