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Computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) has begun to play a more prominent role in HIV/AIDS prevention research. Despite the increased popularity of CAI, particularly audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), some research teams are still reluctant to implement ACASI technology because of lack of familiarity with the practical issues related to using these software packages. The purpose of this report is to describe the implementation of one particular ACASI software package, the Questionnaire Development System (QDS; Nova Research Company, Bethesda, MD), in several nursing and HIV/AIDS prevention research settings. The authors present acceptability and satisfaction data from two large-scale public health studies in which they have used QDS with diverse populations. They also address issues related to developing and programming a questionnaire; discuss practical strategies related to planning for and implementing ACASI in the field, including selecting equipment, training staff, and collecting and transferring data; and summarize advantages and disadvantages of computer-assisted research methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the initial development and testing of the Antiretroviral Medication Complexity Index (AMCI), an instrument to measure complexity of antiretroviral medications and regimens. Data were derived from a pilot study and the main study of an intervention designed to promote adherence to antiretroviral medications. Interrater reliability coefficients ranged from .74 to 1.0 for project staff and from .33 to 1.0 for nurse clinicians. Test-retest coefficients ranged from .297 to .988 for forms completed by the same interviewer and from .200 to .922 for different interviewers. Strong relationships existed between rankings of the medications by clinical judgment and rankings of the medications using the AMCI, providing support for criterion validity. Complexity as measured by the AMCI was associated with some measures of adherence, providing partial support for construct validity. Results provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the AMCI when used for research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes a pilot study of a nursing intervention to increase adherence to combination therapy. The intervention was based on motivational interviewing (MI). Participants completed a baseline assessment using the computer-administered self-interview with audio (ACASI) data collection method and then were randomly assigned to the MI intervention or control condition. Nurse counselors met with participants in the MI intervention group for three adherence sessions. Two months following baseline, participants completed a follow-up assessment. Mean scores on ratings of missed medications were lower for participants in the intervention group than those in the control group. Although there were no significant differences in the number of medications missed during the past 4 days, participants in the MI group reported being more likely to follow the medication regimen as prescribed by their health care provider. The pilot study provided useful information about the acceptability of ACASI and the adequacy of intervention procedures. The results of this pilot study show promise for the use of MI as an intervention to promote adherence to antiretroviral medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To determine if the reactions of adolescents toward hypothetical situations that can lead to conflict and violence varied by parenting style of their mothers. METHODS: This study was part of a larger research project involving adolescents and their mothers participating in a longitudinal HIV-prevention program. Mothers and their adolescents were recruited from a community-based organization (CBO) and interviewed separately. Data were analyzed using the responses of 439 African-American adolescents ranging from ages 11 to 14 years. The responses of adolescents to questions about parenting were used to classify mothers into one of three parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, or permissive. The 'anticipated reactions to hypothetical situations' scale consists of 11 items with 6 response categories. The six responses were reclassified into three categories ranging from 'not at all violent' to 'extremely violent.' Higher scores indicate more violent reactions to the hypothetical situations. The parenting scale consists of two subscales: a 13-item parental involvement scale and a 13-item parental control scale. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree.' Analysis of variance was used to determine if the anticipated reactions of adolescents toward hypothetical situations varied by parenting style of their mothers. RESULTS: Adolescent participants who reported a more permissive parenting style expressed more intense negative reactions toward the hypothetical situations that can provoke conflict. Male adolescents also expressed more intense reactions than females to the situations. There was no difference in intensity of reaction by age after controlling for gender and parenting style. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting style is associated with adolescents' reactions to hypothetical situations that can provoke conflict. This finding highlights the importance of considering parents and their approach to child-rearing as a factor in the adolescent's ability to react to conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify HIV prevention goals of college students, to determine if there are differences in goal setting between males and females, and to determine if an association exists between goal setting and behavior. The data are from a study designed to identify HIV prevention practices of college students. The results of the study showed that 71.4% of the respondents indicated that they had a goal to reduce their risk of contracting HIV. The primary goals identified were condom use, limiting number of partners, abstinence, and monogamy. Females were more likely to select abstinence as their first goal, and men, condom use. Females were more likely than males to write high specificity and definitely effective goals. Significant associations were also found between HIV prevention goals and sexual behaviors. When males and females stated abstinence as their goal, there was a significant association with reports of never having sex. This association was significant for both sexually experienced males and females when the goal of abstinence was compared with the occasions of sex in the last three months. For males, having a condom use goal was significantly associated with consistent condom use. However, no significant association was found between females' condom use goals and reported consistency of condom use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]