Various studies on compliance with anti-hypertensive medications and appropriate lifestyle modifications have been conducted worldwide but studies specific to the Island of Praslin are lacking. The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive-correlational study was to describe factors that affected compliance with hypertension medications and lifestyle modification strategies in a sample of 102 hypertensive persons. The comprehensive version of the Health Belief Model served as the conceptual framework directing the study. The researcher investigated whether there were any significant relationships between compliance and the Health Belief Model variables. Data was collected by means of structured interviews and document analysis, involving an interview schedule and a checklist. All respondents were diagnosed hypertension patients registered at either of the two public health centres on the Island of Praslin. Individual perception of the benefits and risks of hypertension treatment as well as cues to action were found to be significant determinants of compliance behaviour. The study highlighted the need for improved health education and follow-up measures to strengthen patients’ perceptions about the benefits of treatment and compliance. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)

The overall aim of this study was to understand the determinants of VCT uptake in the general population of Nigeria’s federal capital territory of Abuja. Uptake of VCT still remains low despite increased availability of VCT information and services in Abuja, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional study was undertaken with 180 respondents from Abuja, using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model as conceptual framework, to elucidate the social demographics of respondents, their HIV/VCT knowledge, their perceptions of VCT facility design, societal support for VCT, and how HIV stigma shapes the phenomenon of VCT uptake in Abuja, Nigeria. The key findings were that a better understanding of HIV prevention, a perception of support from community and religious leaders, and access to HIV test services in government facilities are positive predictors of higher VCT uptake. Poor personal risk assessment and the cost of HIV testing were identified as the key barriers to VCT access. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

Free cervical cancer screening services are provided in Malawi’s public healthcare institutionssince 1999. Few women aged 42 and older, utilise these services. Cervical cancer continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among this group of women. Structured interviews were conducted with 381 women who attended three healthcare centers in Blantyre and semi-structured interviews with 14 nurse/midwives working at the same centers. The results for both phases arepresented within the Health Belief Model’s constructs. Phase 1 revealed that women had low levels of perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer. Although the interviewed women perceived cervical cancer to be a serious condition, they did not regard themselves to be at risk of suffering from cervical cancer. Knowledge that cervical cancer screening could detect this cancer at an early stage, embarrassment, stigma, social support, financial costs, traditional practices and available sources of information, influenced women’s intentions to be screened for cervical cancer. In phase 2, the nurse/midwives indicated that Malawian women lacked information about cervical cancer, available screening tests and the purpose of such screening.These women perceived cervical canceras being incurable and linked to witchcraft. Women’s utilisation of cervical screening services was hampered by barriers relating to healthcare institutions, women themselves and nurse/midwives. Local radio and television broadcasts, friends and nurse/midwives motivated individual women to use these screening services.Women preferred receiving information about cervical cancer screening during community activities. Health education should be intensified, nurse/midwives should be more empathetic, clinic days and hours should be extended. Misconceptions should be addressed and more service providers should be trained. This would enable more Malawian women to use cervical screening services, enhancing early detection and treatment of cervical cancer and reducing the morbidity and mortality statistics related to this condition in Malawi. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The study attempted to identify factors influencing women’s preference for home births in the Mutare District, Zimbabwe. A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross sectional survey, gathering data by conducting structured interviews with 150 women, was used. All 150 women attended antenatal clinics but did not deliver their babies at health care facilities. The research results indicated that home deliveries might decline if: • the hospital/clinic fees were reduced or removed • transport would be available for women in labour to reach hospitals/clinics • shelters were built for pregnant women at hospitals/clinics • clinics were well equipped and had sufficient numbers of midwives • women had received more effective health education on the advantages of institutional deliveries and on the danger signs of pregnancy/labour complications • nurses/midwives would treat patients respectfully. Unless these factors are addressed, the number of home deliveries might not decline, and the high maternal/infant mortality and morbidity rates in this district will persist. / Health Studies / M. Public Health

This study explored preparatory students’ perceptions of the risk of contracting the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Ethopia. It utilised a non-experimental exploratory survey methodology. A range of findings was revealed. Most respondents (67.14%) were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and more than half of the respondents knew about STIs. A significant number of respondents (67.1%) were able to describe HIV transmission prevention methods. Twenty one percent of respondents were sexually active and 17.0% of these reported to have used condoms. Twenty nine percent and 4.25% of the respondents had selfperceived risk of contracting HIV infection and STIs respectively. In spite of increased awareness of HIV/AIDS, school youths still engage in high-risk sexual activities and believe that they are unlikely to contract the disease. The study findings have implications for practice, and recommendations are offered for further research / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:04:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dulcelene Melo.pdf: 680160 bytes, checksum: 55d8a4c2a66fae3c908abe807d75735e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-03-31 / This was a qualitative study done in a big-sized general public hospital in the city of Goiânia Goiás The aims was to analyze nurses´ adherence to standard precautions according to Rosenstock´s health belief model (HBM) (1974) Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide based on principles of Critical Incidence Technique (CIT) The instrument was validated by judges and was then pre-tested The ethical-legal research principles were observed Among 90 nurses selected to participate in the study 82 agreed to take part in this study Inclusion criteria were nurses who were either in direct contact with patients or in supervisory positions in the hospital cleaning, laundry or sterilization services Data were analyzed in accordance with CIT The analysis categories were constructed using the dimensions of the HBM A total of 139 critical incidents were identified of which 66 were considered positive and 73 negative HBM dimensions were identified within 131 situations: 74 (56,5%) related to perceived susceptibility; 17 (13,0%) to perceived benefits and 40 (30,5%) to perceived barriers The majority of the reported critical incidents related to situations of occupational exposure to biological materials Among the Standard Precautions (SP) use of protective barriers was most frequently utilized Denial of susceptibility was indicated by the lack of use of protective barriers improper management of sharp objects and non-adherence to SP related to patients with multi-resistant pathogens Moderate perceived susceptibility was associated with partial adherence to SP in cases of patients requiring more complex levels of care; in situations following occupational exposure; and when patients needs took priority over personal protection High perceived susceptibility was observed in situations of caring for patients suspected or diagnosed with infections due to pathogens of epidemiological importance and those related to nurses responsibility Perceived seriousness was evident in behaviors and consequences related to critical incidences after occupational exposure in moments when nurses expressed feelings experienced psychosomatic symptoms and were diagnosed with an infection. Perceived benefits emerged above all from positive critical incidente with focus on protective barriers understood as protection strategies which lead to safety while procedures are executed Perceived barriers were: lack of personnel preparation lack of material resources insufficient personnel improper physical structure patient emergencies psychosocial factors lack of personnel policies for cases of exposure to biological material These barriers contribute to lower adherence of SP but they could be addressed by the Health Care Facilities since nurses have demonstrated adequate perception of susceptibility and benefits HBM dimensions were associated with nurses adherence to SP suggesting that plans should be developed to improve the nurses actions and decision-making in day-to-day nursing cars prioritizing the safety of those individuals involved in this process / Estudo qualitativo desenvolvido em um hospital público geral de grande porte de Goiânia-Go Teve como objetivo analisar a adesão dos enfermeiros às precauções padrão (PP) à luz do modelo de crenças em saúde (MCS) de Rosenstock (1974) Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista com roteiro semi-estruturado e conforme preconizado pela técnica de incidentes críticos (TIC) O instrumento foi validado por juizes seguido do pré-teste Foram observados os aspectos ético-legais da pesquisa Fizeram parte do estudo 82 enfermeiros dos 90 eleitos que estavam em atividade assistencial direta ao paciente ou atuavam nos setores: de higienização hospitalar reprocessamento de roupas e materiais odonto-médico-hospitalares Procedemos a análise de conteúdo dos dados conforme a TIC As dimensões do MCS foram utilizadas como categorias prévias de análise Obtivemos 139 incidentes críticos sendo que 66 foram positivos e 73 negativos de acordo com a polaridade referida Destes 131 situações remetiam às dimensões do modelo de crenças em saúde: 74 (56,5%) eram relacionadas à suscetibilidade percebida; 17 (13,0%) aos benefícios percebidos e 40 (30,5%) às barreiras percebidas Os incidentes críticos relatados predominantemente relacionavam-se às situações de exposição ocupacional a material biológico O uso de barreiras protetoras foi a PP que obteve maior freqüência de indicação A negação da suscetibilidade foi observada pelo não uso das barreiras protetoras no manuseio inadequado de perfurocortante e não adesão às PP relacionadas ao paciente portador de patógeno multi-resistente A moderada suscetibilidade percebida associou-se à adesão parcial às PP no atendimento a pacientes com maior complexidade nos cuidados assistenciais Estes comportamentos adotados sinalizam limitada percepção da necessidade de intervenção nos cuidados pós-exposição ocupacional priorizando o atendimento às necessidades dos pacientes A alta suscetibilidade percebida foi observada nas situações de atendimento ao paciente sob suspeita ou com diagnóstico de infecção por patógenos de importância epidemiológica e àquelas relacionadas à responsabilidade do enfermeiro nesta particularidade da assistência A severidade percebida foi evidenciada somente nos comportamentos e conseqüências dos incidentes críticos relatados nos momentos de pós-exposição ocupacional expressa em sentimentos alterações psicossomáticas e experiência de infecção Os benefícios percebidos emergiram sobretudo dos incidentes críticos positivos com enfoque no uso das barreiras protetoras que foram compreendidas como estratégia de proteção ratificando a segurança na execução dos procedimentos As barreiras percebidas foram: falta de preparo do profissional falta de material de consumo e permanente número insuficiente de profissionais estrutura física inadequada atendimento a pacientes em situações de urgência/emergência fatores psicossociais e falta de fluxo para o atendimento ao profissional em situação de pós-exposição a material biológico; que poderiam ser minimizadas com a organização do Serviço de Assistência à Saúde pois se constituíram em impedimentos para a adesão às precauções padrão embora os enfermeiros apresentassem adequada percepção da suscetibilidade e benefícios Verificamos que as dimensões do modelo de crenças em saúde elucidaram a adesão dos enfermeiros às PP sugerindo que empreendimentos devam ser feitos para melhor instrumentalizá-los para a tomada e modalidade de ação no cotidiano da assistência que priorize a segurança dos sujeitos envolvidos nesse processo

This research report presents the findings of an evaluation of a school-based substance abuse prevention programme presented as part of Project Awareness. The programme was presented as a one-day intervention for grade ten learners in eleven schools in Tshwane. The prevention program taught substance abuse refusal skills, anti-substance norms, personal self-management skills, and general social skills in an effort to provide students with skills and information for resisting substance offers, to decrease motivations to use substances, and decrease vulnerability to substance use social influences. The study evaluated this school-based substance abuse prevention intervention in a sample of learners (N=300) in six of the eleven schools. Measures were obtained on a behavioural survey to ascertain whether any knowledge, behaviour or attitude change occurred between the pre-intervention and post-intervention phases. In addition, focus group data and observational measures were implemented to determine how the learners experienced the programme and whether the programme was effective in capturing the attention of the learners. Results indicated that, from learners perceptions of the programme, the intervention seems to have had a positive impact on substance abuse prevention, but not on changing the behaviour of learners already engaging in substance abuse. The results from the behavioural survey indicated some change in learner attitudes to some degree, but not behavioural change. Suggestions for the improvement of the programme were made throughout the report, and the observational measures specifically indicated that the more practical oriented tasks were more efficient in capturing the attention of learners. It is concluded that although the programme certainly had room for improvement, that the programme did indeed address relevant issues. The program also had a direct positive effect on several cognitive, attitudinal, and personality variables believed to play a role in adolescent substance use. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

Background: On 1 January 2020, the UNCRC was incorporated into the Swedish national law. The Convention argues that all children have the right to health, life, survival and development. The Articles of the UNCRC require higher authorities, health facilities and parents to act in the best interest of children, and to do everything to secure children’s rights. Interpreting the Convention, it is possible to conclude that all children have the right to safe and effective vaccines. Even though vaccines are accessible and free of charge to all children in Sweden, vaccination coverage for multiple vaccine-preventable diseases in Sweden has dropped. As one of the reasons for this drop in vaccination coverage is proposed vaccination hesitancy. To fulfil children’s rights as proposed in the UNCRC, vaccination hesitancy needs to be understood and addressed.  Aim: The objective of the study is to understand causes of vaccination hesitancy among parents living in Stockholm, Sweden and to examine how healthcare professionals in Stockholm County are working to eliminate vaccination hesitancy, in goal to promote children’s rights to health, life, survival and development after the UNCRC became a Swedish law on 1 January 2020. Additionally, to analyze if strategies applied by Stockholm County are truly addressing identified causes of vaccination hesitancy among parents living in Stockholm, Sweden and in that way increasing vaccination rates this year. Method: This study used a qualitative research strategy. Vaccination hesitancy in Sweden was studied using 20 semi-structured interviews with parents living in Stockholm, while effect of the UNCRC incorporation into Swedish law on vaccination hesitancy was studied using a semi-structured interview with one health professional working in Stockholm County. The gathered data was summarized, categorized and analyzed according to the proposed themes of two theories. The theoretical framework consisted of the Health Belief Model and Social-Ecological Model. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that the choice of immunization among parents is shaped by; 1) sources and type of the received information on vaccines, vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases included in the general Swedish child vaccination program, 2) their views on vaccine quality, safety, effectiveness and necessity for satisfying children’s rights to health, life, survival and development, 3) the level of knowledge of epidemiological concepts, mechanisms, infectious diseases and vaccines included in the vaccination program, and 4) the level of trust in the Swedish Government and healthcare, and belief if they are acting in the best interest of children. After the UNCRC incorporation into Swedish law, there have not been observed any changes in the strategic work of Stockholm County against vaccination hesitancy. For the past ten years, they are applying methods at the individual- and interpersonal level, which are not quite reaching vaccine hesitant parents living in Stockholm. Other methods at the community- and public policy level are needed. Due to unclear implications of the UNCRC entrance as a national law and COVID-19 pandemic, it is not possible to estimate if there are any changes in the vaccination rates this year.

No description available.

Department of Advanced Nursing Science / MCur