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Objective: Half of new human papilloma virus ((HPV)) infections occur between the ages of 15 and 24. As preventive measures are underutilized globally; international university students are at particular risk for HPV infection and sequelae. The study aim was to explore HPV knowledge and preventive behaviors in this population. Participants: Eighty-one undergraduate and graduate international university students (49 females, 32 males) at a southeastern university. Methods: Exploratory sequential mixed methods guided by the Health Belief Model. Results: Integrated qualitative/quantitative data revealed four themes mapped to relevant HBM constructs: Perceived susceptibility to HPV; Perceived benefits/Perceived barriers to HPV prevention; Cues to Action; and Likelihood of Engaging in Health-Promoting Behavior. Over half believed they were not at risk for HPV/sequelae. Only a quarter had received HPV vaccination. Conclusions: International university students represent an important catch-up population for HPV screening/vaccination. Results can be used to design and tailor interventions for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine rural-urban differences in college students' cardiovascular risk perceptions. Participants: College students in rural (n = 61) and urban (n = 57) Kentucky counties were recruited from November 2012 to May 2014. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study examining rural-urban differences in cardiovascular risk factors. Students rated their risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, having a stroke, and gaining excess weight. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: Rural students had lower odds of perceived high risk for developing high blood pressure compared to urban students (odds ratio (OR): 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.96) after adjusting for race, sex, and body mass index. This association was not observed after adjusting for healthcare access variables. No other significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Efforts to raise perceived risk for developing hypertension among rural college students may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the development and evaluation of a theory-based Carbon Monoxide Blitz Model to help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It states that the program was implemented in five communities in South Carolina with local firefighters installing carbon CO monitors while volunteers provided education for homeowners. It states in a follow up after four to six months, all of the homes had functioning CO alarms and most recipients knew what to do if alarms sounded.

An evaluation of 400 completed cases over a 17 week period was undertaken by an Intake team of social workers in Westmead Centre, a large teaching hospital in the western suburbs of Sydney. It discusses a profile of the clients referred, the nature of the problems identified and the services provided. In the analysis of the 400 cases studied, it considers the Intake team's services, the skills required by Intake workers to meet the psychosocial problems identified, and the implications for the organisation of a social work service delivery. Recommendations for the institution of such a system of social work service delivery are part of the ensuing analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A pilot project in the reorganisation of social work services for specific areas within a major teaching hospital is described. The system, referred to as Intake, involved social workers combining specific medical work areas within the hospital for centralised discussion and allocation of referrals on a daily basis. This article outlines the development of the system and describes an evaluation aimed at monitoring the Intake team's process, and assessing the impact of the Intake system at the ward level. The outcome of the evaluation of the team's process and recommendations regarding the future of the system are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]