College students' perceptions and experiences with health insurance.

Objectives: Most research on perceptions of health insurance has examined gender- and race-based differences across sections of the adult population. This is the first study to examine differences based on demographic characteristics of undergraduate college students' coverage and perceptions of health insurance.

Methods: The participants were undergraduates at 12 of the 13 public universities in Ohio.

Women's knowledge of HPV and their perceptions of physician educational efforts regarding HPV and cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) was one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in women of child-bearing age in the US. It was estimated that nearly three out of every four American women between the ages of 15 and 49 would be infected with genital HPV over the course of their lifetime. Human papillomavirus was present in almost 100% of cervical cancers.

A qualitative study examining Latino functional health literacy levels and sources of health information.

The purpose of this study was to determine the health information sources used by Latinos in southwest Ohio, identify individual Latino residents' functional health literacy levels, and identify any access barriers to those sources of health information. Results show almost two-thirds had low acculturation levels to US culture. Overall, the major source of health information is a medical setting, followed by media technology (which included the Internet).

Development and pilot testing a social cognitive theory-based intervention to prevent childhood obesity among elementary students in rural Kentucky.

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test a social cognitive theory-based intervention for children to prevent childhood obesity. Focus groups were conducted with 5th grade students and their parents on the behaviors of physical activity, watching television, and eating habits, specifically fruit and vegetable intake and water consumption. Results from the focus groups were used to develop a 12-week program which was pilot tested in 5th grade physical education classes.

Predicting childhood obesity prevention behaviors using social cognitive theory: children in China.

Four commonly suggested public health strategies to combat childhood obesity are limiting television viewing, encouraging daily physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and increasing water consumption. This study examined the extent to which selected social cognitive theory constructs can predict these four behaviors in upper elementary Chinese children. A 55-item valid and reliable scale was administered to 282 fifth-graders.

Networking for career-long success: a powerful strategy for health education professionals.

Networking is a proven strategy to enhance professional recognition and skills while promoting career development. Through a variety of techniques and for a multitude of reasons, health educators can enrich their professional endeavors by interacting and engaging in formal and informal networking with others. Through networking, health education professionals can offer each other assistance and support while establishing long-lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

Parents' perceptions of curricular issues affecting children's weight in elementary schools.

The purpose of this study was to examine Ohio parents' perceptions of the role of elementary schools in preventing childhood overweight. In the United States, overweight is the most widespread health threat facing children and adolescents. Schools may be a useful point of intervention in addressing the escalating prevalence of childhood overweight because children spend over half their day at school.

Elementary school teachers' involvement in firearm safety education.

This national study assessed elementary school teachers' (n = 352) firearm safety education activities and perceptions using a 3-wave mailing survey. One percent of the teachers reported receiving undergraduate training regarding firearm safety. Yet, 12% claimed to be well prepared or very well prepared to teach firearm safety.

Association of selected risk factors with variation in child and adolescent firearm mortality by state.

This study examined relationships between variation in child and adolescent firearm mortality by state and the following variables: childhood poverty rate, percent single parent families, percent population that is African American, percent population that is Hispanic, percent students carrying a gun, percent students carrying a weapon, percent students feeling unsafe, percent students feeling sad/hopeless, percent students academically at-risk, percent students involved infighting, percent students engaging in binge drinking behavior, violent crime rate for youths, individual gun laws in each state, prevalence of firearm ownership, and percent residing in urban area. Stepwise regression was calculated and one independent variable, prevalence of firearm ownership in the state, emerged as a significant predictor of child and adolescent firearm mortality. This variable predicted 47% of the variance from state to state in the child and adolescent firearm mortality.

Tone of postcards in increasing survey response rates.

This study assessed differences in response rates to a series of three-wave mail surveys when amiable or insistently worded postcards were the third wave of the mailing. Three studies were conducted; one with a sample of 600 health commissioners, one with a sample of 680 vascular nurses, and one with 600 elementary school secretaries. The combined response rates for the first and second wave mailings were 65.

Elementary school secretaries' experiences and perceptions of administering prescription medication.

This study assessed elementary school secretaries' (n = 385) experiences and perceptions with student prescription medication. Sixty-nine percent (n = 246) reported dispensing student medication, and this group represents the focus of this study. One in four secretaries reported not receiving any training regarding administration of student medication.

Evaluation of a child abuse prevention curriculum for third-grade students: assessment of knowledge and efficacy expectations.

Researchers investigated the effects of a child abuse prevention program on third-grade students' knowledge of child abuse and efficacy expectations regarding abusive situations. Three hundred forty-one students completed the 26-item pretest and posttest questionnaires (n = 166 for the intervention group, n = 175 for the control group). Results indicated a statistically significant increase in child abuse knowledge from pretest to posttest with the intervention group, with no change in knowledge for the control group.