bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Profile of Rural Texas Adolescents Who Carry Handguns to School
Authors: Kingery Paul M. , Pruitt B.E. , Heuberger Greg
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Students in randomly selected eighth and 10th grade English classrooms (n = 1,072) in central Texas schools were surveyed in fall 1994 regarding carrying weapons to school and associated risk factors. Students who carried a handgun to school one or more times during the preceding 12 months were compared to those who had not done so, using discriminant analysis and chisquare. Gun carrying at school increased 138% from seven years earlier in the same area using the same survey procedures. Most students reported they carried a gun out of fear or anger. Those who carried a gun at school had extremely elevated rates of repeated victimization of several types during the previous year: 589% higher for attack at school. 552% higher for attack outside school supervision. 576% higher for attempts to force sex at school, and 216% higher for rape. They also were more likely to enter dangerous situations repeatedly, were 17 times more likely to have used crack cocaine, had less instruction on preventing violence, less knowledge about means of avoiding fighting, and felt an obligation to fight under a wider variety of situations. Study variables accurately classified 78.4% of gun carriers as such. Researchers concluded that efforts at prevention of handgun violence in schools should include interventions to increase the safety of a select group of vulnerable students, while providing psychological counseling to assist them in overcoming emotional effects of victimization as part of larger violence prevention efforts. (J Sch Health. 1996;66(1):18–22)
Response of African‐American Adolescents in North Carolina to Gun Carrying by School Mates
Authors: Martin Sandra L. , Sadowski Laura S. , Cotten Niki U. , McCarraher Donna R.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:This study examined adolescents' perceptions concerning the presence of guns in their school and the adolescents' emotional and behavioral responses associated with these perceptions. Survey data from 376 African‐American sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students of a low‐income area of a North Carolina city were studied. Twenty‐eight percent of adolescents reported that other students brought guns to school. 36% felt afraid that someone would hurt or attack them while at school, 15% avoided school (or places in school) because of fear that a student would hurt or attack them, and 20% carried weapons to school for self‐protection. Logistic regression analyses found that, compared to their peers, adolescents who perceived that their school mates brought guns to school were almost twice as likely to experience fear while at school, were more than three times more likely to exhibit school avoidance behavior, and were more than twice as likely to bring a weapon to school themselves for self‐protection. Educators and school health professionals are urged to work together to address these problems concerning school safety. (J Sch Health, 1996;66(1):23–26)
A School‐Based Clinic for Elementary Schools in Phoenix, Arizona
Authors: Wenzel Mark
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: A community hospital, a school district, and a private pediatrician's office collaborated to ensure all children enrolled in five elementary schools had access to health care services. The school nurse at each school identified children needing health care services and obtained parental consent. The school nurse referred children to a nurse practitioner who visited one school each day. School nurses and space in the nurse's office were provided by the school district. The hospital provided a nurse practitioner as well as pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, and emergency department services. The pediatrician as medical director for the program provided vision, training, and community connections, and served as collaborating physician for the nurse practitioner.
Parents' Self‐Reported Behaviors Related to Health and Safety of Very Young Children
Authors: Hendricks Charlotte M. , Reichert Ann
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This survey documented self‐reported health and safety behaviors of parents of children enrolled in Head Start programs. The sample consisted of eight preschool programs (n= 1,143) from different geographical areas of the country. This survey obtained baseline data on parent self‐reported behavior as it relates to priority issues in child health and safety. A 25‐item questionnaire assessed parents' behavior related to injury prevention, fire and electrical safety, firearm storage, poison prevention, automobile safety, and child supervision. More than 90% of parents reported they use car seats, teach handwashing and pedestrian safety, and keep medicine and alcohol out of children's reach. Fewer than 60%, however, reported they keep guns and bullets stored separately and locked, possess a working fire extinguisher, or have the poison control telephone number available. Findings provide direction for emphasis for those developing or implementing a comprehensive family health education program.
Factors in Adolescent Drinking/Driving: Binge Drinking, Cigarette Smoking, and Gender
Authors: Copeland Laurel A. , Shope Jean T. , Waller Patricia F.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: During three consecutive years, 3,137 high school seniors from three graduating classes in one Michigan county were surveyed. The primarily White sample reported their use of alcohol and cigarettes, driving experience, and drinking/driving experience. Survey data were linked with state driver history records. Fully one‐third of the high school seniors reported driving after drinking in the past six months. To identify factors associated with self‐reported drinking/driving, correlation and regression analyses were conducted. Frequent binge drinking and riding with a drinking driver were consistent factors in driving after drinking frequency. Being male, smoking cigarettes, having frequent use of a motor vehicle, having a driving offense on record, and number of years licensed were important correlates, varying by year of graduation. Comprehensive interventions to moderate drinking, smoking, and driving after drinking are needed.
Effects of an Inservice Workshop on the Health Teaching Self‐Efficacy of Elementary School Teachers
Authors: Telljohann Susan K. , Everett Sherry A. , Durgin Joan , Price James H.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study examined the effectiveness of a 30‐hour health education inservice training for elementary school teachers. Effectiveness was assessed by measuring pretest to post‐test (eight months apart) differences in health teaching self‐efficacy, amount of time per week teaching health education, and amount of effort on specific health content areas. Workshop participants scored significantly higher than control teachers on efficacy expectations, outcome expectations, and outcome value subscales. Workshop participants also reported spending significantly more hours per week teaching health education and expending significantly more effort on a variety of specific health content areas than controls.
A Culturally Appropriate Cancer Education Program for African‐American Adolescents in an Urban Middle School
Authors: Barg Frances K. , Lowe Jane Isaacs
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This article describes an innovative transfer of cancer prevention information from a Comprehensive Cancer Center to the community and school setting. A cancer control curriculum, developmentally and culturally appropriate for middle school, African‐American children, was taught to seventh grade students in a public middle school in a large, northeastern city. By building partnerships among a university, an academic medical center, a public school district, and a non‐profit arts organization, students learned cancer control concepts in the context of their daily lives. Students increased their knowledge of cancer risk and demonstrated a positive attitude about their ability to affect their own health. Experience with this project enabled staff to identify additional education and support needs that exist among students who have family members with cancer.
Conducting a Comprehensive School Health Program
Authors: Resnicow Ken , Allensworth Diane
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Since the late 1980s, the eight‐component model of the comprehensive school health program (CSHP), has been adopted widely in the United States and internationally. While it is acknowledged that the eight program elements should be delivered in a coordinated, interactive manner, numerous issues regarding how this intergration best can be achieved, including who at the school level should have this responsibility and how the eight components relate conceptually and logistically, have not been addressed adequately. In essence, a CSHP transforms several solo performers into an orchestra. This article proposes the school health coordinator as an essential element in the eight‐component model of the CSHP ‐ the maestro, without whom there can be no symphony. The coordinator's principal responsibilities include administration, integration of personnel and programs, evaluation, and direct intervention. Three program elements ‐ staff wellness, healthy environment, and community/family involvement ‐ are subsumed within the coordinator's role, effectively reducing the number of program elements from eight to five. Potential benefits in addition to issues regarding feasibility of the SHC, are discussed and studies examining the effectiveness of the SHC model are recommended. (J Sch Health. 1996;66(2):59–63)
The Dartmouth Health Promotion Study: A Failed Quest for Synergy in School Health Promotion
Authors: McIntyre Lynn , Beizer Edwin G. , Manchester Lise , Blanchard Wade , Officer Suzanne , Simpson A. Catherine
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: The Dartmouth Health Promotion Study was a longitudinal, quasi‐experimental field study with a qualitative research arm, designed to learn whether coordinating school health instruction, health services, and a healthful environment enhanced the program's effect on the heart health and mental health of children. The research strategy — the Coordinated Approach — was applied to approximately 300 children in each of two cohorts in grades four to six attending nine trial schools; a further 600 children attended 10 comparison schools in Dartmouth and nine distal comparison schools. Although the qualitative analysis demonstrated that positive feelings were engendered in most areas of the study, when either the classroom or the individual was used as the unit of analysis, the Coordinated Approach did not have a more favorable effect on the heart or mental health of children than did the standard school health program. Thus, the effect of an existing school health program was not directly enhanced through coordinating its components.
Creating a Virtual Materials and Resources Index for Health Education Using the World Wide Web
Authors: Weiler Robert M.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: The Internet represents the principal system for distributing information worldwide, offering health educators a powerful communications medium. This article describes an assignment that teaches students how to use the World Wide Web (WWW). The first part provides an overview of the Internet, its principal services, browser software, and Netscape Navigator. The second part describes the assignment, complete with instructional objectives, computer facilities used to implement the strategy, and a summary of classroom and laboratory activities. The third part describes procedures for teaching students how to use the WWW. Students learn how to explore the WWW and to develop a customized virtual directory of health materials and resources using Netscape Navigator Bookmark tools. Recommendations on how the approach can be modified are offered.
Nine Critical Elements of Promising Violence Prevention Programs
Authors: Dusenbury Linda , Falco Mathea , Lakem Antonia , Brannigan Rosalind , Bosworth Kris
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: To identify approaches to school‐based violence prevention that are most promising and those that may not be effective a review of the literature was conducted. In addition, telephone interviews were conducted with 15 experts on topics related to school‐based violence prevention. Nine critical ingredients of promising approaches to violence prevention were identified. Specifically, the approaches are comprehensive and multifaceted; begin in the primary grades and are reinforced across grade level; are developmentally tailored; and cover appropriate content area. Appropriate content areas include information; anger management; social perspective taking; decision making and social problem solving: peer negotiation and conflict management; social resistance skills; active listening and effective communication: and material on prejudice, sexism, racism and male‐female relationship. In addition, promising programs use interactive teaching techniques, are culturally sensitive, and provide teacher training. They promote a positive school climate and foster norms against violence. Six violence prevention activities that appear not to be effective are also discussed. The authors conclude with a discussion of the need for more rigorous evaluation of violence prevention programs.
The Free‐Running Asthma Screening Test: An Approach to Screening for Exercise‐Induced Asthma in Rural Alabama
Authors: Heaman Doris J. , Estes Jenny
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study documented the prevalence of exercise‐induced asthma (bronchospasm) in rural elementary schools and described the use of a free‐running asthma screening test (exercise‐challenge) and peak expiratory flow rate measurement for screening in a school setting. Of 437 children screened, 25 (5.72%) had a ≥ 15% decrease in post‐exercise peak expiratory flow rate which is indicative of exercise‐induced asthma. Absenteeism and poverty were associated with findings of exercise‐induced asthma. Early detection of exercise‐induced asthma in school‐age children through screening would facilitate early treatment, enhance exercise‐related activities, and decrease school absences.
Sexual Assault in Dating Relationships
Authors: Rhynard Jill , Krebs Marlene , Glover Julie
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This article focuses on acquaintance rape, which under Canadian law constitutes a form of sexual assault. Frequency of acquaintance rape often is underestimated due to under‐reporting, resulting in a local perception that acquaintance rape rarely occurs in a small Canadian community. A survey was conducted to determine whether acquaintance rape does occur in this community. One hundred sixty‐four male and female students from grades 8–12 completed a questionnaire. Twenty‐six percent of respondents reported being forced into some type of sexual activity. Based on the survey, this article explores the type of force used, the relationship between acquaintance rape and use of alcohol and drugs, and the relationship between acquaintance rape and the ability to indicate to a partner to stop a behavior. Results confirmed a need to develop programs to prevent rather than merely respond to issues of sexual assault on a date.
Coping With A New Society: The Unique Psychosocial Problems of Immigrant Youth
Authors: James Delores C.S.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: When immigrant children and adolescents leave their country of origin to live in the United States, they leave behind a familiar language, culture, community, and social system. They also experience a variety of emotional and cognitive adjustments to the realities of life in the United States. Many of these conflicts and adjustments place immigrant children at increased risk for psychosocial problems, school failure, drug use, and other risk‐taking behavior. Early identification of immigrant children at risk for these problems can help school personnel and health care providers plan culturally appropriate and effective interventions. This article discusses the potential psychosocial problems encountered by immigrant children in adjusting to a new home, school, and society, and offers suggestions for action.
Teachers' Beliefs Concerning Teaching about Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self‐Examination
Authors: Wohl Royal E. , Kane William M.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study compared high school health teachers' beliefs concerning teaching about testicular cancer (TC) and testicular self‐examination (TSE) to actual instruction. The Teachers' Testicular Cancer Beliefs Survey was developed, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework. Multiple regression analysis of HBM subscales determined perceived seriousness of TC was the most significant predictor (p < .05) of TC instruction. Perceived barriers to teaching about TSE was the most significant predictor (p < .05) of TSE instruction. Male health educators were more likely (p < .001) than females to teach about TC and TSE. Teachers having previous preparation in TC and TSE provided more instruction (p < .001) than those without. Less than half of respondents provided TC instruction, while TSE instruction was provided by less than one‐third. Comprehensive cancer prevention and early detection education, including strategies for teaching about TC and TSE, should be part of each health teacher's training.
Rural School‐Based Clinics: Are Adolescents Willing to Use Them and What Services Do They Want?
Authors: Rickert Vaughn I. , Davis Susan O. , Riley Anne W. , Ryan Sheryl
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Using a theoretical model of access, factors associated with rural adolescents' willingness to use primary care services through a school‐based health center (SBHC) were examined. Standardized measures of health status and use were administered to 633 adolescents in grades 7–12 who resided in one rural western Maryland county. Although only 6.5% (n = 41) of the sample indicated a willingness to change their regular source of care to an SBHC, greater numbers of adolescents reported a willingness to use SBHC services, with 18%, 38%, 25%, and 16%, indicating interest in routine, acute medical, miscellaneous, and reproductive health care services, respectively. Logistic regression analysis found those adolescents who reported eligibility for free‐reduced lunch and no regular source of care for illness were 3.3 and 5.4 times more likely, respectively, to use an SBHC as a primary care site than those unwilling to change their source of care. Data suggest that initially many rural adolescents appear unwilling to change their primary care site to an SBHC, but do express a willingness to use offered services.
A Multi‐Disciplinary Curriculum for 11‐ to 13‐Year‐Olds: Immunization, Plus!
Authors: Glik Deborah C. , Stone Kathleen M. , Berkanovic Emil , Richardes Darcy A. , McNeil John D. , Mirocha Jim M. , Jones Marcy Connell
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: A sixth grade curriculum entitled “Immunization, Plus!” was developed to promote adolescent immunization. This targeted immunization curriculum utilized contemporary learning theory and innovative teaching approaches and styles to maximize acceptability among educators. Because instructional time in school was limited, a thematic curriculum was created to embed immunization and communicable disease content within mathematics, science/health, and language arts units. The curriculum, which reflected the theory of multiple intelligences among students, offered an array of different learning formats, including linguistic, logical‐mathematical, spatial, and bodily‐kinesthetic. The curriculum was made available free of charge to school districts in California, and its evaluation was planned to track distribution, utilization, and changes in students' knowledge, attitude, and behavior.
Consent for Adolescent Vaccination: Issues and Current Practices
Authors: Gordon Todd E. , Zook Eric G. , Averhoff Francisco M. , Williams Walter W.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: To identify and describe implementation of state‐level informed consent requirements for adolescent immunizations, current state regulations on informed consent and immunization services for children and adolescents were identified through the LEXIS‐NEXIS® legal data base. Regulations were coded for informed consent characteristics, consent exemptions, and current immunization requirements. State immunization program directors, project managers, and state hepatitis coordinators were surveyed to catalogue how regulations were implemented and document new policies or regulations under consideration.

Parental consent for immunizations is standard practice in 43 states. Most states (n=34) require separate consent for each injection when more than one injection is required to complete a vaccination, but only for a limited number of medical procedures. Nine states allow adolescents to self‐consent for hepatitis B vaccination in sexually transmitted disease clinics and family planning clinics as part of the exemption for minors' receipt of sexual health services.

Most states require consent for vaccination services provided to adolescents. Parental consent requirements are a potential barrier to vaccinating adolescents in some settings.
Incentives and Motivators in School‐Based Hepatitis B Vaccination Programs
Authors: Unti Lisa M. , Coyle Karin K. , Woodruff Bradley A. , Boyer‐Chuanroong Lynda
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: During a school‐based vaccination program, incentives and education were offered to help motivate students to participate. Each student at all schools in the program received scholastic credit for returning a signed form, material rewards for receiving each vaccine dose, and free attendance at a social event after completing the vaccine series. In two of four schools, classes received a reward if every student in the classroom returned a signed form within five days; in these schools, 91% and 98% of students returned signed forms within five days, compared to 82% and 85%, respectively, in the two schools without this peer incentive. Approximately half the students receiving the peer incentive reported that it played a motivating role, whereas 60% cited wanting to be protected. Few students named individual rewards as motivators. Although peer incentives appeared effective in encouraging some students to return parent consent or refusal forms, the desire to be protected may have been a stronger motivator.
A State‐Based Immunization Campaign: The New Mexico Experience
Authors: Harris Pamela A. , Kerr Jill , Steffen David
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B prophylaxis in the form of immunization has become an increasingly effective protective measure across the United States. Various cohorts have been targeted and methodologies used by public health officials to attain optimal coverage of the population. New Mexico is in its third year of school‐based hepatitis B immunization programs. New Mexico's approach to this issue is characterized by significant rates of participation (66% in middle schools and 56% in high schools), high vaccination series completion (88% in middle schools and 89% in high schools), and minimal financial investment (cost of vaccine). The “Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign was piloted, modified, and adapted to New Mexico's multi‐lingual and multi‐cultural environment, resulting in these successes.
From University to Community: The Baton Rouge Experience
Authors: Cassidy William M. , Moran‐Bell Dale , Williams Karen
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This paper describes a successful hepatitis B vaccination program which expanded from one school vaccinating 475 students to 68 schools vaccinating 3,400 students. Issues associated with success include acquiring resources, organizing program logistics, developing an advisory board, determining eligibility for free vaccine, obtaining vaccine for those not eligible for publicly supplied vaccine, methods of consenting, and managing data. The process of obtaining support can increase public awareness and assist further program expansion. The program demonstrates that the time and energy expended in start‐up activities for the first two or three years will evolve into a program with a life of its own, requiring only a moderate amount of attention while generating strong positive community support.
Parent Involvement in Health Concerns for Youth: The Issue of Adolescent Immunization
Authors: Soldano Claudia , Markell Ginny
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Parents play a primary role in the health and health education of their children. In particular, parent involvement in planning and promoting adolescent immunization campaigns is critical to successful efforts. Parents serve as their children's primary educators on health issues, but where can they get accurate health information? To help guide local PTA units in their programmatic efforts, the National PTA maintains positions and policy statements on multiple health issues: alcohol and other drug abuse; emergency preparedness; environmental issues; family life education; firearm safety; HIV prevention; health screenings; immunization (measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B); lead poisoning; nutrition; protective helmet use; sexual assault prevention; TB testing; tobacco use and access; violence prevention; and youth suicide prevention. Likewise, the school‐home partnership is key to promoting the health of adolescents. Comprehensive school health programs and integrated services are necessary to support parent and community efforts to promote adolescent health issues, including immunization programs. Techniques for effective parent involvement, based on the National Standards for Family/Parent Involvement issued by the National PTA January 1997, are discussed.
From Formal to Friendly: Creating Materials that Work with Adolescents
Authors: Vaillancourt Margaret V. , Wexler Deborah L.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: The Immunization Action Coalition, publisher of over 100 health educational pieces on immunization, offers a way to take a formal recommendation to vaccinate all 11‐ and 12‐year‐olds against hepatitis B by creating a friendly educational piece that can make adolescents and their parents sit up, take notice, roll up their sleeves, and run to doctors to demand their hepatitis B shots. The brochure created follows dictates of passion, words, graphics, feedback, and no copyright. The coalition's semi‐annual newslet ter, Needle Tips & the Hepatitis B Coalition News, encourages adaptation or use of the brochure, which is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Immunization of Adolescents: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Amerii Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Medical Association
Authors: Averhoff Francisco M. , Williams Walter W. , Hadler Stephen C.
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY: This report concerning the immunization of adolescents (ie, persons 11–21 years of age, as defined by the American Medical Association [AMA] and the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP]) is a supplement to previous publications (ie, MMWR 1994;43[No. RR‐1] 1–38; the AAP 1994 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases; Summary of Policy Recommendations for Periodic Health Examination, August 1996 from the American Academy of Family Physicians [AAFP]; and AMA Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services [GAPS]: Recommendations and Rationale). This report presents a new strategy to improve the delivery of vaccination services to adolescents and to integrate recommendations for vaccination with other preventive services provided to adolescents. This new strategy emphasizes vaccination of adolescents 11–12 years of age by establishing a routine visit to their health‐care providers. Specifically, the purposes of this visit are to a) vaccinate adolescents who have not been previously vaccinated with varicella virus vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, or the second dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine; b) provide a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids; c) administer other vaccines that may be recommended for certain adolescents; and d) provide other recommended preventive services. The recommendations for vaccination of adolescents are based on new or current information for each vaccine. The most recent recommendations from AC1P, AAP, AAFP, and AMA concerning specific vaccines and delivery of preventive services should be consulted for details.
Adolescent Immunization: Focus on Implementation
Authors: Averhoff Francisco M. , Brink Edward , Pollard Bette , Resha Karen , Bryan Gloria , Vaillancourt Margaret V.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: On March 11–12, 1996, a workshop on how to implement new adolescent immunization (AI) recommendations was held in Atlanta, Ga. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was a collaborative effort of the National Immunization Program, the Division of Adolescent and School Health/National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the Hepatitis Branch/National Center for Infectious Diseases. The workshop brought together organizations and individuals interested in adolescent health and immunizations so they could address how new Al recommendations can be implemented most effectively. This article offers an overview of their discussions and suggestions, including issues of cooperation, education, legislation, and Al program development among health provider organizations, health departments, schools, community groups and various other agencies relating to adolescent health services.
Osteoporosis Risk Factors in Eighth Grade Students
Authors: Lysen Victoria C. , Walker Robert
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study described the incidence of osteoporosis risk factors and compared gender differences in Midwestern eighth grade students. Non‐modifiable risk factors were gender, ethnic heritage, and family history. Modifiable risk factors were calcium intake, physical activity, sodium intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and alcohol intake. One hundred thirty‐eight student/ parent pairs were sampled. Descriptive statistics and Chi‐square analyses were conducted. The mean student risk factor total was 4.1 for non‐modifiable and modifiable (1.9 and 2.3, respectively). Significantly more males had adequate calcium intakes, excessive sodium intakes, and low BMI values. Adolescents with several non‐modifiable risk factors in combination with a number of modifiable risk factors may have increased risk for developing osteoporosis by compromising their peak bone mass. Further research should use DEXA analysis for bone density levels to determine if risk factor totals coincided with bone density levels.
Viewpoints of Minnesota Students on School‐Based Sexuality Education
Authors: Eisenberg Maria E. , Wagenaar Alexander , Neumark‐Sztainer Dianne
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study gathered information on the perceptions of high school students with regard to human sexuality education. Six focus groups were conducted with 9th‐12th grade students at public high schools in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, area. Students described the content of effective sexuality education as covering a variety of human sexuality topics as well as emotional/social aspects of sexuality and relationships. They advocated starling such education in early elementary school and cover ing all topics by eighth grade. Students strongly favored a presentation style that was open, honest, comfortable, and nonjudgmental, and they believed teachers should be specially trained in this area. Relating material to students' lives and using a discussion format were also considered essential to effective sexuality education. The students' viewpoints have significant implications for teachers, school administrators, and policy makers.
Availability of School Health Services for Young Children
Authors: Heneghan Amy M. , Malakoff Marguerite E.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: A survey to assess availability of school health services was distributed to 221 directors of Schools of the 21st Century, an educational model that provides integrated services to children and families. Of this distribution, 126 (57%) surveys were returned; 88% of respondents reported they provided some type of school health services for their students; 75% of schools had access to school nursing services, yet only 33% had a school nurse on‐site; 50% had less than daily access to a school nurse. Despite a high reported prevalence of physical and mental health problems, other services such as acute care, nutrition counseling, dental screenings, or mental health services were provided less frequently. Barriers perceived as problematic for schools providing health services included inadequate funding, limited parental awareness, and opposition by school or community members. Respondents believed transportation, limited financial resources, and inadequate health insurance were barriers to care for children and families. Among this sample of schools, school health services varied in availability and comprehensiveness. Educators, health providers, and parents must work together to provide improved school health services for children. (J Sch Health. 1997;67(8):327–332)
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: Policy and Program Applications
Authors: Everett Sherry A. , Kann Laura , McReynolds Larkin
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: To monitor behaviors which place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). The YRBSS measures six categories of behaviors: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; dietary behaviors; and physical activity. This article summarizes how some education agencies, in collaboration with health agencies, community agencies, school boards, parents, and youth are using YRBSS data to describe risk behaviors, create awareness, set program goals, develop programs, support health‐related legislation, and seek funding. (J Sch Health. 1997;67(8):333–335)
Rural School Nurses'Attitudes about AIDS and Homosexuality
Authors: Yoder Ruth E. , Preston Deborah Bray , Forti Esther M.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:The AIDS epidemic has spread to rural areas of the United States. Conservative rural communities are facing the challenge of having children with HIV entering school. School nurses, as the only health care providers in the schools, are in a strong position to facilitate the education of children with HIV and to provide AIDS education to students, faculty, and parents. School nurses' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS and people with AIDS influence their effectiveness in prevention activities and care of HIV‐infected children. This study examined the relationship between specific demographic, practice, and cultural variables and rural school nurses' attitudes about AIDS and homosexuality. Sixty‐nine school nurses responded to a mailed questionnaire as part of a larger study of rural nurses. Results indicate attitudes about homosexuality were related to nurses' homosexual knowledge and religious beliefs while attitudes about AIDS were related to nurses' willingness to care for people with AIDS and feeling prepared to do so.(J Sch Health. 1997;67(8):341–347)
The School Nurse As Health Educator
Authors: Bradley Beverly J.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Contrary to common opinion, the number of nurses who provide services in the nation's preschool, elementary, and secondary schools is not declining and currently is about 30,000. These members of school health teams can play a variety of roles that have a positive impact on patterns of health behaviors established during school years. Contributions that school nurses can make to school health instruction could include teaching individual clients, providing classroom instruction, being a member of curriculum planning committees, sharing resources with classroom teachers, and modeling health‐promoting behavior. Although all school nurses should assume roles in health education, this article provides a framework to help nurses make decisions about which roles are appropriate in their practice setting, which tasks are within their area of expertise, and how health education fits into expectations of their employers. Specific roles in staff health promotion that use the unique experience, knowledge base, and skills of nurses are suggested, as well as ways that nurses can be advocates for comprehensive school health education. The article also poses four questions to assist nurses in evaluating their situation and their ability to be effective providers and advocates of health education in school.
Using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to Compare Risk Behaviors of Texas High School and College Students
Authors: Wiley David C. , James Gay , Furney Steven , Jordan‐Belver Carole
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study used the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to assess selected health behaviors of Texas high school and college students. The YRBS was administered during 1993 in paper and pencil form to 6,015 high school students representing 329 classrooms from 78 school districts. A total of 1,408 college students representing 23 college and universities were surveyed by telephone in 1993 using a modified version of YRBS. Texas college students reported a higher percentage who had experienced sexual intercourse (82% versus 55.4%), but Texas high school students reported a younger age of first sexual intercourse. High school students also initiated alcohol consumption at a younger age, although college students were more likely to binge drink (33.5% versus 31%). Regular cigarette use also was higher among college students (25.4% versus 19.3%), but was initiated at a younger age by high school students. Study results indicate that health education programs must begin much earlier than during the high school years. Due to early initiation of negative health behaviors, emphasis must be placed on abstinence and risk‐reduction techniques for both populations.
Factors Associated with Fourth Grade Health Education Scores on the Maine Educational Assessment
Authors: Stroble Lucy P.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Data collected in 1994 on the health section of the fourth grade Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) were analyzed in this study. Correlational studies and analyses of variance tested significance of community, school, and teacher variables. A multiple regression analysis with a path model determined significant factors associated with achievement in health. The most salient finding was that students' overall ability — represented by achievement in the other MEA content areas — related strongly to achievement in health. Community socioeconomic status emerged as another significant influence on health scores. Type of health education program did not make a difference in scores, but any method of delivering health education, in contrast to no health education, affected health scores significantly. Up to 30 minutes of instruction per week yielded the highest mean scores. The teachers' rating of the health program emerged as a pivotal variable. (J Sch Health.
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Gay and Lesbian Parenting
Authors: Maney Dolores W. , Cain Richard E.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:This preliminary investigation assessed preservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward homosexual parents and their children. The study population included 195 college students enrolled in an elementary school health methods course at a large north‐eastern university. A 51‐item “Gay and Lesbian Parenting Questionnaire” was used for data collection purposes. Reliability estimates for the scales were: attitudes toward lesbians and gay men (alpha = .90), comfort toward gay and lesbian families (alpha = .92), and knowledge about homosexuality (alpha = .52), Most respondents agreed gay men: were not disgusting, should be allowed to teach, were not perverted, and should not overcome their feelings of homosexuality. Most respondents disagreed lesbians cannot fit into society or were sick. Nearly all agreed female homosexuality should not be a basis for job discrimination. Females were significantly (p < .001) more comfortable with gay or lesbian parents and their children than were males. Females had significantly (p < .01) more favorable attitudes toward gay fathers than did male respondents. Respondents with stronger religious attitudes had significantly (p < .01) more negative attitudes toward lesbian parents than respondents with weaker religious attitudes.
Considering a Decision‐Making Approach to Youth Violence Prevention Programs
Authors: Haynie Denise L. , Alexander Cheryl , Walters Susan Russell
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:The unfortunate exception to a general downturn in violent crime involves an upsurge in violence among youth. Violence often results when minor confrontations escalate. As school violence increasingly has become widespread, schools have become the location of many violence prevention efforts, few of which have been evaluated adequately. This paper focuses on enhancing decision‐making skills as one approach to increase adolescents' ability to manage interpersonal violence. Adolescents can be considered fairly skilled decision‐makers and their unique perspective must be considered in development of effective intervention programs. Data from a pilot study were examined for insights about adolescents' ability to make decisions in situations of interpersonal conflict.
Nurses' Logs as an Evaluation Tool for School‐Based Violence Prevention Programs
Authors: Brener Nancy D. , Krug Etienne G. , Dahlberg Linda L. , Powell Kenneth E.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Programs for preventing violence among youth should be evaluated to determine if they are effective. Nurses' logs appear to be a useful tool for evaluating school‐based violence prevention programs. The logs provide a record of students' visits to the school nurse that can be used to determine if a violence prevention program is associated with a reduction in fighting—and other injury‐related nurse visits. This method has many strengths: it is simple and inexpensive, it does not interrupt the school routine, it permits school‐level rather than student‐level data collection, it provides a ready “baseline,” and it allows continuous data collection. However, potential limitations do exist. For example, the method may provide insufficient information and may be affected by factors unrelated to the intervention. School officials can increase the usefulness of the logs by encouraging standardization and providing training in their use.
Perceived Risk of Fighting and Actual Fighting Behavior Among Middle School Students
Authors: George Diane Marie M. St. , Thomas Stephen B.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the association between perceived risk of fighting and actual fighting behavior among middle school students and determined if that relationship was modified by race, gender, or grade level. Survey data were obtained from a stratified random sample of 517 Black and White students in a county school district in Maryland. Most students (72%) perceived fighting to be high‐risk, but 20% reported fighting on a regular basis. The effect of risk perception (RP) on fighting behavior varied by race. Independent of grade and gender effects, students who believed fighting to be low‐risk were more likely to fight on a regular basis than those with high RP (odds ratio for Blacks = 3.1; odds ratio for Whites = 5.4). School violence prevention education must include an emphasis on the health risks of fighting and attention to cultural differences in risk perception.
The Safer Choices Project: Methodological Issues in School‐Based Health Promotion Intervention Research
Authors: Basen‐Engquist Karen , Parcel Guy S. , Harrist Ronald , Kirby Douglas , Coyle Karin , Banspach Stephen , Rugg Deborah
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Randomized trials of school‐based health promotion programs present unique design and analytical issues not widely discussed in the research literature. This article describes the Safer Choices study – a school‐based program for prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy – to illustrate critical methodological issues involved in large‐scale, schoolbased intervention trials, particularly those evaluating interventions with a school‐wide focus. The issues presented are: 1) comparability of the intervention and control groups even when few units are randomized: 2) factors that affect the decision to use a cohort or cross‐sectional design: and 3) appropriate analysis strategy when the unit of randomization and intervention is at the school level, but observations are at the student level.
Using Focus Groups to Develop a Nutrition Education Video for High School Students
Authors: James Delores C.S. , Rienzo Barbara A. , Frazeey Carol
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Focus group interviews were used to develop a nutrition education video and a teacher's guide for use in Florida high schools. Authors conducted a pilot and four focus group interviews with ninth grade students in five geographically distinct regions of Florida. Most students agreed that a video with scenarios or success stories would work well. Teens expressed interest in 10 topics: eating disorders; consequences of unhealthy eating; preparing quick, healthy meals; what constitutes a balanced diet; nutrition and fitness; weight control: food and the environment; the food guide pyramid; nutrition facts and fallacies: and food labels. Students suggesied no more than three or four topics should be covered in the video, and the video cast should consist mainly of teen‐agers with different body sizes. who were average, attractive, and from different ethnic backgrounds. Music was recommended only for transitions between scenes, as background, or during ihe crediis.
Causes and Outcomes of Pediatric Injuries Occurring at School
Authors: Di Scala Carla , Gallagher Susan Scavo , Schneps Sue E.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: This study examines the causes and outcomes of injuries occurring at school and highlights the need for injury prevention strategies. Descriptive statistics were applied to data from a national pediatric trauma database on 1,558 K‐12 graders injured at school severely enough to require hospitalization. Factors analyzed included age, gender, cause, place, time, injured body regions, use of hospital resources, in‐hospital fatality rate, and functional limitations. Most injuries were unintentional (89.7%) and occurred mostly to children 10–14 years old. Almost half occurred in recreational areas. Falls and sports were the most frequent causes, but the pattern varied by grade and gender. Most children sustained injuries to the extremities (41.3%) or to the head (39.2%). Two percent sustained spinal cord injuries, mainly from sports. Eight children died, and 43.6% developed one or more functional limitations. Frequent, severe, and costly injuries should be the focus of school safety policies, and a mix of injury prevention strategies should be applied.