Multiple studies have indicated a higher burden of overweight/obesity and exposure to environmental toxins, such as alcohol and tobacco smoke, in association with higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the African American population. Thus, the purpose of this research was to determine if there was a significant difference in the use of lifestyle adjustments such as moderating alcohol consumption, weight loss, and smoking cessation on the prevalence of CVD in the African American population. The theoretical foundation was social cognitive theory and the social ecological model that posits the interplay of individual, social, and environmental factors. This cross-sectional quantitative study was designed to assess the effects of lifestyle adjustments of weight loss, moderating alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation in the prevalence of CVD in African Americans between 40 and 60 years of age. Analysis of secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey for the years 2013-2014 was conducted using binary logistic regression. The findings showed no significant difference in the use of weight loss, moderating alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation in the prevalence of CVD in African Americans between 40 and 60 years of age. However, the odds of moderate alcohol consumption and weight loss were greater than 1. Thus, this study may have a small potential impact on CVD in African Americans by encouraging lifestyle adjustments, and may contribute to positive social change by increasing life expectancy, improving quality of life, and reducing the burden of certain chronic diseases and reduction of healthcare cost.

Female genital cutting (FGC) is the partial, or total excision of the female outer genitalia, or different forms of lacerations to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons such as social, cultural, religious, or other nonmedical intentions. Many girls and women around the globe who have gone through FGC or are at the risk of being forced into it. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the place of culture, religion, social beliefs, and men's views, attitudes, and knowledge regarding the FGC within the Nigerian immigrant community in the northwest US. The social convention theory served as the framework for the study. Data were gathered from 22 adults, 18 years old and above, who have lived in the Portland, OR area for at least 2 years. Fourteen open-ended questions with subheading were used to carry out a face-to-face interview. The data were analyzed manually. The participants (parents with daughter[s]) in this study supported the possible eradication of FGC in all manner; using sound education and legislation. Even though FGC is filled with so much pain and in some cases, lifetime scares, people still carry it out because it is a traditional rite which has been passed down from generation to generation. Possible implications for positive social change include education of young parents and everyone else regarding the dangers that are associated with FGC, especially in the rural areas where FGC is believed to still thrive. If men were to speak up and stress their dissatisfaction with FGC and show sympathy to those who may have gone through FGC, they may shield their daughters from the practices. The eradication of FGC would enhance the lives of young women and girls and reduce the morbidity and mortality connected to this practice.

More than 49,081 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2011. Of those 49,081 HIV-infected persons, 1 in 6 was not aware of being HIV positive. In 2011, Georgia had the 5th highest number of HIV diagnoses among the 50 U.S. states. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of HIV-infected adults, ages 30 to 49 years in Atlanta, Georgia, by understanding their perceptions of risk prior to contracting HIV. The health belief model was used to guide this study because it explains and predicts health-related behaviors and it has been used in previous studies to identify preventive behaviors specific to sexual behaviors. Purposive sampling was used to obtain 12 HIV-positive persons ages 30 to 49 years who lived in the metropolitan Atlanta area at the time of the study, were knowledgeable about HIV perceptions, and were able to discuss their lived experiences. Interviews were conducted to collect the data. The data analysis procedures included creating codes and categorizing the data, checking the validity of the codes, identifying patterns and themes, interpreting the data, and conducting member checks. Results showed that most participants did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV. Participants also experienced stigmatization and had challenges maintaining social relationships after their HIV positive diagnosis. Future priorities should focus on identifying best practices relevant to individual, familial, organizational, societal, environmental, economic, and policy factors to reduce the risk of HIV. This study is important for public health and social change because the findings might be used by healthcare professionals to identify and allocate the resources necessary to strengthen HIV/AIDS care and services to the populations who need them the most.

In the Republic of Chad, primary care physicians play a central role in the detection and control of outbreaks and are critical actors in the integrated disease surveillance system through mandatory reporting. Feedback on such surveillance must reveal the needs and perceptions of these physicians. These needs and perceptions were examined using a questionnaire survey distributed to a sampling of 20 physicians in Chad. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the role of primary care providers in the integrated disease surveillance to identify factors that impact complete, quality, and timely reporting. The theory of planned behavior was used for the theoretical framework. Interview data collected from the physicians via a purposive sampling strategy were analyzed. The questionnaire used a standardized, validated tool to assess the role and factors that impact complete, quality, and timely reporting related to the integrated disease surveillance system among primary care physicians. Demographics and descriptive analysis of the frequency of responses was performed. Key findings were positive for the importance of the provider's role in case detection and case reporting. These findings offer an understanding of factors that affect the complete, quality, and timely reporting and give insight into how the integrated disease surveillance system might be improved. The data show the physicians understood how to conduct disease reporting, and provide solutions for enhancing the integrated disease surveillance system. These findings support social change by informing the important practice of early detection and reporting of infectious diseases to detect and control future outbreaks.

Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo,2010. / Background: Tuberculosis is one of the major public health problems in Lesotho. With the occurrence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, little is known about the views of health care workers on this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals about prevention and control of MDR-TB at Botsabelo hospital, situated in Maseru, Lesotho. Methods: This study was conducted by means of a semi-structured, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire that was sent to health care workers. Returned questionnaires were collected through designated boxes stationed at selected places at the study site from 23rd September to 13th October 2010. The investigator and his assistants collected the returned questionnaires on the 15th October 2010. Results: The results of this study indicate that, overall, less than half (47.3%) of respondents had good level of knowledge about MDR-TB; but the overwhelming majority of them held negative attitude towards patients with MDR-TB. Further analysis showed that the level of knowledge did not affect the attitude towards patients suffering from MDR-TB but it influenced their practices. Having good level of knowledge about MDR-TB was associated with good practices such as the use of protective masks and MDR-TB guidelines and involvement in educating patients about MDR-TB. Moreover, the findings of this study showed also that the attitude of respondents towards patients suffering from MDR-TB did not influence their practices. Conclusion: In conclusion, less than half of respondents had good level of knowledge about MDR-TB, but over 85.5% of them held negative attitude towards patients suffering from MDR-TB. Although the level of knowledge about MDR-TB was found not to have influenced the attitude of respondents towards patients suffering from MDR-TB; and that xi their attitude did not influence practices, good level of knowledge was positively associated with safer practices such as using protective masks, educating patients on MDR-TB, and referring to the MDR-TB guidelines manual. An educational remedial intervention is recommended.

This thesis investigates the development and implementation of health promotion strategies and methods in remote Aboriginal communities via the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Promotion Project (KAHPP), a project funded under a grant from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services and conducted by the School of Public Health at Curtin University of Technology. The aim of the project was to investigate the effectiveness of health promotion strategies and methods in remote Aboriginal communities and to develop structures for implementing effective Aboriginal health promotion programs.There were three main research components in this study: an assessment of health indicators; an assessment of the intervention impact; and an assessment of the media component of the intervention. The research methodology included the development of a culturally appropriate survey instrument and the conduct of cross-sectional surveys of three remote Aboriginal communities with differing historical circumstances in the Kimberley region. The questionnaire and field study methods were piloted in 1990 and the main study conducted in 1991 1[superscript].A health promotion intervention was conducted based on an approach originally developed in the Northern Territory 2[superscript]. The intervention employed community development and mass media strategies. Community members nominated health issues that they wished to address, from which 'storyboards' were created for health promotion advertisements to appear on remote television on a paid schedule 3[superscript]. Representative random samples of adult males and females from three remote Aboriginal communities were surveyed according to a range of attitudinal and behavioural health indicators. A post-test survey assessed media reach and impact and pre-post surveys assessed relevant changes in the communities.The cross-sectional survey ++ / of health indicators found differences between communities in terms of self-assessed health and risk behaviours. These are discussed in terms of the historical differences between communities and with respect to each community's current situation. Respondents from all communities rated environmental factors as important in their contribution to health, and generally more so than individual lifestyle behaviours.The study demonstrated that television has the potential to reach the vast majority of Aboriginal people in remote communities in the Kimberley. There was some indication that participation in the development of advertisements was associated with higher recognition and more positive assessments of that advertisement. No significant differences in selected indicators of community 'empowerment' were detected following the intervention.The thesis methodology has contributed to the development of a set of guidelines for the conduct of survey research in remote Aboriginal communities, 4[superscript] and has guided the formation of Aboriginal health promotion units in Western Australia and elsewhere.1. Spark R, Binns C, Laughlin D, Spooner C, Donovan RJ. Aboriginal people's perceptions of their own and their community's health: results of a pilot study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1992; 2(2):60-61.2. Spark R, Mills P. Promoting Aboriginal health on television in the Northern Territory: a bicultural approach. Drug Education Journal of Australia 1988; 2 (3):191-198.3. Spark R, Donovan RJ, Howat P. Promoting health and preventing injury in remote Aboriginal communities: a case study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1991; 1(2):10-16.4. Donovan RJ, Spark. R. Towards guidelines for conducting survey research in remote Aboriginal communities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 1997; 21:89-94.

<p><strong><p>Title:</p>Online consumer sales promotion in retail clothing companies – a study of four American companies’ websites. <strong><p>Authors:</p>Emma Berter and Christina Blomqvist <strong><p>Advisor:</p>Venilton Reinert <strong><p>Level:</p>Bachelor thesis in Marketing, (15 Swedish credits), Spring 2010 <strong><p>Keywords:</p>Online marketing, marketing mix, consumer sales promotion <strong><p>Question:</p>How can retail clothing companies use consumer sales promotion to try to increase sales on their websites? <strong><p>Purpose:</p>The purpose was to investigate how consumer sales promotion can be used on retail clothing companies’ websites to increase sales. <strong><p>Method:</p>This thesis is done as a qualitative research and with a deductive approach since we have studied theories and then done our own research. The data collected for this research was taken exclusively from the websites of the companies chosen to be a part of this research. <strong><p>Theoretical framework:</p>This chapter is introduced with theories regarding online marketing which is followed by a section on the marketing mix online. Further a closer look is done at one of the devices of the marketing mix; the promotion tools. There are five promotion tools existing and in this thesis a closer look is taken at the sales promotion tool. Consumer sales promotion which is one of the sales promotion tools are then at focus and the reader will through this chapter develop a deeper understanding for the different ways of using consumer sales promotion online. <strong><p>Empirical studies:</p>The empirical studies consist of data collected when the websites of the companies have been studied. <strong><p>Conclusions:</p>Through the research that has been made and through comparison with theories studied, conclusions hav </strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></p>

The implementation of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has expanded trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers. U.S. beef is a critical product affected by the legislation, and the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) invested in a new product promotion program to increase exports of U.S. beef to Guatemala. The consumer responsiveness and effectiveness of the U.S. branded beef promotion program are analyzed in this study. Demand responses to promotion activities that launched three new U.S. beef value cuts in Guatemala’s Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) sector were estimated by applying the Parks Model of Generalized Least Squares regression to pooled, time-series and cross sectional data. Results show a negative relationship between own price and sales quantity, while the effect of advertising on quantity sold is positive. Demand for the U.S. beef value cuts increased as a result of the promotion, although the costs of the promotion program exceeded the additional revenue generated as a result of promotion activities.

<p>The purpose of this study is to investigate promotion within the tourism industry on the Gold Coast, Australia, focusing on tourism companies’ promotional efforts on the Japanese market. The aim is to answer the question ‘How can Australian tourism companies effectively promote themselves on the Japanese market?’ through five specific research objectives: (1) to get a better understanding of tourism- and attraction marketing, (2) to get familiar with the characteristics of the Japanese tourist and their travel patterns, (3) to investigate which factors in regards to culture, are influencing the tourism companies’ promotion in Japan, (4) to identify critical success factors for successful promotion of Australian tourism companies on the Japanese market, and (5) to identify similarities and differences between small and large companies when it comes to tourism promotion on the Japanese market.</p><p>A variety of secondary data, including well-known theories and models were studied and presented in addition to a qualitative study investigating four tourism companies. It is found that the numbers of Japanese tourists to the Gold Coast has decreased over the last decade, much due to macro factors such as changes in aviation and exchange rates, and increased competition from short-haul destinations. However, Japan still represents a main international interest, which makes it crucial for tourism companies to be familiar with the characteristics of the Japanese tourist and their travel patterns. It becomes evident that Japanese tourists have changed over the last years, and findings show that existing cultural frameworks are inadequate to describe the Japanese culture and tourist. Our empirical results show that cultural adaptations are not as extensive as suggested by theory and that the main cultural adjustments are made in language. In addition, it is important to consider the Japanese have higher expectations of service, and are long-term planners. </p><p>It is further found that promotional efforts in Japan do not differ greatly from how they promote their companies in Australia. The most important difference in this industry, however, is the power of the Japanese inbound wholesalers or travel agents (the trade), which highly determines promotional efforts. Such relationships are vital, as the Japanese still book their holiday trough traditional channels.</p><p>Hence, the most effective promotional tool is found to be wholesalers travel brochures. The power of the trade renders Internet promotion less important, as companies are advised to make use of the wholesalers’ more sophisticated websites. Moreover, publicity is found to be essential promotional tool, including celebrity endorsement, travel TV programs, travel books, and piggybacking on local events. Finally, great benefits can be gained by participating in intra-destination collaboration. When it comes to similarities and differences between small and large tourism companies’ promotion on the Japanese market, it is found that these differences are not as large as we had expected much due to the importance of the trade. </p><p> </p><p>Key Words: Tourism Marketing, Japan, Japanese tourists, Japanese travel patterns, culture, promotion, trade relationships, collaboration</p>

Title: Online consumer sales promotion in retail clothing companies – a study of four American companies’ websites. Authors: Emma Berter and Christina Blomqvist Advisor: Venilton Reinert Level: Bachelor thesis in Marketing, (15 Swedish credits), Spring 2010 Keywords: Online marketing, marketing mix, consumer sales promotion Question: How can retail clothing companies use consumer sales promotion to try to increase sales on their websites? Purpose: The purpose was to investigate how consumer sales promotion can be used on retail clothing companies’ websites to increase sales. Method: This thesis is done as a qualitative research and with a deductive approach since we have studied theories and then done our own research. The data collected for this research was taken exclusively from the websites of the companies chosen to be a part of this research. Theoretical framework: This chapter is introduced with theories regarding online marketing which is followed by a section on the marketing mix online. Further a closer look is done at one of the devices of the marketing mix; the promotion tools. There are five promotion tools existing and in this thesis a closer look is taken at the sales promotion tool. Consumer sales promotion which is one of the sales promotion tools are then at focus and the reader will through this chapter develop a deeper understanding for the different ways of using consumer sales promotion online. Empirical studies: The empirical studies consist of data collected when the websites of the companies have been studied. Conclusions: Through the research that has been made and through comparison with theories studied, conclusions hav