Efficacy of the health belief model for predicting intention to pursue genetic testing for colorectal cancer.

This study examined the Health Belief Model's efficacy to predict intention to undergo genetic testing for the Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) gene within a rural/frontier setting. Survey data were collected on 558 Southwest Montanan residents. Regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits, including affordability and satisfying curiosity, were the strongest indicators of intention to undergo genetic testing for CRC.

Determining client need in a multi-state fetal alcohol syndrome consortium: from training to practice.

Background: A multi-state consortium was developed in the US to conduct baseline data collection and intervention research on fetal alcohol syndrome. Each state employed support specialists whose job it was to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption in women who were at high risk for drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. The purpose of this paper is to report how support specialists in three primarily rural/frontier states were trained to assess client need and how client need was actually assessed in the field.

Moderate physical activity and its relationship to select measures of a healthy diet.

Context: In rural communities, physical activity may influence and predict nutritional behaviors.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an individual's stage of participation in moderate physical activity was related to select measures of a healthy diet.

Methods: Data were collected using a mail-in survey from a random sample conducted in the rural/frontier communities of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Formative evaluation of a multisite alcohol consumption intervention in pregnant women.

The purpose of this preliminary study was to conduct an analysis of the time spent in intervention activities designed to decrease alcohol consumption in high-risk pregnant women across three States. Based on the program's logic model an intervention dosage form was developed specifically for the process evaluation. The form enabled the researchers to generate six client measures of intervention dosage.

Determinants of alcohol use in pregnant women at risk for alcohol consumption.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify determinants of alcohol consumption based on a number of demographic and psychosocial variables in a group of pregnant women at risk for alcohol consumption. Data were collected on a sample of 232 pregnant females who agreed to participant in a multistate alcohol prevention intervention. The variables of interest included demographic measures of race, age, education, marital status, health status, employment status and if they had been involved in physical abuse during the past year.

Developing theoretical and environmental policy for underage drinking.

Objective: To estimate concern/support for policy for underage drinkers and formulate policy-specific communication strategies.

Methods: An environmentally based approach to policy formulation used concepts from the transtheoretical, decision-balance, and social-norms models. Interviews were conducted with community stakeholders, and surveys were collected on community residents as part of the evaluation effort.

Comparing changes in health risk factors and medical costs over time.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the association between health status/behaviors and changes in these measures over time with health costs.

Design: This study employed a 6-year (1993-1998) retrospective cohort design to examine the relationship between health indicator variables, health insurance costs, and utilization. The outcome variables of interest were measures of health insurance costs and utilization of health care services.