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Introduction. Despite increasing interest in structural (policy, systems, and environmental) changes to improve health, little attention has focused on the adoption, implementation, sustainability, and potential for dissemination of these changes among local community-based organizations. Method. A mixed methods approach was used for this process evaluation. Representatives of nine community-based organizations were surveyed using closed-ended questions and in-depth qualitative interviews to describe 32 policy changes. Diffusion of Innovation theory was used to inform the development of survey questions and the interview guide. Results. Policies adopted by local community-based organizations concerned types of food/beverages provided to staff/clients, methods to encourage physical activity, breastfeeding support, and tobacco control. The majority of the policies were either fully (66%) or partially (31%) implemented 1 year after their initial adoption. In general, participants somewhat/strongly agreed that policies had characteristics that predict sustainability/diffusion (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability). In-depth interview responses described a generally smooth process for policy adoption and high levels of optimism for continued sustainability but revealed few efforts to disseminate the policies beyond the original organization. Conclusions. Structural changes in community-based organizations are a valuable tool for encouraging healthy changes in communities and have great potential to be adopted, sustained, and diffused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory-driven, mass media interventions prevent smoking among youth. This study examined effects of a media campaign on adolescent smoking cessation. Four matched pairs of media markets in four states were randomized to receive or not receive a 3-year television/radio campaign aimed at adolescent smoking cessation based on social cognitive theory. The authors enrolled 2,030 adolescent smokers into the cohort (n = 987 experimental; n = 1,043 comparison) and assessed them via annual telephone surveys for 3 years. Although the condition by time interaction was not significant, the proportion of adolescents smoking in the past month was significantly lower in the experimental than comparison condition at 3-year follow-up when adjusted for baseline smoking status. The media campaign did not impact targeted mediating variables. A media campaign based on social cognitive constructs produced a modest overall effect on smoking prevalence among adolescents, but the role of theory-based constructs is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To outline the design and present select findings front an evaluation of a statewide anti-tobacco industry youth organizing movement. Design. A telephone survey was administered to teenagers to assess associations between exposure to anti-industry youth organizing activities and tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors. A group-level comparison between areas high and low in youth organizing activities was planned. Methodological obstacles necessitated a subject-level analytic approach, with comparisons being made between youth at higher and lower levels of exposure. Setting. Six rural areas (comprising 13 counties) and two urban regions of Minnesota were selected for survey. Subjects. The study comprised 852 youth, aged 15 to 17 years old, randomly selected front county-specific sampling frames constructed front a marketing research database. Measures. Exposure index scores were developed for two types of activities designed to involve youth in the anti-industry program: branding (creating awareness of the movement in general) and messaging (informing about the movements main messages,). Attitudinal outcomes measured attitudes about the tobacco industry and the effectiveness of youth action. Behavioral outcomes included taking action to get involved in the organization, spreading an anti-industry message, and smoking susceptibility. Results. Branding index scores were significantly correlated with taking action to get involved (p &iE; . 001) and spreading an anti-industry message (p &iE; . 001)). Messaging index scores were significantly correlated with all five attitudinal constructs (all associations, p &iE; .001), taking action to get involved (p &iE; .001), and spreading an anti-industry mess age (`p &iE; .01). The hypothesized association between messaging scores and susceptibility was not significant. conclusion. A youth organizing effort, in combination with an intensive counter marketing media campaign, can be an effective strategy for involving youth in tobacco prevention and generating negative attitudes about the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Prenatal smoking cessation will not eliminate health risks if women continue to be exposed to passive smoking. This study compared the risks of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure for low-income prenatal nonsmokers, abstainers, and smokers. Methods. A questionnaire was administered to 225 pregnant women. Exposure to six sources of SHS was compared across smoking groups using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. Results. In adjusted analyses, patterns of SHS exposure were consistent. Abstainers were at lower risk of exposure than smokers for all sources except for having a partner who smoked. Abstainers were at higher risk of exposure than nonsmokers for most sources. For example, 11.7% of nonsmokers were exposed to <4 hours of SHS daily compared with 33.3% of abstainers (adjusted odds ratio = .32, 95% confidence interval = .12-.88). Mean number of exposures for nonsmokers, abstainers, and smokers were 1.4, 2.7, and 4.2, respectively (p < .001). Discussion. Interventions need to address the full range of health risks posed by cigarette smoke exposure during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates tattooists' attitudes regarding government regulation and the relationship between existing tattooing regulation and tattooists' knowledge and practice of infection control in Minnesota. Characteristics of the subjects; Attitudes toward government regulation; Characteristics of tattoo shops.

Focuses on a study that investigated infection control knowledge, beliefs and practices of professional tattooists in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Health risks posed by tattoos; Methodology used; Results and implications for public health.