Reducing Risky Sex among Rural African American Cocaine Users: A Controlled Trial.

Rural African American cocaine users experience high rates of STIs/HIV. This NIDA-funded trial tested an adapted evidence-based risk reduction program versus an active control condition. Participants were 251 African American cocaine users in rural Arkansas recruited from 2009-2011.

Sexual sensation seeking, transactional sex, and rural African American cocaine users.

The purpose of this study was to explore correlates of sexual sensation seeking (SSS) in a sample of rural African American cocaine users. Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit 251 participants from two impoverished rural counties in eastern Arkansas. Consistent with previous investigations, SSS scores were associated with being younger, being male, having more sexual partners, and having more unprotected sexual encounters in the previous 30 days.

Developing an interactive microsimulation method in pharmacology.

Pharmacology decision making requires clinical judgment. The authors created interactive microsimulation applying drug information to varying patients' situations. The theory-based microsimulation requires situational analysis for each scenario.

Stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy in condom use among rural African-American stimulant users.

This pilot study (a) examined the stages of change (SOC) for condom use with primary and casual partners among rural heterosexual African American stimulant users, (b) identified gender differences in variables associated with SOC, and (c) assessed the association of SOC with decisional balance and self-efficacy. A total of 72 participants completed the study. SOC with a primary partner were much lower than with a casual partner, indicating more consistent condom use with casual partners.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in men and women.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a serious healthcare problem costing approximately 13 billion dollars annually to treat. Men and women who contract STIs have a higher risk for reinfection and for developing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Determining the risk factors associated with STIs in a community would be helpful in designing culturally appropriate tailored interventions to reduce spread of STIs.

Sensation seeking, self-esteem, and unprotected sex in college students.

This descriptive correlational study examined the relationships of sexual sensation seeking, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in condom use, stages of change, and alcohol consumption to HIV risk-taking behaviors among college students. A total of 159 students completed an online survey in 2004. Instruments included the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale, College Alcohol Problems Scale, Condom Use Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Sexual sensation seeking, compulsivity, and HIV risk behaviors in college students.

The purpose of this descriptive and correlational study was to understand the role of sexual compulsivity, sensation seeking, and alcohol use as mediators of HIV risk behaviors among college students. College students (n = 256) completed an online survey in 2003. Instruments included the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and the College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS).

Break through language barriers.

Using specific phrases in Spanish to assess acute pain in non-English speaking Hispanic patients helps provide timely pain assessment and management.

Stages of change and condom use among an Internet sample of gay and bisexual men.

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study using the transtheoretical model was to determine the relationship between stages of change and condom use among gay and bisexual men with primary (steady) and casual (occasional) partners. A convenience sample of 241 gay and bisexual men was recruited from the Internet. The majority of men (n = 198, 82%) never used condoms during anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse with primary partners, indicating they were in the first of five stages of change (precontemplation).

Pros and cons of condom use among gay and bisexual men as explored via the Internet.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey utilizing Internet technology related to gay and bisexual men's condom use behavior as an expression of safer sexual practices. A total of 241 self-identified gay and bisexual men responded to the questionnaire in a 3-month period of time. Confidentiality was assured by utilizing an electronic system whereby the respondents e-mail address was eliminated.