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Biomedical subjects

J H Price

Publications and source records attributed to J H Price.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

School food-service directors' perceptions of childhood obesity.

A random sample of 300 school food-service directors from Ohio were sent a questionnaire concerning childhood obesity and 210 (70%) responded. 79% believed normal weight was important to children's health and 88% believed it was their duty to prepare nutritionally balanced lunches. 79% also believed that most school lunches are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals and that preparing nutritious lunches for school children was professionally gratifying (87%). 48% of the respondents believed school food-service personnel should play a major role in controlling obesity in childhood. There were numerous significant differences in perceptions of childhood obesity based on the length of time as a food-service director. The leading sources of information on meal planning were workshops (79%), on-the-job training (78%), in-service programs (66%), and past experience (63%). These results may be due to the relatively limited or nonspecific academic training in nutrition by the majority of these respondents.

Adult↗

Perceptions of colorectal cancer in a socioeconomically disadvantaged population.

This study examined 500 low socioeconomic adults' perceptions and practices regarding bowel cancer. At least 20 percent of respondents incorrectly believed homosexual men are more likely to develop bowel cancer, exercising regularly will not affect bowel cancer, bowel cancer does not run in families, and eating foods high in fat does not increase bowel cancer risks. Approximately 7 in 10 respondents did not perceive themselves as more susceptible to developing bowel cancer even though the same number of respondents acknowledged that poor people are more likely to develop bowel cancer. The majority (54 percent) believed that if you develop bowel cancer, it will kill you. The majority of respondents did not believe that fecal occult blood tests could help save their lives if they had bowel cancer since 90 percent perceived bowel cancer as incurable even if found early. The main barriers to screening for bowel cancer identified by the respondents were: being too embarrassed to have a proctoscopic exam (77%), not wanting to know if they had bowel cancer (78%), preferring to die rather than have their bowel removed for cancer (80%), and trouble with transportation (81%). Thirty percent of the respondents had personally done a stool occult blood test and the same number claimed they had a proctoscopic exam. The results of this survey indicate that there is considerable room for improvement in knowledge, perceptions, and practices of economically disadvantaged subjects regarding bowel cancer.

Adult↗

A qualitative examination of adolescent homosexuals' life experiences: ramifications for secondary school personnel.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine life experiences of homosexual youths in regard to selected topics of relevance to high school personnel. An open-ended questionnaire was given to 120 homosexual youths (14 to 21 years of age), 89 males and 31 females. Approximately one third of the students claimed they knew they were homosexual between the ages of four and ten, with equal numbers aware of their sexual orientation 11-13 years of age and 14-17 years of age. Forty-two percent of the females and 30% of the males indicated that their families responded in a negative manner toward them because of their sexual orientation. Only about one fourth of the students claimed they were able to talk with school counselors about the issue. Half of the students claimed that homosexuality had been discussed in their classes and 50% of the females and 37% of the males claimed it was handled negatively. Less than one in five students could identify someone who had been supportive of them. Further information is reported regarding the challenges schools will need to address to play a role in reducing the stresses faced by a significant minority population of at risk youths.

Adolescent↗

Prostate cancer: perceptions of African-American males.

The purpose of this study was to determine black adult males' knowledge and perceptions of prostate cancer by using the Health Belief Model. The subjects were obtained by randomly approaching males in churches, housing projects, inner-city health clinics, and inner-city shopping centers in seven major Ohio cities. A total of 290 black males responded to the survey (58% usable response rate). The mean age of respondents was 60 years (standard deviation = 13.8). Subjects often did not identify trouble urinating, pain urinating, or blood in the urine as possible signs of prostate cancer. Less than half of the subjects knew at what age one should start to have prostate examinations. Forty percent did not believe they were more likely than most men to develop prostate cancer. Almost 60% did not know black men were more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer, whereas 45% thought that if they had prostate cancer it would kill them, and another 28% were not certain. The vast majority of respondents did not perceive any barriers to having their prostate checked, yet 19% identified cost of the examination as a potential barrier. Approximately 10% to 20% of the respondents were unsure of or did not agree with the benefits of a prostate examination. Analysis of the effects of age, education level, and income levels on the Health Belief Model variables found level of education had the most significant effect followed by level of income.

Adult↗

Dietitians' perceptions about and personal nutrition practices for cancer risk reduction.

This study was undertaken to examine the beliefs and practices of dietitians in relation to cancer risk reduction through nutrition. Respondents to the national survey (N = 384, 70 percent) were similar in demographic, educational, and professional characteristics to the American Dietetic Association census data. They reported a strong preventive health orientation: mean performance on 10 preventive health behaviors was 77.5 on a 100 point scale. Half (53 percent) believed cancer would be serious if they developed it, 47 percent believed it was not likely that they would. About 20 percent of the respondents felt that the role of nutrition in cancer etiology was unclear. Dietitians believed strong research support existed for increasing whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and fiber to reduce cancer risk but that little evidence supported use of dietary supplements. Dietitians regularly practiced 75 percent of nutrition recommendations they believed to be effective in reducing cancer risk. Beliefs about the effectiveness of a recommendation accounted for the largest percentage of variance on nutritional practices. While dietitians reported many preventive health practices, including following nutrition recommendations, they seemed to be doing so for reasons other than preventing cancer.

Adult↗

Urban black women's perceptions of breast cancer and mammography.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in perceptions of breast cancer and mammography between black women who wanted a mammogram and those who did not. The subjects were 186 low socioeconomic black women who attended an inner city community health clinic (83% response rate). There were no significant differences on the demographic and background variables between women who did (N = 139) and did not (N = 47) want a mammogram. The knowledge level of both groups regarding breast cancer was poor. Those who desired a mammogram perceived themselves as more susceptible to breast cancer, and considered breast cancer more severe than those who did not want a mammogram. Neither group identified many barriers to obtaining a mammogram. The majority (at least 88 percent of those who wanted a mammogram and at least 55 percent of those who did not) agreed with each of the five benefit items. Eighty-five percent of both groups agreed they would receive a mammogram if their physician told them to do so. The two Health Belief Model components which accounted for the largest percentage of the variance between women who wanted a mammogram and those who did not were perceived benefits (13 percent) and perceived susceptibility (3 percent).

Adult↗

The depiction of guns on prime time television.

Two weeks of regular prime-time programming on four major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) was monitored for scenes in which guns were either used or displayed. Guns were seen most often on CBS, Saturdays and Sundays, and later in the evenings. Middle-aged, white males were depicted as gun users in better than 75% of the scenes. Most scenes involved pistols. Most often the person who used the gun suffered no repercussions. When a victim was depicted as being shot, seldom was the pain of the victim, the victim's family, or friends demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

Using the PRECEDE model to determine junior high school students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about AIDS.

The effectiveness of a one-period school-based AIDS education program on an adolescent population of seventh and eighth grade students (N = 585) was determined. An instrument based on the PRECEDE model was used to assess program effectiveness. Three-way analysis of variance indicated significant differences (p v .01) between pretest to posttest scores for knowledge, attitude, and beliefs for those who received the program versus those who did not by grade and gender of students. The intervention group scored significantly higher than the comparison group on knowledge gain for both seventh and eighth grade students and for males and females. On attitude items, a significant increase occurred from pretest to posttest for eighth grade students who received the program, but not for seventh grade students. The experimental group of eighth grade students scored higher on the attitudes component than the comparison of eighth grade students on the posttest. When attitudes were examined by gender for females in the educational intervention, an increase occurred in attitude scores from pretest to posttest. While belief scores increased significantly from pretest to posttest for the experimental seventh and eighth grade students, significant increases occurred only for experimental group females. Findings support the contention that a one-class period AIDS education program can affect more than just knowledge since attitudes and beliefs also were partially affected.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Utility of the PRECEDE model in differentiating users and nonusers of smokeless tobacco.

The utility of the PRECEDE model in identifying factors associated with smokeless tobacco use among male adolescents was investigated. Users and triers were more likely than nonusers to be white, older than average age for their grade, receive below average grades in school, and have had no classroom instruction on adverse effects of smokeless tobacco use. The standard score means of users, triers, and nonusers differed significantly on six of seven PRECEDE model components: attitudes, beliefs, values, perceptions, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors. The standard score means of triers and nonusers, only, differed significantly for the knowledge component. A stepwise multiple regression analysis using all seven model components as predictor variables of smokeless tobacco use accounted for 47.9% of explained variance among users, triers, and nonusers. The values component was the most powerful predictor of smokeless tobacco use (35% of the explained variance). Discriminant function analysis demonstrated the seven components of the PRECEDE mode instrument accurately classified 93.1% of users and nonusers.

Adolescent↗

School counselors' perceptions of adolescent homosexuals.

Data from a national survey of secondary school counselors (N = 289) were collected regarding their perceptions of adolescent homosexuality. Most counselors underestimated the prevalence of homosexual adolescents. Almost one in five counselors reported that counseling a homosexual student concerning gay issues would not be professionally gratifying, and 20% thought they were not very competent in counseling gay adolescents. One-fourth of the school counselors reported that teachers seem to exhibit significant prejudice toward homosexual students, and 41% believed schools are not doing enough to help gay students adjust to their school environment. Perceptions of adolescent homosexuality did not vary by gender, age, or education level of the counselors.

Adolescent↗

A preliminary investigation of inner city adolescents' perceptions of guns.

Three hundred seventy-seven African-American and 201 white adolescents, primarily of low socioeconomic status, were surveyed on perceptions of guns. Chi-square analyses found significant differences by gender and ethnicity. African-American males were more likely to have a pistol at home (47%); both African-American males and females were more likely to have known someone who took a gun to school (57% and 47%) and to have personally known someone who had been shot (87% and 91%). Differences between African-American and white adolescents and between males and females regarding gun control, gun safety, and consequences of gun use are described.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of three antismoking interventions among pregnant women in an urban setting: a randomized trial.

This study examined smoking cessation and cigarette reduction of indigent inner city pregnant women (n = 193) who completed one of three interventions: a special video program based on their perceptions of the effects of smoking during pregnancy, the American Lung Association's "Freedom From Smoking For You and Your Baby" program, or the usual physician's advice. Six percent of the women quit smoking, and 43% reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked. There were no significant differences among the three groups for either the number who quit smoking or who reduced the number of cigarettes smoked.

Adult↗

Relationships among burnout, death anxiety, and social support in hospice and critical care nurses.

The present study was undertaken to compare the occupational stress, levels of burnout, death anxiety, and the social support of a national sample of 376 hospice and critical care nurses. t tests indicated that critical care nurses reported significantly more occupational stress, showed higher burnout, and experienced more death anxiety than hospice nurses. The two nursing groups differed significantly when the three components of the Maslach Burnout Inventory were compared: hospice nurses reported feeling less emotional exhaustion, utilized the technique of depersonalization less frequently, and experienced a greater sense of personal accomplishment. The two nursing groups did not differ in social support when both the quantity and quality of that construct were examined. Pearson coefficients indicated positive associations between burnout and occupational stress and between burnout and death anxiety, with a negative relationship between burnout and social support.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Urban black and white adolescents' physical fitness status and perceptions of exercise.

The modified Harvard Step Test and a 70-item questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) were given to 257 high school students, 154 blacks, and 93 whites. Mean age of students was 16.0 years (SD = 1.1) for whites and 15.8 years (SD = 1.1) for blacks. Though more blacks than whites were in poor physical condition (51% females and 27% males vs. 35% females and 16% males, respectively), the difference was not statistically significant. A high level of concurrence existed between individuals in good physical condition and those who stated they regularly exercised, but this agreement was more pronounced among white students (73% vs. 62% for black students). White students were significantly more knowledgeable than black students on the exercise knowledge subscale. No significant differences existed between black and white students on any other HBM subscales. When subscale scores for those in good versus poor physical condition were compared, significant differences were found on all subscales except the perceived benefits subscale. Analysis of individual questionnaire items which best predicted whether one was in poor or good physical condition found four items accounted for 38% of variance in black students, and seven items accounted for 52% of variance in white students.

Adolescent↗

School counselors' knowledge of eating disorders.

The purpose of this study was to examine school counselors' knowledge of adolescent eating disorders, specifically anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Participants were drawn from the national membership of the American Association of School Counselors; they were requested to complete a 43-item questionnaire on eating disorders. Of the 500 participants randomly selected, 337 (67%) returned usable questionnaires. There were 220 female and 117 male counselors; the mean age was 45.2 years. The majority held a master's degree and counseled high school students; the mean number of years they had been school counselors was 12.2. When asked how competent they were in helping students with eating disorders, 11% rated themselves as very competent, 49% believed they were moderately competent, and 40% believed they were not very competent. The majority (75%) did not believe it was their role to treat students with eating disorders; they were instead referred to an eating disorders program (40%), their parents (34%), or a psychiatrist or other physician (34%). The majority of counselors (72%) had encountered anorexic or bulimic students; the most common method of discovering students with a problem was by being informed by fellow students (35%). The majority of respondents were very knowledgeable regarding the signs and symptoms of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Examination of their general knowledge of eating disorders revealed that they knew more about anorexia than bulimia. The two sources of eating disorders information utilized by at least half of the respondents were professional journals (70%) and workshops/professional conferences (56%).

Child↗

A general native-state method for determination of proliferation capacity of human normal and tumor tissues in vitro.

An important need in cancer research and treatment is a physiological means in vitro by which to assess the proliferation capacity of human tumors and corresponding normal tissue for comparison. We have recently developed a native-state, three-dimensional, gel-supported primary culture system that allows every type of human cancer to grow in vitro at more than 90% frequency, with maintenance of tissue architecture, tumor-stromal interaction, and differentiated functions. Here we demonstrate that the native-state culture system allows proliferation indices to be determined for all solid cancer types explanted directly from surgery into long-term culture. Normal tissues also proliferate readily in this system. The degree of resolution of measurement of cell proliferation by histological autoradiography within the cultured tissues is greatly enhanced with the use of epi-illumination polarization microscopy. The histological status of the cultured tissues can be assessed simultaneously with the proliferation status. Carcinomas generally have areas of high epithelial proliferation with quiescent stromal cells. Sarcomas have high proliferation of cells of mesenchymal organ. Normal tissues can also proliferate at high rates. An image analysis system has been developed to automate proliferation determination. The high-resolution physiological means described here to measure the proliferation capacity of tissues will be important in further understanding of the deregulation of cell proliferation in cancer as well as in cancer prognosis and treatment.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Instrument validity and reliability in three health education journals, 1980-1987.

Investigators examined how often validity and reliability measures were reported for research articles in three health education journals: Health Education, Health Education Quarterly, and the Journal of School Health. Articles published from 1980 to 1987 were considered in the analysis. Of the 611 articles published by Health Education during the period used for analysis, 128 (21%) met the criteria of a research article. Reliability was reported for 22 (17%) articles, and validity was reported for 78 (61%) articles. Health Education Quarterly published 212 articles; 74 (35%) were research articles. Reliability was reported for 16 (21%) articles and validity was reported for 40 (54%) articles. The Journal of School Health published 778 articles, of which 243 (31%) were research articles. Reliability was reported for 62 (25%), and validity was reported for 164 (67%) of the research articles. A chi-square test found a significant difference among the number of research articles published by the journals. Chi-square tests also found significant differences among the journals in the proportion of research articles that reported reliability information and the proportion that reported validity. A significant trend was noted for Health Education Quarterly and the Journal of School Health; the proportion of research articles that reported validity and reliability increased over time for both publications.

Health Education↗