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Health Education (health + education)
Kinds of Health Education Terms modified by Health Education Selected AbstractsTRUST IN HEALTH PROVIDERS AS A CATALYST FOR MALARIA PREVENTION: HETEROGENEOUS IMPACTS OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN RURAL GHANATHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 3 2010Thomas De HOOP O12; I18; I39 Although knowledge about effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) is fairly widespread in Ghana, their use remains far from universal. We test and validate the hypothesis that health education of hospitals and health centers in rural Ghana is more effective for groups that display relatively high trust to health providers. We estimate heterogeneous impacts of health education on ITN and/or bed net use and on fever as a crude proxy for malaria in the Brong Ahafo and Upper East regions in Ghana, with help of propensity-adjusted regression. The degree of trust in health providers appears to be a key factor in determining the effectiveness of health education in both regions. The effect is not ruled out by controlling for general trust. There are indications of nonlinear effects. The Kassena-Nankana seems to be an exception to this rule,despite low trust in health providers, health education is highly effective for this ethnic group. [source] Relationship between menthol cigarettes and smoking cessation among African American light smokersADDICTION, Issue 12 2007Kolawole S. Okuyemi ABSTRACT Aims To determine whether African American light smokers who smoked menthol cigarettes had lower cessation when treated with nicotine replacement therapy and counseling. Design Data were derived from a clinical trial that assessed the efficacy of 2 mg nicotine gum (versus placebo) and counseling (motivational interviewing counseling versus Health Education) for smoking cessation among African American light smokers (smoked , 10 cigarettes per day). Participants The sample consisted of 755 African American light smokers. Measurements The primary outcome variable was verified 7-day point-prevalence smoking cessation at 26 weeks follow-up. Verification was by salivary cotinine. Findings Compared to non-menthol smokers, menthol smokers were younger and less confident to quit smoking (P = 0.023). At 26 weeks post-randomization, 7-day verified abstinence rate was significantly lower for menthol smokers (11.2% versus 18.8% for non-menthol, P = 0.015). Conclusions Among African American light smokers, use of menthol cigarettes is associated with lower smoking cessation rates. Because the majority of African American smokers use menthol cigarettes, a better understanding of the mechanism for this lower quit rate is needed. [source] A Survey of the Emergency Department Population and Their Interest in Preventive Health EducationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003Ingrid Llovera MD Abstract Objective: To determine which preventive health information the emergency department (ED) population (patients and visitors) would be most interested in having available to them while they spend time in the waiting area. Methods: This was a prospective survey of consecutive adults seated in the ED waiting area during a representative week on predetermined shifts. The survey asked them to indicate whether they would be interested in obtaining information about the following preventive health issues: breast cancer, prostate cancer, smoking, obesity, stress reduction, exercise programs, alcohol/drugs, HIV, blood pressure screening, immunizations, referrals to primary care physicians, Pap smears, car safety, smoke detectors, domestic and youth violence, depression, gun safety, and safe sex. Results: Of the 1,284 subjects approached, 878 (68%) made up the study group (56% female, mean age = 44 years, 60% white); 406 refused. The information people were most interested in obtaining was the following: 52% of the respondents were interested in referral to stress reduction programs, 51% in information about exercise programs, 42% in blood pressure screening, 40% in information about breast cancer screening, 33% in depression information/screening, 33% in prostate cancer screening, 26% in immunization against pneumococcus, 24% in immunization against tetanus, 26% in smoking cessation programs, and 26% in safe driving information. Women were most interested in breast cancer screening (64%); and men, in prostate cancer screening (55%). Conclusions: Of the 878 subjects in the study group, 96% were interested in obtaining information about one or more preventive health issues. An opportunity exists to respond to this interest by providing material for public health education in the waiting area of EDs. [source] Predictors and Effects of Training on an Online Health Education and Support System for Women with Breast CancerJOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 3 2010Helene McDowell Many breast cancer patients currently turn to Internet-based education and support to help them cope with their illness. This study explores the role of training in influencing how patients use a particular Interactive Cancer Communication System (ICCS) over time and also examines what pre-test characteristics predict which people are most likely to opt in or out of training in the first place. With use of pre-test survey and unobtrusive individual records of ICCS system use data (N = 216), nonparametric tests revealed that only having a later stage of cancer predicted whether or not patients participated in training. Results indicated that participating in training was a significant predictor of higher levels of using the CHESS system. In particular, the repeated measures analysis of covariance found the significant interaction as well as main effect of group (i.e., training vs. no training) and time (i.e., individual's CHESS usages at different times) in interactive and information CHESS services, suggesting that 1) the training group has a higher level of usage than the no training group, 2) both of the groups' usage decreased over time, and 3) these joint patterns hold over time. Practical guidelines for future ICCS campaign implementation are discussed. [source] Sex in Health Education: Official Guidance for Schools in England, 1928,1977JOURNAL OF HISTORICAL SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2-3 2004Jane Pilcher The article begins with an account of the origins of sex education in schools, and of why, in the early twentieth century, its inclusion in the health education curriculum was problematical. In the main section, the article examines the content of consecutive editions of the government published "handbooks of health education", and of an important supplementary guidance pamphlet, published during the Second World War. It traces the gradual shifts over time in official discourses of "sex education", and in the sets of understandings about children, sexuality and the role of parents, for example, which underlay them. The shifts in official guidance discourses on sex within the health education curriculum of schools are explained through locating changes in their broader social and political contexts, especially the impact of the Second World War on sexual morality and the post-war emergence of youth as a significant social grouping. The article concludes by evaluating the handbooks as a source for the history of school-based health and sex education and by drawing attention to the wider historical and sociological significance of official discourses on sex education. [source] Toothbrushing Competency Among High-risk Grade One Students: an Evaluation of Two Methods of Dental Health EducationJOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2001Robert J. Hawkins BSc Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two methods of dental health education (DHE) for improving toothbrushing competency among grade one students at high risk for dental diseases. Methods: Fifty elementary schools in the former city of North York, Ontario, Canada, were assigned to one of two groups. In one group, students received a classroom-based DHE lesson that was reinforced by two small group sessions (n=243). In the other group, students received only a single classroom-based DHE lesson (n=206). Trained examiners assessed 11 toothbrushing skills at pre- and postintervention. Results: At the preintervention test, few significant differences were found between the groups and many students did not display competency in fundamental oral health skills, such as placing a toothbrush at the gum line. Following DHE interventions, students in both groups demonstrated improvements in most skills. A significantly higher proportion of students who received both classroom and small group sessions displayed gains in competency in three skills, compared to students receiving only a classroom lesson. These skills were brushing anterior lingual surfaces, brushing posterior lingual surfaces, and brushing all areas in a routine fashion. Students receiving only a classroom session did not display greater improvements in any skill areas compared to "classroom plus small group" students. Some students in both groups still lacked fundamental skills at the end of the DHE program. Conclusions: While one must exercise caution in interpreting the results due to several methodologic limitations, findings suggest that for high-risk grade one students, a classroom-based lesson combined with small group sessions is a more effective method of improving toothbrushing skills compared to a single classroom-based lesson. [source] Report of the 2000 Joint Committee on Health Education and Promotion TerminologyJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 1 2002Director, FAAHB Professor, Robert S. Gold PhD First page of article [source] Coverage of Adolescent Substance Use Prevention in State Frameworks for Health EducationJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 9 2001David Wyrick MPH ABSTRACT: Ten secondary health education state curriculum frameworks were reviewed for their inclusion of 12 mediators commonly used to prevent adolescent substance use. Specific aims of the investigation were: a) to identify the extent to which the 12 mediators were found in each framework; and b) to identify those frameworks that included Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) sections and determine to what extent the 12 mediators were found in those sections. A panel of three researchers independently reviewed each framework. Beliefs about consequences, decision-making skills, and stress management skills were identified most often while commitment, lifestyle incongruence, and normative beliefs were identified least often. Among states that included ATOD sections, beliefs about consequences and resistance skills were the most commonly identified mediators. Commitment, goal setting, and normative beliefs were not identified in any ATOD sections. Research in prevention and implications for health education are discussed. [source] Ruth Lilis' award acceptance speech at the NY/NJ NIOSH Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center's 25th Anniversary DinnerAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2006Ruth Lilis MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Broken Hill experience: A comparison to the United States' Area Health Education Centers' national network role and responsibilities in rural healthAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 6 2006Steven R. Shelton No abstract is available for this article. [source] Multicenter Study of Preferences for Health Education in the Emergency Department PopulationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010M. Kit Delgado MD Abstract Objectives:, Emergency departments (EDs) are increasingly proposed as high-yield venues for providing preventive health education to a population at risk for unhealthy behaviors and unmet primary care needs. This study sought to determine the preferred health education topics and teaching modality among ED patients and visitors. Methods:, For two 24-hour periods, patients aged 18 years and older presenting to four Boston EDs were consecutively enrolled, and waiting room visitors were surveyed every 3 hours. The survey assessed interest in 28 health conditions and topics, which were further classified into nine composite health education categories. Also assessed was the participants' preferred teaching modality. Results:, Among 1,321 eligible subjects, 1,010 (76%) completed the survey, of whom 56% were patients and 44% were visitors. Among the health conditions, respondents were most interested in learning about stress and depression (32%). Among the health topics, respondents were most interested in exercise and nutrition (43%). With regard to learning modality, 34% of subjects chose brochures/book, 25% video, 24% speaking with an expert, 14% using a computer, and 3% another mode of learning (e.g., a class). Speaking with an expert was the overall preferred modality for those with less than high school education and Hispanics, as well as those interested in HIV screening, youth violence, and stroke. Video was the preferred modality for those interested in learning more about depression, alcohol, drugs, firearm safety, and smoke detectors. Conclusions:, Emergency department patients and visitors were most interested in health education on stress, depression, exercise, and nutrition, compared to topics more commonly targeted to the ED population such as substance abuse, sexual health (including HIV testing), and injury prevention. Despite many recent innovations in health education, most ED patients and visitors in our study preferred the traditional form of books and brochures. Future ED health education efforts may be optimized by taking into account the learning preferences of the target ED population. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:652,658 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] Health education for nurses in Japan to combat child abuseNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 3 2003Beverly M. Henry phd, hondsc Abstract A health education program for nurses was conducted to address the complex problem of child abuse, which has reached epidemic proportions. In Japan, the number of consultations has risen 23-fold over the past 11 years. Maltreatment of children is a public health problem as perilous as any contagious disease. The International Council of Nurses asks for nurses' leadership to strengthen measures to combat abuse throughout the world. The Japanese Nursing Association has published statements for prevention, detection and support. Yet, few community-based education programs with a multidisciplinary perspective have been reported that focus on nurses, the largest group of health providers. More than 200 nurse educators, clinicians and managers met for a one-day program designed to improve understanding of the nurses' role in combating the abuse and neglect of children and to formulate action plans. This significant health problem is addressed in the context of a health education program's needs, objectives, content and evaluation. [source] Implications for nursing of the new national curriculum in personal, social and health education and education in citizenshipCHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 3 2001Therese Mill This article examines implications for nursing of the recent Government initiative to revise the National Curriculum in personal, social and health education (PSHE) in primary and secondary schools and to provide education in Citizenship for children and young people. Health education is but one strand of child health promotion which is rightly the concern of multidisciplinary team members. This initiative crosses the boundaries of health, education and social policy. It presents the challenge of new health promotion roles for child health nurses working in partnership with teachers in schools where the central focus will be empowerment of children and young people to fill their potential for achievement. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Uncovering sexual abuse: evaluation of the effectiveness of The Victims of Violence and Abuse Prevention ProgrammeJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2010J. DONOHOE bsc Accessible summary ,,Discusses factors inhibiting open talk around a client's history of abuse including gender, age and diagnosis. ,,Evaluates the helpfulness of a training course designed to reduce and overcome these factors. ,,Aim of the evaluation is to help replicate the training nationally, following the positive impact found. Abstract Despite the high prevalence of sexual abuse among users of mental health services, it appears that mental health professionals are frequently unaware of clients' abuse histories. In order to address this, a Mental Health Trusts Collaboration Project of nine trusts was formed, which piloted delivering the Department of Health's Victims of Violence & Abuse Prevention Programme one-day education and training course regarding enquiring about histories of sexual abuse to various mental health practitioners. This hoped to educate practitioners in factors associated with victims and offenders, improve confidence and competence in asking about client's history of abuse and to increase awareness of the importance of asking. The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of this course on mental health professionals' practice and attitudes in one of these nine trusts. It was found that since the delivery of the course, 44% (n= x) of professionals had been asking about abuse in 75,100% of cases. Gender, age and diagnosis of both the service users and the practitioners were all identified as factors potentially affecting practitioners' willingness to ask about abuse. Most importantly, 93% (n= x) of participants were found to feel they have the skills and knowledge to enquire about abuse and respond to disclosure in the appropriate way and 77% (n= x) of participants felt that this training had changed their clinical practice. The aim of this evaluation is to prove the effectiveness of the Department of Health's education and training course, which will help towards replicating the project nationally. [source] Culturally appropriate health education for Type 2 diabetes in ethnic minority groups: a systematic and narrative review of randomized controlled trialsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010K. Hawthorne Diabet. Med. 27, 613,623 (2010) Abstract To determine if culturally appropriate health education is more effective than ,usual' health education for people with diabetes from ethnic minority groups living in high- and upper-middle-income countries. A systematic review with meta-analysis, following the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration. Electronic literature searches of nine databases were made, with hand searching of three journals and 16 author contacts. The criteria for inclusion into the analysis were randomized controlled trials of a specified diabetes health education intervention, and a named ethnic minority group with Type 2 diabetes. Data were collected on HbA1c, blood pressure, and quality-of-life measures. A narrative review was also performed. Few studies fitted the selection criteria, and were heterogeneous in methodologies and outcome measures, making meta-analysis difficult. HbA1c showed an improvement at 3 months [weighted mean difference (WMD) ,0.32%, 95% confidence interval (CI) ,0.63, ,0.01] and 6 months post intervention (WMD ,0.60%, 95% CI ,0.85, ,0.35). Knowledge scores also improved in the intervention groups at 6 months (standardized mean difference 0.46, 95% CI 0.27, 0.65). There was only one longer-term follow-up study, and one formal cost-effectiveness analysis. Culturally appropriate health education was more effective than ,usual' health education in improving HbA1c and knowledge in the short to medium term. Due to poor standardization between studies, the data did not allow determination of the key elements of interventions across countries, ethnic groups and health systems, or a broad view of their cost-effectiveness. The narrative review identifies learning points to direct future research. [source] The Use of Cluster Sampling to Determine Aid Needs in Grozny, Chechnya in 1995DISASTERS, Issue 3 2000Sean Drysdale War broke out in Chechnya in November 1994 following a three-year economic blockade. It caused widespread destruction in the capital Grozny. In April 1995 Medical Relief International - or Merlin, a British medical non-governmental organisation (NGO) - began a programme to provide medical supplies, support health centres, control communicable disease and promote preventive health-care in Grozny. In July 1995 the agency undertook a city-wide needs assessment using a modification of the cluster sampling technique developed by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. This showed that most people had enough drinking-water, food and fuel but that provision of medical care was inadequate. The survey allowed Merlin to redirect resources earmarked for a clean water programme towards health education and improving primary health-care services. It also showed that rapid assessment by a statistically satisfactory method is both possible and useful in such a situation. [source] HUMANIZING EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATIONALIZATION OF HEALTHEDUCATIONAL THEORY, Issue 4 2008Bert Lambeir Given their confidence with postmodern and poststructuralist perspectives, the educationalization of social problems is easily perceived as a set of questionable interventions by governments into educational practices. In this essay, Bert Lambeir and Stefan Ramaekers question the extent to which one can conceive of social problems without an understanding of education or, put more sharply, the extent to which social problems are conceivable without some form of educationalization. After describing four meanings of the concept of educationalization, Lambeir and Ramaekers discuss three popular criticisms of it. With these criticisms as context, the authors use the example of concerns about and initiatives in health education to investigate whether education can be completely freed from the educationalization of social issues. They conclude that it cannot. [source] A Survey of the Emergency Department Population and Their Interest in Preventive Health EducationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003Ingrid Llovera MD Abstract Objective: To determine which preventive health information the emergency department (ED) population (patients and visitors) would be most interested in having available to them while they spend time in the waiting area. Methods: This was a prospective survey of consecutive adults seated in the ED waiting area during a representative week on predetermined shifts. The survey asked them to indicate whether they would be interested in obtaining information about the following preventive health issues: breast cancer, prostate cancer, smoking, obesity, stress reduction, exercise programs, alcohol/drugs, HIV, blood pressure screening, immunizations, referrals to primary care physicians, Pap smears, car safety, smoke detectors, domestic and youth violence, depression, gun safety, and safe sex. Results: Of the 1,284 subjects approached, 878 (68%) made up the study group (56% female, mean age = 44 years, 60% white); 406 refused. The information people were most interested in obtaining was the following: 52% of the respondents were interested in referral to stress reduction programs, 51% in information about exercise programs, 42% in blood pressure screening, 40% in information about breast cancer screening, 33% in depression information/screening, 33% in prostate cancer screening, 26% in immunization against pneumococcus, 24% in immunization against tetanus, 26% in smoking cessation programs, and 26% in safe driving information. Women were most interested in breast cancer screening (64%); and men, in prostate cancer screening (55%). Conclusions: Of the 878 subjects in the study group, 96% were interested in obtaining information about one or more preventive health issues. An opportunity exists to respond to this interest by providing material for public health education in the waiting area of EDs. [source] Educational needs, metabolic control and self-reported quality of lifeEUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 1 2005A study among people with type 2 diabetes treated in primary health care Abstract The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. In order to reduce long-term complications and to promote a better life for these patients, health care professionals are important advocates in education and counselling. More knowledge is therefore needed to explore the association between educational needs and quality of life. In total, 211 people with type 2 diabetes (response rate 48%) were recruited from general practices in a geographically well-defined district in Bergen, Norway. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring demographical and clinical variables, quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), satisfaction with education and counselling, and symptoms related to the disease. A blood sample was taken from each patient for determination of HbA1c. The participants reported receiving most information on diet, physical activity and treatment and less information on foot care and long-term complications. Satisfaction with education was significantly positively correlated with self-reported overall quality of life, and quality of life within domains for psychological health, social relationships and environment. More intensive treatment was significantly associated with lower quality of life within the physical health and social relationships domains. For 32% of the participants, HbA1c values did not satisfy the Norwegian guidelines (adjusted for age). The results from the present study emphasise a need for health education in diabetes primary health care especially in relation to foot care and long-term complications. The association between satisfaction with education and quality of life makes it important to develop educational and counselling methods for nurses in primary health care. Copyright © 2005 FEND. [source] The oral ecosystem: implications for educationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2006H. M. Eriksen Abstract, We propose a model that is applicable to oral health education. The model describes the oral cavity in a complexity-based ecological context. This concept includes the premise that factors from different organisational levels (biological, individual, community, society) interact in a complex way with the potential to ,stress' the ecosystem and thereby provoke changes. This mode of action complies with the understanding of the oral cavity as a complex adaptive system. An ecological model is actively used in the undergraduate problem-based curriculum at the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Sweden and has recently been applied as a conceptual basis for the new dental curriculum being established at the University of Tromsø in Northern Norway. The purpose is to encourage and promote an ecological, health-oriented view and to stimulate reflections on premises for oral health and diseases in an integrated context. [source] Effects of 11-month interventions on oral cleanliness among the long-term hospitalised elderlyGERODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Petteri Peltola Objectives:, This trial studied the effects of interventions on the oral cleanliness of the long-term hospitalised elderly. Background:, Oral cleanliness is mostly poor in long-term facilities. While many agree on the importance of oral hygiene education for nursing personnel, little information and agreement exists on how to organise this education in geriatric institutions. Materials and methods:, This is a longitudinal study with interventions. After a baseline clinical examination, the patient wards were divided into three groups (A, B and C) and the type of intervention was randomly assigned. In group A, dental hygienists provided oral hygiene measures for the subjects once every 3 weeks. In group B, the nursing staff first received hands-on instructions after which they assumed responsibility for the subjects' daily oral hygiene. Group C served as a control. Denture hygiene and dental hygiene were recorded at baseline and in the end of the 11-month study period. In total, 130 subjects completed the interventions; their mean age was 82.9 years. Results:, The best outcome in both denture and dental hygiene occurred when nursing staff at the wards took care of hygiene (group B). The increase in the proportion of those with good denture hygiene was the most prominent in group B (from 11% to 56%). The proportion of subjects with poor overall dental hygiene decreased from 61% at baseline to 57% in the end, for group B from 80% to 48%. Conclusions:, Organised oral health education of the nursing staff should receive more attention. [source] Second Life: an overview of the potential of 3-D virtual worlds in medical and health educationHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Maged N. Kamel Boulos This hybrid review-case study introduces three-dimensional (3-D) virtual worlds and their educational potential to medical/health librarians and educators. Second life (http://secondlife.com/) is perhaps the most popular virtual world platform in use today, with an emphasis on social interaction. We describe some medical and health education examples from Second Life, including Second Life Medical and Consumer Health Libraries (Healthinfo Island,funded by a grant from the US National Library of Medicine), and VNEC (Virtual Neurological Education Centre,developed at the University of Plymouth, UK), which we present as two detailed ,case studies'. The pedagogical potentials of Second Life are then discussed, as well as some issues and challenges related to the use of virtual worlds. We have also compiled an up-to-date resource page (http://healthcybermap.org/sl.htm), with additional online material and pointers to support and extend this study. [source] Dental hygienists' views on communicative factors and interpersonal processes in prevention and treatment of periodontal diseaseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 3 2010J Stenman To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene,8, 2010; 213,218 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00459.x Stenman J, Wennström JL, Abrahamsson KH. Dental hygienists' views on communicative factors and interpersonal processes in prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Abstract:, Objective:, The aim of this study was to explore views of DHs on communicative issues and interpersonal processes of importance in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Method:, The qualitative method of Grounded Theory (GT) was chosen for data sampling and analysis. Audio-taped and open-ended interviews were conducted with 17 dental hygienists. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in a hierarchical coding process, according to the principles of GT. Result:, In the analysis a core category was identified as ,to be successful in information and oral health education and managing desirable behavioural changes'. The core concept was related to four additional categories and dimensions; (i) ,to establish a trustful relationship with the patient', (ii) ,to present information about the oral health status and to give oral hygiene instructions', (iii) ,to be professional in the role as a dental hygienist' and (iv) ,to have a supportive working environment in order to feel satisfaction with the work and to reach desirable treatment results'. Conclusion:, The results describe a psychosocial process that elucidates the importance of building a trustful relationship with the patient, feeling secure in one's professional role as a DH and last but not least, the importance of having support from colleagues and the clinical manager to be successful in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. [source] Beliefs and perceptions of Arab vitiligo patients regarding their conditionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2010Khalid M. AlGhamdi MD Background, Patients' beliefs about their illness can result in positive and/or negative implications for the management of their disease. To examine the beliefs held by vitiligo patients about their condition and to explore the potential factors that might influence such beliefs. Methods, The illness perception questionnaire (IPQ) was translated into the particular regional language (Arabic) and administered to adult vitiligo patients visiting our Dermatology Department, from 2006 to 2008. Demographic and illness details were obtained. Results, We recruited 164 vitiligo patients (91 male subjects). The mean age was 27 years (SD = 13, range 15,57 years). It was believed that stress, altered immunity, and heredity were the cause of vitiligo by 33%, 26%, and 24% of the respondents respectively. Eighty-four percent and 28% believed in fate and evil eye as a cause of their illness respectively. Forty-two percent believed that their illness had a major effect on their lives and 44% believed that vitiligo had strongly affected the way others see them. For both beliefs, this was independent of the gender. Thirty-seven percent reported that they do not understand their illness. Six percent believed that their disease was contagious while 12% were not sure. Fifty-four and 57% reported feeling depressed and anxious respectively, because of their disease. This was more common in female patients (P = 0.019 and 0.031 respectively). Conclusion, Misconceptions and negative attitudes are widespread among vitiligo patients. The lack of disease-related understanding and the existence of anxiety and depression require targeted health education and psychosocial support. [source] Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian cityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 3 2006Tony Fallon BAppSc(Hons) PhD Abstract Background, Residents of aged care facilities usually have a large number of oral health problems. Residents who suffer from dementia are at particular risk. A systematic review of the best available evidence with regard to maintaining the oral health of older people with dementia in residential aged care facilities provided a number of recommendations. Objectives, The aim of the implementation project was to introduce evidence-based oral hygiene practices for patients with dementia in two publicly funded residential aged care facilities and monitor for changes in nursing awareness, knowledge, documentation and practice to improve patient outcomes and ensure appropriate accreditation standards were met. An additional aim was to identify barriers and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation of evidence-based recommendations. Methods, Two facilities, a 40-bed facility and a 71-bed facility in the health service district of the regional Australian city of Toowoomba, provided the setting. A quality improvement approach was taken, using a number of strategies from the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for implementation studies. The implementation involved a number of stages, including project development, interactive oral health education, oral audits of residents, changes to oral hygiene practice via care plans and critical reflection. Results, The multidisciplinary approach to improving oral healthcare appeared to improve knowledge and awareness and move oral health practices in facilities closer to best practice. Specialised training in oral health was provided to a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Regular oral audits were introduced and facility staff were trained in the use of the oral audit tool. Care plans at one facility were of better quality and more comprehensive than before the intervention. Comments made during critical reflection suggested improvements in the oral health of residents, increased use of oral swabs and saliva substitutes, improved care of dentures and mention of the use of mouth props in resident care plans. There was also some evidence that changes brought about by the implementation are sustainable. Conclusion, The majority of recommendations provided in the systematic review of oral healthcare for dementia patients were applicable to the applied context. The importance of day-to-day leaders was highlighted by the apparently varied outcomes across target facilities. The quality improvement approach would appear to have considerable advantages when applied to improving practice in residential aged care. [source] Human gastrointestinal nematode infections: are new control methods required?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Gillian Stepek Summary Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections affect 50% of the human population worldwide, and cause great morbidity as well as hundreds of thousands of deaths. Despite modern medical practices, the proportion of the population infected with GI nematodes is not falling. This is due to a number of factors, the most important being the lack of good healthcare, sanitation and health education in many developing countries. A relatively new problem is the development of resistance to the small number of drugs available to treat GI nematode infections. Here we review the most important parasitic GI nematodes and the methods available to control them. In addition, we discuss the current status of new anthelmintic treatments, particularly the plant cysteine proteinases from various sources of latex-bearing plants and fruits. [source] The status and perspective of diabetes health education in China: Inspiration from AustraliaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 2 2010Anne Wilson PhD MN BN FRCNA Wilson A, Gyi AA. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 92,98 The status and perspective of diabetes health education in China: Inspiration from Australia This paper discusses possible approaches to improving diabetes care and developing effective education models in China based on the experience of diabetes education in Australia. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in China is increasing rapidly. China is currently second on the list of the top 10 countries with the highest diabetes burden. Enormous impact of diabetes on China health system is daunting and the urgent action is needed. Diabetes education is the keystone of diabetes care and structured self-management education is considered to be the key to successful outcomes. Although many diabetes education programmes have been initiated in China, barriers have been identified for implementation of the programmes. These include: lack of public awareness of diabetes; lack of standards of practice for diabetes educators; and lack of evaluation programmes to assess their performance. We suggest four possible approaches to addressing the current problems of diabetes education in China. [source] Acute-care nurses' attitudes towards older patients: A literature reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 2 2000Mary Courtney PhD With increases in life expectancy and increasing numbers of older patients utilising the acute setting, attitudes of registered nurses caring for older people may affect the quality of care provided. This paper reviews recent research on positive and negative attitudes of acute-care nurses towards older people. Many negative attitudes reflect ageist stereotypes and knowledge deficits that significantly influence registered nurses' practice and older patients' quality of care. In the acute setting, older patients experience reduced independence, limited decision-making opportunities, increased probability of developing complications, little consideration of their ageing-related needs, limited health education and social isolation. Available instruments to measure attitudes towards and knowledge about older people, although reliable and valid, are outdated, country-specific and do not include either a patient focus or a caring perspective. This paper argues for the development and utilisation of a research instrument that includes both a patient focus and a caring dimension. [source] A sociodental approach to assessing dental needs of children: concept and modelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 2 2006S. GHERUNPONG Summary. Objectives., Traditional normative methods of assessing dental needs do not correspond to current concepts of ,health' and ,need'. Although there is dental research on quality of life, evidence-based practice, and oral behaviours, those concepts are rarely applied to dental needs estimation. Dental needs are usually calculated mainly from clinical data and are likely to be inaccurate. A structured comprehensive method for assessing dental needs is required. The objectives of this study are to develop and test a new sociodental system of needs assessment for overall dental needs of primary schoolchildren. Furthermore, normative and sociodental estimates of need are compared. Design., The study developed a theoretical framework and pathway algorithms of sociodental needs assessment and applied them to assessing overall dental needs. Normative dental needs were assessed using standard normative criteria. The child oral impacts on daily performances (Child-OIDP) was used to assess oral impacts, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic variables and oral behaviours. Data were analysed according to the developed algorithms. Setting., A cross-sectional survey in Suphanburi Province, Thailand. Participants., All 1126 children aged 11,12 years in a town. Main results., The sociodental approach was acceptable and not costly. In all, 54·4% had normative need under the dental needs model for life-threatening and progressive conditions, but only 16·6% had high propensity-related need; the remaining 37·8% would require dental health education or oral health promotion (DHE/OHP) or both and appropriately adjusted clinical interventions. Under the basic model of dental needs, 45·1% had normative need. Two-thirds of them (30·9%) had impact-related need and the remaining 14·2% did not have oral impacts and therefore should only receive dental health education. Only one-third of those with impact-related need had high propensity and were suitable for evidence-based conventional treatments; the remaining two-thirds should receive DHE/OHP and alternative clinical interventions. Conclusions., A sociodental system of dental needs assessment was developed and tested on school children. It decreased the estimates of conventionally assessed dental treatment needs and introduced a broader approach to care. [source] Beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer in Botswana: implications for nursingINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 4 2009D. M. McFarland rn Background:, Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality and morbidity for women in Botswana. Yet, little is known about what women believe to be the causes of the disease. Aim:, This paper presents data on factors women in Botswana believe are responsible for the high incidence of cervical cancer in their country. Data were part of a larger study that explored knowledge and perceptions about cervical cancer and Pap smear screening from the perspectives of the clients and the healthcare providers. Methods:, The study that generated the data included 30 women of all socio-economic levels, recruited by network sampling. The women's ages ranged from 31 to 54 years. Demographic data were analysed descriptively. Individualized interview data were content-analysed. Findings:, The identified causes of cervical cancer were classified as cervical irritants and non-irritants. The most commonly cited cervical irritants were vaginally inserted chemical agents and traditional medicine. Discussions:, Participants identified vaginally inserted chemical substances and traditional medicines as possible explanations for the high incidence of cervical cancer in Botswana. They reported that women used these substances for sexual and hygienic purposes. Although these factors are believed to be the causes of cervical cancer and have not yet been medically acknowledged, verbal reports suggest that their use is problematic. Conclusion:, There is a need for health education and for further research to affirm women's beliefs about the harmful effects of intravaginal agents. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||