Printed publications on HIV/AIDS for an older adult population were obtained from state public health departments within the United States in a previous study that explored the availability of age-specific HIV/AIDS prevention materials. The current study examines whether the HIV health education/risk reduction information contained in these publications is applicable and appropriate to the prevention needs of older adults. Based on an extensive literature review, four major thematic recommendations for designing HIV/AIDS risk reduction print materials for older adults were used as a framework to evaluate the content of these print publications. The results indicate that the currently available publications do not meet all the criteria when assessed using the four thematic categories of recommendations. These findings suggest that greater attention must be given to developing and securing HIV prevention educational materials that adequately address societal attitudes, myths, and biases encountered by older adults.

This study was designed to identify predictors of the choice to abort or deliver a child within 18 months of a previous birth and to compare mothers who chose to abort or deliver relative to substance use and adverse partner behavior. Using a systems perspective, data from the Fragile Families and Well-Being Study were examined. The sample included participants from 16 cities, and within the selected cities, hospitals with high rates of unmarried births were chosen for inclusion in the survey. The data analysis process entailed two steps: 1) predictors of the choice to abort were identified statistically; 2) mothers who chose to abort and deliver were compared relative to heavy drinking, cigarette smoking, and adverse partner behavior after controlling for potentially confounding factors identified in step one. The results indicated that several variables pertaining to the father's commitment to raising a previously born child and to his relationship with the mother predicted the choice to abort. Further, a recent abortion was related to substance use and partner perpetrated physical aggression after the effects of confounding variables were removed. Professionals who work with women from impoverished environments facing an unplanned pregnancy should be encouraged to sensitively explore the woman's support system. If the father is unavailable, counselors can assist women in identifying other sources of support within and outside the family.

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