This thesis sets out to explore some important gaps in the sociological and feminist understanding of the provision of maternity care and of women's health needs. The research was concerned with an exploration of the implementation of proposals for the provision of user-centred maternity care which emerged from the critiques of current medicalised provision. It evaluates the effects of an attempt to provide user-centred maternity care within the Primary Health Care sector (PHC) from both the women's and workers' perspectives and experience. The central questions addressed within the research have been: Firstly, to assess the degree to which such models of service delivery provide a user centred approach. Secondly, to identify the form of the relationship between the women users and providers from the practices and to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between them. Thirdly, to explore the extent to which the provision of such care is appropriate to match women users' self identified needs. Finally, to assess the potential of female health workers to adopt a form of provider and user relationship where the balance of power is altered in the users' favour. The main body of the research consisted of a qualitative study conducted in two general practices. These were chosen as specific examples of innovative practices attempting to provide a genuinely user-centred maternity service. The fieldwork consisted of three methodological components: Firstly, unstructured interviews were conducted with women users and workers. A sample of 30 women who were pregnant for the first time were interviewed on three occasions during their pregnancy and in the immediate post-natal period. In addition, 10 second time mothers were also interviewed post-natally. In terms of the workers', in depth interviews were conducted with midwives, GPs and practice nurses within the PHC setting. Secondly, observations were undertaken on the interactions between the women and workers and between members of the PHC team during the course of the women's antenatal and post-natal care. Finally, a structured questionnaire was used with a sample of women from one of the practice's well woman clinic. The research findings indicate the existence of a user-centred frame of reference held by female health workers - especially the midwives - for the provision of health care to women, which was opposed to the medical model. It explores the translation into practice of this model of maternity care and identifies the way that it functioned to enable women to exercise greater control over their health care and experience of pregnancy. Within this model the traditional 'with woman' role of the midwife was found to be central. Considerable convergence was found between the models held by the main parties in the interaction - issues concerned with choice, control and the provision of information were all found to be central to the care provided and to women's and workers' models. However, constraints on the effective implementation of the model were found in terms of the influence of professionalism (particularly on the GPs) and the dominance of the hospital system. These resulted in limits to the women workers' ability to meet the needs of women users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Earl Woodruff.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2008. / "May 1, 2008." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Kinesiology." "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." Major professor: Camille O'Bryant, Ph.D. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-77). Also available online and on microfiche (2 sheets).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-146)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Dissertation (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of moderate exercise on iron status, dietary intake and cardiovascular fitness in 56- to 67-year-old women. Women 56- to 67-years-old were randomly assigned to two groups: exercise (n=8) or non-exercise (n=9) groups. Women in the exercise group cycled on an ergometer three days/week, 30 minutes/session at 70-75% maximal heart rate for 10 consecutive weeks. At weeks 0 and 11, submaximal treadmill stress tests were obtained to determine cardiovascular fitness level. Venous blood samples were also obtained at weeks 0 and 11 to determine serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. Three-day dietary and activity records were obtained from each subject at weeks 0 and 10. Using paired t-tests for statistical analysis, the data indicated a significant increase in time to reach 70% maximum heart rate (p<0.001), a significant decrease in average heart rate/grade (p<0.05) and a significant increase in hemoglobin concentrations (p<0.01) in the exercise group at week 11. Student t-tests indicated significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin concentration at week 0 (p<0.005) and hematocrit concentration at weeks 0 and 11 (p<0.05). The exercise group had significantly lower vitamin C and monounsaturated fatty acid intake than the non-exercise group at week 0 (p<0.05). No other significant differences in nutrient intakes were observed between or within the two groups. Caloric intakes varied widely between the two groups, ranging from 1223.0 ± 248.4 to 1533.3 ± 480.8 kcal at weeks 0 and 10 in the exercise group; 1270.1 ± 376.3 to 1348.7 ± 334.8 kcal in the non-exercise group. Intakes of zinc were less than 70% of the 1989 RDA in both groups, ranging from 56.9 ± 14.6 to 66.6 ± 16.3 percent. The results indicate that moderate exercise does not significantly change the dietary intake and all parameters of iron status but enhances the cardiovascular fitness level in 56- to 67-year-old women. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 E23 / Master of Science / Kinesiology