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PubMed1995

Pattern of intentional burns to children in Ghana.

Intentional (inflicted) injury to children through burns has been studied and mentioned extensively in the literature, although much less so in developing countries. A community-based survey of children aged 0-5 years in the Ashanti Region of Ghana found that of 650 childhood burns, 35 (5.4%) were purposefully inflicted. The perpetrators were mostly friends (43%) and siblings (37%) of the victims, and traditional healers (6%) who inflicted these burns to children who were comatose after convulsions. Intentional burns were more likely to be inflicted by flame (OR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.52-10.0), and contact with a hot object (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = .62-4.44) than through scalding, the most common cause of burns in this region. Other patterns of intentional burns included the absence of any adult, burns covering < 3-5% of body surface area, and increased rate of wound infection. These findings contrast with the pattern of intentional burns seen in other countries, notably developed ones. Even though these inflicted burns were minor, it is important that doctors working in this setting become aware of their presence and that traditional healers and the general public be educated about the appropriate treatment for childhood convulsions.

Burns↗

PubMed1989

Is there a relation between the seriousness of suicidal intent and the lethality of the suicide attempt?

The relation between the strength of an individual's intent to commit suicide and the nature and seriousness (lethality) of any suicide attempt has been a controversial one. Some studies suggest a positive correlation, while others report no connection. The present investigation included 60 patients, who were studied shortly after they had been admitted to a medical service after a suicide attempt. Measures of depression, impulsivity, suicidal intent, seriousness of the attempt, and efforts to prevent intervention were obtained. Results reveal that both depression and impulsivity correlate positively with the strength of the intent to commit suicide, but there appears to be almost no correlation in this population between measures of intent and seriousness of the attempt.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Patients' intentions in primary care: relationship to physical and psychological symptoms, and their perception by general practitioners.

A series of three studies of consecutive primary care patients examined their intentions when visiting a general practitioner (GP). In study 1, a principal, components analysis of responses to a specially-devised symptom check-list was used to form component-based scales on which patients' physical symptoms were scored. Apart from a modest association of cold symptoms with seeking simple explanation, physical symptoms were unrelated to intentions. By contrast, the level of psychological symptoms correlated with the desire for support from the GP. In study 2 this result was replicated and shown to be unaffected by the amount of support which patients already experienced from family and friends. In study 3, GPs were found to be able to detect at better than chance level which patients desired support, but they were insensitive to other intentions. The results indicate that a technique for the quantification of patients' intentions permits the formal investigation of important questions concerning primary care consultations.

Female↗

PubMed1988

Adolescent drug use and intention to use drugs: concurrent and longitudinal analyses of four ethnic groups.

Concurrent and longitudinal analyses of the associations between intention to use and actual use of substances were examined for 847 adolescents from four different ethnic backgrounds. Five different substances were studied: Cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, nonprescription medications, and hard drugs. Results showed that: (a) there were significant and consistent relationships between current level of substance use and intention of use for all ethnic groups. However, these measures of association varied considerably among ethnic groups and covered a wide range from .17 for Blacks on use of nonprescription medications to .69 for Hispanics on alcohol consumption; (b) the degree of association between intention and use, as well as ethnic differences gradually decreased over time; and (c) partialling out the effects of previous experimentation with drugs decreased the contribution of intention to predict future drug use to a nonsignificant level for Hispanics, to a moderate degree for Black and Asians, and remained a significant and meaningful contribution for Whites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Predicting intention to use cocaine in teenagers in Sydney, Australia.

Recently in Australia, the question has been raised of whether cocaine poses a threat to our community. We investigated this question in a random community sample of 1002 teenagers aged 14 to 19 years in Sydney, Australia. Subjects were asked whether they or members of their social network used drugs, and questioned on their beliefs about and attitudes to drugs. Intention to use cocaine was measured by the statement, "If a friend I trusted offered me cocaine, I might try it." The predictors of intention were: personal use of illicit drugs, tranquilizers, or inhalants; exposure to cocaine users; pro-drug beliefs; self-perceived consumption of too much alcohol; age; and parental use of drugs. The results suggest that a demand for cocaine--indicated by intention to use cocaine--already exists in the community. The association between intention to use cocaine, drug beliefs, personal use of drugs and exposure to drug users in the social network should be kept in mind when proposing strategies for preventing a cocaine problem in Australia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Factors influencing the intention to use condoms in Quebec sexually-inactive male adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether attitudes and other variables would be associated with intention to use condoms in sexually-inactive male adolescents. METHODS: The survey was conducted from April to June 1989 on a sample of 879 sexually-inactive boys aged 12-19 years registered in secondary schools in Laval, Quebec. RESULTS: The major findings of the study were that: (1) information on condoms provided by peers was significantly associated with the intention to use condoms; (2) information provided by schools, while not significant in the final model, was positively associated with younger adolescents' intention to use condoms; and (3) sexually-inactive male adolescents in a less committed couple relationship had a greater intention to use condoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the importance of peer instructors as a source of information on condoms, as well as that of teachers and health professionals from the school environment. Other channels of communication, however, need to be developed particularly for older sexually-inactive adolescents who may be impervious to this latter source. The findings also underline the necessity to make sexually-inactive adolescents in stable couple relationships more aware of their potential vulnerability to STDs and AIDS should they commence sexual relations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Predicting intentions to consume functional foods and supplements to offset memory loss using an adaptation of protection motivation theory.

The widespread use of dietary supplements and so-called 'functional foods' is thought to be partially motivated by self-control of health. However, whilst consumers want foods associated with well-being or disease prevention, they are unlikely to be willing to compromise on taste or technology. This presents a dilemma for promoters of functional foods. Middle-aged consumers' intentions to consume functional foods or supplements that may improve memory were tested within an adaptation of Protection Motivation theory (PMT). Participants evaluated text descriptions of four products described as: having an unpleasant bitter taste (Natural-FF); having 'additives' to reduce bitterness (Sweetened-FF); being genetically modified to enhance function (GM-FF) and Supplements. Participants were recruited as being of high and low perceived vulnerability to memory failure. In total, 290 middle-aged consumers (aged 40-60 years) participated in the study. Motivations to consume the GM-FF were the lowest. There were gender differences between intention to consume the supplements, Natural-FF and Sweetened-FF and product differences within genders. Women were less favourable than men in their attitudes towards genetic modification in general. Regression analyses indicated that PM predictors of intention to consume functional foods or supplements explained 59-63% of the variance (R2). Overall, perceived 'efficacy' (of the behaviour) and self-efficacy were the most important predictors of intentions to consume.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Intention to consume seafood--the importance of habit.

The role of habit strength and past behaviour were studied in order to gain a better understanding of seafood consumption behaviour. A sample of Norwegian adults (N=1579) responded to a self-administered questionnaire about seafood consumption habits, past frequency of seafood consumption, and attitude towards and intention to eat seafood. Structural equation modelling revealed that past behaviour and habit, rather than attitudes, were found to explain differences in intention, indicating that forming intention does not necessarily have to be reasoned. The results also indicated that when a strong habit is present, the expression of an intention might be guided by the salience of past behaviour rather than by attitudes. The findings of this study might thus have consequences for dietary interventions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Different methods of presenting risk information and their influence on medication compliance intentions: results of three studies.

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical noncompliance is an increasingly important problem in the United States, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths and billions of wasted dollars each year. Patients' fear of adverse events (AEs) is one possible reason for lack of compliance. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the 3 studies described in this article were to investigate whether commonly used methods of conveying AE risk might influence subjects' perceptions of their risk of experiencing drug-related AEs and whether disclosing this information by other means might subsequently influence their intentions to comply with prescribed medication regimens. METHODS: In study 1, randomly selected participants were surveyed to estimate their percentage risk for medication AEs. In study 2, randomly selected participants were presented with a fictitious medical scenario, informed of their AE risk either in terms of specific percentages or in general semantic terms (eg, "some people may experience"), and then asked to rate their fear of AEs and likelihood of compliance. Study 3 was a randomized, controlled experiment in which we duplicated the methods of study 2, with the addition of real-life stimuli (pharmaceutical advertisements). RESULTS: In study 1, 40 subjects were surveyed. Participants overestimated their risk of AEs when information was disclosed semantically. In study 2, people were more fearful of experiencing AEs and less likely to intend to comply with prescribed medication regimens (both, P < 0.01) when presented with AE risk information in the form of semantic risk frames rather than actual risk percentages. In study 3, 120 subjects participated. Again, participants expressed stronger intent to comply with medication regimens when they received AE risk information as percentages rather than in semantic terms (P < 0.04). In addition, intended likelihood to comply was negatively correlated with fear of experiencing AEs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In these studies, informing participants of actual percentage risk of AEs was associated with less fear about AEs and greater intent to comply with prescribed regimens. Using verbal descriptors to disclose AE risk information was associated with less intent to comply.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

PubMed2004

Frequent intentional weight loss is associated with lower natural killer cell cytotoxicity in postmenopausal women: possible long-term immune effects.

OBJECTIVE: Weight-loss attempts are likely to become more frequent as the prevalence of obesity rises. Repeated cycles of loss and gain are a common consequence of failed weight-loss attempts. The question of whether this pattern has negative health effects is unresolved. The objective of this research was to investigate associations between weight-loss history and current measures of immune function. DESIGN: The study design was a cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: One hundred fourteen healthy, overweight, sedentary, postmenopausal women were recruited for an exercise intervention study and were currently weight stable. METHODS: History of intentional weight loss was assessed by questionnaire. Flow cytometry was used to measure natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity at four effector-to-target (E:T) ratios and for enumerating and phenotyping lymphocytes. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate associations between weight loss within the past 20 years and current immune function. RESULTS: Women who reported ever intentionally losing >or=10 pounds had lower measured NK cytotoxicity than those who did not (24.7%+/-12.1% vs 31.1%+/-14.7%, respectively, at E:T 25:1; P=.01). Increasing frequency of previous intentional weight loss was associated with lower NK cytotoxicity (P=.003, trend). As an independent predictor, longer duration of recent weight stability was associated with higher NK cytotoxicity (21.6%+/-11.9%, 24.4%+/-11.0%, and 31.9%+/-14.4% for 2 to 5 years of weight stability, respectively; P=.0002, trend). The frequency of weight loss episodes was also associated with differences in the number and proportion of NK cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that frequent intentional weight loss may have long-term effects on immune function.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Overweight adolescent African-American mothers gain weight in spite of intentions to lose weight.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine how dietary patterns, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and intention to lose weight were associated with body size among adolescent African-American mothers 1 year after delivery and with changes in body size over the next year. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal self-reported measures were collected 1 year after delivery. Weight and height were collected 1 and 2 years after delivery. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 118 low-income, African-American adolescent mothers recruited after the birth of their first child. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Multivariate analysis of covariance and multivariate regression analysis were conducted to examine predictors of body size 1 year after delivery and changes in body size over the next year. Analyses were adjusted for maternal age, education, breastfeeding history, and intervention. RESULTS: One year after delivery, 33.0% of mothers were overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or =95th percentile) and 23.7% were at risk for overweight (BMI > or =85th and <95th percentile). Mothers consumed a daily average of 2,527 kcal and 4.1 high-fat snacks. A total of 11% of normal-weight mothers, 22% of mothers at risk for overweight, and 44% of overweight mothers reported intention to lose weight, chi(2)=10.8, P<.01. Average maternal BMI z score increased 0.13 (3.9 kg) between 1 and 2 years after delivery, P<.01. Dietary patterns, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and intention to lose weight were not related to body size or increase in body size. CONCLUSIONS: One year after delivery, overweight among adolescent mothers was common and increased over time. Although nearly half of overweight mothers reported an intention to lose weight, their weight gain did not differ from that of other mothers, suggesting that they lack effective weight-loss behaviors, and may be good candidates for intervention. African-American adolescent mothers have high rates of overweight and snack consumption and may benefit from strategies to identify nutritious, palatable, affordable, and accessible alternatives to high-fat snack food.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

What influences university students' intentions to practice safe sun exposure behaviors?

PURPOSE: To apply Protection Motivation Theory to examine adolescents' intentions to perform safe sun exposure behaviors. METHODS: A total of 239 students (aged 18 to 22 years) from two British universities were recruited to the study. The majority of participants were white (68%), 29% were classified as Asian, and the remaining 3% were Afro-Caribbean. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising items examining the components of Protection Motivation Theory. Intention to perform safe sun exposure behaviors was examined by asking participants to indicate their agreement with five statements about future sun exposure behaviors. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the threat appraisal components of Protection Motivation Theory were stronger predictors of intention to perform safe sun exposure behaviors (accounting for 15% of the variance) than the coping appraisal components (accounting for 3% of the variance). However, previous performance of similar behaviors emerged as the strongest overall predictor of intention to perform safe sun exposure behaviors (beta = -.514, p < .01), followed by perceived vulnerability to developing skin cancer (beta = .232, p < .01) and practicing skin and naevi self examination behaviors (beta = -.172, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a strategic sun protection education campaign is necessary with the aim of encouraging adaptive sun behaviors by emphasizing the risk of skin cancer associated with sunburn.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Contraceptive intentions among adolescents after abortion.

Changes between choice of contraceptive methods before abortion and contraceptive intentions after abortion were assessed among 482 adolescents with regards to efficacy to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adolescents substantially increased their intention to use oral contraceptives (214 of 452 who did not use before intended to after; p < .001) and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) (121 of 469 who did not use before chose to after; p < .001). None of the 134 adolescents who used condoms as their primary contraceptive method before abortion intended to continue afterwards (p < .001). There was no difference in intention to use condoms after abortion among adolescents who received voluntary HIV counseling and testing compared to those who did not. Twenty-two percent of adolescents intended to use condoms together with spermicidal foam as their primary contraceptive method after abortion, thereby combining contraceptive efficacy with STD prevention. The intention to preferentially adopt hormonal methods as the primary contraceptive, especially among adolescents counseled and tested for HIV, is discouraging for STD and HIV prevention efforts in this adolescent population.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2006

Weight stereotypes and behavioral intentions toward thin and fat peers among White and Hispanic adolescents.

PURPOSE: This study examined weight stereotypes among White and Hispanic youth. Specific objectives were to: (a) document stereotyped beliefs about fat vs. thin peers; (b) examine the extent to which stereotyped beliefs contribute to behavioral intentions toward fat vs. thin peers; and (c) explore potential differences in weight stereotypes and behavioral intentions in White and Hispanic youth. METHODS: Participants, 157 Hispanic and 117 White middle school students, completed a demographic and background survey, the Fat Stereotypes Questionnaire (FSQ), Adjective Checklist, and Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ). RESULTS: Participants endorsed weight-related stereotypes, which were predictive of their social, academic, and recreation behavioral intentions. Participants indicated greater willingness to engage in social (p < .001), academic (p < .05), and recreational (p < .001) activities with thin vs. fat peers. Few differences were found between White and Hispanic adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the ubiquitous nature of stereotyped beliefs about fat youth. Fat youth are considered unhealthy, lazy, and socially inept by their peers. Such stereotypes influence a variety of behavioral intentions and may contribute to discriminatory behaviors and difficult peer relationships. Additional research focused on weight stereotypes and peer relationships is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Factors influencing intention to obtain a genetic test for a hereditary disease in an affected group and in the general public.

BACKGROUND: To ensure successful implementations of genetic screening in the future, the attitudes of the public are an important factor to consider. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the intention to take a genetic test for an unidentified hereditary disease. A further objective is to assess the predictive values of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived personal control on the intention to take a genetic test. These aims are investigated in two groups differing in their experience and knowledge of genetic testing. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed according to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and mailed to a random sample of 1000 persons from the general public and to 330 persons in FAP families. The response rate was 60% and 74%, respectively. RESULTS: The probability of taking a genetic test was high in both groups but significantly higher in the FAP group. The attitudes of the FAP group were significantly more positive when compared to the attitudes of the general public. For the persons in the FAP group, the most significant others in the decision to take a genetic test were their children, whereas spouses proved to be the most important significant others in the general public. The most important predictor of the intention to take a test in both groups was attitude, accounting for 64% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that most of the individuals in the FAP group and many in the general public intended to take a genetic test. Our findings suggest that living in an affected group and having some kind of experience of a hereditary disease may lead to an even more positive attitude to genetic testing. Using the TPB, attitudes were found to be the strongest predictor of intention to take a genetic test in both groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Increasing women's intentions to stop smoking following an abnormal cervical smear test result.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of two leaflets upon intentions to stop smoking in the next month in women receiving abnormal cervical smear test results. METHODS: 330 women smokers who received an abnormal smear test result were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group 1: sent a leaflet about the threat of cervical cancer from smoking and the benefits to cervical health in stopping, containing a detailed explanation of how smoking harms the cervix; Group 2: sent the same leaflet but without the detailed explanation; Group 3: no leaflet. Questionnaires were completed 1 month later. RESULTS: Women in Group 1 had higher intentions to stop smoking compared with Group 3. This effect was mediated by perceived coherence of the link between smoking and cervical cancer and moderated by self-efficacy (confidence): only women with high levels of self-efficacy had higher intentions to stop smoking. CONCLUSION: Explaining the link between smoking and cervical cancer increases intentions to stop smoking in women receiving abnormal cervical smear test results. Further studies are needed to determine how self-efficacy can be increased and whether, in addition to the detailed leaflet, this increases rates of smoking cessation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Intentional injury treated in community hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The impact of intentional injury in major metropolitan trauma centers has been established. Nonaccidental injury has become an increasingly important component of trauma care in mid-sized urban areas. To determine the medical and economic impact of personal violence in the Spokane, Washington, community we undertook a 5-year retrospective review. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Trauma registries were used to identify all victims of intentional injury admitted between May 1, 1994, and April 31, 1999. Demographic data, blood alcohol, mechanism, injury severity, hospital course, and outcome were abstracted from the registries. Financial data were obtained from hospital financial offices. SETTING: Spokane, Washington, has a population of 200,000 with 400,000 in the metropolitan area. Trauma patients are triaged to hospitals according to Washington Administrative Code guidelines, supervised by central medical control. The two level II and two level III facilities are staffed by private practice surgeons and serve a referral area of 650,000. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-one intentional injury patients were admitted. This represented 15% of all significant injuries. Males accounted for 80% of the patients and 84%were Caucasian. The mean patient age was 30 years, only one quarter were listed as employed. Sixteen percent of the injuries were self-inflicted, gunshot was the most common mechanism (39%). Alcohol was involved in one half of the injuries. Sixty-three patients died, 39 died prior to intensive care unit admission. Hospital stay averaged 6.4 days, with a mean hospital charge of $18,000. Hospitals were reimbursed at 67%. Surgeons collected 31% of billed fees. Fewer than one third of patients had any form of private insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Intentional injury is a significant component of trauma care in our community. Patients are seriously injured and the fatality rate is high. Care is expensive and poorly funded.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The perceived intentionality of groups.

Heider and Simmel [Heider, F., Simmel, M., 1944. An experimental study of apparent behavior. American Journal of Psychology 57, 243-259] found that people spontaneously describe depictions of simple moving objects in terms of purposeful and intentional action. Not all intentional beings are objects, however, and people often attribute purposeful activity to non-object individuals such as countries, basketball teams, and families. This raises the question of whether the same effect found by Heider and Simmel would hold for non-object individuals such as groups. We replicate and extend the original study, using both objects and groups as stimuli, and introducing two control conditions with groups that are not engaged in structured movement. We found that under the condition that best promoted the attribution of intentionality, moving groups are viewed as purposeful and goal-directed entities to the same extent that moving objects are. These results suggest that the psychological distinction between the notion of 'intentional entity' and the notion of 'object' can be found even in the perception of moving geometrical figures.

Adult↗