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Mailed Survey (mailed + survey)
Selected AbstractsAustralasian emergency physicians: A learning and educational needs analysis.EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 2 2008Part Three: Participation by FACEM in available CPD: What do they do, do they like it? Abstract Objective: To determine the participation of Emergency Physicians (EP) in currently available continuing professional development opportunities (CPD), their perception of the usefulness of available CPD and their preferred format or method of CPD desired in the future. Method: A mailed survey of Fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine with 17 Likert type options on educational methods and qualitative analysis grouping volunteered free text responses. Results: The most frequent learning methods reported by EP are on the job contact with other clinicians, formal ED based teaching and reading journals, which were also perceived as useful or very useful learning methods by more than 90% of EP. Less than 15% often or always participate on hospital grand rounds, high fidelity simulation, computer programmes or commercially sponsored events. Increased exposure was desired to high-fidelity simulation center skills training by 58% of respondents with nearly 49% of fellows also wanting more participation in international conferences with around 44% of fellows also wanting more participation in international conferences with around 44% desiring more formal teaching in the ED, more formal feedback on performance, and more meetings with other hospital departments. Over 50% of EP want less or no exposure to commercially sponsored dinners or events. Conclusion: Whilst emergency physicians currently participate in a wide variety of learning methods, the results of this survey suggest EP most appreciate ED based teaching, would like more contact with other departments, along with increased opportunities for simulation based learning and attendance at international conferences. [source] Reports of information and support needs of daughters and sisters of women with breast cancerEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 1 2003ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR , K. CHALMERS RN, MSC(A) The aim of this study was to describe the information and support needs of women who have primary relatives with breast cancer. The Information and Support Needs Questionnaire (ISNQ) was developed and revised from previous qualitative and pilot studies. The ISNQ addressed concepts of the importance of, and the degree to which, 29 information and support needs related to breast cancer had been met. The study sample consisted of 261 community-residing women who had mothers, sisters, or a mother and sister(s) with breast cancer. Data were collected using a mailed survey. In addition to the ISNQ, additional items addressed family and health history, breast self-care practices, perception of the impact of the relative's breast cancer and other variables. Also included were established and well-validated measures of anxiety and depression. The findings document women's priority information and support needs. The information need most frequently identified as very important was information about personal risk of breast cancer. Other highly rated needs addressed risk factors for breast cancer and early detection measures. Generally, the women perceived that their information and support needs were not well met. These findings illuminate needs of women for more information and support when they have close family relatives with breast cancer and opportunities for primary care providers to assist women in addressing their needs. [source] Factors enabling home death of the elderly in an institution specializing in home medical care: Analysis of apprehension of the bereaved familyGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Akiko Akiyama Aim: To determine the factors enabling home death despite caregiver apprehension about home medical care. Methods: This study was an anonymous mailed survey of bereaved family members (the caregiver) of patients who died in a home medical care setting provided by an institution specializing in home medical care in Japan (home death rate, ,80%). We analyzed the relationships between caregiver apprehension about home medical care, overall satisfaction with home medical care and the place of death. Results: Higher caregiver apprehension about home medical care and lower overall satisfaction with home medical care were significantly associated with dying in a hospital. In addition, the home death group with apprehension about home medical care significantly rated higher overall satisfaction with home medical care than the hospital death group. Meanwhile, there was no difference in the overall satisfaction with home medical care between those with or without apprehension about home medical care in the home death group. Factors influencing overall satisfaction with home medical care in the home death group with apprehension about home medical care were: (i) being free from pain or symptoms (partial regression coefficient: 0.83); and (ii) fulfilled medical care service system (partial regression coefficient: 0.40). Conclusion: These results suggest that caregiver satisfaction with home medical care is an essential factor to enable home death of the patient despite the caregiver apprehension about home medical care. [source] Cohesion among nurses: a comparison of bedside vs. charge nurses' perceptions in Australian hospitalsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2001Wendy Chaboyer PhD RN Cohesion among nurses: a comparison of bedside vs. charge nurses' perceptions in Australian hospitals Aim.,This study examines the extent to which hospital nurses view their working environment in a positive sense, working as a cohesive group. Background.,Despite the fact that nursing in Australia is now considered a profession, it has been claimed that nurses are an oppressed group who use horizontal violence, bullying and aggression in their interactions with one and other. Methods.,After ethical approval, a random sample of 666 nurses working directly with patients and all 333 critical care nurses employed in three large tertiary Australian hospitals were invited to participate in the study in the late 1990s. A mailed survey examined the perceptions of interaction nurses had with each other. The hypothesis, that level of employment (either Level I bedside nurses or Level II/III clinical leaders) and area of work (either critical care or noncritical care) would influence perceptions of cohesion, as measured by the cohesion amongst nurses scale (CANS) was tested. Results.,In total 555 (56%) surveys were returned. Of these, 413 were returned by Level I and 142 by Level II/III nurses. Of this sample, 189 were critical care and 355 noncritical care nurses. There was no difference between Level I and II/III nurses in mean CANS scores. It is interesting to note that the item rated most positively was ,nurses on the units worked well together', however, the item rated least positive was ,staff can be really bitchy towards each other' for both Level I and II/III nurses. There was no difference in CANS scores between critical care and noncritical care nurses. Conclusions.,Nurses working in Australian hospitals perceived themselves to be moderately cohesive but, as would be expected in other work settings, some negative perceptions existed. [source] Persistence of Traumatic Memories in World War II Prisoners of WarJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2009(See editorial comments by Dr. Jules Rosen, 2347), on pp 234 OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term effects of the prisoner of war (POW) experience on U.S. World War II (WWII) veterans. DESIGN: Exploratory study. SETTING: Participants were recruited through the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital; a POW reunion in Orlando, Florida; and the WWII veterans periodical, "The QUAN." PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-seven American military veterans who were former WWII POWs. MEASURMENTS: Participants completed a mailed survey describing their POW experiences, POW effects on subsequent psychological and physical well-being, and ways in which these experiences shaped major decisions in their lives. RESULTS: Participants from the European and Pacific theaters reported that their captivity during WWII affected their long-term emotional well-being. Both groups reported high rates of reflection, dreaming, and flashbacks pertaining to their POW experiences, but Pacific theater POWs did so at higher rates in the present than in the past. Large portions of both groups reported greater rumination on POW experiences after retirement. Finally, 16.6% of participants met the requirements of a current, clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the Mississippi PTSD scale, with PTSD rates in Pacific theater POWs (34%) three times those of European theater POWs (12%). CONCLUSION: Traumatic memories and clinical levels of PTSD persist for WWII POWs as long as 65 years after their captivity. Additionally, rumination about these experiences, including flashbacks and persistent nightmares, may increase after retirement, particularly for those held in the Pacific theater. These findings inform the current therapeutic needs of this elderly population and future generations of POWs from other military conflicts. [source] Decisional involvement of senior nurse leaders in Canadian acute care hospitalsJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2010CAROL A. WONG RN wong c.a., laschinger h., cummings g.g., vincent l. & o'connor p. (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18, 122,133 Decisional involvement of senior nurse leaders in Canadian acute care hospitals Aim, The aim of the present study was to describe the scope and degree of involvement of senior nurse leaders (SNLs) in executive level decisions in acute care organizations across Canada. Background, Significant changes in SNL roles including expansion of decision-making responsibilities have occurred but little is known about the patterns of SNL decision-making. Methods, Data were collected by mailed survey from 63 SNLs and 49 chief executive officers (CEOs) in 66 healthcare organizations in 10 Canadian provinces. Regression analyses were used to examine whether timing, breadth of content expertise and the number of decision activities predicted SNL decision-making influence and quality of decisions. Results, Breadth of content expertise and number of decision activities with which the SNL was involved were significant predictors of decision influence explaining 22% of the variance in influence. Overall, CEOs rated SNL involvement in decision-making higher than the SNL. Conclusions, Senior nurse leaders contribute to organizational processes in healthcare organizations that are important for nurses and patients, through their participation in decision-making at the senior team level. Implications for nursing management, Findings may be useful to current and future SNLs learning to shape the nature and content of information shared with CEOs particularly in the area of professional practice issues. [source] Craft Retailers' Criteria for Success and Associated Business StrategiesJOURNAL OF SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2002Rosalind C. Paige This research was designed to fill the void in understanding how art,related retailers define and achieve success. A two,phase data collection process was implemented. Preliminary personal interviews were conducted with 12 craft retailers followed by a mailed survey to 1000 craft retailers in nine southeastern U.S. states. Factor analysis was employed to reduce the number of items for defining success. Cluster analysis followed to develop empirical groupings of craft retail businesses based on the success factor scores, of which four different groups were identified. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare retail clusters related to business strategy variables of competitive strategies, product assortment, pricing, and distribution strategies, and networking activities. Significant differences were found in the craft retailers' business strategies used to achieve success. Craft retail entrepreneurs were found to define success with both traditional criteria such as profit and growth and also with intrinsic factors such as personal satisfaction and the opportunity to elevate the craft tradition. Successful small craft retail firms offered more focused product assortments of specialized craft products, implemented more differentiated strategies of stocking unique crafts in their assortments, as well as offering unique services to educate consumers about crafts, craft artisans, and a region's culture. Craft retailers who reported greater success did not engage in competitive pricing. Collaborative strategies included networking among family, friends, and business peers. [source] Coping with technological disaster: An application of the conservation of resources model to the Exxon Valdez oil spillJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2000Catalina M. Arata Abstract One hundred twenty-five commercial fishers in Cordova, Alaska, completed a mailed survey regarding current mental health functioning 6 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Economic and social impacts of the oil spill and coping and psychological functioning (modified Coping Strategies Scales, Symptom Checklist 90-R) were measured. Multiple regression was used to test the utility of the Conservation of Resources stress model for explaining observed psychological symptoms. Current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were associated with conditions resource loss and avoidant coping strategies. The Conservation of Resources model provided a framework for explaining psychological impacts of the oil spill. Future research is needed to identify factors related to recovery. [source] Authoritative Knowledge and Single Women's Unintentional Pregnancies, Abortions, Adoption, and Single Motherhood: Social Stigma and Structural ViolenceMEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2003Marcia A. Ellison This article explores the sources of authoritative knowledge that shaped single, white, middle-class women's unintentional pregnancies and childbearing decisions throughout five reproductive eras. Women who terminated a pregnancy were most influenced by their own personal needs and circumstances, birth mothers' decisions were based on external sources of knowledge, such as their mothers, social workers, and social pressures. In contrast, single mothers based their decision on instincts and their religious or moral beliefs. Reproductive policies further constrained and significantly shaped women's experiences. The social stigma associated with these forms of stratified maternity suggests that categorizing pregnant women by their marital status, or births as out-of-wedlock, reproduces the structural violence implicit to normative models of female sexuality and maternity. This mixed-method study included focus groups to determine the kinds of knowledge women considered authoritative, a mailed survey to quantify these identified sources, and one-on-one interviews to explore outcomes in depth, [authoritative knowledge, social stigma, abortion, birth mothers, single mothers, unintentional pregnancies] [source] Inclusive Governance Practices in Nonprofit Organizations and Implications for PracticeNONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, Issue 4 2002William A. Brown An inclusive board seeks information from multiple sources, demonstrates an awareness of the community and constituents that benefit from and contribute to the organization's services, and establishes policies and structures to foster stakeholder contributions. This research investigated the prevalence of inclusive governance practices and its relationship to board composition, diversity attitudes, and recruitment practices. Fifty-six executive directors and forty-three board members representing sixty-two nonprofit organizations returned a mailed survey (29 percent response rate). The study profiled two organizations that represented different styles of inclusive governance. The survey, part of a larger study, contained questions about inclusive practices, board composition, attitudes toward diversity, and recruitment practices. Most organizations indicated that they operate with inclusive governance practices. The organizational profiles provide a picture of boards that used different strategies to accomplish the goal of inclusivity. Boards that use more inclusive practices were not necessarily heterogeneous in board member composition. Inclusive boards were more inclined to be sensitive to diversity issues and used recommended board recruitment practices. The existence of a task force or committee on diversity was also significantly associated with a more inclusive board. Nonprofit organizations must consider their philosophy on stakeholder involvement, recognizing that different strategies lead to different levels of stakeholder involvement. [source] Australian hospital generalist and critical care nurses' perceptions of doctor,nurse collaborationNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 2 2001Wendy P. Chaboyer RN Abstract Previous researchers have indicated that collaborative practice between doctors and nurses results in positive effects on patient care, health-care costs and provider satisfaction. Despite these benefits, collaborative practice appears to be the exception, rather than the dominant pattern, within health care. A collaborative relationship cannot evolve if individuals do not value and respect others' competencies. This study, a mailed survey, used the Collaboration with Medical Staff Scale to compare the perceptions of doctor,nurse collaboration held by critical care nurses and generalist hospital nurses. The hypothesis that critical care nurses perceive there to be greater collaboration with doctors than their generalist nurse colleagues was supported even after taking into consideration education and experience. These results suggest that critical care is an area that might be useful when trying to understand the dimensions and implications of collaboration among health professionals. [source] Agreement between GPRD smoking data: a survey of general practitioners and a population-based survey,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 7 2004James D. Lewis MD, MSCE Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is a common habit that is associated with many diseases. Smoking is often an important confounding variable in pharmacoepidemiological studies. The General Practice Research Database (GPRD) is widely used in pharmacoepidemiological research. In this study, we compare data recorded in the GPRD with the smoking history obtained from direct query of general practitioners (GPs) and from a population-based survey. Methods We completed a mailed survey of GPs caring for a random sample of 150 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The survey asked the GP to categorize the patients smoking status on a specified date. These results were then compared to the data recorded in the GPRD. Smoking status of 225,308 randomly selected GPRD patients without inflammatory bowel disease was compared to the results of a population-based household survey. Results Completed surveys with usable data were received from GPs on 136 of the 150 patients (91%). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of the database for current smoking were 78% (95%,CI: 52,94) and 70% (95%,CI: 46,88) respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of former smoking were 53% (95%,CI: 28,77) and 60% (95%,CI: 32,84) respectively. Current and former smoking rates in the GPRD were 79% and 29% respectively of expected rates according to the population-based survey . Conclusions Current smoking is more completely recorded in the GPRD than former smoking. These data need to be considered when planning GPRD studies where smoking is an important exposure variable. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Appraisal, coping, hardiness, and self-perceived health in community-dwelling spouse caregivers of persons with dementiaRESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 6 2003Mary C. DiBartolo Abstract Although researchers have suggested that hardiness is associated with improved outcomes in stressful situations, findings regarding its moderating effects have been mixed. Relationships among hardiness, appraisal, coping, self-perceived health, and other antecedent variables were examined in a convenience sample of 72 community-dwelling spouse caregivers for persons with dementia. In this descriptive correlational design, participants completed a mailed survey. Regression analyses were used to detect main and moderating effects. Antecedent variables predicted 27% of the variance in caregiver appraisal, 23% of the variance in emotion-focused coping, and 22% of the variance in self-perceived health. In addition to its significant main effects, hardiness functioned as a significant moderator between the set of antecedent variables and caregiver appraisal. More research is needed to support the presence of main and moderating effects of hardiness in dementia caregivers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 26:445,458, 2003 [source] Does patient partnership in continuing medical education (CME) improve the outcome in osteoporosis management?THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 3 2002Dr. Mahmood Puzirandeh MD FACP Director Abstract Introduction: There is an apparent gap between physicians' knowledge and their practical application of such knowledge. Educating patients to educate physicians toward improved care has been shown to be effective in selected settings. This study describes the influence of an active community education program on changing physician behavior. Methods: A total of 672 schoolteachers were interviewed and screened for detection of osteoporosis risk factors. The teachers were educated about osteoporosis and the significance of bone mass densitometry (BMD) in its management and returned to their physicians with the results of their screening. One group of their physicians received didactic lectures on the results of the screening and the impact of appropriate management on the outcome of osteoporosis. The second group of physicians did not. Six months after the initial interview and screening, patients received a mailed survey. Results: After 6 months, 258 of the teachers who had visited their physicians were resurveyed. The percentage of BMD tests ordered by physicians rose form 8.6% to 33% in both the intervention and control physician groups. Findings at the 6-month survey indicated that physicians initiated the osteoporosis discussion an average of 18% of the visits and patients did an average of 60%, prompting the physician to order a BMD test. Discussion: In this study, there was no evidence that didactic lectures affect physician behavior in ordering BMD. There were, however, compelling indications that patient education, which included written screening results, enhanced physician-patient diaglogue, resulting in more BMD orders. [source] The Visiting Specialist Model of Rural Health Care Delivery: A Survey in MassachusettsTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006Jacob Drew BA ABSTRACT:,Context: Hospitals in rural communities may seek to increase specialty care access by establishing clinics staffed by visiting specialists. Purpose: To examine the visiting specialist care delivery model in Massachusetts, including reasons specialists develop secondary rural practices and distances they travel, as well as their degree of satisfaction and intention to continue the visiting arrangement. Methods: Visiting specialists at 11 rural hospitals were asked to complete a mailed survey. Findings: Visiting specialists were almost evenly split between the medical (54%) and surgical (46%) specialties, with ophthalmology, nephrology, and obstetrics/gynecology the most common specialties reported. A higher proportion of visiting specialists than specialists statewide were male (P = .001). Supplementing their patient base and income were the most important reasons visiting specialists reported for having initiated an ancillary clinic. There was a significant negative correlation between a hospital's number of staffed beds and the total number of visiting specialists it hosted (r =,0.573, P = .032); study hospitals ranged in bed size from 15 to 129. Conclusions: The goal of matching supply of health care services with demand has been elusive. Visiting specialist clinics may represent an element of a market structure that expands access to needed services in rural areas. They should be included in any enumeration of physician availability. [source] The mismanagement of the assets of older people: the concerns and actions of aged care practitioners in QueenslandAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2003Cheryl Tilse Objective: To explore the types of financial abuse coming to their attention of aged care workers, the practice responses and the barriers to effective responses. Method: A mailed survey of 159 ACAT members, allied health professionals and other aged care workers across metropolitan, regional and remote Queensland. Results: Financial abuse is coming to the attention of a broad range of aged care workers. It takes a variety of forms with a consistent pattern reported across urbanlregionallrural locations and differing ethnic groups. Although a range of resources exists, one third of respondents reported limitations in their capacity to intervene appropriately. Conclusions: This complex area requires a greater understanding of the dimensions of financial abuse, further evaluation of the effectiveness of current mechanisms, professional and community education and additional support for workers seeking to intervene. [source] A Contingency View of the Responses of Voluntary Social Service Organizations in Ontario to Government CutbacksCANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES, Issue 1 2002Mary K. Foster Voluntary organizations in Ontario have been thrust into a new environment; government funding on which they have traditionally counted has been reduced to the extent that actions have to be taken in order for some organizations to survive. Using a sample of 85 from a mailed survey to voluntary social service organizations in Toronto, we collected information on how organizational characteristics are influencing the actions taken in the face of these changes. We found that the alternatives considered factored into five dimensions: enhancing the image of the organization; cutting costs; developing strategic plans and accountability; implementing new tactics, such as user fees; and restructuring the governance and management structure. Analysis showed that younger organizations, smaller-sized agencies, and those with a diverse set of funding sources employ a wider range of options to deal with environmental challenges. Many of these options are directed at protecting the main mission of the organization and building awareness and marketing strength so that the organization reduces its susceptibility to environmental shifts. Résumé Les organismes de bénévolat de l'Ontario sont plongés dans un nouveau contexte, car les subventions gouvernementales sur lesquelles ils comptaient jusqu'à présent sont réduites à un point tel que des mesures doivent être prises afin qu'ils puissent survivre. Un sondage effectué par la poste auprès de 85 organismes de services sociaux bénévoles de Toronto nous a permis de rassembler des données montrant que certaines caractéristiques organisationnelles peuvent influencer les mesures à prendre face à de tels changements, et nous avons envisagé cinq solutions possibles pour remédier à la situation: rehausser l'image de ces organismes; réduire leurs coûts; mettre sur pied certaines stratégies et rendre compte de leurs activités; utiliser de nouvelles tactiques, tels des frais d'utilisation; ainsi qu'en restructurer l'administration et la gestion. Il ressort de cette analyse que les organismes plus récents et de plus petite taille ainsi que ceux bénéficiant de sources de financement plus variées peuvent utiliser un plus vaste ventail d'options pour contrer les difficultés que présente la conjoncture actuelle. La plupart de ces possibilités visent à préserver la mission principale de ces organismes et à renforcer leur vision et leur politique de marketing afin de réduire leur vulnérabilité face à tout changement conjoncturel. [source] Health status of the oldest adult survivors of cancer during childhood,,CANCER, Issue 2 2010Lisa B Kenney MD Abstract BACKGROUND: Young adult survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for treatment-related morbidity and mortality. In this study, the authors assessed how treatment for childhood cancer affects older-adult health and health practices. METHODS: One hundred seven adults treated for childhood cancer between 1947 and 1968, known to have survived past age 50 years, were identified from a single-institution cohort established in 1975. Updated vital status on eligible cases was obtained from public records. Survivors and a control group of their age-matched siblings and cousins completed a mailed survey to assess physical and social function, healthcare practices, and the prevalence of common adult illnesses. RESULTS: Of the 107 survivors known to be alive at age 50 years, 16 were deceased at follow-up; 7 deaths could be associated with prior treatment (second malignancy in radiation field [3], small bowel obstruction after abdominal radiation [2], and cardiac disease after chest irradiation [2]). The 55 survivors (median age, 56 years; range, 51-71 years), and 32 family controls (median age, 58 years; range, 48-70 years), reported similar health practices, health-related quality of life, and social function. However, survivors reported more frequent visits to healthcare providers (P < .05), more physical impairments (P < .05), fatigue (P = .02), hypertension (P = .001), and coronary artery disease (P = .01). An increased risk of hypertension was associated with nephrectomy during childhood (odds ratio, 18.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-118.8). CONCLUSIONS: The oldest adult survivors of childhood cancer continue to be at risk for treatment-related complications that potentially decrease their life expectancy and compromise their quality of life. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source] The consistency of combat exposure reporting and course of PTSD in Vietnam War veteransJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2007K. C. Koenen Self-reports of traumatic events are often used in clinical and epidemiologic studies. Nevertheless, research suggests combat exposure reports may be biased by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, leading to an inflated dose-response relation between combat exposure and PTSD. The authors examined the consistency in combat exposure reports and their relation to PTSD symptoms in Vietnam Veteran American Legionnaires who responded to two mailed surveys (1984, 1998; N = 1,462). Combat exposure reports were highly reliable (test,retest correlation = 0.87). However, changes in exposure reporting were related to changes in PTSD symptoms, specifically reexperiencing symptoms. The effect size of the dose-response relation attributable to changes in reporting was smaller for continuous than categorical measures. Findings are discussed in relation to recent controversies over veterans' combat exposure reports. [source] All-Terrain Vehicle Safety and Use Patterns in Central Illinois YouthTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2010John W. Hafner MD Abstract Context: All-terrain vehicles' (ATVs) popularity and associated injuries among children are increasing in the United States. Currently, most known ATV use pattern data are obtained from injured youth and little documented data exist characterizing the typical ATV use patterns and safety practices among American children in general. Purpose: To describe the typical ATV safety and use patterns of rural youth. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous mail survey was conducted of youth participants (ages 8-18) in the 4-H Club of America in four Central Illinois counties. Questions examined ATV use patterns, safety knowledge, safety equipment usage, crashes, and injuries. Findings: Of 1,850 mailed surveys, 634 were returned (34% response rate) with 280 surveys (44% of respondents) eligible for analysis. Respondents were principally adolescent males from farms or rural locations. Most drove ,1 day per week (60.2%) and used ATVs for recreation (36%) or work (22.6%) on farms and/or private property (53.4%). Most never used safety gear, including helmets (61.4%), and few (14.6%) had received safety education. Of the 67% who experienced an ATV crash, almost half (44%) were injured. Children with safety training had fewer crashes (P= .01), and those riding after dark (P= .13) or without adult supervision (P= .042) were more likely injured. Conclusions: ATV use is common in a rural 4-H population. Most child ATV users were adolescent boys, had little safety training and did not use safety equipment or helmets. ATV injury prevention efforts should focus on these areas. [source] Assessment of the abbreviated Duke Social Support Index in a cohort of older Australian womenAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 2 2004Jennifer R Powers Objectives: To assess the acceptability, reliability and validity of the 11-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) in community-dwelling older Australian women, and to describe its relationship with the women's sociodemographic and health characteristics. Methods: Women aged 70,75 years were randomly selected from the national Medicare database, with over-sampling of rural and remote areas. The mailed survey included items about social support, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), health service use, recent life events and sociodemographics. Results: All DSSI items were completed by 94% of the 12 939 participants. Internal reliability was reasonable for 10 of the 11 DSSI items and its factors, social interaction (four items) and satisfaction with social support (six items; Cronbach's alpha of 0.8, 0.6, 0.8). The factor structure was consistent for subgroups of women: urban/non-urban; English speaking/non-English speaking background; married/widowed. Summed scores were highly correlated with factor scores and showed good construct validity. Higher social support was associated with better physical and mental health, being Australian born, more educated and better able to manage on income. Conclusion: Ten of the 11 DSSI items provided an acceptable, brief and valid measure of social support for use in mailed surveys to community-dwelling older women. [source] Infertility in Australia circa 1980: an historical population perspective on the uptake of fertility treatment by Australian women born in 1946-51AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2009Danielle L. Herbert Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of lifetime infertility in Australian women born in 1946-51 and examine their uptake of treatment. Methods: Participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health born in 1946-51 (n=13,715) completed up to four mailed surveys from 1996 to 2004. The odds of infertility were estimated using logistic regression with adjustment for socio-demographic and reproductive factors. Results: Among participants, 92.1% had been pregnant. For women who had been pregnant (n=12738): 56.5% had at least one birth but no pregnancy loss (miscarriage and/or termination); 39.9% experienced both birth and loss; and 3.6% had a loss only. The lifetime prevalence of infertility was 11.0%. Among women who reported infertility (n=1511), 41.7% used treatment. Women had higher odds of infertility when they had reproductive histories of losses only (OR range 9.0-43.5) or had never been pregnant (OR=15.7, 95%CI 11.8-20.8); and higher odds for treatment: losses only (OR range 2.5-9.8); or never pregnant (1.96, 1.28-3.00). Women who delayed their first birth until aged 30+ years had higher odds of treatment (OR range 3.2-4.3). Conclusions: About one in ten women experienced infertility and almost half used some form of treatment, especially those attempting pregnancy after 1980. Older first time mothers had an increased uptake of treatment as assisted reproductive technologies (ART) developed. Implications: This study provided evidence of the early uptake of treatment prior to 1979 when the national register of invasive ART was developed and later uptake prior to 1998 when data on non-invasive ART were first collected. [source] Infertility, medical advice and treatment with fertility hormones and/or in vitro fertilisation: a population perspective from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's HealthAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2009Danielle L. Herbert Abstract Objective: To identify the factors associated with infertility, seeking advice and treatment with fertility hormones and/or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) among a general population of women. Methods: Participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health aged 28-33 years in 2006 had completed up to four mailed surveys over 10 years (n=9,145). Parsimonious multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the socio-demographic, biological (including reproductive histories), and behavioural factors associated with infertility, advice and hormonal/IVF treatment. Results: For women who had tried to conceive or had been pregnant (n=5,936), 17% reported infertility. Among women with infertility (n=1031), 72% (n=728) sought advice but only 50% (n=356) used hormonal/IVF treatment. Women had higher odds of infertility when: they had never been pregnant (OR=7.2, 95% CI 5.6-9.1) or had a history of miscarriage (OR range=1.5-4.0) than those who had given birth (and never had a miscarriage or termination). Conclusion: Only one-third of women with infertility used hormonal and/or IVF treatment. Women with PCOS or endometriosis were the most proactive in having sought advice and used hormonal/IVF treatment. Implications: Raised awareness of age-related declining fertility is important for partnered women aged ,30 years to encourage pregnancy during their prime reproductive years and reduce the risk of infertility. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||