Key Considerations and Recommended Strategies for Conducting a School-Based Longitudinal RE-AIM Evaluation: Insights From a 28-School Cluster Randomized Trial

RE-AIM is an implementation science framework that provides a structure to promote data collection and analysis in the domains of Reach, Efficacy/Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. The RE-AIM approach promotes more data collection and reporting than typical evaluations so potential adopters can determine the potential program fit for their setting. RE-AIM has been used to evaluate a variety of programs; however, there are few resources that provide strategies for conducting a RE-AIM evaluation in the school setting. The purpose of this article is to inform future studies by elucidating experiences conducting a large, complex, multisite, longitudinal RE-AIM evaluation in schools in partnership with the state's Departments of Education and Health, and to share strategies for overcoming obstacles. With the long-term goal of facilitating the translation of school-based intervention research into practice, we provide key considerations and recommend strategies for school-based RE-AIM evaluation success.

Success of Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs: Alumni Survey Results

INTRODUCTION

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Pipeline Training Program, promotes development of a diverse health workforce by training undergraduate students from underrepresented minorities. We aimed to evaluate the success of this program based on three domains: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) academic and career development, and (3) attitudes towards the field of MCH and the training programs among graduates.

METHODS

Three domains of success were determined through a collaborative effort between current program directors and the funding agency project officers. The survey with questions related to the three domains was distributed via an online platform to graduates from seven sites (one former site and six current sites). Data were analyzed and presented utilizing descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The survey was distributed to 550 graduates, 162 responded (37% response rate). Demographically, 78% were female, 54% were Black/African American, 22% were Latinx and 83% did not report any disability. Eighty percent of respondents applied to graduate/professional schools, 67% received admission. Graduates often continued to work in MCH fields (70%). Majority felt confident and knowledgeable in the field (89%) and agreed the faculty were supportive at their training sites (90%).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights successes in recruiting from underrepresented minorities, particularly Black/African Americans and first-time college goers in the family into the MCH Pipeline Training Programs. Programs were successful in furthering academic and career development for most trainees. Attitudes towards MCH and the training programs were overwhelmingly positive. Continued support of these programs is critical in addressing health disparities and achieving health equity.

An Overview of an Undergraduate Diversity MCH Pipeline Training Program: USF's Train-A-Bull

PURPOSE

To describe an undergraduate pipeline training program (PTP) designed to guide underrepresented minorities (URM) trainees into MCH-related health professions, ultimately contributing to a diverse maternal and child health (MCH) workforce that can improve health outcomes for all women/mothers, children, and their families, including fathers and children with special healthcare needs.

DESCRIPTION

Three cohorts with 35 total undergraduate trainees were recruited to participated in the 2 years USF MCH PTP program where they were mentored, trained, guided, and supported by program faculty/staff. Students were recruited early in their education track, and the program was individually tailored based on trainees' educational discovery stages. Key program components included seminars, summer institutes, public health courses, mentorship, internship, experiential learning opportunities, and professional networking opportunities.

ASSESSMENT

The majority of the undergraduate participants were diverse URMs including Hispanic/Latino (37.1%), Black/African American (31.4%), Asian (20%), and American Indian/Alaskan Native (5.7%) trainees. Out of all the cohorts, 51.4% were first-generation college students and 74.3% had economic hardships (i.e., PELL Grant, FAFSA). Resulting from the program, all cohorts increased in educational discovery stages, one-third enrolled in health-related graduate studies and half joined the MCH workforce.

CONCLUSION

Recruitment in pipeline programs should be intentional and meet students where they are in their education discovery stage. The use of educational discovery stages within a pipeline program are useful in both tailoring curriculum to individuals' needs and assessment of progression in career decision-making. Mentoring from program staff remains an important component for pipeline programs.

The Impact of the Teen Outreach Program on Sexual Intentions and Behaviors

PURPOSE

We evaluated the impact of a positive youth development program on adolescent pregnancy, sexual behavior, risky sex, and intentions in nonmetropolitan Florida high schools.

METHODS

Between 2012 and 2014, the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) was compared to standard school curriculum content using a cluster randomized controlled trial design with 7,976 youth in two cohorts. The majority of youth were 14 years old and in the ninth grade at baseline. Treatment group youth received TOP in health-related classes. After using multiple imputation to account for missing data, we analyzed baseline and follow-up survey data using generalized linear mixed-effects models with logit link function.

RESULTS

In the cohort 1 sample, compared to the control condition, males and females receiving TOP showed lower odds of engaging in recent sex (odds ratio [OR], .71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: .58-.86) compared to control males and females. Cohort 1 treatment females who did engage in recent sex were less likely to have risky sex (OR, .54; 95% CI: .32-.89). There were fewer significant findings in cohort 2, though TOP females and combined gender had lower odds of risky sex intentions (OR, .53; 95% CI: .33-.84 and OR, .65; 95% CI: .44-.96, respectively). Overall, cohort 1 females in the TOP condition were the group most likely to benefit from TOP.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with previous research, TOP was more effective regarding sexual health outcomes among female versus male youth; this was especially true for the outcome of risky sex. However, results were not consistent across cohorts, prompting questions for future research.

Experimental isotherms of HCl on H[sub 2]O ice under stratospheric conditions: Connections between bulk and interfacial thermodynamics

The adsorption of HCl on the surface of H(2)O ice has been measured at temperatures and pressures relevant to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The measured HCl surface coverage is found to be at least 100 times lower than currently assumed in models of chlorine catalyzed ozone destruction in cold regions of the upper atmosphere. Measurements were conducted in a closed system by simultaneous application of surface spectroscopy and gas phase mass spectrometry to fully characterize vapor/solid equilibrium. Surface adsorption is clearly distinguished from bulk liquid or solid phases. From 180 to 200 K, submonolayer adsorption of HCl is well described by a Bragg-Williams modified Langmuir model which includes the dissociation of HCl into H(+) and Cl(-) ions. Furthermore, adsorption is consistent with two distinct states on the ice substrate, one in which the ions only weakly adsorb on separate sites, and another where the ions adsorb as an H(+)-Cl(-) pair on a single site with adsorption energy comparable to the bulk trihydrate. The number of substrate H(2)O molecules per adsorption site is also consistent with the stoichiometry of bulk hydrates under these conditions. The ionic states exist in equilibrium, and the total adsorption energy is a function of the relative population of both states. These observations and model provide a quantitative connection between the thermodynamics of the bulk and interfacial phases of HCl/H(2)O, and represent a consistent physicochemical model of the equilibrium system.

Real-time single particle mass spectrometry: a historical review of a quarter century of the chemical analysis of aerosols

Real-time single particle mass spectrometry, or continuous aerosol mass spectrometry, was originally developed in the 1970s for the purpose of identifying the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter in real-time. Although this technique has continued to evolve throughout the following decades, the fundamental characteristic of this method remains the same, involving the continuous introduction of solid particle or liquid droplets directly into the ion source region of a mass spectrometer. Continuous sample introduction allows for the chemical analysis of single airborne particles in real-time. A number of mass analyzers have been employed in real-time single particle mass spectrometry. The original real-time single particle mass spectrometer used a magnetic sector mass analyzer. Quadrupole, double-focusing, and ion trap mass spectrometers have also been utilized. The majority of the current real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques use time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In the literature, a variety of general names have been applied to real-time single particle mass spectrometry methods. These names include direct-inlet mass spectrometry, on-line laser microprobe mass spectrometry, particle analysis by mass spectrometry, particle beam mass spectrometry, and rapid-single particle mass spectrometry. This review covers real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques that were developed from 1973 through 1998, specifically for analyzing airborne particulate matter, including environmental aerosols, biological aerosols, and clean-room aerosols. Because the majority of the historical and current real-time single particle mass spectrometers have been employed for atmospheric aerosols, this topic is the primary focus of this review. This review does not include on-line mass spectrometry methods that are employed as a detector for other instrumental methods, such as liquid chromatography.

Long-term exercise patterns and immune function in healthy older women. A report of preliminary findings

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between active versus inactive lifestyle and immunocompetence in older women. A sample of 46 independently dwelling, ambulatory and mentally alert women 60-98 years was examined, 25 who rated themselves as 'active' and 21 who rated themselves as 'inactive'. Lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry using selected monoclonal antibodies. The self-reported active subjects (also validated by their current unsolicited participation in a formal exercise class) demonstrated significantly higher percent change in CD25 mitogen stimulated lymphocytes (P = 0.0335) than those who reported themselves to be sedentary.

Mini-Mental State Exam status of community-dwelling cognitively intact centenarians

Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores for 247 community-dwelling, well-functioning individuals in their 60s (n = 88), in their 80s (n = 92), and 100 or older (n = 67) were compared to examine overall and component MMSE differences. The concomitant influences of visual or literacy deficits, gender, education, race, income, and activities of daily living on MMSE performance were analyzed. Mean MMSE scores of 27.8, 27.1, and 24.8, respectively, for the three cohorts were significantly different, even when all concomitant variables were controlled. After the concomitant variables were controlled, results indicated that there were no age group differences on five MMSE items: naming, repeating, listening and obeying, reading and obeying, and writing sentences. Participants with visual or literacy deficits scored 1.5 points lower than other participants, and displayed performance deficits in four items from the Read & Write MMSE division:naming, reading and obeying, writing sentences, and praxis. Education and gender were significant covariates for total and divisional MMSE scores.

The influences of cognitive resources on adaptation and old age

In the Georgia Centenarian Study, cognitive resources were estimated by fluid and crystallized intelligence, acquisition and retrieval of new information, retrieval of familiar information, and problem-solving ability in community-dwelling and nondemented adults ranging from sixty to one hundred plus years of age. Five clusters of results were found: 1) cognitive performances were lower for the older cohorts; 2) when cognitive activities were dependent on everyday experiences, no age-related problem-solving decline was found; 3) physical health and mental health can significantly influence cognitive performances; 4) cognitive and personality factors can combine to account for a larger amount of adaptation variance than can be accounted for by either of the factors alone; and 5) individuals with a high level of intelligence and affect sustain their instrumental activities of daily living. Cognitive resources were an important contributor to successful adaptation for the oldest-old.

Iliotibial band friction syndrome in runners

The iliotibial band friction syndrome is an overuse injury found in long-distance runners. It is characterized by pain on the outer aspect of the knee in close relation to the lateral femoral epicondyle. It is usually poorly localized, is aggravated by running long distances or excessive striding, and is more severe running downhill. It may be prevented by walking with a stiff knee. In a series of 100 consecutive knees, including 6 patients with the syndrome in both knees (age range, 19 to 48 years; average, 31 years), of which 73 were available for follow-up evaluation, only 30 patients were resolved on the initial regimen of a single injection of local steroid and reduction in the training program. Twenty-one patients had two injections and 8 patients required the third injection. The remaining 14 patients were placed on a regimen of total rest from running for 4 to 6 weeks. Nine patients returned to training and had no recurrence of pain. Five patients consented to surgery and returned to long-distance running between 2 and 7 weeks later. The syndrome apparently has a higher incidence in areas where long-distance running is the vogue, such as, South Africa, or where the climate is cool and running surfaces are slippery.

The treatment of iliotibial band friction syndrome

Iliotibial band friction syndrome is a common cause of knee pain in long distance runners. The pain is caused by friction of the iliotibial band over the lateral epicondyle of the femur. Two hundred and twenty one cases were seen in a two year period. Tenderness over the lateral epicondyle associated with pain at 30 degrees of flexion on compressing the iliotibial band against the lateral epicondyle is diagnostic. Conservative treatment consisted of treating the cause, mostly training irregularities and the local inflammation mostly with steroid injections and rest. Nine cases failed to respond to conservative treatment and these were treated by surgical release of the posterior fibres of the iliotibial band.

Hepatic Cirrhosis With Encapsulated Peritonitis: Report of Case

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