Herminé Naccache

Factors explaining the intention to give blood among the general population

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to identify factors explaining the intention to donate blood.

Which survey questions change behavior? Randomized controlled trial of mere measurement interventions.

OBJECTIVE Evidence indicates that receiving a questionnaire about a behavior increases the likelihood that the person will perform that behavior--a phenomenon termed the mere measurement effect. This research tested the role of (a) the type of questions, and (b) questionnaire completion in optimizing the impact of mere measurement interventions designed to retain novice blood donors. DESIGN Novice blood donors (N = 4391) were randomly allocated to four conditions that varied the content of a questionnaire about blood donation (behavioral intention-only, behavioral intention plus regret, implementation intention-only, implementation intention plus regret) or to a no-questionnaire control condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Objective measures of registration at blood drives were obtained at 6 and 12 months postbaseline. RESULTS Participants in the implementation intention-only condition donated more frequently at 6 months compared to participants in each of the other conditions. At 12 months both implementation intention conditions outperformed the other conditions. Implementation intentions increased the frequency of donations over 1 year by 12%. Measuring anticipated regret did not augment the impact of interventions whereas questionnaire completion had an important impact on donation behavior. CONCLUSION Questions about implementation intentions but not behavioral intentions promote retention of novice blood donors.

Ingestion of Flouride from Dentrifices by Children Aged 12 to 24 Months

The increase of dental fluorosis is largely imputable to the ingestion of dietary fluoride supplements and fluoride toothpastes. However, the toothbrushing habits of very young children is poorly documented. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the toothbrushing habits of 12- to 24-month-old children and to estimate the quantity of fluoride ingested during toothbrushing. Fifty-nine parents completed a questionnaire regarding the toothcleaning habits of their children. When a dentifrice was used, a dental hygienist scheduled a meeting with the parents in order to observe and measure the amount of toothpaste used. Of the 36 parents who cleaned the teeth of their children, 69% used a toothpaste. Furthermore 20% of the children ingested more than 0.25 mg of fluoride per day by toothbrushing alone. Therefore the practice of toothbrushing and the use of fluoridated dentifrices are widespread among 12- to 24-month old children, and the amount of fluoride ingested from toothpaste could constitute a substantial proportion of the total daily intake of fluoride. Several measures are suggested to enhance the safe use of fluoride dentifrices.