Cancer Information Overload Across Time: Evidence from Two Longitudinal Studies.

A majority of U.S. adults report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of available cancer information, termed cancer information overload (CIO). Research has demonstrated CIO is prevalent and negatively related to health behaviors, but no study to date has examined this disposition across time. Two longitudinal studies - a colonoscopy intervention among older U.S. adults (N = 237) and an HPV vaccination intervention among young U.S. women (N = 411) - were utilized to examine CIO stability across time and its relationship to prevention intentions and indifference. CIO increased indifference for non-adherent individuals but had no effect on intentions. CIO was stable in study 1 but not study 2, suggesting CIO stabilizes across the life course. Results also support a five-item measure of CIO.

Leveraging Partnerships to Reduce Insulin Needlestick Injuries: Nurse-Led System-Wide Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous injuries from needlesticks are a major occupational hazard for nurses. LOCAL PROBLEM: Reducing subcutaneous insulin-related needlestick injuries was part of a nurse-led comprehensive sharps injury-reduction program at an integrated, not-for-profit health system. METHODS: The incident rate of needlestick injuries was compared between 1 year before and 1 year after introducing this quality improvement project. INTERVENTIONS: A system-wide educational program instituting changes in subcutaneous insulin administration practices was combined with supply chain standardization using a single type of safety-engineered insulin syringe. RESULTS: The average monthly incidence of needlestick injuries per 10 000 subcutaneous insulin injections fell significantly from year to year (incidence rate ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.80; Poisson regression P = .004). One-year cost savings for supplies totaled $3500; additional annual median savings were $24 875 (2019 US dollars) in estimated costs of needlestick injuries averted. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of this multifaceted project provides a practical template to reduce subcutaneous insulin-related needlestick injuries.

The Importance of Understanding COVID-19: The Role of Knowledge in Promoting Adherence to Protective Behaviors.

Background: Past research suggests that knowledge supports- but strong illness expectations thwart- adoption of protective behaviors (e.g., handwashing). Strong illness expectations may place COVID-19 essential workers at risk. It is unclear, however, whether knowledge can moderate the negative effects of pessimistic illness expectations on protective behaviors. We test COVID-19 knowledge as a moderator of the effects of (1) pessimistic illness expectations and (2) essential worker status on adherence to protective behaviors. Methods: Participants (n = 350) completed measures of knowledge, illness expectations, and protective behaviors. We used chi-square tests to examine associations between variables and logistic regressions to test the moderation models predicting adherence (low, high) while controlling for demographics. Results: Knowledge, illness expectations, and adherence were significantly associated with each other (p < 0.05). Essential workers had stronger illness expectations and lower knowledge than did non-essential workers (p < 0.001). Logistic regressions showed a non-significant Worker Status × Knowledge interaction (p = 0.59) but a significant Knowledge × Illness Expectations interaction (p < 0.05) indicating that those with strong illness expectations and low knowledge were disproportionately at risk of failing to adhere to recommended behaviors. Conclusions: Knowledge promotes protective behaviors by buffering the negative effects of pessimistic illness expectations. Essential workers are more likely to have low levels of knowledge with strong illness expectations, suggesting that educational policies may be warranted.

Revisiting nutrition backlash: Psychometric properties and discriminant validity of the nutrition backlash scale.

OBJECTIVES: Nutrition backlash is a disposition defined by negative feelings about dietary recommendations. Past research has measured nutrition backlash using the nutrition backlash scale (NBS) and found that it is negatively related to the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to examine several aspects of the NBS, including factor structure, discriminant validity, and relationship to demographic characteristics and health behaviors. METHODS: Adults were recruited to participate in two studies. Study 1 (N = 480) included measures of nutritional backlash, information overload, worry, fatalism, and nutrition-related behaviors. Study 2 (N = 399) was a follow-up that examined the factor structure of the NBS in a separate sample. RESULTS: In study 1, a six-item version of the NBS was found to be a good fit for the data and discriminant from overload, worry, and fatalism. NBS was higher for those with less education, non-white participants, and men. Individuals with higher backlash were less likely to look at nutritional labels and to use sunscreen. Study 2 confirmed the factor structure from study 1. CONCLUSIONS: A six-item version of the NBS was found to be reliable, discriminant from related measures, higher in underserved groups (less-educated, non-white, and male participants), and related to nutrition label use.

Cancer information overload: Discriminant validity and relationship to sun safe behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: Past research suggests a large number of adults feel overwhelmed by the amount of cancer information - a phenomenon labeled cancer information overload (CIO). The current study examines whether CIO is discriminant from other negative message perceptions (reactance, information avoidance) and related to sun safe behaviors. METHODS: U.S. adults (N = 2,219) completed survey questions assessing CIO, dispositional reactance, defensive/information avoidance, sun safe behavior, and knowledge. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that CIO was discriminant from dispositional reactance, information avoidance, and defensive avoidance, and individuals with higher overload were more likely to tan, less likely to have an annual checkup with a healthcare provider, and less knowledgeable about sun safe protection. Unexpectedly, individuals with higher CIO were more likely to wear wide-brimmed hats. CONCLUSION: CIO is distinct from reactance and avoidance, and related to performance/knowledge of sun safe behaviors, and receiving annual healthcare checkups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The correlation between CIO and sun safe behavior differs by behavior; a pattern which suggests practitioners might benefit from adapting their communication strategy based on the target population and behavior.