Biomedical subjects

R J McDermott

Publications and source records attributed to R J McDermott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

The MORE HEALTH bicycle safety project.

A K-2 MORE HEALTH bicycle safety education program was provided in nine elementary schools in Hillsborough County, Florida. This innovative community program consisted of interactive education sessions and reduced-cost bicycle helmet sales. Evaluation of the pilot program showed that it affected helmet use in the intervention schools compared to nine other schools that served as controls. More than 1,000 helmets were distributed through the bicycle helmet sales. Approximately 3,500 children participated in the education sessions. The preprogram helmet use rate among all schools was 8.5%. Postprogram results showed that the helmet use rate among intervention schools was significantly greater than among control schools (p < .01). This report describes the MORE HEALTH bicycle helmet promotion program.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Connotative meanings assigned to contraceptive options.

Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives states that the reduction of unintended pregnancies is one of the primary health objectives for college-aged people. In addition, the reduction in rates of sexually transmitted diseases, with special emphasis on reducing the incidence of HIV infection, is an important objective for this population. One way of addressing these objectives is through promoting use of effective contraception methods. Attitudes toward a particular contraceptive option may play an important role in acceptance of, and predisposition toward, using a given method. The authors used semantic differential scaling to study the connotative meanings college students assigned to 13 contraceptive methods. They asked 751 students (mean age = 19.6 years) to rate each method of contraception, using 7-point scales composed of 15 bipolar adjective pairs. Scale internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, and ranges were from .68 for douching to .92 for oral contraceptives. Respondents' rank-ordered approval ratings of the 13 options were as follows: oral contraceptives; abstinence; the condom; the diaphragm; the contraceptive sponge; female sterilization; rhythm; male sterilization; douching, the IUD, and vaginal suppositories (tied); spermicidal foam; and withdrawal. These results indicated general approval for methods that are effective in preventing conception. Semantic interpretation of selected contraceptive options differed by gender and race, but not by age. Implications for contraception education and future research issues are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Multiple correlates of cigarette use among high school students.

A cross-sectional survey research design measured factors related to cigarette use among 2,212 senior high school students. Results showed 14.3% of the sample smoked cigarettes at least occasionally, with 5.3% reporting they were daily smokers. About 12.8% indicated they were ex-smokers. Males and females smoked at almost equal rates, and the percentage of 10th grade student smokers was slightly higher (16.4%) than the percentage of juniors and seniors who smoked. Approximately 22% of Hispanic students, 15% of Caucasian students, and 4.5% of African-American students reported smoking cigarettes at least occasionally. An initial regression analysis used 21 variables to predict cigarette smoking. A more parsimonious regression model (R2 = .28), using variables from the initial regression analysis with significance levels of .01 or less, indicated the most important predictors of cigarette use were ethnic group, attitude toward females who smoke, close friends' use of cigarettes, personal use of marijuana, best friend's use of cigarettes, personal use of alcohol, and school self-esteem. Implications for school health programs are addressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Depression and maladaptive eating practices in college students.

University students (n = 234) enrolled in sections of a required undergraduate course were administered the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale and the Maladaptive Eating Behavior (MEB) Scale to determine if selected maladaptive eating practices correlated with depressive symptoms. Stepwise multiple regression on data from female subjects (n = 138) revealed that four eating practices related to depression, and produced a multiple R = .68, accounting for 46.2% of the variance. Maladaptive eating practices were not predictive of depression among males (n = 96) with "feeling uncomfortable eating in the presence of others" the only significantly correlated variable. This study confirms previous research that has found an association between maladaptive eating practices and depressed mood in nonclinical samples of university students.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: implications for health education.

This paper reviews the current epidemiologic status of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on what is currently understood about the distinctive features of heterosexual transmission in young men, women, and children. Epidemiologic data show that AIDS is transmitted primarily through heterosexual vaginal intercourse. Heterosexual transmission is highlighted both as the principal mode of spread of AIDS in east, central, and southern Africa and as the primary focus for AIDS education and control of the epidemic. The transmission of AIDS, like that of other sexually transmissible diseases, results from sexual behaviors that are rooted in social and cultural values that are not easily changed. The primary risk factors--including multiple sex partners, prostitution, and unprotected intercourse--are examined. The perceived obstacles to control of the epidemic include unfavorable government reactions to the epidemic, poor public knowledge, prevailing sexual attitudes, and reluctance to use condoms. These and other immediate and competing risk factors like unemployment and poverty combine to complicate the task of AIDS education.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1990

Health behavior correlates of depression in a sample of high school students.

Frequency of symptoms of depression and selected health-related practices and events were measured in a sample of 219 high school students. Students reported numerous symptoms of depression. Relative proportions of boys and girls reporting symptoms of depression were not significantly different. However, girls reported experiencing more severe depression than their male counterparts. Depression correlated significantly with several of the 22 health practices and states of affect examined. Both the determinants and manifestations of depression in adolescent cohorts require in-depth investigation. Possible implications for school health personnel are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Development of the Dental Health Assessment Profile.

Few instruments for assessing dental health knowledge, beliefs, and practices of young adolescents are available in the professional literature. In this study, a dental health profile to facilitate direct assessment of dental health knowledge, beliefs, and practices was developed. The 30-item Dental Health Assessment Profile had adequate content validity, readability, and test-retest reliability with junior high students.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Health behavior correlates of depression among university students.

The frequency of symptoms of depression and selected health-related practices and events was measured in a sample of 572 students at a large midwestern university. Students reported many symptoms of depression, with women experiencing depression more often and to a greater degree than men. Depression was significantly correlated with 17 of the 22 practices and states of affect examined, but uncorrelated with certain health-related activities commonly identified with poor emotional well-being. Both the determinants and manifestations of depression among university students require further in-depth investigation. Implications for health professionals and other university personnel are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Changing roles and challenges for teachers of students with diabetes.

With insulin dependent diabetes mellitus as one of the most common chronic conditions adversely affecting the health of children, it is likely that teachers will at some point encounter a child with diabetes in the classroom. While therapy for children with diabetes has improved since the advent of insulin in 1922, children with diabetes continue to have special needs at school. New research results indicate a role for teachers in helping to meet the special needs of children with diabetes. In this paper, current research regarding the interaction of children with diabetes and the formal educational environment is summarized, and the evolving role of teachers in the academic development of children with diabetes is discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Dental pit and fissure sealants: implications for school health personnel.

While tooth decay among schoolchildren has declined in recent years, 95% of all schoolchildren still experience tooth decay. School-based fluoride rinse programs have made a significant contribution to the decrease in tooth decay. Pit and fissure sealants, one other preventive dentistry measure, also fight tooth decay. A pit and fissure sealant placed on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars acts as a barrier and protects caries-prone areas of the teeth. For sealants to be effective, it is important that school health educators, nurses, and administrators have the dental health knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about school-based dental sealant programs. Examples of successful programs are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1988

A health assessment of older Americans: some multidimensional measures.

This study examined the relationships among self-reported health practices and self-reported health status variables for 126 older adults drawn from a population of senior center participants, homebound elderly, and nursing home residents. Canonical correlation was used to determine significant relationships among linear combinations of the health variable set and the health practices-demographic data variable set. One significant canonical variate indicated that older adults who were more satisfied socially, free of or low in depression, had fewer or no physical disabilities, an internal locus of control, higher self-esteem, and fewer or no symptoms of aging, also tended to report engaging in current and lifelong exercise, sleeping 7 or 8 hr per day, having a higher educational attainment, and being in the younger age group of elderly. Current health practices of older adults were related to important health status variables. This finding contradicts some earlier investigations and suggests that older adults are indeed appropriate targets for health education and health promotion activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1988