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The objective of this study was to examine attributes assigned by university undergraduates to 12 contraception options, determine if dimensions used to evaluate options differed for women and men, and assess whether these dimensions have changed over time. This study was cross-sectional and involved a written survey. The sample (N = 792) was drawn from two large universities in the southeastern United States and data collection was completed in classroom settings. Students rated 12 methods on 40 semantic differential scales. Scale scores were summed and a principal components analysis was performed, yielding separate factor structures (evaluative dimensions) for men and women. Three factors emerged for women accounting for 40.85%, 8.00%, and 5.78% of the variance respectively. Three factors also emerged for men accounting for 37.39%, 8.51%, and 7.15% of the variance respectively. Manipulating item loading criteria increased factor interpretability. In contrast to some previous research, the interpretative schemes of men and women for assessing contraception options held more similarities than differences. This apparent confluence in evaluating contraception may facilitate improved negotiation and agreement about the eventual choice of methods.

Background: Preordinate attitudes and beliefs about contraception may influence acceptance or rejection of a particular method. Purpose: We examined the attitudes about contraception methods held by undergraduate students (N=792) at two large southeastern universities in the United States. Methods: Twelve methods were rated on 40 semantic differential scales. Means of the scale sum scores for men and women were compared using t-tests. Results: Among women the most favorably rated methods were: abstinence, oral contraceptive, male condom, Nuva ring, contraceptive patch, emergency contraception, male sterilization, female sterilization, diaphragm and female condom, each yielding a mean above the scale midpoint. The most negatively rated methods were withdrawal and douche. For men, the ratings in descending order were: oral contraceptive, male condom, abstinence, contraceptive patch, emergency contraception, female sterilization, Nuva ring, female condom, diaphragm, withdrawal, male sterilization and douche. There were four statistically significant (P less than 0.05) gender differences, with abstinence, male condom, male sterilization and Nuva ring all rated more favorably by women. Discussion: These evaluative indices suggest that contraceptive methods elicit varied responses among potential users that theoretically could manifest themselves in acceptance or rejection of a particular method. Improved understanding of the traits by which potential users judge contraception may be beneficial in fostering communication between potential users and practitioners who provide relevant advice. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators and other practitioners engaged in contraception counseling must consider that persons may already hold strong feelings about some methods before they enter the clinical setting. (Contains 3 tables.)

On college campuses, alcohol abuse is a challenge particularly on football game days. From previous research, it is known that fans drink more and are more affected by excessive alcohol consumption than non-fans. This study explored age and gender issues regarding behaviors and consequences of typical game-day alcohol consumption. A self-administered paper-pencil survey, given to 497 respondents, evaluated alcohol consumption behaviors of fans "tailgating" at a college football game. A descriptive discriminant analysis was conducted with data from respondents who reported drinking (N = 352). Three discriminant variables interpreted from data suggest the following: (1) males drink more than females, but females have more adverse consequences when drinking on game days; (2) respondents ages 21-26 years drink more alcohol and are more likely to perceive that friends drink excessively versus other age groups; and (3) respondents ages 24-26 years were more aware than other groups of anti-alcohol campus campaigns, but drink more on game days, and are more likely to frequent bars and tailgating areas. A "one-size-fits-all" approach to intervention is not adequate for college campus population needs. It is important to identify target populations for tailored intervention efforts concerning outcomes of excessive drinking during game days. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Background: Prevention has been identified as a primary strategy for reducing health care costs, with potential Medicare savings up to $142.8 billion annually. Falls alone resulted in $28.2 billion in direct care costs. A growing body of research documents significant benefits of tai chi (TC) for balance and prevention and management of chronic diseases in older adults. Purpose: To identify facilitators and barriers to TC from a theory-driven approach, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) coupled with a fishbone diagram. Methods: Focus groups consisted of active users of a fitness facility at an active living community. Group 1 had never considered adoption of TC (n = 10). The second group were members of the community TC classes (n = 11). The HBM was used to categorize responses. A 10-point scale permitted comparison of group means and standard deviation. Results: Primary barriers included lack of awareness of benefits, need for evidence-based benefits, and limitations related to teaching style. The largest opportunity for promotion of TC related to perceived threats from falls and benefits for balance. Translation to Health Practice: Findings can be used by health educators to develop and test effective cues to action to promote adoption of TC.

Background: An asymmetrical oral disease burden is endured by certain population subgroups, particularly children and adolescents. Reducing oral health disparities requires understanding multiple oral health perspectives, including those of adolescents. This qualitative study explores oral health perceptions and dental care behaviors among rural adolescents. Methods: Semistructured individual interviews with 100 rural, minority, low socioeconomic status adolescents revealed their current perceptions of oral health and dental care access. Respondents age ranged from 12 to 18 years. The sample was 80% black and 52% male. Results: Perceived threat from dental disease was low. Adolescents perceived regular brushing and flossing as superseding the need for preventive care. Esthetic reasons were most often cited as reasons to seek dental care. Difficulties accessing dental care include finances, transportation, fear, issues with Medicaid coverage and parental responsibility. In general, adolescents and their parents are in need of information regarding the importance of preventive dental care. Conclusions: Findings illuminate barriers to dental care faced by low-income rural adolescents and counter public perceptions of government-sponsored dental care programs as being "free" or without cost. The importance of improved oral health knowledge, better access to care, and school-based dental care is discussed.

Alcohol use and the related consequences associated with college football games are a serious public health issue for university communities. Objective: Examining "Extreme Ritualistic Alcohol Consumption" (ERAC), defined as consuming 10 or more drinks on game day for a male, and 8 or more drinks for a female, is the focus of this study. Participants: In the fall of 2006, college students ages 18 to 24 were randomly selected to complete the Game Day Survey. Methods: Researchers utilized a cross sectional research design to collect data. Results: Sixteen percent of the respondents engaged in ERAC on game day, whereas 36% drank 5 or more drinks (4 or more for females). Male, Caucasian, Greek (members of a social fraternity or sorority), and students of legal drinking age consumed alcohol at disproportionately high rates. Conclusion: Alcohol use is common on game day, with a significant percentage of students placing themselves at risk by drinking large amounts of alcohol. (Contains 3 tables.)

Objective: The authors describe the epidemiology of risk behavior associated with poly-drug use in a college bar district of a large campus community. Participants: A total of 469 bar patrons participated in the study. Methods: The authors used self-report data and biological measures collected from patrons outside bars in July and August of 2007. Results: The mean breath alcohol concentration of the exiting patrons was 0.09. Illicit and prescription drug use on the nights of data collection and in the recent past were significant features of the profile of patron risk behavior. About one-quarter of the patrons using only alcohol reported an intention to drive a vehicle within 60 minutes of leaving an establishment, compared with almost one-half of those using both alcohol and marijuana. Conclusions: A substantial amount of high-risk behavior was generated from the bar district on 4 typical nights. College bar districts should be a priority focus for prevention efforts. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)

Objectives: To explore factors underlying African Americans' perceptions of oral cancer and the oral cancer exam. Study findings were used to guide development of oral cancer messages designed to increase oral cancer exams among African Americans. Methods: Focus groups were conducted to understand African Americans' attitudes and expectations regarding oral cancer and oral cancer exams. Results: Respondents lacked knowledge of personal susceptibility to and the severity of a late-stage oral cancer diagnosis. Participants had limited knowledge of risk factors. Discussion: Findings point to the need for improved patient education and communication between the public and dental providers.

Objective: The study examined associations between bar-sponsored drink specials and alcohol intoxication at the patron level. Method: Data were collected in a college bar district located in a large campus community in the southeastern United States. Random and self-selected samples of patrons were interviewed after exiting college bars at night on four different nights (N = 383). Anonymous interview and questionnaire data were collected as well as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings. Results: Significant gender differences existed in patron drinking practices. Women were more likely to take advantage of drink specials, whereas men reported greater alcohol expenditures, consumed more drinks, and drank for longer periods of time. Gender differences in BrAC were very small and not meaningful. Patrons who did not take advantage of drink specials reported consuming more drinks before bar entry than patrons who did participate in these promotions. Participation in 'all-you-can-drink' promotions was significantly associated with higher BrAC readings after adjusting for covariates and random effects attributable to drinking establishment. Other drink specials did not have significant associations with alcohol intoxication. Conclusions: The all-you-can-drink special may be the specific discounting practice with the greatest potential for boosting patron intoxication and thus may need to be a stronger focus of alcohol-control policies aimed at improving the beverage service of drinking establishments., THERE IS LITTLE DISPUTE that the price of alcohol affects its consumption. Econometric research has established that price decreases in alcohol are accompanied by increases in rates of drinking and [...]

BACKGROUND: Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for adolescents. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the adolescent suicide rate increased 18% between 2003 and 2004. Sport may represent a promising protective Factor against adolescent suicide. This study examined the relative risk of hopelessness and suicidality associated with physical activity and sport participation. METHODS: Data from the CDC's 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed. Logistic regression modeling was used to compare the odds of hopelessness and suicidality in students who engaged in various levels of physical activity to inactive students. Similar analyses were performed comparing risks of athletes to nonathletes, and the risks of highly involved athletes to nonathletes. RESULTS: Findings showed that frequent, vigorous activity reduced the risk of hopelessness and suicidality among male adolescents. However, low levels of activity actually increased the risk of feeling hopeless among young females. Yet, for both males and Females, sport participation protected against hopelessness and suicidality. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that involvement in sport confers unique psychosocial benefits that protect adolescents against suicidality. Findings suggest that mechanisms other than physical activity contribute to the protective association between sport and reduced suicidality. Social support and integration may account for some of the differences Found in suicidality between athletes and nonathletes. Keywords: injury prevention; child and adolescent health; physical fitness and sport; risk behaviors; mental health., Suicide represents the third leading cause of death for youth 15 to 24 years, accounting for 12.9% of all deaths in this age range. (1) According to the Centers for [...]

Objective: In this study, we performed a classification tree analysis (CTA) to identify population subgroups that are less likely to have an oral cancer examination (OCE). Methods: We conducted telephone surveys (N = 2401) of adults residing in north Florida to collect data on OCE status and potential OCE predictors including demographics, medical and dental experience, and psychosocial factors. The CTA algorithm exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction detector (ECHAID) was employed to determine the relationships between OCE status and the predictors. Results: The overall OCE rate was 46.8% in our sample. Participants' rating of the dentist was the first level splitting variable, leading to 15 unique participant subgroups: (1) high dentist rating (N = 1269) led to 5 splits and 11 subgroups; (2) low dentist rating (N = 308) led to zero splits; and (3) no regular dentist (N = 824) led to 2 splits and 3 subgroups. Conclusions: The CTA has identified unique population subgroups that could be targeted in future tailored public health interventions. Among underserved populations, it is important to develop and implement community- based interventions that encourage regular dental visits and provide oral cancer selfexamination education.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]