Research seeks to determine key elements in sustainability of projects to reorient an aspect of their service to an early intervention approach in mental health. Findings confirm literature on capacity building which suggests several crucial predictors of success in changing the ways agencies run. These include the development of interagency…

Evaluates the usefulness of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a routine measure to screen for emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents referred to a community child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Results reveal that the SDQ is sensitive in detecting emotional and behavioral problems and may…

Native leaders are providing education and care for people with HIV despite funding cuts, ignorance about HIV, and greater tribal concern about other issues. Yet, issues are complex and include reluctance of Native Americans to be tested; lack of accurate information about HIV incidence, particularly in rural areas; misconceptions about HIV; lack…

This pilot study aimed to establish the psychiatric morbidity in children remanded to prison custody using an age appropriate instrument, the K-SADS. The 19 boys interviewed showed high rates of affective disorders, substance misuse and conduct disorder. Study highlights the need to develop child and adolescent mental health services for children…

Offering hypertension screening within the Black community in a convenient, nonthreatening environment can aid in reduction of morbidity and mortality attributable to high blood pressure in Black men. This article describes a successful pilot program which used volunteer barbers to perform on-site hypertension screening for their customers. (IAH)

Discusses an 8-year follow-up study to a smoking prevention program for 13- to 15- year-old students, who were taught the skills to resist pressures to start smoking. Consistent evidence of preventive effects was found among those students who had been non-smokers when the program began. (Author/JS)

A variation of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) for use in a needs assessment with key informants is described. The Missouri Department of Mental Health's planning staff, using the NGT, compiled key decision makers' perceptions of regional needs. The NGT helped in prioritizing the issues for each region. (TJH)

Major approaches to school-based substance abuse prevention for adolescents are reviewed, and school organizational issues for the implementation of such programs are considered. The need for multi-level interventions including parents, the community, and the media is discussed. Three models of school-based substance abuse prevention programs are…

A conceptual framework is presented as a guide to defining starting points for primary prevention of behavioral and emotional disorders. Selected approaches reflecting these concepts are reviewed, and implementation considerations within the school setting are discussed. (SLD)

The emergence of education as the best measure to counter the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome carries with it certain consequences for the health education profession. This article discusses 10 actual or potential consequences the disease holds for the profession. (JD)

A qualitative case study and monitoring data complemented a study of the evaluation of a health promotion program (Project LIFE) conducted in 23 rubber-producing plants in the United States. The study illustrates assessment of threats to internal validity, including the degree to which the planned intervention was actually implemented. (SLD)

This study compared the treatment, pretest, and treatment by pretest interaction effects on reports of alcohol use, misuse, and measures of awareness of curriculum content, susceptibility to peer pressure, self-esteem, and health locus of control in the context of an elementary school alcohol misuse prevention project. (JOW)

The Minnesota Heart Health Program's Quit and Win smoking cessation contests occurred between 1982 and 1989. The contests used large prizes to encourage smokers to quit smoking. Evaluations indicated that the contests succeeded in recruiting relatively large proportions of smokers in entire communities, and abstinence outcomes were encouraging.…

Discusses communication and social construction, AIDS and San Francisco, San Francisco's gay community, and the social construction of AIDS in San Francisco. Describes three eras of HIV-AIDS prevention in San Francisco, a particular HIV prevention program, and the impact of the epidemic in San Francisco. (SR)

A methodology was developed for conducting a benefit-cost analysis of an innovative supported employment intervention for the psychiatrically disabled. Results indicated that the program, which targeted 19 participants, approached cost efficiency of almost .90 of benefits to costs. The value of the methodology for program evaluation is discussed.…