Impact of a passive social marketing intervention in community pharmacies on oral contraceptive and condom sales: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract Background Almost 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unwanted or mistimed. Notably, just over one-half of unintended pregnancies occurred when birth control was being used, suggesting inappropriate or poor use or contraceptive failure. About two-thirds of all women who are of reproductive age use contraceptives, and oral hormonal contraceptives remain the most common contraceptive method. Often, contraceptive products are obtained in community pharmacies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a pharmacy-based intervention would impact sales of contraceptive products in pharmacies. Methods This study was conducted in Iowa and used a quasi-experimental design including 55 community pharmacies (independent and grocery) in 12 counties as the intervention and 32 grocery pharmacies in 10 counties as a comparison group. The passive intervention was focused towards 18–30 year old women who visited community pharmacies and prompted those of childbearing age to “plan your pregnancy” and “consider using birth control”. The intervention was delivered via educational tri-fold brochures, posters and ‘shelf talkers.’ Data sources for evaluation were contraceptive sales from intervention and comparison pharmacies, and a mixed negative binomial regression was used with study group*time interactions to examine the impact of the intervention on oral contraceptive and condom sales. Data from 2009 were considered baseline sales. Results From 2009 to 2011, condom sales decreased over time and oral contraceptives sales showed no change. Overall, the units sold were significantly higher in grocery pharmacies than in independent pharmacies for both contraceptive types. In the negative binomial regression for condoms, there was an overall significant interaction between the study group and time variables (p = 0.003), indicating an effect of the intervention, and there was a significant slowing in the drop of sales at time 3 in comparison with time 1 (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between pharmacy type and study group, where the independent intervention pharmacies had a higher proportion of stores with increases in condom sales compared to grocery pharmacies in the intervention or comparison group. Conclusions A passive community pharmacy-based public health intervention appeared to reduce the decrease in condom sales from baseline, particularly in independent pharmacies, but it did not impact oral contraceptive sales.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110681/1/12889_2015_Article_1495.pd

2X1. UNI Teacher Preparation: Iowa Principals’ Perceptions

In Fall 2015, UNI researchers, teacher educators and College of Education leaders met to design an in-depth interview process to help teacher educators better understand what Iowa principals believe is important for teachers to know, be able to do and be like. This study is an example of how educators in pK-12 settings and higher education are looking for ways to support relationships between educators at all levels. The results of this study provide a variety of principals’ current thoughts about what should be important features of teacher education programs. Seven major themes emerged: Pedagogy­­­­­; Content Knowledge; Relationships; Classroom Management; Collaboration; Communication; and Increased Exposure to Classrooms. Seven secondary themes also emerged: Knowledge of Standards-Based Grading; Assessment and Application to Learning; Use of Data; Application of Educational Technology; Personal Passion; Adaptability; and Professionalism

Sexuality Curriculum Policies: Rural is Not Always More Conservative

This study examined sexuality education policies of school districts following the enactment of a law by the state of Iowa in 2007 requiring schools to include curriculum related to human growth and development education. The authors compared responses from superintendents in rural and urban areas in the state of Iowa regarding their districts’ sexuality curriculum policies. All public school superintendents in Iowa (n=364) were mailed a survey; 131 (36%) responded. The sample was representative of the state both geographically and by size of district. Findings indicate that while rural states (or more-rural areas within rural states) may be publically perceived to be more conservative than urban areas, their sexuality education policies show little statistical difference. Additionally, Iowa’s sexuality education policies were found to be equally or more inclusive in comparison to previously reported national results. Community opposition to sexuality education was not evident. Superintendents indicated that state directives were the most influential factor driving district policies on sexuality education

Hospital Infant Formula Discharge PackagesDo They Affect the Duration of Breast-feeding?

Objective: To determine whether the duration of breastfeeding is affected by the contents of the hospital discharge package. Design: A randomized clinical trial with 2 experimental interventions (a discharge package containing a manual breast pump only and a discharge package containing a commercially prepared infant formula and a manual breast pump) and a control group who received a commercially prepared infant formula discharge package only. Sociodemographic characteristics and information concerning prior births (including feeding methods) were obtained from each mother within 48 hours of her infant\u27s birth. Sources of influence on the mother\u27s feeding decision, maternal attitudes concerning breastfeeding, and maternal feeding preferences were also assessed. Participants: The sample consisted of 763 women who had given birth who were admitted to the maternal-fetal unit of a midwestern community hospital. Main Outcome Measures: Information concerning current method of infant feeding was obtained from telephone interviews conducted at 2-week intervals until the infant was 16 weeks old. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, logistic regression analysis, and survival analysis. Results: The content of the hospital discharge package did not affect whether the mother engaged in exclusive or partial breast-feeding during the 16-week follow-up interval. However, there was some evidence that providing formula samples at discharge from the hospital increased the duration of exclusive breast-feeding compared with providing a manual breast pump. Conclusion: This study does not support the assumption that inclusion of infant formula in hospital discharge packages decreases the duration of breastfeedin

Training Students with T-shaped Interdisciplinary Studies in Predictive Plant Phenomics

Modern sensors and data analysis techniques make it feasible to develop methods to predict plant growth and productivity based on information about their genome and environment. The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Predictive Plant Phenomics (P3) Specialization implements the T-training model proposed by the American Society of Plant Biology (ASPB) and described in “Unleashing a Decade of Innovation in Plant Science: A Vision for 2015-2025.”[1] The goal of the P3 program is to prepare graduate students with the understanding and tools to design and construct crops with desired traits that can thrive in a changing environment. Students with “T-shaped” experiences will differ from traditional STEM graduate programs that produce students with deep disciplinary knowledge in at least one area. This depth represents the vertical bar of the T . The horizontal bar represents their ability to effectively collaborate across a variety of different disciplines [2], which is the focus of P3. The first cohort of students began their training in August 2016 with a two-week “boot camp” short course to introduce the students to the basic topics they will need to succeed. The four-credit P3 core graduate course (Fundamentals of Predictive Plant Phenomics) taken the first year of the program expands upon the boot camp and is comprised of classroom and hands-on laboratory components. The P3 core course has two key objectives: 1) bring all students’ knowledge up to the same level for issues that pertain to plant phenomics, sensor engineering, and data analysis, and 2) begin the process of teaching students the needed terminology to speak across disciplines. A companion paper submitted to the ASEE Graduate Studies Division discusses the first offering of this course. Additionally, the collaborative spirit required for students to thrive will be strengthened through the establishment of a community of practice to support collective learning (i.e., a P3 graduate learning community). The P3 program is being evaluated both internally and externally. The internal evaluation focuses on metrics such as student recruitment and retention, program outcomes, and student performance. The external evaluation includes pre-test and post-test designs for quantitative assessments of how well the program is developing scientists and engineers with broad skillsets to address the research needs to increase understanding of agricultural production. Qualitative measures include in-depth interviews and focus groups of student students. Evaluation activities follow a recursive design so that the project can be continually informed and improved by the evaluation findings in real time. This evaluation has already been applied to the initial boot camp activities. The overall view of the activities was positive from both the trainees and program administrators. However, the students felt that the introductory sessions should be more hands-on and structured more for beginners in the field. This input will be applied to future designs. 1. American Society of Plant Biologists, Unleashing a Decade of Innovation in Plant Science - A Vision for 2015-2025, in Plant Science Decadal Vision. 2013, American Society of Plant Biologists,. p. 36. 2. T-Summit 2016, “What is the T?”, http://tsummit.org/t, viewed October 2016

Individual Differences in Aesthetic Perceptions of Paintings

This study examined the effects of sex and sexual orientation on the aesthetic perception of paintings. The effect of variables was assessed using a 2 (sex of subject) X 2 (sexual orientation of subject) X 3 (sex of artist) X 3 (sexual orientation of artist) factorial design with sex and sexual orientation of subjects comprising between-subjects factors and sex and sexual orientation of artist comprising the within-subjects factors. The artists\u27 sex and sexual orientation were manipulated through short biographies. The subjects were shown three paintings by each of 9 artists. Following the brief presentation of each painting, participants were asked to rate the painting on semantic differential scales to assess the dependent measures. The participants completed a brief demographic questionnaire to assess sex and sexual orientation as well as other variables. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance techniques

High Risk Behaviors and Body Modification Among College Students: Profile and Predictors

High risk behavior plays a key role in injury and death among teens and young adults. This investigation provides an overview of the frequency of high risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, cigarette smoking, seat belt use, and contraceptive use among college students. Body modification behaviors such as body piercings, tattoos, and brandings were also assessed. In addition, personality variables such as self-esteem, sensation seeking, and gender role were assessed to identify predictors of these behaviors. In this sample, 22% reported that they smoke cigarettes, 68% reported that they had been drunk in the last year, 20% reported using illegal drugs in the last year, and more than a third of those sexually active, report that they rarely or never use a condom when having sex. Approximately one third of the respondents reported that they had either body piercing, a tattoo, or branding. Disinhibition scores, self-esteem, scores, femininity scores, and gender predicted high risk behavior. Self-esteem and gender were significant predictors of body modification behavior

Hospital Infant Formula Discharge PackagesDo They Affect the Duration of Breast-feeding?

Objective: To determine whether the duration of breastfeeding is affected by the contents of the hospital discharge package. Design: A randomized clinical trial with 2 experimental interventions (a discharge package containing a manual breast pump only and a discharge package containing a commercially prepared infant formula and a manual breast pump) and a control group who received a commercially prepared infant formula discharge package only. Sociodemographic characteristics and information concerning prior births (including feeding methods) were obtained from each mother within 48 hours of her infant's birth. Sources of influence on the mother's feeding decision, maternal attitudes concerning breastfeeding, and maternal feeding preferences were also assessed. Participants: The sample consisted of 763 women who had given birth who were admitted to the maternal-fetal unit of a midwestern community hospital. Main Outcome Measures: Information concerning current method of infant feeding was obtained from telephone interviews conducted at 2-week intervals until the infant was 16 weeks old. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, logistic regression analysis, and survival analysis. Results: The content of the hospital discharge package did not affect whether the mother engaged in exclusive or partial breast-feeding during the 16-week follow-up interval. However, there was some evidence that providing formula samples at discharge from the hospital increased the duration of exclusive breast-feeding compared with providing a manual breast pump. Conclusion: This study does not support the assumption that inclusion of infant formula in hospital discharge packages decreases the duration of breastfeedingThis is an article from Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Journal, July 1997, 151(7); 724-729. DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1997.02170440086015.</p