Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MChD (Periodontics and Oral Medicine))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Oral Pathology and Oral Biology / unrestricted

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Since dental caries in children remains a significant public health problem, this study developed a brief cartoon video e-health intervention focused on parents’ ensuring their children’s engagement in three key oral health behaviors: brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, avoiding the consumption of large quantities of sugar-containing foods and beverages, and visiting the dentist every six months. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the cartoon video as a brief e-health intervention, and to identify significant predictors of parental self-efficacy to ensure their children’s engagement in recommended oral health behaviors after viewing an animated video with their child. The sample included 75 parents with a child aged six to eight years. Parents were mostly female (85%, n = 63), white (84.0%, n = 63), with a mean age of 35.2 years (SD = 5.5), mean educational level between a two- and four-years of college, and mean household income of $20,000 to $39,000 per year. Parents had one or two children (51.8%, n = 39) with a mean age of 6.72 years who were mostly boys (65.3%, n = 49) in public school (80.0%, n = 60). Findings indicated the brief e-health cartoon was an effective intervention, given significant changes from pre-video to post-video in mean scores for: parent oral health knowledge (t = –5.437, df = 74, p = 0.000); global stage of change for performing all three key oral health behaviors (t = –1.804, df = 74, p = 0.000); and, global self-efficacy for performing all three key oral health behaviors (t = –3.838, df = 74, p = 0.000). Further, most parents rated the cartoon highly and indicated they would recommend it to other parents and children. Backwards stepwise regression, controlling for social desirability, indicated higher post-video parental self-efficacy for the three recommended oral health behaviors post-video was significantly predicted by: parent female gender (B = 1.072, p = 0.000); parent was not born in the U.S. (B = –0.544, p = 0.028); parent had a partner (yes) (B = 0.707, p = 0.000); parent was a student (yes) (B = 0.933, p = 0.001); lower parent education level (B = –0.142, p = 0.021); child was not in public school (B = –0.427, p = 0.028); higher Parental Intention Scale (PI-S-3) score (B = 0.302, p = 0.011); and higher parent pre-video oral health knowledge (B = 0.313, p = 0.000)—with 55.2% of variance predicted (R2 = 0.608, adjusted R2 = 0.552) by the model.

Thesis(M. Med. (Public Health Medicine)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Background: Health care workers (HCWs) hands are the most common vehicle for the transmission of health care associated infections (HCAIs) between patients and the health care environment. Hand hygiene is regarded as the most important, simplest, and least expensive means of reducing the burden of HCAIs. However, hand hygiene compliance remains low among HCWs. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practices (KAP) of HCWs on hand hygiene and associated factors. Method: A quantitative, descriptive study using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was conducted among HCWs of Pietersburg Hospital. Data collection was carried out between January and February 2018. KAP scores were summarised into means, standard deviations and percentages. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine association between KAP scores and selected independent variables (gender, age, profession, experience, discipline and training). Results: There were 324 respondents, mostly females (74.3%), <40 years (70.6%) and predominantly nurses (52.4%). Majority had moderate knowledge (79.3%), positive attitude (88.8%) and good practices (87.9%). Respondents had knowledge gaps on HCAIs, WHO “Five (5) moments for hand hygiene” and alcohol based hand rub. Association was found between respondent’s KAP scores and age (p<0.05). Nursing profession was associated with good practices (p=0.000). Knowledge and attitude were associated with years of clinical experience (p<0.05). Positive attitude (p=0.019) and good practices (p=0.000) were associated with training in the last 3 years. No significant relationship was found between KAP and undergraduate training. Conclusion: Most respondents had moderate knowledge, positive attitude and good practices. Respondent’s variety in KAP scores and associated factors indicate that a multimodal, multifaceted improvement approach should be undertaken to address KAP gaps.

At present not enough is known about the health of preschool children in the poorer communities of Cape Town. This study, was undertaken to assess the health and health care of preschool children in one such community: that of the Hout Bay harbour township. A clinic and community-based surveillance programme was devised to make this assessment. Data were obtained by monitoring the records at the Community Health Centre in the township. A study sample of 214 children from the community was also selected by random stratified cluster sampling. This sample was assessed by means of a questionnaire and a full physical examination. Analysis of data was performed on the IBM main-frame computer. A large number of medical problems were identified on screening the community sample. Most of these problems were minor ones and could be managed appropriately at the Health Centre. On the basis of the referral patterns and the small number of newly diagnosed functionally important health problems, the provision of health care in-the area was considered to be adequate. The high immunisation rate in the preschool children and the excellent attendance figures at the child health clinics indicates that the services provided are well utilised by the population. Dental caries was found to be a major health problem in the area. A strong case for the introduction of a dental health educational programme and for the fluoridisation of drinking water can made on the basis of these findings. An ongoing health screening programme would be beneficial. It could be accomplished by utilising appropriately trained nursing personnel.

The present study examined the separate effects of an educational program, feedback, and a token economy on the rate of brushing and flossing in the home environment.

Introduction: Oral hygiene is a significant aspect of nursing care. Endocarditis, stroke, lung cancer, and hypertension have been associated with poor oral hygiene. Research exploring oral care practices for mechanically ventilated patients is well documented. In contrast, oral hygiene for the non-mechanically ventilated acute care population remains underestimated. The purpose of this study was to establish a baseline of the type, frequency, and consistency of oral hygiene being performed on non-mechanically ventilated ICU patients and explore how the oral care provided was documented. Methodology: A literature search was conducted and reported as a literature review. The databases CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Academic Search Premier, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Key terms used were "oral hygiene," "oral care," "oral intensity," "mouth rinse," "mouth care," chlorhexidine rinse and ICU, "intensive care unit," "critical care" and infection*, pneumonia*, NV, non-ventilat*, and nonventilat*. The articles' selection addressed type, frequency, consistency, and/or documentation of oral hygiene in ICU patients, particularly non-mechanically ventilated patients, if available. Inclusion criteria consisted of English language, and academic journal articles. No specified publication date was placed as a restriction. The results were limited to English language, academic journal articles, peer reviewed research articles, evidence-based articles or practices, and articles published within the last ten years (2006 to 2016). All articles on oral hygiene practices in the ICU or critical care population were included. Articles that did not relate to oral hygiene practices in acute care, ICU patients, or critically ill hospitalized patients were excluded. Articles focused solely on the mechanically ventilated or intubated population were also excluded. Results: The review yielded very few articles focusing solely on non-mechanically ventilated ICU patients. Nevertheless, resulting data showed four areas common to oral hygiene practices in non-mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU: type of documentation, type of products, frequency of care, and personnel providing care. Documentation was found to be lacking compared to personnel's self-reported frequency of oral care. Oral hygiene products were found to be consistent in non-mechanically ventilated patients, while there was no consistency of products used in the general acute care population. Oral hygiene was self-reported by staff members to have been performed an average of two to three times per day for non-mechanically ventilated patients. Oral hygiene self-reported frequency was found to be inconsistent among the general acute care population. Lastly, registered nurses (RNs) were the primary providers of oral hygiene to patients. Conclusions: Findings support the existing gap in the literature on oral hygiene practices in non-mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Despite evidence documenting the impact of oral hygiene on health, further research is guaranteed.

This study implemented two behavior management strategies, self-monitoring and monetary incentives, in a dental clinic and a private periodontal practice to explore the effects of these intervention strategies on subjects' dental flossing frequencies and to compare these strategies to standard educational procedures. Group analysis of four dependent variables generally showed minimal impact of the intervention strategies on flossing frequency. However, when the percentages of subjects within groups who improved on the dependent measures were evaluated, differential effects for some dependent variables were noted between settings and among intervention strategies. Based on those findings, the behavioral strategies of self-monitoring and monetary incentives did appear to enhance the effectiveness of education. Multimodal measures were used to assess changes in the target behavior. The general lack of covariance found among the dependent measures used in this study demonstrated that the interpretation varied with the choice of dependent variable. This finding suggested that past researchers, who used only physiological dependent measures to assess changes in the frequencies of dental flossing and brushing behaviors, should have selected more direct measures of the targeted behaviors (e.g. unobtrusive measures or direct observations). / M.S.

This study utilized a self-reported survey design to obtain information from 47 Latinas to determine their breast cancer knowledge levels and compliance with early detection methods.

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) refers to the impact of disease and treatment on disability and daily living. Living with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) has a negative impact on HRQoL. The aim of the present study was to investigate the aspects of HRQoL affected by VLUs in a local SA sample. A post hoc research design was utilised comparing 30 VLU patients and 30 non-VLU participants. Four hypotheses were investigated: (1) the experience of having a VLU on HRQoL, (2) the relation between gender and HRQoL of VLU patients, (3) the relation between age and HRQoL of VLU patients and (4) the interrelation between the underlying constructs of HRQoL of VLU patients. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic variables and HRQoL using the SF-36 questionnaire. Interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data to complete the investigation. Correlation analysis and t-tests confirmed that having a VLU negatively affected HRQoL and that interrelations existed among the constructs of HRQoL. There were no significant relations between gender, age and HRQoL of VLU patients. In line with the social constructivist approach, social support and restructuring a sense of meaning in life to increase HRQoL, are important goals in the management of VLUs. / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)