Objective To assess the efficacy of an educational intervention among high school students aimed at increasing correct knowledge of mental health and reducing prejudice toward the mental disabled.
Methods A total 180 high school students (intervention group 99; control group 81) participated in the investigation. The intervention program comprised a 1 hour session about mental health and a 1 hour lesson in which 2 persons suffering from mental illness narrated their experiences. The study design was a pre and post questionnaire survey (after 1 week and after 2~3 months).
Results In the intervention group, the response rates were 98.0% in the pre questionnaire survey, and 88.9% in the post questionnaire survey. In the control group, the response rates 90.1%, and 93.8%, respectively. In the intervention group, means of positive attitude scores(t-test) rose significantly from 40.6 at baseline to 51.1 after 1 week and 47.4 after 2~3 months. In the control group, mean positive attitude scores were 43.1 at baseline and 41.5 after 1 week, and 42.8 after 2~3 months. After one week of the program, favorable attitudinal changes were observed in the intervention group. However, after 2~3 months, favorable answers were reduced. In contrast, no significant change was observed in the control group.
Conclusion An educational program can produce favorable attitudinal changes regarding the mental disabled. On the other hand, the results suggest that it is difficult to maintain favorable attitudinal changes with this program over time.

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Objective The study was a non-randomized, parallel-group comparison to evaluate the efficacy of a community-based weight reduction program with exercise and diet modification for overweight adults using existing community health services.
Methods The study population consisted of 1,115 community-dwelling people who underwent annual health checkups in 2002 and were screened by exclusion criteria (age>65, body mass index (BMI)<24.2). They received a mail request to select one of two courses; a usual single-session health instruction course (control group) or a 9-month weight management course (intervention group). Forty six patients registered in the intervention group, and fifty patients in the control group. The analyzed sample consisted of 76 participants (9 males and 67 females) excluding dropouts from November 2002 to July 2003. Intervention included monthly classes (2 hours per class, 9 classes) consisting of an individual support program for behavioral change and a community support program for continuation after the class. The control group participants received conventional instructions based on their health status.
Results No significant inter-group differences were observed at baseline, except in age and height of females. The mean BMI decreased from 27.2(SD=2.8) kg•m⁻² to 25.3(3.1) kg•m⁻² in the intervention group, and 26.4(1.7) kg•m⁻² to 26.1(1.7) kg•m⁻² in the control group. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant time and group interaction adjusted for gender and age. The proportion showing maintenance and action in stage of exercise behavior increased in the intervention group (31% to 60%), but remained stable in the control group (45% to 48%). The proportion showing maintenance and action in stage of diet behavior increased in the intervention group (24% to 80%), but remained stable in the control group (29% to 26%).
Conclusions Community-based weight reduction programs may be effective to facilitate change in exercise and diet behavior for body weight reduction in overweight adults.

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Purpose Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) is promoted as one of the most effective tuberculosis control measures throughout the world. The present qualitative descriptive study aimed to describe the experiences of homeless males treated with DOTS, and to find its significance from their perspective.
Method Research participants were 26 male tuberculosis patients provided with DOTS by Yokohama city. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews as well as participant observation of DOTS self-administration and related services and charts review. Interviews were audio-taped and the contents were transcribed verbatim, and analyzed qualitatively.
Results Three categories were identified describing the life experience of men with tuberculosis; “Accepting hospitalization to change one's life”; “Having confidence in oneself with the task of taking DOTS”; and “Cherishing oneself”. A core category, “Cherishing oneself through performing the task of taking DOTS while exploring the meaning of life” was identified.
Conclusion Homeless males tried to cherish themselves respecting and caring for their personal needs realizing the meaning and worth of their lives through continuing the task of taking DOTS to treat their tuberculosis.

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