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The Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model of pediatric primary care seems promising as a practical strategy for helping prevent child maltreatment. Replication and additional evaluation of the model are recommended.

OBJECTIVES. Adolescents are increasingly at risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases, especially in poor urban minority communities. To aid the design of interventions in these communities, this study investigated the role of knowledge, attitudes, perceived parental monitoring, and peer behavior in the onset and progression of sexual behavior in children at risk for exposure to HIV. METHODS. A computerized personal interview was administered to 300 African-American 9- to 15-year-old children living in six public housing developments in a large US city. RESULTS. Although children's knowledge about the hazards of sex increased with age, their sexual activity also increased (from 12% sexually experienced at 9 years of age to more than 80% experienced at 15 years of age). Parental monitoring appeared able to influence sexual activity. However, the perceived behavior of friends was associated with the rate at which sexual activity progressed with age and the degree to which condom use was maintained with age. CONCLUSIONS. The early onset and prevalence of sexual behavior and the importance of peer group influence call for early interventions that simultaneously influence the parents and peers in children's social networks.

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Background: African American adolescents living in high-poverty urban settings are at increased risk for early sexual initiation and sexually transmitted diseases. Objective: To determine whether parental stategies to monitor their children's social behavior and to communicate with them about sexual risks help to reduce the initiation of risky sexual behavior and prevent the resulting adverse health outcomes. Methods: To assess the viability of these strategies, we surveyed a stratified cross-section of African American children aged 9 to 17 years (N = 355) living in urban public housing. Talking computers were used to increase the confidentiality and comparability of the interviews across the wide age range. Results: Children who reported high levels of parental monitoring were less likely to report initiating sex in preadolescence (aged Յ10 years) and reported lower rates of sexual initiation as they aged. Children who reported receiving both greater monitoring and communication concerning sexual risks were also less likely to have engaged in anal sex. Communication was also positively related to the initiation of condom use and consistent condom use. The protective correlates of these parenting strategies were independent of the type of guardian (mother vs other family member). Conclusion: Interventions with parents and other guardians to increase monitoring and communication about sexual risks seem to be promising healthpromotion strategies for adolescents in high-risk settings.

Lactoferrin supplementation was associated with potentially beneficial outcomes such as significantly fewer lower respiratory tract illnesses and higher hematocrits. Larger, more focused studies in infants are warranted.