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PubMed1976

Behavior modification: a perspective.

Behavior modification is an approach for changing behavior based on a preliminary study of the individual. Behavior change is attempted once the individual's learning characteristics and the identification of the optimal learning conditions for the learner have been analyzed. The ability to analyze systematically and to develop behavior-environment relationships also brings a responsibility to the user to understand and master the principles and procedures of behavior modification. This article basically ignores the issue of selecting broad treatment goals and the authority of clinicians or teachers to work actively toward achieving these goals. The principal focus is to provide a perspective on the evaluation and use of behavior modification programs based on their conceptual and procedural foundations. Criticisms and the misuse of behavior modification programs are included as well as a set of guidelines for evaluating and developing effective ones.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1976

[Drug therapy of early-childhood minimal brain damage].

Drug therapy in a child with juvenile psychoorganic syndrome is only one part of a comprehensive therapeutic program in which the main emphasis is on training and education, which are sometimes accompanied by psychotherapy. In many cases drug therapy is totally unnecessary. It may however provide essential support for the efforts of educators and therapists and is sometimes the factor which renders these possible at all. Not all symptoms respond equally well: the best results are obtained in disorders of drive and often in psychogenic disorders which have developed on the basis of the psychoorganic syndrome. Promotion of personality development, which is virtually always retarded in the child with psychoorganic syndrome, remains the exclusive preserve of training. Drug administration has psychogenic as well as chemical effects. It depends to a large extent on the reaction of the environment to the fact that drugs are being given at all, and to the behavioral changes exhibited by the treated child. Drug effects are thus modified, and, with time, determined by the environment, and thus in many cases treatment is possible only on a short-term or (sometimes) periodic basis. Where treatment is on a long-term basis the danger of drug dependency must be borne in mind, since patients with psychoorganic syndrome are particularly exposed to the risk of addiction. For this reason care is necessary in administering amphetamine-type substances. These drug should not be prescribed from puberty onwards; previously initiated treatment with them should be terminated before purberty. It should however be pointed out that the results registered with amphetamines and drugs with similar effect can usually be obtained equally with drugs involving fewer risks in this respect.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Changing patterns of adolescent sexual behavior: consequences for health and development.

Sexuality is a fundamental quality of human life, important for health, happiness, individual development, and indeed for the preservation of the human race. During the dynamic period of adolescence in which the passage from childhood to maturity takes place, sexuality takes on new dimensions; feelings become more intense, relationships become more complex, and the consequences of sexual behavior are radically altered. This not only affects the behavior of young people but also of those who interact with them, their families and peers, and those who work in the health, education, youth, social welfare, and other sectors. In the contemporary world the conditions of life for many young people have also changed, and with it patterns of sexual behavior. In general, earlier puberty, later marriage, a decline in the family leading to less control and more autonomy, and intense exposure to sexual stimuli via the mass media and travel across cultural boundaries have made pre-marital adolescent sexual activity more common. This has added to traditional problems of early marriage, newer problems of early pregnancy, childbirth, and induced abortion outside of marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, and human immunodeficiency syndrome infection leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. But the work of the World Health Organization (WHO), along with many others in the field, strongly suggests that given appropriate information and services, trust and equity between the sexes, young people will behave responsibly and well. In this paper some of the findings from methods developed by WHO for research, training, advocacy, and evaluation, and findings in relation to patterns and determinants of sexual and reproductive health and development will be described, and future directions suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

Development, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of NutriSOS®: A behavioral mobile app to promote sustainable diets.

The primary objective of this study was to describe the development of the NutriSOS&#xae; app and to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability for its use in the NutriSOS&#xae; Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to promote sustainable diets. A secondary objective was to explore preliminary changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors and environmental impact following app use. The NutriSOS&#xae; app integrates personalized dietary advice, educational content, self-monitoring, and social interaction features. A single-arm, pre-post pilot study was conducted in 37 young Mexican adults over four weeks. Feasibility, acceptability, quality, and usability were assessed using online surveys, alongside exploratory changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors, environmental indicators, and their association with perceived behavioral determinants. Feasibility and acceptability were high overall, with favorable responses reaching up to 100% in key components such as the nutritional guide and learning modules, and above 90% for messaging, registration, and design. Greater variability was observed in some sections, particularly the 24-h recall (41-86%). Reductions in red and processed meat and ultra-processed food consumption were observed (from 3 to 1 times/week, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01), with &#x223c;60% decreases in their related environmental footprints (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01) and favorable self-reported behavioral determinants (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001). Physical activity type and intensity changed (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). These findings support NutriSOS&#xae; as a feasible and acceptable tool, while highlighting areas for refinement, particularly those related to the time and effort required for data entry, prior to its implementation in the NutriSOS&#xae; RCT, in which its effectiveness will be formally evaluated.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Use of wearable technologies for physical activity promotion in older adults: A systematic review.

This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251055299), examined the use of wearable technologies for promoting physical activity (PA) in adults aged 60 years and older. Searches across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane) identified 2438 records, of which only six randomized controlled trials published between 2021 and 2025 met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 36 to 551 participants and mean ages between 65 and 79 years. Given the small number of included studies, findings should be interpreted as preliminary. The studies ranged from the standalone use of commercial trackers (Fitbit, Polar, ActiGraph) to multicomponent interventions combining wearables with physiotherapist feedback, telephone counseling, web-based platforms, or interactive cognitive-motor training. Wearables used alone, as in the REACT trial, produced small or non-significant PA effects. In contrast, interventions integrating devices with personalized feedback, professional support, or digital platforms, such as PROMOTE and TASMANIA, were associated with more consistent improvements in PA, physical function, and cognitive outcomes. Multicomponent programs, such as PEER and ICMT, reported broader benefits, including cognition, balance, and reductions in sedentary behavior, though these findings derive from individual trials and require replication. Risk of bias, assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2 (RoB 2.0), was rated as "some concerns" for five studies and low for only one, mainly due to gaps in randomization reporting, missing data, and lack of preregistration. Tentatively, and based on a very limited evidence base, wearables may have greater impact when embedded within broader behavioral systems, incorporating feedback, coaching, or interactive components, rather than when used in isolation as passive monitoring tools. Adherence and psychosocial outcomes appeared related to comfort and perceived usefulness among older adults, though larger and more robust trials are needed to confirm these patterns.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Impediments to safer heterosexual sex: a review of research with young people.

This article reviews the existing British literature on the micro-social details of young people's heterosexual encounters, emphasizing the cultural factors which impede the adoption of health education advice. Most of the findings cited come from qualitative projects that relied primarily on detailed interviews or group discussions. Six issues are highlighted: difficulties in talking about sex; the gender-role expectations brought to an encounter; the primary function of condoms as contraceptives; problems in buying, carrying and using condoms; how the stage of a particular relationship affects behaviour, and gendered power relations. Several important issues are not addressed in the existing literature. The survey data on sexual behaviour suggest that HIV has had little impact on sexual activity, apart from a reported increase in condom use. Qualitative studies reveal the moral categories, gender-role expectations, power inbalances and other cultural factors that prevent a high level of knowledge about HIV transmission from being translated into safer heterosexual behaviour. Their findings provide important insights into how realistic and practical safer sex messages are. They suggest that to promote health in respect to HIV it is necessary not only to advocate specific precautionary behaviour, such as using condoms, but also to address wider cultural issues relating to the taboos around the discussion of sex and the empowerment of women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Changing patterns in reported sexual practices in the population: multiple partners and condom use.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the pattern of change with regard to condom use and multiple sexual partners is influenced by gender or educational level. DESIGN: Findings from data collected from 1987 to 1990 about changes in condom use and multiple-partner activities are presented, based on telephone interviews with 9416 participants aged 18 to 44 years resident in central Scotland, UK. METHODS: Change in patterns over time were modelled in a multivariate logistic regression using a linear interactive modelling program. RESULTS: Several models showing changes in the proportion of multiple-partner respondents and condom users yielded a complicated pattern of behavioural change in educational status and gender. CONCLUSIONS: There is a large difference in reported condom use and multiple sexual partners by gender, but the difference is decreasing over time. Better educated respondents increased their use of condoms while less educated respondents showed a decrease in the proportion of multiple partners.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

School-based programs to reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors.

This article reviews the major approaches implemented during the last two decades to reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors, examines their evidence for success, and provides several recommendations for effective programs and program evaluations. This article does not discuss more broad-based sexuality education programs which address sexuality in a broader context. Instead, this article focuses primarily on programs that educators believed would reduce unprotected sexual intercourse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Safe sex and women.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual behaviour, condom use, HIV knowledge and anxiety for women were examined to understand the range of sexual behaviours, predictors of safer sex and the extent of relapse. DESIGN: A cross sectional sample of women STD clinic attenders completed interviews and questionnaires. SETTING: Central London STD Clinic. SUBJECTS: 153 women drawn from consecutive attenders at a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in inner London. RESULTS: A quarter of the sample had never responded to safe sex and a further 14% had been unable to maintain it over time. Anxiety and knowledge did not differ between safe and relapsed groups, but self efficacy and cognitive variables did. Those who maintained safe sex had significantly less sex. Ten percent of the sample had unprotected anal intercourse. Most women saw themselves in longer term relationships, yet a quarter had sex outside of the relationship and a fifth stated that their partners also did. HIV information gathering was passive and 74% felt they could not protect themselves against infection. High concern over HIV was monitored. Condom uptake was low and non-existent for anal intercourse. 25% had undergone HIV testing. These women did not differ significantly in terms of their behaviour from the untested women. CONCLUSIONS: HIV risks for women are a source of anxiety and tailored intervention is needed to reduce risk and promote dialogue and negotiation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Conception of AIDS and its prevention among students in a Nigerian university.

This study examines AIDS awareness, knowledge of transmission and prevention among students, who not only belong to the sexually active age bracket, but who are the future leaders of the nation. The student population was stratified into those in the health and non-health disciplines and an accidental sampling technique was used to obtain the respondents from the 2 strata. 60 students were interviewed from each stratum. A majority of the medical students, 58.3% as against 48.3% of the non-medical students, perceived AIDS as a dreadful disease that is sexually transmitted. Next among the non-medical students were those who felt that AIDS was God's punishment for man's sexual excesses (20.0%), while only 3.3% of the medical students gave that response. Of importance in the study is that none of the students attributed AIDS to mystical forces, an issue which could be linked to their educational exposure. Some students associated the disease with affluence, an issue that had been documented by other researchers. Another point worthy of note in the study is the fact that even though 89% and 61.2% of the medical and non-medical students, respectively, believed that AIDS can be prevented by the use of condoms, most of them were not favourably disposed towards the use of condoms. This study thus reveals an area that needs attention, ie that apart from emphasising the level of awareness, there should be a focus on how to effect behavioural change among a knowledgeable population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1977

Adolescent pregnancy: an interpersonal skill training approach to prevention.

The research literature reports numerous negative consequences of adolescent pregnancy. Unfortunately, contemporary approaches to preventing teenage pregnancies have been largely unsuccessful. Recent evidence, however, suggests that interpersonal communication skill training may represent an important step in helping adolescents deal with their sexual and contraceptive behavior. This describes a pilot study of an interpersonal skill training model for sexually active inner-city teenagers. Results show that this training model is a feasible and attractive approach to modifying the youths' communication patterns. Findings indicate that such training is a fruitful direction for future pregnancy prevention research with the adolescent target population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

A Web-Based, Pedometer-Mediated Intervention Increases Amount and Intensity of Physical Activity in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Ground-based walking training is an aerobic exercise used in supervised pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Physical activity (PA) interventions typically promote step counts, but it is unclear whether community-based walking intensity can be targeted as aerobic exercise. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a web-based, pedometer-mediated PA intervention designed to increase walking amount and intensity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants with COPD who had never enrolled in PR were randomized 1:1 to control or intervention. The intervention included individualized step-count goals, iterative feedback, educational content, and an online community forum. The Fitbit Inspire Heart Rate objectively monitored daily step counts. Participants were instructed to achieve step-count goals with as many steps of moderate-intensity as possible guided by a modified Borg rating of 4-5 for dyspnea. The primary outcome was change in PA measured as average daily step count at 12&#xa0;weeks. Aerobic intensity was assessed by the Rapid Assessment of PA Questionnaire which uses self-reported moderate or vigorous PA to categorize responders as underactive or active. Linear mixed-effects models (PROC MIXED, SAS v9.4), adjusting for group, time, group*time, FEV1%predicted, enrollment season, and study modality (eg, in-person, virtual, hybrid), assessed between-group change. RESULTS: Participants (57 intervention, 52 control) were 97% male, mean age 73&#xb1;7 years, and baseline FEV1 73&#xb1;23% predicted. Baseline daily steps were 4,222&#xb1;1,929 (intervention) and 4,851&#xb1;2,637 (control). Intervention participants increased average daily steps by 1,410 steps/day more than controls (p=0.005). The intervention group showed greater transitions from underactive to active intensity (between-group: p=0.025), with 20 (41%) moving to active status (within-group: p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Technology-mediated community-based walking increased PA amount and intensity. These findings support further evaluation of this intervention as a potential option for ground-based walking training with objective measurement of exercise intensity.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of the decreased prevalence of smoking in Canada.

Using data on the prevalence of smoking among different age and gender groups, we estimated the impact of the prevalence of smoking on the present and future mortality of Canadians. In 1989, the life expectancy of male smokers at the age of 45 was 7 years less than non-smokers, among female smokers life expectancy was 4 years less than non-smokers. The total number of smoking-attributable deaths from all causes was estimated for every decade from 1969 to 2019. A decrease in smoking prevalence from 1989 levels to 10% overall in 1999 would result in 15,000 and 6,000 fewer smoking-attributable deaths among women and men, respectively. Continuing the existing pattern of smoking among men and women will result in an increase in the total number of smoking-attributable deaths among women and an increase in the smoking-attributable deaths from lung cancer in both sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Behavioural aspects and their possible uses in the control of dracontiasis (guinea-worm) in Igwun river basin area of Imo State, Nigeria.

Individuals suffering from dracontiasis from Igwun river basin area of Imo State Nigeria were randomly chosen, examined and interviewed between December 1988 and March 1989 with a view to ascertain some of the behavioural aspects that could be of help in the control/eradication of this disease as well as to ascertain whether local medication was of any chemotherapeutic significance. Of 100 guinea-worm patients males were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in number (63.0%). In the age-related distribution, children less than 10 years old and the members of the villages more than 60 years old accounted for only 5.0% of the patients whilst those in their productive years (10-60 year old) accounted for 95.0%. Only 10.5% of the respondents associated guinea-worm infection with the drinking of "polluted" water while most believed it was a familial trait (36.8%) or implicated their enemies (35.1%). As a result medications against the disease were mainly directed towards consulting the oracle and herbalists, and appeasing the gods. Most (98.0%) of them kept their dressing dry by refraining from immersing them in water. The concomitant behavioural aspects of these results are discussed in relation to their uses in the control/eradication of guinea-worm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Black males who always use condoms: their attitudes, knowledge about AIDS, and sexual behavior.

One hundred six black males completed a questionnaire concerning attitudes and knowledge about the use of condoms and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Of the 106 males in the study, 27 (26%) reported that they "always" used condoms, 31 (29%) did not use condoms and had low intentions of using them, and 48 (45%) reported high intentions to use condoms. Results indicated that knowledge about AIDS was exceptionally high for black males in all three groups. Black males with low intentions to use condoms reported significantly more negative attitudes about the use of condoms (eg, using condoms is disgusting) and reacted with more intense anger when their partners asked about previous sexual contacts, when a partner refused sex without a condom, or when they perceived condoms as interfering with foreplay and sexual pleasure. A significantly larger percentage of low intenders were treated for gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and genital warts than males in the other groups. Drug use did not differentiate the three groups, although marijuana was used more often by males in the low-intender group. Finally, a larger percentage of black males in the low-intender group reported experiences with anal intercourse and sex with a prostitute, but considered themselves at lower risk for AIDS than did their high-intender or steady-user counterparts.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

AIDS knowledge and attitudes among injection drug users: the issue of reliability.

Among injection drug users (IDUs), AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes have not consistently predicted AIDS risk behavior. This may be due in part to the limited reliability of indexes used to measure drug users' AIDS knowledge and attitudes. In addition, the substantive interpretation of findings is confounded if index reliability is lower for particular demographic groups (e.g., ethnic populations and women). This report is based on 8 measures of AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes in a sample of 332 injection drug users in Los Angeles. The reliability of knowledge and attitude indexes for the overall sample is generally acceptable for the purpose of group comparison (average alpha = .60). But reliability is consistently lower for respondents who are Hispanic (average alpha = .49) and respondents with less formal education (alpha = .56). The reliability of 2 measures of sex-related attitudes is lower for female respondents. It is therefore important that the reliability of knowledge and attitude indexes be assessed not just for drug-user samples as a whole, but also within demographic groups of substantive interest.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗