Radon awareness and mitigation in Vermont: a public health survey.

Radon exposure is associated with an increased incidence of lung cancer, and elevated levels may be found in as many as 1 out of 15 homes. The U.S.

Biochemical verification of smoking status in pregnant and recently postpartum women.

The present study was conducted to examine several different methods and cutpoints for determining smoking status in pregnant and recently postpartum women. Self-reported smoking status, urine cotinine levels determined by gas chromatography (GC) and by enzyme immunoassay testing (EMIT), and breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels were assessed at 28 weeks antepartum and 12 and 24 weeks postpartum in 131 women enrolled in studies on smoking cessation and relapse prevention. Classifications based on urine-cotinine GC testing served as the standard in most analyses.

Characterizing nicotine withdrawal in pregnant cigarette smokers.

Maternal smoking is a leading preventable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes and infant morbidity and mortality. Whereas pregnancy has been thought of as a "window of opportunity" when women are more motivated to change health behaviors such as smoking, only 20% of pregnant women quit smoking upon learning they are pregnant and remain abstinent at the end of the pregnancy. Greater understanding of possible obstacles to smoking during pregnancy, such as nicotine withdrawal, is needed.

Stress and alcohol consumption in heavily drinking men: 2 years of daily data using interactive voice response.

Background: The relationship between stress and alcohol consumption has been shown in recent research to be more complex than originally thought. Cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal studies may not provide adequate data to address subtle but important relationships that impact consumption frequency and/or quantity.

Methods: Participants were 33 males recruited from local bars who reported their alcohol consumption, stress, and other related variables every day for 2 years.

Psychological symptoms following smoking cessation in pregnant smokers.

This study examined the relationship between smoking status and psychological symptoms in pregnant women across pregnancy. Participants were 45 women who quit smoking early in pregnancy (early quitters), 22 who quit later in pregnancy (later quitters), and 84 who smoked throughout pregnancy (never quitters). Assessments of smoking status and psychological symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory) occurred near first prenatal visit, second visit, and end of pregnancy.

A meta-analysis of voucher-based reinforcement therapy for substance use disorders.

Aims: To systematically investigate the effectiveness of voucher-based reinforcement therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Methods: Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for studies published between January 1991 and March 2004 that utilized voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) or related monetary-based incentives to treat substance use disorders (SUDs).

Findings: Thirty studies involved interventions targeting abstinence from drug use using experimental designs where effects on treatment outcome could be attributed to the VBRT intervention.

Maternal smoking and its association with birth weight.

Objective: Maternal smoking has been associated with a reduction in newborn birth weight. We sought to estimate how the pattern of maternal smoking throughout pregnancy influences newborn size.

Methods: One hundred sixty pregnant smoking women were enrolled in a prospective study.

Characterizing and improving HIV/AIDS knowledge among cocaine-dependent outpatients.

The present study was an experimental test of efficacy of a brief education intervention for increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge among cocaine-dependent outpatients. Participants were randomly assigned to an HIV/AIDS education intervention (experimental condition) or a sham intervention (control condition). Control participants were subsequently crossed over to the HIV/AIDS education intervention.

The influence of pregnancy on arterial compliance.

Objective: To examine the effect of pregnancy and the interval between pregnancies on arterial compliance as measured by mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure.

Methods: We conducted a 3-month chart review of deliveries at a tertiary care hospital (index pregnancies). Data collected included demographics, obstetric history, blood pressures, prepregnancy weight, weight gain, and neonatal outcome.

Examining interrelationships between abstinence and coping self-efficacy in cocaine-dependent outpatients.

Initial abstinence and self-efficacy predict treatment outcome in cocaine-dependent outpatients. Associations between abstinence and coping self-efficacy were examined among cocaine-dependent outpatients (N=126). Abstinence was verified by urinalysis.

Middle school students' perceptions of an ideal career and a career in nursing.

Many strategies are currently needed to address a profound nursing shortage that is threatening health care quality. One strategy is to increase the interest of youth in the profession of nursing. Middle school students' perception of nursing offers important clues toward successful recruitment of the next generation of nurses.

Decline in alcohol consumption during two years of daily reporting.

Objective: We conducted a formal analysis of the potential effects on alcohol consumption of daily reports to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system over a 2-year period.

Method: Thirty-three white men who had been recruited from bars were invited to call a toll-free number daily to answer a 2-minute questionnaire regarding alcohol consumption the previous day, reasons for drinking or not drinking, mood and stress levels, and a few other relevant items. A recorded voice asked the questions and callers responded using the telephone keypad.