Correlates of gambling among youth in an inner-city emergency department.

Correlates of past year gambling were examined in a diverse sample of 1128 youth ages 14 to 18 (54.1% female, 58.0% African American) presenting to an inner-city emergency department (ED). Overall, 22.5% of the sample reported past-year gambling. Male youth were more likely to gamble than female youth, and African American youth reported higher rates of past-year gambling than non-African American youth. Significant bivariate correlates of gambling included lower academic achievement, being out of school, working more than 20 hours per week, alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use, alcohol problems, severe dating violence, moderate and severe general violence, and carrying a weapon. When examined simultaneously, being male, African American, out of school, working for pay, alcohol and marijuana use, severe general violence, and carrying a weapon all emerged as significant correlates of past-year gambling, largest amount of money gambled, and gambling frequency. In addition, involvement in severe dating violence was associated with frequency and largest amount gambled. The results suggest that gambling is common among youth in the inner city and is associated with several risk behaviors. The inner-city ED may provide a context for screening and intervention to address multiple risk behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Women's mammography experience and its impact on screening adherence.

OBJECTIVES: Although rates for first-time and recent mammography screening have increased for women in the US in the past decade, rates for repeat mammography remain low. This study aimed to conduct an analysis of women's mammography experience, to examine the rates of repeat mammography and to identify the significant predictors of repeat mammography within 12 and 18 months of the index mammogram. METHODS: Participants were 397 women obtaining a screening mammogram (i.e. index) at three university-affiliated radiology clinics. Following the index mammogram, women completed the measures assessing demographic background, health history, breast cancer knowledge, risk, and screening history, and aspects of the mammography experience. Eighteen months following the index mammogram, 296 women were contacted via telephone to assess repeat mammography behavior. RESULTS: Factor analysis of a mammography experience survey yielded four major components including satisfaction with clinic services, physical experience, psychological experience, and communication with clinic staff. Twelve-month and 18-month repeat mammography rates were 37 and 68%, respectively. Logistic regression models found lifetime number of mammograms to predict repeat mammography at 12 and 18 months. In addition, the number of clinical breast exams obtained in the past 5 years predicted repeat mammography at 12 months, while having scheduled a mammography appointment predicted repeat mammography at 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, strategies to increase mammography adherence include implementing a formal reminder system that prompts patients (e.g. postcard, automated telephone call) to schedule an annual mammogram or training clinic staff to automatically schedule an annual mammogram at the time of the current screening appointment.

Elective rotations and their impact on resident and faculty decision making.

BACKGROUND: Restrictions on resident-duty work hours have led to fewer opportunities to participate in elective rotations. PURPOSE: To investigate the potential impact of elective rotations on resident and faculty physicians using allergy/immunology (A/I) as a model. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 375 primary care physicians. It assessed demographic information, training background, A/I-referral history and intentions, and perceived knowledge of A/I-specific issues. RESULTS: A total of 228 surveys were returned. Resident physicians who were more senior in their training or who had taken an A/I rotation were more likely to have referred a patient to A/I in the past, more likely to refer a patient to A/I for chronic sinusitis, and more likely to report a greater knowledge of A/I topics. Faculty physicians with a history of an A/I rotation were more likely to feel knowledgeable about A/I topics. CONCLUSION: Elective rotations are positively correlated with perceived knowledge, referral intentions, and past history of referrals.