Objective: Between 2013 and 2014, past 30-day use of e-cigarettes increased from 4.5% to 13.4% among US high school students aged 9–19 years. We sought to examine the influence of perceived addiction and harm of e-cigarettes on e-cigarette use among adolescents. Design: Self-reported use and perception of harm of e-cigarettes were assessed using a cross-sectional design. Setting: Data were collected from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Method: Multivariate logistic regression models were employed regressing lifetime e-cigarette use and past 30-day use on established covariate factors. Results: Perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than conventional cigarettes increased students’ odds of lifetime use (odds ratio [ OR] = 2.40, 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.98–2.90) and past 30-day use ( OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.63–2.92) of e-cigarettes. Perceiving e-cigarettes as less addictive than conventional cigarettes also increased students’ odds of lifetime use ( OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.82–2.45) and past 30-day use ( OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.57–2.38) of e-cigarettes; however, perceiving e-cigarettes as more addictive than conventional cigarettes also increased students’ odds of lifetime use ( OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.37–2.49) and past 30-day use ( OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.84–3.90) of e-cigarettes. Other influencing factors of e-cigarette use among youth included race, grade level, living with a smoker and lifetime use of regular cigarettes. Conclusion: The perception that e-cigarettes are less addictive and harmful than their conventional counterparts may be an important risk factor for the use of e-cigarettes. Factors influencing young people’s perceptions need to be examined further.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of nursing students regarding barriers and facilitators to integrating falls risk evaluation and management into practice as well as effective strategies for learning falls prevention. The qualitative research method of thematic analysis was adopted to collect data through semi-structured interviews with senior nursing students. Open and axial coding was used to analyze the data and those with greatest support generated final categories. Thematic analysis identified five central themes (learning to do a fall risk assessment, addressing health beliefs of older adults, barriers to fall assessment, and overcoming barriers) that describe nursing student perceptions of incorporating fall prevention into practice. Results of this study indicate that an online program enhanced with opportunity for hands-on practice provides an effective strategy for learning fall prevention that can be incorporated into nursing practice. Further research is needed to understand how to overcome barriers to integrating fall prevention into practice.

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate faculty and student perceptions of a fall risk assessment and prevention activity for older adults offered in multiple community settings by health professional faculty and students. Background: In the US, the percentage of adults 65 and older who fell was more than 29% in 2018. Among states, Arkansas ranks 48th with 35.2% of older adults reporting a fall (CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2018). Methods: Four senior centers in Northwest Arkansas hosted a fall prevention awareness day planned and implemented by faculty in the departments of nursing, public health, physical therapy, exercise science, dietary, and social work in two universities. Materials from the

Purpose: Advantages of fluoridated water, dental insurance, and greater awareness of preventive oral healthcare allow many adults in today’s aging cohort to maintain their teeth into their advanced years. The purpose of this study was to describe attitudes, expectations, knowledge, and intentions related to oral health issues from the experiences of older adults living independently in a largely rural south central state. Methods: A qualitative analysis guided by behavioral constructs of the Reasoned Action Approach was utilized to conduct semi-structured interviews of a purposeful sample of adults age 65 years and older living independently. Results: Participant data (N = 26) revealed 5 themes: difficulties accessing dental care; active coping; taking care of your mouth as part of overall health; interactions affecting oral health–related quality of life; and supporting roles. Overall, the intention to attain dental care was affected by the perceived need to prioritize many health issues over oral care. An overarching expectation to have affordable basic services available pervaded. Conclusion: The perceptions of participants reflect socioeconomic determinants that could be influenced through improved health literacy education focused on establishing a greater understanding of the oral systemic link especially as it relates to diabetes.