This study examined healthcare professionals’ perceptions on feeding difficulties experienced by infants with NOWS, the involvement of SLP in care, knowledge and experience levels of professionals, and trends in education and follow up care. A 34-question survey was developed to obtain data from participants involved in the care of exposed infants using the secure webbased RedCap™ platform. Nonparametric inferential statistics and descriptive analysis were used to interpret data. Feeding difficulties in infants exposed were reported by all respondents with SLP involvement reported by 42.2%. Results found that 51.9% of respondents were confident in their ability to educate families about feeding difficult with 60% reported inadequate time to provide education. Discharge follow up was inconsistent amongst facilities. The study supports early involvement of SLPs to address feeding difficulties and improve education.

This qualitative study was done in Livingstone, Zambia, and used focus group discussions to investigate the reasons that youths aged 15 to 24 years see as justifying, or compelling, their non-use of recommended methods for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. It focused on four methods, namely abstinence, condom use, voluntary counseling and testing, and mutual faithfulness. The study found that non-adherence to HIV preventative methods is linked to variables in the process of adolescent growth and development, to contextual variables in society, to characteristics of products and services associated with these HIV preventative methods, and to disease characteristics of HIV itself. A key conclusion of this study is that to improve the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs among the youths it is essential that factors that hinder adherence to preventative methods are recognized and addressed. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

This qualitative study was done in Livingstone, Zambia, and used focus group discussions to investigate the reasons that youths aged 15 to 24 years see as justifying, or compelling, their non-use of recommended methods for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. It focused on four methods, namely abstinence, condom use, voluntary counseling and testing, and mutual faithfulness. The study found that non-adherence to HIV preventative methods is linked to variables in the process of adolescent growth and development, to contextual variables in society, to characteristics of products and services associated with these HIV preventative methods, and to disease characteristics of HIV itself. A key conclusion of this study is that to improve the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs among the youths it is essential that factors that hinder adherence to preventative methods are recognized and addressed. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies

Ärzte sind in einer multikulturellen Gesellschaft gefordert, gesundheitsrelevante kulturelle Besonderheiten wie das religiös motivierte Fasten zu berücksichtigen, welches in unterschiedlicher Ausprägung in vielen Religionen eine zentrale Rolle einnimmt. Im Judentum gibt es vierundzwanzigstündige Fastenzeiten mit strikter Nahrungs- und Flüssigkeitskarenz. Im Christentum gibt es Fasten, welche eine veränderte Zusammensetzung der Nahrung während der Fastentage vorsehen, wie das Fasten der griechisch-orthodoxen Kirche oder das Daniel Fasten, während bei römisch-katholischen oder protestantischen Fastenexerzitien oft Heilfasten mit Nahrungskarenz praktiziert werden. Im muslimischen Mondmonat Ramadan wird tagsüber sowohl auf Nahrung als auch auf Trinken verzichtet. Das Hauptziel dieser Arbeit war, die bisher erforschten Auswirkungen der verschiedenen Fastenarten auf anthropometrische Parameter, Blutfettwerte und Hämodynamik bei normalgewichtigen, gesunden Fastenden zu untersuchen. Die Literaturrecherche wurde vorwiegend in pubmed und für das Heilfasten zusätzlich in zwei Spezialbibliotheken durchgeführt. Bei der Auswertung erfolgte zur Verbesserung der Vergleichbarkeit der Ergebnisse eine Einteilung der Studien in Gruppen nach definierten Qualitätskriterien. Zur Beurteilung der Ergebnisse wurde einzeln auf die untersuchten Themenkomplexe eingegangen. Anthropometrische Parameter: Während beim Jom Kippur nur eine leichte Abnahme des Körpergewichts aufgrund von Verschiebungen im Flüssigkeitshaushalt vorkamen, konnten bei einwöchigem Heilfasten und beim Daniel Fasten keine signifikanten Ergebnisse dokumentiert werden. Beim griechisch-orthodoxen und Ramadan-Fasten zeigte sich eine Abnahmetendenz für Gewicht und Body-mass-Index (BMI), welche sich mit der Länge des Fastens zu verstärken scheint. Für keine der Fastenarten konnte bisher ein Rebound- Effekt nachgewiesen werden. Blutfette: Im Fettstoffwechsel beobachtete Veränderungen während des Jom Kippur sind aufgrund der Kürze des Fastens lediglich als passager zu bewerten. Die zum griechisch-orthodoxen und Daniel Fasten vorliegenden Studien konnten bisher die Reduktion des Gesamt- und LDL-Cholesterols belegen, während beim Heilfasten die kurzfristigen Effekte widersprüchlich erscheinen und wenig Langzeitergebnisse vorhanden sind. Beim Ramadan-Fasten war die Variabilität der Ergebnisse groß, wobei sich jedoch fast durchgehend eine Erhöhung der Werte für HDL und HDL-Cholesterol zeigte. Hämodynamik: Zusammenfassend kann man bei der dürftigen Studienlage für alle Fastenarten entweder keine Veränderung oder eine Tendenz zur Verbesserung der Blutdruckwerte sehen. Der Vergleich des menschlichen Fastens mit Grundlagenstudien zur Kalorienrestriktion oder zum intermittierenden Fasten bei Tieren, welche deutlich gesundheitsfördernde Ergebnisse zeigen, scheint nicht uneingeschränkt zulässig. Aufgrund der Studienlage kann derzeit nicht beantwortet werden, ob diese positiven Effekte auch durch regelmäßiges religiöses Fasten im menschlichen Körper erzielt werden können. Die meisten Studien zum religiösen Fasten sind Beobachtungsstudien, deren verschiedene Umgebungsbedingungen den Vergleich der Ergebnisse, insbesondere beim Ramadan-Fasten, erschweren. Bis auf wenige Ausnahmen kommen die Studien aus Ländern, in denen das jeweilige Fasten traditionell praktiziert wird. Die Arbeit zeigt den Facettenreichtum der vorhandenen religiösen Fastenpraktiken und ihre Relevanz für die heutige medizinische Praxis. Lücken in der Studienlage und qualitative Mängel der bestehenden Daten konnten aufgezeigt werden. Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass die Anzahl der qualitativ hochwertigen Studien zu allen verbreiteten Arten des Fastens weiterhin wächst und dass derzeit noch nicht medizinisch untersuchte Fasten zukünftig ebenso in die Forschung einbezogen werden. / In a multicultural society doctors are required to consider health-related cultural features such as religious fasting, which, to varying degrees, play a central role in many religions. In Judaism fasting is a strict twenty-four hour abstention from food and fluids. In Christianity there are fasts that involve a change in the variety of foods eaten, as is the case in the Greek Orthodox Church or in the Daniel Fast, while in Roman-Catholic or Protestant fasting retreats a juice fast is often observed. In the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan food and fluid intake is restricted to the night hours only. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the findings of existing research into the impact of different kinds of religious fasting on anthropometric parameters, blood lipids and haemodynamics of healthy people. The literature research has been carried out mainly through pubmed and for the juice fast two additional, specialised libraries were consulted. For the evaluation and a better comparability of the results the studies were classified into groups, defined by specific qualitative criteria. For the purpose of evaluating the results, they were analysed in groups according to the main criteria of the study. Anthropometric parameters: while during Jom Kippur only a slight reduction of body weight due to shifts in the body\\\'s fluid balance could be observed, in a one-week juice fast and in a Daniel Fast there were no significant changes. In the Greek Orthodox and Ramadan fasts a tendency to reduction of body weight and body mass index (BMI) were observed, which seemed to intensify according to the length of the fast. In none of these fasts a rebound effect was found. Blood lipids: the changes observed in lipid metabolism during Jom Kippur should be regarded as transient due to the shortness of the fast. The studies of Greek Orthodox and Daniel fasting have shown a reduction of total and LDL cholesterol, while those examining juice fasting reveal the short term effects as contradictory, with there being only few long term results available. The results pertaining to Ramadan fasting showed a high variability, though a rise in HDL and HDL cholesterol has been quite consistently reported. Haemodynamics: in summary it can be stated, considering the very sparse number of studies in this area, that in all of the above mentioned forms of religious fasting there was either no change or a slight tendency towards a reduction of blood pressure. The comparison of human fasting to experimental studies in caloric restriction or intermittent fasting in animals, which have clearly shown health enhancing effects, does not seem unconditionally valid. Based on the current state of science no definitive answer can be given on whether regular religious fasting can generate these positive results in humans. Most studies in the field of religious fasting are observational studies with differing environmental conditions, a fact that hampers the comparison of the results, especially for the Ramadan fast. Except for few exemptions the studies all originate in countries where the respective fast is traditionally held. This study revealed the great variety within the existing religious fasting practices and their relevance for today’s medical practice. Gaps in the current state of evidence and research as well as qualitative shortcomings in the existing data where revealed. It is to be hoped that the rise in high-quality studies of all common religious fasts will continue and that fasts, not medically studied to date, will in future also become the subject of research.

Heroin use and dependency is a growing concern within South Africa, individuals face difficulty in remaining abstinent from the use of heroin due to constant relapse. The opioid antagonist known as the naltrexone pellet implant offers an alternative form of aid to relapse prevention in the recovery and abstinence from heroin dependency. This qualitative study explored the subjective experiences and perceptions of heroin dependent individuals, that made use of the naltrexone pellet implant. This study was rooted in the interpretive, qualitative paradigm where a phenomenological research design was used. Participants were selected using a purposive, snowball sampling technique and four individuals who had made use of the naltrexone pellet implant for the aid in heroin dependency for a minimum of three-months were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. The findings suggested that the use of the naltrexone pellet implant was beneficial in the aid for relapse prevention from heroin use. Furthermore, the exploration of difficulties that were faced in remaining abstinent, the attempt to make use of the naltrexone pellet implant and the physical and psychological aspects regarding the use of this alternative method of remaining abstinent were explored in this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology (Research Consultation))

Bibliography: pages 360-378 / In this study, the researcher investigates an HIV and AIDS prevention programme known as Education for Life (EFLP) run by the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The programme seeks to encourage behaviour changes as a viable approach for the prevention of HIV and AIDS through education. EFLP is faith-based and run by the RCC as one of the programmes in RCC pastoral mission activities to mitigating the HIV and AIDS epidemic. EFLP aims at preventing HIV and AIDs through creating awareness of human values in the context of the gospel, facts about HIV and AIDs and promoting behaviour change, particularly among the youth. The programme is youth-led, peer-driven and peer support based. The researcher examines EFLP in Sterkspruit Parish from 2003 to 2013 to assess whether EFLP was effective in bringing about preventative sexual behaviour, as a result of participants in the programme changing attitudes and values and acquiring life skills. RCC and many Christian churches promote behavioural intervention abstinence, fidelity within marriage, counselling and delaying sexual debut and partner reduction. Behavioural change programmes have, however, not been without controversies. A qualitative research method was followed to investigate the impact of EFLP. Data were obtained and tape-recorded during one-on-one interviews of 25 youth participants. The researcher employed the theory of reasoned action to examine the data. Analysis of data revealed that the mission of the church could be achieved through social transformation in the lives of the youth, especially behavioural change concerning HIV and AIDS. It also showed that a single preventative approach should not be taken to the exclusion of others in the prevention of HIV and AIDs. The study recommends combining different approaches, including promoting behavioural change / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / Ph. D. (Missiology)

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

This research set out to investigate factors that lead to seemingly prevalent pre-marital sex by Botswana Seventhday Adventist youth aging between 12 and 30 years. A 31- item questionnaire, divided into four sections, was used on a group of 45 youths. It was discovered that 78% of the youths studied had been involved in pre-marital sex at some point in their lives. Thirty-seven percent were still practicing it. The most vulnerable age range was 14 to 18 years, but some had started experimenting with sex as early as six years. Some of the contributing factors to the youth's involvement in sex included media, friends and lack of knowledge due to parents not giving them guidance.Prevention of pre-marital sex can be made possible by the cooperation of entities like the family, the church, the school and the individual. Hence, the suggested model called the Integrated Sexuality Education. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This research set out to investigate factors that lead to seemingly prevalent pre-marital sex by Botswana Seventhday Adventist youth aging between 12 and 30 years. A 31- item questionnaire, divided into four sections, was used on a group of 45 youths. It was discovered that 78% of the youths studied had been involved in pre-marital sex at some point in their lives. Thirty-seven percent were still practicing it. The most vulnerable age range was 14 to 18 years, but some had started experimenting with sex as early as six years. Some of the contributing factors to the youth's involvement in sex included media, friends and lack of knowledge due to parents not giving them guidance.Prevention of pre-marital sex can be made possible by the cooperation of entities like the family, the church, the school and the individual. Hence, the suggested model called the Integrated Sexuality Education. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)