The impact of T-ACASI interviewing on reported drug use among men who have sex with men.

Measurements of drug use and other illicit or stigmatized behaviors are subject to nontrivial underreporting biases. During in-person surveys, respondents are more likely to report such behaviors when interviewed using techniques that maximize interviewee privacy, e.g., use of paper SAQs and audio-CASI rather than questioning by human interviewers. Until recently, respondents in telephone surveys could not be offered similar privacy. A new technology, telephone audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (T-ACASI) overcomes this limitation of telephone surveys by allowing respondents to respond to a computer. A randomized experimental test of T-ACASI was embedded in the Urban Men's Health Study (UMHS). UMHS surveyed a probability sample of 2,881 men from four United States cities and who reported having sex with men. Respondents interviewed using T-ACASI reported a higher prevalence of drug use and drug-related behaviors than respondents interviewed by human interviewers. However, survey respondents were more likely to break off an interview when the interview was conducted by a T-ACASI computer rather than by a human interviewer.

Correlates of sexually transmitted bacterial infections among U.S. women in 1995.

CONTEXT: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of bacterial origin such as gonorrhea and chlamydial infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Identifying behaviors and characteristics associated with infection may assist in preventing these often asymptomatic diseases and their sequelae. METHODS: Data from 9,882 sexually active women who participated in the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth describe the characteristics of women who report a history of infection with a bacterial STD or of treatment for PID. Multivariate analysis is used to determine which demographic characteristics and sexual and health-related behaviors affect the likelihood of infection or the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: Overall, 6% of sexually active women reported a history of a bacterial STD, and 8% reported a history of PID. Women who first had sexual intercourse before age 15 were nearly four times as likely to report a bacterial STD, and more than twice as likely to report PID, as were women who first had sex after age 18. Having more than five lifetime sexual partners also was associated with both having an STD and having PID. PID was more common among women reporting a history of a bacterial STD (23%) than among women who reported no such history (7%). In multivariate analyses, age, race, age at first intercourse and lifetime number of sexual partners had a significant effect on the risk of a bacterial STD. Education, age, a history of IUD use, douching and a history of a bacterial STD had a significant impact on the risk of PID, but early onset of intercourse did not, and lifetime number of partners had only a marginal effect. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of characteristics and behaviors that place women at risk of infection with bacterial STDs is not uniform among groups of women. Further, the level of self-reported PID would suggest higher rates of gonorrhea and chlamydial infection than reported.

Informed consent documents for BRCA1 and BRCA2 screening: how large is the readability gap?

The decision to undergo testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, can have long-term consequences on women's lives. Women who decide to undergo such testing are required to sign informed consent documents, which indicate that they understand the test and its risks and benefits. These documents are generally written for advanced-level readers. However, the reading abilities of many women are substantially lower than the level of the consent forms, resulting in a 'readability gap'. This disparity suggests that women may not fully understand the documents they are asked to sign. The 'readability gap' poses the serious issues about informed consent, raising questions about institutional review boards and the effectiveness of the documents that are currently in use.

Teenage sexual and contraceptive behavior: the case of Mexico.

PIP: Approximately 11.5% of the Mexican population is aged 15-19 years, with recent statistics indicating that 17% of live births in 1990 were to mothers in the age group. The authors consider the evolution of population growth among Mexican adolescents by reviewing descriptive and diagnostic studies conducted in Mexico City on youth's sexual and contraceptive behaviors, the development of an integral sex education program, and its evaluation. Study results presented have important implications for the design and development of sexuality education programs and courses potentially leading to a reduction in the incidence of early sexual debuts and improvement in contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents. Focus should be given to basic sexuality education with open and clear communication fostered within social networks of peers and family. Teens should also be helped to develop assertiveness, develop decision making strategies, and regard their future needs and goals over the long term.^ieng

Sex, contraception, and pregnancy among adolescent in Mexico City.

This article presents the development and results of a study that analyzed the psychosocial determinants of abstaining from sexual intercourse, practicing contraception, and avoiding pregnancy. It was carried out with a representative household and a clinic sample of 12-19-year-old females of lower-middle and lower socioeconomic levels in Mexico City. Among the implications of the results for program design are: (1) the need for clarifying erroneous beliefs and providing detailed, practical knowledge concerning sexuality, pregnancy, use of and access to contraceptives; (2) a broad definition of sex education that emphasizes family communication, values clarification, provision of alternative role options for women other than motherhood, and both the goals and the skills needed to achieve them--for example, independent decision-making. Attention to male attitudes and communication skills as well as ways of improving communication and support networks among peers was also found to be essential.

Serum carbenoxolone in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer: Absorption, efficacy and side-effects.

The absorption of carbenoxolone sodium has been studied in 15 patients with gastric ulcer and eight patients with duodenal ulcer treated for four weeks. Blood levels of carbenoxolone showed a log distribution, varied markedly between patients, and were significantly higher after Biogastrone tablets (300 mg/day) than after Duogastrone capsules (200 mg/day). Serum carbenoxolone levels were similar in patients taking Biogastrone tablets before or after meals, and in patients taking Biogastrone tablets or Duogastrone capsules with or without antacids following chronic administration. Serum carbenoxolone levels were similar in patients whose gastric ulcers had or had not healed after four weeks' treatment. Serum carbenoxolone was significantly higher in patients who developed oedema, and was significantly correlated with age and with fall in plasma potassium. Carbenoxolone may exert its metabolic effects systemically, but its ulcer-healing effects topically; additional studies are needed to test this hypothesis.