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At least 1,783 records · Page 99Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Weight Concerns, Problem Eating Behaviors, and Problem Drinking Behaviors in Female Collegiate Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare eating behaviors and alcohol drinking habits between 2 groups of female college students: varsity athletes and controls (nonathletes). DESIGN AND SETTING: We obtained descriptive data using an anonymous, self-report survey instrument. The instrument assessed eating habits and behaviors as well as alcohol consumption and drinking behaviors. SUBJECTS: One hundred forty-nine female varsity athletes and 209 female controls (nonathletes) from 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I universities. MEASUREMENTS: Data collected included weight and desired weight, meal patterns, methods of gaining or losing weight, details of past or current eating problem, 2-week alcohol consumption quantity and frequency (binge drinking), and problem alcohol behaviors. We used chi-square analysis for nominal data and t tests and multivariate analysis of variance for interval data. RESULTS: Compared with athletes, nonathletes ate fewer meals, and more of them reported feeling that they were too heavy and lied about their weight-control practices. Neither group reported high rates of pathologic behaviors such as vomiting. Nearly 18% of athletes and 26% of controls reported a past or current eating disorder. Athletes did not differ from controls in reported 2-week alcohol consumption, including binge drinking (nearly 50% of both groups). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported problem drinking and eating behaviors exist in both athletes and controls but not at different rates. This finding may be a result of coach, athletic trainer, and peer-group counseling at these 2 schools or a general trend for lower rates of unhealthy behaviors among female athletes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

[Anonymity in epidemiological surveys: study and initiation of a new method].

The authors propose a system of registering epidemiological data which ensures strict observation of anonymity. Data are made anonymous at the source: the practitioners who possess the medically confidential information themselves compute the code number creating anonymity through a nonreversible calculation formula: it is impossible to work back from the number to the patient's identity, even if one has the formula and powerful computer resources. This method differs from simple data encoding whose key could either be discovered or revealed: it requires neither keys nor a secret but effects a definitive and irreversible transformation. In compliance with the recommendations of the committee on Ethics, of the French "Ordre des Médecins" and of the Law on Data Processing and Liberties, the method was subjected to a double test for reliability, experimental and theoretical.

Computers↗
PubMed2001

Type III 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (optic atrophy plus syndrome, or Costeff optic atrophy syndrome): identification of the OPA3 gene and its founder mutation in Iraqi Jews.

Type III 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (MGA) (MIM 258501) is a neuro-ophthalmologic syndrome that consists of early-onset bilateral optic atrophy and later-onset spasticity, extrapyramidal dysfunction, and cognitive deficit. Urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid and of 3-methylglutaric acid is increased. The disorder has been reported in approximately 40 patients of Iraqi Jewish origin, allowing the mapping of the disease to chromosome 19q13.2-q13.3, by linkage analysis. To isolate the causative gene, OPA3, we sequenced four genes within the critical interval and identified, in the intronic sequence of a gene corresponding to cDNA clone FLJ22187, a point mutation that segregated with the type III MGA phenotype. The FLJ22187-cDNA clone, which we identified as the OPA3 gene, consists of two exons and encodes a peptide of 179 amino acid residues. Northern blot analysis revealed a primary transcript of approximately 5.0 kb that was ubiquitously expressed, most prominently in skeletal muscle and kidney. Within the brain, the cerebral cortex, the medulla, the cerebellum, and the frontal lobe, compared to other parts of the brain, had slightly increased expression. The intronic G-->C mutation abolished mRNA expression in fibroblasts from affected patients and was detected in 8 of 85 anonymous Israeli individuals of Iraqi Jewish origin. Milder mutations in OPA3 should be sought in patients with optic atrophy with later onset, even in the absence of additional neurological abnormalities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1976

Methods of attitude assessment for medical teachers.

A variety of methods to assess attitudes toward patient care, the medical profession and medical education have been described. Direct, written methods have been most widespread; they are most useful with anonymous respondents when group, rather than individual, data are sought. Examples of disguised, written and audio-visual methods were also presented to stimulate readers to experiment with these approaches. Finally, observational methods were reviewed to capture behaviours in real and simulated situations that reflect attitudes.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

Aircrew fatigue monitoring during sustained flight operations from Souda Bay, Crete, Greece.

BACKGROUND: Operational flight surgeons are often responsible for determining aeromedical readiness of aircrew members whose accumulated flight time exceeds standard limitations. Realizing that operational reports of excessive flight time in aircrew are limited, we used Rayman's 1975 study of fatigue during Cambodian airlift missions as a model to evaluate 42 U.S. Navy EP-3E aircrew members flying reconnaissance missions from Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. Measured parameters focused on information accessible to operational flight surgeons. METHODS: Hoping to identify early indices of fatigue, the aircrews were monitored using anonymous questionnaires, physiologic data (mean arterial pressure, pulse, pulse pressure), and hematologic measurements (CBC, sedimentation rate). RESULTS: As suspected, no physiologic parameter indicated early fatigue. However, some aircrew demonstrated small changes in measured visual phorias as compared to prior evaluations. Anonymous questionnaires and subjective evaluation of crewmembers appeared most valuable in assessing fatigue. CONCLUSION: Incorporating previously reported recommendations for fatigue surveillance, the Souda Bay experience is an example of successful fatigue monitoring in aircrews who accumulate flight time beyond standard restrictions.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Classification and consequences of errors in otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a preliminary classification system for errors in otolaryngology. METHODS: A retrospective, anonymous survey was distributed to 2,500 members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Respondents were asked whether an error had occurred in their practice in the last 6 months, and if so, to describe the error, its consequences, and any corrective action taken. RESULTS: There were 466 (18.6%) responses. Two hundred ten (45% of respondents) otolaryngologists reported 216 errors. A classification system for errors in otolaryngology was developed. Errors were classified as related to history and physical (1.4%), differential or final diagnosis (1.4%), testing (10.4%), surgical planning (9.9%), wrong-site surgery (6.1%), anesthesia-related (3.3%), wrong drug/dilution on the surgical field (3.8%), technical (19.3%), retained foreign body (0.9%), equipment-related (9.4%), postoperative care (8.5%), medical management (13.7%), nursing/ancillary (0.5%), administrative (6.6%), communication (3.8%), and miscellaneous (0.9%). There were 78 cases of major morbidity and 9 deaths. If these data are representative, there may be more than 2,600 episodes of major morbidity and more than 165 deaths related to medical error in otolaryngology patients annually. CONCLUSIONS: Human error in otolaryngology occurs in all practice components, including diagnostic, treatment, surgical, communication, and administrative. Types of errors reported by otolaryngologists differ from those reported by other specialists. Error classification systems may need to reflect each specialty's realm of practice. Errors in otolaryngology cause appreciable morbidity and mortality. Quantitative study of errors and the development of targeted prevention and amelioration strategies should be a high priority.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Harmful effects of drinking and the use and perceived effectiveness of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were to examine relationships between: (1) harmful effects of drinking and use of treatment services, (2) the number of different types of harm experienced and whether or not treatment was obtained, and (3) the types of treatment obtained and the perceived effectiveness of treatment. METHOD: A secondary analysis was carried out of data obtained from the Canadian National Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey, conducted by Statistics Canada in 1989. The sample consisted of 1,954 respondents who reported experiencing at least one of six specified harmful effects from drinking. Chi-square tests were used to test relationships, with the alpha level set at 0.01. RESULTS: While 21.5% of all current drinkers suffered at least one type of harm, only 10.6% of these obtained treatment (Objective 1). The number of harmful effects experienced is directly related to the likelihood of obtaining treatment: only 3.8% of those who had experienced one type of harm received treatment compared to 41.6% of those suffering all six types of harm (Objective 2). Almost three-quarters (73.8%) of those who received treatment obtained it through self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. While the findings about perceived effectiveness of treatment are tenuous because of the small numbers involved, more than half (52.0%) of those who had used self-help groups rated them as very effective, with most of the remainder (43.2%) rating them as moderately effective (Objective 3). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the contention that those who suffer harm from drinking are often difficult to involve in treatment. They also show, however, that the greater the number of harmful effects experienced, the more likely it is that a person will obtain treatment, suggesting that those most harmed are easiest to involve in treatment. The findings also emphasize that self-help groups are the overwhelmingly preferred mechanism for those who do obtain treatment, perhaps because of their greater accessibility and flexibility. Also, although the least reported harmful effect was on work, studies and employment, persons suffering this type of harm were the most likely to obtain treatment, suggesting that others affected by the harmed person may play a significant role in influencing him or her to obtain treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occult bacteremia: is there a standard of care?

The evaluation and management of patients with occult bacteremia is controversial. The purpose of this study was to define the prevailing practices in the emergency management of occult bacteremia. Short, anonymous surveys were mailed to all 517 members of the Section on Emergency Medicine at the American Academy of Pediatrics. Three hundred six (59%) of those surveyed returned completed questionnaires. Eleven different temperature cutoff points are used, and 105 (34%) consider occult bacteremia in patients with temperature above 39 degrees C. Seventeen different age intervals are used to define the patients at risk for occult bacteremia, and the age range three to 24 months is used by 173 (57%) of those surveyed. Complete blood cell count is the most commonly used screening test; it is routinely ordered by 225 respondents (74%). One hundred thirty-seven participants (45%) routinely obtain blood cultures in all patients at risk for occult bacteremia, whereas 111 (36%) use the clinical appearance (toxicity) of the patient to determine whether a blood culture should be drawn. One hundred sixty-one (53%) of those surveyed routinely administer antibiotics to toxic-appearing patients pending the results of the blood culture. Laboratory criteria are used by 135 (44%) in the decision whether to administer empiric antibiotics. Ceftriaxone is the most commonly used antibiotic; it is routinely administered by 230 respondents (75%). Twenty participants (7%) routinely admit all patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae, whereas 217 (71%) admit all patients with Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia and 234 (76%) admit all patients with Neisseria meningitidis bacteremia. We conclude that diversity exists in the evaluation and management of occult bacteremia.

Bacteremia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Community health behavior change through computer network health promotion: preliminary findings from Stanford Health-Net.

Computer-based health education has been employed in many settings. However, data on resultant behavior change are lacking. A randomized, controlled, prospective study was performed to test the efficacy of Stanford Health-Net (Stanford, CA, U.S.A.) in changing community health behaviors. Graduate and undergraduate students (N = 1003) were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. The treatment group received access to Health-Net, a health promotion computer network emphasizing specific self-care and preventive strategies. Over a 4-month intervention period, 26% of the treatment group used Health-Net an average of 6.4 times each (range 1-97). The most commonly cited reasons for use were curiosity, general health education, evaluation of current symptoms and anonymity of information. Users rated Health-Net favorably. The most commonly reported reasons for non-use were related to lack of health problems, limited time and lack of access to computer facilities. The mean number of ambulatory medical visits decreased 22.5% more in the treatment group than in the control group (P less than 0.05), while hospitalizations did not differ significantly between groups. In addition, perceived self-efficacy for preventing the acquisition of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and herpes increased 577% (P less than 0.05) and 261% (P less than 0.01) more, respectively, in the treatment group than in the control group. These findings suggest that access to Stanford Health-Net can result in significant health behavior change. The advantages of the network approach make it a potential model for other communities.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shift length and on-duty rest patterns in rotor-wing air medical programs.

INTRODUCTION: Air medical teams provide around-the-clock critical care, a pattern at risk of inducing performance-altering fatigue from circadian disruption and sleep deprivation. Safety is an essential issue in the air medical industry, but little data are available on shift length and on-duty rest practices. We report the results of a survey concerning those practices and analyze the relationships to crew duty practices by program model (hospital-operated, vendor-operated, independent, or public safety), base location, flight volume, and job requirements. METHODS: A survey was mailed to 182 Association of Air Medical Services-member rotor-wing air medical programs in the United States that complete scene flights with a flight nurse. One-hundred-twenty-nine programs (70.9%) returned anonymous surveys, all of which were used for data analysis. Results were analyzed with descriptive and nonparametric statistics. RESULTS: All pilots work shifts between 10 and 14 hours. For medical team members the shift distribution is: </= 8 hours, 0.4%; 9 to 12 hours, 44.2%; 12 to 16 hours, 7.0%; 17 to 24 hours, 45%; > 24 hours, 3.5%. An independent association exists between shift length greater than 12 hours and each of the following: flight volume per-aircraft under 731 flights/year, program model other than hospital operated, and nonhospital base (Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction, P < .01 for each). All pilots are allowed on-duty rest on both day and night shifts. On-duty rest is permitted for 67.4% of medical team members: 18.2% only at night, and 49.2% at any time of day. The presence of any period of on-duty crew rest is significantly associated with nonhospital base, program model other than hospital-operated, and shift length exceeding 12 hours (Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction, P < .01 for each). The presence of a nonflight clinical assignment while on flight duty is associated with a prohibition against on-duty rest (Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Notable differences arose between on-duty work and rest patterns for pilots and medical team members. Medical team members generally work longer shifts than pilots do, with shifts exceeding 12 hours as the most common staffing pattern. Medical team members also have less access to on-duty rest than do pilots. Traditional hospital-operated programs are more likely to use shorter shifts and prohibit on-duty rest for the medical teams, whereas vendor-operated, independent, or public safety programs are more likely to use longer shifts and permit on-duty rest. As the industry works toward a unified approach to mitigating the impact of fatigue on safe operation, variable practices based on job description and program style may be a factor.

Air Ambulances↗
PubMed2005

Mapping of a macular drusen susceptibility locus in rhesus macaques to the homologue of human chromosome 6q14-15.

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are a natural model for retinal drusen formation. The present study aimed at clarifying whether chromosomal regions homologous to candidate genes for drusen formation and progression in humans are also associated with a drusen phenotype in rhesus macaques. Some 42 genetic markers from seven chromosomal regions implicated in macular degeneration syndromes in humans were tested for whether they identified homologous, polymorphic sequences in rhesus DNA. This was found to be the case for seven markers, all of which were subsequently screened for the presence of potentially disease-predisposing alleles in 52 randomly chosen adult animals from the Cayo Santiago population of rhesus macaques (Caribbean Primate Research Center, PR, USA). The high drusen prevalence expected in the Cayo Santiago colony was confirmed in our sample in that 38 animals were found to have drusen (73%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that some alleles of the rhesus homologue of anonymous human marker D6S1036 were consistently over-represented among affected animals. Of two candidate genes located in the respective region, allelic variation in one (IMPG1) showed strong association with drusen formation. We conclude that one or more genes located at the rhesus homologue of human 6q14-15 are likely to play a role in retinal drusen formation, a finding that represents a first step towards the identification of genetic factors implicated in macular drusen formation in rhesus macaques. This is an important tool for the separation of genetic and environmental factors which must occur before satisfactory management methods can be developed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cognitive impairment influences drinking outcome by altering therapeutic mechanisms of change.

Serious neuropsychological impairments are seen in a minority of addiction treatment clients, and, theoretically, these impairments should undermine behavioral changes targeted by treatment; however, little evidence supports a direct influence of impairment on treatment response. To address this paradox, the authors used structural equation modeling and Project MATCH data (N=1,726) to examine direct, mediated, and moderated paths between cognitive impairment, therapeutic processes, and treatment outcome. Mediated relations were found, wherein impairment led to less treatment compliance, lower self-efficacy, and greater Alcoholics Anonymous Involvement, which, in turn, more proximally predicted drinking. Impairment further moderated the effect of self-efficacy, making it a poor predictor of drinking outcomes in impaired clients, thereby suggesting that impaired and unimpaired clients traverse different pathways to addiction recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Probabilistic record linkage and a method to calculate the positive predictive value.

BACKGROUND: Computerized record linkage is commonly used in cohort studies to ascertain the study outcome, and as such its accuracy classifying the outcome can be described using the standard epidemiological terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV). METHOD: We describe a 'duplicate method' to calculate the PPV of record linkage when each record can only be involved in one match (e.g. linking population files to death files). The method does not require a validation subset of records from both files with detailed personal information (e.g. name and address), and is therefore ideal for linkage projects using anonymous data. The duplicate method assumes that the number of records from one file with zero, one, two, etc., links from the other file is distributed in a manner predicted by combinatorial probabilities. Having made this assumption, the number of false positive links, and hence the PPV, are estimable. We demonstrate this duplicate method using output from anonymous and probabilistic record linkage of census and mortality records in New Zealand. RESULTS: The PPV estimates conform to the pattern expected based on the underlying theory of probabilistic record linkage, and were robust to sensitivity analyses. We encourage other researchers to further assess the accuracy of this method.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed2004

Predictors of maternal HIV infection at the primary care level in inner city Ibadan.

National HIV prevalence rate is derived from the sentinel surveys, which are carried out once in two years and remain anonymized. Epidemiological data are largely unavailable on the pregnant HIV-positive mothers particularly at the grass root level. This information is urgently needed when developing a realistic intervention programme. Three hundred and forty-three consenting pregnant women attending a randomly selected primary health care clinic in inner city Ibadan from April to November 2001 were enrolled at booking and followed up till delivery of their babies. Sociodemographic and reproductive health data were collected by questionnaire and all mothers were screened for HIV/AIDS using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based rapid test. Results showed that about one in three teenage mothers screened positive, having the highest HIV rate. HIV prevalence rate reduced, though not significantly, in mothers 20-29 years and those 30-39 years with mothers in these groups having similar rates. No mother over 39 years screened positive. Following logistic regression analysis, young age 15-19 years, was associated with a significantly increased risk for infection at the primary health care level (P =0.046). Christian religion was associated with a lower risk (P =0.038), and mothers who booked late in pregnancy (P =0.025) or had husbands in the lower socio-economic class (P =0.001) were less likely to be infected. None of the women were aware of their HIV status prior to the study. With a predominantly heterosexual mode of HIV transmission, it is necessary to identify infected pregnant women early through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), so that they can be given the option to take preventive drugs, which would among other benefits reduce mother-to-child transmission, and help infected mothers stay healthy and productive for longer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Trends in HIV-1 in young adults in south India from 2000 to 2004: a prevalence study.

BACKGROUND: Major increases in HIV-1 prevalence in India have been predicted. Incident infections need to be tracked to understand the epidemic's course, especially in some southern states of India where the epidemic is more advanced. To estimate incidence, we investigated the prevalence of HIV-1 in young people attending antenatal and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics in India. METHODS: We analysed unlinked, anonymous HIV-1 prevalence data from 294 050 women attending 216 antenatal clinics and 58 790 men attending 132 STI clinics in 2000-04. Southern and northern states were analysed separately. FINDINGS: The age-standardised HIV-1 prevalence in women aged 15-24 years in southern states fell from 1.7% to 1.1% in 2000-04 (relative reduction 35%; p(trend)<0.0001, yearly reduction 11%), but did not fall significantly in women aged 25-34 years. Reductions in women aged 15-24 years were seen in key demographic groups and were similar in sites tested continuously or in all sites. Prevalence in the north was about a fifth of that in the south, with no significant decreases (or increases) in 2000-04. Prevalence fell in men aged 20-29 years attending STI clinics in the south (p(trend)<0.0001), including those with ulcerative STIs (p(trend)=0.0008), but reductions were more modest in their northern counterparts. INTERPRETATION: A reduction of more than a third in HIV-1 prevalence in 2000-04 in young women in south India seems realistic, and is not easily attributable to bias or to mortality. This fall is probably due to rising condom use by men and female sex workers in south India, and thus reduced transmission to wives. Expansion of peer-based condom and education programmes for sex workers remains a top priority to control HIV-1 in India.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Euthanasia and assisted suicide by physicians in the home situation. I. Diagnoses, age and sex of patients].

In order to map out morbidity, age and sex of patients with whom family doctors participated in euthanasia or assisted suicide, an exploratory, descriptive, retrospective study was carried out primarily regarding the period 1986-1989. Data were collected via an anonymous written injury among an at random sample of family doctors in North Holland (n = 521), and family doctors in the rest of the Netherlands (n = 521). In addition, police reports of euthanasia/assisted suicide administered by family doctors in North Holland (n = 263) were analysed. The inquiry included among others questions about the last case doctors had encountered. Diagnoses were classified according to the ICD-9. The results were compared with compiled mortality data relating to persons who died in their own homes. Correlations and differences were analysed by means of the chi2-test. The response to the inquiry was 67% (non-responders did not otherwise differ from responders): 228 (North Holland), 160 (rest of the Netherlands) and 263 (police reports) cases could be analysed. Of the patients, 85% suffered from a malignant neoplasm. The average age at which euthanasia or assisted suicide was practised was 63.4 years (men) and 66.1 years (women). Under the age of 30 and above 85 euthanasia or assisted suicide was administered only rarely. Proportionally these procedures were applied to the same extent to men as to women. In about 20% of the cases an important secondary diagnosis was present. In conclusion, it is especially the malignant neoplasms that cause such suffering that euthanasia or assisted suicide are practised. The average age at which they are applied is considerably lower than that of the total of people who die in their own homes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiological features of HIV infection among pregnant women in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Women in Benue State have for years had the highest HIV rate in the country, but because the sentinel surveys are anonymized and unlinked, not much is known about the socio-demographic, behavioural and other risk factors that predispose these women to the disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria does not appear to be a single epidemic but rather multiple epidemics of varying magnitude and trends. This cross-sectional study was therefore carried out to identify the risk factors for HIV/AIDS among these women. A total of 404 consecutive consenting mothers enrolled at the booking clinic were followed up until delivery of their babies. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and tested for HIV infection using an ELISA-based kit after obtaining informed consent. Mean age of the mothers was 26+/-6.1 years, 94.8% were married while 50.5% had at least secondary level education. Sixty-one (15.1%) mothers were HIV positive with mothers aged 15-24 years being responsible for 50.8% of all infection. Following bivariate analysis, being single, having a partner with low level of formal education, living in a rural location, being in a polygamous/multiple partner union, being a higher order polygamous wife, being married more than once and reporting a history of a sexually transmitted infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Monogamous women who lived apart from their partners and women who had ever had blood transfusion were also more likely to be HIV positive. Following multivariate logistic regression, a young age of 15-24 years (multivariate OR=3.3, 95 % CI=1.2-8.4, p=0.02); ever had other STIs (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3, p=0.009); no formal maternal education (OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9, p=0.021) and having one lifetime sexual partner (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5, p<0.00001) were significantly associated with HIV infection in the study population. Appropriate interventions must be directed at young people and should include STI control and abstinence education. Blood safety must be ensured as well as a general improvement in the level of formal and health education in this community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Do blood donors read and understand screening educational materials?

BACKGROUND: Blood donors with high-risk behaviors may not self-defer because they failed to read or understand the screening educational materials. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 1993, a total of 34,726 allogeneic donors responded to an anonymous mail survey of 50,162 donors that inquired about demographics, donor status, amount of the donor educational materials read, new HIV knowledge gained, and donors' opinions on the length and difficulty of materials. RESULTS: Although 78 percent reported reading all materials, only 32 percent indicated reading carefully; 34 percent learned new information about HIV and 95 percent perceived the materials as easy to understand. First-time donors were more likely to read carefully (OR, 7.9) and gain more HIV knowledge from the materials (OR, 1.9) than repeat donors. Minority, less educated, screening test-reactive, and HIV test-seeking donors reported reading the materials more carefully and learning more about HIV than their respective counterparts. Donors with less education, those with reactive screening tests, those seeking HIV test results, and those not reporting a risk behavior were more likely to find the materials difficult to understand. CONCLUSION: Most donors reported skimming and not having difficulty understanding the educational materials. Some donors may be aware that they should not donate or are failing to assimilate the information in the materials. Methods to present information more clearly and concisely are clearly needed. However, some high-risk donors may still continue donating no matter how improved the educational materials are.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗