Cocaine and methamphetamine: differential addiction rates.

Clients admitted to treatment centers for stimulant addiction were categorized as either regular users of cocaine or of methamphetamine based on an algorithm involving 5 specific criteria. A subsample consisting of 90 regular users of cocaine and nonusers of methamphetamine, and 39 regular users of methamphetamine and nonusers of cocaine, was selected for comparison. Analyses showed that, when compared with cocaine users, the methamphetamine users exhibited a shorter period of time from 1st use to regular use (period of initial use) and from 1st use to treatment entry (period of pretreatment use). Relative to cocaine use, the use of methamphetamine appears to induce a faster rate of progression toward regular use and subsequent need for treatment.

The role of attributions in abstinence, lapse, and relapse following substance abuse treatment.

This study examined the role of attributions in the lapse and relapse process following substance abuse treatment. According to Marlatt and Gordon's theoretical framework, attributions made after a lapse (e.g., the Abstinence Violation Effect [AVE]) determine whether it progresses to a relapse. Also examined were the attributions of recovering drug users who were tempted but remained abstinent (never lapsed). Ninety-seven participants were recruited from an inpatient treatment center for substance abuse and completed an interview 6 months after leaving treatment. Findings partially confirmed predictions made by the AVE. Predictions made by the AVE were not supported in that lapsers and relapsers were similar regarding their internal/external attributions following a return to drug use; predictions were supported as relapsers made more stable and global attributions as compared to lapsers. Also as predicted, abstainers made more internal, stable, and global attributions regarding their abstinence (as compared to lapsers following their slip). Abstainers' attributions for their success in remaining abstinent tended to be similar to the attributions made by relapsers for their failure to remain abstinent (i.e., for their relapse). Combined, these findings highlight the complexity of the attributional process in early recovery from substance abuse. Clinical and research implications of the findings are discussed in relation to substance abuse relapse prevention.

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS among staff of community-based health and social service organizations in the Southwest: implications for staff training.

To ascertain the specific AIDS training needs of staff from community-based organizations in the Southwest, a survey of knowledge and attitudes was conducted by the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) in the 5 Southwestern cities of Albuquerque, El Paso, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tucson. The responses of 1057 staff were examined according to staff position: managerial, direct service, clerical, and volunteer. Staff were 60.3% Hispanic/Latino and 28.4% white non-Hispanic. Staff responses were examined on 3 dimensions of AIDS-related knowledge and on 3 attitudinal dimensions. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) that controlled for 4 sources of group nonequivalence revealed generally that managers and direct service staff had higher knowledge and more favorable attitudes than did clerical and volunteer staff. Of greatest concern, however, was the number of specific knowledge items for which all staff obtained less than 80% correct answers. Disturbing knowledge deficits exist on important AIDS-related information across all levels of staff. Specific content and strategies are presented for corrective interventions by staff type.

Correlates of change in walking for exercise: an exploratory analysis.

This study was designed to identify correlates of change in walking for exercise. Respondents to a random sample mailed exercise survey were asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire 24 months after the first. Responses were obtained from 1,739 adults, reflecting an 86.6% return rate. Nonrespondents did not differ from respondents for baseline level of walking for exercise. Respondents overrepresented Caucasian and middle to high education (or income) adults. Residualized measures of change in walking for exercise served as the dependent variable, adjusted for baseline walking. Similarly, key independent variables, subject to change over time, were included after residualization. At both baseline and 24 months follow-up, adults walked for exercise an average of just under 1 hour per week, and 23.5% of the initially active adults ceased walking for exercise at 2 years. Multiple regression analyses explained more variance in walking for exercise among women than men. Change in dynamic variables such as friend's support and vigorous physical activity accounted for most of the explained variance. Results suggest that dynamic variables may need to be sustained to maintain walking for exercise. The limited explained variance suggests that more precise measures and additional determinants of walking for exercise need to be identified.

Explanation of vigorous physical activity during two years using social learning variables.

This study examined determinants of vigorous physical activity in a community sample of adults over a 24-month period. Social learning theory predicts that causal relationships between determinants and behavior are bidirectional, and both the behavior and its influences are subject to change over time. Thus, dynamic variables were expected to account for more variance in exercise change than static baseline variables. Over 86% of respondents to the baseline mail survey completed follow-up surveys 24 months later, yielding a final sample of 1739. Two physical activity change indices were constructed that were adjusted for baseline exercise and demographic variables, so that the effects of social learning variables could be isolated. In a two-step hierarchical regression analysis, physical activity measures were regressed onto 21 static and six dynamic independent variables. Baseline self-efficacy was a significant predictor of exercise change for both dependent variables. Four dynamic social learning variables were significantly associated with both exercise change measures: self-efficacy, perceived barriers, family support, and friend support. Social learning variables accounted for 12.3-15.5% of the variance in exercise change over 24 months. The results provide strong support for bidirectional causation between behavior and determinants and suggest hypotheses to be tested in experimental studies.

Illness, injury, and correlates of aerobic exercise and walking: a community study.

This study explores differences in exercise and walking behavior among subjects who reported temporary or long-term illnesses or injuries serious enough to have limited physical activities. The study is primarily concerned with specifying similarities and differences in correlates of vigorous exercise and walking among illness/injury groups in comparison to a healthy sample. Subjects in the analysis (N = 2,053) were drawn from a multiwave mailed survey of a probability sampling of the adult population residing in households in San Diego, California. Although differences were found in correlates of walking and vigorous exercise among the groups, self-efficacy, the belief that one is able to perform specific activities, was the most powerful and statistically significant correlate of both walking and vigorous exercise among all groups.

Identification of correlates of physical activity among Latino adults.

127 Latino adults responded to a survey concerning physical activity. Respondents over-represented well educated and middle class Latinos. Subjects reported a mean of 48 minutes/week of walking for exercise. This sample reported less than two episodes per week of vigorous physical activity, again below the recommended 3/wk needed to insure cardiovascular fitness. We expect more representative samples to engage in less physical activity. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted using 24 variables based on Social Learning Theory. A multiple R of 0.66 accounted for over 27% of the variance in walking for exercise (p less than 0.001). Older adults, those with a history of childhood injury, and those who reported friend support were more likely to walk for exercise. Respondents who participated in physical activity during childhood and adolescence (including formal physical education in school) and, paradoxically, those who had models for exercise in childhood were less likely to walk for exercise. A multiple R of 0.75 accounted for 43% of the variance in vigorous physical activity and reached significance (p less than 0.001). Self-efficacy, friends' support, childhood physical activity, and eating a heart healthy diet were positively related to vigorous activity. These results suggest that different correlates influence walking versus vigorous activity, and that correlates of physical activity are different for Latinos compared to Anglos. The findings emphasize the need for larger scale investigations of the determinants of activity within the Latino population.

Diagnosing periodontal diseases.

At present, the diagnosis of periodontal disease requires a clinical evaluation of the patient including visual findings, the use of the periodontal probe, and radiographs. No test is available to evaluate disease activity. In specific cases, adjunctive procedures may also be useful. The identification of pathogenic microorganisms may aid in evaluating the periodontal status of special patients. However, these are not required for an adequate diagnosis of the common adult form of chronic periodontitis.

Lifetime history of relapse from exercise.

Most research on relapse from exercise has investigated one relapse episode following a structured program. The present study examined the patterns and determinants of the lifetime history of relapse from exercise in a community population. Subjects were 1.811 randomly selected residents of San Diego, California who completed an extensive mailed survey. Subjects reported the number of times over their lifetime that they had exercised vigorously for at least six months and then stopped exercising for at least three months. Approximately 60% of subjects reported zero relapses, 20% reported one or two relapses, and 20% reported three or more relapses. Relapse histories of current exercisers and current nonexercisers were virtually identical. The most commonly reported reason for the last relapse was injuries for both nonexecisers and exercisers. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify correlates of exercise relapse history. These data indicate that cross-sectional surveys of exercise behavior are inadequate to characterize exercise behavior in a population, and injuries are probably a major cause of relapse.

Healing responses to grafting of combined collagen-decalcified bone in periodontal defects in dogs.

The feasibility of a new combined collagen gel-autolysed antigen-extracted allogeneic bone implant was tested. Its effect on gaining new attachment in surgically created defects in four dogs was evaluated over 24 weeks. As controls, sites receiving implants of the bone implant alone, nonimplanted and untreated defects were also evaluated. The collagen gel encouraged ingrowth of regenerative tissue-fibroblasts in the early stages of wound healing while the allogeneic bone induced new bone formation. The graft materials were bicompatible, technically manageable and clinically effective. From the present preliminary study, it was evident that the combined autolysed antigen-extracted allogeneic bone-collagen gel implant may offer advantages over the present implant materials and techniques currently used in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.

An overview of periodontal surgical procedures.

It is obvious from the foregoing that there are many technical approaches to periodontal surgery. The mere presence of a periodontal pocket of a cerain depth as the major indicator for surgery is not as steadfast as once believed. Other criteria such as hemorrhage and exudate must also be used in evaluating the need for surgery. The decision on which approach to use remains with the therapist and the individual situation which he/she is faced. However, in the past decade it has become increasingly clear that the need for so-called more advanced surgical procedures is not as important to the control of periodontal diseases as was once thought. Regardless, it is also clear that some form of surgical intervention, as defined by this paper, is still necessary to interrupt the sequence of events that make up the pathogenesis of periodontal disease that leads to eventual tooth loss. This paper has reviewed and evaluated some of the current procedures available to the therapist in the surgical approach to therapy.

Practice styles and opportunities in periodontics.

A survey of the 3,048 Active and Affiliate members of the American Academy of Periodontology was conducted by the Task Force on Manpower of the Academy to elicit information concerning practice styles and perceived opportunities for practice. Responses from 1,580 periodontists are presented in tables which include data on general demographics of periodontists, expected age at which partial and full retirement will take place, forms of practice, weeks per year and hours per week spent in practice, number of patient visits per year, number of practice locations, years in present community, population of present community, average distance traveled by patients in the periodontal practice, numbers of dentists referring to the practice, weeks waiting time to examine new patients and to begin new treatment series, patient load, preferences regarding weeks of advance booking, perceptions regarding the supply of periodontal services in the respondent's local area as well as in other areas known to the respondent, and factors which influence selection of a practice location. Data presented were collected between November of 1978 and April, 1979.