In the United States, the rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, caused by unprotected sex is alarmingly high. Adverse outcomes of unprotected sexual intercourse continue to be a burden, not only for affected adolescents but for the community at large. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study applied the PRECEDE model as a means to identify those salient risk factors and risk conditions of sex initiation and engagement in unprotected sex among adolescent students. Results showed that 52.6% of the students have had sexual intercourse and 54.5% of sexually experienced students reported inconsistent condom use during sexual intercourse. Logistic regression analysis showed that risks factors for having had sexual intercourse differ from those for having engaged in unprotected sex in sexually experienced students. Furthermore, these factors also differed between male and female students. Only students’ age and perceived hardships related to pregnancy were found to be common risk factors for both outcomes in both sex groups. Results suggest that the PRECEDE is a practical tool to aid program planners identify the intervention priorities most relevant to their target populations.

Handwashing is a well known practice to prevent the hospital-acquired infections, and it is also a basic procedure of the nosocomial infection control programs. This research is conducted to use PRECEDE model to investigate the factors affecting nurses¡¦ performance in handwashing practices. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate 212 nurses working patients` heaithcare from a medical center of north Taiwan, and a quota sampling method was used to analyze nurses¡¦ handwashing practices. The results of this research includes (1) the major causes affect nursing staffs¡¦ performance in handwashing practices include attitudes (enthusiastic and passive), encouragements from colleagues, and feedback of the nosocomial infection rate or density. (2) different perfessional department and different ward type also affect the performance of nurses¡¦ handwashing practices. (3) nurses washed their hands often after contacting patients¡¦ body substances, and they usually forget to wash their hands after checking patients¡¦ medicine charts. (4) seif-reported factors for poor adherence with handwashing are heavy work loading and taking patients¡¦ needs priority. The suggestions of this research are (1) providing nurses the routine feedback information regarding the changes in nosocomial infection rate versus their performance in handwashing practices. (2) making nursing supervisors and their colleagues to understand the importance of handwashing practice as well as encouragement, reminding, and supporting. (3) the above two suggestions should be executed continually. From the positive feedback, it shall enhance nursing staffs` attitudes to improve their handwashing practices, and then, nursing staffs will be willing to keep excellent performance in handwashing practices.