Burn injury impacts the lives of over 1.1 million people within the United States annually (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2011). Taking into account current advancements in burn trauma care, approximately 95 percent of those hospitalized will survive their injuries. With increased survival rates, greater attention is being focused on the psycho-social aspect of burn treatment and rehabilitation. There is an opportunity for health educators to affect the long-term wellness outcomes of adult burn survivors and to support their growth beyond survival status. This may not constitute recovery to their preinjury lives, but rather recovery to lives closer to optimal health/wellness as opposed to mere acceptance of their current situation. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative design, this study explored the burn-related experiences and underlying factors of resilience among burn survivors living in the Midwestern United States. After conducting single, semi-structured interviews focused on eight burn survivors' dimensions of health, the themes that emerged through data analysis were "How it Feels," "Somehow I'm Still Me," and "Yet, I'm Better." The findings of this study support the presence of innate resilient protective factors within participants' journey toward recovery and health. Through the experiences of the participants within this study, there is an opportunity for health educators to increase their understanding of the experiences of burn trauma and the impact of resilience on positive recovery outcomes.

The study of organisations’ information security cultures has attracted scholars as well as healthcare services industry to research the topic and find appropriate tools and approaches to develop a positive culture. The vast majority of studies in Saudi national health services are on the use of technology to protect and secure health services information. On the other hand, there is a lack of research on the role and impact of an organisation’s cultural dimensions on information security. This research investigated and analysed the role and impact of cultural dimensions on information security in Saudi Arabia health service. Hypotheses were tested and two surveys were carried out in order to collect data and information from three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia (SA). The first survey identified the main cultural-dimension problems in SA health services and developed an initial information security culture framework model. The second survey evaluated and tested the developed framework model to test its usefulness, reliability and applicability. The model is based on human behaviour theory, where the individual’s attitude is the key element of the individual’s intention to behave as well as of his or her actual behaviour. The research identified a set of cultural and sub-cultural dimensions in SA health information security and services.

Title: Guest dimensions of health status in patients with spondylarthritis ankylopoetica using the SF-36th Objectives: The major aim of the diploma thesis was the study and the evaluation of the quality of life of patients with the spondylarthritis ankylopoetica in the Czech Republic. Methods: The own research was conducted using the survey method by means of the standardized questionnaire Short Form 36 (SF-36), which deals with the Health Related Quality of Life . The Czech version of the SF-36 survey translated by MUDr. Petr, Ph.D. (2000) was applied. In order to reach the main aim of the thesis the research was conducted in a group of patients with spondylarthritis ankylopoetica (n=101) and among the same number of the general Czech population members. The achieved results were divided into particular age categories in the both groups. The statistically significant differences between the two analysed samples were subsequently verified. Results: The mean age of the patients with spondylarthritis ankylopoetica was 51,6±14,9 years, whereas it reached 52,3±15,5 years in the sample of the general population. In the majority of the dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire related to the physical health (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and general health) achieved the patients...

Food safety regulations have increased over the past decade in response to food safety scares, international trade and changing public demands. The purpose of this thesis is to determine the impacts of meat safety regulations and a subsequent amendment on food security in rural and remote communities in British Columbia. Case studies of three communities, Bella Coola Valley, Haida Gwaii and Powell River Regional District, were utilized to assess these impacts. Interviews with government officials and local farmers were combined with agricultural and socio-economic data. Though it is not possible to attribute impacts directly and solely to the change in regulatory structure, it appears that the addition of harsh safety regulations has damaged an already fragile local meat industry in these vulnerable communities. The regulation amendment solved some of these issues, but many rural regions are still struggling to maintain local self-sufficiency in food production. / Graduate

As populations in informal urban settlements continue to grow, an increasing number of people are exposed to unsafe living conditions. Children are particularly vulnerable to the environmental risks associated with this settlement type. While much is known about child morbidity and mortality in informal urban settlements, little is known about maternal perceptions of child health. This thesis explores the determinants of maternal perceptions of child health in the informal urban settlement of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. Data utilized in this thesis come from A Kenya Free of AIDS (KeFA), a research-based, National Institute of Health-funded project. Through Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS), 320 women in Kibera were recruited for interviews. Of these, 277 reported having children in their care and were accordingly selected for analysis. Questions selected for analysis were divided into four categories: child health, maternal background, social and economic support, child characteristics and maternal health. Data were analysed using Student’s t-tests, chi-squares, and multiple regression methodology. Two different response variables were used in the regressions: general child illness rating and infrequency of child illness. Analysis indicated that women in the sample were significantly more likely to report poor child health if they: had more children in their care, had younger children in their care, were involved in an intimate relationship, and had experienced a recent barrier to medical treatment for a child. Exploring maternal perceptions of child health is critical because these perceptions are the precursor to healthcare-seeking behaviour. / Graduate / 0573 / 0766 / jdrengson@gmail.com

The Jellyfish Project (JFP) is the environmental initiative that uses music as a means to engage youth, increase awareness about climate realities, and promote behaviour change. Music is an exceptional tool to captivate youths’ attention and increase their receptivity towards environmental messages. The arts also play a role in democratizing engagement and exhibit the potential to mobilize social action and change. Thus, music serves more than a leisure purpose, it can rally youth around a common purpose and create a powerful shared experience between musicians and their audiences. This community-based case study connects arts-centred movements to an ecosystems perspective and social marketing approaches, while establishing social engagement as a social determinant of health. Social engagement is the intentional and active participation in one’s community to create change and requires resources, efficacy, and opportunities for participation. Multiple data collection methods were used, including focus groups with youth, interviews with key informants, and social media analytics. Research themes include 1) The Power of Music, 2) Seeking Connections, 3) Awareness ≠ Change, and 4) Searching for Solutions. Findings showed that The JFP presentation was well-received by its audiences. Awareness, the primary goal of the organization increased, yet it was evident that for behaviour change to occur a broader community-level strategy is necessary. This strategy needs to involve active participation by students, numerous follow-up strategies, and community partnerships to address contextual issues and support sustained change. Implications for practice include developing active participation and partnerships; incorporating additional interaction with youth in the school presentation program; enhancement of online and social media strategies, and the provision of lived, multi-sensory experiences, both online and in the community. This intentionally transdisciplinary research filled gaps in the literature concerning the interconnections between social engagement, the social determinants of health, and the ecosystems perspective. It was also the first body of research to propose that social engagement is an appropriate community-level social determinant of health. Originating in real world experiences, this research advances knowledge translation and exchange immediately, informing the social engagement strategies of not-for-profit organizations as they harness the energy of the arts to effect social change. / Graduate / 0413 / 0515 / 0566 / jlansfie@uvic.ca

Hela det mänskliga genomet var sekvenserat i april 2003 och sedan dess har utvecklingen av genetisk testning avancerat snabbt. Sjuksköterskor kan komma att ha en central roll gällande att informera personer kring den genetiska testningen, rådgiva personer som genomgår genetisk testning och hjälpa dem att tolka resultaten. Genom att beskriva personers känslor kring att genomföra genetisk testning kan sjuksköterskor få hjälp till en ökad förståelse. Syftet var därför att beskriva personers känslor kring att genomföra en genetisk testning för genetiskt betingade sjukdomar med en möjlig dödlig utgång. För att få en överblick av det aktuella forskningsläget genomfördes en systematisk sökordsbaserad litteraturöversikt. Totalt tolv artiklar granskades och kodades. Resultatet presenteras i fyra teman: Rädsla och lättnad, som handlar om rädsla för sjukdomen, oro och ångest men också lättnaden när resultatet var negativt; Ovisshet kring hanterandet, där känslor av frustration, chock och orättvisa framkom men även förväntningar inför resultatet; Hopp och hopplöshet, vilket syntes som hopp inför framtiden och personlig kontroll samt en känsla av att vara besegrad, maktlös och förrådd; samt Gemenskap och utanförskap inom familjen, som uppstod i relation till andra där känslan av att vilja dölja samt behov av stöd var framstående. Då hälsa är vårdandets mål diskuteras resultatet utifrån Katie Erikssons hälsokors samt i förhållande till hälsa som rörelse. Ytterligare forskning och utbildning krävs för att sjuksköterskor ska erhålla kunskap om personcentrerat vårdande genom processen av genetisk testning. / The human genome was sequenced in April 2003 and since then genetic testing has developed rapidly. Nurses may come to have a central and significant role regarding informing people about all the potential outcomes of genetic testing, advising people undergoing genetic testing and helping them interpret the results. By describing people's feelings about implementing genetic testing, nurses be helped to a better understanding and ability to perform a person-centered care. The aim was therefore to describe people's feelings about implementing a genetic testing for genetic diseases with possible fatal outcome. To get an overview of the current state of research, a systematic search-terms-based literature review was performed. A total of twelve articles were reviewed and coded, resulted in four themes: Fear and relief, which is about fear of the disease, worry and anxiety but also relief when the result was negative; Uncertainty surrounding the handling, where feelings of frustration, shock and injustice emerged but also expectations for the outcome; Hope and hopelessness, which appeared as a hope for the future and personal control but also a sense of being defeated, powerless and betrayed; and Community and exclusion within the family, which arose in relation to others where feeling of wanting to hide and needs of support were prominent. The goal of caring is health. The result of this study is therefore discussed with reference to Katie Eriksson's health cross and in relation to health as a movement. Further research and education is required for nurses to obtain knowledge about person-centered care through the process of genetic testing.

This study addresses the healthcare needs of employees and their families living in the Kruger National Park (KNP). A quantitative, explorative, descriptive research design was used to interview respondents who comprised of 75 male and female employees with children of various ages. The findings revealed that physical, psychological, environmental, socio-cultural, and behavioural needs of the employees and their families living in the KNP is probably unattainable as healthcare services are poorly distributed throughout the KNP, being mostly concentrated in the main camp of Skukuza. A number of respondents indicated that they required consultations about psychological and socio-cultural stresses in their lives. These services are not available in the KNP. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Background: People who use illegal drugs are disproportionately affected by HIV and hepatitis C, stigmatization and social exclusion. Health inequities are worsened by drug policy of criminalization, which thwarts health promotion efforts and hinders access to services. To address these inequities, people who use drugs are increasingly included in decisions that affect them by sitting on policy, service delivery and research committees. This study addressed a gap in understanding how power inequities are transformed in committees where people who use drugs are at the table. Methods: In partnership with the Drug Users Advocacy League and the Society of Living Illicit Drugs Users, this participatory critical emancipatory inquiry explored power relations in four committees in Ontario and BC. Data were collected in 2013 through meeting observations, interviews, demographics surveys and document reviews. Data analysis was guided by theoretical frameworks grounded in critical theory and transformative learning theory. Results: Findings confirmed striking socioeconomic inequities between people who use drugs and others at the table. Inconsistent measures were taken by committees to alleviate barriers to inclusion. Despite openness to inclusion, committee members tended to underestimate people who use drugs. The presence of local organizations of people who use drugs ensured a more democratic selection of their representatives to sit on committees. Once at the table, creating a safe space entailed building trust, authentic relationships, relational and reflective dialogue, and skilled facilitation. Democratic practices of negotiated relationships and consensus-based decision-making enhanced meaningful inclusion. A structural environment in which drug policy criminalizes people who use illegal drugs hindered capacity to transform power inequities by feeding stigma, which worsens health and social inequities. Committees were committed to inclusion of people who use drugs though capacity to do so varied due to budgetary and human resources constraints. Study limitations, practice implications and future research directions are offered. / Graduate / 0700 / 0680 / lynnebel@uvic.ca

This study addresses the healthcare needs of employees and their families living in the Kruger National Park (KNP). A quantitative, explorative, descriptive research design was used to interview respondents who comprised of 75 male and female employees with children of various ages. The findings revealed that physical, psychological, environmental, socio-cultural, and behavioural needs of the employees and their families living in the KNP is probably unattainable as healthcare services are poorly distributed throughout the KNP, being mostly concentrated in the main camp of Skukuza. A number of respondents indicated that they required consultations about psychological and socio-cultural stresses in their lives. These services are not available in the KNP. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)