Public Health Commons^™

Factors Which Predict The Initiation And Use Of Alcohol In Rural Adolescents, Charlotte Swint

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this research was to determine whether a selected group of factors are significant when trying to predict the use of alcohol by adolescents who live in rural areas. This research is important because most of the studies concerning drug and alcohol use in adolescents have focused on adolescents who live in urban areas. The results of such studies may not be generalizable to rural populations. The factors investigated included the following: availability of alcohol, peer influence, parental influence, tobacco use, gender, and grade level. These factors were chosen based on their inclusion in four prominent theories regarding …

A Model Of Costs Of A Cbd Programme, Saumya Ramarao, John Townsend, M.E. Khan

Reproductive Health

This study is a collaborative effort of the Population Council, New Delhi, and the Centre for Development and Population Activities, New Delhi. Cost analysis is an analytical tool that provides program managers and planners with information about existing and potential programs. Existing programs can be evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness, while the resource requirements of future programs can be estimated. In the context of family planning (FP) programs, cost analysis provides policymakers and program managers with sufficient data on efficient ways to meet the demand for FP services with available resources. As FP programs mature and requirements for the resources …

Lessons Learned From A Community-Based Distribution Programme In Rural Bihar, S. Parveen, M.E. Khan, John Townsend, Bella C. Patel

Reproductive Health

The state of Bihar in North India ranks near the bottom of the Indian states in terms of its demographic situation. The infant mortality rate as of 1991 was 69 per 1,000, and the contraceptive prevalence rate as of 1990 was 26 percent. Bihar ranks near the bottom among other states of India in almost all indicators of social and economic development. One reason for its low performance is weak management. Besides poverty, a poor communications network and lack of proper infrastructure further make the implementation of programs difficult. Workers have misconceptions about FP methods, and educational activities are poorly …

Correlates And Consequences Of Early Initiation Of Sexual Intercourse, Ann L. Coker, Donna L. Richter, Robert F. Valois, Robert E. Mckeown, Carol Z. Garrison, Murray L. Vincent

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

This cross-sectional analysis of the 1991 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey explored factors associated with an early age at first sexual intercourse. Almost 18% of White males, 49% of Black males, 5% of White females and 12% of Black females were sexually active before age 13. Carrying a weapon to school, fighting, and early (< age 13) experimentation with cigarettes and alcohol were associated with early initiation of sexual activity for all four race and gender groupings. Those initiating sexual activity early had greater numbers of partners but were 50% less likely to use condoms regularly and were two-seven times more likely to have been pregnant or caused a pregnancy. Females who initiated sexual activity early were more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Interventions to postpone sexual activity need to be tailored to the ethnic and gender differences observed in these analyses. Interventions must begin before age 13 and should be comprehensive school-based efforts.

An Assessment Of Associations Between Selected Health Practices And Mental Wellness, Ginger Bomar

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between mental well-being and selected health behaviors. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 490 students at Western Kentucky University during the 1993 Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Study participants completed the Participant Data Sheet, General Weil-Being Schedule, and the Health Behavior Instrument. The data were gathered and analyzed via correlation analysis which revealed a relationship between mental well-being and certain health behaviors. The correlations between general well-being and selected health behaviors were stronger among males than females. There was a relationship found between mental well-being and hours …

Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa: Case Studies From Five African Countries, Ann Leonard

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council carried out a three-year project entitled “Community-Based AIDS Prevention and Care in Africa: Building on Local Initiatives.” Given the constraints faced by the health care infrastructure in responding to the AIDS crisis and the limitations of traditional educational approaches in motivating people to modify their sexual behavior, in the African context community-based AIDS prevention and care of those affected are the first line of defense against the infection. This project was developed to explore efforts by organizations in Africa dealing directly with the consequences of AIDS, to understand the essential components of effective community-based efforts for AIDS …

The Identification And Magnitude Estimation Of Stressors In A Selected Military Population At One Training Command, Susan W. Miller

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the most stressful aspects of being a student at a military training command. ·Forty students listed the significant stressors that they encounter at the training command. This list was reviewed and consolidated into a stressor rating questionnaire with 16 stressors. A convenience sample of 86 students rated the stressors. In the second part of the study, the students rated the stressors on a scale of "0 to 1000". The study revealed that the most significant stressors for students were absence of family and friends, uncertainty about their future, dealing with instructor's attitudes, …

Structuring Support For Volunteer Commitment: An Aids Services Program Study, Taryn Lindhorst, Ronald Mancoske

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Since the AIDS epidemic began over a decade ago, the bulk of services for people living with HIV in the community setting have been provided by volunteers. Volunteers are confronted with the stigmatized status of people with HIV and must learn to manage multiple crisis issues. This paper describes research on volunteerism in a buddy program for people living with AIDS and the perceptions of volunteers about the structural supports of the volunteer program. Issues around perceptions of stress and the relationship between bereavement and volunteering are explored.

Employment-Based Family Planning Services, Placide Tapsoba, Ian Askew, J. Tunde Taylor Thomas, Sering Falu Njie, Momodou Jasseh

Reproductive Health

Although The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) has always been interested in promoting contraceptive use in the Greater Banjul Area (GBA), insufficient funds and the need to prioritize program expansion in rural areas hindered this. The GFPA operates two clinics in GBA, open to few workers. The government has three Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health clinics in Banjul, also used by few workers. Factory managers, trade union leaders, and the GFPA believe that a well-organized family planning (FP) education and service delivery program could benefit employees and employers. This operations research study tested the feasibility of a work-based …

An Analysis Of Substance Abusers' Field Dependence & Time Spent In Rehabilitative Therapy, Robert Fane

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This project was designed to determine if significant differences existed between the level of psychological differentiation, as determined by the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), of individuals entering a treatment center for chemical dependency and the length of stay at the facility.

The subjects consisted of 43 white males who were seeking treatment for addiction to mood altering chemicals at a regional treatment facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Each subject was interviewed to collect pertinent background information pertaining to past substance abuse and was evaluated to determine psychological differentiation, utilizing the GEFT.

It was determined through an analysis of variance …

The Impact Of An Incentive/Competition Program On Participation And Smoking Cessation Among High Risk Smokers At The Worksite, Dyann M. Matson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study compared the effectiveness of a multicomponent smoking cessation/reduction program (”M") at one worksite (N = 81), with the same program plus incentives and team competition ("I") at a second worksite (N = 68). Incentives were discontinued at six months. A third worksite (N = 36) received a traditional smoking cessation program ("T').

The "I" program attracted a higher percentage of hourly (blue-collar) smokers (18.5%) compared to the "M" program (9.3%), or the "T" program (7.9%). Incentives with competition were also effective for improving abstinence for as long as 6 months (41%) compared to the "M" program (23%), and …

Characteristics Of Habitual Dysfunctional Behaviors, Carole Ryan Serena

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The suggestion that habitual dysfunctional behavior disorders (HDBs) have a common underlying cluster of addictive characteristics and dynamics is new. A broad research base which would support this theory has not kept current with clinical In order successes. In order to address the need for relevant research, an anonymous cross sectional study was designed to identify, describe and compare variables associated with 15 habitual dysfunctional behaviors (HDBs) in a sample (N =176) from a broad spectrum of socioeconomic groups.

People reporting two different HDBs (alcohol and food-related behaviors) were compared to those not reporting any HDBs on levels of four …

A Descriptive Study Of Commitment Practices In A Selected Jurisdiction, Louis A. Pesnicak

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the application of commitment procedures in one urban community in Virginia. The study investigated: the concordance rates of clinical recommendation for treatment and the outcome of the commitment hearing. the time lapse between detention of an individual and the hearing outcome. the presenting symptomatology and outcome. and the pre-detention compliance to treatment and outcome. The study's findings showed a concordance rate of 64% between clinical recommendation and outcome. It provided no significant differences in symptomatology/outcome, compliance/outcome, and time lapse/outcome. The lack of any significant findings seems to suggest that application of commitment laws might benefit from institution …

Crisis Intervention Services In Mental Health: A Review Of The Literature, Roger A. Lohmann, Ellen Neidermeyer

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

This paper is a review of the literature on mobile crisis services and other forms of modern crisis intervention services. It is the first part of a larger project, termed the North Central West Virginia Crisis Study. The purpose of this literature review is to identify recent published literature on crisis services, with particular attention to crisis response services. No attempt has been made to survey the voluminous literature on crisis intervention practice skills and techniques.

Ua12/2/1 Magazine, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special magazine edition of the College Heights Herald:

• Poore, Chris. Silent Escape – Amy Deputy, Bulimia

The Selection And Implementation Of A Drug And Alcohol Intervention Program/Model For Grand Coulee Dam Junior High School, Grand Coulee, Washington, Scott L. Ramsey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to plan and implement an intervention program to combat adolescent substance abuse at Grand Coulee Dam Junior High School, Grand Coulee, Washington. This study presented a review of the research and literature related to drug and alcohol intervention models and has documented the steps and procedures taken by the Grand Coulee Dam Junior High School Core Team to implement the intervention model selected.

Predictive Probabilities In Employee Drug-Testing, John M. Gleason, Darold T. Barnum

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Substance abuse in the U.S. has been estimated to cost $99 billion annually through lower productivity. Yet the authors urge caution in attempting to reduce these costs and health and safety Risks. In doing so, they cite commonly high frequencies of false negatives and false positives in employee drug tests - the latter having the potential to do great injustice to many drug-free employees.

Assessment Of Maternal Substance Abuse And Neonatal Exposure, Carol Jean Dauenhauer Giese

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Infants born to adolescent and young adult mothers who abuse substances, are at high risk for chemical dependency and its sequelae. There is a need to identify such infants and their mothers so that intervention will be available to them. The purpose of this study was to develop a systematic approach to evaluate mothers and infants for potential drug use and improve the quality of the nurses decisions.

This research project involves two sub-projects. In Part A, a Substance Abuse Assessment Tool (SAAT) was developed. The hospital nurses used the SAAT March 1, 1990, through April 12, 1990. The incidence …

Effects Of Program Implementation On Adolescent Drug Use Behavior The Midwestern Prevention Project (Mpp), C. Anderson Johnson, Mary Ann Pentz, Elizabeth A. Trebow, William B. Hansen, David P. Mackinnon, James H. Dwyer, Brian R. Flay, Stacey Daniels, Calvin Cormack

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

This study evaluated the relationship between level of program implementation and change in adolescent drug use behavior in the Midwestern Prevention Project (MPP), a school- and community-based program for drug abuse prevention. Trained teachers implemented the program with transition year students. Implementation was measured by teacher self-report and validated by research staff reports. Adolescent drug use was measured by student self-report; an expired air measure of smoking was used to increase the accuracy of self-reported drug use. Regression analyses were used to evaluate adherence; exposure, or amount of implementation; and reinvention. Results showed that all schools assigned to the program …

Long-Term Care Policy: Where Are We Going?, Gerontology Institute, University Of Massachusetts Boston, Omb Watch

Gerontology Institute Publications

Millions of Americans suffer from physical or mental conditions that make it difficult for them to live fully independent lives. These are the frail elderly, disabled and chronically ill persons of all ages, and many mentally ill or mentally retarded persons. They need help to manage daily activities, whether they live in their own homes or in nursing homes.

Such care can be extremely expensive, since it often must be provided for many years, even a lifetime. Today, those costs are met largely by the individuals themselves or by their families and by public programs for low-income persons.

For many …

Aids Prevention Through Printed Media: Knowledge And Communication Behaviors Of Gay College-Aged Males, Cheryl L. Knight

Masters Theses

AIDS prevention research has established the effectiveness of multiple component group interventions. It has not identified whether the effectiveness is due to the format of the intervention (i.e., rehearsal, feedback, etc.) or its instructional content. This study investigates the impact of instructional content delivered in the inexpensive and readily obtained printed medium. Thirteen gay or bisexual college-aged men received an information pamphlet and an AIDS-related communication skills training booklet. Subjects were evaluated on measures of knowledge, safe and risky behaviors, and communication behaviors in each of three assessment sessions. Visual analyses and repeated measures analyses of variance did not support …

Women And Crack Addiction, Mary Guinan

School of Public Health Faculty Research

A smokable form of cocaine has recently been introduced to the United States. First documented in New York in 1985, the use of rock cocaine or crack has spread rapidly throughout the country since then. Until crack appeared, noninjectable cocaine use was largely a problem in the middle and upper classes because of its high price. Crack has changed that; five and ten dollar packages are readily available. Crack produces a short-lived high and may enhance sexual desire and performance. The rapidity of the spread of crack in inner cities is extraordinary but the movement into rural areas has been …

Trends In Hospital And Nursing Home Care Expenditures, Maine, 1982 To 1986, Maine Department Of Human Services

Maine Collection

Trends in Hospital and Nursing Home Care Expenditures, Maine, 1982 to 1986

Maine Department of Human Services - Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics

John R. McKernan, Jr., Governor, Rollin Ives, Commissioner, Brenda Smith, Planning and Research Associate, May, 1989.

"This report produced under Appropriation No. 1310-4010."

Contents: Introduction / Hospital Care Expenditures / Nursing Home Care Expenditures / Comparison of Hospital and Nursing Home Care Expenditure Trends / Concluding Remarks / References

Blue Ribbon Commission On The Regulation Of Health Care Expenditures, State Of Maine, 113th Legislature

Maine Collection

Blue Ribbon Commission on the Regulation of Health Care Expenditures

State of Maine, 113th Legislature (January, 1989)

Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, Room 101, State House--Sta. 13, Augusta, Maine 04333.

Contents: Preface / Executive Summary of Recommendations / Introduction and Background / Detailed Recommendations

Ua12/1 Apple Tips, Vol. I, No. 1, Wku Apple

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by APPLE a planned program in life enrichment regarding drug and alcohol awareness programs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Intravenous Drug Users: Epidemiology, Issues, And Controversies, Donald E. Craven

New England Journal of Public Policy

Intravenous drug users are the second most common risk group for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States, and they account for approximately 25 percent of the cases. Drug users may spread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by sharing contaminated drug injection paraphernalia and through sexual contact; women who use drugs can transmit the virus to their children. The rapid spread of HIV in this risk group and the fact that intravenous drug users are a source for heterosexual and perinatal transmission underscore the need for immediate intervention. In addition, many drug addicts are poor, have limited career possibilities, and …

U.S. Women And Hiv Infection, P. Clay Stephens

New England Journal of Public Policy

Women are inadequately provided with HIV services and education and are differentially denied access to these. Divisions of race, ethnicity, economic class, and religion, among others, are compounded by sexual discrimination within each of these categories.

Review of current data on women with AIDS reveals that the reporting methods used convey a false impression that women are not at significant risk. Moreover, the persons indirectly affected by AIDS are predominantly women — mothers, sisters, partners, family members, teachers, and human service workers. Thus, AIDS is more of a women's issue than the statistics imply.

Women, as a gender-defined class, face …

Tardive Dyskinesia: A Prevalence Study In An Outpatient Population, Virginia J. Ravizza

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this prevalence study was to assess the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia among a chronically mentally ill sample of a suburban mental health clinic. The participants in this study were selected from clients of a suburban mental health clinic who agreed to participate in this prevalence study. There were 45 participants--17 males and 28 females.

The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) was selected as the instrument to measure the abnormal involuntary movements exhibited by the participants of the study on the day of testing. The testing occurred during a specific time period, June 8, 1987 to July 2, …

Association Of Drinking-Related Locus Of Control And Treatment Outcomes In Female Alcoholics, Patricia A. Townsend

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

Can Mental Health Professionals Predict Judicial Decisionmaking? Constitutional And Tort Liability Aspects Of The Right Of The Institutionalized Mentally Disabled To Refuse Treatment: On The Cutting Edge, Michael L. Perlin

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.