Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Health literacy is defined as the degree to which an individual has the capacity of obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health information and services needed for one to make appropriate decisions with relation to health. Health literacy is currently emerging as a major determinant of health outcomes yet it is not receiving enough attention, especially among health professionals. It is now considered a stronger predictor of health outcomes than social and economic status, education, and gender. Since nurses play a major role in providing healthcare information to patients and clients, it is imperative that nurses be prepared to face the challenges presented by individuals with poor health literacy skills. The nursing discipline is the largest segment of the health-oriented workforce and therefore, nurses have the largest responsibility of providing patient education, however, there are no education efforts targeting health professionals with regard to health literacy in South Africa. It is, therefore, imperative to establish the knowledge and experience of nurses in training in order to forge a way forward in nursing education. Aim: The overall aim of the study was to establish the health literacy knowledge and experiences of bachelor nursing students at a University in the Western Cape. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive survey design was applied and data collection was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Total population sampling technique was done, the final sample was (n=82) of the fourth-year nursing students. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Ethics: Ethical approval was granted by the ethics research committee, thereafter permission to conduct the study at the University was obtained from the Registrar and the Director of The School of Nursing. The researcher maintained the principles of anonymity and confidentiality throughout the study. Participation was voluntary and informed consent was signed by the respondents. Results: The study found that bachelor of nursing students in Western Cape exhibited satisfactory health literacy knowledge as measured by the questionnaire, the score was 73%, with a cut-off of 70%. Knowledge gaps however existed in some areas - for example with regards to the impact of low health literacy on patient health outcomes and identification of patients with low health literacy. Their health literacy experience was, however, lacking, with students only reporting some experience in the use of written materials in providing patient education. There was a weak negative, but statistically significant relationship between health literacy knowledge and experience. Conclusion: Exposure to health literacy within the nursing curriculum needs to be more comprehensive, since the results portray that the emphasis of health literacy in the curriculum failed to have an effect on the health literacy knowledge scores, deeming it insufficient.

The purpose of this qualitative interpretive descriptive study was to better understand children’s perceptions of the use of motivational interviewing (MI) as a communication style for childhood obesity treatment. Childhood obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and much research effort has been dedicated to reversing this trend. One approach that has demonstrated positive outcomes in the clinical setting is MI. Leading organizations in pediatric healthcare now recommend MI as a communication style to be used for childhood obesity-related behavior change. Although empiric studies have demonstrated improvement in outcomes when this communication style is used with patients and families, no study to date had looked at MI from the perspective of the child. Thorne’s (2008) framework for interpretive descriptive research was used for this study. Individual interviews with children ages 7 through 13 were conducted in an outpatient weight management clinic that utilizes MI as the primary communication style for facilitating behavior change. Qualitative data analysis was conducted utilizing Thorne’s recommendations for interpretive descriptive research. Five themes emerged from the data: 1) Empowerment, 2) Freedom to be Me, 3) Educating without “Educating”, 4) Unconditional Support, and 5) Blossoming. A conceptual model was developed from the research findings to help clinicians working with children in similar contexts glean a deeper understanding of the use of MI with children. Future research endeavors should focus on the implementation of this model in clinical practice to strengthen the conceptual links and determine applicability to practice.

Good sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to the overall health status of Māori communities. In 2001, the Ministry of Health reported that New Zealand was facing a Chlamydia epidemic. This epidemic has not abated as rates of Chlamydia have increased significantly in the past five years, with disproportionately high rates in young Māori women compared to non-Māori women. Despite significant sexual health disparities, young Māori have had limited opportunities to participate in research focussed on sexual health and voice their opinions and concerns on sexual health issues. This qualitative descriptive study has used a Māori inquiry paradigm and approached the research from a Kaupapa Māori perspective. The primary research question asked what the knowledge, attitudes and reported behaviours of young urban Māori women were in regards to sexual health and in particular, the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia. Secondary aims were to ascertain the sources of information used and accessibility of sexual health services, as well as identifying resilience factors associated with protection against Chlamydia infection. The data was collected from semi-structured interviews with 16 young Māori women living in the Auckland region. Data analysis involved the inductive approach of categorical content analysis to identify major categorical themes to answer the specific questions posed. The main conclusion was that there are a number of barriers to accessing quality sexual health information and services for young Māori women. Participants’ level of knowledge varied reflecting their personal experiences and many were unaware that Chlamydia is asymptomatic and that delayed diagnosis can lead to fertility problems. The main sources of sexual health information accessed were whānau, peers, school, and contact with health professionals. Racism was identified as one of the barriers to sexual healthcare services. The young women expressed a clear preference for sexual health services to be delivered by Māori. Most importantly, for sexual health interventions to be successful it is essential that Māori communities, including young people and their whānau, are an integral part of creating positive solutions. Resilience factors that may help protect young women from contracting chlamydia characteristic of this group were having a strong connection with a caring adult or friend and parents who viewed sexuality as a normal part of adolescent development. In addition, having a positive Māori cultural identity with an ability to understand bicultural differences was strongly associated with participants accessing sexual healthcare services despite identified barriers.

Little is known about social work at psychiatric institutions in Canada. This research looks at patient records at Selkirk Mental Health Centre (SMHC) from 1947-1979 at Selkirk, Manitoba. Qualitative descriptive methods are employed to examine patient records (N=132) for the function and form of social work. A random selection of patient records at SMHC was performed where qualitative themes of social work related activities were identified and collected. Additional data included archival records of provincial and federal reports to provide context for the findings. Social work emerged from practice, becoming increasingly sophisticated as SMHC evolved and degreed social workers entered the field. Findings show that social work was an essential profession for SMHC to address a rising patient census as well as manage the transition to community located mental health care. While some social work related activities are performed by other staff, there is a qualitative difference when a social worker performs these. Findings also showed that social work has a relationship with severe and persistent mental illness as a population served at SMHC. Future historical research can benefit from this study as it includes a developed method for future patient record research. Future research could be in various professional disciplines as well as contribute to the growing knowledge around social work practice in Canada. Findings show that social work is a relevant and important role that has a historic connection in the field of mental health. This study contributes to the growing literature on the history of social work in Canada. / October 2015

Good sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to the overall health status of Māori communities. In 2001, the Ministry of Health reported that New Zealand was facing a Chlamydia epidemic. This epidemic has not abated as rates of Chlamydia have increased significantly in the past five years, with disproportionately high rates in young Māori women compared to non-Māori women. Despite significant sexual health disparities, young Māori have had limited opportunities to participate in research focussed on sexual health and voice their opinions and concerns on sexual health issues. This qualitative descriptive study has used a Māori inquiry paradigm and approached the research from a Kaupapa Māori perspective. The primary research question asked what the knowledge, attitudes and reported behaviours of young urban Māori women were in regards to sexual health and in particular, the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia. Secondary aims were to ascertain the sources of information used and accessibility of sexual health services, as well as identifying resilience factors associated with protection against Chlamydia infection. The data was collected from semi-structured interviews with 16 young Māori women living in the Auckland region. Data analysis involved the inductive approach of categorical content analysis to identify major categorical themes to answer the specific questions posed. The main conclusion was that there are a number of barriers to accessing quality sexual health information and services for young Māori women. Participants’ level of knowledge varied reflecting their personal experiences and many were unaware that Chlamydia is asymptomatic and that delayed diagnosis can lead to fertility problems. The main sources of sexual health information accessed were whānau, peers, school, and contact with health professionals. Racism was identified as one of the barriers to sexual healthcare services. The young women expressed a clear preference for sexual health services to be delivered by Māori. Most importantly, for sexual health interventions to be successful it is essential that Māori communities, including young people and their whānau, are an integral part of creating positive solutions. Resilience factors that may help protect young women from contracting chlamydia characteristic of this group were having a strong connection with a caring adult or friend and parents who viewed sexuality as a normal part of adolescent development. In addition, having a positive Māori cultural identity with an ability to understand bicultural differences was strongly associated with participants accessing sexual healthcare services despite identified barriers.

No description available.

This study examined the perceptions of principals, teachers, and support staff at 3 PREPS-identified value added and three PREPS-identified value subtracted elementary schools in Mississippi to determine if there were effective schools practices in the areas of instructional and organizational systems that were unique to either group. The Survey of Instructional and Organizational Effectiveness from the National Study of School Evaluation was used to measure strengths and limitations of the effectiveness of the instructional practices and organizational conditions of each school. Descriptive statistics and comparative analysis were used to analyze responses to the 24-item survey. Results showed there were statistically significant differences between the value added and value subtracted schools for the categories of curriculum, instructional design, assessment, and leadership for school improvement. There were no significant differences in the categories of educational agenda, community-building, and culture of continuous improvement and learning.

A rising problem for social enterprises within South Africa is that consumers tend to display mixed interests towards their marketing campaigns. The technological revolution has allowed consumers to become more adept and ethically sensitised at identifying deceptive marketing ploys. In light of the growing competition among many SSEs in attaining donations, managers of these organisations have realised the value in managing their organisations as brands. However, SSEs should remain aware of distinguishing their marketing from corporate brands. Past literature revealed that organisations which behave socially responsibly elicit more positive attitudes from consumers. Thus, SSEs adopting socially responsible marketing could allow them to be perceived as devoted towards their social missions, which could attract more volunteering and monetary donations. The study investigated the impact of branding on support intentions towards supported social enterprises: the case of The Big Issue South Africa. A descriptive research design was adopted. This included an online survey method that was used to acquire quantitative data from 200 participants in Cape Town, which was required to interpret conclusive findings to this investigation. The findings of the study were that consumer-brand relational authenticity (CBRA), brand trust, and customer-brand identification (CBI)] had a direct positive influence on support intentions. Attitude toward helping others (ATHO) was determined as a negative moderator between the relationship of CBI and support intentions. Alternatively, altruistic values were determined to not possess any moderating influence on the relationship between brand trust and support intentions. The findings therefore fill theoretical gaps on CBRA, brand trust and altruistic values that remained unexplored in the past. The study produced a conceptual framework explaining the branding factors that have the most significant impact in driving support intentions. This framework can be beneficial to managers of SSEs with regard to leveraging support from a local and international standpoint. However, marketers in the corporate field who are designated to attracting corporate social investment (CSI) can also draw on insights from the study in order to attract support for these CSI initiatives. The study is thus beneficial to corporate organisations as well.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-22T17:26:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudiane_Mahl.pdf: 397889 bytes, checksum: f8508dd36c4e1bcbd9f37406d9271dbb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-19 / To describe the profile of the professionals of the Strategy Health of Family (SHF) and structure of the Basic Units of Health (BUH) of 19ª Regional Coordinator of the Health, a transversal study in its was become full filled 28 cities, totalizing 239 professionals (88%) and 38 questionnaires of the structure (93%). After assent, the workers had answered an auto-applied instrument. Descriptive analysis was become full filled strativing itself for professional activity. Prevalence of the feminine sex in the SHF was observed. More than 65% of the ACS has 2º complete degree of studies. How much to the superior level, the similar nurses with bigger specialization in public health and areas had been distinguished. High wage average of the doctors was observed. 40% of the professionals had almost carried through public competition. Half of the BUH the access and displacement of special carriers of necessities had revealed inadequate to. The research shows real obstacles for the ideal functioning of the SHF praised for the SUS (brazilian governanmental unique health). The health workers are responsible for the consolidation of the Strategy the Health of the Family, therefore, if he makes necessary greaters efforts in the scope of the management for improvement of the structure of the BUH and support to these workers / Para descrever o perfil dos profissionais do Programa Saúde da Família (PSF) e a estrutura das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) da 19ª Coordenadoria Regional da Saúde, realizou-se um estudo transversal em seus 28 municípios, com uma amostra de 239 profissionais (88%) e 38 UBS (93%). Após consentimento, os trabalhadores responderam um instrumento auto-aplicado. Realizou-se análise descritiva estratificando-se por atividade profissional. Observou-se maior prevalência do sexo feminino nas ESF. Mais de 65% dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) possuem ensino médio completo. Quanto ao nível superior, destacaram-se os enfermeiros com maior especialização em saúde pública e áreas afins. Observou-se que os médicos apresentaram maior média salarial e quase 40% dos profissionais ingressaram por concurso público. Metade das UBS mostraram-se inadequadas ao acesso e deslocamento de portadores de necessidades especiais. A pesquisa mostrou obstáculos reais para um funcionamento mais qualificado das Equipes de Saúde da Família (ESF), de acordo com preconizado pelo SUS. Os trabalhadores de saúde são os responsáveis pela consolidação do PSF, portanto, são necessários maiores esforços no âmbito da gestão para a melhoria da estrutura das UBS e apoio a estes trabalhadores.

Written communication is an integral part of any organisation regardless of size or the nature of its business. The writer chooses words that should be understood by the readers. However, these words have been chosen based on a variety of factors, one of which is personality type, and the writer's personality type may differ from that of the readers. The research question underpinning this study is - In what ways, if at all, do personality types (as determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and most frequently found in management positions), select and use different words and phrases when writing business communication? To investigate this question, the psychological type theory of Jung, the personality type theory of Briggs and Myers, and organisational communication theory are applied. The methodology used is descriptive research with the documents analysed using content analysis, employing NUD.IST Vivo in conjunction with manual assessment. The research findings confirm that each personality type does use different words, validating personality type theory and therefore, making a contribution to the expanding body of research in this field. The knowledge gained from this study has significance in areas related to organisations as well as education and communication theory.