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Kinds of Health Providers 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] Giving voice to the burden of blame: A feminist study of mothers' experiences of mother blamingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2004Debra Jackson RN BHSc(Nsg) MN(Ed) PhD Mother blaming has been identified as a pervasive and serious problem and it is known that the professional literature has strong and entrenched mother-blaming messages. Using a feminist approach, this paper explores mother blaming as it has been experienced by a group of mothers themselves. Analysis of narrative exposes mother blaming as a burden that complicates the already-complex responsibilities that comprise mothering. Health providers are among those identified by women as being particularly likely to attribute problems with (even grown) children to maternal fault. Implications for practice and research are drawn from the findings of this paper. [source] Perimenopausal knowledge of mid-life women in northern TaiwanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2004Lee-Ing Tsao DNSc Background., This work has been carried out keeping in view that although knowledge related to perimenopause is an important health issue for women worldwide, little information is known about mid-life Taiwanese women's knowledge of perimenopause. Objective., The aim of this paper was to explore the level of perimenopausal knowledge of mid-life women in northern Taiwan, to describe the relationship between demographic factors and women's knowledge, and to identify what information health providers need to offer them. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted. Method., The Perimenopausal Knowledge Questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was carried out in August 2000 to September 2001. A convenience sample was recruited from traditional Chinese medicine clinics, gynecology clinics and communities in northern Taipei. Results., Our findings indicated that the overall mean correct answer weighted Perimenopausal Knowledge score of these mid-life women was 46.31. The rank of weighted scores from highest to lowest was: (1) self-care during perimenopause, (2) the perception of perimenopause, (3) knowledge related to hormone replacement therapy and (4) body changes associated with the declined oestrogen in perimenopause. Only educational level was significantly associated with Perimenopause Knowledge level (P < 0.01). Less than 20% (n = 353) of the women answered the items that measured self-management of symptoms related to perimenopause correctly. Less than 1.4% of the women knew that taking hormone replacement therapy required a physician's prescription and subsequent regular health check-ups. Conclusion., Participants lacked adequate knowledge about perimenopause. Relevance to clinical practices., Health providers need to provide factual information about the normal body changes of perimenopause, self-management of perimenopausal disturbances and appropriate use of hormone replacement therapy. [source] Potential Advantages and Limitations of Applying the Chronic Kidney Disease Classification to Kidney Transplant RecipientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2006J. S. Gill The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) classification of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) characterizes patients by their level of kidney function and includes kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Most KTRs have stage ,3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and may benefit from aggressive CKD care. Recent modifications to the K/DOQI CKD classification reflect the recognition of KTRs as a unique subset of CKD patients in whom the presentation, progression and implications of CKD may vary from those in nontransplant CKD populations. Currently, there is limited information about how adopting the CKD classification in KTRs will influence clinical management and outcomes. Appropriately designed studies are needed to develop transplant-specific CKD treatment recommendations, and to ensure patient, health provider and payer acceptance of the continued need for aggressive CKD care after transplantation. Education and implementation strategies will be required to ensure appropriate integration of the CKD classification and treatment guidelines into existing posttransplant care programs. The CKD classification thus represents an exciting potential strategy to improve clinical outcomes that should be adopted, further studied and modified to incorporate considerations unique to KTRs. [source] Healthcare service use in adolescents with non-specific musculoskeletal painACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2010Stefano Masiero Abstract Aim:, To estimate occurrence of non-specific musculoskeletal pain in a wide population sample of Italian adolescents, and to investigate their use of healthcare services (seeking of medical attention, referral for diagnostic tests and treatment use). Methods:, We investigated 7542 high-school adolescents (aged between 12 and 16 years) by a structured questionnaire and consisting of personal data, presence of pain, health provider consulted, referral for diagnostic tests and compliance with the prescribed treatments. Results:, In 3399 (45.1%) reported musculoskeletal pain (the most affected sites being the spine and knees), 2525 (74.2%) of whom had sought medical attention. Of the 2525 subjects who had sought healthcare, 1061 (42.0%) had consulted more than one health provider, 2410 (95.4%) had been referred for diagnostic tests, and some form of treatment had been recommended for 2445 (96.8%), but only 1694 (69.2%) had complied with prescribed therapies. The most important factors linked to health seeking behaviour were pain intensity, pain lasting longer than 3 months, injury, interruption to or absence of physical activity and localization in the spine and knee. Conclusion:, Non-specific musculoskeletal pain is a frequent event in Italian adolescents and that a large number of these subjects consult a healthcare service. [source] Prevalence of nonspecific low back pain in schoolchildren aged between 13 and 15 yearsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2008Stefano Masiero Abstract Aim: To investigate the annual (2005) prevalence of nonspecific low back pain (LBP), defined as lumbago not attributed to recognizable, known specific pathology, in a population of adolescents. Methods: We investigated 7542 school teenagers with a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic and anthropometric items, psychosocial factors and life style, presence and intensity of LBP, family history of LBP, and questions about whether the teenager had been referred to a physician for this problem. Univariate (t -test, Mann,Whitney U-test and chi-square test) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were performed. Results: A total of 1180 (20.5%) teenagers reported one or more episodes of LBP, of whom 900 (76.3%) had consulted a health provider. A significantly greater percentage of LBP was found in the students who practised aerobics and swimming compared to the other sports. The search for risk factors in the whole population revealed no associations between LBP and the investigated anthropometrics or lifestyle items, whereas a significant association was found for gender (to be female), positive family history of LBP and absence of sports activity. Conclusions: Our study shows that nonspecific LBP is a frequent event in teenagers, particularly in females, sedentary children and those with a family history of LBP. [source] Evaluating binge eating disorder in children: Development of the children's binge eating disorder scale (C-BEDS)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 1 2007Jennifer R. Shapiro PhD Abstract Objective: Binge eating disorder (BED) may manifest itself differently in children than adults. Recently researchers have proposed provisional criteria for measuring BED in children. The purpose of this study was to develop a brief, simple, structured, interviewer-administered scale (C-BEDS) to measure BED in children according to the provisional criteria and to compare diagnostic results with SCID diagnoses. Method: A total of 55 children between the ages of 5 and 13 were interviewed with both the SCID and the C-BEDS. Results: There was a significant association between the two measures (p = .001). Both measures adequately identified children with binge eating behaviors. Conclusion: Both the provisional criteria and the C-BEDS may be developmentally appropriate for use with children, although the C-BEDS may be a better screening instrument as it quickly identified children with subsyndromal BED. If used by physicians and other health providers, this brief measure may assist with identifying early onset binge eating behaviors and avoiding the associated consequences, including adult BED, obesity, and other comorbidities. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006 [source] ,By papers and pens, you can only do so much': views about accountability and human resource management from Indian government health administrators and workersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2009Asha George Abstract Although accountability drives in the Indian health sector sporadically highlight egregious behaviour of individual health providers, accountability needs to be understood more broadly. From a managerial perspective, while accountability functions as a control mechanism that involves reviews and sanctions, it also has a constructive side that encourages learning from errors and discretion to support innovation. This points to social relationships: how formal rules and hierarchies combine with informal norms and processes and more fundamentally how power relations are negotiated. Drawing from this conceptual background and based on qualitative research, this article analyses the views of government primary health care administrators and workers from Koppal district, northern Karnataka, India. In particular, the article details how these actors view two management functions concerned with internal accountability: supervision and disciplinary action. A number of disjunctures are revealed. Although extensive information systems exist, they do not guide responsiveness or planning. While supportive supervision efforts are acknowledged and practiced, implicit quid-pro-quo bargains that justify poor service delivery performance are more prevalent. Despite the enactment of numerous disciplinary measures, little discipline is observed. These disjunctures reflect nuanced and layered relationships between health administrators and workers, as well as how power is negotiated through corruption and elected representatives within the broader political economy context of health systems in northern Karnataka, India. These various dimensions of accountability need to be addressed if it is to be used more equitably and effectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Provision and financial burden of TB services in a financially decentralized system: a case study from Shandong, ChinaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue S1 2004Qingyue Meng Abstract Both challenges and opportunities have been created by health sector reforms for TB control programmes in developing countries. China has initiated radical economic and health reforms since the late 1970s and is among the highest TB endemic countries in the world. This paper examines the operation of TB control programmes in a decentralized financial system. A case study was conducted in four counties of Shandong Province and data were collected from document reviews, and key informant and TB patient interviews. The main findings include: direct government support to TB control weakened in poorer counties after its decentralization to township and county governments; DOTS programmes in poorer counties was not implemented as well as in more affluent ones; and TB patients, especially the low-income patients, suffered heavy financial burdens. Financial decentralization negatively affects the public health programmes and may have contributed to the more rapid increase in the number of TB cases seen over the past decade in the poorer areas of China compared with the richer ones. Establishing a financial transfer system at central and provincial levels, correcting financial incentives for health providers, and initiating pro-poor projects for the TB patients, are recommended. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Symptom management for HIV-positive persons in NorwayINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 3 2004E. H. Bunch rn Abstract Purpose:, To record symptoms experienced by people with HIV/AIDS, and describe useful self-care strategies and how symptoms impact on daily life. Method:, A questionnaire was used with self-reported answers and descriptions of how symptoms impact on daily activities and suggestions for useful self-care strategies. Four hundred and twenty-two (n = 422) HIV-positive persons from seven sites in the USA and one site in Norway (n = 20) answered the questionnaire. Results:, In this article subjective symptom descriptions from the Norwegian sample are presented along with self-care strategies and their effectiveness. Findings revealed the Norwegian sample to be a little older, maybe less anxious and depressed, than participants in the larger study. This difference might be explained by the structure of the national social and health care system in Norway, where treatments, medications and social services are available to all citizens without cost. Respondents described a number of related symptoms as well as their subjective explanations of what triggered the symptoms. Most of the self-care strategies were learnt by trial and error. Recommendations:, Community health providers, nurses and physicians should become more knowledgeable about the symptoms that infected persons struggle with, as well as the impact these symptoms have on routine daily self-care activities and a person's quality of life. There is need for more research about helpful self-care strategies to assist HIV-positive persons to manage their symptoms and to disseminate these to community health providers and support groups for HIV infected persons. [source] A systematic review of informal caregivers' needs in providing home-based end-of-life care to people with cancerJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 10 2009Penny E Bee Aims., This paper presents the results of a systematic review examining the practical information needs of informal caregivers providing home-based palliative and end-of-life care to people with advanced cancer. Background., Modern hospice care has led to increases in home-based palliative care services, with informal caregivers assuming responsibility for the majority of care. In response, health policy emphasises the provision of palliative care services in which both the patient and carer receive adequate support throughout illness and death. While the emotional needs of carers have been extensively researched, their practical needs with respect to the provision of physical care are yet to receive systematic attention. Design., Systematic review. Methods., Eligible articles were identified via electronic searches of research and evidence-based databases, hand-searching of academic journals and searches of non-academic grey literature websites. Quality of research was assessed via accepted guidelines for reviewing non-randomised, observational and qualitative literature. Data were synthesised by comparing and contrasting the findings to identify prominent themes. Results., Research consistently highlights this lack of practical support, often related to inadequate information exchange. These deficits typically manifest in relatives adopting a ,trial and error' approach to palliative care. Informal carers request a greater quantity of practically-focussed information, improvements in quality and increased methods of dissemination. Conclusion., Synthesis of the literature suggests that home-based palliative care services have been insufficiently focussed on assisting informal caregivers acquire practical nursing skills. Relevance to clinical practice., Enhanced access to professional advice represents a potentially effective method of increasing carers' confidence in their ability to undertake practical aspects of home-based care. Evidence suggests that nurses and other health providers may better assist home-based carers by providing the information and skills-training necessary to facilitate this. This may necessitate the involvement of carers in the design and testing of new educational interventions. [source] Perimenopausal knowledge of mid-life women in northern TaiwanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2004Lee-Ing Tsao DNSc Background., This work has been carried out keeping in view that although knowledge related to perimenopause is an important health issue for women worldwide, little information is known about mid-life Taiwanese women's knowledge of perimenopause. Objective., The aim of this paper was to explore the level of perimenopausal knowledge of mid-life women in northern Taiwan, to describe the relationship between demographic factors and women's knowledge, and to identify what information health providers need to offer them. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted. Method., The Perimenopausal Knowledge Questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was carried out in August 2000 to September 2001. A convenience sample was recruited from traditional Chinese medicine clinics, gynecology clinics and communities in northern Taipei. Results., Our findings indicated that the overall mean correct answer weighted Perimenopausal Knowledge score of these mid-life women was 46.31. The rank of weighted scores from highest to lowest was: (1) self-care during perimenopause, (2) the perception of perimenopause, (3) knowledge related to hormone replacement therapy and (4) body changes associated with the declined oestrogen in perimenopause. Only educational level was significantly associated with Perimenopause Knowledge level (P < 0.01). Less than 20% (n = 353) of the women answered the items that measured self-management of symptoms related to perimenopause correctly. Less than 1.4% of the women knew that taking hormone replacement therapy required a physician's prescription and subsequent regular health check-ups. Conclusion., Participants lacked adequate knowledge about perimenopause. Relevance to clinical practices., Health providers need to provide factual information about the normal body changes of perimenopause, self-management of perimenopausal disturbances and appropriate use of hormone replacement therapy. [source] DEVELOPING CULTURALLY EFFECTIVE FAMILY-BASED RESEARCH PROGRAMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY THERAPISTSJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 3 2004William L. Turner Recently, some family scholars have developed greater sensitivity to the relative neglect of families of color in clinical and empirical research. Consequently, a proliferation of research elucidating many nuances of ethnic families has come to the forefront, containing a wealth of knowledge with useful implications for family therapists and other mental health providers. The findings of these studies hold enormously important implications for how family therapists can better engage and accommodate families of color in therapy: In this article we discuss some of the etiological and methodological issues associated with planning, conducting, and disseminating family-based prevention and intervention research programs with ethnic minority families. [source] Persistent isolationist or collaborator?JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010The nurse's role in interprofessional collaborative practice orchard ca. (2010) Journal of Nursing Management18, 248,257 Persistent isolationist or collaborator? The nurse's role in interprofessional collaborative practice Aim, The present study explores current understanding about interprofessional collaborative client-centred practice and nursing's role in this form of care delivery. Background, A profession-only focus on nursing practice has been challenged at professional, national governmental and World Health Organization levels stressing for more interprofessional patient-centred collaborative teamwork. Evaluation, Moving to patient-centred collaborative practice is fraught with barriers. Enablers can result in building trust, power sharing and shared decision-making. Changing current workplace environments requires institutional commitments to support collaborative team development. Key issue(s), Nurses can become collaborative members of teams through: (1) re-socialize; (2) understanding and articulating nurses roles, knowledge and skills to others; (3) other health providers sharing the same to nurses; (4) identifying where shared roles, knowledge and skills exist; and (5) learning to work in collaborative teams. Nurses must address some fundamental issues about practice that negate collaboration and patient-centred care. Conclusions, All professionals, including nurses, must move away from a service-oriented delivery to a patient-centred collaborative approach to care. Implications for nursing management, The values within health organizations need to be underpinned by collaborative interprofessional patient-centred practice. To accomplish this goal, administrators and managers must support assessment of employees and visiting physicians as to their conformance with agency established expectations for such practice. [source] Predictors of psychological distress in family caregivers of persons with psychiatric disabilitiesJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2003H. L. PROVENCHER phd The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships of primary and secondary stressors, and informal and formal supports, to psychological distress in 154 family caregivers of persons with psychiatric disabilities. All caregivers were members of self-help groups located in the Province of Quebec in Canada. Psychological distress was significantly lower among older caregivers, those working full time, and those experiencing lower objective and subjective burdens. Contrary to the hypotheses, caregivers who perceived more support from friends and had more contacts with their relatives' primary mental health providers experienced a higher level of psychological distress. [source] Meeting the Preteen Vaccine Law: A Pilot Program in Urban Middle SchoolsJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000Lynda Boyer-Chuanroong ABSTRACT: California, the most populous state in the nation, is one of many states that implemented vaccination requirements for preteens. While kindergarten requirements are well-established and accepted by parents, implementation of preteen vaccination requirements requires inter- and intra-institutional adjustments, educational and public relations efforts, and an augmentation of vaccination delivery systems. This article describes a pilot program in two middle schools in an urban school district and offers planning strategies and practical tools to assist school nurses and health providers to implement preteen requirements. [source] Reducing Adverse Outcomes from Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinical Plan of ActionALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2006R. Louise Floyd Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are among the leading preventable causes of developmental disorders in the United States; however, recognition and prevention of these conditions cannot be achieved without informed and educated health providers. This commentary addresses the importance of recognition and prevention of FASDs through the use of well-established standardized practices of diagnosis, screening, and brief alcohol reduction counseling. It is hoped that more knowledge on currently available procedures will encourage their use in the provision of routine health care to all women of childbearing age. [source] A Study of Midlife Women's Reasons for Changing Healthcare ProvidersJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 11 2005FACNM, Holly Powell Kennedy CNM Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons midlife women report for changing healthcare providers and to determine if there were any differences in reasons given for the change based on gender or ethnicity. Data sources This was an analysis of data collected from a healthy community-based sample of midlife women as part of a longitudinal 5-year study of changes in health outcomes during transition to menopause. Women were queried about their experience in changing healthcare providers. Conclusions Over 42% indicated that they had changed health providers because of dissatisfaction with care. The component accounting for the majority of the variance was related to communication issues. There were no significant differences across ethnic groups in decision to change providers or in reasons for their dissatisfaction with care. However, their reports of experiencing racism in the healthcare system were troubling. Implications for practice The ability of the provider to communicate with women may have implications in women's choices in health care later in life. [source] Topical antifungal drugs for the treatment of onychomycosis: an overview of current strategies for monotherapy and combination therapyJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2005R Baran ABSTRACT Background, Onychomycosis is a relatively common disease accounting for up to 50% of all nail disorders and its prevalence rises with age. As onychomycosis is an important medical disorder affecting both patient's health and quality of life, it requires prompt and effective treatment. Objective, Topical antifungal nail lacquers have been formulated to provide efficient delivery to the nail unit. As both amorolfine and ciclopirox have proved useful as monotherapy for onychomycosis that does not involve the nail matrix area, the purpose of this article is to check if, when combined with oral agents, the effectiveness and scope of treatment can be improved further. Methods, Combining data for mycological cure with clinical success (nail morphology) provides a more exacting efficacy measure. Results, Clinical investigations have shown that the combination of oral therapies with antifungal nail lacquer can confer considerable advantage over monotherapy with either drug type. Conclusion, The improved effectiveness and economic advantages of combined topical/oral therapies benefit both patients and health providers; these treatment regimens therefore have an important role to play in the modern management of onychomycosis. [source] The role of loss of meaning in the pursuit of treatment for posttraumatic stress disorderJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 2 2005Alan Fontana Clinical observation and theory suggest that people who have difficulty coping with their exposure to traumatic events often experience a loss of meaning to their lives. This article examines the contribution of loss of meaning to seeking help from clergy and/or mental health providers. Results support the hypotheses that veterans who have suffered a greater loss of meaning are more likely to seek help from clergy and from VA mental health professionals. We suggest that veterans who seek help from clergy are particularly desirous of achieving a restoration of meaning that is specific to their loss, and that this quest sustains a continued pursuit of mental health treatment, especially among those who seek help from the VA. [source] Healing Herbs and Dangerous Doctors: "Fruit Fever" and Community Conflicts with Biomedical Care in Northeast ThailandMEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2007Jen PylypaArticle first published online: 8 JAN 200 In Northeast Thailand, khai mak mai (fruit fever) is a local, ethnomedical category of illness identified by community members as untreatable by biomedical health providers. The illness is believed to be incompatible with several substances that may induce death, including fruit as well as two forms of medication associated with biomedical care: injections and intravenous solution. Consequently, fevers suspected of being khai mak mai are treated by herbalists while biomedical health services are avoided and feared. In this article, I examine local perceptions and treatment of khai mak mai. I also explore the context and consequences of concerns about the inadequacy of biomedical care, as well as the social meanings associated with the illness and the political-economic context that shapes both the meanings of, and everyday responses to, fevers suspected of being khai mak mai. [source] Psychosocial issues in antiretroviral treatmentNEW DIRECTIONS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, Issue 87 2000Marshall Forstein M.D. The advent of effective treatments for HIV has begun a new era in the worldwide HIV epidemic. Many new political, social, economic, medical, and psychological issues arise in the struggle to contain this epidemic. Mental health providers must understand the context in which people with HIV find themselves making decisions about their health care and the future directions of their lives. [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] Latino worker perceptions of construction risks,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Nancy Nivison Menzel PhD Abstract Background Construction is a hazardous occupation, with Latino (Hispanic) workers at a greater risk for death than other ethnicities/races. Latinos accounted for over half of construction injuries involving days away from work in Nevada in 2006. Methods This study recruited 30 Latino construction workers from three Southern Nevada trade unions to participate in four focus groups conducted in Spanish to determine their perceived risks for injury. Audiotapes were transcribed into English transcripts, which were analyzed for themes. Results Themes included language/communication difficulties, traditional Latino values, construction trade skill level differences, and health literacy. Participants were unfamiliar with the workers' compensation system. Conclusions Small contractors in particular should provide more effective safety training in Spanish and appropriate safety equipment. Unions should offer English language training using simulation and more information about workers' compensation rights. Occupational health providers should consider Latino beliefs and communication needs when assessing health status or providing care. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:179,187 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational stress and work-related upper extremity disorders: Concepts and models,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002Grant D. Huang MPH Abstract Background While research has suggested that interventions targeted at occupational stress (job stress) factors may improve clinical and work outcomes related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the emerging hypotheses relating occupational stress to work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) are not particularly well known among occupational health providers and researchers. Methods Generic job stress and health models and multivariable models of WRUEDs were described and evaluated. Results Models on occupational stress and health/WRUEDs offer unique perspectives on the role of occupational stressors on WRUEDs. However, the limited support for the structure and proposed mechanisms of these models suggest that investigations examining and validating proposed biobehavioral pathways are still needed. Discussion Difficulties in conceptualizing occupational stress have, in the past, hindered its systematic incorporation into occupational health research and prevention/intervention strategies. The present paper provides a common basis for researchers and practitioners with diverse backgrounds to understand job stress and its relation to WRUEDs in order to enhance future efforts. Given the present limitations in the field and the need for comprehensive approaches to WRUEDs, there is great potential for occupational health researchers and clinicians to advance knowledge in this area. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:298,314, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prenatal Sex Determination and Sex-Selective Abortion in Rural Central ChinaPOPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, Issue 2 2001Chu Junhong This study analyzes the practice of prenatal sex selection in rural central China. It examines the prevalence and determinants of prenatal sex determination by ultrasound scanning and subsequent sex-selective abortion. The data are derived from a survey of 820 married women aged 20,44 and from in-depth interviews with rural women and men, village leaders, family planning managers, and health providers, conducted by the author in one county in central China in 2000. Prenatal sex determination was a widespread practice, especially for second and higher-order pregnancies. Sex-selective abortion was prevalent and order of pregnancy, sex of fetus, and sex of previous children were major determinants of the practice. A female fetus representing a high-order pregnancy in a family with one or more daughters was the most likely to be aborted. Awareness among rural families that in the population at large a future marriage squeeze was likely did not diminish the demand for sex-selective abortion. [source] Social Support and Mental Health Among College StudentsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2009Jennifer Hefner MPH This study is the first, to our knowledge, to evaluate the relationship between mental health and social support in a large, random sample of college students. A Web-based survey was administered at a large, public university, with 1, 378 students completing the measures in this analysis (response rate = 57%). The results support our hypothesis that students with characteristics differing from most other students, such as minority race or ethnicity, international status, and low socioeconomic status, are at greater risk of social isolation. In addition, the authors found that students with lower quality social support, as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, were more likely to experience mental health problems, including a sixfold risk of depressive symptoms relative to students with high quality social support. These results may help administrators and health providers to identify more effectively the population of students at high risk for mental illness and develop effective interventions to address this significant and growing public health issue. [source] Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A comparative evaluation of five, commonly used, published rating scalesPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 4 2003Michelle K. Demaray ADHD is one of the most common referrals to school psychologists and child mental health providers. Although a best practice assessment of ADHD requires more than the use of rating scales, rating scales are one of the primary components in the assessment of ADHD. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to provide the reader with a critical and comparative evaluation of the five most commonly used, narrow-band, published rating scales for the assessment of ADHD. Reviews were conducted in four main areas: content and use, standardization sample and norms, scores and interpretation, and psychometric properties. It was concluded the rating scales with the strongest standardization samples and evidence for reliability and validity are the ADDES, the ADHD-IV, and the CRS-R. In determining which of these to use, the prospective users may want to reflect on their goals for the assessment. The ACTeRS and the ADHDT are not recommended for use because they are lacking crucial information in their manuals and have less well-documented evidence of reliability and validity. Conclusions and recommendations for scale usage are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 341,361, 2003. [source] TRUST 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] Modeling the Mental Health Workforce in Washington State: Using State Licensing Data to Examine Provider Supply in Rural and Urban AreasTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2006Laura-Mae Baldwin MD ABSTRACT:,Context: Ensuring an adequate mental health provider supply in rural and urban areas requires accessible methods of identifying provider types, practice locations, and practice productivity. Purpose: To identify mental health shortage areas using existing licensing and survey data. Methods: The 1998-1999 Washington State Department of Health files on credentialed health professionals linked with results of a licensure renewal survey, 1990 US Census data, and the results of the 1990-1992 National Comorbidity Survey were used to calculate supply and requirements for mental health services in 2 types of geographic units in Washington state,61 rural and urban core health service areas and 13 larger mental health regions. Both the number of 9 types of mental health professionals and their full-time equivalents (FTEs) per 100,000 population measured supply in the health service areas and mental health regions. Findings: Notable shortages of mental health providers existed throughout the state, especially in rural areas. Urban areas had 3 times the psychiatrist FTEs per 100,000 and more than 1.5 times the nonpsychiatrist mental health provider FTEs per 100,000 as rural areas. More than 80% of rural health service areas had at least 10% fewer psychiatrist FTEs and nonpsychiatrist mental health provider FTEs than the state ratio (10.4 FTEs per 100,000 and 306.5 FTEs per 100,000, respectively). Ten of the 13 mental health regions were more than 10% below the state ratio of psychiatrist FTEs per 100,000. Conclusions: States gathering a minimum database at licensure renewal can identify area-specific mental health care shortages for use in program planning. [source] | ||||||||||||||||