Performing emotional labour in health care has been widely studied. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding mental health care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify (1) the method of emotional labour (i.e. hiding, faking, deep acting) adopted by mental health workers when interacting with patients; (2) the consequences associated with performing emotional labour- burnout, job satisfaction, and stress; and (3) which of these variables mentioned above predict the health and well-being of mental health workers. Findings revealed greater use of hiding emotions, than deep acting or faking emotions with patients. Several consequences, both positive and negative were identified. Among the negative consequences found, performing emotional labour through hiding and faking emotions was associated with burnout, job dissatisfaction, and stress. Conversely, through deep acting, increased personal accomplishment and job satisfaction was confirmed. No association between emotional labour and psychological distress, and physical symptoms were found.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka och beskriva attityder till psykisk ohälsa hos psykiatripersonal, samt att undersöka skillnader i attityd inom bakgrundsfaktorerna kön, ålder och utbildningsnivå. Studien har tagit del utav forskningsprojektet Psykisk ohälsa. En deskriptiv och komparativ design med kvantitativ ansats användes. Data insamlades från 216 returnerade enkäter från vårdpersonal inom psykiatrin. Frågeformuläret Nya CAMI-S med 29 påståenden användes. Analyserna utfördes med statistikprogrammet SPSS för att beskriva frekvenser och att för att se skillnader användes chi 2-test. Resultatet visade att vårdpersonalen inom psykiatrin överlag har en positiv attityd till psykisk ohälsa. Mest negativ attityd fick påståendet om de som varit patient inom psykiatrin var en pålitlig barnvakt. Signifikanta skillnader sågs mellan åldersgrupperna, där äldre hade mer positiv attityd. Mellan könen sågs signifikanta skillnader i påståendet om att psykisk sjukdom är som vilken annan sjukdom som helst där män hade mer negativ attityd. Inga signifikanta skillnader sågs mellan utbildningsnivåerna. Slutligen visade studien övervägande positiva attityder hos vårdpersonalen, dock framkom negativa attityder inom vissa områden. Vidare forskning och utbildning inom området kan leda till mer positiva attityder i framtiden. / The aim of this study was to investigate and describe attitudes towards mental illness among mental health workers and to investigate differences in attitudes within the background factors of gender, age and educational level. This study is a part of the project ‘Psykisk ohälsa’. A descriptive and comparative design with quantitative approach was used. Data were collected from 216 returned surveys. The questionnaire ‘New CAMI-S’ with 29 items were used. Data were analyzed with SPSS to describe the frequency and chi 2-test was used to measuring the differences. The results showed that the mental health workers in general had a positive attitude towards mental illness. Most negative attitudes were seen in the item about most persons who were once patients in a mental hospital can be trusted as babysitters. Three significant differences were seen between ages. The older group had more positive attitudes towards mental illness. One significant item was found between gender, men had more negative attitudes. No significance was found between education levels. The conclusions showed that most of the staff had positive attitudes, however, negative attitudes were found in some areas. Further research and education in this topic could lead into more positive attitudes in the future.

High attrition rates from community participatory research studies need to be explored more by non-traditional methods and participant profiles need to be developed to prevent high attrition rates. The purpose of this dissertation is to characterize compliance and drop out rates using the cardiovascular disease IQ quiz and the life priorities questionnaire. It is important to examine both compliance and dropouts in this context because both diabetes and cardiovascular disease are emerging as a major focus of public health efforts in the United States and abroad. These diseases are accelerating due to the current trends in obesity, which is a preventable, modifiable risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease continue to be the number seven and number one leading causes of death, respectively. We explore these concepts in a largely Hispanic border community in the Southwest, in the small town of Douglas, Arizona. The Hispanic population is increasing in the United States and is now the most populous minority group. Additionally, among this group are some of the highest rates of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and uncontrolled diabetes, all cardiovascular disease risk factors. We found that the cardiovascular disease IQ quiz was a much stronger predictor for compliance and drop out rates in this sample population than the life priorities questionnaire. Compliance did not seem to differ among the study participants who remained in the study. Interestingly, among the participants who were compliant, especially those who kept their eye check-up, were also those more likely to have health insurance and be employed. Though males only represented about 10% of the population sample, they tended to drop out more frequently than females. Dropouts tended to be younger, gainfully employed, and more educated. Qualitative analysis and logistic regression will further help explain the aforementioned associations.

Asthma prevalence continues to increase across the United States of America, affecting more than 43.1 million people and projected to affect over 50 million people by 2025. Asthma prevalence differs by demographic characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, education, age and gender. Poor quality of life is common among people who suffer from asthma, in addition to school and work absenteeism. In 2008, children 5-17 years old with at least one reported asthma attack missed 10.5 million school days in the past year (CDC, 2010). Healthcare use for asthma is high and disparities remain in asthma healthcare use and reimbursement. In community settings, reimbursement for asthma education and prevention has been problematic due to current reimbursement mechanisms (Bodenheimer et al. (2003); Halterman (2010); CDC (2011) and Laster et al. 2010) that do not go far enough in assisting low-income communities manage their asthma medically nor have uniform standards for billable services associated with asthma management provided by both healthcare professionals and public health workers. A change in reimbursement policy is advocated and the evidence for the effectiveness of community health workers in asthma management is examined.

In South Africa, which has the largest HIV infected population world-wide, more than 5 million individuals presently live with HIV and AIDS (Evian, 2002:20; LINAIDS, 2004:19). These HIV-infected patients in turn affect the family structure within which they find themselves in a specific community. According to Saleeby (1992:54) and Barnett and Blaikie (1992:34), several families in South Africa are affected by the challenges posed by AIDS. This research forms part of the group research project, Tswaragano, which deals with an investigation into the competencies, abilities and strengths of the family of the HIV-positive patient while supporting the patient at home (Wessels, 2003:54). Problems such as unemployment, poverty, crime and changed demands in the community where these families live and increased challenges place a tremendous amount of stress on the families (Saleeby, 1992:54; Barnett & Blaikie, 1992:34). A vicious circle of AIDS and poverty is clearly confirmed and it has been found that people who live with HIV and AIDS need more support than health care alone (Booysen et al,. 2004:817-826). It is evident from the literature that, although information regarding HIV and AIDS is conveyed during pre- and post-HIV and AIDS test counselling, the transmission of information is not necessarily successful (Parker et al., 1998:18). A question which hence arises is whether the HIV positive patient and his family who support him at home fully grasp the necessary information. Greeff and Du Plessis (2001:2) confirm that health workers in the North-West Province do not convey the information effectively. Several factors probably contribute to defective information transfer between the health worker and the patient. One factor is that if the environment within which information is conveyed is not comfortable and mutual respect and trust between the health worker and the HIV positive patient is limited, the interpretation of information on HIV and AIDS is impaired (Allender & Spratley, 2001:163). A further aspect that should be taken into consideration is that HIV and AIDS-related information can be understood and internalised by the HIV positive patient in different ways, since several interpretation possibilities exist for information that is conveyed (Parker et al., 1998:20). Health workers who convey the information to the patient does however not always determine whether the HIV positive patient understands and internalises the information correctly (Parker et al., 1998:21). The facts mentioned above not only limit the HIV positive patient's understanding but also eventually the understanding of the family who have to support the HIV positive patient at home, regarding HIV and AIDS. The family can be seen as a primary core support resource for the HIV positive patient (Uys, 1999:2), and limited understanding impairs support at home (Hartman, 1981:10). With this is meant that the family is the "social service agency in meeting the social, educational and health care needs" of its members. The aim of this research was to investigate and describe the understanding of the HIV positive patient and the family regarding HIV and AIDS-related information. Guidelines were formulated to promote the understanding of the family of the HIV positive patient regarding HIV and AIDS-related information with the view to empower the family of the HIV positive patient in order to be able to support the patient at home. The research design was quantitative and descriptive by nature. It entails a pilot study in the Kagiso district, Vryburg area (Bophirima) of the North-West Province. The actual research study was performed in the Primary Health Clinics in the Potchefstroom district of the southern area of the North-West Province. Purposive sampling was performed (Burns & Grove, 2001:376; Brink, 1996:141; Abramson & Abramson, 1999:70; Bainbridge, 1989:46). Selected health workers acted voluntarily as go-betweens to identify HIV positive patients and their families who are prepared to participate in the research and who answer to the criteria, and to assist in filling out the questionnaires. The questionnaires were analysed by means of the frequency method with the assistance of the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus and reported on by means of tables and graphs (Brink, 1996:499; Burns & Grove, 1997:430). From the research it was found that, although information transfer regarding HIV and AIDS does take place, there still are many voids in respect of the understanding of this information and this pertains to HIV positive patient as well as the families. The researcher has come to the conclusion that the proposed guidelines in order to empower families of the HIV-positive patients to support these patients at home therefore is obvious and important. Furthermore, the researcher is of opinion that families midst the difficult circumstances will realise their own strengths if they could acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Recommendations were made for nursing education, for the practice of the community nurse as well as for nursing research. Guidelines were formulated to empower the family of the HIV positive patient to be able to support the patient at home. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

South Africa recently changed infant feeding policy within Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV from free formula to recommendation of breastfeeding for all. The country is evaluating the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in supporting mothers and newborns. The aim of this thesis is to explore perceptions of household members on the value given to and the social forces behind formula feeding in light of the recent policy change, and to assess the effect of a community-based package of maternal and newborn care delivered by CHWs on HIV-free survival and exclusive and appropriate infant feeding up to 12 weeks of age. Studies were conducted in a high HIV prevalence township. Focus group discussions were performed (grandmothers, fathers and teenage mothers) and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers. Perceptions of household members on the formula policy change were explored and the value household members place on formula feeding and circumstances that drive it. In a cluster-randomized trial (15 intervention, 15 control clusters) CHWs provided two antenatal and five post-natal home visits to support and promote PMTCT activities. There were misunderstandings by community members on the free formula policy change. Mothers transferred the motherhood role to their mothers while partners provided inadequate financial support, leading to risky mixed feeding. Teenage mothers rarely breastfed their infants due to perceived constraints including embarrassment, sagging breasts and loss of freedom and boyfriends. At 12 weeks of age the intervention had doubled exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) (28% vs. 14%) and slightly increased infant weight and length. No difference was seen between study arms in HIV-free survival. The effect on EBF at12 weeks did not differ with maternal education or wealth levels, but was higher among HIV-negative mothers.  Focusing on teenage mothers breastfeeding challenges, involvement of grandmothers and fathers in infant feeding decision-making, improving communication strategies on policy change and breastfeeding to the community and health workers and CHWs home visits supporting PMTCT activities are important for infant feeding and child health.

Performing emotional labour in health care has been widely studied. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding mental health care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify (1) the method of emotional labour (i.e. hiding, faking, deep acting) adopted by mental health workers when interacting with patients; (2) the consequences associated with performing emotional labour- burnout, job satisfaction, and stress; and (3) which of these variables mentioned above predict the health and well-being of mental health workers. Findings revealed greater use of hiding emotions, than deep acting or faking emotions with patients. Several consequences, both positive and negative were identified. Among the negative consequences found, performing emotional labour through hiding and faking emotions was associated with burnout, job dissatisfaction, and stress. Conversely, through deep acting, increased personal accomplishment and job satisfaction was confirmed. No association between emotional labour and psychological distress, and physical symptoms were found.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The Western Cape AIDS Training,Information and Counselling Centre (ATICC) primarily focuses on the development and provision of information and different types of training programmes on HIV/AID/STIs. The Director of the Health Service of the Cape Metropolitan Council was invited by ATICC to select seven health educators and nurses who were involved in health education and counselling in their local clinics to complete a six-month training course. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ATICC training course on the counselling practice of trainees at their clinics. / South Africa

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-04-06T18:38:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss MP Marina Garcia C. Aquino. 2014.pdf: 1332307 bytes, checksum: c73c2bf77b6307c194608d4eb8d4726d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-04-15T14:33:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss MP Marina Garcia C. Aquino. 2014.pdf: 1332307 bytes, checksum: c73c2bf77b6307c194608d4eb8d4726d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-15T14:33:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss MP Marina Garcia C. Aquino. 2014.pdf: 1332307 bytes, checksum: c73c2bf77b6307c194608d4eb8d4726d (MD5) / A atuação do Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) possui potencial para promover melhorias na assistência prestada à população, contudo, precisa ser guiada pela educação permanente. O curso de atualização na atenção á saúde da mulher no ciclo gravídico puerperal, é uma estratégia de educação permanente proposta pela Escola de Formação Técnica em Saúde, do estado da Bahia, que tem como objetivo a melhoria da atenção à gestante e à puérpera, mediante o trabalho e a qualificação das ações dos ACS, junto à população e aos serviços de saúde. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar os efeitos do curso de atualização nas práticas dos ACS em uma USF do município de Salvador, Ba. A partir de documentos normativos foi construído um modelo lógico do Curso do qual derivou uma matriz de análise, utilizada para analisar as práticas dos ACS. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi estruturadas com os ACS e enfermeiros e usuárias gestantes ou puérperas. Constatou-se que o curso em questão foi uma estratégia que se mostrou capaz de provocar reflexão nos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde sobre as práticas relacionadas com a saúde da gestante e da puérpera, porém, as ações desenvolvidas ainda mostraram-se frágeis diante das atividades sugeridas pelo Curso.

A pesquisa tem como objetivo caracterizar o perfil dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS), identificando as ações realizadas e analisando-as à luz do paradigma da Promoção da saúde. Para isso optou-se por uma pesquisa exploratória do tipo quanti-qualitativa, realizada com todos os ACS das 15 equipes de PACS, num total de 241 ACS, do município de São Bernardo do Campo (SP). A coleta de dados foi pela aplicação de um questionário para a caracterização dos ACS e um formulário baseado nas competências preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS), que buscou identificar as ações que este profissional realiza, bem como a freqüência com a qual executa essas ações. O conteúdo dos instrumentos de coleta foi organizado e analisado no programa computacional SPSS. Como resultado da análise evidenciou-se que a maioria dos ACS é constituída de mulheres, com idade média de 33 anos, com união conjugal, de raça branca e parda, nascidas na região Sudeste, zona urbana, com ensino médio completo e curso profissionalizante, com participação em um trabalho formal antes de ser ACS e que vivem com média de 3 salários mínimos. Em média, moram há 15 anos no bairro onde trabalham, sendo que há 4 anos trabalham como ACS. A forma de participação comunitária na vida pessoal que mais se destaca é a ligada a grupos religiosos. As competências preconizadas pelo MS: \"Integração da equipe com a população local\"; \"Prevenção e monitoramento de risco ambiental e sanitário\" e \"Prevenção e monitoramento a grupos específicos e morbidades\" são em sua maioria realizadas pelos ACS, enquanto que as de \"Planejamento e avaliação das ações de saúde\" e \"Promoção da saúde\" são realizadas de forma heterogênea pelo Município. Partindo-se do princípio que as estratégias de Promoção da saúde necessitam, entre outros fatores, das políticas públicas para concretizar suas ações, concluiu-se pela necessidade de se realizar um planejamento das ações do ACS que seja comum a todo o Município, pela importância de se fortalecer a competência do ACS para a Promoção da saúde, de forma que esta possa encaminhar para o empowerment da comunidade e para a intersetorialidade. / The research has as objective to characterize the profile of the Communitarian Agents of Heath (CAH), identifying the carried through actions and analyzing them in the way of the paradigm of the Health Promotion. For this it was opted to an exploring research of the quanti-qualitative kind, carried through with 241 CAH of the city of São Bernardo do Campo (SP). Collection of data was made through application of questionnaire for characterization of CAH and form based in abilities praised for Ministry of Health (MH), that it searched to identify the actions that this professional carries through, as well as the frequency which executes these actions with. The content of the collection instruments was organized and analyzed in the computational program SPSS. As result of the analysis, it was evidenced that the majority is constituted of women, with average age of 33 years, conjugal union, of white and medium brown race, born in the southeastern region, urban zone, with complete high school education and professionalizing course, with participation in a formal job before being CAH and that they live with average of 3 minimum wages. In average, they live has 15 years in the neighborhood where they work, and it has 4 years they work as CAH. The form of communitarian participation that is more distinguished is bound to religious groups. The abilities praised for the MH: Integration of the team with the local population; Prevention and monitoring of ambiental risk and sanitary; Prevention and monitoring the specific groups and morbidities are in its majority carried through by the CAH while that of planning and the evaluation of the actions of health and promotion of the health they are carried through of heterogeneous form in the city. Considering the strategies of health promotion need, among others factors, of the public politics to materialize its action, it\'s concluded for the necessity to carry through a planning of the actions of the CAH to the health promotion, such that it\'s able to direct to the empowerment of the community and to the action between sectors.