Factors affecting risk-taking behaviors among sexually active adolescents tested for HIV/STD.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to identify potential contributors to high-risk sexual behaviors among sexually active adolescents who were tested for HIV and STDs compared to those who did not test for HIV and STDs. METHOD: Data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was used to explore potential predictors of risky behaviors among those tested for HIV/STD. A sample size of 3226 from the YRBS data base was used to explore predictors using Chi-square and logistic regressions analyses. RESULTS: Most adolescents reported not being tested for HIV (77.4%) and STD (83.9%). There were statistical differences between those tested for HIV and condom use, sexual intercourse before the age of 13 years, sexual intercourse with multiple people, and use of marijuana. Similar findings were found with adolescents tested for STDs. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study support the recommendations for a better understanding of the associations between drug use, early initiation of sexual activity, and condom use. Development of appropriate public health educational interventions can help decrease risky behaviors among these adolescents.

The STAMPPed Initiative for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students.

ABSTRACT: As the demand for nurse practitioners increases to meet health care needs, pathways to facilitate the transition into specialty advanced practice nursing education must be developed. The STudent Advisor/Mentorship Program for Pediatrics (STAMPPed) program was an innovative strategy established to support graduate nursing students with little to no pediatric clinical experience who demonstrated an interest in becoming pediatric nurse practitioners. The program provided structured guidance and support from experienced pediatric nursing faculty through monthly group meetings and the formulation of one-to-one student-faculty mentoring dyads. Mentees found the program to be helpful and foster supportive relationships.

Parental Knowledge about Urban Preschool Children's Oral Health Risk.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent and significant health problems in the United States. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, more than one-fourth of children between the ages of two and five years experience early childhood caries before entering kindergarten. The purpose of this study was to explore parent's knowledge of preschool children's oral health risk factors. A descriptive design was used with a convenience sample of 87 parents of children who attended day care centers and preschools. Seventeen knowledge questions were used to assess parents' knowledge of their child's oral health. Results showed that parents lacked knowledge in some aspects of oral health care. The majority of parents knew that baby teeth are important, and both baby and permanent teeth should be brushed. Fewer, however, perceived that cavities in baby teeth lead to cavities in permanent teeth. Similarly, parents knew the role of food in the dental caries, but fewer perceived that cavities may be caused by using a bottle or infant drinking cup to drink fluid other than water and frequent snacking. Findings illuminate the knowledge gaps in this sample of parents of preschoolers. Pediatric nurses can play a key role in promoting children's oral health and preventing dental caries by proving anticipatory guidance and education to children and their parents at well child visits, during hospitalization, and in school and community settings.

HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Self-Efficacy for Limiting Sexual Risk Behavior and Parental Monitoring.

The purpose of this study was to explore HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-efficacy for sexual risk behaviors, and parental monitoring in a sample of 140 7th and 9th grade adolescents studying in an urban high school in the United States. Further, the study examined differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-efficacy and parental monitoring by grade and gender. This study also investigated the effectiveness of an HIV/AIDS peer education program, Teens for AIDS Prevention (TAP), on improving adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine effects of the peer education program (TAP) on adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge. Pearson-product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships among the variables. Independent t-tests were used to compare adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-efficacy, and parental monitoring scores by grade and gender. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences in pre-intervention and post-intervention HIV/AIDS knowledge. The results showed that HIV/AIDS knowledge improved significantly in both 7th and 9th grade students after the intervention. HIV/AIDS knowledge was associated with self-efficacy; however it was not associated with parental monitoring. There were no significant differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy by gender. However, there was a significant difference in parental monitoring by gender. Pediatric nurses are well-positioned to develop and implement evidence-based programs for adolescents. It is essential that pediatric nurses, in conjunction with other professionals and parent groups, take the initiative in implementing peer education programs in schools and community centers to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents.

Comparison of adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy across two cultures.

This study examines the effectiveness of a HIV/AIDS peer education program, Teens for AIDS Prevention (TAP) in two cultures. A convenience sample of 287 (American and Nepalese) 9th grade students participated in the study. It was found that HIV/AIDS knowledge scores were significantly higher among American adolescents than their Nepalese counterparts only at pre-intervention. American adolescents had significantly higher self-efficacy scores than Nepalese adolescents both at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Adolescent peer education programs could be used to improve adolescent HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior; however for the educational programs to be effective, it is pertinent that the program is culturally appropriate to the target population.

An integrative review of adolescent hope.

The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the published research on adolescent hope using Cooper's (Cooper, H. M. (1989). Integrating research: A guide for literature reviews (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage) five stages. Computerized databases were used to search for relevant studies published between the years 1990 to 2010. Thirty-six studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Variables studied in relation to hope were categorized as antecedent, coincident, and consequent concepts. Two antecedent, ten coincident, and ten consequent concepts of hope were included in the review. The number of statistically significant and non-significant correlations of these variables to hope is presented. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future studies are offered.

Body weight perception and physical activity among young adults: Analysis from the national longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health.

ObjectiveTo identify the young adults' perception of their weight and examine the associations between young adults' weight perception and physical activities. Participants: A total of 4,882 participants' responses were derived from the Add Health, Wave III. Method: Chi-square tests were used to examine the weight perception and multinomial logistic regression used to assess the association between weight perception and physical activities. Results: Perceived weight and weight management among male participants were significantly different from female participants (p<.001, p<.001, respectively). Young adults with self-perception of being "slightly overweight" and "very overweight" were more likely of participating in physical activities such as gymnastic/weight lift/strength (OR = 0.91, p <.001 and OR = 0.77, p<.001) and walking (OR = 1.08, p<.001 and OR = 1.13, p<.001). Conclusion: The study showed that physical activities significantly increased the probability of accurate perceived weight. Steps should be taken to implement interventions that increase accurate weight perception and promote physical activity among young adults.

HIV/AIDS and universal precautions: knowledge and attitudes of Nepalese nursing students.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study exploring Nepalese nursing students' knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and universal precautions. BACKGROUND: Nepal is facing an HIV epidemic, and nurses are primary caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS. Insufficient knowledge and negative attitudes on the part of nursing students translate into fear, stigmatization and unwillingness to care for patients with HIV/AIDS. METHOD: Data were collected in 2005 for this cross-sectional study in which we examined HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and universal precautions in three levels of Nepalese nursing students (N = 127). Instruments included the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Questionnaire, HIV/AIDS Attitudes Questionnaire, HIV/AIDS Transmission Attitudes Questionnaire and Universal Precautions Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were employed to examine socio-demographic data. One-way anova, with level in school as the between-groups factor, were calculated to examine students' knowledge and attitudes. FINDINGS: Nepalese nursing students have a large knowledge gap and negative attitudes, regardless of level of education. Their HIV/AIDS knowledge differed statistically significantly by group but there were no statistically significant group differences in general attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Although knowledge of universal precaution improved with year of education, overall universal precautions knowledge was poor among all students, regardless of level of education. CONCLUSION: Nursing curricula must include adequate and culturally relevant content on HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards people living with AIDS, and universal precautions.

Relationships Between Adolescents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Fears Related to HIV/AIDS.

AIMS: To explore adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and fears of HIV/AIDS and to examine relationships between these variables and demographic variables among female adolescents. BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS is one of the major public health concerns all around the world, including India. Although the prevalence of HIV infection is low, it is still considered a high risk among Indian youth because of low and inaccurate HIV/AIDs knowledge, low condom usage and unsafe sexual practice, and lack of access to information. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 150 adolescents attending one of the girls' high schools completed demographic and HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude questions in June 2018. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson-product-moment correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The majority of adolescents had a moderate degree of HIV/AIDS knowledge, however; many of them still had misconceptions about modes of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention of HIV infection. Most of the adolescents had fairly positive attitudes and beliefs toward people with HIV/AIDS. About three-fourths of the participants were afraid of getting HIV/AIDS. The total HIV/AIDS knowledge was positively correlated with age (r = 0.288, p < .000), fathers' education (r = 0.235, p < .003), fear of getting HIV infection (r = 0.222, p < .005), and discussion about sexually transmitted diseases with parents (r = 0.195, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a need for educating students on HIV/AIDS, which can be accomplished by incorporating information regarding HIV transmission and prevention into their school curriculum. School-based educational program could be beneficial.

Preliminary evidence of an adolescent HIV/AIDS peer education program.

Adolescent peer education has been found to be an effective method to improve adolescents' knowledge and positive health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a peer education program was effective in changing adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk behavior intentions, and confidence to engage in safe sex. The results showed that there was a significant difference in HIV knowledge between the peer education group and the traditionally educated group, with the peer group demonstrating greater knowledge. There was no significant difference in confidence to engage in safe sex between the two groups, but students in the intervention group were more likely to engage in safe sex than students in the traditionally educated group. Nurses can provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of peer education in adolescent health.

Effectiveness of Adolescent Peer Education Programs on Reducing HIV/STI Risk: An Integrated Review.

There is empirical evidence suggesting that peer education is efficacious in changing adolescent sexual risk behaviors; however, it is unclear if there are similarities in outcomes across studies. Thus, the purpose of this review was to synthesize published research on peer-led HIV/STI intervention programs for adolescents in an effort to determine the efficacy of peer education on knowledge, attitudes, normative beliefs, and sexual behavior. Data collection included online searches of published research from Index Medicus (Medline), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Educational Index, and PsycINFO (including PsycARTICLES) from 2000 to 2016. Twenty-four quantitative and six qualitative studies were included in the review. There appears to be evidence of the effectiveness of adolescent peer-led HIV education programs on knowledge, attitudes, normative beliefs, and self-efficacy. However, the studies reviewed were equivocal on changes in sexual behavior. The findings of the qualitative/process studies demonstrated perceived program efficacy among staff and peer educators. Peer educators and students placed a high value on peer-led programs. Mediators and/or covariates such as culture, gender, sexual experience, and age may impact findings of adolescent peer intervention studies; therefore, these factors need to be considered when implementing and evaluating peer education programs. Peer education should also focus on variables that were gleaned from qualitative studies, such as the role of the community and altruistic roles.

Predictors of life satisfaction in HIV-positive Nepali women.

In a cross-sectional design, the authors examined the degree to which indicators of physical, mental, and social domains and perceived health predicted life satisfaction in 98 HIV-positive women who were former commercial sex workers in Nepal. Measures included the Quality of Life Inventory, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the anxiety subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Life satisfaction was significantly associated with physical functioning (r = .32), role-physical (r = .31), bodily pain (r = .32), mental health (r = .39), anxiety (r = -.66), depression (r = -.47), social functioning (r = .47), and health transition (r = .49). Anxiety (beta = -.75), health transition, (beta = .45), role-physical (beta = -.43), physical function (beta = .24), and mental health (beta = -.23) explained 60% of the variance in life satisfaction. The authors discuss the challenges of international studies, including salience of the concept of quality of life, conceptual and cultural equivalence of instruments, identification of culturally relevant concerns, disclosure of private information, and instrument format.

Written educational materials for families of chronically ill children.

PURPOSE: To provide information on evaluation of written educational materials and to illustrate the evaluation of Sickle Cell Disease: A Family Guide (SCDFG) used for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their families. A large Valerie Fund Children's Center developed the SCDFG in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Special Child Health and Early Intervention Services. Two university faculty members and one pediatric nurse practitioner (NP) working in the clinic conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness and usefulness of the SCDFG. DATA SOURCES: Forty-eight caregivers of children with SCD who were using the SCDFG were asked to complete a survey developed by the investigators. The survey was completed during a clinic visit. CONCLUSIONS: The SCDFG met the standards for content, organization, layout, linguistics, visuals, readability, and comprehension. Overall, the caregivers were knowledgeable about the cause, signs and symptoms, and what to do during a sickle crisis. More than half the participants reported that they felt confident in managing their child's problems related to SCD. Confidence of the caregivers was positively correlated with their perception that the information in the SCDFG was helpful and easy to understand. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: NPs need to evaluate written educational materials that are used as part of a multifaceted approach to the care of children with chronic illnesses. A planned systematic evaluation provides the NP with information about the efficacy and usefulness of the written educational materials. These materials may help empower children and caregivers to manage their long-term illnesses.

An HIV/AIDS education intervention for Nepalese adolescent females.

This study provides empirical evidence that an educational intervention improves knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among Nepalese female adolescents. Health professionals need to better understand the cultural practices and the role of females in underdeveloped countries such as Nepal. It is also important to identify female risk status for diseases such as HIV/AIDS. There is also a need for implementing culturally appropriate educational interventions with larger samples in rural, as well as urban, areas of Nepal. Nurses can play an active role in empowering Nepalese females, and, along with the government, they can plan and implement efficacious HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Nepalese school-age children's self-reported fears and coping strategies related to medical experiences.

The purpose of this study was to determine the fears of healthy Nepalese school-age children and their coping strategies relative to medical experiences. The sample consisted of 161 children from a private and a public school in Nepal. Consistent with cognitive developmental theory and coping theory, Nepalese school-age children were capable of reporting their fears of medical experiences and their coping strategies. Nepalese school-age children reported relatively moderate levels of fears and limited use of coping strategies. A significant difference was found between boys and girls self-reported fears (t=1.94, p=.05). There was no significant difference in children's fears based on the type of school attended. However there was a significant difference between public and private school children's report of frequently used coping strategies (t=4.10, p=. 000) and coping effectiveness (t=4.30, p=. 000). Nursing implications are discussed.

Comparison of children's fears of medical experiences across two cultures.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the self-reported fears of school-age children living in the United States and in Nepal. METHOD: Thirty school-age children from each country, matched by sex and age, participated in this study. The revised version of the Child Medical Fear Scale was used to identify medical fears of children. RESULTS: Among 17 feared items, the result showed getting a shot to be the most feared item reported by both groups. Nepalese children reported higher fear scores than did American children. It also was found that there was a significant difference in fear scores between Nepalese boys and girls, with girls reporting higher fear scores than boys. There was no difference in fear scores between American boys and girls. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study are important to nurse practitioners in understanding children's fears of medical experiences across different cultures. Nurses can support children in dealing with their fears of medical experiences by recognizing these fears and taking into consideration the child's family, sex, and culture when planning care. Nursing implications are discussed.

Testing theoretical relationships: factors influencing positive health practices (PHP) in Filipino college students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine variables influencing the positive health practices (PHP) of Filipino college students to gain a better understanding of health practices in this ethnic/racial group. Cross-sectional study tested theoretical relationships postulated among (a) PHP, (b) social support (SS), (c) optimism, and (d) acculturation. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of Filipino college students (N = 226) aged 18 to 21 was obtained in June 2009. METHODS: Participants completed 4 instruments. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between PHP and SS (r = .39, p = .01) and optimism and PHP (r = .36, p = .01). No correlation was found between PHP and acculturation. Optimism and SS predicted performance of PHP (R (2) = .18, F[2, 221] = 24.927, p < .001). A difference was found in acculturation levels between participants who grew up in the United States (t[223] = 4.5, p < .001) and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Findings help health practitioners and educators to better understand the underlying factors that influence PHP in this population.

HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy among late adolescents in Nepal.

The purpose of this study was to explore HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior in Nepalese late adolescents attending college. A convenience sample of 229 baccalaureate college students completed three instruments: demographic, HIV/AIDS knowledge questions and the self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior questions. The findings of this study showed that Nepalese youth had moderate HIV/AIDS knowledge and a moderate level of self-efficacy. However, they lacked knowledge in certain aspects of HIV transmission. HIV/AIDS knowledge was strongly correlated with self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior. There was no statistical difference in HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy by gender. However, when each self-efficacy item was analyzed by gender, there were significant differences in a few items by gender. ANOVA analysis showed no significant differences on HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy by the level of education. The findings of this study indicate that there is a need for developing school-based and/or community-based programs that will increase HIV/AIDS awareness among youth and help them develop decision making and communication skills. It is also important to look at the school and college curricula and integrate more HIV/AIDS information in the curriculum.

Social support, acculturation, and optimism: understanding positive health practices in Asian American college students.

PURPOSE: This study developed and tested a theory to better understand positive health practices (PHP) among Asian Americans aged 18 to 21 years. It tested theoretical relationships postulated between PHP and (a) social support (SS), (b) optimism, and (c) acculturation, and between SS and optimism and acculturation. Optimism and acculturation were also tested as possible mediators in the relationship between SS and PHP. DESIGN: A correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 163 Asian college students in an urban setting completed four questionnaires assessing SS, PHP, optimism, and acculturation and one demographic questionnaire. FINDINGS: There were statistically significant positive relationships between SS and optimism with PHP, between acculturation and PHP, and between optimism and SS. Optimism mediated the relationship between SS and PHP, whereas acculturation did not. DISCUSSION: Findings extend knowledge regarding these relationships to a defined population of Asian Americans aged 18 to 21 years. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Findings contribute to a more comprehensive knowledge base regarding health practices among Asian Americans. The theoretical and empirical findings of this study provide the direction for future research as well. Further studies need to be conducted to identify and test other mediators in order to better understand the relationship between these two variables.

HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy among Nepalese adolescents: a peer education program.

The purposes of this study were to develop and test the effectiveness of an HIV/AIDS peer education program in improving Nepalese adolescents HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy in one of the schools in Nepal. A modified format of the program "Teens for AIDS Prevention" (TAP) was used in this study. A quasi-experimental design was used to test the effectiveness of the peer education program. A convenience sample of 121 ninth grade Nepalese students from an urban high school participated at baseline. The final paired sample included 118 students. The results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy. Nepalese adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy improved after the peer education intervention. Therefore, school personnel, health care providers, and government and nongovernment organizations should consider developing and implementing school-based HIV prevention programs such as the peer education program.