The management of long term chronic conditions is a complex and challenging task. The process relies on individuals engaging in regular recording of factors that affect their health. Yet currently, the mobile tools that people carry with them are not being fully utilised to assist in this process. This Thesis reports on research that has been completed to understand the role that mobile technologies can have in supporting people with chronic conditions. An individual engaging in personal monitoring is concerned with the data they collect, not the process used to capture the data. The results of the research conducted contribute to an advancement of knowledge around how mobile technologies can assist in personal reflection on health information to provide greater understanding of chronic disease management This understanding of the role of reflection in chronic condition management can then be used as a platform to improve the mobile interventions in future implementations. These findings are arrived at by conducting an initial investigation into the usage of existing health monitoring devices and an evaluation of these devices is detailed. The results of this early work suggests there exists a gap between real practice and the role that mobile technologies can play in assisting with the process. A deeper understanding of the management practices of people with diabetes is then achieved through a set of interviews with individuals with diabetes. The findings then define a model of chronic disease management, named the 'Diabetes Management Cycle.' Following the definition of the cycle, a mobile application was implemented and deployed during a four week evaluation with individuals with type 1 diabetes. This system was designed to support existing management practices and implemented simple methods of information capture. A second application was then developed to enable increased monitoring and subsequent reflection amongst individuals with cardiovascular conditions. The application was deployed in a six week in-situ evaluation and it was discovered a personalised 'tagging' mechanism allowed for the discovery of patterns affecting health. Based on the findings of the studies, the Thesis concludes by presenting definitions of ready- to-hand in the short- and long-term contexts of mobile health management. These ready-to-hand guidelines provide a platform for future research projects to build upon.

Orientador: Maria Cristina Volpato / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T22:24:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Shcaira_VanessaRochaLima_D.pdf: 3957457 bytes, checksum: 27bc5d2143e210937c8dd7957ff2b004 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo cruzado e cego foi avaliar parâmetros cardiovasculares em 20 portadores de hipertensão arterial estágio 1, durante o tratamento periodontal sob anestesia com 3,6 ml de lidocaína 2% com epinefrina 1:100.000 e prilocaína 3% com felipressina 0,03 UI/ml. Foram avaliadas pressões arteriais sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) e freqüência cardíaca (FC) através da MAPA (Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial) e incidência de arritmias cardíacas e depressão / elevação do segmento ST por meio de monitorização eletrocardiográfica contínua por Holter, em quatro sessões: 1a Basal: Holter durante 24h; 2a Simulação: Holter por 24h e MAPA por 5h; 3a e 4a Epinefrina e Felipressina: idem sessão Simulação com tratamento periodontal após anestesia infiltrativa com uma solução em cada sessão, de forma aleatória. Foram comparadas as médias dos resultados de MAPA dos seguintes períodos: 1- antes do atendimento; 2- 10min antes da anestesia; 3- 5min após a anestesia; 4- entre 5 e 10min após a anestesia; 5- entre 10 e 15min após a anestesia; 6- 35min finais do atendimento; 7- 2 horas após o término do atendimento odontológico. Foram também comparadas as médias por minuto de cada arritmia analisada em oito períodos: os 7 primeiros idênticos aos da MAPA mais o período 8. tempo restante. A ansiedade e a dor foram avaliadas, respectivamente, pela escala de ansiedade dental de Corah (em todas as sessões) e a escala de 11 pontos em caixa (na 3a e 4a sessões). Os resultados da MAPA foram submetidos à análise de variância em medidas repetidas no tempo e teste de Tukey. Os valores de Holter e da escala de ansiedade dental de Corah foram submetidos ao teste de Friedman e os resultados da escala de 11 pontos em caixa foram analisados pelo teste Wilcoxon pareado. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) para: PAS, FC, Extrasístole ventricular isolada (ESVI) e supra-ventricular isolada (ESSVI). PAS foi maior no período de 35min finais do atendimento odontológico em relação ao período de 2h após ao atendimento em todas as sessões de atendimento. FC foi maior no período de 2h após o atendimento em todas as sessões de atendimento. ESVI e ESSVI foram maiores no período do tempo restante. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre períodos equivalentes das sessões de estudo para nenhuma das variáveis. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as sessões para os valores de ansiedade (p=0,81) e dor, considerando a ordem cronológica das sessões (p=0,33) e as soluções utilizadas (p=l,00). Os resultados mostram que a utilização de anestésicos locais contendo epinefrina ou felipressina, no volume de 3,6 ml, não induz alterações cardiovasculares clinicamente importantes em portadores de hipertensão estágio 1, e assim podem ser usados com segurança nesses pacientes. O controle da dor e da ansiedade é importante para evitar alterações cardiovasculares clinicamente relevantes / Abstract: This double-blind crossover study evaluated cardiovascular parameters of twenty hypertensive patients under periodontal treatment with 3.6 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine or 3% prilocaine with 0.03UI/ml felypressin. Heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) arterial blood pressures were recorded before, during and after the dental treatment by a noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure device (NABPD) and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, ST segment depression and elevation were recorded on a continuous Holter monitoring system for 24 hours in the sessions: Basal - the patients were connected to a Holter monitor for 24 hours; Simulation: they were connected to a NABPD for 5 hours and to a Holter monitor for 24 hours; Epinephrine and Felypressin sessions: the monitorization was similar to Simulation session and the subjects received periodontal tteatment after inf1lttation anesthesia with one of the anesthetic solutions each session, at random. The means obtained with NABPD were compared among seven periods of each session: 1- before dental treatment; 2- 10min before anesthesia; 3- 5min after anesthesia; 4- between 5 and 10min after anesthesia; 5- between 10 and 15min after anesthesia; 6- the last 35min of dental treatment and 7- 2h after dental treatment. The means of each electrocardiographic change were compared among eight periods of each session: 1 to 7- the same periods evaluated for NABPD, and 8. remaining time. The Corah dental anxiety scale was applied in all sessions and the pain was measured by using the 11- point box scale in the 3rd and 4th sessions. The results of blood pressure and heart rate were statistically analyzed by ANOV A with repeated measures and Tukey test (p<0.05). The results of Holter monitor and anxiety were compared by the Friedman test (p<0.05) and the values of 11-point box scale were analyzed by paired Wilcoxon test (p<0.05).Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) were observed for: SBP, HR, ventricular premature beat (VPB) and supraventricular premature beats (SPB). SBP values were higher in the period 6 than period 7 in all sessions. HR values were higher in the period 7 than in the others period in all sessions. VPB and SPB were higher in the period 8 than in other periods. There were no significant differences among equivalent periods of the sessions. No significant differences were observed in relation to anxiety (p=0.81) and pain, considering chronological order of the treatment session (p=0.33) and local anesthetic solution (p=1.00). The results show that the cardiovascular effects of local anesthetics containing epinephrine or felypressin are small and they can be safely used in hypertensive stage 1 patients. The control of pain and anxiety are important to avoid clinically relevant cardiovascular alterations / Doutorado / Farmacologia, Anestesiologia e Terapeutica / Doutor em Odontologia

Introdução: A hipertensão arterial tem alta prevalência, porém o controle dos níveis pressóricos é pouco satisfatório, provavelmente devido a baixa adesão ao tratamento. Assim, faz-se necessário buscar estratégias para aumentar o controle e adesão ao tratamento e modificar o estilo de vida. O Objetivo principal desse estudo foi caracterizar um grupo de hipertensos monitorados por enfermeiros dentro de um programa de gestão de doenças crônicas. Casuística e Métodos: O estudo foi realizado com 283 hipertensos em uma instituição particular na cidade de São Paulo, que praticava a gestão de doenças crônicas. Os hipertensos foram orientados por um período de 17 meses, com contatos telefônicos mensalmente e duas visitas domiciliares nos meses 9 e 17. A pressão arterial, peso e altura foram referidos nos contatos telefônicos e aferidos nas visitas domiciliares. Foram avaliados também ingestão de bebida alcoólica, tabagismo e sedentarismo. A adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso foi avaliada pelo teste de Morisky Green. A avaliação foi realizada em cinco momentos (a cada três meses) e nas duas visitas domiciliares. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerado significantes. Resultados: A maioria do sexo feminino (62,5%), idade 73,4 (10,9) anos. Houve mudança significativa no comportamento das seguintes variáveis(p<0,05): Etilismo (10,2% vs 3,2%); Sedentarismo (96,8% vs 71,7%); Adesão avaliada por Morisky Green (25,1% vs 85,5%); Pressão Arterial Sistólica (128,8 (11,4) vs 125,1 (11,6) mmHg); Pressão Arterial Sistólica (78,9 (7,8) vs 77,2 (8,0) mmHg). O Controle da pressão arterial se associou ao tabagismo no momento 5 do acompanhamento (p=0,02), verificou-se menor controle entre os tabagistas ( 3,7% vs 11,9%). A adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso avaliado pelo teste de Morisky Green se associou (p<0,05) a presença de insuficiência renal crônica, houve maior adesão na presença dessa comorbidade (20,6% vs 3,3%), ao uso de Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (18,6% vs 3,3%) e uso de Bloqueadores dos Receptores de Angiotensina (53,0% vs 73,3%). A segunda pergunta do teste de Morisky Green Você é desatento, de vez em quando sobre tomar o seu remédio se associou (p<0,05) ao uso de Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina ( 21,3% vs 12,0%). A terceira pergunta do instrumento \"Deixa de tomar a medicação caso sinta-se melhor?\" se associou ao histórico de infarto do miocárdio (8,2% vs 2,0%), uso de Bloqueadores do Receptor de Angiotensina(62,6% vs 51,1%), uso de Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (21,7% vs 8,1%) e com os tabagistas no primeiro e no terceiro momento de participação no programa respectivamente (7,1% vs 1,6%) e (10,1 vs 3,3%). A quarta pergunta do teste de Morisky Green Deixa de tomar a medicação caso sinta-se pior?\" se associou com portadores de Insuficiência Renal Crônica (22,5 % vs 8,1%), o uso de Diuréticos (93,2% vs 6,8%), uso de Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (20,6% vs 6,8%) e etilistas no segundo, terceiro e quarto momentos de participação no programa respectivamente (8,1 vs 1,9%), (8,1% vs 1,9%) e (8,1% vs 1,9%). Houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre o uso de Bloqueadores do Receptor de Angiotensina e a ocorrência de internação hospitalar, houve maior número de internações entre aqueles em uso desta classe farmacológica (63,0% vs 48,7%). Conclusão: Os hipertensos monitorados pela enfermagem dentro do programa de doenças crônicas apresentaram ao longo do seguimento mudanças significativas na pressão arterial, nos hábitos de vida e aumento da adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso. / Introduction : Hypertension has a high prevalence , but the control of the hypertension is unsatisfactory , probably due to poor adherence to treatment . Thus , it is necessary to develop strategies to increase the control and treatment adherence and modify lifestyle . The main objective of this study was to characterize a group of hypertensive patients monitored by nurses within a program of chronic disease management . Methods: The study was conducted with 283 hypertensive patients in a private institution in the city of São Paulo , who practiced the management of chronic diseases . Hypertensive patients were instructed for a period of 17 months, with monthly telephone contacts and home visits in the months 9:17 . Blood pressure , height and weight were said to phone contacts and home visits measured . Alcohol consumption , smoking and physical inactivity were also evaluated . The adherence to therapy was assessed by the Morisky Green test . The evaluation was performed in five times ( every three months) and in home visits . P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Most women ( 62.5 % ) , age 73.4 ( 10.9) years. Was no significant change in the behavior of these variables ( p < 0.05 ) : Alcohol consumption ( 10.2 % vs 3.2% ) ; Sedentary lifestyle ( 96.8 % vs 71.7 % ) ; Adhesion evaluated by Morisky Green ( 25.1% vs. 85.5%) ; Systolic blood pressure ( 128.8 ( 11.4 ) vs 125.1 ( 11.6 ) mmHg ) ; Systolic blood pressure ( 78.9 ( 7.8 ) vs 77.2 ( 8.0 ) mmHg ) . Control of blood pressure was associated with smoking at the time of the 5 follow-up ( p = 0.02 ) , there was less control among smokers ( 3.7% vs. 11.9 % ) . Adherence to drug treatment assessed by the Morisky Green test was associated ( p < 0.05 ) the presence of chronic renal failure , there was greater adherence in the presence of this comorbidity ( 20.6 % vs 3.3% ) , the use of inhibitors Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ( 18.6% vs 3.3% ) and use of Angiotensin Receptor blockers ( 53.0 % vs 73.3 % ) . The second question Morisky Green test \"You\'re inattentive, from time to time about taking your medicine\" was associated ( p < 0.05 ) at the use of inhibitors of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ( 21.3 % vs 12.0 %). The third question of the instrument \" Stop taking the medication if you feel better? \" was associated with a history of myocardial infarction ( 8.2% vs 2.0% ) , use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ( 62.6 % vs 51.1 % ) , use of inhibitors of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ( 21 , 7 % vs 8.1% ) and smokers in the first and third moment of participation in the program respectively ( 7.1% vs 1.6%) and ( 10.1 vs. 3.3% ) . The fourth question of the Morisky Green \" Stop taking the medication if feel worse? \" Test was associated with patients with chronic renal failure ( 22.5 % vs 8.1% ) , use of diuretics ( 93.2 % vs 6.8% ) , use of inhibitors of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ( 20.6 % vs 6.8% ) and alcoholics in the second , third and fourth moments of participation in the program respectively ( 8.1 vs. 1.9 % ) ( 8.1% vs 1.9%) and ( 8.1% vs 1.9 % ) . a statistically significant association between the use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and the occurrence of hospitalization , a greater number of hospitalizations among those using this drug class ( 63.0 % vs 48.7 % ) . Conclusion : Hypertensive monitored by nursing within the chronic disease program presented along the following significant changes in blood pressure , in lifestyle and increased adherence to medication.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: The recognition of HIV/AIDS as a chronic life-long condition globally in recent years has demanded a different perception and an alignment to its association with other chronic diseases. Both HIV and other chronic non-communicable diseases are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. Their combined DALY contributions for Botswana would be significant if research and strategies in controlling these conditions are not put in place. Natural aging and specific HIV-related accelerated aging of patients who are on antiretroviral treatment means that age-related diseases will adversely affect this population. Princess Marina Hospital Infectious Diseases Care Clinic has been in operation since 2002. The clinic has initiated over 16 000 patients on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) since 2002. The current study estimated the prevalence of non-AIDS defining conditions (NADCs) in the attendees of the clinic in 2013. The majority of patients that attended the clinic had been on treatment for over three years with some patients more than ten years. These ART experienced patients were more likely to be susceptible to chronic non-communicable diseases, including non-AIDS defining conditions. The nomenclature used in classification of NADCs in the current study was appropriate for resource-limited settings; because the study setting offered HIV treatment under resources constraints. Aim: The current study characterised non-AIDS defining conditions, and determined their associations with virologic treatment failure in a cohort of patients that were enrolled at Princess Marina Hospital antiretroviral clinic in Gaborone, Botswana. Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study of records of patients who attended the Princess Marina Infectious Diseases Care Clinic in 2013. Stratified random sampling of a total of 228 patients’ records was achieved from a total population of 5,781 records. Data was transcribed into a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet and then exported to Epi-Info statistical software for analysis. Results: Eighty (35%) cases of NADCs were reported/diagnosed in the study sample; with 27% (n=62) of the patients having at least one condition, 6.7% (n=17) two conditions, and 0.4% (n=1) three conditions. The top prevalent conditions were hypertension (n= 40), hyperlipidaemia (n=7) and lipodystrophy (n=7). The prevalence of NADCs on the various categories of patients compared with the total sample population was as follows: active patients (prevalence ratio= 0.70), transferred out patients (prevalence ratio = 1.24), patients who died (prevalence ratio=2.04) and patients who were lost to follow-up (prevalence ratio =2.86). The prevalence of NADCs was significantly associated with increasing age (p<0.001); having social problems (p=0.028); having been on treatment for over three years (p=0.007); an outcome of death (p = 0.03) and being lost to follow-up (p=0.007). The study showed that being controlled on second line or salvage regimen (p=0.014) and the presence of adherence problems in the past was associated with virologic failure (p=0.008). There was no association of presence of NADCs to virologic failure. Conclusions: There was significant morbidity of non-AIDS defining conditions in the Princess Marina Infectious Diseases Care Clinic shown by a prevalence of NADCs in the clinic of 35% in 2013.The significant associations of the presence of NADCs and virologic failure with outcomes of death and loss to follow-up illustrate the adverse effects that NADCs are having, and calls for strategies to address multi-morbidities in HIV patients on antiretroviral treatment.

Thesis(Ph.D.(Medical Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Background: Chronic disease management (CDM) is an approach to health care that keeps people as healthy as possible through the prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases. This approach offers holistic and comprehensive care, with a focus on rehabilitation, to achieve the highest level of independence possible for individuals.The aim of this study was to develop an integrated, evidence-based model for the management of chronic non-communicable diseases in a rural community of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: The study was conducted at Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site is situated in Capricorn District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. This study followed mixed methods methodology with an aim on integrating quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis in a single study to develop an intervention program in a form of model to improve management of chronic diseases in a rural area. Therefore, this included literature review and WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance of NCD risk factors for quantitative techniques and focus group discussions, semi-structures interviews and quality circles for qualitative techniques. In the surveillance of NCD risk factors standardised international protocols were used to assess behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity) and physical characteristics (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure). A purposive sampling method was used for qualitative research to determine knowledge, experience and barriers to chronic disease management in respect of patients, nurses, community health workers (CHWs), traditional health practitioners (THPs) and managers of chronic disease programmes. Data were analysed using STATA 12 for Windows, INVIVO and Excel Spreadsheets. Results: The study revealed that epidemiological transition is occurring in Dikgale HDSS. This rural area already demonstrates a high burden of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, especially smoking, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The barriers mostly mentioned by the nurses, patients with chronic disease, CHWs and THPs include lack of knowledge of NCDs, shortages of medication and shortages of nurses in the clinics which cause patients to stay for long periods of time in a clinic. Lack of training on the management of chronic diseases, supervision by the district and provincial health managers, together with poor dissemination of guidelines, were contributing factors to lack of knowledge of NCDs management among nurses and CHWs. THPs revealed that cultural insensitivity on the part of nurses (disrespect) makes them unwilling to collaborate with the nurses in health service delivery. x The model developed in this study which was the main aim of the study describes four interacting system components which are health care providers, health care system, community partners and patients with their families. The main feature of this model is the integration of services from nurses, CHWs and THPs including a well-established clinical information system for health care providers to have better informed patient care. The developed model also has an intervention such as establishment of community ambassadors. Conclusion: Substantially high levels of the various risk factors for NCDs among adults in the Dikgale HDSS suggest an urgent need for adopting healthy life style modifications and the development of an integrated chronic care model. This highlights the need for health interventions that are aimed at controling risk factors at the population level in order to slow the progress of the coming non-communicable disease epidemic. Our study highlights the need for health interventions that aim to control risk factors at the population level, the need for availability of NCD-trained nurses, functional equipment and medication and a need to improve the link with traditional healers and integrate their services in order to facilitate early detection and management of chronic diseases in the community. The developed model will serve as a contribution to the improvement of NCD management in rural areas. Lastly, concerted action is needed to strengthen the delivery of essential health services in a health care system based on this model which will be tasked to organize health care in the rural area to improve management and prevention of chronic illnesses. Support systems in a form of supervisory visits to clinics, provision of medical equipments and training of health care providers should be provided. Contribution from community partners in a form of better leadership to mobilise and coordinate resources for chronic care is emphasized in the model. This productive interaction will be supported by the district and provincial Health Departments through re-organization of health services to give traditional leaders a role to take part in leadership to improve community participation. / Medical Science Department, University of Limpopo in South Africa,International Health Unit, and Antwerp University

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations and trends between chronic diseases and tooth loss using BRFSS 2012-2018. METHODS: Self-reported permanent tooth loss from tooth decay/gum disease and several self-reported chronic disease diagnoses were analyzed by cycle (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) to explore associations and trends. Chi-square analyses were performed for the primary outcome of one or more teeth lost with the following ailments: physical health, mental health, weight, diabetes, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, asthma, cancer, respiratory diseases, arthritis, and kidney disease. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to estimate the odds for tooth-loss for each disease using gender, age, race, insurance, income, education and smoking as covariates. Effects of one or more concurrent chronic disease diagnoses on tooth loss were calculated and 2012-2018 results compared. Interaction between disease and year were used in the multivariate regression aanalyses to find differences in tooth loss from 2012- 2018. All calculations were performed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: Tooth loss has declined from 45% - in 2012 to 39% - in 2018 in individuals with one chronic disease. A similar decline in tooth loss is seen in those with two, three, four or more chronic diseases. Increased tooth-loss was significantly associated with each chronic disease, with adjusted odds of tooth-loss ranging from 1.08-1.72. Diabetics, had an increased and significant odds of tooth loss with time: 1.36 (2012)-1.54 (2018). The odds of tooth-loss increased as number of concurrent chronic diseases increased -1.2 (one chronic disease)-2.4 (four or more chronic diseases). CONCLUSION: Fewer people are losing teeth, but those with chronic disease experience higher odds of tooth-loss. Having more concurrent diseases is associated with increased tooth-loss. Oral health is essential for overall health, therefore access to oral health care and educating the public and health professionals about these associations is vital. / 2021-07-29T00:00:00Z

Pancreatic carcinoma or pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an insidious disease with a prognosis of 6- to 12-month survival time for a late stage diagnosis. This problem has become crucial given that no study to date had been able to establish a definitive association between independent factors (other than a few diseases) and the survival rate of pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to determine whether an association exists between the independent, sociodemographic variables (marital status, age, education, income, and employment) and the outcome variable of survival rate. The social cognitive theory was the framework that provided the blueprint throughout the development of this study and helped guide the analysis of the secondary data, which was procured from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program. The sample of 56,166 participants was collected from 2009 to 2013 and Cox proportional hazard was used to analyze the data and arrive at the answers to the research hypotheses. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze whether an association existed between each of the independent variables and the outcome variable. The analysis showed significant association between age, education, income, and employment and survival rate. It was not the same for marital status. These findings could stimulate social change by allowing stakeholders and other policy makers to become aware of the role that sociodemographic factors can play in health care. In addition, a need exists for effective research to be undertaken in the prevention and intervention of this disease. This could then lead to private and public health innovations and procedures to benefit patients with PaCa.

Black Americans are one of the largest minority groups in the United States and were estimated to be 35 million (13%) by the 2000 U.S. Census. In that same year, the American Cancer Society reported that Black Americans are at higher risk of dying from the nations leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, cancer, accidents, and diabetes. Whereas the five leading causes of death among Black American women include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, accidents, and kidney-related diseases as reported by the American Heart Association in 2002. Black American women, in general, are less likely to engage in health promoting activities, such as physical activity and proper dietary intake. Black American women consume diets that are high in fat and in 1998, only 15.2% of Black American women reported engaging in regular, moderate exercise. The lack of physical activity and poor nutrition has also been correlated with the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Black American women. The 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that 49.7% of Black American women are obese. The purpose of this study is to assess the perceptions of Black American women regarding their health and nutrition practices, concerns, and solutions. Qualitative (focus groups and key informant interviews) and quantitative (participatory activities) research data were collected from Black American women within the faith community of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Five focus group sessions were conducted with a total of 25 Black American church women. The participants answered focus group questions and engaged in visual participatory activities to rank top nutrition and health concerns and barriers. Key informant interviews were conducted with health professionals within the faith community. Overweight/obesity, diabetes, heart disease/stroke, high blood pressure were predominate health themes raised in the focus group sessions. Also, the women ranked overweight /obesity, diabetes, heart disease/stroke, and high blood pressure as their top health concerns. The key informant interview also confirmed that overweight/obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (high blood pressure) were the main health concerns among Black American women. The predominate nutrition themes were the reluctance in giving up traditional foods, not eating enough of the right foods, and the time of day when they ate. The top nutrition concerns ranked by the women were not drinking enough water, not eating enough fruit and vegetables, and eating too many sugars. Major barriers raised by the participants were not having enough time, conflicting schedules, and familial commitments prohibited proper nutrition and health activities. The key informants agreed that a major barrier for Black American women was not prioritizing their health and nutrition practices. The preferred learning method by the women was workshops or programs that were sponsored by the community using the church as a venue. Data obtained from this study will be used to develop useful nutrition education strategies to improve the dietary habits and overall status among women in this segment of the population. / Master of Science

Die gesin is die sentrum waarbinne die kind se vorming tot volwaardige volwassenheid plaasvind. Indien een van die ouers met 'n chroniese fisieke siektetoestand gediagnoseer word, mag dit moontlike implikasies inhou vir die ouer, die kind, maar ook ander gesinslede. Die chroniese siektetoestand en die implikasies wat dit vir die siek persoon inhou is bestudeer. Daarbenewens is die dinamiek van die gesin, waarbinne die ouer en die kind met mekaar in interaksie is, ontleed. Om te bepaal wat die effek van die chroniese fisieke siektetoestand van die ouer op die kind is, is 'n literatuurstudie onderneem. Dit is daarna geverifieer met gevallestudies wat ondemeem is. Die gevallestudies het die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig. Dit blyk dat die chroniese siektetoestand van die ouer 'n invloed op die wording van die kind het. Die siektetoestand is 'n voortdurende stressor binne die gesin, wat veroorsaak dat kind(ers) affektiewe-, kognitiewe-, gedrags- en sosiale probleme manifesteer. Daar moet aanpassings gemaak word om die stres binne die gesin te minimaliseer. Riglyne is saamgestel om die terapeut, wat hierdie kind(ers) en gesinne begelei, te help. / The family is the system within which the child develops and eventually attains maturity. When a patient is diagnosed with chronic disease, it has certain implications not only for the parent, but also for children and other members of that family. A liteature study was undertaken to determine the impact of the chronically ill parent on the child. This study was then verified with specific case studies done by the author. These case studies confinned the findings of the literature study. It would seem that the chronic illness of a parent has a definite impact on the development of a child. The parent's illness is a constant stressor within the family, causing children to manifest affective, cognitive, behavioral as well as social problems. Certain adjustments have to be made to minimize stress within such a family. Guidelines are provided to assist the therapist in dealing with these children and families. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / The aim of the study was to investigate help-seeking pathways that are followed by patients with chronic disease in one rural community in Limpopo Province. Specifically, the objectives of the study were: a). to investigate help-seeking pathways that were followed by patients with chronic diseases before and after they were diagnosed with their condition; b). to explore the treatment modalities that were used by the patients before they started receiving hospital treatment for their chronic conditions; and, c). to determine whether or not the patients received other forms of treatment in addition to their treatment for the chronic diseases. Through snowball sampling, 10 participants (female = 6; male = 4) drawn from Ga-Dikgale community (Limpopo Province) were selected and requested to participate in the present study. The ages of the participants ranged from 42 to 96 years. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) The results of the study are presented under the following themes: a). participants‟ understanding of chronic disease; b). participants‟ view or understanding of factors that could have led to their chronic disease ; c). the help-seeking pathways that were followed by patients with chronic diseases before and after they were diagnosed with their condition; d). the treatment modalities that were used by the patients before they started receiving hospital treatment for their chronic conditions; and, e) whether or not the patients received other forms of treatment in addition to their treatment for the chronic diseases. The study found that different treatment agencies are consulted by patients with chronic diseases. These agencies include: spiritual leaders, traditional healers, to mention few. Based on the findings of the present study, it is concluded that help-seeking pathways are mainly determined by the perceived causes of the disease, which are culturally rooted.