Perceptions of disposal options for unused opioid analgesics among people who have been prescribed an opioid analgesic in North Carolina.

Medication disposal programs have been promoted as one solution to the opioid crisis, but uptake by community members has been minimal. To clarify perceptions of medication disposal options among people who have been prescribed an opioid analgesic in North Carolina to inform interventions that can facilitate the disposal of unused opioids. In 2022, we conducted focus groups with participants who received an opioid medication in the past year to gain information to develop an intervention related to the disposal of unused opioid medication (12 focus group discussions (FGDs); total  = 37; 30 identified as female, 6 as male, and 1 as another gender).

Retailers' Compliance with Federal Age of Cigarette Sales Policies -- Pitt County, North Carolina, January-March 2022.

Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and premature mortality. In December 2019, the federal age of sale for tobacco products increased from 18 to 21 years of age. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of federal tobacco 21 policies in Pitt County, North Carolina (NC), by conducting multiple purchase attempts for cigarettes.

Development and Evaluation of Messages to Facilitate Secure Storage and Disposal of Prescribed Opioid Medication.

Background: Secure storage and disposal is a critical strategy to reduce prescription opioid misuse. We sought to develop effective messages to promote secure storage and disposal of unused opioid medications that can be used in interventions designed to reduce diversion of opioid medications for nonmedical use.

Methods: We used a mixed-method design to develop and evaluate messages.

"If You Just Tell Me You're 18, I'll Still Sell to You": A Qualitative Study of Underage Tobacco Product Purchasing Experiences in a Tobacco 21 Compliance Study.

Background: Tens of thousands of underage tobacco buy attempts are conducted each year for research, compliance, and public health surveillance. However, little research has qualitatively examined the perceptions and experiences of underage buyers participating in these programs. We sought to understand underage buyers' experiences and gather recommendations for protocol improvements.

Neighborhood distribution of availability of newer tobacco products: A US four-site study, 2021.

Audits of tobacco retailers can identify marketing patterns as newer tobacco products are introduced in the US. Our study examined store and neighborhood correlates of availability of nicotine pouches and disposable e-cigarettes in four US sites. We conducted standardized store audits of n = 242 tobacco retailers in 2021 in different states: New Jersey, Kentucky, North Carolina, and New York.

Practical Advice Regarding the Reliability of the Patient Educational Materials Assessment Tool for Health Educators.

The quality of patient education materials is an important issue for health educators, clinicians, and community health workers. We describe a challenge achieving reliable scores between coders when using the Patient Educational Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) to evaluate farmworker health materials in spring 2020. Four coders were unable to achieve reliability after three attempts at coding calibration.

Strengthening a Tobacco-Free College Campus Policy Through Signage: GIS Mapping for Advocacy to Improve Implementation.

Implementing tobacco-free policies on university campuses has become increasingly common. However, promoting policy compliance remains a challenge. It is important to develop strategies that can overcome barriers to successful policy implementation and promote compliance.