Class of 2010 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of a current elementary school drug education program, Too Good for Drugs, on children’s views about drugs. METHODS: This was a descriptive, prospective study using pre- and post-test methodology. Participants were given a survey prior to the initiation of a drug education program, Too Good for Drugs. One month after the completion of the drug education program the same survey was given to the participants to see if their views and overall knowledge had changed. RESULTS: The overall knowledge of the groups increased from baseline (p=0.004). Participants in the fourth-grade group had a greater difference in drug knowledge from baseline than fifth-graders (p=0.008 vs. 0.01, respectively). The fourth-grade cohort had increased healthy attitudes about alcohol (p=0.007). Both groups had healthier views on marijuana (4th p=0.007 5th p=0.03) post- intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The Too Good for Drugs curriculum is effective at improving the views about drugs among the participants. Views on alcohol and marijuana improved. Participants in the program may be better served if there were an over-the-counter and prescription drug component.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / There are a variety of theories in the field of education used to describe student success. Erikson's psychosocial theory is the examination of the interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental contexts, namely society and culture. Behavioral theory is used to understand human behavior in regards to the functional relationship between individuals' responses and environment events that shape them. These theories are not mutually exclusive, but they may be combined to explain how and why students succeed in certain domains and develop the skills necessary to make effective progress in other less supportive environments. The researcher investigated the experiences of 14 students before, during, and after attending an assigned alternative program. Interview and document analysis revealed eight key factors contributed to students' ability to reintegrate from an assigned alternative program back to their traditional high school setting. These factors are (a) a small learning environment separate from the traditional high school, (b) consistency of staff and routines, (c) close deliberate relationships, (d) motivation for reintegration , (e) the availability of therapeutic services, (f) high expectations for skill development, (g) positive student growth and improved performance, (h) and the existence of a home base with in the traditional high school. The results of this study determined that, although these factors originated in the alternative program, they needed to be re inforced in the traditional high school setting in order to ensure continued progress for each student. Human development and behavior, whether viewed through a psychosocial or behavioral perspective, clearly reveal that the interventions offered through the Empower program enable students to develop into healthy, autonomous, young adults. Through the Empower program experience, the students studied internalized the skills required to control their emotions and behavior. Skill development enabled them to return to the traditional high school setting, and, for most, to continue on to a post high school education. / 2031-01-01

Thesis (M.S.)--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-62).

Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in the attitudes and knowledge of student pharmacists who attend an educational program on health and legal issues resulting from methamphetamine abuse. Methods: This study involved the presentation of a 50-minute educational program aimed at teaching student pharmacists about the health problems resulting from methamphetamine abuse and how these problems led to laws requiring pseudoephedrine-containing products to be behind the pharmacy counter. A pre-test and post-test was used to evaluate and compare knowledge before and after the educational program. Knowledge components included the laws applicable to the sale of pseudoephedrine-containing products and methamphetamine’s effect on the body. Attitude changes about the need to keep pseudoephedrine-containing products behind the pharmacy counter were also evaluated in the pre- test/post-test format. Results: The mean responses for the two attitudinal items on the pre-test and post-test were not significantly different. However, the overall mean (SD) number of correct responses for the knowledge portion (i.e., seven questions) of the pre-test and post-test were 3.04 (0.18) and 5.85 (0.16) (p=8.23 x 10- 18), respectively, reflecting a gain in knowledge. Conclusions: Although the attitudes of the participants regarding keeping pseudoephedrine-containing products behind the pharmacy counter did not change significantly, our findings suggest they did gain knowledge regarding the requirements of the CMEA and the health consequences of methamphetamine abuse.

The phenomenon of divorce and marital maladjustment in Saudi society is the ultimate concern of this paper, with the goal of addressing this issue by conducting a study in order to understand married Saudi women’s experiences and perceptions that may be used to develop a premarital education program. This research conducted individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 27 Saudi women who have been married for five years or less. The responses were discussed based on the prescriptive skills approach, the principles-based approach, and mindfulness-based approach. As evidenced in the responses of the participants, multiple relationship weaknesses are common to most of the marriages, with conflict management problems the most common weakness that Saudi women perceive in their marriages. However, a few key relationship strengths keep marital relationships intact. Based on participant feedback, premarital education programs for individuals and couples would be highly beneficial to the marital relationship health of couples in Saudi Arabia, and are a viable method for decreasing the divorce rate in Saudi Arabia.

Class of 2009 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To assess a student pharmacist administered osteoporosis education program given to assisted living facility staff members in order to evaluate the impact of the program on the staffs’ knowledge and attitudes about osteoporosis treatment and prevention. METHODS: The study consisted of a pre-test/post-test design to evaluate data obtained through surveys administered at assisted living facilities in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The primary dependent variables were knowledge and confidence levels of the staff in regards to osteoporosis management. The surveys included multiple choice questions that measured knowledge of osteoporosis prevention and treatment, as well as Likert-scale questions to measure confidence levels. Mean scores were calculated and paired t- tests were used to compare scores of pre-test versus post-test answers. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 5 participants. Sixty percent of the staff members were female and the mean age was 36 years old (SD 9.90). Eighty percent of the sample were certified nurse assistants. The mean pre-test score for the knowledge portion of the survey was 3.6 and the mean post-test score was 4.8 (p=0.18). The mean pre-test score on the participants confidence levels was 11.2 and the mean post-test score was 11.8 (p=0.37). Overall, the participants rated the value of the program a mean of 7.6 out of 8 possible points. CONCLUSIONS: Although not statistically significant, knowledge and confidence levels of osteoporosis management were raised in assisted living facility staff members after a student pharmacist administered presentation on the subject.

Class of 2009 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an education program in regards to pharmacy students’ knowledge and confidence regarding osteoporosis management. METHODS: This was a pretest/posttest study of data obtained through surveys given to pharmacy students’ at the Phoenix and Tucson campuses. The education program administered was generated by the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition. RESULTS: A total of 19 pharmacy students were surveyed in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. When the knowledge questions were analyzed (questions 1 through 7), the t-score obtained was 4.7914 (p<0.05). This score was larger than the t-critical value for a 95% confidence interval. When the confidence questions were analyzed (questions 8 through 10), the t-scores obtained were 0.6849, 0.5945, and 0.2287, respectively. These scores did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). The intervention proved to increase knowledge but did not increase confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The education program on osteoporosis management increased pharmacy students’ knowledge on this disease state. Other education programs targeting various disease states may also increase students knowledge, further preparing them to provide quality patient care.

Thesis advisor: Ann Burgess / Child abuse and neglect in the United States is a highly sensitive issue. According to federal statistics, 1,640 children died from child abuse and neglect in the United States during the fiscal year 2012 (U.S. DHHS et al., 2013). There are multiple theories on how to prevent abuse and protect children from maltreatment. Experts in the field of child welfare believe a critical element in the prevention of child abuse and neglect is parenting education and support services for at-risk populations.The twofold purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a parenting education program offered at Saint Joseph Parenting Center (SJPC) in Stamford, CT in promoting positive parenting behaviors through parenting education and to assess the level of client satisfaction with the teachers, staff, and overall experience at SJPC. The study analyzed data from surveys given to SJPC clients between April 19, 2010 and February 13, 2013. The sample consisted of 63 registered clients who completed at least ten classes before February 13, 2013. All 63 clients completed the client survey after completing ten classes and 42 clients completed the same survey a second time after completing twenty classes. Results from frequency analysis of the data indicated a reported increase in positive parenting behaviors since beginning the program and a reported decrease in negative parenting behaviors. An analysis of variance failed to reveal a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the 10-class and 20-class surveys. Frequency analysis of the surveys indicated a positive review of the teachers, staff, and overall experience at SJPC by clients. Limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are discussed. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: College Honors Program. / Discipline: Nursing.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Asthma education aims to reduce exacerbations by helping the patient or the caregivers to recognize early warning signs and act accordingly. However, a number of studies have indicated that childhood asthma morbidity is still rising. The goal of this research study is to explore the caregivers’ experiences of implementing the asthma education guidelines. The question to be answered by this research is: “How do caregivers experience the implementation of the guidelines for preventing an asthma attack?” Caregivers attending the asthma clinic at Red Cross War Memorial Children Hospital, Rondebosch were the study population who participated in this qualitative study. Purposive sampling was applied for recruiting participants to the study. A semi-structured, open –ended interview schedule was used to collect data from individuals during semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The data was analysed according to the guidelines of Creswell (2009). The results showed that care-givers found the education programme useful. They also reported that the education programme were offered at their level and was easy to understand. Care-givers indicated that the programme should continue because they learnt every time they attended and found that the practical demonstrations were particularly useful.

Class of 2006 Abstract / Objectives: To create, deliver, and evaluate a malignant melanoma continuing education (CE) seminar for pharmacists. Methods: A CE program was developed and presented to educate pharmacists about skin cancer prevention, specifically malignant melanoma, and their role in prevention through patient counseling. All practicing pharmacists who attended the CE program were asked to fill out a knowledge indicator and assess their comfort level in counseling patients about sun safety before and after the program. The participants also answered questions addressing how often they counsel patients on sunscreen use, their personal experience with skin cancer, preferred CE format, previous CE attendance, sex, age, practice site, hours worked per week, and years since graduation from pharmacy school. Results: The survey instrument was completed by 84 pharmacists. The average score on the pre-test knowledge indicator was 4.95 ± 0.39 and the average score on the post-test knowledge indicator was 7.81 ± 0.39. This was a significant improvement (p < 0.01). There was a significant increase in participant comfort level when counseling patients about sun safety after attending the CE program (p < 0.01). Personal experience with skin cancer did not have a significant effect on the pre-test knowledge indicator scores, however it was associated with the knowledge indicator change score (p < 0.01). Completion of previous skin cancer CE programs did not have a significant effect on the pre-test knowledge indicator score or the change score. Conclusions: Pharmacists who attended the CE program improved their knowledge indicator scores when tested about malignant melanoma and sun safety. Many participants felt more comfortable counseling patients about sun safety and felt their counseling on sun safety would change as a result of attending this CE program.