Search

Introduction Addressing hazing within the U.S. Military has become a critical concern to safeguard the well-being of service members; recent attempts to assess hazing prevalence in the military have been unsuccessful due to under representative data. Methods To delve into the hazing climate and reporting culture at Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, 227 individuals took part in an anonymous online survey. The survey collected demographics and insights on hazing attitudes and behaviors, perceptions of group experiences including hazing/non-hazing activities, views on leadership, familiarity and experiences with reporting procedures, and bystander intervention. Results The findings echoed existing literature: while only 17.2% admitted to experiencing hazing, a striking 70.3% acknowledged involvement in specific hazing behaviors. Only 40% of participants who acknowledged experiencing hazing (n  = 35) disclosed that they reported or confided in someone about the incident. Responses highlight reporting hurdles including concerns about anonymity, confidence in the reporting process, leadership reactions to reports, and the normalization of these events as tradition. Discussion Distinct elements of military culture, such as the hierarchical chain of command, loyalty to the brotherhood/sisterhood, and the emphasis on resilience, likely amplify these responses. This study adds to the mounting evidence showcasing gaps in assessing hazing within the U.S. Military. It emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive hazing prevention program. Presently, prevention relies on mandatory training, often integrated into safety briefings or harassment workshops. However, service members require further assistance in recognizing, rejecting, and reporting instances of hazing despite these trainings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Numerous studies of school-based smoking prevention programs (SSPPs) exist; however, most have been conducted from the students' perspective, and insufficient research has explored teachers' perceptions. Our study aimed to identify factors affecting overall satisfaction and operational status from the perspective of teachers participating in the SSPP. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from a survey regarding the operation of an SSPP conducted by the Korea Health Promotion Institute in 2022. The study sample comprised 669 teachers involved in the SSPP: 215 from elementary schools, 212 from middle schools, and 242 from high schools. To identify factors influencing teachers' overall satisfaction, independent variables were categorized into three types of factors: personal, school, and teacher perceptions. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed for each factor to test the independent association. Results: For elementary school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (β=0.292; 95% CI: 0.182–0.382) increased, the overall satisfaction with the operation of the SSPP significantly improved. Similarly, for middle school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (β=0.231; 95% CI: 0.104–0.336) increased, the overall satisfaction significantly improved. Conversely, for high school teachers, the effectiveness (β=0.347; 95% CI: 0.184–0.520) was the variable that significantly improved overall satisfaction with the SSPP operation. The variables affecting teacher satisfaction across all school levels were the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education, the effectiveness of the SSPP, and its impact on smoking cessation among smoking students, all of which belonged to the teacher perceptions factor. Conclusions: Smoking education in schools requires teachers to play a crucial role. Among participating teachers, overall satisfaction with SSPP operations and the influencing factors differed according to school level, highlighting the importance of careful consideration to establish a more effective operational environment tailored to each school level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Given the rapid increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth, we updated Click City: Tobacco, an existing, efficacious, online tobacco prevention program for 5th graders with a 6th-grade booster, to also target e-cigarette use. Methods To evaluate the effectiveness of the updated 5th-grade program within a "real world" setting, we conducted a pragmatic randomized trial with 5th-grade students in 43 schools across Arizona and Oregon, assessing change in intentions and willingness to use e-cigarettes/cigarettes, from baseline to one-week post-intervention. Students in intervention schools (n  = 1327) received the updated version of Click City: Tobacco; students in control schools (n  = 1346) received their usual tobacco prevention curriculum. Results Students in intervention schools significantly decreased their intentions and willingness to use e-cigarettes and cigarettes, compared to students in control schools. The intervention also significantly changed all targeted etiological mechanisms predictive of intentions and willingness. The intervention was more effective for at-risk students, as defined by student's previous tobacco use, current family use of tobacco, and/or high in sensation-seeking. The effects of the intervention on all outcomes were similar as a function of state, gender, ethnicity, and historical timing (before COVID-19 pandemic school closures vs. after schools re-opened). Close to 90% of the students in the intervention condition completed the entire program, supporting fidelity of implementation, and teachers reported satisfaction with the program. Conclusions Findings suggest that Click City: Tobacco is effective for all 5th-grade students and can be delivered with fidelity across school settings. Implications The results of a randomized pragmatic effectiveness trial showed that the updated Click City: Tobacco program decreased intentions and willingness to both vape e-cigarettes and smoke cigarettes among 5th-grade students, particularly for those at high risk. Program effectiveness and lack of differences because of factors such as state, gender, ethnicity, and historical timing have universal implications, suggesting that all students can benefit from this program. Click City: Tobacco received high ratings of program satisfaction from teachers and was implemented with fidelity. Findings suggest that Click City: Tobacco is effective and can be easily implemented in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Numerous studies of school-based smoking prevention programs (SSPPs) exist; however, most have been conducted from the students' perspective, and insufficient research has explored teachers' perceptions. Our study aimed to identify factors affecting overall satisfaction and operational status from the perspective of teachers participating in the SSPP. Methods This is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from a survey regarding the operation of an SSPP conducted by the Korea Health Promotion Institute in 2022. The study sample comprised 669 teachers involved in the SSPP: 215 from elementary schools, 212 from middle schools, and 242 from high schools. To identify factors influencing teachers’ overall satisfaction, independent variables were categorized into three types of factors: personal, school, and teacher perceptions. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed for each factor to test the independent association. Results For elementary school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (β=0.292; 95% CI: 0.182–0.382) increased, the overall satisfaction with the operation of the SSPP significantly improved. Similarly, for middle school teachers, as the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education (β=0.231; 95% CI: 0.104–0.336) increased, the overall satisfaction significantly improved. Conversely, for high school teachers, the effectiveness (β=0.347; 95% CI: 0.184–0.520) was the variable that significantly improved overall satisfaction with the SSPP operation. The variables affecting teacher satisfaction across all school levels were the necessity of smoking prevention and cessation education, the effectiveness of the SSPP, and its impact on smoking cessation among smoking students, all of which belonged to the teacher perceptions factor. Conclusions Smoking education in schools requires teachers to play a crucial role. Among participating teachers, overall satisfaction with SSPP operations and the influencing factors differed according to school level, highlighting the importance of careful consideration to establish a more effective operational environment tailored to each school level.

Background Methods Results Conclusions So What? This cross‐sectional study aimed to understand the need and desire for a diabetes prevention program within the Y (formerly YMCA: Young Men's Christian Association) of the Greater Brisbane region, Queensland, Australia.An anonymous online survey was distributed (March–April 2023) by The Y Queensland targeting adults within the Greater Brisbane Y community. Data were collected on Y membership and branch attended, postcode, diabetes risk in the next 5 years (low, medium, or high), and interest in participation in a diabetes prevention program. Data were analysed via descriptives and cross tabulation with statistical significance considered at p < .05.Respondents (n = 575) were primarily female (65%), attending a Y branch located in the outer city (51%), and aged under 55 years (68%). Twenty Y sites were represented, with a mix of inner‐city, outer‐city, and regional areas. Overall, 46% (n = 241/530) of respondents were at high diabetes risk, with those living in relatively socio‐economically disadvantaged areas more likely (p < .001) to be at high‐risk (57%) than intermediate (26%) or low‐risk (18%). Most (68%) respondents were interested/potentially interested in program participation; those at high risk of developing diabetes in the next 5 years were most interested (55%).The Y in Greater Brisbane may provide a suitable setting to host a community‐based diabetes prevention program. Locations outside the inner city should be prioritised to target those who are relatively socio‐economically disadvantaged to align with higher need and demand.Findings inform the implementation and prioritisation of a community‐delivered diabetes prevention program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the issues of ensuring the implementation of certain areas (types) of activities in the field of fire safety, as well as provides an overview of the current changes in the regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation governing them, the program of risks prevention of harm (damage) to legally protected values in the implementation of Federal state licensing control (supervision) of activities in the field of fire safety for 2024. The article also contains legislative norms, entering into force not earlier than in 2025, that establish the procedure for qualification confirming of persons engaged in fire safety activities.

Background: The high frequency of eating disorders (EDs) in sports speaks of a need for early‐stage preventive measures. Objectives: This study evaluated the acceptability of an age, sex, and sports adapted version of the "Body Project" and changes in mental health symptoms. Methods: This noncontrolled pilot study included a class of athletes from 18 sports (N = 73, 13–14 years) at a sport‐specialized junior high school in six small‐group workshops. We interviewed 34 athletes on program acceptability, and all athletes responded to questionnaires at pretest, posttest, and 6‐month follow‐up including the Body Appreciation Scale 2–Children, Social Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire‐4 revised, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short form‐12 modified, and questions about body appearance pressure (BAP). Results: Athletes found the program acceptable and beneficial, but some missed physically oriented activities or did not identify with the focus, particularly boys. There were acceptable levels in mental health constructs before the workshops. There were temporary changes in the percentage of boys experiencing "BAP in society" by −14.8% points (95% CI: −.6 to.0, p =.04), % in total group experiencing "BAP at school" by +11% points (95% CI:.0–.2, p =.05), thinness idealization by girls (g =.6, p =.002) and total group (g =.4, p =.006), and muscularity idealization by boys (g =.3, p =.05) and total group (g =.23, p =.04). Discussion: Athletes experienced benefits from the Young Athlete Body Project. Seeing stabilization in outcomes may mean a dampening of the otherwise expected worsening in body appreciation and ED symptoms over time. Public Significance: Adolescent athletes are at risk for developing EDs. Due to lack of prevention programs for this group, we adapted and evaluated a well‐documented effective program, the Body Project, to fit male and female athletes <15 years. The athletes accepted the program and experienced participation benefits, with stronger acceptance among girls. Our promising findings encourage larger scaled randomized controlled trials to further evaluate a refined version this program among very young athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm labor significantly impacts premature birth, influencing infant development and health outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of the Preterm Labor Prevention Program on primary outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, self-care practices) and secondary outcomes (preterm labor, preterm birth rates). Sixty-six high-risk participants aged 15-49 attending antenatal care clinics in Northeastern Thailand were selected using multi-stage random sampling. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 32) receiving the Preterm Labor Prevention Program in addition to routine care or the control group (n = 34) receiving routine care. Data collection employed questionnaires on knowledge, attitude, self-care practice, preterm labor, and preterm birth rates. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA for knowledge, attitudes, and self-care practice scores across three-time points at baseline before the intervention, immediately and four weeks after program completion, and chi-square tests for comparing preterm labor and premature birth rates across groups. Results indicated that the mean score of knowledge, attitude, and self-care practice in the experiment group was significantly increased over time immediately and four weeks after program completion and significantly higher than that of the control group at both time points. Furthermore, the incidence of preterm labor and the preterm birth rate in the experiment group were 6.25% and 3.10%, respectively. However, the incidence of preterm labor and the preterm birth rate in the control group were equal at 20.60%. Nurses and midwives can apply this program to increase knowledge, more positive attitudes, and practice to reduce preterm labor and preterm birth in high-risk pregnancies, but first, testing of the program is required with an increased number of participants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite several parallels between intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA), programs designed to reduce either of these forms of violence against women rarely evaluate the impact on both IPV and SA. Accordingly, we investigated whether one such program (the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) Sexual Assault Resistance program), designed to help university-aged women resist SA, could also reduce subsequent IPV. Women university students who were enrolled in the Sexual Assault Resistance Education (SARE) randomized controlled trial examining the impact of the EAAA program on SA, were recruited immediately after completing the last survey in the SARE trial. From this trial, 153 women completed the IPV substudy, which included an additional survey. Occurrence of IPV was assessed using the Composite Abuse Scale. Of the 93 new relationships reported by 66 women in the control group, the 1-year risk of IPV was 26.8%. In contrast, of the 113 new relationships reported by 87 women in the EAAA program group, the 1-year risk of IPV was 12.2%. Effectively, the EAAA program significantly reduced the 1-year risk of IPV by 54.4% (p = .037, 95% CI [2.9%, 79.8%]). Our findings suggest that the EAAA program is effective in reducing the risk of IPV and highlights the generalizability of programming that targets the foundational underpinning of multiple forms of gender-based violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersexuality and impulsivity are regarded as risk factors for sexual offending against children. Studies exploring these factors in undetected men who offended or are at risk of offending are rare. This study aims to investigate hypersexuality and impulsivity in treatment-seeking men with and without a diagnosis of (exclusive) pedophilia who committed child sexual abuse (CSA), consumed child sexual abuse images (CSAI), or feel at risk of offending sexually. Data were obtained from three child abuse prevention projects in Bamberg, Germany. We employed self-report (BIS-11, HBI), objective measures (TSO), and risk assessment tools (STABLE-2007). We computed Bayesian ordinal logit and binomial generalized linear models to explore differences between groups and to predict lifetime CSA and CSAI. Hypersexuality scores were particularly pronounced in patients with exclusive and non-exclusive pedophilia. Patients without pedophilia scored similarly to nonclinical samples. Impulsivity measures did not consistently differ between groups. We could not predict lifetime CSA and CSAI using impulsivity and hypersexuality measures. Sexual rather than general impulsivity seems to be an issue in men with pedophilia. The motivation to offend in patients without pedophilia is discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: The prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) among young people is a major challenge for public policies. Nevertheless, there are a few prevention programs that have proven effective in France. “Sortir Ensemble & Se Respecter” (SE&SR) is a Swiss adaptation of “Safe Dates,” an American intervention program that has reduced violent behavior by young perpetrators and victims of IPV alike. The aim of this article is to analyze the applicability and “potential transferability” of SE&SR in France., Methods: We described the SE&SR intervention by explaining the intervention theory, the key functions (i.e., the “ingredients” allowing the SE&SR program to work), and we commented on its applicability from a perspective of adapting and transferring it to the French context. We used the ASTAIRE tool and the FIC (key functions, implementation, context) approach., Results: The intervention theory highlighted various factors, acting at the individual level (i.e., beliefs/representations, knowledge, life skills) and at the level of the living environment (i.e., facilities welcoming young people; families; public policies; networks of actors), that can prevent IPV among young people. Ten key functions have been identified, revealing the “skeleton” of the Swiss intervention. We drew on these results to comment on the intervention’s applicability, with a view to transferability, specifying the contextual elements to consider before implementing SE&SR in France., Conclusion: This study aims to make the process of evaluating applicability, with a view to transferring an evidence-based program to the French context, more accessible.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can manifest after a traumatic event where the individual perceives a threat to his or her life or that of others. Its estimated prevalence in the European population is 0.7% to 1.9%. According to the "dose-response" model, individuals who are most exposed to traumatic events are most at risk of developing PTSD. Hence, it is unsurprising that studies have observed a higher prevalence among the military population, ranging from 10% to 18%, or even up to 45%. This project's overall goal is to evaluate the primary prevention actions that can strengthen the resilience of at-risk professionals, notably military personnel, in the short term, with the medium- to long-term aim of preventing the occurrence of PTSD and improving the patient's prognosis., Objective: This study's objectives are (1) to design a primary prevention program for PTSD, tailored to the studied military population and compatible with operational constraints; and (2) to implement and validate the Primary Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Professionals (PREPARE) program in the short term with operational personnel belonging to the French Mountain Infantry Brigade., Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, parallel-group controlled cohort study. The cohort is divided into 2 groups: the nonintervention group receives no training, and the intervention group follows a dedicated prevention program (structured into 8 workshops and 2 debriefing and practice reinforcement workshops). Each participant is evaluated 4 times (at inclusion, +4 months, +6 months, and +12 months). During each visit, participants complete several psychosocial questionnaires (which take 15-80 minutes to complete). Samples (a 30-mL blood sample and three 5-mL saliva samples) are collected on 3 occasions: at inclusion, +4 months, and +12 months. Emotional reactivity (electrocardiogram and electrodermal activity) is measured before, during, and after the classic and the emotional Stroop task., Results: The project is currently ongoing, and results are expected to be published by the end of 2024., Conclusions: The study adopts an integrative approach to the processes that play a role in the risk of developing PTSD. Our biopsychosocial perspective makes it possible to target levers related to factors specific to the individual and socio-professional factors. The following dimensions are addressed: (1) biophysiology (by studying markers of the neurobiological stress response, wear and tear, and vulnerability phenomena and reinforcing the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system), (2) psychology (by facilitating and measuring the development of flexible coping strategies to deal with stress and evaluating the moderating role of the individual's sense of duty in the development of PTSD), and (3) social (by facilitating community strategies aimed at reducing stigmatization and supporting the use of care by professionals in difficulty, in the institutional context)., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05094531; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05094531., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/47175., (©Emmanuelle Le Barbenchon, Marion Trousselard, Sonia Pellissier, Mathilde Moisseron-Baudé, Philippine Chachignon, Pierre Bouny, Emma Touré Cuq, Sandrine Jacob, Cécile Vigier, Maud Hidalgo, Damien Claverie, Anais M Duffaud. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 26.01.2024.)