<p> The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between bullying others, perceived school connectedness, academic achievement, and selected demographics among female high school athletes. A purposive sample of all in-season (Fall 2012) female athletes enrolled in three schools located in an urban school district in Northeast Ohio was recruited to participate in this study. Subjects completed a 54-item instrument designed to assess their self-reported involvement in bullying others. Further, subjects were asked to provide responses about the construct of school connectedness. Data were obtained using a one-time anonymous paper/pencil instrument. Data were analyzed using the one-way and two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) techniques and Correlation analysis. </p><p> Findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between bullying others and race, and bullying others and current achievement. Also, the data revealed a statistically significant correlation between bullying others and perceived school connectedness. The results from this study support the current body of literature dedicated to this relationship between bullying others and perceived school connectedness. Interestingly, much less is known about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables used in this study as it occurs among female high school athletes. More research with athletes is recommended to better elucidate the effects of sports participation on these variables.</p>

<p> There is a need for epilepsy-based health education programs to enlighten Nigerian communities and reduce the stigma associated with epilepsy. Epilepsy in Nigeria is viewed by some as a contagious and an infectious disease or a condition imposed from the gods, possessed by demons, as the work of witchcraft, or punishment from ancestral spirits, which are all related to a lack of knowledge about epilepsy leading to stigmatization of persons with epilepsy. Guided by the stigma theory, the purpose of this community-based, cross sectional study was to quantitatively examine the effect of an educational program on interpersonal, internalized, and institutional stigma of epilepsy in terms of knowledge, attitude, and treatment gained. Two hundred and fifty participants completed a general domain instrument which had been used in different countries, including South Eastern Nigeria, and revised for greater validity via a pilot study. Chi-square tests were used to examine any significant differences in participants' responses between pre- and post-test surveys regarding knowledge, attitude, and treatment gained of all 3 identified stigma levels. According to study results, the educational program reduced all 3 stigma levels in terms of attitude, knowledge, and treatment gained of epilepsy (p&lt; 0.001). This study contributed to positive social change by providing information to public health workers on how to increase the knowledge and awareness of the South Eastern Nigerian community that epilepsy is not contagious or infectious and there is no need to isolate persons with epilepsy from their societies.</p>

<p> What and how much an individual eats largely defines his/her health. The most used dietary intervention models target individuals' concern for personal health, thereby undermining the interdisciplinary trajectory of the nutrition field. The purpose of this study was to compare the food choice motives of students enrolled in an interdisciplinary learning community (LCOM) to students enrolled in a non-integrated nutrition course and gain insight into student experiences with interdisciplinary nutrition education. A two-phase sequential mixed methods design was used. The first phase compared the personal health and ethical concern motives of the LCOM (n = 13) and non-integrated students (n = 60). The secondary phase employed a web-based interview to explore the LCOM experiences. Both groups highly valued the ability of food to improve personal health. There was no statistically significant difference in the ethical concern motives between the two groups however, interview responses revealed that LCOM participants made dietary changes as a result of ethical concern. The study concluded that participants made dietary choices based on personal health, regardless of the type of nutrition education received, and the LCOM was effective in developing a greater value for ethical concern. The learning community framework could provide a rich education experience that helps students develop an improved sense of social responsibility and initiate behavior change. Recommendations included how health and nutrition departments could integrate related disciplines into nutrition curricula. Future research examining the longevity of motives is needed to explore the effectiveness of this educational framework in producing lasting behavior change.</p>

<p>The purpose of this project was to create a 6-week nutrition curriculum for improving the health of older adults, aged 60 years or older. The goal of this curriculum was to improve the health of older adults by emphasizing the consumption of a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity in order to reduce the instance of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension among older adults. Specifically, this project provides nutrition education regarding an overview of healthy lifestyle choices for older adults. </p><p> The nutrition curriculum, titled "How to Be a Fit and Healthy Older Adult," was created for implementation in senior centers following attendance of a congregate meal. The curriculum was designed to be implemented by a Registered Dietitian (RD) with vast knowledge and experience with the aging population. The curriculum consists of two parts: a nutrition education portion, using PowerPoint, and an interactive activity to engage the participants. </p>

<p> Childhood obesity is a major public health concern. The multiple effects of obesity in childhood are long-reaching. Since weight loss and maintenance are very difficult, prevention of obesity is important. Schools have been identified as an important environment for obesity prevention interventions since most children spend a large portion of the day at school. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to determine if the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Alabama intervention improved weight status, fitness levels, and health knowledge and behaviors. A 2-by-2 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine whether differences exist between intervention and comparison students at pretest and posttest. Measures that were explored included BMI Z-scores, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) scores, nutrition knowledge and behavior scores, and physical activity knowledge and behavior scores. Significant advances were observed among intervention students in contrast to comparison students from pretest to posttest for physical fitness (as measured by the PACER), and nutrition and physical activity knowledge. No significant improvements were found for weight status, nutrition behavior, or physical activity behavior. A high prevalence of obesity was observed at pretest. It may be difficult for a primary obesity prevention program to be successful among fifth grade students with such high prevalence rates. A greater effect may be found when intervening with younger children. While schools alone cannot turn the tide on childhood obesity, it is unlikely that improvements can be made without the involvement of schools and programs such as HEAL.</p>

Abstract: Provision of three basic infrastructure services (namely education, health and transport) in Rohtak and Bhiwani Districts (India) is examined using three types of data: 1. 507 households spreading in 8 villages, 2. Informal discussion with villagers and services providers in both districts, and 3. Secondary data for 921 villages and 14 towns and cities. These data were analysed using both statistical and GIS techniques. The analysis reveals that quantitatively there has been considerable expansion of education and health services over a period of fifteen years (1981 to 1996), and the average distance people have to travel to access these services has also declined significantly. But little evidence was found of any logical criterion being followed for the location of new services and the upgrading of existing services. Consequently, there was no improvement in the efficiency level (measured in terms of demand and geographical distance) of existing infrastructure services (both public and private); moreover, the efficiency level of private services was significantly lower than that of public services. It was further observed that the poor and women had relatively poor access to education, health and transport; and income, caste, gender, education level and village location had significant impact on access to and utilisation of basic services. In the study area, public services were functioning sub-optimally and service users were not satisfied with the quality of services; a significant proportion of clients had to rely on private services. Although public services may not be available in all the villages, the main focus should now be on improving the quality of existing services. Therefore, a solid transport network is needed in rural areas so that the availability of frequent and reliable transport services facilitate villagers' access to quality services even if located at distant places. Thus far, the role of the public in service provision has been minimal, which may be one of the reasons for poor quality of public services. Therefore, the active involvement of clients (service users) is essential in the operation, maintenance and monitoring of basic services in order to improve their quality and efficient functioning, and to effectively cater for people's needs in general and deprived sections of the society in particular.

<p> Pressure ulcers (PUs) remain a relatively common and potentially serious health issue among the elderly in any healthcare setting and have been associated with high mortality and morbidity rate. A low incidence of PUs is highly desirable and is considered as an indication of quality care by patients, caregivers, and regulatory authorities on both the state and federal levels.</p><p> Nursing assistants play an integral role in the direct patient care; ongoing training and educational opportunities about pressure ulcer prevention are very important in maintaining their skill, motivation and knowledge. Research findings showed that staff education with reinforcement is the key in decreasing prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcer. This educational curriculum was designed to increase nursing assistants' knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention among elderly in long-term care.</p>

<p> This action research study explored the complex nature of homeless adults and their perceptions of barriers to mental health services. Barriers to mental health services and a lack of resources for homeless adults are social justice issues explored in the study. The participants were homeless adults with a history of substance abuse, diagnosis of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection, and mental illness. A qualitative approach allowed for data analysis which described the experiences of homeless adults living with HCV infection. Due to the stigma assigned by HCV based on the prevalence of HCV being contracted by substance abuse, a defined high-risk behavior, the homeless adults were not offered mental health services. As a result, the homeless adults did not get treatment.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, School of Education, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Nov. 11, 2008). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-01, Section: A, page: 0148. Chair: Charles M. Reigeluth.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Argosy University/Honolulu, 2007. / (UMI)AAI3256145. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1555. Adviser: Carole E. Freehan.