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Health Promotion Programs (health + promotion_program)
Selected AbstractsKey Elements for Church-Based Health Promotion Programs: Outcome-Based Literature ReviewPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 6 2002Jane Peterson Abstract Although not a new concept, church-based health promotion programs have yet to be widely researched. Few of the initial studies used randomized and controlled designs. Dissemination of study results has been sporadic, with findings often reported in church periodicals. A renewed interest in church-based health promotion programs (CBHPP) is emerging. The purpose of this article is to propose seven key elements found in a literature review to be beneficial in establishing church-based community health promotion programs that demonstrated desired health promotion outcomes. Based on the outcomes of successful CBHPP, the following key elements have been identified: partnerships, positive health values, availability of services, access to church facilities, community-focused interventions, health behavior change, and supportive social relationships. An example of one program that embodies these elements is presented. The Heart and Soul Program, designed to increase physical activity in midlife women to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing age, is discussed within the context of the elements for successful church-based programs. CBHPP have effectively promoted health behaviors within certain communities. To promote health and wellness in light of our diverse society and health needs, health promotion professionals and churches can be dynamic partners. [source] Evaluation of a Program on Systematic Self-Monitoring and Reflection of Health Behavior in Organisations: Results of Two Randomised Controlled Studies on Well-Being and Absenteeism of Employees and Skilled WorkersAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, Issue 1 2010Günter Krampen Effects of a group health promotion program on well-being and absenteeism of employees and skilled workers were tested. The objectives of the program are systematic self-monitoring and reflection on everyday life health behavior as well as the promotion of health- and development-related cognitions and well-being. Randomised group designs were employed to evaluate the program's effects on well-being, psychosomatic complaints, personal regulation of own development, and absenteeism. Program effects were confirmed with reference to these outcome measures administered at the end of the 8-week treatment and at 2-month follow-up in samples of 56 public employees (Study 1) and 39 skilled workers (Study 2). Results demonstrate the effectiveness and usability of the SySeRe program as an economical individual-level health promotion intervention in occupational health psychology with large effect sizes in psychometric measures of well-being and in the reduction of employee sick leave as well. [source] Ultrasound parameters of bone health and related physical measurement indicators for the community-dwelling elderly in JapanGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2007Wei Sun Deteriorated bone strength, which approaches osteoporosis, increases the likelihood that an elderly person will not able to live independently. However, few data are available pertaining to bone health and various physical objective indicators. The aim of the present study was to objectively assess bone health by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and identify related physical measurement indicators among the elderly to aid the health promotion strategies in Japan. A cross-sectional study was performed at five welfare centers for the aged in the suburban area of Takatsuki city, Japan. Subjects comprised community-dwelling persons (134 men, 240 women) aged ,60 years and registered at welfare centers. QUS of the right-heel was conducted and recorded as stiffness index (SI). Physical factors including body components (fat and muscle mass), handgrip strength, daily physical activity, daily walking steps, maximum and usual walking speed and maximum bite force were examined objectively during the period May,June 2005. SI in women was lower than that in men (P < 0.01) and decreased significantly with age (P < 0.01). The SI correlated with six physical items in men and with all items in women. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that muscle mass, usual walking speed and maximum bite force were the strongest physical indicators of male SI; and muscle mass, maximum walking speed and maximum bite force were the strongest indicators of female SI. Muscle training, daily walking exercise and oral health care should be included in health promotion programs for the bone health of elderly women and men in Japan. [source] Connecting humor, health, and masculinities at prostate cancer support groupsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 9 2009John L. Oliffe Abstract Objective: Many commentaries about men's health practices and masculinities indicate that men do not typically engage with self-health or acknowledge illness, let alone openly discuss their health concerns with other men. Prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) appear to run contrary to such ideals, yet the factors that influence men's attendance and engagement at group meetings are poorly understood. As part of a larger PCSG study, we noticed that humor was central to many group interactions and this prompted us to examine the connections between humor, health, and masculinities. Methods: A qualitative ethnographic design was used to direct fieldwork and conduct participant observations at the meetings of 16 PCSGs in British Columbia, Canada. Individual semi-structured interviews were completed with 54 men who attended PCSGs to better understand their perceptions about the use of humor at group meetings. Results: Four themes, disarming stoicism, marking the boundaries, rekindling and reformulating men's sexuality, and when humor goes south were drawn from the analyses. Overall, humor was used to promote inclusiveness, mark the boundaries for providing and receiving mutual help, and develop masculine group norms around men's sexuality. Although there were many benefits to humor there were also some instances when well-intended banter caused discomfort for attendees. Conclusions: The importance of group leadership was central to preserving the benefits of humor, and the specificities of how humor is used at PCSGs may provide direction for clinical practice and the design of future community-based men's health promotion programs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Key Elements for Church-Based Health Promotion Programs: Outcome-Based Literature ReviewPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 6 2002Jane Peterson Abstract Although not a new concept, church-based health promotion programs have yet to be widely researched. Few of the initial studies used randomized and controlled designs. Dissemination of study results has been sporadic, with findings often reported in church periodicals. A renewed interest in church-based health promotion programs (CBHPP) is emerging. The purpose of this article is to propose seven key elements found in a literature review to be beneficial in establishing church-based community health promotion programs that demonstrated desired health promotion outcomes. Based on the outcomes of successful CBHPP, the following key elements have been identified: partnerships, positive health values, availability of services, access to church facilities, community-focused interventions, health behavior change, and supportive social relationships. An example of one program that embodies these elements is presented. The Heart and Soul Program, designed to increase physical activity in midlife women to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing age, is discussed within the context of the elements for successful church-based programs. CBHPP have effectively promoted health behaviors within certain communities. To promote health and wellness in light of our diverse society and health needs, health promotion professionals and churches can be dynamic partners. [source] Chlamydia trachomatis in Tasmania 2001,2007: rising notification trendsAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2010Nicola Stephens Abstract Objectives: To investigate trends in notification rates of Chlamydia trachomatis in Tasmania, Australia, by population sub-groups, from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2007. Methods: An enhanced surveillance dataset was used to supplement case notifications. Rates based on age group were analysed by sex, geographic region, indigenous status, sexual exposure, reason for testing and healthcare provider. Results: In all age groups, the notification rate increased steeply. The highest rates were seen in the ages 15,24 years; this age group represented 15% of the population but accounted for 74% of the chlamydial notifications. The increased rates in females aged 15,24 years and males 15,19 years in Tasmania were larger than the increases observed nationally. Rates were consistently higher in urban areas. Females were more likely to have been tested as a result of screening, and males were more likely to have been tested when presenting with symptoms or as a result of contact tracing. The majority of cases reported sexual exposure with opposite sex partners only. Conclusions: This study highlights the increasing significance of chlamydial infection as a public health issue, the gender differences in health-seeking behaviour, and the discrepancies in testing patterns. These findings will assist with the design of health promotion programs. [source] Spousal concordance and reliability of the ,Prudence Score' as a summary of diet and lifestyleAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2009Sanjoti Parekh Abstract Objectives: This paper describes a composite ,Prudence Score' summarising self-reported behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases. If proved robust, the ,Prudence score' might be used widely to encourage large numbers of individuals to adopt and maintain simple, healthy changes in their lifestyle. Methods: We calculated the ,Prudence Score' based on responses collected in late 2006 to a postal questionnaire sent to 225 adult patients aged 25 to 75 years identified from the records of two general medical practices in Brisbane, Australia. Participants completed the behavioural, dietary and lifestyle items in relation to their spouse as well as themselves. The spouse or partner of each addressee completed their own copy of the study questionnaire. Results: Kappa scores for spousal concordance with probands' reports (n = 45 pairs) on diet-related items varied between 0.35 (for vegetable intake) to 0.77 (for usual type of milk consumed). Spousal concordance values for other behaviours were 0.67 (physical activity), 0.82 (alcohol intake) and 1.0 (smoking habits). Kappa scores for test-retest reliability (n = 53) varied between 0.47 (vegetable intake) and 0.98 (smoking habits). Conclusion: The veracity of self-reported data is a challenge for studies of behavioural change. Our results indicate moderate to substantial agreement from life partners regarding individuals' self-reports for most of the behavioural risk items included in the ,Prudence Score'. This increases confidence that key aspects of diet and lifestyle can be assessed by self-report. Implications: The ,Prudence Score' potentially has wide application as a simple and robust tool for health promotion programs. [source] | ||||||||||