ABSTRACTS

Volume 10, Number 4
June 2005

Vol. 10, Number 4: Contents | Forum | Abstracts

Writing with Ev—Words to Transform Science into Action
    Thomas E. Backer A1, James Dearing A2, Arvind Singhal A2, Thomas Valente A3

A1 Human Interaction Research Institute, Encino, California
A2 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
A3 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

This article does not have an abstract.

Commentaries    

This article does not have an abstract

The Association Between Knowledge and Attitudes About Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk in the United States
     Abigail Rose A1, Nikki Peters A1, Judy A. Shea A1, Katrina Armstrong A1

A1 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Pennsylvania, PA

Attitudes about genetic testing are likely to be an important determinant of uptake of predictive genetic tests among the general public. Several prior studies have suggested that positive attitudes about genetic testing may be inversely related to knowledge about genetic testing. We conducted a random-digit-dialing (RDD) telephone survey of 961 adults in the continental United States to determine the associations among knowledge of, attitudes about, and perceptions of eligibility for genetic testing for cancer risk. Knowledge about genetic testing for cancer risk was generally high, with a mean accuracy score of 72%. Attitudes about genetic testing for cancer risk were also generally positive, with 87% of respondents reporting genetic testing for cancer risk would be used to help doctors manage their health care and 85% to help scientists find cures for diseases. In contrast, 58% of respondents thought genetic testing for cancer risk would be used to prevent them from getting health insurance and 31% to allow the government to label groups as inferior. Twenty-nine percent of respondents thought they were currently eligible for testing. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and family cancer history, higher knowledge was correlated with more positive attitudes about testing, but not with negative attitudes or perceptions of testing eligibility. Family history was positively associated with perceptions of eligibility (OR 3.49, 95% CI 2.36–5.18), and higher levels of education were inversely associated with perceptions of eligibility (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.94 for comparison of college or higher vs. less than high school). These results suggest that most members of the general public are knowledgeable and have positive attitudes about genetic testing for cancer risk and that greater knowledge is correlated with more positive attitudes about the benefits of testing.

Genomica—the perfect information–seeking research problem
    J. David Johnson A1, Donald O. Case A1, James E. Andrews A1, Suzanne L. Allard A2

A1 College of Communications and Information Studies, Lexington, Kentucky
A2 School of Information Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

The intersection of the genetics era and information age poses unique and daunting challenges for health consumers who may not have the health literacy to keep pace. While rapid advances in genetics research promise enhanced care, the inherent complexities and individualistic nature of genetic information have resulted in a challenging information environment. The technical possibilities for acquiring genomic information are increasing at an exponential pace, as are the scientific advances relating to it. Furthermore, societal reactions to genomics, and possible privacy and discrimination issues, may constitute significant constraints. The health care infrastructure also has its limits, given the severe shortage of qualified cancer genetic counselors and general practitioners who are unprepared to address genetics, creating a demand for creative approaches to service delivery. The combination of individual salience, low health literacy, the consumer movement, and important policy problems, then makes genomics the perfect information seeking research problem.

Messages from Teens on the Big Screen: Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use in Teen-Centered Films
     Susannah R. Stern A1

A1 University of San Diego, Department of Communication Studies, San Diego, CA

Smoking, drinking, and drug use endure as popular yet dangerous behaviors among American teenagers. Films have been cited as potential influences on teens' attitudes toward and initiation of substance use. Social cognitive theory suggests that teen viewers may be especially likely to learn from teen models who they perceive as similar, desirable, and attractive. Yet, to date, no studies systematically have analyzed teen characters in films to assess the frequency, nature, and experienced consequences of substance use depictions. Assessments of content are necessary precursors to effects studies because they can identify patterns of representations that warrant further examination. Accordingly, a content analysis of top grossing films from 1999, 2000, and 2001 was conducted. Overall, two-fifths of teen characters drank alcohol, one-sixth smoked cigarettes, and one-seventh used illicit drugs (N = 146). Almost no differences existed between substance users and nonusers with regard to physical attractiveness, socioeconomic status (SES), virtuosity, or gender. Drinkers and drug users were unlikely to suffer any consequences—let alone negative consequences—in either the short or long term. Characters rarely were shown refusing offers to drink or do drugs, or regretting their substance usage. Girls were more likely than boys to be shown engaging in multiple substance use activities (e.g., smoking and drinking). Overall, recent teen-centered films may teach teen viewers that substance use is relatively common, mostly risk-free, and appropriate for anyone.

HIV/AIDS Stories on the World Wide Web and Transformation Perspective
     Shaheed N. Mohammed A1 and Avinash Thombre A2

A1 Media Arts Department, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York
A2 University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Department of Speech Communication, Little Rock, Arkansas

Survivor stories have been an important part of therapy and social support for persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS (PLWHAs), and the World Wide Web has made these stories accessible to a vast audience. These stories are examined in the light of the concept of “transformation perspective” defined as a self-communicative experience that changes an individual's life so that priorities and self-identity are refocused. The trigger event that alters the individual's life might be a diagnosis with cancer, HIV, diabetes, or some other serious illness; divorce; financial tragedy; unemployment; or retirement. The “disorienting dilemma,” according to Mezirow, leads to self-examination, and thus to changes in the individual's frame of reference. The present study found that PLWHA's stories with more details were more likely to reflect transformation perspective.

Women Connect! Strengthening Communications to Meet Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenges
     Barbara Pillsbury A1 and Doe Mayer A2

A1 The Synergy Project, Social & Scientific Systems Inc., Washington, DC
A2 School of Cinema Television, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Women's nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have significant comparative advantage for addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges facing women and families. This article describes an initiative to assist women's NGOs in developing greater skills using media and information communication technology for communicating women's health messages. Participating women's groups in Africa undertook innovative media projects—radio broadcasts on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and family planning, an antiviolence campaign, media campaigns on avoiding teen pregnancy—and designed websites, established Internet cafés, and downloaded health information from the Internet. Lessons learned offer guidance for collaboration with women's NGOs everywhere to strengthen communication for addressing critical sexual and reproductive health issues.

Book Review

A Review of: “Thomas E. Backer, Ed. (2003). Evaluating Community Collaborations”: New York: Springer
Everett M. Rogers