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Biomedical subjects

R C Stephens

Publications and source records attributed to R C Stephens.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effects of an intervention program on AIDS-related drug and needle behavior among intravenous drug users.

BACKGROUND: Behaviors which entail high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among intravenous drug users can be significantly reduced through educational intervention. METHODS: The educational intervention was conducted by a health educator in a one-on-one format and provided information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and strategies for reducing the risk of infection. Risk was assessed prior to the intervention and was compared to a follow-up assessment obtained approximately three months later (n = 322). RESULTS: The percentage who reported using drugs intravenously decreased from 92.2 to 70.5, and the percentage who reported sharing syringes dropped from 67.4 to 24.3. Reductions of these and other high-risk behaviors were detected across various demographic subgroups, and analyses show that the impact of the intervention endured for several months. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that intravenous drug users conform to a model of rational choice when confronted with accurate information about the devastating consequences of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Knowledge about AIDS among intravenous drug users: an evaluation of an education program.

Increasing intravenous drug users' (IVDUs) knowledge about the etiology and symptoms of the human immunodeficiency virus is a first step in controlling the spread of the virus to the general population. A comparison of pretest and posttest measures of knowledge of acquired immune deficiency syndrome among IVDUs participating in an AIDS education program reveals significant increases in knowledge after a basic one-hour education session. Additional analyses indicate that IVDUs are more ignorant of certain aspects of AIDS than others, and frequently less amenable to education efforts related to these aspects. Finally, the analyses show that the knowledge among IVDUs about AIDS is independent of the IVDU's demographic characteristics and risk-profile.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

A survey of students' awareness of and attitudes toward drug abuse prevention programs in New York State, winter 1974/75.

The present paper reports some results from a winter 1974-1975, New York State survey of junior and senior public high school youths' awareness of and attitudes toward the drug prevention efforts their schools had undertaken. The findings indicate that most youths are not aware of community resources available for assistance with a drug problem. Substantial discrepancies were found between student ratings of the effectiveness of prevention programs and the programs which they were most frequently exposed. Finally, the data highlight the peer context and drug culture aspect of the youths' substance taking, emphasizing that the sociocultural backgrounds of students need to be taken into account in prevention program development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

A survey of substances use among junior and senior high school students in New York state, Winter 1974-75.

A survey designed to assess drug and alcohol use among the 1,600,000 students in Grades 7 through 12 who attend New York State public schools was administered in 10i schools during the winter of 1974-75. Findings indicate that over 80% of the students have used alcohol and that almost one-third of the students have used marijuana at least once. In addition, 60% of the marijuana users have used no other substance, with the possible exception of alcohol. Also, if a student has used a substance, he is likely to have used it within the last 6 months. Finally, multiple substance use is not predominant among marijuana users, but is predominant among users of other substances.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The addict odyssey: from experimentation to addiction.

This study explores the "honeymoon" period in the addict's life, extending from his first use of narcotics to the point of his addiction. Retrospective interviews with 30 addicts in treatment programs suggest that the process of becoming an addict can be characterized as consisting of at least three elements: (1) increasing physical, psychological, and social rewards from involvement in the street addict life-sytle; (2) increasing commitment to one reference group; and (3) devaluation of any possible negative rewards in the drug life.

Adolescent↗