The purpose of this study was to examine human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and uptake in college students and to identify factors associated with vaccination status utilizing the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). The sample included 383 undergraduates from a public university who participated in February and March 2015. Students were emailed an anonymous online survey assessing knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to HPV and HPV vaccination, as well as their stage in the PAPM regarding vaccination completion. Significantly more females (47.3%) than males (15.8%) were vaccinated. While most students had basic knowledge of HPV, they had low perceptions of their susceptibility to contract HPV. Most unvaccinated students were in the early stages of decision-making related to vaccination. Campus health centers have an opportunity to increase HPV vaccination rates. This study indicates that students need prompts from providers, as well as education regarding susceptibility to HPV.

Purpose-Much has been written about conceptual concern for voluntary assent with children and adolescents. However, little empirical data exists examining the frequency with which, or context in which, adolescents and parents disagree on research participation decisions. The purpose of this study was to compare parent and adolescent willingness to participate in minimal and above minimal risk pediatric asthma research protocols.Method-36 adolescents diagnosed with asthma and one of their parents independently rated their willingness to participate in 9 pediatric asthma research protocol vignettes. The selected protocols were chosen by an expert panel as representative of typical minimal and above minimal risk pediatric asthma studies.Results-Parents and adolescents were significantly less likely to agree to enroll in above minimal risk studies. However, this was qualified by a finding that adolescents were significantly more willing than parents to enroll in above minimal risk research. Across all 9 studies, parents and adolescents held concordant views on participation decisions approximately 60% of the time. Perception of potential study benefit was the most frequent reason provided for participation decisions by both parents and adolescents.Conclusion-Parents and their adolescents report a consistent 40% discordance in their views about participating in asthma research across a variety of asthma research protocols, with adolescents more willing than their parents to enroll in above minimal risk studies. These differences of opinion highlight the need to carefully consider the process by which families are offered the option of adolescent research participation. The role of the adolescent in research participation decision-making is ambiguous. While federal regulations give parents legal responsibility for providing permission, consensus standards view adolescent assent as a moral and ethical imperative [1][2][3][4], with an adolescent's desire to dissent generally considered binding, particularly for non-therapeutic research. KeywordsSeveral models for adolescent participation in research and treatment decision-making have been proposed [5][6][7][8]. Inherent in the formulation of these models are differing views on the best way to protect the rights and interests of children and adolescents. Autonomy focused models [6,9] propose that adolescents should be approached alone after parental permission has been granted. This procedure highlights concern that adolescents exercise decision-making independently of their parents and treatment providers. Proponents of this model argue there may be competing interests between parents and adolescents in participation decision-making that result in different choices [10][11][12] Recent interview studies of parents and adolescents involved in research find that parents see their role as ensuring their child's best interest is upheld and protecting them from harm [6,17]. Factors that appear salient to parents' attitudes on what constitutes the child's best interest...

This article explores the potential of play therapy as a school-based intervention for children who are experiencing behavioral difficulties within the K-12 school setting. A model is presented describing the use of play therapy within the Response to Intervention (RtI) model at the Tier 2 and Tier 3 level. This article explores the RtI model and how play therapy can be incorporated by school counselors or school-based play therapists using individual and small group sessions.

Purpose: The purpose of this brief report is to determine factors that influence the willingness of pediatricians to refer their patients to clinical research and to explore the relationship between pediatrician characteristics and self-reported number of patients referred to clinical research. Method: Forty-three pediatricians from an academic pediatrics department of a university children's hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico rated how influential 10 reasons would be in their decision to refer a patient to pediatric clinical research. Results: Differences among the influences for pediatrician referral to research were observed. The most influential consideration for referral was the scientific merit of the study, followed by patient benefit. Contextual factors and physician compensation were identified as the least important reasons pediatricians refer patients to research. Analyses also revealed significant relationships between referrals made and percentage of time spent in research activities. Conclusions: Pediatricians may be more likely to refer their patients to clinical research studies when they believe the purpose of the study is meaningful to patients as well as to future patient populations. In addition, characteristics of the individual pediatricians may play an important role in actual referral behavior.

Abstract:Rates of obesity in children and adolescents appear to be stabilizing, though the prevalence of extreme obesity in this population remains fairly consistent at 4%. Childhood obesity contributes to serious health complications, such as hypertension, orthopedic problems, hormonal imbalances, and adult obesity. Psychological, as well as social issues are also common comorbid conditions to childhood obesity. Families and health care providers have limited options in regard to treating childhood obesity, some of which come with complications and potentially severe consequences. Currently, though there are no standardized recommendations or guidelines for the treatment of childhood obesity, it is routinely suggested that families and medical practitioners attempt to decrease weight through family-based treatment prior to the prescription of medications or bariatric surgery. Family-based treatment options include therapy, psychoeducation, and lifestyle modification for the entire family, rather than solely focused on the overweight child. Using pharmacotherapy to treat childhood obesity has shown to be effective in decreasing body mass index, along with changes in nutrition and activity. Use of these medications for managing obesity comes with undesirable side effects involving gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems and raises concerns about malnutrition. Although bariatric surgery has increased over the last several years and has shown some success in the treatment of obesity, minor to severe medical complications have surfaced. Low calcium levels, unexpected pregnancies, risk of death postoperation, and the development or resurfacing of psychological disorders, such as binge eating disorder and depression, have occurred after bariatric surgery. The health of the child, efficacy of weight loss alternatives, risks and benefits associated with those choices, and the decision-making ability of minors must all be considered when determining the best treatment option for obese children.