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The systematic evaluation of effective health behavior interventions is critical for addressing overweight and obesity. Process evaluation assesses whether critical intervention components are delivered as intended and can enhance our understanding of program effects by linking participant program exposure to outcomes. The purpose of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of PROACTIVE, an intervention program to prevent and reduce obesity in clinical settings, and to explore associations between measures of dose, fidelity, and session quality with participant outcomes in an effort to explain gender differences in PROACTIVE program response observed at 24 months. Overweight and obese men (n = 74) and women (n = 175) were randomized into the 24-month health behavior counselling intervention. Outcomes of waist circumference (WC) and physical activity (PA; 7-Day PA Recall) were measured at 12 and 24 months. Process outcomes were distilled from Session Summary Forms completed by Health Educators after each session. Dose was a significant predictor of WC (β = -.12, p < .01) and PA (β = -.16, p < .05) at 24 months. Fidelity predicted 12 month WC (β = -.11, p < .05) and PA (β = .21, p < .05). Quality was significantly associated with 12 month (WC: β = .07, p < .05; PA: β = -.18, p < .01) and 24-month outcomes (WC: β = .10, p < .01; PA: β = -.15, p < .05). No gender differences were found for complete program adherence (dose; p = .51) or treatment implemented (fidelity; p = .06). Men and women were exposed to a similar amount of PROACTIVE session content and maintained similar levels of adherence throughout the 24-month intervention, therefore the difference in program success between men and women could not be attributed to unequal program exposure between the two groups. Insight yielded into the relationship between program exposure and participant outcomes via this process evaluation can help guide and refine future program implementation along with providing areas for future research. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-01-29 17:29:48.89

This thesis explored the public relations practitioner's role in the growing field of special events.A review of literature found that no study of this type had been conducted and that there is little instructional information available on the topic.A 29-item survey was mailed to 613 public relations professionals acquired through a systematic random sample of O'Dwyer's Directory of Public Relations Firms, 1983. Three mailings resulted in 153 usable responses.The survey included scaled, multiple choice, and open ended questions. Question topics included: awareness and involvement in special events on a national and agency level; responsibility for conceptualization and implementation of special events; objectives for events; amount of responsibility in events; success of events; quantity, quality, type and specific sources of instructional information; and demographic information.The returned responses were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive data were provided on all responses and crosstabulations were established for selected variables.The majority of the respondents stated that they had seen an increase in the number of events in both their agency and in the United States. In addition they predicted that the trend will continue for both.The majority agreed upon typical objectives for special events, the success of the events and the most effective techniques for measuring the success of the events.The respondents also indicated that there is little instructional information available on special events and that what is available is only average in quality.In conclusion, all of these responses seem to indicate that public relations practitioners perceive special events to be a very positive, growing and successful part of the public relations agency's business. However, there appears to be a need for better educational material on this important aspect of their business.

Master thesis offers a comprehensive look on export promotion in the Czech republic. It analyses the state of the Czech pro-export policy, the level of services offered by government to exporters and it suggests solutions to some current problems in these areas.

Diplomová práce se zabývá problematikou návrhu marketingových a komunikačních nástrojů, které je možné využít pro začínající firmu v odvětví IS. V první části práce pojednává o typech informačních systémů. V následujících kapitolách je práce zaměřena na postup aktivit, které by měla provést každá firm a před vstupem na trh, tj. analýzu podniku, analýzu okolí a definování marketingové strategie. Další část se věnuje praktickým otázkám tvorby značky, loga, firemního webu a dalších složek jednotného firem ního designu. V závěrečné, nejobsáhlejší části jsou navrženy konkrétní prostředky, které by měly pomoci zviditelnit firmu a její produkty na trhu informačních systémů. Položky jsou vybrány s ohledem na nenákladné využití a u každé je i nástin finanční nákladnosti.

The ongoing increase in Type 2 diabetes among Hispanic Americans challenges the American public health system, particularly with health issues arising from not following appropriate health directives for the disease. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study used primary data to assess the relationship between diabetes knowledge (as measured by the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire), health literacy level (as measured by the Short Assessment of Health Literacy-Spanish and English), education level, self-efficacy (as measured by the Diabetes Self-efficacy questionnaire), and self-reported diabetes self-care behaviors (as measured by the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities) among a sample of Hispanic Americans with Type 2 diabetes. A combination of the Orem's Theory of self-care and the Bandura's social cognitive theory (SCT) guided this study. The sample included 96 diabetic Hispanic Americans aged 18 and older residing in Fairfax County, VA. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between diabetes knowledge, education level, health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-reported diabetes self-care behaviors. The score of the self-reported diabetes self-care behaviors was related at statistically significant levels to the score of diabetes knowledge (rs = 0.5230, p = 0.00), to the score of education level (rs = 0.2831, p = 0.01), to the score of health literacy level (rs = 0.6332, p = 0.00), and to the score of self-efficacy (rs = 0.7783, p = 0.00). The results of this research study could contribute to positive social change by providing the public health workforce in Fairfax County, VA with insights for developing culturally sensitive education programs that best fit the needs of Hispanics and fight against Type 2 diabetes.

Preventive health care is effective in reducing both infectious diseases and chronic conditions among the elderly. Despite efforts to prevent or decrease the risk of illness, unmarried men are less likely to receive selected preventive services compared to married men. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to describe disease prevention attitudes and behaviors of retired, unmarried, male baby boomers residing in Harlingen, Texas. Further, the study examined the effects of socioeconomic status on disease prevention attitudes and behaviors. The health belief theory framed the study. A validated questionnaire collected disease prevention attitudes, behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics data. Data inquiry included ANOVA, multiple regression and moderation analysis. The findings did not show any differences in disease prevention attitudes and behaviors among retired, unmarried male boomers. Multiple linear regression indicated that the socioeconomic factors explained 24% of the variance in disease prevention behaviors (p = .001). Moderation analysis showed that 29% of the variability in the dependent variable could be explained by the independent variables and interaction terms. The only significant predictor was education, p= .002); none of the interaction terms were significant. Positive social change from the study is the possible increase in disease prevention behavior among the retired, unmarried male baby with a low level of education. The study results may help in developing policies that would target education barriers and raise awareness of disease prevention behavior among the retired, unmarried male baby boomers.

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a key resource in the battle against diabetes and its secondary effects. This quality improvement project was conducted to address the decreased attendance rates of DSME classes in a community health center in the southern United States. The practice question for this project explored process-related strategies to increase patient attendance in DSME classes. Based on review of patient reports of reasons for nonattendance and an evaluation of peer reviewed literature on improving attendance in DSME, the following strategies were implemented: (a) alternative solutions such as providing patients with the dates for a year of initial classes, (b) increased scheduling of 1:1 classes, (c) education of more staff to meet patients' needs, (d) automatic phone call reminders to patients, (e) increased mailing of appointments to absent patients, (f) promoting DSME classes at physicians' meetings, (g) having clinic nurses schedule the patient's first classes at the time of physician visit (h) alteration of class times to compliment patient schedules, and (i) scheduling classes around public transportation schedules. Although there were no pre- and post-attendance data provided by the facility, recommendations of the DSME project team were to continue tracking weekly patient attendance and maintain the current recommendations for increasing enrollment. This project might contribute to positive social change for patients, their families, clinic employees, and the community by improving the health and self-management of the diabetic patients.

Latinos of low socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by diabetes Type II complicated by poor adherence to diabetes Type II medications and management programs. Self-management of diabetes Type II is a tool used to teach health education to patients with diabetes. The objective of this retrospective quantitative study was to explore if there are predictors of nonadherence to diabetes Type II medications and programs among Latinos with diabetes Type II. Data from 200 patient records from a community clinic in Fresno County California were analyzed using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Selected sociodemographic independent variables were age, gender, income, migrant worker status, family size, and having received health education. The dependent variable was adherence to medication and management programs. Gender and health education were the only strong predictors of nonadherence to diabetes Type II medications and programs among the study sample in the bivariate analysis. The combination of gender and health education was the only strong predictor to diabetes Type II medications and programs in the multivariate analysis. Recommendations include personalized health education that incorporates a protocol for teaching patients about diet, consumption of alcoholic beverages, exercise, medication, and the effects these behaviors have on diabetes prevention and management. The implications for positive change include decreasing complications, improving quality of life, and improving patient satisfaction. The implications also include decreasing health care cost for stakeholders, including patients, and insurance payers.

Some managers lack an effective strategy for aligning sales promotion strategies with consumers' buying attitudes in a recession. The intent of this comparative design was to determine the most effective sales promotion strategy for sales improvement and business sustainability during a recession. The theories of (a) sales promotions, (b) consumer behavioral metrics, (c) price reductions, and (d) strategy in a competitive environment represented the theoretical framework that grounded and complemented this research. Using a confidential paper-based survey and random sampling method, preference data were obtained from 287 consumers in retail stores located in a city in the southern United States. This analysis comprised examining the effects of types of sales promotions and gender of customers. Statistical tests for the data analysis encompassed a 4X2 ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests for mean pairs. The principal findings from the analysis were that there is a significant difference in buying attitudes means among the 4 types of sales promotion in a recession [F(3, 279) = 101.360; p = .000 < .001; Partial η'= .522]. However, there is no significant difference in buying attitudes means in a recession [F(1, 279) = .000; p = .999 > .05; Partial η'= .000] between genders. Price discount strategy had a higher buying attitudes mean than did any other type of sales promotion under study for both genders. The most effective strategy for aligning sales promotions with buying attitudes in a recession is price discount. Implications for business practice and positive social change include the sales increase in a recession, improvement of lifestyle of individuals, and reduction of negative tendencies such as crime and poverty associated with unemployment.