Linda Lesondak

A follow-up of a media-based, worksite smoking cessation program

Described an examination of data collected 2 years following the onset of a media-based, worksite smoking cessation intervention. Thirty-eight companies in Chicago were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions. In the inital 3-week phase, all participants in both conditions received self-help manuals and were instructed to watch a 20-day televised series designed to accompany the manual. In addition, participants in the group (G) condition received six sessions emphasizing quitting techniques and social support. In the second phase, which continued for 12 months, employees in G participated in monthly peer-led support groups and received incentives, while participants in the nongroup (NG) condition received no further treatment. Twenty-four months after pretest, 30% of employees in G were abstinent compared to only 19.5% in NG. This study is one of the few experimentally controlled worksite smoking cessation interventions to demonstrate significant program differences 2 years following the initial intervention.

Co-occurring mental disorders among incarcerated women: Preliminary findings from an integrated health treatment study

Abstract There is a growing awareness of the incidence of mental disorders among women involved in the criminal justice system. Two hundred and eighty-three women were participants in a federally-funded study and all met DSM-IVcriteria for at least two Axis I disorders, including one substance abuse diagnosis. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (chronic) was the primary mental health diagnosis for 75% of the sample. Based on findings, the need for rigorous and accurate diagnostic evaluation for women in criminal justice settings is discussed; specific recommendations include: providing evidence-based, integrated, trauma-informed treatment, and designing comprehensive gender-specific programs to improve outcomes for incarcerated women.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Incarcerated Women With Co-occurring Disorders

ABSTRACT This article will present findings related to critical needs in a group of 281 incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders. The women completed interviews while incarcerated and again at various time points after community reentry. Findings revealed that the number of basic needs increased over time, and a low level of social support was related to negative outcomes. Recommendations for this population include holistic evaluation assessments and integrated treatment plans that encourage staff to comprehensively assess clients at intake and link them to support services during and after incarceration. Implications of this female empowerment model will be discussed.

Incorporating Rapid HIV Testing into Partner Counseling and Referral Services

Objectives. Partner counseling and referral services (PCRS) provide a unique opportunity to decrease transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by notifying sex and drug-injection partners of HIV-infected individuals of their exposure to HIV. We incorporated rapid HIV testing into PCRS to reduce barriers associated with conventional HIV testing and identify undiagnosed HIV infection within this high-risk population. Methods. From April 2004 through June 2006, HIV-infected people (index clients) were interviewed, and their partners were notified of their potential exposure to HIV and offered rapid HIV testing at six sites in the United States. The numbers of index clients participating and the numbers of partners interviewed and tested were compared by site. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. Results. A total of 2,678 index clients were identified, of whom 779 (29%) provided partner locating information. A total of 1,048 partners were elicited, of whom 463 (44%) were both interviewed and tested for HIV. Thirty-seven partners (8%) were newly diagnosed with HIV. The number of index clients interviewed to identify one partner with newly diagnosed HIV infection ranged from 10 to 137 at the participating sites. Conclusions. PCRS provides testing and prevention services to people at high risk for HIV infection. Incorporating rapid HIV testing into PCRS and identifying previously undiagnosed infections likely confer individual and public health benefits. Further evaluation is needed to determine the best methods of identifying partners with previously unrecognized HIV infection.

Influence of health beliefs, attitudes and concern about HIV/AIDS on condom use in college women

ABSTRACT Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) represents a significant health risk for all sexually active adults. Women, in particular, may be at greater risk of HIV infection due to attitudes and beliefs which interfere with initiating and maintaining consistent condom usage. One hundred twenty-six college women completed a survey which measured the impact of sex role ascription, drug and alcohol use patterns, number of partners and sexual history in predicting condom usage. Additional factors explored include attitudes towards condoms, health beliefs, and present and future concern about contracting HIV/AIDS from a sexual partner. Findings indicate that intent to use condoms in the future was associated with greater present and future concern about contracting HIV/AIDS. In regression analyses, only number of previous sexual partners was significantly related to condom use.

Partner Referral by HIV-Infected Persons to Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) - Results from a Demonstration Project

Objective: The objectives of this article are to determine factors associated with refusal and agreement to provide partner information, and evaluate the effectiveness of referral approaches in offering PCRS. Methods: Index clients from 5 sites that used 3 different PCRS approaches were interviewed to obtain demographic and risk characteristics and choice of partner referral method for PCRS. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with providing partner information. Results: The percentage of index clients who refused to provide partner information varied by site (7% to 88%). Controlling for PCRS approach, index clients who were older than 25 years, male, or reported having male-male sex in the past 12 months were more likely (p <0.01) to refuse to provide partner information. Overall, 72% of named partners referred by index clients were located and offered PCRS. The proportion of partners who were located and offered PCRS differed by referral approach used, ranging from 38% using contract referral (index clients agree to notify their partners within a certain timeframe, else a disease intervention specialist or health care provider will notify them) to 98% using dual referral (index clients notify their partners with a disease intervention specialist or provider present). Conclusion: Success in obtaining partner information varied by the PCRS approach used and effectiveness in locating and notifying partners varied by the referral approach selected. These results provide valuable insights for enhancing partner services.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology in Men and Women with Spinal Cord Injury

This descriptive study explored posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a nonveteran sample (N = 109 men and 86 women) of participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). Participants completed a demographic survey and Foas (1995) Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale. Results suggested that there were no significant differences between men and women or by level of injury (i.e., paraplegic and tetraplegic) in terms of number of PTSD items endorsed and PTSD severity score. Both men and women reported PTSD symptom severity total scores classified in the mild range of symptom severity. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Designing an effective worksite smoking cessation program using self-help manuals, incentives, groups and media

Pilot studies indicate that the workplace is a successful site for the implementation of smoking cessation programs (Jason et al., 1987a; 1987b;). Cessation efforts using monetary incentives have had yielded increased success in abstinence (Kleges & Cigrang, 1989). This article provides an overview of previous efforts at worksite cessation programs and outlines a new study that will use self help manuals, incentives, and group support sessions in a multilevel intervention in an attempt to identify successful components of worksite programs. The four year project will attempt to develop a comprehensive worksite program that is capable of being implemented by individual companies. To this end, sixty corporations will receive one of three programs and a week long television newscast on WGN-TV will be aired to accompany the interventions. An overview of the project is presented.

Improving Data Collection through Collaborative Research

When investigators collaborated with 3 teachers of three schools, significantly more permission slips and data were collected than from the four schools where contact was minimal and formal with 6 teachers.