A developmental-contextual approach to understanding sexuality education course content is used in this national study. Examining policy as a factor that may influence young people's environments and hence their development is an important role for developmental research. Using data from the CDC's School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000 and the Alan Guttmacher Institute's State Policies in Brief Report (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2001), three general topic areas are addressed. First, can school level be differentiated by the sexuality education topics taught at various school levels? Second, are there significant differences in state policies that regulate school-based sexuality education targeting different school levels? Third, how do state and classroom level variables contribute to variance in the likelihood of a given topic being taught as part of school health education? The two sources of data provide a nationally representative sample of 1,201 teachers and state level data from Department of Education administrators and policies from all 50 states. These data were analyzed using stepwise discriminant analysis and Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM). This study resulted in three primary findings. First, both state policies and classroom content were significantly different by school level. Second, state policy was not a good predictor of the course content being taught in the classroom. Third, teachers' desires for additional training significantly predicted the sexuality education course content taught in schools. Implications for both research and practice were discussed.

This multi-method study explored the link between sports involvement during the high school years and sexual behavior/health among 176 adolescent women. The current study employed quantitative methodology to replicate the documented connections between sports involvement and adolescent women's sexual behavior and sexual/reproductive health, but used more sensitive and appropriate measures. Additionally, in part directed by cultural resource theory, the present study helped to fill a gap in the literature by exploring three potential explanatory mechanisms (i.e., mediators) in the above connections. Those mechanisms included: (a) functional body orientation; (b) self-empowerment/efficacy; and (c) sexual/reproductive health-related information/motivation via coach. Results from the quantitative data suggested that adolescent women's involvement in organized team sports was favorably associated with each of the following: (a) sexual risk-taking behavior, (b) sexual/reproductive health-seeking behavior, and (c) sexual/reproductive health. In addition, both adolescent women's functional body orientation and adolescent women's self-empowerment/efficacy emerged as mediators in the associations between adolescent women's sports involvement and adolescent women's sexual behavior/health. Thus, the current study suggests the potential for sports involvement to favorably influence adolescent women's sexual behavior/health and pinpoints key mechanisms that help to clarify the nature of that influence. The current study used qualitative methodology to explore the ways in which the adolescent women felt that their sports involvement influenced their lives and feelings about their bodies. In general, the sports involvement-derived outcomes that emerged from the adolescent women's written comments were positive, suggesting that the adolescent women felt that their sports involvement during their high school years was overwhelmingly beneficial. Potential implications of those outcomes for the sexual/reproductive health of adolescent women are discussed. Qualitative methodology also was used in the current study to explore adolescent women's experience of sexual/reproductive health-related coach talk. Based on the adolescent women's reports of their experiences of such coach talk, it appears that coaches might be one logical and effective avenue by which key sexual/reproductive health messages can be transmitted to adolescent female athletes. Implications for the development of sports and community programs focused on the prevention of teenage pregnancy and STDs are discussed.

Current AIDS information surveys are designed to evaluate an individual's degree of AIDS-related knowledge. These surveys are conducted in a forced-choice Likert format. Because rates of sexually transmitted diseases are increasing, (and by inference, therefore, so is AIDS), the author contends that testing "knowledge" is an inaccurate method in assessing sexual behavior. This study, which involves two-hour long, open-ended interviews with twenty-five college women, displays that their level of AIDS knowledge has little bearing on their sexual activity. Rather, peer group norms and values of sexual exchange influenced their sexual decision-making process. The women utilized several "voices" when discussing feelings of sexuality to negotiate coexisting dominant cultural ideals. This study explores student's sense of personal vulnerability, blame, responsibility and perceived necessity to adopt safer sexual practices.

<p> American Heart Association officials and other expert cardiologists recommend omega-3 (n-3) dietary supplementation for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, a prevalent health problem in the United States. Physicians' lack of understanding of possible n-3 preventive health benefits results in underprescribing n-3 dietary supplements and lower n-3 dietary supplement product sales. N-3 dietary supplement marketers do not understand physician n-3 prescribing decision criteria enough to optimize high-impact communication to physicians to increase n-3 dietary supplement product use. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to improve n-3 marketers' understanding of how physicians reach decisions to prescribe or recommend products including n-3 dietary supplements. Argyris' ladder of inference theory provided the study framework to facilitate understanding physicians' decision criteria. Rich data collected and analyzed from 20 primary care physician interviews in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee revealed physicians use similar decision criteria for drugs and n-3s. Three essential influencers of physician decisions included clinical evidence, personal experience, and cost. Other influencers were opinions of peers, pharmaceutical representatives, samples, direct-to-consumer advertising, and knowledge of dietary supplements. Study outcomes may inform pharmaceutical marketers regarding presentation of clinical evidence, cost emphasis, and pharmaceutical representative skills and may facilitate competitive advantage for n-3 marketers. The social benefit of this study is improved physician understanding of n-3s may result in more accurate and appropriate prescribing to augment positive health outcomes. </p>

<p> A severe and worsening nursing shortage exists in the United States. Increasing numbers of new graduate nurses are necessary to meet this demand. To address the concerns of increased nursing demand, leaders of nursing schools must ensure larger numbers of nursing students graduate. Prior to practicing as registered nurses in the United States, graduates of nursing schools must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Various companies, such as the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) and Kaplan have created NCLEX-RN predictor tests that report candidates&rsquo; chances of passing the NCLEX-RN. ATI created a test called the RN Comprehensive Predictor and Kaplan created an NCLEX-RN predictor examination called the Kaplan Readiness Test. Students with less than optimal scores on the predictor can remediate to improve their knowledge of nursing, critical thinking, and test-taking skills. The intent for the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor and the Kaplan Readiness Test is to predict the probability of success on the NCLEX-RN. The focus of the quantitative study was the ability of the aforementioned examinations to predict both success and failure on the NCLEX-RN. The overall TEAS score did not have a significant relationship with NCLEX-RN results. However, the ATI TEAS Math score was significantly higher (<i>p</i> = .005) for students who passed the NCLEX-RN. Data analysis showed no significant relationship between the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Readiness Test and NCLEX-RN results (<i>p</i> > .05). A significant relationship between the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX-RN scores existed in both the total sample (<i>p</i> = .001) and the BSN subsample (<i> p</i> = .001). In the MSN student subsample, all 37 students passed the NCLEX on the first attempt.</p>

<p> The implementation of telehealth applications is resource intensive and fraught with challenges unique to the people and places involved. The use of telehealth to provide clinical care to patients, educate patients and providers, and conduct research studies to advance medical science has been shown to positively affect issues of access and the quality of care. Previous research has focused on the use of specific technologies, known barriers to adoption and diffusion, and the general efficacy of these applications. Few studies have researched the role champions play in the deployment and operation of telehealth networks. The researcher proposed conducting an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of clinicians, educators and technical professionals within a successful telehealth network to determine the lived experiences that identify them as champions in the field. </p><p> Three research questions were studied: 1) What do telehealth champions believe to be the human elements necessary to advance telehealth systems?; 2) How do these telehealth champions explain their empowerment during the creation and use of telehealth networks?; and 3) How do these champions use shared processes and experiences to help spur engagement? Semi-structured interviews with 16 champions from the three disciplines were conducted to explore their lived experiences as part of a telehealth network. Seven champion themes&mdash;<i>modern pioneers; champion teams; agents of change; knowledge brokers; supported by management; advocates, not champions; and well-prepared visionaries</i>&mdash;emerged from the iterative review and analysis of data. Findings suggest that telehealth champions are not born but instead created. They are modern pioneers who function as part of innovative telehealth teams. Champions also serve as agents of change who utilize their knowledge of disruptive technologies to advocate for improvement in established healthcare systems. They are problem solvers who serve as resources for their colleagues, organizations and collaborative networks. Telehealth champions channel the universal goals of improving patient care and expanding healthcare access to overcome adoption barriers. Applying the ideals of what it means to be champions and how they overcome barriers to new telehealth applications could prove to be very beneficial for those tasked with developing new networks. </p>

<p> Attitudes toward patient safety are the foundation of patient safety culture. Nursing students begin to formulate their attitudes toward patient safety while in educational programs. Nursing faculty have been challenged in their efforts to enhance the patient safety culture of students because there is a lack of empirical evidence as to which teaching strategies positively affect student attitudes toward patient safety. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a 50-minute teaching module based upon the concept of medical error recovery and 9 dimensions of patient safety culture as measured by the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire. The guiding framework for the study was the reciprocal interactive theory of patient safety culture in nursing. The conceptual model used to illuminate the role of nurses in recovering medical errors in the educational intervention was the modified Eindhoven model of near-miss events. The sample comprised 4 student cohorts (N = 142) enrolled in an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) program at one university, with 4 participants lost to follow-up (n = 138). A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group, pretest/posttest design was used to compare mean attitude scores between the control (n = 75) group and the intervention group (n = 63) after statistically controlling for the pretest. ANCOVA revealed statistically higher mean attitude scores for the intervention group in 5 of 9 dimensions of patient safety culture with a small-medium effect size associated with the intervention: patient safety training, error inevitability, professional incompetence as error cause, patient's role in error, and importance of patient safety culture in curriculum. The results supported the use of a short-duration educational session on medical error recovery to enhance a subset of patient safety culture dimensions among ABSN students.</p>

<p> More than half of the incidents and mortality rates from cervical cancer occur among minority groups, including immigrant women from continental Africa living in the United States. Although researchers have examined cervical cancer screening practices among minority populations, including Black women in Africa and in the United States, there are few studies on cervical cancer screening and associated risk factors, specifically among African women living in the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between selected factors and cervical cancer screening practices among African immigrant women living in the United States. Using the behavioral model for vulnerable populations as a theoretical basis, this cross-sectional quantitative study was focused on determining the association between family income, level of education, language of interview, insurance status, age, and perceived health status and cancer screening practices. Data on 572 African immigrant women from the National Health Interview Survey in 2005, 2008, and 2010 were used for the study. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Key findings indicate that family income, education level, and age were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening practices among African immigrant women in the United States. Findings from the study support positive social change by targeting at-risk groups for cervical cancer screening programs. The long-term goal of early cervical cancer screening is to lower cervical cancer rates among African immigrant women in the United States. The findings from the study can be used by community health professionals to provide education that can lead to utilization of cervical cancer screening services based on guidelines and recommendations.</p>

<p> Obesity is described as a chronic disease affecting adults, children, and adolescents. It has become a significant burden for the healthcare system and is considered one of the top health problems contributing to severe complications from childhood through adulthood. Obesity represents one of the most worrisome health problems in the United States, because it directly affects the health of individuals.</p><p> The research objective was to educate parents and grandparents of Latino children under age 17 regarding the importance of healthy food choices and physical activity. The aim was to empower parents and grandparents to practice health promotion and disease prevention. A descriptive design with pretest and posttest was utilized to indicate the knowledge gained by participants after the instructional phase. The result of the data analysis indicated an increase for the majority of participants regarding their level of understanding about healthy eating and the importance of physical activity.</p>

<p> Registered nurses practice in an environment that involves complex healthcare issues requiring continuous learning and evaluation of cognitive and technical skills to ensure safe and quality patient care. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the continuing educational needs of the expert nurse. This study focused on the use of simulation as a learning platform in the continuation of competency. The study was based on the theories of adult learning and novice to expert. A sample of 10 expert nurses was interviewed regarding their experiences in the use of simulation during continuing education endeavors. The finding indicated that the use of simulation in this study population was effective in the maintenance of competency or in the delivery of new information. The study finding also offered developmental ideas for nurse educators in the planning and delivery of simulation to this study population.</p>