A intensificação do debate sobre a epidemia de DST/aids na população negra, trazida por entidades da sociedade civil na última década, aparece na esteira da recente sistematização de políticas voltadas para a saúde desta população. O objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a avaliação que o movimento social negro do ABC paulista tem sobre as condições de vulnerabilidade em relação às DST/aids vividas pelos cidadãos negros da região. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, construído com base em entrevistas individuais em profundidade com lideranças diversas deste movimento. A representatividade dos entrevistados foi ancorada no conceito de Luta por Reconhecimento e a estrutura das entrevistas foi organizada a partir do conceito teórico orientador de todo o trabalho que é o conceito de Vulnerabilidade. A construção e interpretação das entrevistas foram apoiadas em uma concepção de linguagem entendida como desveladora de processos de interação a partir do cotejo de duas tradições filosóficas principais: o materialismo histórico dialético e a hermenêutica. As avaliações dos entrevistados sobre as três dimensões de vulnerabilidades vivenciadas pelos negros em relação às DST/aids, produziram um quadro no qual diversas situações cotidianas são relatadas e discutidas. No plano institucional, três grupos centrais de problemas foram levantados: as condições de atendimento nos serviços de saúde; a atuação do Estado sobre as condições de iniquidade e a relação do Estado com o movimento social. Em relação às vulnerabilidades sociais, foram destacadas as desigualdades sócio-econômicas entre negros e não-negros e suas consequências, que incluem a persistência de baixa escolaridade, precarização das moradias, fixação da população negra para a periferia das áreas urbanas, barreiras à ascensão social, desigualdades sociais em saúde e a persistência da discriminação racial nas relações sociais. Em relação às vulnerabilidades individuais, os entrevistados relataram algumas de suas vivências pessoais e familiares em que sobressaem os sentimentos de insegurança e desrespeito trazidos pela tensão da discriminação racial, o que tem implicações não apenas morais, mas manifesta-se também no modo como os sujeitos vivenciam, apreendem e lidam com os aspectos dos demais planos de vulnerabilidade, acima citados. Os entrevistados apontaram, ainda, alternativas de reconstrução prática com potencial de redução do impacto da vulnerabilidade para a aids entre os brasileiros negros / The intensified discussion about the STD/AIDS epidemic among black population, brought about by civil society organizations in the last decade, appears in the wake of recent policies aimed at health of this population. The objective of this study was to explore the assessment that the black social movement in the ABC region (State of SP) make about vulnerability conditions regarding STD/AIDS experienced by black citizens from the region. This is a qualitative study, built on individual in-depth interviews with several leaders of this movement. Representativeness of respondents was based on the concept of \"Struggle for Recognition\", and the structure of the interviews on the theoretical concept of Vulnerability that guided the whole work. The structure and interpretation of interviews were backed by designing a language understood as unfolding processes of interaction based on confrontation of two major philosophical traditions: historical dialectical materialism and hermeneutics. The evaluations of the respondents about the three dimensions of vulnerability experienced by brazilian blacks in relation to STD/AIDS, resulted in a framework in which many daily situations are reported and discussed. At institutional level, three core groups of issues were raised: the conditions of care in health services, State action concerning inequity conditions and the relation between the State and social movements. As to social vulnerabilities, socioeconomic inequalities and their consequences were highlighted between blacks and non-blacks, including persistence of low schooling, precarious housing, setting the black population in the periphery of urban areas, barriers to social mobility, health inequalities and persistence of racial discrimination in social relations. In relation to individual vulnerabilities, respondents reported some of their personal and family experiences that stress feelings of lack of confidence and disrespect due to tension resulting from racial discrimination, which has moral implications and also manifests in how the subjects experience, perceive and deal with vulnerability aspects at other levels, as mentioned above. Yet, the interviewees pointed out practical reconstruction alternatives with potential to reduce the impact of vulnerability to AIDS among black Brazilians

ABMA (aller bien pour mieux apprendre) est un dispositif de promotion de la santé en milieu scolaire élaboré à partir des données de la littérature internationale. Il a été expérimenté dans 19 établissements volontaires de l'académie de Lyon. Le dispositif a pour objectif de rendre l'établissement promoteur de santé. Les établissements bénéficient d'un accompagnement par un référent académique, de formations et de conseils méthodologiques. C'est un dispositif expérimental innovant élaboré dans le cadre du fonctionnement académique. Il s'appuie sur une démarche de projet construite avec les équipes d'établissement. Le dispositif de recherche est celui d'une recherche-intervention et repose sur une co-construction avec les établissements et les personnels académiques afin d'obtenir des données probantes sur l'approche globale de la santé en milieu scolaire. L'évaluation de processus a été mise en place dès le début de l'expérimentation. La question de recherche porte sur l'analyse des freins et des leviers pour intégrer ce type de dispositif au système éducatif français. La méthode d'évaluation est mixte, qualitative et quantitative et fait appel à des entretiens semi-directifs, à une analyse documentaire et des données quantitatives. Les variables indépendantes renvoient aux caractéristiques de l'établissement, aux résultats scolaires et au climat scolaire. Les variables dépendantes renvoient au niveau et à la qualité d'implantation du dispositif dans l'établissement. Les résultats confirment l'importance d'un accompagnement méthodologique des établissements et montrent que l'implantation du dispositif au niveau académique est essentielle dans ce type de démarche, d'abord centré sur les établissements / ABMA (increased well-being for better learning) is a health promoting school program based on international literature on the concept of health promoting schools. The planning and implementation of the health promotion program ABMA was constructed in the Lyon school board in 19 pilot schools. The program goal is to guide a school to become a health promoting school. The project is within the framework of interventional research. Our study consisted of identifying the enabling and inhibiting factors in the implementation of a health promotion program in the French education system. Evaluation methods are mixed: quantitative, but primarily qualitative. Independent variables correspond to individual characteristics of the school, to academic performance and to school climate. The dependent variables correspond to the level and quality of implementation of the program as well as the support process in the school. The results highlight the importance of the support process and show that the implication of the school board is essential for the long-term success. For schools, the main facilitating factors for global health promotion development are the involvement of the principal, regular communication to the entire educational community, a good initial evaluation of current conditions and individualized support

Psychotropic medication use is widely implicated as a risk factor for injuries, and it is believed that the adverse effect profiles of these medications are exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol. The objectives of this study are (a) to examine the associations between the use of specific classes of psychotropic medications and injuries among elderly participants of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), and (b) to determine whether and how associations between psychotropic medications and injuries are modified by the consumption of alcohol. Data from Cycles 1 (1994/95), 2 (1996/97), and 3 (1998/99) of the NPHS household longitudinal file were used in this study, selecting community-dwelling participants aged 65 years of age and older in 1994/95. Among antidepressant medications, the magnitude of the risk of injuries was higher for users of tricyclic derivatives (OR=1.4; 95%CI: 0.7 – 2.9) than SSRIs (OR=0.3; 95%CI: 0.1 – 1.0). Benzodiazepine use for any indication increased the risk of injuries, but that effect was not consistent across indications. The use of benzodiazepine antianxiety medications resulted in an increased risk of injuries (OR=2.0; 95%CI: 1.3 – 3.1), but there were no significant effects on the injury risk among benzodiazepine hypnotic and sedative users (OR=0.8; 95%CI: 0.4 – 1.7). Results pertaining to the second objective of this study raised as many questions as they resolved. Alcohol consumption decreased the odds of injury among hypnotic and sedative users, but otherwise, no consistent results were observed. Findings from this study underscore the importance of identifying appropriate alcohol measures for research among elderly populations. They also stress the need to separately consider the impact of different classes of psychotropic medications on injuries (tricyclic antidepressants separate from SSRI antidepressants and antianxiety benzodiazepines separate from hypnotic and sedative benzodiazepines).

Psychotropic medication use is widely implicated as a risk factor for injuries, and it is believed that the adverse effect profiles of these medications are exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol. The objectives of this study are (a) to examine the associations between the use of specific classes of psychotropic medications and injuries among elderly participants of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), and (b) to determine whether and how associations between psychotropic medications and injuries are modified by the consumption of alcohol. Data from Cycles 1 (1994/95), 2 (1996/97), and 3 (1998/99) of the NPHS household longitudinal file were used in this study, selecting community-dwelling participants aged 65 years of age and older in 1994/95. Among antidepressant medications, the magnitude of the risk of injuries was higher for users of tricyclic derivatives (OR=1.4; 95%CI: 0.7 – 2.9) than SSRIs (OR=0.3; 95%CI: 0.1 – 1.0). Benzodiazepine use for any indication increased the risk of injuries, but that effect was not consistent across indications. The use of benzodiazepine antianxiety medications resulted in an increased risk of injuries (OR=2.0; 95%CI: 1.3 – 3.1), but there were no significant effects on the injury risk among benzodiazepine hypnotic and sedative users (OR=0.8; 95%CI: 0.4 – 1.7). Results pertaining to the second objective of this study raised as many questions as they resolved. Alcohol consumption decreased the odds of injury among hypnotic and sedative users, but otherwise, no consistent results were observed. Findings from this study underscore the importance of identifying appropriate alcohol measures for research among elderly populations. They also stress the need to separately consider the impact of different classes of psychotropic medications on injuries (tricyclic antidepressants separate from SSRI antidepressants and antianxiety benzodiazepines separate from hypnotic and sedative benzodiazepines).

Obesity and physical inactivity are major risk factors for numerous chronic diseases, conditions, and early mortality. Healthy body weight and physical activity (PA) are also positively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, obesity and physical inactivity levels in Canadian youth and adults are high. This thesis comprises five studies exploring the burden of obesity and physical inactivity, focusing on HRQL. The first study assessed PA research productivity in Canada from 1990-2005. Canada produced approximately 5% of global PA research, 50% originating from Ontario, the biomedical and clinical areas accounting for 40% each; however, research in population health and health services was lacking. The second study used data from the Physical Activity Longitudinal Study (PALS), the 22-year follow-up of the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey, to assess PA and obesity tracking from youth to adulthood. Over 80% of overweight/obese youth became overweight/obese adults, while the majority of overweight/obese adults had not been overweight/obese youth; almost all healthy weight adults had been healthy weight youth. PA did not track over 22 years. The third study used the PALS data to examine the long-term effect of youth BMI and PA on adult HRQL (SF-36), using dichotomized outcomes based on Canadian norms. Contrary to expectations, overweight youth were more likely than healthy weight youth to score at/above the norm in adult HRQL, especially in the mental health domains. Youth PA was not associated with adult HRQL. The fourth study used the same data to explore the youth BMI-adult HRQL relationship using continuous outcomes, by sex. Youth BMI was positively associated with mental HRQL in adult females only; no negative impacts emerged. The fifth study used the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 3.1 data to investigate the combined association of PA and BMI to HRQL among Canadian adults, including self-rated health, participation/activity limitation, and total disability days, by age and sex. Inactive individuals had increased odds of adverse HRQL, regardless of weight status; underweight, overweight, and obesity were of little consequence for active individuals. Collectively, these results help to better understand the health burdens created by the current epidemics of obesity and physical inactivity in Canadians throughout their lifespans. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-12-08 18:00:44.214

Contexte : Les interventions sur l'environnement bâti reliées au transport peuvent contribuer à l'augmentation de la pratique de l'activité physique. En tant qu’intervention, les programmes de vélos en libre-service (PVLS) peuvent contribuer à l’utilisation du vélo. BIXI© (nom qui fusionne les mots BIcyclette et taXI) est un programme de vélos en libre-service implanté à Montréal, au Canada, en mai 2009. Le programme BIXI© met à la disposition des gens 5050 vélos à 405 bornes d’ancrage. Objectif : L'objectif général de cette thèse est d'étudier l'impact d'un programme de vélos en libre-service sur l’utilisation du vélo. Les objectifs spécifiques de la thèse sont de : 1) Estimer la prévalence populationnelle et identifier des variables environnementales, sociodémographiques et comportementales associées à l’utilisation des vélos en libre-service. 2) Estimer l’impact populationnel de l’implantation des vélos en libre-service sur l’utilisation du vélo et les contributions respectives de l’utilisation du vélo pour des fins utilitaires et récréatives à l’utilisation totale du vélo. 3) Estimer l’impact local de l’implantation des vélos en libre-service sur l’utilisation du vélo. Méthodes : Un devis populationnel transversal avec mesures répétées. Des enquêtes ont été réalisées au moment du lancement du programme de vélos en libre-service (4 mai au 10 juin, 2009), à la fin de la première année d’implantation (8 octobre au 12 décembre, 2009), et à la fin de la deuxième année d’implantation (8 novembre au 12 décembre, 2010). Les échantillons se composaient de 2001 (âge moyen = 49,4 années, 56,7 % de femmes), 2502 (âge moyen = 47,8 ans, 61,8 % de femmes) et 2509 (âge moyen = 48,9 années, 59,0 % de femmes) adultes à chaque période de mesure respectivement. Résultats : Globalement, les résultats démontrent le potentiel des PVLS pour augmenter l’utilisation du vélo. Les résultats suggèrent que près de 128 744 habitants ou 8,1 % de la population adulte ont utilisé les vélos BIXI© au moins une fois dans la première saison. Après deux ans d’implantation, ceux qui sont exposés à BIXI© dans leur milieu résidentiel avaient une probabilité significativement plus élevée d’utiliser le vélo par rapport à ceux non exposés. Par contre, il n'y avait aucun impact local de l’implantation du programme BIXI© sur l’utilisation du vélo. Conclusions : L’implantation d'un PVLS à Montréal a augmenté la probabilité d’utiliser le vélo chez les individus habitant près d'une borne d'ancrage. Mots clés : programme de vélos en libre-service, expérience naturelle, santé des populations. / Background: Interventions in transportation and the built environment have the potential to increasing physical activity. Public bicycle share programs (PBSP) are one such intervention which may contribute to increasing cycling and physical activity. BIXI© (name merges the words BIcycle and taXI) is a public bicycle share programs launched in Montreal, Canada in May 2009. BIXI© makes available 5050 bicycles at 405 docking stations. Purpose: The overarching aim of this dissertation is to estimate the impact of a built environment intervention on cycling using. The specific research objectives are: 1) To estimate the population prevalence and identify built environment, sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of public bicycle share program use. 2) To estimate the population level impact of implementing a public bicycle share program on cycling and the contribution of utilitarian and recreational cycling to overall cycling. 3) To estimate the local impact of implementing a public bicycle share program on cycling. Methods: A population-based repeat, cross sectional time series design was used. The population of the Island of Montreal was sampled at three time points. Surveys were conducted at launch of the public bicycle share program (May 4th - June 10th 2009), at the end of the first year of implementation (October 8th - December 12th 2009), and at the end of the second year 2 of implementation (November 8th - December 12th 2010). Samples consisted of 2001 (Mean age=49.4 years, 56.7% female), 2502 (Mean age=47.8 years, 61.8% female), and 2509 (Mean age=48.9 years, 59.0% female) adults at the each time period. Results: Overall the results provide a proof of concept for the potential of PBSPs to increase cycling. Approximately 128,744 inhabitants or 8.1% of the adult population used BIXI© bicycles at least once in the first season. Respondents exposed to BIXI© at their residence after two years had a significantly greater likelihood of all forms cycling. However, there was no local impact of the BIXI© intervention on cycling. Conclusions: The implementation of a PBSP in Montreal had increased all forms of cycling in areas where it was deployed.

The field of prenatal screening and diagnosis has developed rapidly over the past half-century, enabling possibilities for detecting anomalies in reproduction that were never before contemplated. A simple blood sample can aid in the identification of several conditions in the fetus early in the pregnancy. If a fetus is found to be affected by Down syndrome, anencephalus, spina bifida, or Edward's syndrome, a decision must then be made whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy. As prenatal screening becomes increasingly commonplace and part of routine maternal care, researchers are faced with the challenge of understanding its effects at the level of the population and monitoring trends over time. Greater uptake of prenatal screening, when followed by prenatal diagnosis and termination, has important implications for both congenital anomaly surveillance and infant and fetal mortality indicators. Research in Canada suggests that this practice has led to reductions in the congenital-anomaly specific infant mortality rate and increases in the stillbirth rate.(1, 2) The current study is a population-based, epidemiological exploration of demographic predictors of maternal serum screening (MSS) and amniocentesis uptake, with special attention to variations in birth outcomes resulting from different patterns of use. To accomplish our objectives, multiple data sources (vital statistics, hospital and physician services, cytogenetic and MSS laboratory information) were compiled to create a comprehensive maternal-fetal-infant dataset. Data spanned a six-year period (2000-2005) and involved 93,171 pregnancies. A binary logistic regression analysis found that First Nations status, rural-urban health region of residence, maternal age group, and year of test all significantly predicted MSS use. Uptake was lower in women living in a rural health region, First Nations women, and those under 30 years of age. The study dataset identified ninety-four terminations of pregnancy following detection of a fetal anomaly (TOPFA), which led to a lower live birth prevalence of infants with Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, and anencephalus. While a significant increasing trend was observed for the overall infant mortality rate in Saskatchewan between 2001-2005, a clear trend in one direction or the other could not be seen in regards to infant deaths due to congenital anomaly. First Nations status and maternal age were important predictors of both MSS and amniocentesis testing, and appeared to influence the decision to continue or terminate an affected pregnancy. The fact that First Nations women were less likely to screen (9.6% vs. 28.4%) and to have diagnostic follow-up testing (18.5% vs. 33.5%), meant that they were less likely to obtain a prenatal diagnosis when the fetus had a chromosomal anomaly compared to other women (8.3% vs. 27.0%). This resulted in a lower TOPFA rate compare to the rest of the population (0.64 vs. 1.34, per 1,000 pregnancies, respectively) and a smaller difference between the live birth prevalence and incidence of Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 for First Nations women. Women under 30 years of age were much less likely to receive a prenatal diagnosis when a chromosomal anomaly was present (18.4% vs. 31.8%). While risk for a chromosomal anomaly is considerably lower for younger mothers, 53.5% of all pregnancies with chromosomal anomalies and 40.7% of DS pregnancies belonged to this group. Consistent with other studies pregnancy termination rates following a prenatal congenital anomaly diagnosis are high (eg. 74.1% of prenatally diagnosed Down syndrome or Trisomy 18 cases), but these rates may be misleading in that they are based on women who chose to proceed to prenatal diagnosis. The fact that two-thirds (67.3%) of Saskatchewan women who received an increased-risk result declined amniocentesis, helps to put this finding into context. Strong surveillance systems and reasonable access to research datasets will be an on-going challenge for the province of Saskatchewan and should be viewed as a priority. Pregnancies and congenital anomalies are two particularly challenging outcomes to study in the absence of perinatal and congenital anomaly surveillance systems. Still pregnancies that never reach term must be accounted for, in order to describe the true state of maternal-fetal-infant health and to study its determinants. While our study was able to identify some interesting trends and patterns, it is only a snapshot in time. Key to the production of useful surveillance and evaluation is timely information. The current system is not timely, nor is it user-friendly for researchers, health regions or governments. Data compilation for the current study was a gruelling and cumbersome process taking more than five years to complete. A provincial overhaul is warranted in both the mechanism by which researchers access data and in the handling of data. The Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) in Ontario is an innovative perinatal and congenital anomaly surveillance system worthy of modelling.(3) Academic papers in non-ethics' journals typically focus on the technical or programmatic aspects of screening and do not effectively alert the reader to the complex and profound moral dilemmas raised by the practice. A discussion of ethics was felt necessary to ensure a well-rounded portrayal of the issue, putting findings into context and helping to ensure their moral relevance did not remain hidden behind the scientific complexities. Here I lay out the themes of the major arguments in a descriptive manner, recognizing that volumes have been written on the ethics of both screening and abortion. A major ethical tension arising within the context of population based prenatal screening is the tension between community morality and the principle of respect for personal autonomy. Prenatal screening and selective termination have been framed as a purely private or medical matter, thereby deemphasizing the social context in which the practice has materialized and the importance of community values. I consider how a broader sociological perspective, one that takes into account the relevance of community values and limitations of the clinical encounter, could inform key practice and policy issues involving prenatal screening. It is my position that the community's voice must be invited to the conversation and public engagement processes should occur prior to any additional expansion in programming. I end with a look at how the community’s voice might be better heard on key issues, even those issues that at first glance seem to be the problems of individuals. As Rayna Rapp (2000) (4) poignantly observed, women today are 'moral pioneers' not by choice, but by necessity. By elucidating the effects of prenatal screening and the extent of the practice of selective termination in the province, the true occurrence of important categories of congenital anomalies in our province can be observed. Without this knowledge it is very difficult to identify real increases or decreases in fetal and infant mortality over time as the etiologies are complex. Evidence suggests a large and increasing impact of TOPFA on population-based birth and mortality statistics nationally, whereas in Saskatchewan the effect appears to be less pronounced. Appreciation of the intervening effect of new reproductive technologies will be increasingly important to accurate surveillance, research, and evaluation as this field continues to expand.

Public health nurses (PHNs) are ideally situated to reduce health inequities and based on documents articulating their role, should be working upstream to promote equity, prevent chronic diseases, and improve population health outcomes. In reality however, numerous barriers contribute to lack of role clarity for PHNs, and this goal has not been attainable in practice. A common vision for PHN practice based on discipline specific competencies and full scope of practice has been identified as a priority by Canadian experts. The intention of this study was to develop a model to support PHN practice in an urban Canadian city. This study used a participatory action research approach, grounded in local experience and context. The action was the development of a professional practice model. Data were gathered using semi-structured interview guides during audio-recorded research working group (RWG) meetings from November 2012 to July 2013. A researcher reflexive journal and field notes were kept. The data were analyzed using qualitative methods. A significant feature was full participant involvement throughout the course of the study. A professional practice model was a key organizational tool that provided the framework to develop an autonomous PHN role and the structures necessary to support PHN practice within the health system. The professional practice model fostered full scope of practice and role clarity, with a focus on population health and equity, so that a consistent and evidence-based practice was attainable. The result was that RWG participants reported a shift in their practice, with greater awareness of theory. Participatory action research was essential in developing the framework and common language, and is a research methodology that should continue to be explored with nurses in Canada.

Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are serious conditions whose burdens vary by socio-demographic and geographic factors. Although several studies have investigated and identified disparities in burdens of these conditions at the county and state levels, little is known regarding their geographic epidemiology at the neighborhood level. Both conditions require emergency treatments and therefore timely geographic accessibility to appropriate care is critical. Investigation of disparities in geographic accessibility to stroke and MI care and the role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in reducing treatment delays are vital in improving health outcomes. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to: (i) classify neighborhoods based on socio-demographic and geographic characteristics; (ii) investigate spatial patterns of neighborhood level mortality; (iii) identify disparities in geographic accessibility to stroke and MI care; and (iv) identify disparities in EMS transport times for stroke and MI patients in East Tennessee. Fuzzy cluster analysis was used to classify neighborhoods into peer neighborhoods (PNs) based on their socio-demographic and geographic factors. Neighborhood level spatial patterns of stroke and MI mortality risks were investigated using Spatial Empirical Bayesian smoothing techniques and neighborhoods with high mortality risks identified using spatial scan statistics. Travel times to stroke and cardiac care facilities were computed using network analysis to investigate geographic accessibility. Records of over 3,900 suspected stroke and MI patients, from two EMS providers, were used to investigate disparities in EMS transport delays. Four distinct PNs were identified. The highest stroke/MI mortality risks were observed in less affluent, urban PNs, and lowest risks in more affluent, suburban PNs. Several significant (p<0.0001) stroke and MI high mortality risk spatial clusters were identified. Approximately 8% and 15% of the population did not have timely accessibility to appropriate stroke and MI care, respectively. The disparity was greatest for populations in rural areas. Important disparities in EMS transport delays were identified, with the travel time to a hospital contributing the longest delay. The identified disparities in neighborhood characteristics, mortality risks, geographic accessibility, and EMS transport delays are invaluable in guiding resource allocation, service provision, and policy decisions to support evidence-based population health planning and policy.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.