A longitudinal study of adolescent transition from virgin to nonvirgin status.

Purpose: To identify demographic and psychosocial predictors for early sexual initiation (ESI) among middle school midwestern suburban and rural youth.

Methods: A total of 884 middle school students completed a pretest and a 1-year follow-up questionnaire. At Time 1, 52 students reported already having initiated sexual behavior; the remaining 832 students were included in our analyses.

A randomized, controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a transdermal delivery system of nicotine/mecamylamine in cigarette smokers.

Aims: To determine the efficacy and safety of nicotine transdermal therapy co-administered with the nicotine antagonist, mecamylamine, compared to a nicotine transdermal patch alone (21 mg nicotine + 6 mg mecamylamine, 21 mg nicotine + 3 mg mecamylamine, and 21 mg nicotine + 0 mg mecamylamine).

Design: Multi-center (n = 4), double-blind, randomized, parallel group, repeat-dose study.

Setting: Clinical laboratory.

Sensitivity and specificity of a reagent-impregnated test strip in identifying smokeless tobacco users.

This study was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a reagent-impregnated test strip in identifying habitual snuff users and tobacco chewers. Urine specimens were obtained from smokeless tobacco users and controls and blind tested on-site using a reagent-impregnated test strip. Samples also were sent to our university hospital lab for cotinine and nicotine analysis by gas chromatography (GC).

Publication ethics: an examination of authorship practices.

Objective: To review health behavior research policies and practices related to authorship credit and responsibilities and to develop an authorship policy for the American Journal of Health Behavior.

Methods: Research on authorship criteria and byline placement was reviewed and the American Journal of Health Behavior Ethics Working Group made recommendations to the editor regarding an authorship policy.

Results: A new authorship policy was adopted by the editor.

Developmental history of the Glover-Nilsson smoking behavioral questionnaire.

Objective: To develop a simple, easily administered pencil-and-paper questionnaire to determine the degree to which behavioral patterns play a role in smoking dependence.

Methods: A modified Delphi technique was used to identify initial questions and to eliminate obvious duplications. Phase 2 utilized multiple statistical methods (principal components analysis, cluster analysis, stepwise multiple linear regression, cross tables, Mantel-Haenzel c2-test, and a Gamma test) to evaluate and reduce the number of questions from 18.