Health risk assessment tools compute an individual’s risk of developing a disease. They are potentially useful in chronic disease prevention mediated by family physicians. We sought to learn family physicians’ awareness, and perspectives on the usefulness, usability and feasibility of implementation of risk assessment tools. Focus groups, discussion with key informants, and usability testing with an EMR-embedded risk assessment tool were conducted with family physicians (n=30) from academic and community-based practices. Analysis following grounded theory methodology was used to generate categories and themes. Our findings indicate that participants are aware of the implications of risk assessment calculations though very few tools are used regularly. Tool integration with EMR systems was felt to be essential in assisting tool usability, uptake and efficiency of use. Results provide insight into current risk assessment tool use and the facilitation of wider implementation of risk assessment tools in family practice settings.

Significance: Morbidity and mortality related to CVD among women in the U.S. and most developed countries surpasses that of all cancers combined (AHA, 2008). Yet, CVD in women remains understudied, yielding low awareness among women and healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the relationship between health beliefs related to perceived cardiovascular disease (CVD) severity and health promoting behaviors were different in women with high self perception of CVD susceptibility versus women with low self perception of CVD susceptibility. Methods: This study used a descriptive, correlational design. A convenience sample (N = 220) included female registered nurses (RNs), 23-66 years old (M = 48; SD = 9.7), mostly white (N = 143; 65%), who had worked in nursing an average of 21 years (SD = 11.3) and reported their job as stressful/very stressful (N = 129; 59%). Nurses were recruited from five acute care hospital systems in a large southeastern city. Data were collected using standard questionnaires that measured perceived CVD severity and susceptibility, social support, depression, stress, exercise and nutrition. Participants completed data collection via an online survey method. Results: Data were analyzed using MANCOVA. For every standardized unit increase in perceived severity of CVD, participants had a 1.26 (95% CI: 0.02, 2.50) unit reduction in their healthy food choice score (lower scores = healthier food choices), and a 0.12 increase in their physical activity score (higher scores = more physical activity) (90% CI: 0.01, 0.23) unit. For every standardized unit increase in perceived CVD susceptibility there was an increase in the healthy food choice score by 2.37 (95% CI: 1.09, 3.65) units, and a reduction in the physical activity score by 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.41) unit. Greater age (p = 0.01) and greater depression (p = 0.001) were statistically significant predictors of lower physical activity. CVD susceptibility did not moderate the effect of CVD severity on nutrition or physical activity. Conclusions: Higher perceived CVD severity was associated with increased likelihood for healthy food choices and physical activity. In contrast, higher perceived CVD susceptibility was associated with decreased likelihood for healthy food choices and physical activity. More research is needed to understand how susceptibility beliefs around CVD are formed in women and how to better engage women in risk reduction behavior.

A global outbreak of a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus caused the 2009 flu pandemic. Taiwan was one of the 12 countries in the world capable of producing H1N1 vaccine domestically. The domestic vaccine manufactured by Adimmune Corporation proved to be safe and effective. However, the public opinion generally criticized negatively toward this H1N1 prevention work. This study explored the various entities and relations surrounding the prevention. The first experiment looked into people¡¦s recall toward government¡¦s promotion. This experiment used EyeLink to track subjects¡¦ eye movements on the promotional posters. The data showed the correlation between eye movement and recall, as well as the amount of information received by the subjects. The second experiment looked into people¡¦s decision toward H1N1 prevention. This experiment constructed an AHP model to study the problem. The subjects from various fields answered their view toward H1N1 prevention alternatives, and reported the actual inoculation rate of H1N1 vaccine. The goal aimed to choose a prevention method. The criteria included convenience, confidence, safety, and comfort. The alternatives included vaccination, medication, and sanitation. The experiment outcome summarized the inoculation statistics, attention distribution, involvement correlations, and decision priorities. The experiment result shows the subjects do not receive government¡¦s promotion well. The result also shows the subjects prefer sanitation for prevention. In addition, this study investigates Taiwan¡¦s vaccine and disease prevention development status. The analysis examines Adimmune Corporation and the vaccine market from different aspects. Finally, the conclusion provides recommendations for the people, the vaccine factory, and the government.

Objective: To examine the effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease on cardiac-related mortality, recurrent cardiovascular event and quality of life. Methods: All studies published between 1990 and 2013 in PubMed, and from 1980 to 2013 in EMBASE, which evaluated the effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program for coronary heart disease. Using the specific keywords “Cardiac rehabilitation”, “Coronary heart disease” OR “Ischemic heart disease” [MeSH], “Exercise” OR “Physical activities” AND “Quality of life” OR “Mortality” AND Cardiovascular events” were searched. A total of 7randomized controlled trials out of 5,051articles from PubMed and 117 articles from EMBASE were included in this systematic review. The primary outcome measures used in the included seven studies were HRQOL, restenosis, cardiac event, cardiac related mortality. Similar demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects between the intervention and the control groups were recorded. The studies were from five countries. The average age of the subjects in the seven studies was 61years, the average half of them have history of myocardial infarction. Though there were discrepancies among the results generated in the included studies, the potential benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation could be seen. Results: Compared with the non-exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, patients allocated to the exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program had greater improvement in HRQOL and reduction of cardiac events. The result of reducing restenosis was inconsistent. The cardiac related mortality is not significant difference between exercise-based and non-exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

No description available.

The study was conducted to identify the sources of HIV/AIDS information used by residential university students on the Pietermaritzburg campus of the former University of Natal. HIV/AIDS is one of the scourges that the world is faced with. South Africa, before the 1994 elections, was fighting the obvious enemy, apartheid. The enemy now is the silent killer, HIV/AIDS. The future leaders, the students of this country, need to be challenged to behave in a manner that will bring about a change in their sexual behaviour, so that no students are lost to the AIDS epidemic and neither are the skills that they have acquired. The research was conducted at the then University of Natal (now known as the University of KwaZulu-Natal). The researcher administered a questionnaire to residential students of Pietermaritzburg campus to determine the sources of HIV/AIDS information used by them. There were four residences included in the study, namely Denison, Malherbe Hall, Petrie Hall and William O'Brien Hall. The study argues that it is time for the university sector and its partners to take stock of a situation that might quickly outpace the institutions. AIDS has become an everyday reality in the university system . There is a need for a clearer, more forceful definition of roles and responsibilities amongst all the partners in response to the epidemic. Provision of relevant information in an appropriate format needs to be an integral part of the University's response to HIV/AIDS. The study found that the residential students were generally satisfied with the existing sources of HIV/AIDS information. They did encounter problems in finding information in some of the sources given in the study. The study revealed that some of the sources of HIV/AIDS information were used more than others. The study suggested that the sources that are most frequently used should be utilised by information providers or university information stakeholders to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS among students. This study should help the University of KwaZulu-Natal to improve the information - related aspect of its HIV/AIDS intervention strategies at a time when the HIV/AIDS epidemic is threatening the academic sphere and the whole community at large. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been stigmatized since the epidemic began. Evidence suggests that stigma and discrimination contribute towards perpetuating the epidemic. South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world. Reducing stigmatization may therefore be an important factor in reducing new HIV infections. Studies in other countries have shown that people who possess inaccurate knowledge regarding the way HIV is transmitted have a greater tendency to stigmatize. Furthermore it was found that people who stigmatize are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour and to perceive themselves to be at low risk of contracting HIV. Wave 2 of the Transition to Adulthood study which took place in 2001 interviewed 4185 young people in KwaZulu-Natal on their sexual behaviour. This present study has linked respondent’s levels of HIV transmission knowledge to their stigmatizing attitudes. It was found that accurate knowledge had a significant impact on stigmatizing attitudes. Those respondents who possessed less knowledge were significantly more likely to stigmatize. Differences between levels of stigmatizing were also evident between race groups. Characteristics important to HIV prevention such as condom use and HIV testing were also linked to knowledge and stigmatizing. Respondents who had less knowledge and thus a greater tendency to stigmatize were more likely to have adverse attitudes towards using condoms. These respondents were therefore more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is known as the key component of HIVprevention and treatment programmes in workplace settings. The main objective of this study was to explore factors affecting the uptake of VCT amongst employees in the private sector. This study was also indirectly aimed in examining the effectiveness of HIV-prevention and treatment programmes in workplace settings. The Social cognitive theory (SCT) was adopted as the core theoretical framework in this study. The SCT explains behaviour change as a complex phenomenon and a product of multiple, complex factors embedded on the individual’s characteristic and his/her surrounding environment. This theory recognises the strength of other health promotion theories such as the health belief model (HBM), theory of reasoned action (TRA) in explaining behaviour change, but it mostly helps to provide a more holistic and coherent understanding of the complex factors affecting VCT uptake. This was a qualitative case study. Individual, semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data from 6 male and 4 female participants, who are employees of a courier company operating around Durban. This company implemented an HIV/AIDS policy about 10 years ago, with an aim to introduce HIV-prevention and treatment initiatives, and to facilitate easy access to these initiatives within the workplace setting. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Themes were analysed and discussed in relation to the topic of the study. Factors that affect VCT in the workplace were categorised thematically and critically discussed as findings of the study. Despite the convenient and easily accessible VCT and ART initiatives, rapid testing and onsite nature of VCT campaigns, the uptake of VCT appeared to be relatively poor within the compnay. The perceived lack of confidentiality regarding results, fears of stigma and discrimination, as well as organisational factors, were identified as barriers to the success of HIVprevention and treatment initiatives in this company. In light of these findings, the study recommends measures that might help improve service delivery. The study also contributes to the body of knowledge with respect to challenges facing HIV-prevention and treatment initiatives in workplace settings. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (MMed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

Research on AIDS and women is recent and focuses almost exclusively on the heterosexual population. Despite research on the sexual behavior of young women which asserts that lesbians are at low risk for exposure to HTV, many lesbians engage in high risk practices and are therefore at risk for infection. In order for AIDS education for this population to be effective, it must be designed spedfically to meet identified needs. [...]