Feasibility and Use of School-Based Condom Availability Programs in Tijuana, Mexico

Condom availability programs (CAPs) may increase access to condoms and contribute to increased condom use among youth. This study describes the characteristics, degree of satisfaction, and gender differences among users of a CAP implemented in two high schools in Tijuana (Baja California, Mexico). A kiosk distributing free male condoms was set up in two high schools in Tijuana. Kiosk users (N=570) were more likely to be male, young, and/or enrolled in a lower SES school. Most kiosk users were either sexually active or planning to have sex. Females were less likely to request condoms and to continue using the kiosk, but more likely to request information on other contraceptive methods. Results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing CAPs in Mexican schools and suggest that these programs can improve adolescents’ condom access.     

Pregnancy, STDS, and AIDS prevention: evaluation of New Image Teen Theatre.

New Image Teen Theatre combines peer education and theatre in an informative and entertaining package. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of New Image Teen Theatre on altering teenagers' attitudes, knowledge, and intentions regarding sexual behavior. A total of 143 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 viewed the performance. The performance focused on the prevention of pregnancy, AIDS, and STDs and included content aimed at increasing communication. Teen participants completed pretest and posttest questionnaires. Almost half of the adolescents reported having engaged in sexual intercourse. About one third of the sexually active reported never using birth control, and only 21% reported consistent use of condoms. These results confirm adolescents' risk for pregnancy, STDs, and AIDS in particular. Following the performance, the teens reported significantly more willingness to discuss sexual issues with others, significantly greater intention to use birth control (for sexually active teens), and demonstrated significantly greater sexual knowledge. Furthermore, they indicated that they had experienced more positive emotions than negative emotions while viewing the production. Results suggest that theatre education may set the stage for more comprehensive interventions designed to prevent pregnancy, STDs, and AIDS.     

Some health dimensions of self-efficacy: analysis of theoretical specificity

Based on data drawn from a random-digit-dial probability sample of adults in a major American metropolitan area, this study supports the perspective that self-efficacy is domain specific and that outcome efficacy is distinct from self-efficacy. Data were collected by telephone interviewers which were administered by telephone interviews to 525 respondents with a 64.1% completion rate. Sample demographic summary statistics closely approximated population parameters. Five orthogonal factors emerged from analysis of self-efficacy and outcome efficacy items. The five factors represented self-efficacy with regard to nutrition, medical care, exercise, and with a set of neutral control items relating to political behavior, and with the outcome efficacy items for each behavioral domain. Hypotheses relating scores for each factor with a number of behavioral indicators were tested. Only four of 125 correlations failed to support hypothesized relationships, lending evidence for the discriminant validity of the self-efficacy dimensions.     

Correlates of Health Facilitator Performance in a Tobacco Use Prevention Program: Implications for Recruitment

Tobacco use prevention programs vary by type of health facilitator used to deliver the intervention. Because program outcome may be related to the characteristics of a health facilitator, this study investigated the association between the characteristics of 29 college undergraduate health facilitators of an adolescent tobacco use prevention program with their scores on manageability and inclass performance scales. Results indicated health facilitators who rated themselves as outgoing, adventurous, analytical, and were older rated higher on the inclass performance scale. Facilitators who self-reported they wanted an easy class, had lower grade point averages in their academic major, were less outgoing, and wanted to attend graduate school were rated higher on the manageability scale. Inclass performance scales and ratings on the manageability scale correlated negatively. Implications for health facilitator recruitment are discussed.     

计划生育工作人员的避孕知识状况及影响因素分析

目的通过开展流行病学现况调查,了解计划生育工作人员的避孕节育知识状况及影响因素,为下一步在该人群中开展咨询培训提供依据。方法通过结构式问卷,调查了来自全国31个省/自治区和直辖市的271名计划生育工作者,对他们的避孕节育知识状况及可能的影响因素进行分析。结果271名调查对象的避孕知识平均得分为74.6分,得分>80分的对象占40.2%;单因素分析显示,不同年龄组、不同职业以及不同文化程度对象之间的差别有统计学显著性差异(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,计划生育工作人员的避孕知识得分比管理人员的知识得分高,OR值为2.70,95%CI为1.36～5.35;文化程度越高,研究对象的避孕节育知识得分越高。结论计划生育工作人员的避孕节育知识总体状况良好,但存在职业、文化程度间的差异。今后应加强宣教的针对性,以提高计划生育领域工作者的整体素质,更好地为群众服务。     

Demography of Exercise among Californians of Korean Descent: A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey

This study describes aerobic exercise and walking for exercise behaviors among the Korean American population, a rapidly growing minority. Data for this study were drawn from a representative survey of Californians of Korean descent (N = 2,830) conducted by telephone; 86% of eligible participants completed interviews in either Korean or English. Sample characteristics closely approximated those for Koreans in the 2000 United States Census for California. The data show that 32.8% of Koreans vigorously exercise or walk for exercise, but walking regimens and more vigorous modes of exercise are employed by different subgroups. Women, less acculturated, married persons, and less well educated are particularly low in vigorous exercise. Korean Americans walk for exercise much less than majority groups, although they engage in vigorous physical activity on a roughly equivalent basis. Interventions to promote physical activity should be adapted not only for the Korean culture but also for specific subgroups defined demographically.     

Childhood overweight and orthodontists: results of a survey

OBJECTIVES: A survey among orthodontists to assess clinical procedures of overweight screening and nutrition intervention among youth was conducted. METHODS: Orthodontists identified through professional society membership were invited to participate via email. The web-based survey collected information regarding overweight screening, nutrition counseling, and referral habits. RESULTS: 91% of 111 respondents reported counseling children and families on nutrition recommendations. Referral of overweight youth to a dietitian or pediatrician was sporadic. Orthodontists who felt that overweight had a severe negative impact on dental health were more likely to screen patients for overweight and perform dietary counseling for all patients than orthodontists who felt the impact of overweight on dental health was less severe. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontists report regularly engaging in dietary discussions with their pediatric patients and may serve as important clinical advocates for healthy dietary choices among youth. Overweight screening and referral practices among orthodontists to appropriate health professionals should be further evaluated as interventions for pediatric obesity.     

Alcohol consumption among low-income pregnant Latinas

BACKGROUND: Due to changing cultural norms, Latinas of childbearing age residing in the U.S. may be at increasing risk of drinking harmful levels of alcohol during pregnancy, and may also be unaware of the risks for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders associated with this behavior. We assessed the prevalence of alcohol consumption in a sample of low-income pregnant Latinas and examined risk factors for alcohol use in the periconceptional period. METHODS: As part of a larger intervention trial, a cross-sectional in-home interview study was conducted among a sample of 100 pregnant low-income Latinas receiving services from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in San Diego County, California. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of respondents indicated they were either life-time abstainers or had not consumed any alcohol in the periconceptional period. Forty-three percent reported some alcohol use in the three months prior to recognition of the current pregnancy, and 20% reported at least one binge episode of four or more standard drinks during that time frame. Five percent reported drinking seven or more drinks per week, and 8% continued drinking alcohol after recognition of pregnancy. Significant predictors of any alcohol use in the periconceptional period included English language/higher level of acculturation, younger maternal age, lower parity, higher level of education, younger age at first drink, and having ever smoked. Women who were aware of alcohol warning messages and /or had more knowledge of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) were significantly more likely to have consumed alcohol in the periconceptional period. Frequency of periconceptional use of alcohol did not differ between women who planned or did not plan the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and pattern of early pregnancy alcohol consumption in this sample of Latinas is similar to patterns noted in other race/ethnic groups in the U.S. Level of knowledge about FAS and awareness of warning messages was not protective for early pregnancy alcohol consumption, suggesting that specific knowledge was insufficient to prevent exposure or that other factors reinforce maintenance of alcohol consumption in early pregnancy. Selective interventions in low-income Latinas are warranted, and should be focused on women of reproductive age who are binge or frequent drinkers and who are at risk of becoming pregnant.