Orientador: Francisco Hashimoto / Banca: Paula Ione Costa Quinterno Fiochi / Banca: Guilherme Elias da Silva / Banca: Ana Maria Rodrigues de Carvalho / Banca: Liamar Aparecida dos Santos / Resumo: Este trabalho se configura como proposta de problematização das questões relacionadas aos fenômenos de uso e abuso de drogas em nossa sociedade atual. Objetiva, em última análise, discorrer acerca do atual modelo de atenção aos usuários de drogas, cujas diretrizes se encontram traçadas na relação com o modo de atenção psicossocial em saúde mental. O lugar do sujeito usuário de drogas em meio à configuração deste modelo constitui o cerne das análises consideradas, com destaque para as tensões presentes no esboço de transposição do paradigma proibicionista no tocante às drogas. Metodologicamente, este trabalho entende que as produções de conhecimento sobre as drogas estão em constantes transformações e sujeitas a diversificados condicionantes, fortemente presentes na conformação do proibicionismo como uma de suas características centrais. Para a finalidade de compreensão de tais condicionantes, o trabalho elegeu o raciocínio de escavação genealógica dos conceitos e arranjos conformadores desse paradigma, através do olhar da hermenêutica da profundidade como veio de análise. A problematização dos conceitos e sua relação com o eventos de formação do proibicionismo são apresentadas, assim como suas transformações e desdobramentos para o arranjo legal-institucional de regulação das drogas nas políticas públicas no Brasil. A tese busca discutir e inquirir em que medida e proporção o atual modelo de atenção aos usuários de drogas poderia ser considerado de transposição e superação do... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work is configured as questioning of issues related to the phenomena of use and abuse drugs in our society. Objective, ultimately, discuss about the current model of care for drug users, whose guidelines are drawn in relation to psychosocial care in mental health. The place of the drug user through the configuration of this model is the core of the analysis considered, highlighting the tensions present in the transposition draft prohibitionist paradigm with regard to drugs. Methodologically, this paper considers that the production of knowledge about drugs are in constant transformation and subject to diverse conditions, strongly present in the formation of prohibition as one of its central features. For the purpose of understanding of such constraints, the work elected genealogical digging reasoning concepts and conformers arrangements of this paradigm through the depth hermeneutics look like it came from analysis. The questioning of the concepts and their relation to the prohibition of the training events are presented, as well as their changes and developments for the legal-institutional arrangement for the regulation of drugs in public policies in Brazil. The thesis aims to discuss and inquire in what extent and proportion the current model of care to drug users could be considered for implementation and overcoming of prohibition in terms of care practices and implementation of care devices. As regards the composition structure, the thesis has as its starting point t... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Résumé: Il s'agit dans ce travail de poser des problèmes liés aux phénomènes de l'usage et de l'abus des drogues dans notre société actuelle. Il vise, en fin de compte, produire des réflexions sur le actuel modèle de soins pour les usagers de drogues, dont les lignes directrices sont établies par rapport aux modes des soins psychosociaux en santé mentale. La place du sujet l'usager de drogues au milieu de la configuration de ce modèle est le cœur des analyses considérées, sourtout les tensions présentes dans le projet de la transposition du paradigme prohibitionniste dans ce qui concerne les drogues. Méthodologiquement, ce travail considère la production de connaissances sur les drogues comme toujours en transformation ainsi que soumis à diverses contraintes qui sont fortement présents dans l'établissement du prohibitionnisme comme l'une des caractéristiques essentielles. Pour comprendre ces contraintes, ce travail a élu le raisonnement de creusement généalogique des concepts et arrangements conformées de ce paradigme, par le regard de l'herméneutique de profondeur comme axe de l'analyse. La remise en question des concepts et leur relation avec des événements de formation du prohibitionnisme, sont présentés, ainsi que leurs changements et les développements de l'arrangement juridique et institutionnel de la réglementation des drogues dans la politique publique au Brésil. La thèse vise à discuter et se demander dans quelle mesure et proportion du modèle actuel des soins aux usagers de... (Résumé complet accès életronique ci-dessous) / Doutor

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-12-02T16:31:53Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Divânia Dias da Silva França - 2016.pdf: 6690310 bytes, checksum: d6296e6724c1e38111bd12b6d97a4f46 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-12-13T15:29:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Divânia Dias da Silva França - 2016.pdf: 6690310 bytes, checksum: d6296e6724c1e38111bd12b6d97a4f46 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-13T15:29:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Divânia Dias da Silva França - 2016.pdf: 6690310 bytes, checksum: d6296e6724c1e38111bd12b6d97a4f46 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-29 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious global public health problem. An estimated 78 million people have been infected. The burden of this infection is concentrated in high vulnerability groups, such as drug users. The objective of this study was to analyze the serological, epidemiological, and molecular profile of HIV infection in institutionalized crack users in Goiania, a large city in Central Brazil. This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted among crack users in treatment in a mental health referral facilityin Midwestern Brazil. From August 2012 to April 2013, 600 crack users were recruited. All were interviewed and tested for HIV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples that tested positive for anti-HIV1 were subjected to detection of HIV RNA by RT-PCR and genotyped by sequencing. Of the total enrolled participants: about half came from outside the city (50.3%), were predominantly male (84.5%), young (median: 30 years), had low education (8.4 years of school), were self-declared mixed race (61.5%), single (66.5%) and religious (74.3%). Nearly three-quarters were not formally employed, and 20.3% reported a history of life on the street in the last 180 days. Of the total, 2.8% (95% CI: 1.7 – 4.4%) were anti-HIV1 positive, ranging from 2.2% (95% CI 1.2 – 3.9) in men and 6.5% (95% CI 3.2 – 14.2) in women (p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis revealed that history of sexual intercourse with a carrier of HIV (adjusted OR: 12.60; p = 0.001) and history of life on the street (adjusted OR: 4.43; p = 0.025) were predictors of HIV- 1. The variables: history of sexually transmitted infections (adjusted OR: 3.24; p = 0.057), not using a condom (adjusted OR: 2.84; p = 0.088) and consumption of more than 10 rocks/portions of crack daily (adjusted OR: 2.81; p = 0.085) were marginally associated with HIV infection. In 12 of 17 HIV-1 samples, subtype identification was possible with subtype B being detected in eight samples (66.7%), F1 and C in one sampleeach (8.3%), and recombinant BF in two samples (16.7%). These results highlight the need for effective strategies to prevent HIV infection in crack users, with an emphasis on health education, implementation of harm reduction measures and control of sexually transmitted diseases. / A infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) é um grave problema de saúde pública mundial. Estima-se que 78 milhões de pessoas já se infectaram pelo HIV. A carga dessa infecção está concentrada em grupos com elevada vulnerabilidade, como usuários de drogas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o perfil soroepidemiológico e molecular da infecção pelo HIV em usuários de crack institucionalizados em Goiânia-GO. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico, de corte transversal realizado com usuários de crack em tratamento em uma instituição de referência em saúde mental da Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. No período de agosto de 2012 a abril de 2013, foram recrutados 600 usuários de crack. Todos foram entrevistados e testados para anti-HIV pelo ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). As amostras que apresentaram positividade para anti-HIV foram submetidas à detecção do RNA-HIV por RT-PCR e genotipadas por sequenciamento. Do total dos indivíduos recrutados, 50,3% eram procedentes de outros munícipios, predominantemente do sexo masculino (84,5%), jovens (mediana: 30 anos), de baixa escolaridade (média: 8,4 anos de estudo), se autodeclaram de cor parda (61,5%), solteiros (66,5%) e possuíam alguma religião (74,3%). Quase três quartos não desenvolviam suas atividades laborais no mercado formal de trabalho, e 20,3% relataram antecedentes de vida na rua nos últimos 180 dias. Do total, 2,8% (IC 95%: 1,7 – 4,4%) foram anti-HIV positivos, variando de 2,2% (IC 95%: 1,2 – 3,9) em homens e 6,5% (IC 95%: 3,2 – 14,2) em mulheres (p=0,04). Análise de regressão logística revelou que história de relação sexual com portador (a) do HIV (OR ajustado: 12,60; p= 0,001) e antecedente de vida na rua (OR ajustado: 4,43; p= 0,025) foram preditores da infecção pelo HIV. As variáveis: história de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (OR ajustado: 3,24; p= 0,057), não adesão ao uso de preservativo (OR ajustado: 2,84; p= 0,088) e consumo de mais de 10 pedras/porções de crack diariamente (OR ajustado: 2,81; p= 0,085) foram marginalmente associadas à infecção pelo HIV. Em 12/17 amostras anti-HIV-1 foi possível a identificação subtípica, sendo detectados os subtipos B em oito amostras (66,7%), F1 e C em uma amostra cada (8,3%) e o recombinante BF em duas amostras (16,7%). Os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de estratégias efetivas de prevenção da infecção pelo HIV em usuários de crack institucionalizados, com ênfase em educação em saúde, implementação de medidas de redução de danos e controle de infecções de transmissão sexual.

No Brasil, políticas de saúde que incluem o cuidado aos usuários de álcool e outras drogas são recentes. Apesar da existência de serviços comunitários, a internação dos usuários é algo muito frequente. Nos últimos anos, as modalidades de internação compulsória e involuntária passaram a ser aplicadas em larga escala, principalmente, por meio de solicitações dos familiares de pessoas com problemas relacionados ao uso de drogas. Estudos demonstram que há poucas evidências científicas acerca da efetividade de tais internações. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como os sentidos sobre a internação involuntária e/ou compulsória da pessoa que usa álcool e outras drogas foram construídos com seus familiares. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, com referencial teórico construcionista social. O corpus foi composto por 15 entrevistas semiestruturadas feitas com familiares de usuário de drogas que foram, anteriormente, internados involuntariamente e/ou compulsoriamente. A técnica utilizada para a seleção destes participantes foi a bola de neve. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da FFCLRP-USP. Em primeiro lugar, foi realizada análise temática das entrevistas, considerando a construção dos sentidos dentro do contexto histórico-cultural, as experiências de vida e as interações sociais. A seguir, foi realizado um estudo de caso de uma das entrevistas realizadas, com o objetivo de analisar discursos envolvidos no processo de busca de internações involuntárias e compulsórias. Para isto, foi selecionada a entrevista de uma participante que havia solicitado 23 internações involuntárias e cinco compulsórias para seu filho. O corpus dessa análise consistiu na entrevista semiestruturada e notas de campo que foram elaboradas a partir das conversas com a participante. A partir da análise temática foram construídos quatro temas: (1) Sentidos sobre internações involuntárias e compulsórias, em que as internações foram construídas como formas de educar, cuidar e proteger o usuário dos perigos da rua, dos traficantes, de ser preso e de morrer, alcançar abstinência e alívio principalmente para os familiares. (2) Consequências do uso problemático de drogas, como relatos de mudanças negativas no comportamento do usuário, acúmulo de perdas na vida do usuário e a percepção de estigma. (3) Sentimentos da família, envolvendo culpa, desespero, frustração, vergonha, medo e desesperança diante do problema. (4) Tentativas mal sucedidas de resolver o problema, diante do desconhecimento de serviços ambulatoriais e do foco apenas na abstinência. A partir do estudo de caso, foram construídas três narrativas: (1) discurso individualista e discurso do déficit sobre seu filho que ao ser posicionado como alguém que é definido pelas suas falhas passa a ser internado repetidamente; (2) Discurso individualista e culpabilização da mãe uma vez que ela é descrita como superprotetora, inadequada e impotente; (3) Discurso alternativo baseado na perspectiva relacional que convidaria mãe e filho a se engajar em uma conversa colaborativa, criando um contexto onde novas formas de entendimento poderão surgir. Considera-se que para reduzir o número de reinternações dos usuários de drogas é necessário apoiar seus familiares por meio da ampliação da rede de cuidados, orientação sobre tratamentos ambulatoriais e acolhimento dos sentimentos e angústias da família. / In Brazil, the health policies that include care for alcohol and other drug users are recent. Despite the existence of community services, the drug users hospitalization is very frequent. Over the last years, compulsory and involuntary hospitalization has been applied on a large scale, especially, requested by families of people who consume alcohol and drugs. Studies shown few scientific evidences of the efficiency of those hospitalizations. This study aims to understand how the meanings about the compulsory or involuntary hospitalization of the person that uses alcohol and other drugs were constructed with the families. To achieve this, it has been a qualitative study, with social constructionist referential. The corpus consisted in 15 semistructured interviews conducted with the families of drug users that were previously taken by involuntary or compulsory hospitalization. The selection participant technique was made through snowball selection. The project was approved in the Ethical Committee of FCLRPUSP. In first place, it was made thematic analysis of interviews, considering the construction of meanings inside the historic-cultural context, their experiences of life, and their social interactions. In second place, a case study was made through one of the interviews conducted in order to analyze discourses involved in the seeking process of involuntary and compulsory hospitalizations. To achieve this, it was selected an interview with a participant who had requested 23 involuntary and five compulsory hospitalizations for her son. The corpus of analysis consisted by the full transcription of this interview and the field notes referring to it. Through the thematic analysis was constructed four themes: (1) Meanings about involuntary and compulsory hospitalization, in which the hospitalizations were construed such as education, care, abstinence, relief mainly for family members, protection from the dangers of the street, from drug dealers, police, and death. (2) Problematic drug uses consequences, such as reports of changes in the user behaviors, accumulation of losses in the drug users life, and the perceived stigma. (3) Feelings of the family, involving guilt, despair, frustration, shame and hopelessness in the face of this problem. (4) Attempts to help the family member, due to not knowing the community services for drug treatment and to focus only on abstinence. Through the discourses analysis, it were constructed three narratives: (1) individualistic discourse and deficit discourse that helped to position her son as somebody who is defined by his failures, and resulting in new hospitalizations. (2) Individualistic discourse and blaming the mother since she was described as overprotective, flawed, and powerless. (3) Alternative discourse based on the relational perspective that invited the mother and son to engage in a collaborative conversation, creating a context where new forms of understanding can emerge. In order to reduce the number of hospitalizations of drug users, it is necessary to support their relatives by publicizing services for community treatment, and helping the family to deal with distress.

Problem: Our opinion is that it is important to consider about usability in system development. In this thesis we will focus on usability in point-of-sale systems. The point-of-sale system we base this thesis on is Extenda Retail. Our case study is performed on Ica Kvantum in Bromölla, which implemented Extenda Retail about two years ago. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to figure out what important factors there are to consider, in usability aspects, when developing point-of-sale systems, with focus on the cashier. We also wish to find out the cashiers opinions about the Extenda Retail system. Method: The information gathered for this thesis consists of literature and interviews. All the information has been studied and analyzed. Result: We have reached the conclusion that the end users consider Extenda Retail to be a good point-of-sale system in usability aspects. It also shows that the guidelines we have chosen, with minor modifications, supports development of point-of-sale systems.

Cette thèse examine le processus de déploiement du service Vélib', l'infrastructure de vélos publics de Paris. En se penchant sur les multiples épreuves, pratiques et enquêtes qui rendent possibles le maintien et la permanence de l'infrastructure, elle développe l'argument selon lequel Paris, la première capitale dotée d'une technologie de vélos publics de grande ampleur, est devenu un terrain d'exploration où sont testés des savoirs et instruments relatifs à l'écologie urbaine, les utilisateurs et la mobilité. Il est montré que le devenir expérimental du service n'a jamais constitué une politique explicite, mais qu'il est le résultat de manières concrètes de concevoir et d'affronter les problèmes qui sont apparus. Plutôt que de partir d'une définition préexistante et parfaitement délimitée de ce qu'est l'objet Vélib', cette thèse analyse le dispositif à partir des opérations hétérogènes d'entretien qu'il nécessite, en montrant que chacun de ces arrangements fait agir le service différemment. Cette démarche, qui consiste à étudier le programme de vélos en libre-service en actes, tel qu'il se fabrique dans le travail ordinaire de tous les jours, contribue à ouvrir la voie à un nouveau registre des études sur la mobilité, et à élargir les questions sur les agences, les agencements et les activités qui configurent et fabriquent les infrastructures urbaines. / This doctoral dissertation examines the implementation process of the Parisian public bicycle infrastructure, Vélib'. By focusing on the numerous obstacles, practices and inquiries which allowed the infrastructure to be continued, it argues that Paris, as the first capital boasting a large-scale public bicycling scheme, became a real-life field for experimenting knowledge and tools regarding urban ecology, users and mobility. It demonstrates that the experimental development of the service was never an explicit policy, but rather the outcome of the concrete manners of dealing with and solving the problems that arose. Instead of using a preexisting and clear-cut definition of the Vélib' object, this dissertation analyzes the scheme through the different maintenance operations it requires, by showing how each of these interventions makes a difference in the way the service operates. This approach, which involves studying the public bicycling scheme in action, as it is shaped by its daily operations, lays the groundwork for a new angle of mobility studies and for a broader framing of the issue of agency, as well as the agencements and activities which configure and produce urban infrastructure

This research study identifies the role of library and information centres at the major science and technology related universities and research institutes in the six GeC countries i.e. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, in relation to the institutes/organisations research and development activities. It also had a comparative aspect in that it examined information resources and information services available in the institutes/organisations under study with users perceptions on the effectiveness and efficiency of library and information services. A survey research design utilizing questionnaires was chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for gathering the data needed with intensive interviews with academe, Deans/Directors of Library Information Centres and R&D personnel to answer the study's research questions. The different populations were queried including the Chief Executives of institutes/organisations, Deans/Directors of Library and Information Centres and selected R&D personnel associated with them. It was found that in spite of large library collections and a number of de-centralised library systems in all the universities, information services available to the R&D personnel were inadequate. The fmdings of this investigation provided the means for the development of the proposed regional and national library/information network systems for successful library and information services model presented in this study. As an alternative a GeC infonnation subsystem GCC-SIST has been recommended along with emphasis on an electronic information system.

Abstract The aim of this study was twofold: to develop a method for collecting voice data from natural working environments; and to study loading changes. Changes caused by loading were approached from two perspectives: the relationship between subjective complaints and objectively measured voice features, and the changes of objective variables during one working day. Subjects consisted of female teachers from primary and secondary schools. Six separate studies were carried out, the number of subjects for each one ranging from 3 to 33. The subjects were 33 - 59 years old. Recordings were made of their voices both during breaks and lessons with a portable DAT recorder. The recordings made during the breaks were collected on three days of one week, and four times on each week. The speech samples of the lessons were taken from the first and last lesson of the day. Subjects filled in a questionnaire about their voice, which divided them into two groups: those with few complaints (the FC group) and those with many complaints (the MC group). In addition, three subjects performed a laboratory voice loading task. The speech sample recorded during breaks was a maximally sustained [a], from which fundamental frequency (F0), jitter and shimmer were analyzed. The lesson samples were analyzed for F0, its standard deviation (F0 SD), sound pressure level (SPL), its standard deviation (SPL SD), F0 time ( = active vibration time of the vocal folds) and long-time average spectrum (LTAS). The laboratory samples (a simple reading task) were measured for F0. Additionally, an index (F0 x F0 time/ 1000) for assessing voice loading is presented. The results showed that voice complaints correlated with objectively measured voice features: the more the complaints, the higher the F0 and SPL, the larger the F0 SD and the steeper the tilt of the LTAS, the latter indicating that the voices of the MC group had a tendency towards a hypofunctional voice usage. In addition, at the end of the working week the shimmer values of the MC group were lower than those of the FC group. During the working day, the F0 rose, F0 SD and SPL SD increased and the LTAS levelled out (changes towards a hyperfunctional voice usage). Some of these changes are caused by the classroom situation, some by the teachers themselves, and some (obviously the changes of the F0 and the LTAS) by physiological alterations. Interestingly, the main changes, which were the F0 rise and levelling of the spectrum, occurred in the FC-group. The changes possibly reflect a normal adaptation of the human body, and they may act as an alarm system for avoiding excessive strain and exhaustion. The voice loading index correlated with the voice complaints. The experiment showed that the used method is well suited for the measurement of voices in working places. The maximally sustained phonation proved to be a suitable voice task for the measurement of the voice in working places where subjects have to do a task independently. The results also showed that F0 yields different values in different conditions and with different voice tasks. This deserves attention when defining standards for acoustic variables.

Aims - This thesis describes an open drug market and its suspected drug users in a Swedish city. This drug market is located at the local bus hub called Navet, in the city of Sundsvall, which has a reputation of being a place to avoid because of the substance abuse and accompanied crime. The aim was to disclose what happens at Navet that is associated with drug related activities. Method - two observers visited Navet from November 2016 to March 2017 at different times of the day with an ethnographic approach to take notes of the daily life at Navet, using their own experiences as basis for the description and analysis. No interactions with the actors at Navet were initiated by the observers. Results - Navet is more than just adrug market, it also provides a meaningful social aspect for the actors by spending time at Navet granting a feeling of belonging to a group. Four different groups of people were identified, the traveling citizens using Navet for transportation, people using navet as their meeting place without taking part of the drug activities, the suspected drug users and the young suspected drug users. The most frequent and openly used substances was alcohol followed by unspecified pills, other types of illegal substances were suspected to be common at Navet but never witnessed to be consumed. Conclusion - As rumored, Navet is a place where drugs and suspected drug users are present during almost all hours of the day. However, the generally perceived feeling of hostility and danger is exaggerated, contributing to a worse reputation of Navet compared to what can be supported through this study. / <p>2017-06-01</p>

The Internet and cyberspace are still relatively new occurrences in our lives, yet they already exert powerful influences over us. Research in South Africa is still limited and this is an attempt to begin correcting our lack of knowledge in the field. The study was conducted entirely in cyberspace. E-mail was used to gather information from six participants, who where recruited from the Quadriplegic Association of South Africa website. It is a qualitative examination of the unique experiences of spinal cord injured people, who are regularly interacting in cyber-communities with other injured people and people without injuries. The study attempts to describe the role that computer-mediated communication and cyber-communities play in the spinal cord injured person's self-concept. The information was collected in unstructured, asynchronous interviews, which were e-mailed on a regular basis. The participants included one woman and five men, with a mix of quadriplegic and paraplegic injuries. The questions revolved around two central themes: 1) the participant's experiences of other people offline and 2) their experiences of people online. These experiences were identified and grouped into 14 different categories. The categories were then integrated with the literature on cyberspace and self-concept theory. Although the participant group was small, their experiences were richly illustrated and often confirmed previous results by other cyberspace researchers. Essential to this study was the embodied isolation that participants experienced offline, which evoked a number of negative emotions and consequently affected the self-concept and self-esteem. Online the participants were often able to experience a release from isolation and felt empowered by the expansion in their social support Networks and the practical information they gained. In some cases self-esteem improved. In general, more skills and concepts were integrated, increasing the complexity of the self-concept. Applications of this study's results include greater rehabilitative speed and increased continued support for the spinal cord injured. The online spinal cord injured person can moderate her/his reintroduction to uninjured social circles. In certain situations, adapting to the new injured self-concept may become easier. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of banner advertising on the World Wide Web, as well as to explore and analyse the attitudes and behaviours of internet users towards banner advertising. The research objective was to determine, why people do not click on banners and to find ways in which advertisers can make banner advertisements appeal to consumers more effectively. Outcomes of the research suggested which features advertisers should avoid when developing clickable banners. An extensive literature review was carried out in order to highlight important aspects of historic research. The analysis conducted on this topic indicated that a gap exists in the area of public attitudes towards clickable banner advertising and the reasons why people avoid clicking on banners. To address the above questions, peoples’ attitudes towards banner and other Internet advertising were investigated through focus group interviews and surveys. The findings suggest that the main reason for the ignorance surrounding clickable banners was the low involvement between the product or service being advertised and the viewer’s interests. Other reasons included the high annoyance level of banner advertising and the threat of viruses that some banners may pose. Conclusions of the research recommend narrow targeting and personalisation of banner advertisements, constant rotations and replacements of banners to avoid burnouts as well as trustful and original appeal and content. Other important findings included: • The majority of people are indifferent towards banners, • People with less than three years of Internet experience tend to click more than people with more than three years of Internet experience, • Females showed more “clickable behaviour” than males, • People are more likely to click on banners which present interesting information, are bright and animated or promote catchy phrases for the surfer, • People prefer to see banners located on the top of the page or on the right side of the page, • Pop-ups are the most noticeable and are possibly the route cause of what triggers people to become annoyed or dislike banner ads, Findings of this research have high social value. If advertisers would take into account the results of the current study, they would be able to create more effective banners, which could effectively be redirected to the appropriate target market. This will enable them to cut their costs. Furthermore, online users would enjoy a more polite and friendly online environment, where their interests will be taken into account, which would diminish the current gap between customers and advertisers.