Behavioral & Community Health

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2271

Prior to January 24, 2011, this unit was named the Department of Public & Community Health.

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Education, Health

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Sexuality Education, Sexual Communication, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Assault Experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students
    (2009) Francavillo, Gwendolyn Suzanne Roberts; Sawyer, Robin G; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students are at an increased risk of sexual assault in comparison to their hearing peers. Previous studies demonstrate that although sexual assault rates among college students are high, among the Deaf community, these rates are nearly double. Data suggest that between 50% and 83% of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, with Deaf and Hard of Hearing women more likely to experience sexual assault than Deaf and Hard of Hearing men. There exists only a small amount of published research regarding Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and sexuality, and an even smaller amount of research has been conducted with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals on the subject of sexual assault. The high sexual assault rates among Deaf and Hard of Hearing students may be partially attributed to their limited sexuality education and knowledge, most often as a result of communication, language, and cultural barriers. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine a possible relationship between levels of sexuality education, sexual communication, rape myth acceptance, and sexual assault experience, along with demographic variables, among Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students; and 2) examine differences between students previously educated in schools for the Deaf versus mainstream schools, with regard to their levels of sexuality education, sexual communication, rape myth acceptance, and sexual assault experience. The instrument was developed incorporating the Sexual Communication Survey (SCS), Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS), Sexual Experiences Survey (SES), sexuality education and sexual activity components. Two sets of hypotheses were examined via linear regression to ascertain significant relationships among the variables, with Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs being used as the theoretical foundation of the study. Seven analyses were found to be statistically significant, with sexual communication, gender, and consensual sexual activity predictor variables explaining the outcome variable, sexual assault experience, at high percentages. The findings from this research have provided a greater baseline of data for future studies to investigate the factors influencing sexual assault among Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students.
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    Instrument Development For Continuing Medical Education Evaluation
    (2007-08-28) Tian, Jing; Atkinson, Nancy L; Portnoy, Barry; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this study was to develop a valid, reliable and adaptable CME evaluation instrument to facilitate the future CME evaluation effort as well as contribute to the literature of CME evaluation studies. A generic instrument template was first developed addressing variables in the second evaluation level based on the TPB, i.e. attitude, behavioral belief, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention. The instrument was then adapted to a CME-related conference, Preoperative Therapy in Invasive Breast Cancer: Reviewing the State of the Science and Exploring New Research Directions. Data were collected at the conference. A total of 134 physicians returned their questionnaires. Principle axis factoring with oblique rotation was used to examine the underlying structure of the data and reduced the items in the instrument to six subscales: positive beliefs, negative beliefs, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention. Factor loadings supported the existence of six valid scales. The consistency between the a priori subscales and the factors emerged served as evidence for content validity of the instrument. Overall, all the subscales had sufficient reliability (alpha>= 0.70) for early stage instrument development showing the unidimensionality of the subscales. Scale modifications based on item analyses were conducted. The problematic items were eliminated, and the analyses were rerun. A 22-item instrument and a revised generic instrument template were finally developed. This study determined the adaptability of the theory based instrument template to the NCI CME conference and the feasibility of developing a content specific, valid and reliable CME evaluation instrument from the template assessing the changes in the concepts listed in the second evaluation level. The established and validated instrument could further be used to evaluate the effectiveness of other CME activities having the template adapted to different clinical domains addressed by each individual CME activity.
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    Development of a scale to measure adolescents' drug use resistance self-efficacy
    (2006-04-27) Carpenter, Carrie; Howard , Donna; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Drug use resistance self-efficacy (RSE) refers to one's beliefs about her or his capability to resist drug offers. Previous research suggests that RSE beliefs play an important role in preventing, delaying and curbing drug use among adolescents. Despite the potential impact of RSE beliefs on drug use, few carefully tested instruments are currently available to assess this construct among young adolescents. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate the underlying structure and initial psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument, the Drug Use Resistance Self-Efficacy (DURSE) scale. Development and testing of the instrument occurred in four research phases: 1) a literature review; 2) expert review (n=10) and adolescent focus groups (n=15); 3) pilot testing of preliminary items (n=46); and 4) final scale administration (n=283) to examine main research questions (n=283). Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the factor structure of the DURSE scale and examine whether the DURSE scale captured aspects of RSE beliefs that differed from existing measures. Initial psychometric properties of the DURSE scale were evaluated. Factor analysis demonstrated that many of the DURSE items loaded on two drug-specific dimensions of RSE beliefs though justification for separate subscales was not warranted. DURSE items measured a unique construct when compared with related scales. Initial psychometric properties of the DURSE scale, including internal consistency reliability and construct validity, were satisfactory. As predicted, students who reported higher RSE beliefs reported significantly higher academic grades (r = .147, p < .05) and lower self-reported intentions to use drugs (r = -.329, p < .01). Higher RSE beliefs were negatively associated with reported family drug use (r = -.060) though the relationship was not significant. DURSE scores were significantly correlated with scores on the Social Desirability scale (r = .197, p < .01) indicating that students may have answered certain DURSE items in a socially desirable way. The initial development of the DURSE instrument offers a promising first step in the scale development process. It is left to future research to refine the DURSE scale and establish its factor structure and psychometric properties in a larger, more representative sample.
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    EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO DEET AND OTHER TOPICALLY APPLIED INSECT REPELLENTS
    (2005-05-02) Menon, Kalapurakkal Sunil; Schiraldi, Glenn R; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Use of topical repellents on children is common. Anecdotal reports suggest repellents may be applied inappropriately, but no studies characterizing the actual usage patterns and exposure of children have been reported. In summer 2002, a cross-sectional survey on the use patterns of repellents on children and possible associated effects was conducted in Maryland campgrounds. Information requested included products used, details of applications, post-application practices, and parents' decision-making process. The study yielded 301 respondents. Deet was the most commonly used active ingredient (83.4%); aerosols were the most common formulation (42.5%). Over a third of subjects (38.9%) treated their children's clothing as well as their skin. Over half of the children did not remove the repellent before going to bed. More than a third of parents failed to read or follow label directions. This study provides documentation of practices leading to undesirable exposure. Educational outreach to change parents' usage patterns is required.
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    THE EFFECT OF TWO DEATH EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS
    (2004-03-29) Smith-Cumberland, Tracy Lynne; FELDMAN, ROBERT H.L.; Public and Community Health
    This study examined the changes in behavioral intent of EMTs in six EMS agencies in Wisconsin after exposure to 1 of 2 death education programs. The effectiveness of the programs was evaluated by a comparison of pretest and posttest scores on behavioral intent of on-scene death-related behaviors using non-equivalent control group design. One intervention group participated in a 2 day workshop using the Emergency Death Education and Crisis Trainingsm (EDECTsm) curriculum. A second intervention group participated in a 2 hour didactic Continuing Medical Education (CME) session on making death notifications. A third group served as a control group and participated in a 2 hour CME session not related to death. Prior to this research, no formal evaluations existed on the impact of these two programs. Ajzen's (1985) Theory of Planned Behavior was used to predict participant's death-related behavioral intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards a behavior. Evaluation included comparisons on multiple measures, which stemmed from the goals of the programs. Study results indicated that the majority of EMTs intend to change their behaviors at the scene of a death after receiving either training program. Changes were greatest for the group exposed to the EDECTsm curriculum. In addition to testing the hypothesis, several questions explored EMTs' attitudes toward their role on-scene and their previous death-related training. Analysis of these questions show that most EMTs feel that death notifications and helping bereft families are part of their roles as an EMT. The need for death-related programs to help emergency responders manage bereaved families and the lack of methodologically rigorous evaluation studies of such programs were the principal factors that led to this study. Although there were limitations suggesting caution when interpreting the results, the evaluation showed these programs to be effective in changing the behavioral intent of EMTs. The effectiveness of these programs on EMTs and other emergency providers warrants further study.