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Quantitative studies indicate that HIV incidence in Zimbabwe declined since the late 1990s, due in part to behavior change. This qualitative study, involving focus group discussions with 200 women and men, two dozen key informant interviews, and historical mapping of HIV prevention programs, found that exposure to relatives and close friends dying of AIDS, leading to increased perceived HIV risk, was the principal explanation for behavior change. Growing poverty, which reduced men's ability to afford multiple partners, was also commonly cited as contributing to reductions in casual, commercial and extra-marital sex. HIV prevention programs and services were secondarily mentioned as having contributed but no specific activities were consistently indicated, although some popular culture influences appear pivotal. This qualitative study found that behavior change resulted primarily from increased interpersonal communication about HIV due to high personal exposure to AIDS mortality and a correct understanding of sexual HIV transmission, due to relatively high education levels and probably also to information provided by HIV programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main topics of this paper are the socialized healthcare system in former Yugoslavia, the changes in the transition period within the society and the healthcare system. We have separately analyzed the factors of the demographic and socioeconomic situation, the usage of the existing capacities within the system, as well as the comparison of the data related to the healthcare system in Serbia versus the EU countries. The analysis presented has pointed to the usual challenges present in the countries in transition as well as the efforts by the Government and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia in the way of numerous national and strategic documents, initiatives and projects in order to improve and sustain the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease and the efficiency of oral health programs in patients with special needs under treatment at APAE/ PF-RS (Association of Parents and Friends of Special Needs Individuals - Passo Fundo/RS). Methods: The periodontal condition of 109 patients was evaluated through clinical examination by two undergraduate students calibrated for the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) index. The data collected were analyzed by SPSS 15.0 for Windows focusing on qualitative research. A descriptive analysis of data (percentile, frequency, mean and standard deviation) was performed, as well as statistical analysis by the chi-square at 5% significance level, and Pearson's t-test to verify the correlation of the variables age, gender, handicap level and PSR index. Results: Age was a significant factor for PSR1, PSR2, PSR4 and PSR5, where younger patients showed better periodontal health than older ones; however, gender and handicap level did not show significant differences when correlated with the PSR. The patients presented prevalence of periodontal health in the majority of sextants, followed by gingivitis. Few patients showed more severe degrees of periodontal disease. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the patients had acceptable oral hygiene, and low prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis, suggesting that the program of prevention and dental care adopted at the facility was efficient and may represent a model for periodontal health care for patients in other institutions and towns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how corporations can employ HUMINT (that is, counter-terror intelligence techniques based on human sources) to identify corporate-wide fraud patterns. Embedded in the newly created HUMINT teams of two large corporations, the researchers collected data through in-depth interviews, on-site observations and document analysis. The findings highlight three lessons. First, the corporate HUMINT project's sponsor must be a senior executive who is held personally responsible for security breaches and who has tried many other methods with little success before adopting HUMINT. Second, the HUMINT team should focus on identifying corporate-wide fraud patterns rather than target individual perpetrators. To do so, the HUMINT team must develop its 'knowledge networks' early on and long before a specific security breach is identified. Finally, the HUMINT team must educate employees to provide only that information which they feel comfortable in sharing. The HUMINT team must also reach beyond the borders of the corporation and include former employees and vendors in its 'knowledge networks.' Additional research is needed to compare the success and failure of HUMINT projects with more traditional corporate anti-fraud programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to highlight the benefits of collaboration in child focused mental health services research. Method: Three unique research projects are described. These projects address the mental health needs of vulnerable, urban, minority children and their families. In each one, service delivery was codesigned, interventions were codelivered and a team of stakeholders collaboratively tested the impact of each one. Results: The results indicate that the three interventions designed, delivered, and tested are associated with reductions in youth mental health symptoms. Conclusion: These interventions are feasible alternatives to traditional individualized outpatient treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a healthy body image program. In total, 421 adolescent boys completed a five-session intervention program or a wait list control group. There were no differences between the intervention and the control group at post-intervention or any of the follow-up times. Boys in the intervention group who were one standard deviation above the mean on body dissatisfaction at baseline, demonstrated a reduction in negative affect in the intervention group at post-test and 6 months follow-up. Prevention programs need to target boys who are at risk of adopting health risk behaviors, rather than being universally applied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article describes a program of research on effectively transporting the New Beginnings Program (NBP), a university-tested prevention program for divorced families, to community settings. The four steps in this research are described: (1) selecting a community partner, (2) developing effective methods of engaging parents, (3) redesigning the NBP to be easily delivered with high quality and fidelity in community agencies, and (4) adapting the NBP to meet the needs of the full population of divorcing families. The article concludes with a discussion of plans for an effectiveness trial to evaluate the NBP when delivered in community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the topic of college student suicide. Empirical and theoretical studies are reviewed. The research is presented in distinct sections. First, we present background information on college student suicide emphasized in a select number of cited literature reviews, followed by a review of a select number of key quantitative studies aimed at investigating risk factors and predictors of suicide among the college student population. Next, we discuss a select number of articles offering suggestions for the treatment and prevention of suicide based on the literature, including those articles that specifically explain developed prevention programs. Finally, obstacles to prevention are examined. Recommendations and future directions for research and practice are examined, which are particularly significant in light of tragic events on many different college campuses in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships that developed between low-income African American mothers and home visitors in a Parents as Teachers program were studied. Qualitative open-ended interviews were conducted with mothers. Results indicated that even though the program was designed to deliver the same curriculum to all parents, there were differences in the focus of the visits. Mothers actively made efforts to shape the focus of the mother-home visitor relationships. Diversity within mother-home visitor relationships was associated with the fit between a mother’s perceptions of her home visitor and home visiting services and her parenting needs. Implications are provided for enhancing the responsiveness of home visiting programs to the needs of low-income African American parents and for conducting program evaluations in ways that assess home visiting programs in the context of diverse parent-home visitor relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to present a review of the literature on diabetes type 2 prevention interventions for Native American populations. The interrelation of the cultural role of food in Native American diets, educational policies related to food, outcomes of federal policies, and the historical background of diabetes are addressed. In addition, published studies of diabetes prevention interventions with Native American populations are examined. Lastly, exemplars of programs that represent best practices in the prevention of diabetes are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gambling has become increasingly popular among minors and is easily accessible to them. This is alarming since research has indicated that minors are more susceptible to gambling pathology than adults. Additionally, gambling has devastating effects on minors that gamble as well as their families and communities. The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery (IIAR) developed a gambling awareness prevention program called “ Don’ t Gamble Away our Future™” to educate minors about gambling and the dangers associated with it. The IIAR started collecting data for the purpose of evaluation in 2005. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the program’s effectiveness at changing knowledge about gambling and to assess the frequencies of problem and pathological gambling among participants at program implementation (year one). The program was evaluated with a sample of 8,455 Midwestern youth. Findings indicated that 10% of the participants were probable pathological gamblers and that the program was successful at increasing knowledge of gambling and the negative effects it can have, over the short term. Teaching minors about the risks of gambling and the effects it can have is an important preventative measure that can help protect youth from the dangers associated with problem and pathological gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preschoolers' knowledge of genital names facilitates disclosure of sexual abuse and provides the foundation for subsequent sex education. Surveys of preschoolers in the early 1990s found that few children knew proper names for the genitals. To determine knowledge among a current cohort of culturally diverse children, 128 preschool children were tested for their knowledge of the correct terms for their genitals. Almost all children knew the correct terms for their nongenital body parts, but few knew the correct terminology for their genitals. Significantly more English-speaking children correctly labeled their genitals compared to Spanish-speaking children. The importance of teaching preschool children the correct terminology for their genitals is discussed as well as the role of this concept in sexual abuse prevention programs. Suggestions are made for how program staff can work with Hispanic families to overcome cultural barriers to sexuality education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempting to solve the problem of interpersonal violence by dealing with the private problems of individuals is a strategy doomed to failure. With high-level social forces combining to facilitate rape, abuse, and stalking, programs to end these problems must be painted with broad strokes. Male peer support is an important aspect of society giving permission to men to assault women or to encourage or ignore others who do so. Programs such as bystander education that encourage male leaders to speak out are essential. Schools and governments must put more money into education programs to protect youth. American society was outraged when a professional football player was accused of mistreating and killing fighting dogs. Hollywood, meanwhile, virtually cannot portray the mistreatment of animals. We need to move toward a society where the same level of outrage accompanies acts of interpersonal violence against women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author draws on his experience conducting school-based research to reflect on the state of knowledge regarding in-school victimizations. Following a brief review of relevant literature and identification of key research findings, the author offers recommendations for program and policy development and suggestions for future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's exposure to violence has been identified as a mental health, social, and public health problem. However, this issue has not reached national priority status or received major funding for prevention and intervention programs. This article summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of a Think Tank that was conducted in Fall 2006 by the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma at Alliant International University, with the help and support of the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence and the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This article describes and explains the gaps and needs that were identified and the recommendations that were made from the Think Tank, and also introduces the articles in this special volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Isotretinoin is a known teratogen. Pregnancy prevention programs aimed at minimizing isotretinoin exposure in pregnancy have been implemented in North America with limited success. Objective: To compare the management of fetal risk of isotretinoin in three countries, including information given to women, implementation of contraceptive methods, and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pregnant women exposed to isotretinoin who called teratogen information services (TIS) in Israel, Italy and Canada between July 1998 and October 2006 were interviewed at the time of initial consultation and after the expected day of delivery. Results: Fifty-three pregnant women exposed to isotretinoin contacted the TIS. Only 41% reported using a birth control method. Just one patient reported using two different forms. Forty-five percent of exposed pregnancies were terminated before delivery and 22% delivered healthy babies. Two babies were born with malformations. Conclusions: Since isotretinoin-exposed pregnancies still occur, there is a need for more effective strategies, which should take into account the cultural differences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the United States, there has been a concerted emphasis during the past 30 years toward identifying and implementing evidence-based drug prevention programs. The wealth of prevention efficacy research has contributed to the publication of several recent reports on promising, model, and effective programs. We identified five such recent reports, four from the federal government and one from a private foundation, that had nominated and described 100 exemplary prevention programs. Of these 100 programs, 70 reported on evidence of effectiveness. We conducted a qualitative analysis on these 70 exemplary programs. Based on a systematic review process, we identified 10 elements that were characteristic of most (at least 75%) of the programs. These 10 elements are described and discussed in light of public policy issues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Sociologija/Sociology: Journal of Sociology, Social Psychology & Social Anthropology is the property of MOD International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Many substance use prevention programs directed at adolescents exist that have been developed by researchers in the United States and are intended to be used in school settings. Some of the problems associated with such programs are reviewed, including their accessibility, ease of use, copyright status, evaluation options, program scales, and ratings, together with an overall consideration of the factors and processes posited to be associated with substance use and non-use (posited "at-risk" and "protective" mechanisms). The authors contend that there is a great need to: (a) develop substance use prevention programs which are commercially available but are not protected by copyright, (b) assess empirically each component in a program separately, and (c) encourage funding bodies to be more active in supporting the production of manuals and evaluation instruments for substance use prevention programs directed at adolescents. We need more and better process evaluations that are also sensitive to both endogenous and exogenous forces in order to know the processes by which a successful prevention program achieves its effects, is prevented from doing so and which processes are irrelevant. A social competence framework might be used as both a goal and as a theoretical base to achieve a better understanding of the processes by which substance use prevention programs reach their effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need of cost-effective drug abuse prevention programs has derived in a growing interest to develop scientific based alternatives. On this context, this study forms part of a project for the design and evaluation of a theoretical and empirically sustained intervention for illicit drug abuse prevention among Mexican junior high school students. Starting with the revision and assessment of different theoretical models that could be adapted to the conditions of the institutional context wherein the intervention will be developed, the Azjen and Fishbein's Theory of Planned Behavior was chosen. This theory includes proximal cognitive and attitude factors directly related to the initiation of drug use. In accordance with it, the experimental use of substances is a result of the intention of consuming them, which, in turn, depends on three elements: a) the attitude toward the drug use, b) the normative beliefs on this matter (subjective norm) and c) the perceived behavioral control regarding drug use or, in turn, confronting social pressure. In a first instance, several items were developed adapting the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior to the target population's characteristics. On this base, the reliability and validity of a self-applied questionnaire for the measurement of the variables of the model was proved. In this work are reported the findings of the evaluation of Theory of Planned Behavior's potential to predict both behavioral intention of using illicit drugs and consumption of substances among Mexican high school students, in order to set a precedent to apply the model later on in the design and evaluation of a preventive intervention directed to such population. Method The study was carried on with an ex post facto, correlational design, and with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,019 subjects. Sample. The sample size was estimated considering the possibility of selecting a subsample of drug users and comparison subjects for a post-stratified analysis, assuring a statistical power of 80% and adequate sensibility and stability. Therefore, this work includes the performed analyses with a sample of 75 drug users and 75 non users, paired by gender, age, school grade and occupation. Instrument. The instrument was a self-applied questionnaire specially developed for the study, according to information obtained in previous focal groups interviews with high school students. The questionnaire showed a global realiability of 0.9154 and between 0.62 and 0.94 in each one of its scales, which included: behavioral beliefs (0.9121), attributed value to behavioral beliefs (0.7964), normative beliefs (0.6480), subject's disposition to adjust to normative expectations (0.8564), descriptive norm (0.6254), drug use opportunities (0.8129) and perceived behavioral control coping with such opportunity situations (0.9442). A factorial analysis of principal components yielded 16 factors of at least three items each, with factorial weights higher than 0.4, and closely attached to Theory of Planned Behavior's variables, with an explained variance of 59%. Analysis. Previous to data analysis, normality tests (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) were performed, indicating the necessity to apply nonparametric tests of differences and to transform the data to be adapted to the requirements of later parametric analyses. A correlation analysis was carried out to prove the association between behavioral intention and drug use, as well as between the different components of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Finally, linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the explicative potential of the model and the predictive weight of each variable on the model with regard to the behavioral intention and the consumption of drugs.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Couple power dynamics influence safer sex negotiation strategies. As part of a larger study on power in sexual relationships, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 women and 8 men in primary relationships (n = 19). Participants were recruited from an urban community health clinic, were young adults ages 18-29, and were mainly Latina/Latino. Most men indicated willingness to negotiate condom use and used them if their partners expressed clear interest. Women often did not wish to use condoms, however, for a variety of reasons. For those women who did successfully negotiate safer sex, many described being motivated to do so after witnessing gender inequities. This study demonstrates that close relationships often involve complex power dynamics. The negotiating strengths of women and the support by men for shared decision making should be promoted more actively in prevention programs, and women's frequent lack of interest in using condoms should be addressed directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors used social marketing to design and test advertisement components aimed at increasing students' interest in attending an alcohol program focused on reaching students who drink heavily, although the authors offered no such program. Participants were undergraduate students in introductory psychology courses (N = 551). Questionnaires included measures assessing demographic information, alcohol use and negative consequences, and interest in attending an alcohol program in response to exposure to 1 of 12 systematically varied advertisements. The authors found that approximately 20% of participants across all ad types indicated some level of interest in attending the alcohol program. Students who use alcohol reported more interest in attending when an informational message was used. Of the participants offered food, 41.9% indicated the food offered in the advertisement impacted their interest in attending. Results suggest market segmentation plays a role in developing effective advertisements to recruit different groups of students based on their reported drinking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores some of the lessons a university-based evaluation team learned while attempting to hire, retain, and work with staff members from a local Hmong community. These staff members were hired to assist a federally-funded community collaborative with implementing and evaluating a family strengthening program for Hmong families with adolescents. Over the course of two years, a succession of individuals were hired and resigned from a key staff position. These resignations occurred at critical points in the project, undermining a critical component of the program’s evaluation. Through interviews, observations, self-reflection, and feedback from colleagues and reviewers, a better understanding of the reasons for these difficulties began to emerge. The challenges examined in this article help to illustrate some of the complexities faced by academics when conducting a community-based project with an underserved racial ethnic population. The article concludes by discussing some of the lessons learned and what they might suggest for others doing similar types of work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similarities and differences in predictors of retention/attendance patterns between African American and Hispanic parent participants ( N= 143) from a family-focused preventive intervention were examined. Three broad retention pattern groups, nonattenders, variable attenders, and consistent high attenders, and 2 subgroups of the variable attendance group, decreasing low attenders and decreasing high attenders, were identified. In subgroup analyses, 3 significant discriminant functions were evident: 1 function classified Hispanic parents’ retention patterns using sociodemographic indicators (e.g., educational attainment, household income) and 2 functions discriminated Hispanic and African American parents’ patterns using family-level predictors (e.g., multiple caregivers attending the intervention, perceived barriers to participation). Implications are discussed in terms of strategies for improving methods of retaining participants in family-centered interventions conducted with ethnic minority families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent pregnancy and parenting remains a pressing social and public health concern because the United States continues to have the highest teen pregnancy rate among Western developed nations and because of the attendant social, psychological, and physical problems for young parents and their children. Prevention efforts to reduce the incidence of pregnancy and parenting among all teens continue to be critical. Even though funding constraints may limit the number of programs, it is possible to maximize the effectiveness of those that do exist or are developed. The most effective prevention programs are those based on theoretical models. This paper focuses on common theoretical models in four areas (developmental, perceived control, attitudes/intentions, and social learning) that can be easily applied to pregnancy prevention program development. After a short description of the theory and a discussion of its use in the literature, the theory's relevance to pregnancy/parenting prevention program development is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs are not "one size fits all." To effectively meet the HIV/STI prevention needs of all adolescents, programs should be developmentally and gender specific, should integrate an understanding of racial/ethnic culture, and should be open to variations in sexual express on Nurse researchers have demonstrated the importance of these differences in programs, and this article offers concrete suggestions for ways to apply this knowledge in community programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divorced nonresident fathers are a promising target for preventive efforts to assist families after divorce. The research literature suggests that such programs should focus both on the frequency and the quality of the child's contact with the father, as well as the quality of postdivorce mother–father relations. Dads For Life (DFL) is the program for this target group with the most convincing evidence of preventive effects. This eight-week program centers on professionally made videos. It was tested in a randomized trial with 214 families. In comparison to control families, children in families in which the father participated in DFL had significantly lower internalizing problems. The preventive impact of DFL was strongest for the most troubled youngsters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: Longitudinal survey data from a number of countries confirm that the number of overweight children continues to increase at alarming rates, and even developing countries are experiencing a rise in their overweight population. There is ample consensus that prevention strategies are essential to turn the tide of the obesity epidemic, and yet there are still relatively few proven prevention approaches for children. This paper briefly discusses some of the common features of childhood obesity prevention programs, focusing on the experience in the US and Canada. APPROACH:: Most prevention programs include at least one of the following components: dietary changes, physical activity, behavior and social modifications, and family participation. School-based prevention programs may also include elements related to the school environment and personnel. Primary prevention programs cannot usually restrict caloric intake, but may effectively reduce the energy intake by reducing the energy density of foods, increasing offering of fresh fruits and vegetables, using low-calorie versions of products, and reducing offering of energy-dense food items. Physical activity interventions have recently focused more on reducing inactive time, particularly television viewing. Results from recent studies have reported success in reducing excess weight gain in preadolescents by restricting TV viewing. SUMMARY:: Integrating all the activities of a multi-component prevention intervention, and delivering and sustaining it in different environments, continues to be a major challenge for health professionals as well as for parents, educators, and children themselves. Still, encouraging progress has been made in several areas, and the increased awareness of the problem of childhood obesity by all concerned will continue to foster our efforts in this area.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, S90-S95. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802797 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medycyna Pracy is the property of Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. Jerzego Nofera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To examine the beliefs of women concerning the helpfulness of various possible interventions for bulimia nervosa. Method Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a community sample of 208 women aged 18–45 years. Respondents were presented with a vignette describing a fictional person meeting diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa and were asked to indicate whether various persons, treatments, medications, and self-help activities would be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful for the person described. Results Respondents indicated that seeing a general practitioner (GP), counselor, or dietitian was more likely to be helpful than seeing either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. GPs were perceived as the individuals likely to be most helpful for the problem described, and most likely to be approached first, whereas counseling was regarded as the most helpful treatment. Self-help interventions, including the use of vitamins and minerals, were also highly regarded, while a minority of participants believed that anti-depressant medication would be helpful. Conclusions Information concerning treatments that are effective for eating disorders should be included in prevention programs. Collaborations between mental health specialists and primary health providers are vital to ensure the optimal treatment of eating-disordered behavior. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 62–68, 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U.S. youths continue to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs at alarmingly high rates despite a temporary downward trend in the 1980s. Among an average 500,000 individuals affected annually by substance use, youths (ages 12 to 18) rank as one of the highest groups in morbidity and mortality rates, resulting in many negative consequences. As a result the effectiveness of many prevention strategies has been called into question. This article reviews the extent and social cost of adolescent substance use; standard prevention strategies; prevention under criticism; and salient aspects of successful prevention strategies. Special attention is given to the social influence model of prevention as an effective and amenable model for social work professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the degree to which culturally specific interventions enhance substance abuse prevention effectiveness for targeted cultural groups. A large and diverse (African American, His- panic, American Indian, and Asian) sample of 10,500 youth across 48 programs was obtained. Youth participating in culturally specific programming showed greater program satisfaction and felt programs were more personally meaningful than youth in non-culturally specific pro- grams. Culturally specific programs for African American youth were also more effective in preventing substance use. This finding may be attributable to the fact that Africentric programs apply a comprehensive and structured approach to substance abuse prevention and that cultural messages are clearly linked to important protective factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in the United States, particularly among American Indian communities. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based, multicomponent intervention for reducing percentage body fat in American Indian schoolchildren. Design: This study was a randomized, controlled, school-based trial involving 1704 children in 41 schools and was conducted over 3 consecutive years, from 3rd to 5th grades, in schools serving American Indian communities in Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota. The intervention had 4 components: 1) change in dietary intake, 2) increase in physical activity, 3) a classroom curriculum focused on healthy eating and lifestyle, and 4) a family-involvement program. The main outcome was percentage body fat; other outcomes included dietary intake, physical activity, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Results: The intervention resulted in no significant reduction in percentage body fat. However, a significant reduction in the percentage of energy from fat was observed in the intervention schools. Total energy intake (by 24-h dietary recall) was significantly reduced in the intervention schools but energy intake (by direct observation) was not. Motion sensor data showed similar activity levels in both the intervention and control schools. Several components of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were also positively and significantly changed by the intervention. Conclusions: These results document the feasibility of implementing a multicomponent program for obesity prevention in elementary schools serving American Indian communities. The program produced significant positive changes in fat intake and in food- and health-related knowledge and behaviors. More intense or longer interventions may be needed to significantly reduce adiposity in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents data from an assessment of substance use prevention programs in 23 elementary and middle schools in northernand central Illinois. The quality of prevention programming was assessed based on program intensity, focus on tobacco, staff resources designated for prevention programs, and implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for tobacco prevention. Data from these four dimensions were used to calculate a Quality Index Score. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between individual level variables, school level variables and the outcomes of reported current tobacco use, intent to use tobacco in the coming year, and perceived efficacy of substance use prevention programs. No significant effects were found, indicating that exclusive use of even high quality school-based prevention programs may not be sufficient in changing youth behavior. However, school-based prevention programs may be an important component of a broader ecological approach that uses multiple, community- wide strategies to promote normative change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The phenomena of hopelessness, depression and, suicidality among the elderly have been long recognized as a social problem. It is commonly agreed that the rates of depression, sense of hopelessness and, suicidality in that age group are higher among older people. Due to its sensitive nature, the gerontological literature has been paid more theoretical and empirical attention to the understanding of such phenomena at the last two decades. The present study concerned hopelessness, depression and, suicidality among an elderly community population. It aimed at providing a demographic profile of factors contributing to depression and suicidality among old people. At five senior citizen centers at the north of Israel, 316 old people living in the community were randomly selected. Subjects were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (HS), and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI). The data suggest that four main demographic variables contributed to the explanation of suicidality, depression, and hopelessness among the elderly. Practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess how current practice in middle school substance use prevention programs compares with seven recommended guidelines adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for school-based tobacco use prevention programs.Methods: Substance use prevention practice was analyzed using data from a 1999 mailed questionnaire of a nationally representative sample of 1496 public and private schools with middle school grades that reported having a substance use prevention program. Respondents answered questions about substance use prevention education and activities in the whole school and in their own classroom. Weighted prevalence estimates for the seven recommendations are presented, and multiple regression was used to analyze correlates of implementation of the recommendations.Results: An estimated 64.2% of schools met four or more of the recommendations for school-based substance use prevention practice; 4.0% met all seven recommendations. Schools were most likely to report having and enforcing substance use prevention policies (84.3%) and least likely to report training teachers in substance use prevention (17.9%). More recommendations were implemented in schools that were public and had larger enrollments, greater perceived availability of resources, greater school board and parental support for substance use prevention, and had hired a school substance use prevention coordinator.Conclusions: The low prevalence of comprehensive substance use prevention programs in U.S. middle schools may limit the potential impact of school programs on the prevalence of youth substance use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although the prevention of shaken baby syndrome is questioned by some professionals, there is no doubt that prevention is the ideal goal. Education about the dangers of shaking babies is paramount, especially in light of the fact that messages have historically been distributed that shaking is an acceptable practice. Such messages have included instructions regarding apnea as well as infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation. While it can he argued that the amount of shaking advised in these instances does not correlate with the amount of shaking needed to cause SBS, the important prevention message is that babies and children should never he shaken for any reason. This dictum, along with information about the specific injuries caused by shaking should he provided to everyone, from youngsters to senior citizens. Common approaches to educating the public are discussed and evaluation of these efforts will also he reviewed. Other programs in schools, hospital maternity units and through child care licensing are also being implemented. The responsibility for SBS prevention belongs to every professional who works with children and families and to each individual who cares for a baby or young child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the way of coping with burnout among family physicians and family social workers. Emphasis is given to the question: What do both professionals have in common when it comes to burnout? Most human-service professions have traditionally been client or patient centered, with little attention given in the literature or in training to the many stresses experienced by the professional. Clearly, learning to cope with stress is an important skill for these professionals. It is important not only for the individual's well-being and patient care, but also for curriculum development and implementation of prevention and treatment programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is an age related metabolic disease that primarily affects women and causes bone demineralization that results in fractures. Early identification of risk factors for osteoporosis and development of prevention programs is needed to halt the increasing incidence of the disease. Public health nurses (PHNs), with their emphasis on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention with individuals and families, are in a unique position to protect the health of these vulnerable populations who are at risk for osteoporosis. This article describes the implementation and program evaluation of three osteoporosis prevention educational programs that use three levels of intensity of design. Each design is based upon the learning needs of the targeted audience. The goals of each program were to increase knowledge of osteoporosis, increase health beliefs, and increase the frequency of osteoporosis preventing behaviors. Theoretical aspects from adult learning and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to develop the programs. For the program evaluation, participants completed evaluation instruments before and 3 weeks after participating in an osteoporosis health education program. Participants in all programs had significantly higher levels of knowledge after completing the programs; however, overall, there was no change in health beliefs or behaviors. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]