This study evaluated the influence of academic, behavioral, and sociocultural variables on the implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS), a system intended to improve discipline in school buildings. The number of schools that are implementing SWPBS has been increasing dramatically over the years as school violence continues to rise and solutions are needed to improve school climate. This study examined the relationship between three categories of variables and the level of implementation of SWPBS in three multiple regression analyses. The categories were school demographic variables (i.e., ethnicity, socio-economic status, teacher: student ratio, percentage of teachers who are out-of-field), severity of need for change (suspensions, office referrals, percentage of students below grade level in reading), and team process variables (coaching, team functioning, administrative support). Of these variables, team functioning was the only one found to be sign ificantly related to implementation. A second component of the study involved collecting data relating to factors that were enablers or barriers to the implementation of SWPBS. Two-hundred and thirty-six school personnel completed a survey, Schoolwide Implementation Factor Survey (SWIF). The survey derived three factors through a factor analysis: school, staff, and students; principal; and assistant principal. These factors were all found to have a high Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. There were significant differences between schools with a high, middle, and low level of implementation on all of these factors, with respondents from high implementing schools scoring the highest on all factors,and respondents from low implementing schools scoring the lowest. The item on the survey rated as the most helpful in the implementation process was "Expectations and rules that are clearly defined," while the item rated as the most problematic in the implementation process was "Adequat e funding for PBS." Overall, the results highlighted the complexity of implementing a system-wide change.(i.e., ethnicity, socio-economic status, teacher: student ratio, percentage of teachers who are out-of-field), severity of need for change (suspensions, office referrals, percentage of students below grade level in reading), and team process variables (coaching, team functioning, administrative support). Of these variables, team functioning was the only one found to be significantly related to implementation. A second component of the study involved collecting data relating to factors that were enablers or barriers to the implementation of SWPBS. Two-hundred and thirty-six school personnel completed a survey,Schoolwide Implementation Factor Survey (SWIF). The survey derived three factors through a factor analysis: school, staff, and students; principal; and assistant principal. These factors were all found to have a high Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. There were signific ant differences between schools with a high, middle, and low level of implementation on all of these factors, with respondents from high implementing schools scoring the highest on all factors,and respondents from low implementing schools scoring the lowest. The item on the survey rated as the most helpful in the implementation process was "Expectations and rules that are clearly defined," while the item rated as the most problematic in the implementation process was "Adequate funding for PBS." Overall, the results highlighted the complexity of implementing a system-wide change.

Understanding transit usage has become a critical transportation research interest and policy goal. This thesis presents results of an analysis of the 2001 NHTS data specifically focusing on the newly released appended variables that measure access or distance to public transportation. Statistically significant public transportation distance intervals from households and individuals were chosen for analysis in relation to other key variables in the original dataset. Actual relationships between public transportation and traditional household and person characteristics nationwide are explored, specifically focusing on both rail and bus transit modes for the work commute trip. Geographically, both inclusions and exclusions in analysis are conducted due to the widely accepted ubiquitous transit network present in the NY region. The analysis reveals strong differences in household and workplace access to transit as a function of race, income, auto ownership, and urban area size. Additionally, a very high sensitivity to access exists suggesting that the share of transit accessible trips is smaller than previously acknowledged. Approximately 53 percent of households are within aviimile of bus service and 40 percent within a quarter-mile. Approximately 10 percent of the population lives within one mile of rail. Over 50 percent of workplaces are within a quarter mile walk radius of a bus line. Not surprisingly, work is more closely concentrated near transit than are residences. Furthermore, mode share for transit declines approximately two thirds beyond the first interval beyond 0.15 miles from a bus route. These observations imply a high value to services in close proximity to residential areas.Historical work in this topic area include geographically specific data analysis obtained from surveys which potentially allow a degree of subjectivity in perceived responses whereas accessibility and distance data analyzed in this thesis are actual and spatially measured. Additionally, a regression model exploring the significance of actual access to transit upon mode choice is performed to explore the significance of influence by measured access variables. The analysis suggests that access is even more critical than might have previously been acknowledged by the transit planning profession.

As American cities continue to expand and their existing transportation infrastructure becomes strained from increased demand, many cities have turned to light rail transit to not only alleviate congestion but also to provide an economic development stimulus to the areas around the stations. This report focuses on determining the economic impact on areas surrounding announced light rail stations in Austin, Texas while also attempting to quantify changes in land use and demographics experienced in a city who has an established light rail line; Dallas, Texas. In addition to examining any changes associated with the announcement and construction of a light rail project this report will qualitatively examine the role of these project in stimulating gentrification in station areas and what effect gentrification will have in preventing low-income households from accessing the improved transit system. The report will also propose actions that could ensure that these households continue to have access to public transportation, which would mitigate the strain of increasing transportation costs. / text

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and socio-demographic variables based on the empirical literature and the primitive theories in the field. Two regression approaches, logistic regression and linear multiple regression, were conducted on the two most recent Arizona Adult Tobacco Surveys to test the hypothesized models. The results showed that cigarette smokers in Arizona are mainly residents who have not completed a four-year college degree, who are unemployed, White, non-Hispanic, or young to middle-aged adults. Among the socio-demographic predictors of interest, education is the most important variable in identifying cigarette smokers, even though the predictive power of these socio-demographic variables is small. Practical and methodological implications of these findings are discussed.

Since 1994, a turning point in the history of South Africa (SA), significant changes were made in the delivery of health services by the public sector, provincially and nationally. The process of change involved making important decisions about health services provision, often based on past experience but ideally requiring detailed information on health status and health services. For an example, Primary Health Care (PHC) was made freely accessible to all citizens of this country. Many studies on the impact of free PHC in the country have shown increased utilization of these services.40 In the context of HIV/AIDS and its complications and other emerging health conditions, reasons for this increased utilization may not be that simple. I17, II8. Parallel with increased utilisatIon has been uncontrollable escalation of costs in the Department of Health (DoH), often resulting in ad-hoc and ineffective measures of cost-containment.40. For these and many other reasons of critical importance to public health services management, the issue of health information generally, and epidemiological inforn1ation in particular, should be brought higher on the agenda of health management. Public health services management is about planning, organization, leading, monitoring and control of the same services.2 Any public health plan must have a scientific basis. In order to achieve rational planning of public health services in the province, adequate, up to date, accurate information must be available, as a planning tool. Health information is one of key resources and an essential element in health services management. It is a powerful tool by which to assess health needs, to measure health status of the population and most importantly, to decide how resources should be deployed.5 Trends in the health status of the population are suggested by the White Paper for transforn1ation of Health Services (White Paper), to be important indicators of the success of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), the country's programme of transformation. 37,39 It is within that context that the KwaZulu-Natal-Department of Health (KZN-DoH) resolved to establish an Epidemiology/Demographic Unit for the province, to assist management to achieve the department's objectives of providing equitable, effective, efficient and comprehensive health services. 37,89 Purpose: To develop a provincial Epidemiological-Demographic Inforn1ation System (EDIS) that will consistently inforn1 and support rational and realistic management decisions based on accurate, timely, current and comprehensive infom1ation, moving the DoH towards evidence based policy and planning. Objectives: To provide an ED IS framework to : .develop provincial health policy .assist management with health services planning and decision-making .ensure central co-ordination of health information in order to support delivery of services at all levels of the health system . . monitor implementation and evaluation of health programmes . ensure utilization of information at the point of collection, for local planning and interventlon. Methods: A rapid appraisal of the existing Health Information System (HIS) in the province was conducted from the sub-departments of the DoH and randomly selected institutions. A cross-sectional study involving retrospective review of records from selected hospitals, clinics and other sources, was conducted. The study period was the period between January 1998 to December 1998. Capacity at district and regional levels on managing health information and epidemiological information in particular, was reviewed and established through training progranmles. Results: The rapid appraisal of existing HIS in the province revealed a relatively electronically well resourced sub-department of Informatics within the KZN-DoH, with a potential to provide quality and timely data. However, a lot of data was collected from both clinics and hospitals but not analyzed nor utilized. Some critical data was captured and analyzed nationally. There was lack of clarity between the Informatics Department staff responsible for collecting and processing provincial data and top management with regards each other's needs. Demographics: The demographic composition and distribution profile of the KZN population showed features of a third world country for Blacks with the White population displaying contrasting first world characteristics. Socio-Economic Profile: The majority of the population was unemployed, poor, illiterate, economically inactive, and earning very low income. The water supply, housing and toilet facilities seemed adequate, but in the absence of data on urban/rural distinction, this finding needs to be interpreted with caution Epidemiology: All basic indicators of socio-economic status (infant, child, neonatal mortality rates) were high and this province had the second poorest of the same indicators in the country. Adult and child morbidity and mortality profiles of the province, both at clinics and district hospitals were mainly from preventable conditions. Indicators on women and maternal health were consistent with the socio-economic status of this province; and maternal mortality rate was high with causes of mortality that were mainly preventable. The issue of HIV / AIDS complications remains unquantifiable with the limited data available. HIV is a serious epidemic in KZN and this province continues to lead all the provinces in the country, a prevalence of 32 % in 1999.86 Health Services Provision: Inmmnization coverage was almost 50% below the national target and drop out rate was very high. Termlinations of Pregnancies (TOP) occurred mainly among adult, single women, and the procedure done within the first trimester and requested for social and economic reasons. Provincial clinics (mainly fixed) and hospitals provide family planning and Ante Natal Care (ANC) services to the majority of pregnant women in the province. Conclusion : KZN is a poor province with an epidemiological profile of a country in transition but predominantly preventable health conditions. The province has a potential for producing high quality health information required for management, planning and decision making. It is recommended that management redirects resources towards improving PHC services. Establishment of an Epidemiology Unit would facilitate the DoH's health services reforms, through provision of comprehensive, accurate, timely and relevant health information . / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Introduction Haiti has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in Latina America and the Caribbean. The country faces the worst AIDS epidemic outside Africa and bears the greatest burden of HIV in the western hemisphere. Studies in the past recent years show that HIV/AIDS is most likely to be seen in developed countries. People with low education level and appropriate knowledge about STD’s are more susceptible to get HIV. Lifestyle behaviors represent significant factors in HIV transmission. Understandings these lifestyle factors are therefore critical in reversing the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the influence of factors such as demographic, lifestyle, HIV knowledge and misconceptions on HIV transmission. Statistical analysis For this study, we use SPSS (PAWS Statistics 18). The prevalence of HIV-AIDS via HIV status was determined across socio-demographic variables, respondents’ knowledge and misconception regarding HIV/AIDS, STDs awareness and lifestyle. The distribution of categorical variables across levels of dependent variable was analyzed using chi-square tests. All Analyses were stratified across HIV status. The distribution of categorical variables by levels of HIV/AIDS status was determined using one-way analysis of variance. Chi-square analysis was done to determine the distribution of independents across status of dependent variable. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between selected life style factors and HIV/AIDS. Odds ratios from the logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risks of HIV/AIDS that were associated with life style factors. In all analysis, P< .05 was used to determine statistical significance among variables. Stepwise analysis was performed to evaluate the most significant variables that are associated with HIV. Results Among demographic variables, only age was reported having negative significant contribution in HIV status. The other variables, including residence, education, marital status, economic status and gender were not significantly associated with increased odds of HIV transmission. Significant association was observed for HIV status and respondents “who have ever been tested for HIV”. Odd ratio analysis for people who think “avoiding prostitutes” show significant association with HIV status (7%) compared to those who do not; Variables referring to respondents who think “having only one sex partner” and “Limited number of partners” as a way to protect themselves from getting HIV were negatively associated increased risk of HIV. Those who think HIV/AIDS is by witchcraft ware more likely to have positive HIV status. Stepwise analysis for our significant variables from multivariate logistic regression show that only variables referring to young respondents and those who think they can get AIDS by witchcraft are the most significant for a positive HIV status. Discussion Recent epidemiologic data show that the HIV infection in Haiti is mostly concentrated among youth. Young Haitians lack of sexual education and awareness, and misconceptions are the main drivers of HIV risks. To avert the increasing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Haiti, public health efforts must concentrate in youth education. Such education must emphasize sexual behaviors, lifestyle issues and attitudes. Demystifying the widely held view that HIV is due to witchcraft may also help in reversing the ongoing epidemics of HIV/AIDS in Haiti.

Die Arbeit analysiert die Bedeutung des demografischen Wandels für die Entwicklung der Gesundheitsausgaben in Deutschland bis zum Jahr 2050. Anhand von Querschnittsdaten der amtlichen Statistik für den Bereich der Krankenhäuser wird unter der Annahme konstanter Altersprofile der Gesundheitsausgaben pro Kopf sowie konstanter Inzidenzraten der isolierte demografisch bedingte Ausgabenanstieg prognostiziert. Der theoretische Teil der Arbeit stellt weitere Einflussfaktoren sowie die Medikalisierungs- und Kompressionsthese zur Entwicklung von Morbidität im Alter vor. Als Antwort auf den diagnostizierten Anstieg der Ausgaben werden mögliche Reformansätze diskutiert. / The paper analyses the effects of continued demographic change on health expenditure in Germany until 2050. Using cross sectional data from official statistics for hospitals the isolated effect of demographic change on future expenditure is predicted by assuming time-invariant age-specific expenditure profiles per capita and incidence for specific groups of diagnoses. Further influencing factors as well as competing theories of compression versus expansion of morbidity are presented. As a reaction to the challenge of expected further increases in health expenditure, possible reforms are discussed.

Sveikatos priežiūros paslaugų prieinamumas – tai kiekvieno gyventojo galimybė ligos ar kito patologinio proceso atveju pasinaudoti sveikatos priežiūros teikiamomis paslaugomis. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti sveikatos priežiūros paslaugų prieinamumą sveikatos priežiūros įstaigoje „Telšių sveikata“, priklausomai nuo demografinių – socialinių pacientų charakteristikų. Tyrimo metodika. 2006 m. balandžio mėn. atliktas anoniminis anketinis pacientų tyrimas. Apklausoje dalyvavo UAB „Telšių sveikata“ pas bendrosios praktikos gydytojus besilankantys pacientai. Buvo išdalinta 400 apklausos anketų, užpildyta ir grąžinta – 359, atsakas – 89,75 proc. Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta SPSS 10 versijos programiniu paketu. Rezultatai. Daugiau kaip pusė visų respondentų (62,8 proc.) į bendrosios praktikos gydytojus kreipiasi dėl ligos. Dažniau moterys (5,4 karto), negu vyrai (4,5 karto). Pirminės sveikatos priežiūros prieinamumas teritoriniu požiūriu geresnis miesto respondentams. Jie greičiau pasiekia savo gydymo ���staigą, todėl patenkintų kelionės laiku iki UAB „Telšių sveikata“ dvigubai daugiau yra miesto respondentų (92,0 proc.), kaimo (47,3 proc.). Dažniausiai registracijos talone nurodytu laiku pas gydytoją nepatenka vyriausi respondentai (31,6 proc.). Laiku nepatekę, prie gydytojo kabineto durų ilgiau priėmimo laukia kaimo respondentai. Taip pat ilgiau laukia vyrai, negu moterys. Daugiau kaip valandą laukia 11,0 proc. vyrų ir 1,5 proc. moterų. Organizaciniu požiūriu sveikatos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Introduction. The accessibility of primary health care – in the chance for the each citizen to avail oneself of health care services in case of illness or pathological process. The aim of study. To evaluate the accessibility of health care services in primary health care service office „Telšių sveikata“ depending on the patients demografic – social characteristics. Methods. An anonymous questionnaire study was carried out in April 2006. Patients visiting the doctors of primary health care service office “ Telšių sveikata” filled in the questionnaire. 400 questionnaires were distributed among patients, of which 359 questionnaires were completed. The response rate of completed questionnaires was 89,75. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS programming packet. Results. More than half of all respondents (62,8%) consulted a doctor due to illness. More frequently female patients (5,4 times), male patients (4,5 times). The territorial access of primary health care is better for urban respondents, because they could easies to reach their health care institution 92 % of them are satisfied in time, reaching the places only 47,3 % of rural patients. 31,6 % of senior patients can’t see the doctor at the fixed time. Rural respondents waited at the physician room longer than urban respondents, longer waited male patients than female. More than one hour had waited 11,0 % males and 1,5 % females. The organizational access was better for urban young... [to full text]

Prior studies on museum visitors are extensively centred on national museums, the studies on regional museums are scarce. To fill in the academic gap, a research is proposed concerning the visitors of Dalarna Museum, a regional museum in Sweden. With an aim to profile visitors’ demographic characteristics and investigate the motivational factors that influence visitors’ frequency of visits, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was implemented at Dalarna Museum. To get visitors’ demographic characteristics, a few closed and open questions are devised to profile visitors’ gender, age, occupation, income, education, number of children and residence place. To investigate the motivational factors that influence visitors’ frequency of visits, a seven-point Likert questionnaire is employed with 17 motivational factors included. During a 12-day data collection, 372 visitors were invited to participate in the questionnaire survey, whereof 357 had filled in the questionnaire, generating a response rate that is as high as 96 percent. After data cleansing, there are 355 completed and valid responses in total. According to the results, some of visitors’ demographic characteristics are similar including gender, age, occupation, income, and number of children. However, the characteristics regarding visitors’ residence places and educational attainments are different comparing the frequent visitors to occasional visitors. Through running a multiple regression analysis, 13 out of the 17 motivational factors are detected having significant influences on visitors’ frequency of visits to Dalarna Museum, of which the most influential one is visitors’ day-outs with their friends and relatives.

Pastaruoju metu visuomenėje gana plačiai nagrinėjama psichikos ligomis sergančių žmonių stigmatizacijos ir diskriminacijos problema. Stigmatizuojantis požiūris, susiformavęs istorijos kontekste palaiko stereotipus, kurie neigiamai paveikia psichikos ligomis sergančių asmenų psichosocialinę egzistenciją. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti tiriamų asmenų požiūrį į psichikos ligomis sergančius žmones bei įvertinti sąsajas su sociodemografinėmis tiriamųjų charakteristikomis. Tyrime dalyvavo 227 Kauno ir Alytaus miestų gyventojai (65 vyrai ir 162 moterys). Požiūriui į psichikos ligomis sergančius asmenis nustatyti naudota Didžiosios Britanijos Nacionalinio statistikos departamento sudaryta anketa, „Visuomenės požiūrio į psichikos negalią turinčius žmones skalė“ sutrumpinta forma (angl. Community Living Attitudes Scale Mental Retardation – Short Form (CLAS)) bei tyrimo autorės sudaryta anketa. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė vyraujančią nuomonę, jog psichikos ligomis sergantys asmenys yra pavojingi, neprognozuojamo elgesio, dažnai jų bijoma. Tačiau šie žmonės nesmerkiami, jiems jaučiama užuojauta ir gailestis. Pusė apklaustųjų manė, kad psichikos ligomis sergantiems asmenims naudinga integruotis į visuomenę, tačiau tik vienas trečdalis tiriamųjų sutiko, kad psichiatrinės ligoninės – pasenęs gydymo būdas. Atsižvelgiant į tiriamųjų lytį bei išsilavinimą, didelių požiūrio skirtumų į psichikos ligomis sergančius asmenis nebuvo nustatyta. Tačiau stebimi reikšmingi požiūrio skirtumai atsižvelgiant... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Nowadays one of the widely discussed topics is the stigmatization and discrimination of people with mental illness. Stigmatization is based on the stereotypes and negatively reflects on the psychosocial life of people with mental illness. The goal of this research is to define attitudes towards people with mental illness and find correlations with socio-demografic characteristics. 227 respondents from Kaunas and Alytus participated in this study (65 men and 162 women). The following questionnaires were used to assess the respondents attitudes towards people with mental illness: a questionnaire, taken from National Department Statistics of Great Britain, the Community Living Attitudes Scale Mental Retardation – Short Form (CLAS) and a questionnaire made by the author of this study. The results of this study showed the basic attitude that people with mental illness are dangerous. Their behaviour is regarded as unpredictable and they are feared of. However, people with mental illness can expect sympathy and compassion. Half of the respondents admitted that they thought it would be useful to integrate people with mental illness into society, but, on the other hand, only one third of the respondents agreed that mental hospitals are not quite good for people with mental illness. There weren’t significant differences between respondents with regards to their sex and education. Significant differences in attitudes toward people with mental illness were found in different age groups... [to full text]