Krisberedskap är ett aktuellt ämne som ur individperspektiv främst rör den egna förmågan att tillgodose sina grundläggande behov av vatten, värme, mat, kommunikation och medicin i minst 7 dygn om en kris inträffar. Detta ställer krav på individers medvetenhet och kunskap om kris och krisberedskap. Det saknas forskning på området och de studier som finns visar att medvetenheten och kunskapen är låg. Studiens syfte är att undersöka högskolestudenters oro för att en kris ska inträffa, deras kunskap och medvetenhet om kris och krisberedskap samt vilken beredskap studenter har att hantera en kris och eventuella samband mellan dessa. En kvantitativ enkätstudie genomfördes. Resultatet visar att studenternas medvetenhet och kunskap om kris och krisberedskap är låg. Studenterna har störst oro för att en terroristattack ska ske och anser det troligt att en terroristattack kan inträffa inom fem år. Generellt är dock studenternas oro för att en kris ska inträffa låg. T-test genomfördes för att undersöka eventuella samband och skillnader i krisberedskap utifrån grad av kunskap och medvetenhet. Inga signifikanta samband eller skillnader påvisades. Studiens resultat diskuteras i relation till teorierna Health belief model och Theory of planned behaviour. Då kris och krisberedskap är ett aktuellt men obeforskat ämne rekommenderas vidare studier.

Introduktion:Att basal hygien som att tvätta händerna är effektivt för att bryta smitta är väl grundat imedicinsk forskning. På vilka grunder tar människor till sig en sådan rutin? Vilka faktorerpåverkar om ett nytt beteende anammas? Syfte:Studien syftar till att undersöka förutsättningar för följsamhet till en ny hygienrutin iförskoleverksamhet utifrån uppfattningar bland vårdnadshavare och pedagoger. Studien syftaräven till att studera denna typ av preventiv insats utifrån olika perspektiv på hälsa, preventionoch hälsopromotion. Metod:Studien är utformad som en kvalitativ utvärdering av en intervention. Studiens syfte besvarasgenom en tematisk analysmetod av data som insamlats genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Konklusion:Drivkrafter som understödjer följsamheten är fungerande kommunikation, tilltro till sin egenförmåga att klara av att följa hygienrutinen samt att hygienrutinen genererar märkbara fördelar.Utmaningarna handlar om att det finns en acceptans för smitta. Att bli sjuk uppfattas inte somtillräckligt allvarligt för att hygienrutinen ska prioriteras och att den inte kommer åt allsjukfrånvaro. Av studien framgår att det finns uppfattningar som belyser att det holistiskaperspektivet är viktigt för hälsan. Att ta hänsyn både till den salutogena och patogena synen påhälsa kan vara en väg att gå för att överbrygga att hygienrutinen inte kommer åt allt. / Introduction:The fact that basic hygiene such as hand washing is effective in preventing infections is welldocumented in medical research. But why do people adopt such routines? Which perceptionsaffect whether a new behaviour is adopted? Purpose:The study aims to investigate the conditions for adherence to a new hygiene routine in preschoolactivities, based on perceptions among parents and educators. The study also aims to examinethis type of preventive intervention from different perspectives in terms of health, preventionand health promotion. Method:The study takes the form of qualitative research into an intervention. The research question isanswered through the thematic analysis method of data collected through semi-structuredinterviews. Conclusion:The main aspects which support compliance are functional communication, confidence in one’sown ability to follow the hygiene routine and the hygiene routine generating noticeable benefits.The challenge is that there is an acceptance of infection. Becoming ill is not perceived as seriousenough for the hygiene routine to be prioritized or for the hygiene routine to prevent all sickleave. The study shows that there are perceptions which highlight that the holistic perspectiveis important for health. Taking both salutogenic and pathogenic health aspects intoconsideration would create a possible solution to the problem, as a single hygiene routine doesnot cover every aspect involved.

Introduction: Mozambican farmers constitute a vulnerable group, facing challenges in relation to climate change that put their health at risk. This issue received limited attention in privious research, resulting in a knowledge gap regarding a local perspective of Mozambican farmers’ health in the contex of climate change. Study aim: This paper addresses this gap by exploring how Mozambican farmers perceive their health and the support available to them in the context of climate change. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted and analysed using a thematic approach, with theoretical frameworks such as the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Justice providing tools to deepening the result discussion. Results: The findings reveal that Mozambican farmers view climate change as a threat, impacting their agricultural livelihoods and perceived health. Participants expressed concerns about theirfuture and their ability to support themselves and their families. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure exacerbates these challenges, and participants expressed distrust towards the government. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Mozambican Farmer’s Union (UNAC) provided support in the form of lectures, however, the participants expressed the need for practical initiatives. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the complex interplay between climate change vulnerability and the (absence of) support systems affecting the health of Mozambican farmers. Many farmers expressed faith in their occupation but skepticism towards the government. They perceive that climate change exacerbates the challenges in farming, which is intertwined with their perceived health. The Health Belief Model and the Theory of Justice offering insights for developing targeted interventions and policies. / Introduktion: Jordbrukare i Moçambique utgör en sårbar grupp i samhället som står inför särskilda utmaningar i relation till klimatförändringarna som riskerar att förvärra deras hälsa. Det saknas tidigare forskning av ett lokalt perspektiv gällande moçambikiska jordbrukares upplevda hälsa i kontexten av klimatförändringarna. Syfte: Den här uppsatsen adresserar dessa luckor genom att utforska hur jordbrukare i Moçambique upplever sin hälsa och det stöd som finns tillgängligt för dem i kontexten av klimatförändringarna. Metod: Kvalitativa intervjuer utfördes och analyserades genom tematisk innehållsanalys med de teoretiska ramverken Health belief model (HBM) och Theory of justice som verktyg för att fördjupa resultatdiskussionen. Resultat: Fynden visar att jordbrukarna uppfattar klimatförändringarna som ett stort hot, som påverkar deras möjlighet att försörja sig på jordbruk vilket är sammflätat med deras upplevda hälsa. Deltagarna utryckte oro för framtiden och hur de ska försörja sig och sina familjer. Dessutom förvärrar inadekvat infrastruktur dessa utmaningar. Majoriteten av deltagarna utryckte misstro gentemot regeringen och även om den icke-statliga organisationen Mozambican Farmer’s Union (UNAC) bidrog med insatser i form av föreläsningar utryckte deltagarna en önskan om insatser riktade mot praktiska svårigheter. Slutsats: Den här studien visar på den komplexitet som uppstår i utmaningarna av klimatförändringar och bristfälliga skyddsnät och hur detta i sin tur påverkar jordbrukare i Moçambique. Många av jordbrukarna har tilltro till sitt yrke men misstro till regeringen, de upplever att klimatförändringarna försvårar jordbruket som är starkt sammanflätat med deras upplevda hälsa. HBM och Theory of justice bidrar till värdefulla insikter och perspektiv för utvecklingen av riktade insatser och policyutveckling.

The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to non-compliance to TB treatment amongst pulmonary TB patients in Waterberg district, Limpopo. The health-belief model was the conceptual framework which guided this study. A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study design was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered by trained data collectors. Data was collected from 215 respondents. Informed consent was obtained from each respondent prior to data collection. MS Excel and SPSS were used to analyse data. Findings on significant factors contributing to noncompliance to TB treatment include; non-availability of food whilst taking TB treatment, disbelief in the fact that TB can result in death if not treated, belief in traditional medicine for curing TB, bad healthcare worker attitudes, long distance to the clinic for treatment, belief that TB treatment takes very long and the pill burden / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with type 2 diabetes participating in American Diabetes Association (ADA) diabetes self-management education (DSME) randomly assigned to an intensive follow-up group (IFG), utilizing continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), or a standard follow-up group (SFG) have any significant differences in mean HgbA1c values and health belief scores over time. Baseline HgbA1c values and health beliefs were measured using the revised Expanded Health Belief Model (HBM) questionnaire. The questionnaire measured the 8 HBM domains: perceived susceptibility; severity; treatment benefit; cues to action; motivation; barriers; self-efficacy and structural elements. Twelve weeks after DSME, patients returned for follow-up based on random assignment. The SFG received routine follow-up care: HgbA1c measurements; behavioral goals and education assessments. The IFG received routine follow-up and CGMS. Patients wore the CSMS for 72 hours and recorded their daily food, blood glucose values, medications and physical activities. Results were analyzed and reviewed with patients. Both groups returned in 24 weeks for HgbA1c measurements and to complete the HBM questionnaire. A repeated measure ANOVA analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in mean HgbA1c at each time period (F=86.75. p>.0001 ) from week 1 to week 12 (SFG 8.6-7.1; IFG 8.5 --7.1,) and from week 12 to week 24 ( SFG 7.1 to 6.9; IFG 7.1 -- 7.0). There were no significant differences found between the groups. (F = 0.17 p > 0.87). Following DMSE and follow-up intervention some health belief scores improved but no significant differences were found between groups except for severity scores. (SFG 27.05, IFG 25.00, p=0.03). The power of the study to detect small differences between the groups was affected by the higher than anticipated attrition and the significant lowering of HgbA1c in the education arm of the study. Both groups achieved a high success rate (58% IFG; 55% SFG) to lower the HgbA1c to the ADA goal of less than 7. DSME and follow-up care (both standard follow-up and more intensive follow-up) achieved a significant lowering of HgbA1c (1.6%), which has been shown to reduce diabetes related morbidity and health costs.

Health care associated infections cause major challenges to the provision of health care. This isdue to the burden placed on individuals, their families, and health services. Hand hygiene actions are cost effective measures towards reducing the spread of health care associated infections and have proven very effective in preventing microbial transmission during patient care. It has beenproven that health care workers hands are the main routes of transmission of health care associated infections. Despite this, hand hygiene is still frequently overlooked by health careworkers especially in settings with limited resources. This paper therefore explores hand hygieneknowledge and behaviours of public and private health care workers in The Gambia with focuson the health belief model. The required information has been gathered from 4 public and 2 private health care facilities through the use of a questionnaire based on the WHO evaluation toolkit. Hand hygiene knowledge of health care workers corresponded with their hand hygiene behaviour. Inadequate hand hygiene performance was noted in many health care workers as wellas limited availability of hand hygiene resources from health care facilities. Private health care facilities provided better hand hygiene opportunities for their health care workers yet neither private nor public health care facilities offered adequate hand hygiene training and feedback on hand hygiene performances to their health care workers.

Master of Science / Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Elizabeth B. Barrett / The Centers for Disease Control estimates that each year 48 million Americans become ill, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. In 2011, the CDC reported that Norovirus caused the majority of all foodborne diseases and can be eliminated with proper handwashing, which is the number one way to prevent the spread of foodborne disease. The purpose of this study was to use the Health Belief Model to determine differences in university foodservice employees’ beliefs and perceptions about handwashing and foodborne illness. The constructs of perceived susceptiblity, severity, barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy as they relate to handwashing were used to examine the differences in demographics. Instrument development included a review of literature, focus group feedback, a pilot study and a review by industry experts. The final instrument was distributed to all foodservice employees at Kansas State University using Qualtrics and pen-and-paper surveys. Frequencies, means, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression were used for data analysis and to answer research questions. Results indicated respondents who were older (above 23 years of age), full-time employees, had more than three years of experience, and were food safety certified had a higher perception of susceptibility, benefits, and self-efficacy of handwashing and its relationship to reducing foodborne illness. Perceived severity was highest among respondents with food safety certification and more than three years of experience. Supervisor/Manager category did not agree on barriers to handwashing in the workplace with other positions; however, most employees did not rate barriers as a problem. Non-white respondents showed a lower self-efficacy for ability to wash hands correctly. Results of this study highlight the need for self-efficacy focused handwashing training for first year and non-white employees.

Morbidity due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has become a worldwide epidemic. As a result, the United Nations (2015) Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) included goal (3.4) that aims to reduce the premature mortality from NCDs by one third. All countries, regardless of income, are required to develop strategies and achieve a reduction in the burden of NCDs. This study, conducted in the Sultanate of Oman, aimed to explore individuals' knowledge, perceptions, actions and intentions to modify their lifestyle to reduce their risk of stroke. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the underpinning theoretical framework to provide a broader conceptual understanding of the Omani sociocultural and structural influences on individuals' lifestyles. A convergent mixed methods design within a realist social constructionism methodology was used. Both quantitative (344 questionnaires) and qualitative (10 interviews) data were integrated using a narrative weaving approach. The study results confirm that both agency and structure influenced the adoption of healthy behaviours in Oman. The study indicates that the study participants are likely to engage in health-related behaviours when they perceived the benefit of such a course of actions in term of it reducing their risk of stroke. The study found that in the Omani setting, individual factors such as fear, family experience and physical sickness, the psychological status of chronic conditions and a cost-benefit analysis of the behaviour influence the individuals' decisions to practise a healthy lifestyle. The major finding in the study showed that perceptions of risk vary among individuals who share the same culture and religion, particularly individual perception of religious belief was found to influence their susceptibility to stroke risk. In addition, the study identified some sociocultural and structural factors that influenced the individuals' decisions to engage in a healthy lifestyle. This study presents an extended HBM to incorporate the role of individual religious beliefs as an individual factor. The study suggests that health improvement plans are needed in Oman to develop both individual- and community- level interventions to achieve the target of SDGs for NCDs.

Perception of cervical cancer screening among Immigrant African women residing in Houston, Texas Esther I. Orji M.Ed., University of Lagos, 2002 B. Ed, Abia State University, 1998 A.C. E. University of Benin, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University August 2016 Disparities in cervical cancer screening participation still exist especially among immigrant and minority women compared to non immigrant populations. Research investigators through multiple studies have explored reasons for non participation in cervical cancer screening among immigrant and minority women. However, there was limited research specifically on how immigrant women of African descent could be empowered to overcome barriers associated with cervical cancer screening in Houston Texas. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the perceptions of factors which are barriers to perform cervical cancer screening tests among immigrant women of African descent, as well as their beliefs on preventive medicine, and how immigrant women could be empowered in order to overcome barriers associated with cervical cancer screening. The theoretical framework was based on the health belief model. The participants for the study were 20 immigrant women of African descent aged 21-65. A semi-structured interview schedule which comprised of open ended questions was used to collect data on the perspectives of immigrant women towards cervical cancer screening. Data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The social change implications of the study can be that immigrant women could be more encouraged to seek access to the appropriate state of the art in cervical cancer screening which could contribute in reducing mortality, morbidity rate, and costs associated with cervical cancer.

There has been inadequate attention to the aftercare of psychiatric patients, resulting in an increase in readmission rates plus longer hospital stays. There is a gap in the aftercare for psychiatric patients; The purpose of this qualitative retrospective study is to explore what may have contributed to readmission for psychiatric patients. The biopsychosocial model was used as the theoretical framework to support the direction of the research. The health belief model and transtheoretical model of change were used to further support for biopsychosocial model. The research questions were created to determine the influences on readmission, psychological well-being, explore the adaptation to aftercare and narrative of aftercare from the caregiver. This study used a content analysis to identify patterns and themes with a total of 10 participants. The data used had been previously collected by the behavioral transition team at Houston Methodist Hospital which consists of case notes, mental health diagnoses, hospital history and reasons for readmission. The findings include reports of psychiatric patients not adhering to their prescribed medication due to its side effects or cost, caregivers feeling overwhelmed, and the importance of psychoeducation. Once adjustments were made to the dosage or a prescription for less expensive medication, adherence improved, regular attendance to therapy sessions occurred, and the increase in the level of frustration from the caregiver. Psychiatric patients can benefit in post-discharge care if there is more focus on the reasons for hospital readmission by developing a treatment plan for the prevention of a relapse. This study may improve patient vulnerability to mental health issues and to assist psychiatric patients in establishing balance in their lives.