W. Michael Felts

Sunbathing: College Students Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Risks

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of college students regarding intentional sun exposure (sunbathing). Results are based on responses of 296 Caucasian students to the Sun and Skin Inventory. Frequent sunbathers were more likely than infrequent sunbathers to be women and to report fewer self-perceived risk factors, and were less likely to use sunscreen. They were also more likely to believe that they look better with a tan, that suntanned skin is more attractive, and that suntans look healthy. Forty-three percent of the female respondents and 61% of the men rarely, if ever, used sunscreens, and only 9% of all respondents reported they used sunscreens with every intentional sun exposure of 30 minutes or longer. These results suggest that concern with attractiveness appears to be a major motivation for frequent intentional sun exposure. Consequently, educational strategies that stress health outcomes only may be less effective than those that also stress photoaging, the detrimental cumulative effect to appearance of suntanning.

Childhood Sun Exposure: Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Abstract Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, accounting for about 700,000 new cases annually or approximately one-third of all new cancer cases. Sun exposure is a serious risk factor for skin cancer, particularly that which results in severe sunburn during childhood. Reducing sun exposure in early childhood, however, is dependent on sun protective behaviors undertaken by parents or caretakers on behalf of their young children. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents concerning the sun exposure of their young children and the relationship between these variables and the behaviors parents adopt on behalf of their children. A 48-item researcher-developed questionnaire containing demographic items and items assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating to sun exposure was completed by 470 parents of young children while waiting to be seen by a pediatrician in a large general pediatric practice in the southeast. Data a...

Influence of Aerobic Fitness on Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Light to Moderate Exercise

Based on scores from a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer, 24 college-age women were classified into three aerobic-fitness groups. Each subject then completed two randomly ordered cycle exercise bouts at 1-wk. intervals. The exercise bouts required the subjects to pedal for 24 min. attaining and then maintaining a target heart rare of either 30% or 60% of heart-rate reserve. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were reported at the end of each third minute of the exercise period. Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated the RPE was significantly related to the exercise workload and duration of exercise. No main effect was found for fitness. Two-way interactions were detected for fitness x duration of exercise and for workload x duration of exercise.

Relationship between Ratings of Perceived Exertion and Exercise-Induced Decrease in State Anxiety

24 females (aged 18 to 28 yr.) completed two 24-min., randomly ordered bicycle ergometer exercise bouts at workloads maintaining steady state at 30% and 60% heart-rate reserve. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at 3-min. intervals from Minutes 9 to 24 of exercise. State anxiety was measured prior to, immediately following and 50 min. after cessation of exercise. Regression analysis indicated no relationship between RPE and the pre- to postexercise changes in state anxiety.

Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and its Co-Occurrence with other Health-Risk Behaviors in High School Students: The 1993 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Abstract The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between early onset of sexual intercourse (SI) and selected at-risk and preventive behaviors as a function of race and gender in an in-school adolescent population. Data from the 1993 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a statewide sample of public high school students, were analyzed. Of the 2,439 Ss who completed questionnaires, 49.2 percent were male and 50.6 percent female. This study only examined data obtained from 1,595 white Ss and 693 black Ss, representing 65.4 percent and 28.4 percent of all respondents, respectively. Odds ratios were computed for those risk behaviors correlated with early onset of SI, comparing students who reported they never had SI with those who initiated SI: prior to age 13, between 13 and 14 years old, and at age 15 or older. For behaviors identified as consequences of early onset of SI, Ss who reported delaying initiation (age 15 or older) were compared with those who initiated: prior to a...

Effect of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on death anxiety in university students.

A sample of 440 undergraduate university students completed the Templer Death Anxiety Scale 2 wk. prior to and 2 wk. after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Women comprised 66% of the sample, and 79% of the sample identified themselves as 18 to 21 years of age and either freshmen or sophomores. There was no significant mean difference in the pre- and postterrorist attack Death Anxiety scores. Differences were found on two individual scale items.

Blood Donation and Transfusion: A Primer for Health Educators.

Abstract Advent of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s focused attention on the adequacy and safety of the nations blood supply. Today clinicians assert that the U.S. blood supply is safer than ever before. This paper serves as a primer to health educators on the topic of blood donation and transfusion. Presented are (1) a brief discussion of the nature of human blood, (2) background information on blood transfusion, (3) information about blood donation criteria and the impact of these criteria on the status of the blood supply, (4) a summary of risks related to homologous blood transfusion, (5) a discussion of directed blood donation, (6) a discussion of potential alternatives to homologous transfusion, and (7) a list of resources for education about blood donation and blood transfusion.

The Nature and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis: What Health Educators Should Know

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide health educators with an overview of the primary types of viral hepatitis, focusing on hepatitis B, and to discuss implications for education and primary prevention currently associated with this disease. During the past decade, viral hepatitis rates have remained unimproved or, in the case of hepatitis B, have increased despite the availability of an effective hepatitis B vaccine. Recognizing these trends, the Centers for Disease Control in the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for the Year 2000 has specifically targeted viral hepatitis for infectious disease prevention efforts. Critical to these efforts will be initiatives in two areas specific to hepatitis B: reduction of transmission via heterosexual contact and the widespread immunization of children and at-risk individuals. Health educators can impact significantly on the reduction of viral hepatitis rates if they are knowledgeable about the diseases associated with viral hep...

Chlamydia Knowledge among Asymptomatic Females Utilizing University Health Center Gynecological Services

Abstract A survey of 475 asymptomatic women utilizing university student health services revealed a low to moderate level of knowledge regarding genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections. The most common sources of Chlamydia knowledge were physicians and nurses, magazines, and teachers and schools. Seventy-nine respondents had no source of information. Sexually active subjects (n = 449) and those previously diagnosed with genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections (n = 53) had higher knowledge scores. Thirty-seven respondents tested positive for genital Chlamydial trachomatis infection. Knowledge score was unrelated to current infection status. Implications of these findings for education efforts related to prevention of sexually transmitted diseases are discussed.