Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, the number of evidence-based interventions for Black MSM is limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of Many Men, Many Voices (3MV), a small-group HIV/STI prevention intervention developed by Black MSM-serving community-based organizations and a university-based HIV/STI prevention and training program. The study sample included 338 Black MSM of HIV-negative or unknown HIV serostatus residing in New York city. Participants were randomly assigned to the 3MV intervention condition (n = 164) or wait-list comparison condition (n = 174). Relative to comparison participants, 3MV participants reported significantly greater reductions in any unprotected anal intercourse with casual male partners; a trend for consistent condom use during receptive anal intercourse with casual male partners; and significantly greater reductions in the number of male sex partners and greater increases in HIV testing. This study is the first randomized trial to demonstrate the efficacy of an HIV/STI prevention intervention for Black MSM.
BackgroundDental caries is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases affecting a large portion of children in the United States. The prevalence of childhood dental caries in Kentucky is among the highest in the nation. The purposes of this study are to (1) compare sociodemographic differences between caries and no caries groups and (2) investigate factors associated with untreated dental caries among children who visited a mobile dental clinic in South Central Kentucky.MethodsStudy subjects were children aged 6 to 15 years who participated in the school-based dental sealant program through the mobile dental clinic operated by the Institute for Rural Health at Western Kentucky University between September 2006 and May 2011 (n = 2,453). Descriptive statistics were calculated for sociodemographic factors (age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and urban versus rural residential location) and caries status. We used chi-square tests to compare sociodemographic differences of children stratified by caries and no caries status as well as three levels of caries severity. We developed a logistic regression model to investigate factors associated with untreated dental caries while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsThe proportion of children having untreated dental caries was 49.7% and the mean number of untreated dental caries was 2.0. The proportion of untreated dental caries was higher in older children, children with no insurance and living in rural residential locations, and caries severity was also higher in these groups. Odds ratio indicated that older ages, not having private insurance (having only public, government-sponsored insurance or no insurance at all) and rural residential location were associated with having untreated dental caries after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics of children.ConclusionsUntreated dental caries was more likely to be present in older children living in rural areas without insurance. Health interventionists may use this information and target rural children without having proper insurance in order to reduce geographic disparities in untreated dental caries in South Central Kentucky.
The federal Pro-Children's Act of 1994 and other public health laws prompted most schools to create policies that address tobacco issues. To date, however, the literature is devoid of research that assesses the quality of a district's tobacco policy. This article describes the process and results from a large-scale, tobacco policy review. An Interagency Tobacco Task Group requested that tobacco policies of all New York State Schools be reviewed. A policy rubric was developed using the documents Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn and the School Health Index. The rubric assessed five policy components. Aggregate data were calculated for each policy component and for the final score. School policies also were evaluated for compliance with state and federal laws. Overall policy review scores were quite low, suggesting greater effort be placed on helping schools to develop more effective tobacco policies. Initial efforts included sending letters and a "tobacco tool kit" to schools containing recommendations and resources to improve their district's tobacco policy.
A critical review of McGuire's Inoculation Theory, its research base and current health behavior applications in health education research is presented. Foci include research efforts in the areas of smoking, alcohol, and diabetes management. The theory and its utilization in future resistance-to-persuasion interventions in health education is exam ined.
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