Nurses as health care workers are at risk of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and others. At health care settings exposure to bloodborne pathogens can cause infections through needlestick injuries. The objectives of this research were to determine factors surrounding recapping needles in hospital nurses and to implement an educational strategy to reduce the recapping practices. It was a descriptive and exploratory approach where the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE/PROCEDE Model was used as the framework to systematize and analyze the information obtained from the focus group sessions. A total of 120 nurses participated from four different departments. The study was conducted in three phases: diagnosis, implementation and evaluation of the educational strategy. The results obtained from the focus group sessions revealed that predisposing, reinforcing, enabling and environment factors were related to the practice of recapping and needlestick injuries. Most of this information represented the essential basis for the implementation of the educational strategy. During the diagnostic phase, the percentage of needles without recapping was 24% contrasting with 40% found after the educational strategy. The percentage difference (16%) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The odds ratios calculation in the departments studied showed that the educational strategy was a protective factor to avoid the recapping of used needles. An important conclusion is that the educational strategy, which focused on the practice and habit of what should be done (e.g., NOT recapping used needles), contributed to the decrease in recapping practice. However, nurses perceived did it not provide a safe working environment. The implications are focused on: nurses and hospital management have to engage in an active role to promote a safety work environment where nurses and other health care workers can be protected. The incorporation of educational strategies, continuous and updated training, as well as the evaluation and monitoring process can play a determinant role in the control of hazard exposures. It is imperative that a safe and healthy workplace for the personnel be provided; not less important is the acquisition of equipment and devices for sharp handling and disposal, to complement the prevention of accidents related to needlestick injuries.

<p>Titel: Fonders förvaltningsavgifter vs avkastning – Lönar det sig att betala lite mer eller är det bara dumdristigt?</p><p>Seminariedatum: 2008-06-04</p><p>Ämne/kurs: Magisteruppsats/ D-nivå</p><p>Författare: Anna Asplund och Malin Elfving</p><p>Handledare: Stig Westerdahl</p><p>Nyckelord: Fonder, Förvaltningsavgifter, TKA, Avkastning</p><p>Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om det föreligger ett samband mellan fonders förvaltningsavgifter och dess avkastning samt om avkastningen och förvaltningsavgifterna skiljer sig mellan olika fondtyper.</p><p>Metod: Studien bygger på en deduktiv forskningsansats eftersom vi utgår från befintliga begrepp och teorier. Då vi ville undersöka en stor population har vi använt oss av en kvantitativ forskningsstrategi. Studien grundar sig på åren 2004-2007. För att bestämma ett samband mellan de två variablerna förvaltningsavgift och avkastning har vi använt oss av regressionsanalyser. För att undersöka om avkastningen och förvaltningsavgifterna skiljer sig åt mellan de olika fondtyperna har vi använt oss av medelvärdesanalyser.</p><p>Empiri: Vi har hämtat data gällande förvaltningsavgifter och avkastning på de fonder som ingår i urvalet från Morningstar som är en oberoende utgivare av fondinformation.</p><p>Slutsatser: Studiens resultat visar att ett samband mellan fondernas avkastning och dess förvaltningsavgift (TKA) endast kan fastställas år 2005, då ett negativt samband föreligger. Detta år visar indikationer på att det finns skillnader i resultaten och att det inte beror på slumpen. De resterande åren kan resultaten dels bero på slumpen samt har de en dålig förklaringsgrad vilket innebär att resultaten i studien ej kan skildra verkligheten. Räntefonderna är den fondtyp som har den lägsta genomsnittliga avkastningen under den undersökta perioden, aktiefonderna har den högsta. Räntefonderna har även den lägsta genomsnittliga TKA medan den fondtyp som i denna studie har den högsta genomsnittliga TKA är fond-i-fonder.</p> / <p>Title: Mutual funds; administration fees vs. proceeds – Is it profitable to pay a bit more or is it just foolish?</p><p>Seminar date: 2008-06-04</p><p>Course: Master Thesis/D-level</p><p>Authors: Anna Asplund and Malin Elfving</p><p>Advisor: Stig Westerdahl</p><p>Keywords: Mutual funds, Administration fees, TKA, Proceed</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate if there is a connection between the administration fees of mutual funds and their proceeds. The study aims to examine different kinds of funds which invests in different kinds of markets and if there are differences between these funds.</p><p>Methodology: The study is founded on a deductive research effort since we take our starting-point in existing terminology and theories. Since we wanted to examine a large population we used a quantitative research strategy. In order to determine a connection between the two variables; administration fee and proceed we have used regression-analysis.</p><p>Empirical foundation: We have collected data concerning administration fees and proceed on the funds in the selection from Morningstar, which is an independent publisher of mutual fund information</p><p>Conclusion: It is only for the year of 2005 the study shows a possible negative connection between the administration fees of mutual funds and their proceeds. For the unit trusts a possible connection cannot be established for any of the examined years.</p>

Titel: Fonders förvaltningsavgifter vs avkastning – Lönar det sig att betala lite mer eller är det bara dumdristigt? Seminariedatum: 2008-06-04 Ämne/kurs: Magisteruppsats/ D-nivå Författare: Anna Asplund och Malin Elfving Handledare: Stig Westerdahl Nyckelord: Fonder, Förvaltningsavgifter, TKA, Avkastning Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om det föreligger ett samband mellan fonders förvaltningsavgifter och dess avkastning samt om avkastningen och förvaltningsavgifterna skiljer sig mellan olika fondtyper. Metod: Studien bygger på en deduktiv forskningsansats eftersom vi utgår från befintliga begrepp och teorier. Då vi ville undersöka en stor population har vi använt oss av en kvantitativ forskningsstrategi. Studien grundar sig på åren 2004-2007. För att bestämma ett samband mellan de två variablerna förvaltningsavgift och avkastning har vi använt oss av regressionsanalyser. För att undersöka om avkastningen och förvaltningsavgifterna skiljer sig åt mellan de olika fondtyperna har vi använt oss av medelvärdesanalyser. Empiri: Vi har hämtat data gällande förvaltningsavgifter och avkastning på de fonder som ingår i urvalet från Morningstar som är en oberoende utgivare av fondinformation. Slutsatser: Studiens resultat visar att ett samband mellan fondernas avkastning och dess förvaltningsavgift (TKA) endast kan fastställas år 2005, då ett negativt samband föreligger. Detta år visar indikationer på att det finns skillnader i resultaten och att det inte beror på slumpen. De resterande åren kan resultaten dels bero på slumpen samt har de en dålig förklaringsgrad vilket innebär att resultaten i studien ej kan skildra verkligheten. Räntefonderna är den fondtyp som har den lägsta genomsnittliga avkastningen under den undersökta perioden, aktiefonderna har den högsta. Räntefonderna har även den lägsta genomsnittliga TKA medan den fondtyp som i denna studie har den högsta genomsnittliga TKA är fond-i-fonder. / Title: Mutual funds; administration fees vs. proceeds – Is it profitable to pay a bit more or is it just foolish? Seminar date: 2008-06-04 Course: Master Thesis/D-level Authors: Anna Asplund and Malin Elfving Advisor: Stig Westerdahl Keywords: Mutual funds, Administration fees, TKA, Proceed Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate if there is a connection between the administration fees of mutual funds and their proceeds. The study aims to examine different kinds of funds which invests in different kinds of markets and if there are differences between these funds. Methodology: The study is founded on a deductive research effort since we take our starting-point in existing terminology and theories. Since we wanted to examine a large population we used a quantitative research strategy. In order to determine a connection between the two variables; administration fee and proceed we have used regression-analysis. Empirical foundation: We have collected data concerning administration fees and proceed on the funds in the selection from Morningstar, which is an independent publisher of mutual fund information Conclusion: It is only for the year of 2005 the study shows a possible negative connection between the administration fees of mutual funds and their proceeds. For the unit trusts a possible connection cannot be established for any of the examined years.

Underwriter need to participate in the process of new issue firms going public. Related reference about Taiwan's underwriter IPOs market share haven't appear. In this study, we expect to find out the relationship between Taiwan's underwriter IPOs market share and some related factors. Then offer issuer, underwriter and investor the conclusion as reference. The IPOs samples are selected during the period 1991 through 2000 in Taiwan. There are 475 newly issued firms in this period. We subtract some incomplete data samples and bank samples.There are 247 IPOs samples in our regression model. Although underwriter IPOs market share is less significantly impacted by IPOs offer price , results imply that when offer price is too low,this would damage issuer's benefit and lead to underwriter IPOs market share decrease. When offer price is too high, this would damage investor's benefit and just lightly lead to underwriter IPOs market share decrease. Results show that there is no industry specialization in Taiwan's underwriter industry. Although underwriter IPOs market share is less significantly impacted by IPOs one year performance,results imply that when underwriter market higher one year return IPOs, this would attract more investors and lead to underwriter IPOs market share increase.Results show that underwriter IPOs market share is significantly impacted by nderwriter's asset and age. The underwriter with larger asset and larger age gains more IPOs market share.

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a recognized risk for occupationally-related transmission of bloodborne pathogens (BBP). The occurrence of NSIs and BBP exposures among firefighters (FFs) and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel has been documented. The purposes of this study were: 1) to define the problem of NSI among FFs and EMS personnel in a suburban fire department (FD) and identify practices and factors that influence sharps use and safety; 2) design and implement and intervention to promote safer sharps device usage; and 3) to measure the effectiveness of the intervention among FFs and EMS personnel. A multi-phase, mixed methods approach was used that included a diagnosis phase that utilized a mixed methods exploratory design, an intervention period, and a quantitative evaluation phase that used a before and after evaluation design. In the diagnosis phase, data regarding sharps device practices were obtained through a count of discarded sharps devices. Qualitative data regarding sharps practices and factors which influenced those practice were obtained via focus groups. The PRECEDE/PROCEED model (PPM) was used as the theoretical framework for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention to increase the occurrence of safer sharps device behaviors and decrease the frequency of riskier sharps device behaviors. The evaluation phase included a post-intervention sharps count and a post-intervention survey to assess changes in sharps practices and the impact of the intervention. During the baseline sharps count, 2743 sharps devices were counted and classified according to pre-established categories of safer or risky behaviors for NSI. Altered safety devices on IV stylets were the highest count for unsafe behaviors (n=105), followed by recapped traditional needles (n= 53). A statistically significant increase in risky behaviors was observed in discarded sharps from engines, as opposed to ambulances, among all sharps devices combined (p=0.000) and IV stylets (p=0.000). When comparing advanced life support (ALS) medications to all other medications, a statistically significant increase in unsafe behaviors occurred among all sharps devices combined (p=0.000) and prefilled syringes (p=0.000). Input from eight focus groups of firefighters allowed for identification of multiple themes which guided the development of an intervention. The intervention included distribution of a hands-on training kit and booklet, expansion of an existing required BBP training, and posters to increase awareness regarding NSI prevention. In the evaluation phase, a total of 2178 sharps devices were counted and classified in a post-intervention sharps count. Altered safety devices on IV stylets were the highest count of unsafe behaviors (n=50). Recapped traditional needles were the second highest count of unsafe behaviors (n=27), but experienced an 18.7% drop in frequency when compared to baseline. When comparing riskier behaviors to the pre-intervention baseline sharps count, statistically significant decreases in risky behaviors were observed in all sharps devices combined ( 2=25.71, p=0.000), IV stylets (2=16.87, p=0.000), and traditional needles (=5.07, p=0.024). A post-intervention survey, consisting of 15 Likert scale questions, was returned by 165 out of 383 active field personnel (41.3%). Results indicated high frequencies of strongly agree and somewhat agree responses regarding risk perception; the importance of using safer needle devices; the impact of the intervention on safer needle practices and sharps safety awareness. Critical predisposing, reinforcing, enabling, and environmental factors which influenced sharps device practices were identified. This study identified factors and practices which influenced unsafe sharps device behaviors. Due to the statistically significant decreases in risky behavior in the post-intervention sharps count and the positive responses in the post-intervention survey, it can be concluded that the intervention did positively impact sharps device behavior and reduced the risk of NSI. The implications of the study are numerous and include a need to explore these practices and factors at other fire departments and EMS agencies, address gaps in regulations; promote research targeting FFs and EMS personnel in regard to NSI, and promote a nationwide effort to prevent NSI among emergency responders.

Problématique: Devant les recommandations de concevoir des interventions éducatives en santébucco-dentaire intégrées dans des modèles de promotion de la santé (Petersen, 2010), le constat est fait, aprèsune recension qualitative des écrits en s’adossant au modèle Precede-Proceed (Green et Kreuter, 1991) qu’ilexiste peu d’études sur les représentations cognitives en santé bucco-dentaire des personnes âgées autonomes enparticulier sur la maladie carieuse, la gingivite, la mobilité dentaire, la sécheresse buccale et le bruxisme.Objectif : Identifier les représentations cognitives, selon Meunier (2002), exprimées dans le comportement desanté bucco-dentaire. Méthode: Suivant la méthode qualitative de la théorisation ancrée, l’analyse des verbatimest réalisée de l’étape de codification à l’étape de mise en relation (Paillé,1994). L’échantillon, non représentatif,repose sur 12 répondants volontaires (5 hommes et 7 femmes, de 66 ans à 90 ans). Les entretiens semi-directifssont menés à l’aide d’un guide d’entretien, préalablement testé, qui s’appuie sur plusieurs concepts dont leHealth Belief Model. Il comprend : un état de santé déclaré, une description de sa propre santé bucco-dentaire etune description du répondant et de ses ressources. Résultats : Les représentations cognitives, favorables ou non,sont proportionnellement plus présentes au niveau de l’attribution causale et du mécanisme d’apparition desmaladies bucco-dentaires. Les répondants expriment une proportion importante de « je ne sais pas» concernantles maladies en santé orale sauf pour la maladie carieuse. Ils ne se perçoivent pas comme malade. La notion debonne santé orale est difficile à définir autrement que par opposition à une mauvaise santé orale. Enfin, alors queles thèmes ne sont pas questionnés dans le guide d’entretien, l’esthétique et les préoccupations financièresoccupent une place importante dans les discours. Discussion : Ces résultats font émerger des obstaclesreprésentationnels vis-à-vis de la santé orale et mettent en exergue les différentes caractéristiques d’uncomportement en santé orale. Ils semblent confirmer que l’étape du diagnostic éducatif est incontournable dansla conception d’un programme d’éducation en santé orale car elle permet, entre autre, de faire émerger lesreprésentations cognitives, les connaissances déjà acquises et les nombreuses incertitudes. Il est à noter que touteintervention en éducation doit prévoir une définition positive de la santé orale. Conclusion : La poursuite derecherche s’avère nécessaire afin de répondre aux objectifs d’une intervention éducative. Un des principauxenjeux est l’adoption par l’individu d’un raisonnement basé sur l’acquisition de connaissances et de savoir luipermettant de prendre des décisions plus favorables à sa santé. / Premise: Given the need to develop educational programmes integrated into more generalmodels to promote oral health (Petersen, 2010), we observe that there are few studies on the cognitiverepresentations of the independent elderly on oral health. This observation is made after an qualitative review ofthe literature drawing on the Precede-Proceed model (Green et Kreuter, 1991). The lack of studies on this topicis especially apparent regarding tooth decay, gingivitis, dental mobility, dry mouth and bruxism. Aims: Toidentify the cognitive representations, defined by Meunier (2002), present in oral health behaviour. Method:According to the qualitative method of Grounded theory, the verbatim’s analysis is realized from the codingstage up to the integrating stage (Paillé, 1994). The sample, non-representative, is based on 12 voluntaryrespondents (5 men and 7 women, aged from 66 years to 90 years). The semi-directive interviews are led with aninterview guide based on the reference design of the Health Belief Model. Data includes reported health status,reported description of the respondent and their resources and reported description of their own oral health.Results: The categories of causal attribution and mechanism of appearance include most of cognitiverepresentations, either positive or negative. The respondents express an important proportion of “ I don’t know”regarding diseases in oral health, with the exception of cavities. They do not perceive themselves as sick persons.They define a good oral health only as opposed to poor oral health. Finally, while these topics are not addressedin the interview guide, aesthetics and financial concerns occupy an important place in the discourses.Discussion: These results reveal the representational barriers to improved oral health behaviour and stress thevarious characteristics of it. The results contribute to structuring a relevant educational diagnosis that isnecessary to prior in an education programme. Every health educational programme must include a positive oralhealth definition. Conclusion: There is a need for further research to address the objectives of educationalprogrammes. The main stake is to bring people to adopting knowledge based on reasoning yielding improvedoral health decisions.

Background: Healthcare workers’ hand hygiene remains a key pillar because it prevents and controls healthcare associated infections. Healthcare Workers’ hand hygiene compliance is suboptimal. Aim: The study developed contextualised guidelines for Healthcare Workers’ hand hygiene and infection control in patient care. Methods: The Precede-Proceed model with Theory of Planned Behaviour guided the study. The study was conducted following the mixed methodology approach, observational survey, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature study with mixed thematic analyses in a research wheel process. Data were collected through direct participant observation of hand hygiene opportunities through observing (n=95 Healthcare Workers; n=570 practices). Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from Healthcare workers (n=189) regarding challenges they faced in achieving hand hygiene. Structured interviews were conducted with patients (n=574). Retrospective reviews of healthcare associated infections and their associated mortalities were carried out from mortality records. Data were analysed retrospectively. Partly the data were statistically and mixed thematically analysed. Guidelines were developed using intervention alignment throughout, mapping, matching, pooling, patching and validation corroborated with Precede-Proceed models’ best practices. The study was ethically reviewed and approved by University of South Africa and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe project numbers, 6067662 and MRCZ/B/208. Results: Hand hygiene non-compliances were mostly found in the following contexts, after touching patients’ surroundings, and before doing an aseptic procedure. A non-hand hygiene compliance of Healthcare workers 167(29.3%) and compliance 403(70.7%) in context was suboptimal with sad patients and challenges faced by Healthcare workers. Conclusion: Healthcare Workers had gaps in hand hygiene compliance and availability of required resources. Gaps were also noted in ongoing hand hygiene promotion educational strategies and guidelines to comply and prevent. Guidelines to enhance hand hygiene included, attend to hand hygiene strictly after touching patient surroundings, bed linen, lockers and curtains to prevent gastroenteritis; follow standard precautions against HCAIs from spreading to patients' environments; and comply with hand hygiene guidelines, policies and regulations for best practice with patients. The study contributes generalisable knowledge. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)