This thesis addresses the hypothesis that unobtrusive monitoring of daily living could be used to evaluate changes in the health status of frail elderly people living alone at home. Low cost motion sensors can be used for monitoring the long term trends in occupant?s well-being in terms of physical, mental, social and environmental factors. The monitored data can be used to quantitatively measure parameters that can provide insight into the level of activity and functional ability of the subject. Any deviations in these parameters can provide information on the changing health status of the subject. This thesis attempts for the first time to establish a mathematical and statistical framework for the monitoring of functional health status in the home using a network of wireless sensors to monitor occupancy in each room of the house. A low power and low cost, unobtrusive occupancy monitoring system using ZigBee wireless technology and passive infrared sensors has been developed by the Biomedical Systems Laboratory at the University of New South Wales. The essence of the occupancy monitoring system is to detect variations in the activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly people living alone at home. The finite state, discrete parameter, time homogeneous Markov chain represents a theoretical framework for an unobtrusive occupancy monitoring system. An implementation of this framework for monitoring occupancy pattern is presented in real time use. The system was evaluated in a series of field studies in laboratory and home environment, in supervised and unsupervised settings, using cohorts of healthy elderly subjects living alone in their homes in community dwelling setting. A pilot trial was conducted in which four healthy elderly subjects living alone had PIR motion sensors installed in their homes at strategic points for a period of up to 13 weeks. The functionality of the system was evaluated over a domain of basic daily activities. A profile of the activities, in real time environment, for different times and days was stored as transition probability matrices. Automatic techniques for interpreting the test data captured by the system in terms of human movements were evaluated and compared with the wellness profile of the subject. Trial results exhibited that clinically significant model parameters were able to detect longitudinal deviations in the functional health status of elderly people.

Research examining multidimensional health locus of control (MHLOC) beliefs in HIV-positive individuals is limited. While studies in numerous other medical populations have shown relationships between MHLOC and markers of protected health status, no other studies, to our knowledge, have done so in HIV. The MHLOC has four subscales: Internal, Chance, Doctors, and Other People. Each subscale measures the degree of belief that one's health is controlled by one of these four constructs. This study compared the MHLOC beliefs of a rare group of healthy HIV-positive individuals with very low CD4 cell counts (below 50) who were not taking HAART (HLC group), to a group of HIV-positive individuals in the mid-range of disease progression (matched control (MC) group). Two hundred forty-seven diverse participants with HIV completed MHLOC scales as part of a psychosocial battery. Seventy participants from a larger "control" group (N = 177) were matched one-to-one with a participant from the HLC group (N = 70) on four demographic variables (gender, education, ethnicity, and income). The HLC group was found to have significantly lower Internal control beliefs and higher Doctor beliefs in comparison to the MC group. An examination of MHLOC beliefs within each group showed that for both groups, Doctor beliefs were strongest, followed by Internal, Chance and Other People beliefs. Compared to the MC group, individuals with protected health status (HLC group) were more likely to have a combination of "high" Doctor and "low" Internal beliefs and less likely to have a combination of "low" Doctor and "high" Internal beliefs. Finally, affective depression approached significance as a mediator in the relationship between Doctor control beliefs and group status (HLC vs. MC group). Specifically, protected health status was related to higher Doctor beliefs and lower affective depression. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential contribution of religious involvement, spiritual well-being, existential well-being and HIV-related symptoms to health-related quality of life in HIV-infected African American women recovering from substance abuse. The study also examined whether religious and spiritual variables served as potential moderators between HIV symptoms and health-related quality of life. This study relied on data obtained as part of a larger longitudinal investigation of the effectiveness of Structural Ecosystems Therapy (SET) for HIV infected women in substance abuse recovery. A total of 175 participants were recruited from regional residential and outpatient clinics. The sample in this study included 99 African American women who had completed the required baseline assessment. It was hypothesized that religious involvement, spiritual well-being and existential well-being would be positively associated to various health-related quality of life indicators (i.e., physical functioning, social functioning, mental health functioning and health distress). On the other hand, HIV symptoms were hypothesized to be inversely related to the health-related quality of life indicators. Religious involvement, spiritual well-being and existential well-being were posited to moderate the relationship between HIV symptoms and the health-related quality of life indicators. Findings from the multivariate analysis of variance showed existential well-being to be significantly related to mental health functioning and health distress and HIV symptoms to be significantly related to mental health functioning and physical functioning. Results from the regression analyses also showed that after controlling for age, both existential well-being and HIV symptoms were significantly related to mental health functioning. Results suggest that increased symptom frequency is significantly associated with worse mental health while higher levels of existential well-being are significantly related to better mental health. No evidence was found in support of the hypothesized moderating role of religious involvement, spiritual well-being and existential well-being between HIV symptoms and health-related quality of life indicators. Research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

All populations risk vitamin D inadequacy. We conducted a randomized double- blind trial of vitamin D3 fortified cheddar cheese to study bioavailability based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, and its effects on mental health scores in older adults. Once a week, 28 subjects received 200 IU or 28000 IU of vitamin D3 per fortified cheese serving. The mean increases in 25(OH)D over 8 weeks were: 4.2±11.4 and 29.4±16.2 for the 200 IU/week and 28,000 IU/ week dose groups, respectively (groups differ, P<0.001). Subjects who consumed 28,000 IU/week cheese improved their Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, based upon the SF-36v2 questionnaire conducted at baseline and at 8 weeks (P<0.05). There was also a positive correlation between the change in MCS score and the change in 25(OH)D (1 tail; P<0.05). These data demonstrate the suitability of fortified cheddar cheese, and provide evidence of neurocognitive benefits with higher 25(OH)D levels.

All populations risk vitamin D inadequacy. We conducted a randomized double- blind trial of vitamin D3 fortified cheddar cheese to study bioavailability based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, and its effects on mental health scores in older adults. Once a week, 28 subjects received 200 IU or 28000 IU of vitamin D3 per fortified cheese serving. The mean increases in 25(OH)D over 8 weeks were: 4.2±11.4 and 29.4±16.2 for the 200 IU/week and 28,000 IU/ week dose groups, respectively (groups differ, P<0.001). Subjects who consumed 28,000 IU/week cheese improved their Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, based upon the SF-36v2 questionnaire conducted at baseline and at 8 weeks (P<0.05). There was also a positive correlation between the change in MCS score and the change in 25(OH)D (1 tail; P<0.05). These data demonstrate the suitability of fortified cheddar cheese, and provide evidence of neurocognitive benefits with higher 25(OH)D levels.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 1999. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-145). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ39309.

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It is common to find farm schools some distance from the villages where learners reside, and in most cases these do not look good from the outside and are normally not given as much support as they should get. There are many challenges facing educators who are teaching learners in farm schools. Some of the problems emanate from home, including the socia-economic status and parental involvement. Other problems are as a result of the environmental conditions, including a lack of basic services like water, electricity and others. The education system is believed to be failing farm school learners in a way when it comes to issues like a lack of teaching or learning aids, a lack of a referral system, a lack in high schools, a lack of funding, managing and controlling the feeding scheme. At times some additional problems are caused by the learners themselves, including latecoming, absenteeism, a high drop-out rate, teenage pregnancy and vandalism. The bad road conditions and the fact that learners have to walk long distances to school, also impact negatively on the learners. Educators in farm schools feel that they are over-burdened in their task of teaching because of issues like multi-grade classes, too much administration, and lack of support from the department and the parents, as well as financial constraints. The above factors cause much frustration in the teaching profession and educators become drained and experience serious fatigue, which impacts negatively on their work. The aim of this study is to investigate the general perceptions of educators about the health status of farm schools. To attain this aim, the study had following specific objective: To determine the perceptions of educators about the health status of farm schools. A qualitative research design was considered to be the most appropriate for gaining in depth insight into the educators' perceptions about the health status of farm schools. Data was collected through phenomenological semi-structured interviews and direct observations. This data was then organised into categories and subcategories, and direct quotations were presented verbatim. Research findings were compared to the relevant literature to identify existing information and possible differences, and the findings were then recorded The study showed that there are many barriers in farm schools that hinder the smooth running the of school, in other words the learning and teaching. It is necessary to eliminate these barriers where possible, and to minimise and control the barriers that can be detrimental to the health status of farm schools. Findings from this research were classified according to the following main categories: • Difficult working conditions experienced by educators in the classroom. • Poor socio-economic status of learners. • Lack of support to learners from outside the school. • Dissatisfaction with the Department of Education's management. Lack of transport and bad road conditions on the way to school. • The adverse effect of the status quo on educators. • Learners’ negative attitude. • Struggles with helper mothers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

It is common to find farm schools some distance from the villages where learners reside, and in most cases these do not look good from the outside and are normally not given as much support as they should get. There are many challenges facing educators who are teaching learners in farm schools. Some of the problems emanate from home, including the socia-economic status and parental involvement. Other problems are as a result of the environmental conditions, including a lack of basic services like water, electricity and others. The education system is believed to be failing farm school learners in a way when it comes to issues like a lack of teaching or learning aids, a lack of a referral system, a lack in high schools, a lack of funding, managing and controlling the feeding scheme. At times some additional problems are caused by the learners themselves, including latecoming, absenteeism, a high drop-out rate, teenage pregnancy and vandalism. The bad road conditions and the fact that learners have to walk long distances to school, also impact negatively on the learners. Educators in farm schools feel that they are over-burdened in their task of teaching because of issues like multi-grade classes, too much administration, and lack of support from the department and the parents, as well as financial constraints. The above factors cause much frustration in the teaching profession and educators become drained and experience serious fatigue, which impacts negatively on their work. The aim of this study is to investigate the general perceptions of educators about the health status of farm schools. To attain this aim, the study had following specific objective: To determine the perceptions of educators about the health status of farm schools. A qualitative research design was considered to be the most appropriate for gaining in depth insight into the educators' perceptions about the health status of farm schools. Data was collected through phenomenological semi-structured interviews and direct observations. This data was then organised into categories and subcategories, and direct quotations were presented verbatim. Research findings were compared to the relevant literature to identify existing information and possible differences, and the findings were then recorded The study showed that there are many barriers in farm schools that hinder the smooth running the of school, in other words the learning and teaching. It is necessary to eliminate these barriers where possible, and to minimise and control the barriers that can be detrimental to the health status of farm schools. Findings from this research were classified according to the following main categories: • Difficult working conditions experienced by educators in the classroom. • Poor socio-economic status of learners. • Lack of support to learners from outside the school. • Dissatisfaction with the Department of Education's management. Lack of transport and bad road conditions on the way to school. • The adverse effect of the status quo on educators. • Learners’ negative attitude. • Struggles with helper mothers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 1998