Kathleen F. Harrington

Sexual risk behaviors associated with having older sex partners: a study of black adolescent females.

Background Volunteer black adolescent females from neighborhoods characterized by high rates of unemployment, substance abuse, violence, and sexually transmitted disease were studied to determine the frequency of condom use and unprotected vaginal sex with steady, older partners during various time periods over the previous 6 months. Goal To examine associations between having male sex partners who were typically older (by at least 2 years) and adolescent females’ sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV–associated sexual risk behaviors. Study Design In this cross-sectional study, 522 sexually active black adolescent females completed a questionnaire and a structured interview, of which a portion assessed the age difference between the adolescents and their typical sex partners. The adolescents’ ages, length of relationship and their use of hormonal contraception were identified as covariates. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR), their 95% confidence intervals, and respective P values were calculated to detect significant associations. Results Sixty-two percent of the adolescents reported their typical sex partners were at least 2 years older. These adolescents were more likely to report never using condoms during the most recent sexual encounter (AOR = 2.0), during the last five sexual encounters (AOR = 2.0), and during the past month (AOR = 2.2). Similarly, having older partners was associated with greater odds of reporting any unprotected vaginal sex in the past 30 days (AOR = 1.7) or the past 6 months (AOR = 1.5). Conclusion Our findings suggest that many adolescent females have sex partners who are at least 2 years older and that their relationship dynamics do not favor the adoption and maintenance of behavior protective against STD or HIV infection. Prevention programs could include training designed to help adolescent females overcome barriers to safer sex with older male partners.

Validity of self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among African American female adolescents participating in an HIV/STD prevention intervention trial.

Background Studies assessing the validity attributed to self-reported measures of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clearly are needed, particularly those used for high-risk populations such as female adolescents, in whom STD prevention is a priority. Goal To determine the accuracy of self-reported STD test results in female adolescents over a relatively brief period (≈28 days). Study Design A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial of STD/HIV prevention for African American females, ages 14 to 18, was conducted. Study participants were recruited from medical clinics and school health classes in low-income neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama, that had high rates of unemployment, substance abuse, violence, STDs, and teenage pregnancy. Results Of the 522 adolescents enrolled in the trial, 92% (n = 479) completed baseline STD testing and follow-up surveys. At baseline, 28% had positive test results for at least one disease: 4.8% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 17.1% for Chlamydia trachomatis, and 12.3% for Trichomonas vaginalis. Of the adolescents with negative STD test results, 98.8% were accurate in their self-report of STD status, as compared with 68.7% of the adolescents with positive results. Underreporting varied by type of STD. Adolescents who accurately reported their positive STD status were significantly more likely to report their receipt of treatment accurately (P < 0.001). Conclusions The substantial underreporting of STD incidence in this study suggests that reliance on self-reports of STD history may introduce misclassification bias, potentially leading to false conclusions regarding the efficacy of prevention interventions. This observation highlights the importance of using biologic indicators as outcome measures.

Methods, Results, and Lessons Learned from Process Evaluation of the High 5 School-Based Nutrition Intervention:

This article describes the process evaluation of High 5, a school-based intervention targeting fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth graders and their families. The outcome evaluation involved 28 schools randomized to intervention or control conditions. The intervention included classroom, family, and cafeteria components. Process evaluation was completed on each of these components by using observations, self-report checklists, surveys, and other measures. Results indicated high implementation rates on the classroom activities. Moderate family involvement was attained, perhaps diminishing intervention effects on parent consumption. Cafeterias provided environmental cues, and fruit and vegetable offerings as directed by the program. A lower dose of the intervention was delivered to schools with larger African American enrollments and lower-income families. This article provides insights into the effective elements of a school-based dietary intervention and provides suggestions for process evaluation in similar studies.

Pregnancy desire among disadvantaged African American adolescent females.

OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and correlates of wanting to become pregnant among a sample of 462 sexually active nonpregnant African American adolescent females. METHODS Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios, their 95% confidence intervals, and respective P values. RESULTS Significant correlates with pregnancy desire included having a male partner who desired pregnancy, having a boyfriend at least 5 years older, having low self-esteem, perceiving greater perceived barriers to condom use, and perceiving low family support. CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy prevention programs designed for economically disadvantaged African American adolescent females should address these correlates of their pregnancy desire.

Electronic Cigarette Awareness, Use History, and Expected Future Use Among Hospitalized Cigarette Smokers

INTRODUCTION E-cigarette use has surged during the past few years while the debate about the products safety and efficacy for smoking cessation continues. Little is known about the characteristics that distinguish users from nonusers; in this study, we aimed to elucidate these characteristics among hospitalized smokers, a heretofore unstudied population. METHODS Cross-sectional data were collected from cigarette smokers via hospital bedside interviews. Participants reported e-cigarette use status, reasons for use (if used), e-cigarette advertising exposure, expected likelihood of future e-cigarette use, desire to quit smoking, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS Of the 657 English-speaking hospitalized smokers who provided data, 97% reported awareness of e-cigarettes and 46.4% reported e-cigarette use, with 20% reporting use in the previous 30 days. Previous e-cigarette use was significantly more likely among those who were White (odds ratio [OR] = 4.7; confidence interval [CI] = 3.2-6.7), were married/had a domestic partner (OR = 1.5; CI = 1.0-2.2), had more than a high school education (OR = 1.7; CI = 1.1-2.7), had e-cigarette advertising exposure (OR = 1.6; CI = 1.1-2.4), and were younger (OR = 1.3; CI = 1.1-1.5). Expected likelihood of future e-cigarette use was high and positively correlated with desire to quit smoking (Spearmans ρ = .18, p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Rates of awareness and use of e-cigarettes may be elevated among hospitalized smokers, with more use reported among those who were White, younger, more educated, in a relationship, and exposed to e-cigarette advertising. The association between desire to quit smoking and expected likelihood of future e-cigarette use suggests that cigarette smokers may perceive e-cigarettes as a useful cessation aid.

Relationship Characteristics and Sexual Practices of African American Adolescent Girls Who Desire Pregnancy

This study examined associations between African American adolescent girls’ desire to become pregnant and their sexual and relationship practices. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to detect significant associations between pregnancy desire and the assessed correlates. Of 522 participants (14 to 18 years old), 67 (12.8%) were pregnant and were thus excluded from this analysis. Of the remaining 455 adolescents, 107 (23.6%) expressed some desire to be pregnant at the time of assessment. Adolescents who desired pregnancy were significantly more likely to report having had sex with a casual partner and to use contraception inconsistently. Factors involving an adolescent girl’s relationship with her partner (e.g., being in a relationship, length of relationship, time spent with boyfriend, or satisfaction with boyfriend) were not significantly associated with the desire for pregnancy. Effective pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention programs for female adolescents should address their level of pregnancy desire.

Smoking Cessation and Electronic Cigarette Use among Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Objectives (1) Investigate electronic cigarette (e-cig) use among head and neck (HN) cancer patients; (2) define quit methods, success, motivations, and barriers to smoking cessation; and (3) determine the impact of e-cig use in smoking cessation. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care center. Methods An in-office survey was administered to HN cancer patients ≥19 years of age with past/present tobacco use. Patient demographics were collected. Quit methods, success, and motivations/barriers were surveyed. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to correlate alcohol use and cessation. Independent variables associated with cessation were studied with Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t test. Subgroup analysis was performed for e-cig users. Results Of 110 eligible patients, 106 (96%) enrolled (83% male, 82% Caucasian), of whom 69 (65%) successfully quit. Age of first tobacco use did not differ between the smoking and cessation groups (P = .14), nor did hazardous drinking (30% smoking vs 14% cessation; P = .072). “Cold turkey” (ie, stopping abruptly without smoking cessation aids) was the most common method attempted (n = 88, 83%) and most successful (n = 65, 94%). There was no statistical difference in age, sex, race, drinking, or socioeconomic status between e-cig users and nonusers. Nonusers achieved higher quit rates as compared with e-cig users (72% vs 39%; P = .0057). E-cig use did not decrease the number of cigarettes smoked (463 cigarettes/month) versus that of nonusers (341 cigarettes/month; P = .2). Seventy percent of e-cig users wore a nicotine patch. Conclusions HN cancer patients desire smoking cessation. E-cig did not decrease tobacco use, and patients who utilize e-cigs are less likely to achieve smoking cessation.

Attitudes of Young African American Fathers Toward Early Childbearing.

OBJECTIVE To qualitatively examine the perceptions of young fathers toward issues related to early childbearing. METHODS Focus groups were held with male partners of adolescent females who had become pregnant while participating in an HIV-prevention trial. RESULTS Primary domains that emerged included young males desire for pregnancy, their attitudes toward father/child involvement, and their perceived social support as young fathers. CONCLUSIONS Findings may help in developing gender-appropriate interventions to delay early childbearing and prevent HIV/STD transmission.

A conceptual model of verbal exchange health literacy

OBJECTIVE To address a gap in understanding of verbal exchange (oral and aural) health literacy by describing the systematic development of a verbal exchange health literacy (VEHL) definition and model which hypothesizes the role of VEHL in health outcomes. METHODS Current health literacy and communication literature was systematically reviewed and combined with qualitative patient and provider data that were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS Analyses of current literature and formative data indicated the importance of verbal exchange in the clinical setting and revealed various factors associated with the patient-provider relationship and their characteristics that influence decision making and health behaviors. VEHL is defined as the ability to speak and listen that facilitates exchanging, understanding, and interpreting of health information for health-decision making, disease management and navigation of the healthcare system. A model depiction of mediating and influenced factors is presented. CONCLUSION A definition and model of VEHL is a step toward addressing a gap in health literacy knowledge and provides a foundation for examining the influence of VEHL on health outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS VEHL is an extension of current descriptions of health literacy and has implications for patient-provider communication and health decision making.

Schools as a Setting for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Three areas of school-based health promotion and disease prevention will be described in this chapter, including school-based intervention research, comprehensive school health programs, and school-based health clinics. School-based intervention research is the process of developing and evaluating interventions that are delivered in the schools and designed to modify a specific set of health behaviors. Comprehensive school health programs involve the implementation of eight objectives for school health education. These objectives impact health education curricula, as well as school health policy, staff wellness, and staff training for health education. School-based health clinics involve the delivery of health services and prevention activities directly to children through clinics in the schools.