The African Union (AU) was set up in the year 2000 by the Constitutive Act of the African Union (Constitutive Act). Part of AU’s objectives for its creation includes; the promotion of peace, security and stability on the continent as well as the protection and promotion of human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).2 As part of fulfilling this objective, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACtHPR) was established3 with a wide human rights protective mandate which allows it to determine cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the ACHPR and other international human rights instruments.4 / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2010. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

Upheavals in the health care landscape threaten the sustainability of contemporary hospital organizations. Yet there is limited research regarding the characteristics of leaders within successful hospitals. The problem is the leadership styles needed to effectively run hospital organizations have not been identified and/or established. The purpose of this study was to develop a model of congruent leadership styles linked to the success of hospitals in one metropolitan city. The research questions sought to uncover (a) consistent leadership styles within successful hospitals, and (b) what, if any, relationship exists between leadership styles and measures of success. Examination of the literature uncovered the value of leadership to organizations through theoretical frameworks of organizational development, organizational culture, leadership, and change strategies that supported the need for hospital organizations to foster leadership practices associated with successful outcomes. Correlational analyses were used to examine the relationship between leadership styles and successful hospital outcomes. Primary data for this research were collected from 109 hospital leaders via the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) Form 5X. Results from this study indicated an increased likelihood of performance success with the application of transformational characteristics. These findings support positive social change as results may serve as a model for leadership practices within 21st century hospitals. Results should further heighten social consciousness to spawn the development of related college curricula, scholarship programs, and leadership alliances that weave transformational characteristics into the leadership fabric of contemporary hospital organizations.

The centrality of the church in African American communities makes it a culturally compelling sponsor for health promotion activities targeting health disparities among the medically underserved. Pastoral support is critical in determining whether a church initiates or supports a health promotion agenda, but there is little understanding of the variables that influence this decision. The aim of the qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions of African American pastors regarding the decision to incorporate health promotion programs in their churches. This study was guided by the health belief model using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected using both semi-structured and open-ended interviews. Ten pastors of North Carolina African American churches, with and without health promotion ministries, were recruited for the study. Eight pastors agreed to participate in the study. They were interviewed, and interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were open coded and analyzed. NVivo 11 was used to manage the data. Five themes emerged from the study: the importance of health promotion, pastor support of a health promotion program, pastor influence on individuals in the congregation, the health status of church members, and barriers and facilitators. Positive social change may be realized by using this information to increase the effectiveness of culturally sensitive health information and developing health education programs that specifically target the African American faith community. Information from this research could help guide public health agencies on how to approach health programming in this specific area and for this population.

Throughout the relevant literature, research addressing the impact of a specific environmental factor, such as snowfall, on injury patterns or severity among alpine skiers and snowboarders is sparse. The foundation for inquiry into this relationship was developed based on principles of physics and traumatology coupled with findings in the available literature. Secondary analysis of trauma registry data coupled with daily snowfall measurements from one of the largest ski areas in North America illustrated a negative correlation between daily snowfall amount and injury severity (r = -.08). Concordant findings demonstrated an increased odds of sustaining an injury defined as severe or critical according to Injury Severity Score (ISS) classification when there was less than two inches of fresh snowfall (OR = 3.9; 95% CI[1.06, 16.69]). Additionally, utilizing the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), a regional anatomical finding illustrated that in the absence of recent snowfall, there was an increased odds of sustaining a thoracic injury defined as severe in this patient population (OR = 10.4; 95% CI[1.62, 66.9]). Secondary research considerations detailed the variances in injury severity resulting from a collision when compared to a fall and the predilection for skiers to sustain increased lower extremity injuries when compared to snowboarders. Findings from this project may lead to positive social change as the increased understanding of predictive factors contributing to injury can be directly applied to further the current understanding of trauma care in this patient population. The benefits from this work may also extend to the public health arena through enhanced educational opportunities for skiers and snowboarders as well as enhanced resort safety initiatives tailored to the ambient conditions.

Global morbidity and mortality associated with malaria is rampant, and most of the clinical malaria cases are found in sub Saharan Africa. Previous and current research show that malaria is both preventable and treatable and that socioeconomic variables have a profound influence on how persons in rural Africa respond to malaria infections and the associated preventive strategies. This study assessed two key research questions for malaria cases in the Gusii region of Kenya regarding: First, whether a community education program on malaria has an impact in changing malaria preventive behaviors; and, second, if a relationship exists between socioeconomic factors and participants' knowledge and associated behavioral change to control malaria cases. Participatory model and social cognitive theory were used in conjunction with a community intervention with pre-post-test approach. Ten trainees each interviewed 36 participants, for a total of 360 participants, using a structured questionnaire before and after providing a layperson health education program (LPHEP) related to malaria prevention. Repeated measures one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, and Cramer's V test were used for the test of significance. Results showed statistically significant differences between pre- and post-test scores on signs and symptoms of malaria. Participants were able to identify and stated > 2 signs and symptoms of malaria after exposure to the LPHEP. Implications for positive social change included evidence that a simple LPHEP can improve malaria knowledge level.

Vulnerable populations, including immigrants, are often at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection because of their risk-taking behaviors. This study investigated risk-taking behavior for HIV infection among Sub-Saharan African (SSA) immigrants in United States. Using social capital as a theoretical foundation, the study aimed to address the question, is there any association between social capital assets of educational opportunity, employment, and eligibility for social assistance and HIV risk-taking behavior, defined as condom use before sex (CUBS) among SSA immigrant in the U.S? Potential participants were recruited through religious and social organizations in a southwestern US state. The survey generated 167 responses. The majority of the participants were Nigerians, single females, and Christians, with monthly income of more than {dollar}500.00. Analysis using Chi square statistic and unconditional logistic regression model showed that those without education opportunity were more likely to use condom but no significant association existed between social assistance opportunity and CUBS. Employed participants were 83 times more likely than those who were unemployed to use a condom before sex. Being employed was the strongest indicator of HIV risk-taking avoidance behavior among SSA immigrants in the U.S. This study provides insight into risk-taking behaviors among SSA immigrants. This information can be used by providers of services to immigrants and other vulnerable populations in the U.S., policy makers, and social advocacy groups that target HIV prevention. Implications for social change included the recognition of employment as a deterrent to HIV risk-taking behaviors among vulnerable populations.

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Bakgrund: Hälsa är individuellt och sjuksköterskan behöver förstå vad hälsa är för varje individ för att kunna utforma en god hälsofrämjande omvårdnad. Hälsa innebär inte enbart frånvaro utav sjukdom, begreppet består av fler dimensioner som både fysisk och psykisk hälsa liksom andlig/spirituell hälsa. Dessa dimensioner behöver förstås när omvårdnaden utformas. Begreppet hälsofrämjande omvårdnad kan innebära både promotion och prevention. Promotion syftar till att stärka individers förmåga att själva göra hälsosamma val. Preventionsarbetet riktar sig till att, med hjälp av riktlinjer, hjälpa redan sjuka eller förhindra utveckling av sjukdomen. Inom preventionsarbetet använder sig sjuksköterskor, i Sverige, av Socialstyrelsens riktlinjer för sjukdomsförebyggande metoder. De riktar in sig på fyra riskfaktorer för ohälsa, tobaksbruk, alkoholkonsumtion, fysisk inaktivitet och ohälsosamma matvanor. Som sjuksköterska ingår det i professionen att arbeta hälsofrämjande det vill säga med både promotion och prevention. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva sjuksköterskors uppfattningar om att arbeta med hälsofrämjande omvårdnad. Metod: Empirisk kvalitativ intervjustudie. Sex sjuksköterskor från en mottagning på ett sjukhus i sydöstra Sverige intervjuades. Analys inspirerad av Graneheim och Lundman. Resultat: Fyra kategorier framkom, att arbeta personcentrerat, att arbeta med uppföljning, att arbeta informativt samt att arbeta preventivt. Slutsats: Begreppet hälsofrämjande omvårdnad är komplext. På frågan om hälsofrämjande arbete svarade sjuksköterskorna att de arbetade med prevention. Det kan bero på kontexten men också att begreppet behövs tydliggöras för att sjuksköterskorna ska kunna förstå hälsofrämjande omvårdnad och utforma omvårdnadsarbetet därefter.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

No description available.