Health Attitudes (health + attitude)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Self-preventive oral behavior in an Italian university student population

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
Lia Rimondini
Abstract Background, aim: The aim of this study was to assess the oral hygiene attitude and the professional preventive examination compliance in Italian university students. Method: A sample of 202 students attending the University of Bologna was randomly selected and interviewed about their preventive oral health attitude and compliance. All students reported using toothpaste and most of them (92.1%) brushed their teeth at least 2× a day using artificial, medium stiffness bristles. The toothbrush was generally (81.6%) replaced within 3 months. Few subjects (14.9%) said they used dental floss daily or utilized other devices. A majority of subjects (59.9%) had a dental examination within the year previous to the interview. Cluster analysis was performed. Results: 4 groups were identified with homogeneous oral hygiene behavior and compliance toward professional preventive examination. Only one cluster, representing 33.6% of the sample, showed consistent frequency and modalities of oral hygiene habits. The other clusters seemed to be defective with interproximal cleaning procedures and compliance toward professional preventive care. Since the sample was characterized by a young, urbanized, homogeneous group with a high educational level and frequently from an upper middle class social status, the analysis probably gives a supra-estimation of the positive behavior. Conclusion: It is rational to suppose that strategies to promote dental service utilization, patients' compliance and a professional style oriented toward prevention may be useful to improve the oral health condition in the young adult Italian population. Zusammenfassung Das Ziel dieser Studie war es bei Studenten einer italienischen Universität die Einstellung zur Mundhygiene und die Compliance mit einer professionellen Vorsorgeuntersuchung zu bestimmen. Eine Gruppe von 202 Studenten, die die Universität von Bologna besuchten wurden randomisiert ausgewählt und hinsichtlich ihrer Einstellung zur Mundhygiene und Compliance befragt. Alle Studenten berichteten, dass sie Zahnpasta gebrauchten und die meisten (92.1%) putzten ihre Zähne wenigstens 2× täglich und verwendeten eine Zahnbürste mit mittelharten Kunststoffborsten. Im Allgemeinen wurde die Zahnbürste innerhalb von 3 Monaten (81.6%) ersetzt. Wenige Personen berichteten, dass sie täglich Zahnseide benutzen oder andere Hilfsmittel verwenden. Die Mehrheit (59.9%) hatte innerhalb des zurückliegenden Jahres eine zahnärztliche Untersuchung. Es wurde eine Clusteranalyse durchgeführt. 4 Gruppen mit homogenem Mundhygieneverhalten und Compliance bezüglich professioneller präventiver Untersuchung wurden identifiziert. Nur ein Cluster, welches 33.6% der Gruppe repräsentiert zeigte eine Konsistenz in der Häufigkeit und Art der Mundhygienegewohnheiten. Die anderes Cluster schienen Defizite bei der Approximalraumreinigung und der Compliance mit professionellen Präventionsmaßnahmen zu haben. Da die Population charakterisiert war durch eine junge, städtische homogene Gruppe mit einem hohen Bildungsniveau und häufig den Sozialstatus der gehobenen Mittelklasse aufwies, gibt die Analyse wahrscheinlich eine Überbewer+tung des positiven Verhaltens wieder. Es ist vernünftig anzuhenmen, dass Strategien zur Förderung der zahnärztlichen Behandlung, der Patienten-Compliance und einer professionellen Ausrichtung hin zur Prävention nützlich sein können um in einer Population von jungen italienischen Erwachsenen den Zustand der Mundgesundheit zu verbessern. Résumé Le but de cette étude a été de vérifier l'attitude vis-à-vis de l'hygiène buccale et l'attitude vis-à-vis d'un examen préventif professionnel d'étudiants universitaires italiens. 202 étudiants de l'Université de Bologne ont été sélectionné au hasard et interviewéà propos de leur attitude préventive et leur complaisance vis-à-vis de leur santé buccale. Tous les étudiants disaient utiliser du dentifrice et la plupart d'entre eux (92%) brossaient leurs dents au moins 2× par jour avec une brosse à dents à poils artificiels de souplesse moyenne. La brosse à dents était géneralement (81.6%) remplacée tous les 3 mois. Peu d'entre eux (15%) disaient utiliser le fil dentaire tous les jours ou d'autres systèmes interdentaires. La plupart d'entre eux (60%) avaient passé une visite chez leur dentiste dans l'année précédent l'interview. L'analyse par groupe a été effectuée. 4 groupes ont été identifiés avec un comportement homogène vis-à-vis de l'hygiène buccale et une complaisance envers l'examen préventif professionnel. Seul un groupe représentant 34% de l'échantillon montrait une fréquence constante vis-à-vis de l'hygiène buccale. Les autres groupes semblaient porter moins d'attention au processus de nttoyage interdentaire et avoir une complaisance vis-à-vis des soins de prévention professionnels. Comme l'échantillon était caractérisé par un groupe homogène de jeunes des villes avec un niveau d'éducation élevé et provenant fréquemment d'une classe sociale assez élevée, l'analyse donne probablement une surestimation du comportement positif. Il semble logique de supposer que les stratégies visant à promouvoir l'utilisation des services dentaires, la complaisance des patients et un style professionnel orienté vers la prévention peuvent être utiles pour améliorer la condition de la santé buccale des jeunes adultes de la population italienne. [source]


Dental Service Utilization among Urban and Rural Older Adults in China , A Brief Communication

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2007
Bei Wu PhD
Abstract Objectives: China's health care system is bifurcated in nature between rural and urban areas. In addition, there is a huge gap in socioeconomic status between rural and urban residents. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors related to dental visits among elders in rural and urban areas of Shanghai, China. Methods: Using a stratified random sampling method, a cross-sectional, face-to-face survey was conducted among elders aged 60 years and above in Shanghai during 2003-04. A total of 1,044 older respondents were included in the sample. Results: There was a significant urban and rural difference in dental visit rates over the 12-month period of the study. Results from the logistic regression analysis suggested that residing in urban areas was a significant positive factor related to dental visits. In addition, being younger, being able to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, having had regular medical checkups, having a higher number of limitations because of chronic conditions, and being more concerned about eating a healthy diet were associated with increased odds of dental visits. Conclusions: Results suggest that urban,rural differences, as reflected in the socioeconomic status gap, disparity in medical insurance coverage, and access to dental care, have a significant impact on the use of dental services by Chinese elders. Individual sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and health attitude are important explanatory variables. [source]


Oral health-related quality of life and its relationship with health locus of control among Indian dental university students

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2008
S. Acharya
Abstract Objectives:, The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and Health Locus of Control (HLC) among students in an Indian dental school. Materials and methods:, A cross sectional study design was used. Three hundred and twenty-five dental students returned completed forms containing the 14 item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the 18 item Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC). Results:, The results showed that the perceived OHRQoL differed among students studying in different stages of the dental course. The OHRQoL dimensions of ,Social Handicap' and ,Handicap' were significantly (P < 0.01) lower among the later years of the course than the freshman year students. There was a sharp increase in Self-reported dental problems, in particular, Malocclusion, Tooth decay, Calculus among the third year and final year students respectively. The OHIP-14 scores were significantly higher among those with self-reported oral problems. Correlation analysis between the OHIP-14 and the MHLC scores also showed a statistically significant (P < 0.01) correlation between the ,Chance' dimension of the MHLC and OHIP-14 scores. Conclusions:, The results of this study underscored the relationship between the OHRQoL and HLC and of importance of assessing health attitudes and their impact on OHRQoL among the dental student community. [source]


Obesity and Physical Activity in College Women: Implications for Clinical Practice

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 7 2004
APRN-BC, Jacquelyn M. Clement PhD
Purpose To investigate the relationships between levels of physical activity, health attitudes and behaviors, and specific health indicators in women attending college. Data Sources A convenience sample of 116 college women, ages 18 to 24 years, participated in this research study at a moderate-sized midwestern university. The data were obtained through self-administered questionnaire; trained technicians collected physiological measurements. Conclusions The young women in this study had, on average, normal body mass indexes (BMIs) and reported activity levels consistent with or greater than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Items used to assign participants into the appropriate stage of the transtheoretical model of change were correlated with participants' perceived personal physical activity levels. Similarly, the participants, whose scores fell in the higher stages of the transtheoretical model, reported greater levels of physical activity; consumption of more fruits, vegetables, and water; and less consumption of high-fat/high-calorie foods. Implications for Practice The years between ages 18 and 24 are a critical time in the lives of young women. During this period, they develop physical activity and nutrition habits that will affect their health across the life span. Because of the sometimes insidious development of major health problems, young women's current health status may not accurately reflect the possible longterm results of negative health habits. Nurse practitioners (NPs) have many opportunities to identify and address major factors that, if unattended, may threaten the life-long health status of women. Health teaching in the areas of physical activity and dietary habits may be useful even in young women who appear to be healthy, are of normal weight, and are physically active.Poor dietary habits, if unattended, may eventually contribute to the development of obesity and related illnesses. [source]


Health Perception and Health Care Access: Sex Differences in Behaviors and Attitudes

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Marta Gil-Lacruz
This article analyzes the link between men's and women's perceptions of health and the demand for health goods and services. The study examines access to the health care system in a community characterized by social and economic variance. The data have been taken from a health survey carried out in a suburb of the city of Zaragoza in Spain. The sample (1,032 people over the age of 15) was selected according to specifications of sex, age, and place of residence. The sample shows a confidence interval of 95.5 percent with a ±3 margin of error. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques are used. Sex differences are reflected in social conditions, lifestyles, health perception, and health care behaviors. The research describes how differences in health attitudes can be contextualized by the neighborhood. The results of this type of research are essential for the design of preventive strategies that are better adapted to need. [source]


Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge in Cystic Fibrosis Female Patients and Their Parents

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009
Aleksandra Korzeniewska MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., The changing outcomes for young cystic fibrosis (CF) patients means that reproductive health issues have become an integral part of CF management. Aim., The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and experiences of reproductive and sexual health issues in women with CF and to investigate the knowledge and reproductive health attitudes of their parents. Main Outcome Measures., Assessment of reproductive and sexual health knowledge in female CF patients and their parents. Methods., A questionnaire study directed to 120 Polish women with CF aged 16 years and older and their parents. Results., Sixty-four patients and their parents responded to the questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent of the patients started sexual intercourse at a mean age of 19.2 years. Eighty-four percent of all sexually active women reported that they did not use any form of contraception. Only 32.8% of women understood the problems connected with their own and male fertility in CF. Popular scientific publications and other CF patients were identified as the most important source of information. Only 23% of parents understood the problems connected with female fertility in CF; 44% of parents thought that man with CF had normal fertility. Seventy-five percent of the women and 40% of the parents felt that sexual health discussions should begin between age 12 and 14 years with a CF doctor and the mother. Conclusions., Our study showed that significant knowledge gaps exist regarding fertility issues in both CF patients and CF parents. Women with CF have some general knowledge about sexual issues but insufficient knowledge to have a safe sexual life. The results helped us to develop the educational program for CF patients. Korzeniewska A, Grzelewski T, Jerzy,ska J, Majak P, So,oniewicz A, Stelmach W, and Stelmach I. Sexual and reproductive health knowledge in cystic fibrosis female patients and their parents. J Sex Med 2009;6:770,776. [source]