This formative research examines the effects of health promotion on girls' and young women's health behaviours. Health promotion campaigns targeting women have previously had variable success. Some have been criticised for containing unhelpful values and messages, for example, those that were seen to cause harm to women outside the target population or use of stereotypical symbolism to support the message. Within this study these are called 'unintended consequences'. The Young Women and Health Promotion (YW&HP) study examines the potential for unintended consequences (both negative and positive) of health promotion in general. The focus is then narrowed to examine in more detail whether the use of specific methodologies (such as social marketing), contribute to unintended consequences when promoting physical activity, nutrition and non- smoking messages to girls' and young women. These health behaviours were specifically targeted as they are known to be the major modifiable risk factors for women in the prevention of many chronic illnesses. / This formative research involved the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from 132 girls and young women across three age categories. These were Year 7 girls (Children - 11-12 years), Year 10 girls (Adolescents - 14-15 years) and young adults (18-25 years). Eighteen focus groups and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted to elicit responses to examine the effects of health promotion on girls' and young women's health behaviours, with particular focus on unintended effects. Current and past health promotion materials, plus a selection of commercial campaigns were utilized to prompt discussion within the groups. The discussion allowed the exploration of girls' and young women's motivators (enabling and reinforcing factors) for personal health behaviours, attitudes and responses to health promotion materials, and the longer-term impacts of health promotion campaigns. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed at the commencement of each focus group, which provided additional information and was later triangulated with the qualitative data. Limitations due to the cross-sectional nature and sampling process of the study mean the results cannot be generalized beyond the study population. However the findings demonstrated that young women are motivated by a complex set of factors. The most common factors influencing the study groups were body image, self-esteem, media and role models. / In addition young women of all age groups had a high awareness of the available messages in the areas studied. All groups discussed the increasing volume of health information available that is targeted at women. Participants noted much of the information originated from commercial sources. This in addition to public health initiatives resulted in increased 'health noise' to which they 'switched off. Furthermore the YW&HP study revealed the importance of written media for women. The young women in this study appreciated the need for mass media advertising, however, preferred to have take-home advice to process at their own time. Discussion of how women process information revealed these young women to be a critical and analytical audience that are often skeptical of health information. Prior to making a decision, therefore, most of the women underwent a process of internal and external validation which included cross referencing information with peers, friends, family and health professionals to establish its accuracy, credibility and validity. Hence the findings of this study would support the need for further exploration of media such as women's magazines to promote health to young women which may in turn prompt discussion with peers and therefore expedite the validation process. / Due to study limitations, results from this formative research need to be interpreted with caution. The results, however, would indicate the area of health promotion and how it communicates health information to young women would benefit from further investigation. The findings suggest many types of media currently being used to communicate health information to young women were useful and appropriate, specifically the use of social marketing media, which, was seen as a worthwhile and necessary strategy for this target group. Methods routinely used by commercial companies were also viewed as effective especially the use of women's magazines. As part of a comprehensive health promotion approach, this is a strategy, which may be an equally useful vehicle for public health messages. In conclusion, discussion with participants revealed a number of negative and positive unintended consequences. This would, therefore, support the need for further research in this area. Furthermore, the research has highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to the delivery of health information to young women. Best practice suggests this approach should adhere to ethical communication principles, which would enhance the intended outcomes of the communications whilst also assisting to maximize positive unintended consequences and minimize negative unintended consequences.

Denna uppsats belyser oavsiktliga konsekvenser som kan uppstå när skolpersonal rekommenderar läsvänliga böcker som skildrar utanförskap. Uppsatsen ämnar söka svar på om skolans pedagogiska åtgärd att rekommendera läsvänliga böcker kan ses som en oavsiktlig symbolisk våldföring samt undersöka vilka etiska dilemman som kan uppstå på grund av att böckerna skildrar utanförskap. Pierre Bourdieu och Jean-Claude Passerons teori om symboliskt våld och Donald Broadys teori om ”Den dolda läroplanen” visar att det finns en maktutövning mellan elever och lärare. Robert K. Mertons teori om oavsiktliga konsekvenser visar vilka konsekvenser som kan uppstå till följd av målmedvetna sociala handlingar. Den tidigare forskning som presenteras i uppsatsen pekar bland annat på att ungdomar ser ett samband mellan skolmisslyckanden och socialt utanförskap. Efter textanalys av Kim Olins bokserie samt blogginlägg skrivna av lärare och skolbibliotekarier har resultaten visat att tillhandahållandet av denna typ av läsvänlig litteratur kan ses som en form av symbolisk våldföring samt att det finns ett etiskt dilemma i böckernas innehåll i relation till den tänkta läsaren. / The aim of this essay is to seek an answer to if a schools educational measures in their recommendation of reader-friendly books can be seen as an utterance of symbolic violence and to examine what kind of ethical dilemmas can arise from a book that portrays social exclusion. Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron’s theories of symbolic violence and Donald Broady’s theory of the hidden curriculum show that teachers wield and exercise a kind of power against and in relation to their students. Robert K. Merton’s theory about unintended consequences exemplifies the kinds of consequences that purposive social action can have. Previous research presented in this essay show that young people often see a correlation between academic failures and social exclusion. After a textual analysis of Kim Olin’s book series about Simon, and blog posts written by teachers and school librarians, our results show that a provision of this type of reader-friendly literature can be seen as an action of symbolic violence against the reciever, and that there is an ethical dilemma to be found in the books subject matter in relation to the intended reader.

xvii, 232 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Beginning in the 1970s, states adopted sentencing reforms as a response to a growing number of concerns in the criminal justice system. These reforms included sentencing guidelines, statutory presumptive sentencing, determinate sentencing, truth in sentencing, and three strikes laws. Each reform has become an important part of the judicial system. These "fixed" reforms shifted sentencing from the indeterminate-rehabilitation sentencing model to a more predetermined-deterrence model. The reforms' main purpose is to limit judicial discretion by insuring convicted felons receive a reasonably standard sentence depending on the crime they committed. Few studies have attempted to systematically answer the question of whether these reforms produced the outcomes stated by their supporters. This analysis utilizes a social chain theory, which suggests the socio-political context of the law and order movement interacted with structural-procedural changes in the justice system that led to unintended consequences. The study assesses the effects of sentencing reforms on shifts in year-to-year changes in general incarceration rates, changes in the racial/ethnic composition of imprisonment, and changes in the gender composition of imprisonment. It also assesses the social, political, and demographic characteristics of states that change the rate of adoption of sentencing reforms across all 50 states from the years 1965 to 2008 on the aggregate state level. This study finds, counter to most previous findings, that sentencing reforms are associated with higher rates of imprisonment. The results further suggest mechanisms are at work that unintentionally "target" historically disadvantaged groups, perpetuating inequalities within the criminal justice system instead of easing them. This result is counter to some of the policies' stated goals. Conversely, the results suggest that drug arrest rates and not sentencing reforms are associated with the narrowing gender gap in imprisonment. Finally, the results indicate that state-level characteristics are important in predicting which states will adopt sentencing reforms. From a policy perspective, rapid changes in the composition of imprisonment can be a logistical and financial burden, and these results shed light onto the specific mechanisms causing a portion of the change. This dissertation includes previously unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Robert O Brien, Chairperson, Sociology; Jean Stockard, Member, Planning Public Policy & Mgmt; James Elliott, Member, Sociology; Hill Walker, Outside Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences

Background: College settings are likely environments for Black women to contract STIs (including HIV) or experience unintentional/unwanted pregnancies. Effective prevention strategies for this population include dialogue and activities that focus on gender, maturity, cultural barriers, personal strength, and information needs. However, technological advancements (including virtual reality) and innovation are limited in prevention efforts. Methods: Four 90-minute focus group sessions were conducted in a convenience sample of Black college females (ages 18 years or older) and a research-intensive public institution in the southeast. A series of surveys were distributed during each audio-recorded focus group session. A mixed-method approach to data analysis was based on applications of the Health Belief Model constructs to three principal research questions: (1) Q1: How do Black college females perceive the importance of sexual risk topics? (2) What are the experiences and attitudes of Black college females regarding the use of VR for education and training versus video game entertainment (i.e. “gaming)? and (3) Among Black college females, what sexual risk topics are considered most relevant to a VR education and training platform? Results: Each of four study cohorts enrolled between 2-6 participants each (n=15). Participant ages ranged from 18-48 (x̅=28.6, σ=9.2) years within age groups of 18-24 years (60%, n=9), 25-34 years (26.7%, n=4), and 35 years or above (13.3%, n=2). The majority of participants (86.7%, n=13) were enrolled as full-time students, and resided in various off-campus locations (73.3%; n=11). Assessments of sexual risk topic importance were reported based on aggregated Survey 1 Lickert scale values. The majority of participants equally viewed the topics of HIV and STI status as important, mostly important, or very important. Other notable concerns include sex with drug/alcohol use, risk of intimate partner violence, and sexual communication (e.g. partners and peers. Despite the lack of formal virtual reality knowledge, the majority of participants reported experience with VF technology via “gaming” (e.g. SIMS). They also concluded that a virtual reality platform for sexual health education and training should involve comprehensive approaches to HIV/STI and unintentional pregnancy via use of barrier methods, including birth control, as well as facilitation of sexual communication. Discussion: This research represents a unique approach to the identification of sexual health risk importance for HIV/STI transmission, as well as unintentional pregnancy, in Black college females. Although a successful demonstration of feasibility, this research is formative in nature – results should be interpreted as preliminary. However, methods and concepts presented in this thesis hold the potential for scientific contribution in prevention research, clinical practice, and other fields of study.

Magister Artium - MA / Globally, teenage pregnancy remains a disturbing phenomenon which impacts on the lives of teenagers, their families and society as a whole. Numerous attempts at addressing the problem have seen a decline in fertility rates but agreement still exists that the incidence of young girls bearing children is unacceptably high. Studies conducted over the years have emphasised both the causes and consequences of teenage births. Many studies too have explored the benefits of preventative strategies. Yet, despite all this, teenage pregnancy remains a cause for concern with many teenage girls remaining sexually active after a first pregnancy, and exposing themselves to subsequent pregnancies and births. This study was focused on teenage girls who had experienced unintended repeat pregnancies. Through the research a deeper understanding of the meanings that female teenagers ascribe to repeat pregnancies, were sought. A sample group of teenage mothers were allowed to take a step back from their experience of the repeat pregnancy; to think deeply about the experience, and to reflect on what they had learnt and how it has impacted on their current lives. The researcher employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive, explorative design in order to obtain a rich description of the experiences of teenage mothers who have been through a repeat pregnancy. The goal of the study was to explore and describe the reflections of these teenage mothers who had experienced unintended, repeat pregnancies. Data was obtained through semi-structured individual interviews where an interview guide was used. The data was analysed according to the steps outlined by Creswell (2009). Findings were noted and recommendations made. These recommendations are designed for role-players involved with teenagers and youth in general. Emphasis was placed on recommendations to professionals, like educators, healthcare workers and social workers who are at the coalface of dealing with teenagers who engage in sexual activity. Finally, recommendations for further research were made.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Dual protection is protection against unwanted pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and a means of achieving safer sex and birth control (WHO, 2012). It is one of the essential tools promoted by the WHO for preventing unintended pregnancies and sexual transmitted infections among HIV-positive women to reduce dual risk of unintended pregnancies, re-infections and transmission of HIV in the cases of sero-discordant couples. However, the use of dual method use among HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe is poorly described. Hence to fill in the existing research gap, this study aims to explore the factors influencing dual protection use by HIV- positive women participating in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program in an urban setting in Zimbabwe. Methodology: A qualitative exploratory study design with a combination of qualitative research methods including interviews and focus group discussions was conducted. A total of five focus group discussions (FGDs) each consisting of 8-12 participants was conducted with a total of 51 women. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants. All interviews and FGDs were audio recorded using a digital voice recorder. The interviews were conducted in Shona and translated into English. Data analysis was done manually using thematic coding. Codes emerged from the data using an inductive approach. Ethical principles of research and rigour were observed throughout the study. Results: Dual protection use was low among the HIV-positive women. Absolutely non-use of contraceptive was reported by some women. The main methods of contraceptives were the pill, depo provera and condoms. Inconsistent condom use was mentioned among the few women who reported using condoms. Many barriers to contraceptives use among HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe were identified. However there were a few facilitating factors too. Health system factors associated with health care workers (HCWs) related factors and service delivery processes were reported as major barriers to contraceptive use. Women expressed negative attitude towards condom use associating them with unfaithfulness. Facilitators of contraceptive use identified were couples' HIV testing and counselling, women's increase in CD4 count result, fear of vertical transmission and HIV sero-discordance between couples. Conclusion and Recommendations: In conclusion, dual protection use among HIV-positive women in this community was low. Health system factors were the main barriers to contraceptives use whilst health related factors were the main facilitators. HIV-positive women still face challenges in accessing and utilisation of contraceptives. Hence the barriers to contraceptive use needs to be addressed at the same time promoting the facilitators.

The aim of this dissertation is to present the issue of legal possession of firearms in the Czech Republic and identify problematic areas within this topic. Dissertation examines whether the current policy of legal possession of firearms is adequate, considering all consequences that this possession brings. Considerable attention is paid to this policy tools and unintended consequences. Dissertation uses the method of desk- research. Within its boundaries content analysis and comparison of available data and documents is made. In the empirical part semi-standardized questionnaire with experts selected from specific areas was conducted as well as a questionnaire survey with license applicants and holders. The main bodies of theory are cultural theory of risk and other heuristics describing distorted risk perception, as well as ethnic security dilemma, which is relevant considering the current threats. Particular empirical support was found, which suggests misperception of risks, when insignificant risks -as driving force for firearms acquisition - are overrated. Firearms holders and applicant are therefore influenced by unfounded fear. Dissertation shows new perspective on the impact of weapons in dealing with emergencies and coexistence with migrants. Examined group of firearms license holders and...

BACKGROUND: Most women within reproductive ages living in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, have limited or no access to education on sexual and reproductive health and contraception, yet about 1.9 billon women in LMICs own a mobile phone. The exposure to digital health services has the potential to contribute to improving awareness, influencing positive perceptions, beliefs and promoting SRH and contraception.AIM: To explore user views and perceptions on the Grace Health’s (a digital health service) ability to improve awareness on sexual reproductive health and contraception among Ghanaian, Nigerian and Kenyan women aged 18-35.METHODOLOGY: A qualitative design using phenomenography to interview women remotely on women’s perception of digital health services through their own experience with using the Grace health chat bot and app. Also, their views were sought on how other women are gaining awareness and impacts on sexual reproductive health and contraception from the digital health services.RESULTS: Seven categories on digital health services emerged, with key findings presented as Safe days, ovulation as contraception, impacts on SRH, Avoiding or seeking pregnancy and influence on perception.CONCLUSION: This qualitative study gives insight for research community, public health professionals, app designers, health care providers, stakeholders and civil society organisations in making decisions regarding the use of digital health service as strategic, innovative instruments for interventions in major key indicators of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

Master of Public Health - MPH / The problem of the unmet need for contraception continues to affect contraceptive uptake particularly the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Globally, Sub-Saharan Africa is reported to have the highest unmet contraceptive need. For example, nearly 50 % of married women of reproductive age, wanting to avoid pregnancy or plan when to have children, are reportedly not using contraception. More specifically, the prevalence of contraceptive use, in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe where the Gweru District is situated, is estimated to be only 11%. This study examined the uptake of and reasons for use of different types of modern contraceptives; the factors influencing contraceptive use; discontinuation of use and non-use and reasons thereof for contraception and for long-acting reversible contraception in particular, amongst women in the Gweru district attending contraceptive services.

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