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Objective: To determine if significant differences exist in substance use among people living with HIV//AIDS (PLWHA) before and after establishing their HIV infection status. Method: The study participants are HIV positive clients of a community based HIV//AIDS outreach facility located in Montgomery, Alabama. The questionnaire includes demographics, substance use and risky sexual behaviors pertaining to HIV transmission. Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 341 questionnaires were distributed and 326 were fully completed and returned, representing a response rate of 96%%. Results: Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in alcohol consumption before sex among PLWHA before and after establishing their HIV infection status ( p == .001). No significant differences were observed among participants who reported as having used drugs intravenously ( p == .89), and among those sharing the same syringe//needle with another person ( p == .87) before and after establishing their HIV infection status. Conclusion: There is continued substance use and alcohol consumption before sex among PLWHA after establishing their HIV status despite clear evidence of such risky behaviors that could lead to an increase in exposure to HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if there was a significant association between substance use and risky sexual behaviors among middle school children. Methods: Data were collected in May 2002 using a questionnaire. A chi-square test was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and tobacco use are strong predictors of risky sexual behaviors. Conclusions: These findings will be of use to healthcare practitioners and health educators seeking to reduce the risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among the middle school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This epidemiologic health survey study examined the association between health risk perceptions and psychosocial factors in 145 African Americans in East Montgomery, Alabama. The survey gathered information on demographics, population dynamics, health risk perceptions, and coping behaviors. Psychosocial variables measured were worries, concern, stress, and trauma associated with perceived risk of cancer. Results indicated that women were more concerned about the environmental health risks in their community than men. Compared to men, women were highly concerned about the economic effect of perceived environmental health risk. The findings indicate that an individual's health status and educational level were significant predictors of psychosocial responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is apparently the first survey examining endorsement of HIV AIDS conspiracy beliefs and their relations to educational attainment among 205 HIV-positive African-American patients receiving care' at an AIDS Outreach Organization in Alabama. 31% somewhat or strongly believed that, "AIDS is a form of genocide against African Americans," 29% strongly agreed that "AIDS was created by the government to control the black population," 56.1% agreed that the government is withholding a cure for AIDS, and 69.8% agreed that' the government is withholding information about the disease from the public. 52% agreed that "HIV is a manmade virus," and 43.1% that "AIDS was produced in the government's laboratory." Respondents with high school or college education were less likely to endorse conspiracy beliefs. Being open and sensitive to questions about conspiracy beliefs plus understanding the historical roots and social context from which such questions arise in African. American communities is needed to counter such beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-year interactive and passive training for HIV prevention education was conducted for 2,600 prisoners; 1,404 (54%) black, 1,092 (42%) white and 204 (4%) Hispanic. Less than 520 (20%) of inmates knew all the routes of HIV transmission. A post-presentation test showed that 96% became aware of HIV/AIDS transmission and can better protect themselves. Skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aereus were reported and manifested clinically as pustules, cellulites, boils, carbuncles or impetigo. Though no systemic infection was involved, staphylococcal infections suggest lowered immunity, an indicator to undiagnosed HIV. This study purposefully provides HIV prevention education model for prison health educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluates the impact of prostate cancer education on screening rates among African American men in rural Black Belt counties in Alabama. The goal of the study is to promote screening behavior in African American men. The objectives were: 1) to identify enablers and barriers to screening; 2) to develop and test the effectiveness of an education intervention; and 3) to determine the impact of the intervention on prostate cancer screening rates through follow-up survey. The study followed a quasi-experimental three-phase design: 1) focus group, 2) education intervention, and 3) follow-up. Focus groups (N = 76) indicate men are reluctant to talk about their health with anyone. Analysis of pre-test and post-test paired t-test indicate a significant increase in knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer (85%). Follow-up survey results indicate that 48% (N = 105) of the participants who had not been screened within the last 12 months were screened after attending the education session.