ABSTRACTS

Volume 11, Number 4
June 2006

Vol. 11, Number 4: Contents | Editorial | Abstracts

Why Communication Is Crucial: Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Safer Sexual Communication and Condom Use
    Seth M. Noar A1, Kellie Carlyle A2, Christi Cole A3

A1 Department of Communication and Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
A2 School of Communication, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
A3 Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively synthesize the growing literature on the relationship between safer sexual communication (SSC) among sexual partners and condom use, and to systematically examine a number of conceptual and methodological moderators of this relationship. Data from 53 articles published in 27 journals met criteria for the study. Fifty-five independent effect sizes coded from samples totaling N = 18,529 were meta-analyzed. Results indicate that the mean sample-size weighted effect size of the SSC-condom use relation was r = .22, and a number of conceptual variables were found to moderate this relationship. Specifically, communication about condom use (r = .25) and sexual history (r = .23) had significantly (p < .05) larger effect sizes than communication about safer sex (r = .18). In addition, SSC measures operationalized differently had significantly (p < .05) different effect sizes. From largest to smallest, these were behavioral format (r = .29), intentional format (r = .18), and self-efficacy format (r = .13). Measures that tried to assess persuasion attempts as compared with informational exchanges were not found to have significantly different effect sizes (p > .05). Further, methodological moderators tended to be unrelated to effect size. Implications for the future study of safer sexual communication as well as the importance of emphasizing communication skills in HIV preventive interventions are discussed.

Effects of Communicating Social Comparison Information on Risk Perceptions for Colorectal Cancer
   Isaac M. Lipkus A1 and William M.P. Klein A2

A1 Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
A2 University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

People typically believe their health risks are lower than those of others (i.e., optimistic bias). We sought to increase perceptions of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk among adults aged 50–75 who were nonadherent to fecal occult screening (FOBT). 160 participants were randomized to receive information about the following: (1) general CRC risk factors (control), (2) general and tailored CRC risk factor feedback (absolute risk group), or (3) absolute CRC risk factor feedback plus CRC feedback as to how their total number of risk factors compared with that of others (absolute plus comparative risk group). Primary outcomes were perceived absolute and comparative risks, attitudinal ambivalence toward FOBT, and screening intentions; the secondary outcome was return of a completed FOBT. Participants who were told that they had more than the average number of risk factors believed their comparative CRC risk was higher than that of controls and of participants informed that they did not have more than the average number of risk factors. Perceived absolute risk did not vary by group. Participants who received social comparison risk factor feedback expressed greater intentions to screen via a FOBT than participants who received absolute risk feedback and controls; they also expressed less ambivalence about FOBT screening than controls. Although not statistically significant, participants informed they were at lower comparative risk had the highest proportion of completing an FOBT than any other group. These results suggest that providing social comparison CRC risk factor feedback can effectively reduce optimistic comparative risk perceptions. Contrary to findings of models of health behavior change, being informed that one does not have more than the average number of CRC risk factors, while resulting in lower evaluations of perceived comparative risk, did not result in higher ambivalence toward and lower intentions to screen using FOBT or the lowest rate of screening.

Advertising and Obesity: A Behavioral Perspective
     Janet Hoek A1 and Philip Gendall A1

A1 Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Concern over the levels of obesity observed in Western countries has grown as researchers forecast a rapid growth in the medical care that a progressively more obese population will require. As health workers deal with increased incidences of diabetes and other obesity-related disorders, policymakers have examined the factors contributing to this problem. In particular, advertising that promotes high fat and high sugar products to children has come under increasing scrutiny. Advertisers have rejected claims that advertising contributes to obesity by arguing that it cannot coerce people into purchasing a product, and does not affect primary demand. This reasoning overlooks the role advertising plays in reinforcing and normalising behavior, however, and it assumes that only direct causal links merit regulatory attention. Ehrenberg's “weak” theory suggests advertising will support unhealthy eating behaviors, while the wide range of sales promotions employed will prompt trial and reward continued consumption. This article presents an alternative analysis of how marketing contributes to obesity and uses behavior modification theory to analyse the “fast-food” industry's promotions. We also review the New Zealand government's response to obesity and suggest policy interventions that would foster healthier eating behaviors.

Assessment of Cultural Sensitivity of Cancer Information in Ethnic Print Media
    Daniela B. Friedman A1 and Laurie Hoffman-Goetz A1

A1 Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Ethnic minority populations prefer cancer information that is respectful of their customs and beliefs about health and illness. Community newspapers are an important source of cancer information for ethnic groups. Our purpose is to evaluate the cultural sensitivity of cancer information in mass print media targeting ethnic minority readership. We assessed for cultural sensitivity 27 cancer articles published in English-language ethnic newspapers (Jewish, First Nations, Black/Caribbean, East Indian) in 2000 using the Cultural Sensitivity Assessment Tool (CSAT). We found that the overall average CSAT score of 27 cancer articles was 2.71. (Scores < 2.50 were classified as culturally insensitive.) Articles in First Nations newspapers were more culturally sensitive according to the CSAT , followed by articles in Black/Caribbean and Jewish papers. Cancer articles from East Indian newspapers had a mean CSAT score of 2.30 and were classified as culturally insensitive. Four articles were considered culturally sensitive but did not mention ethnic populations as intended readers or as high-risk groups for cancer. We found that, using the CSAT measure, overall, cancer articles in ethnic newspapers included in this study were culturally sensitive. Given limitations of this instrument, we recommend an additional checklist for evaluating the cultural sensitivity of printed cancer information.

Book Review

A Review of: “Goldstein, D. E. (2004). Once Upon a Virus: AIDS Legends and Vernacular Risk Perception.”: Logan, UT: Utah State University Press
Kristen Long