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Worldwide tourism has become one of the largest and fastest growing industries. Specifically in the South African context, this growth has been confirmed in recent statistics. However, the growth in the tourism industry does not occur without challenges. It brings both benefits and costs to the residents of a host community, consequently generating both positive and negative tourism impacts. Further, it is recognised that once a community becomes a tourism destination, the lives of the residents are influenced by that particular development; thus effecting their Quality of Life (QoL). Only minimal research has, however, been conducted to determine the influence of the perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL, especially in the South African context. A number of theoretical frameworks have been developed in tourism to signify how the perception of or reactions towards tourism of residents in a host community are influenced at any particular stage of development. Pertaining to QoL, various theoretical models have also been created to describe the functioning of the construct. Although theoretical frameworks have been developed that are distinct to tourism and QoL; to date an integrated approach does not exist that explores the influence of tourism on residents’ QoL. In addition to the lack of an integrated approach in literature, the permanency of tourism products too have not yet been examined in literature. Further, permanency has not been examined in order to determine the influence of tourism impacts on residents’ QoL in selected towns, one being a permanent tourism product (PTP) and the other a nonpermanent tourism product (N-PTP). From the above, it can be seen that three theoretical and practical issues exist: (1) only a modest amount of research has been done to determine the influence of tourism impacts on residents’ QoL; (2) an integrated approach does not exist signifying the relationship between tourism impacts and QoL and; (3) permanency as a differentiation factor has not been investigated in host communities. By addressing these issues, a significant contribution will be made to literature, together with the ensuing practical contributions. Therefore, the main goal of the study was to develop a model to indicate the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL in selected towns; these having specific differentiation made between a PTP and N-PTP. In order to achieve the goal of the study, five objectives were formulated: The first objective was to analyse theoretical frameworks of tourism and QoL and to identify a particular theoretical framework for the study. Specifically, the Social Exchange Theory (SET) was selected from the theoretical frameworks of tourism, while the Bottom-up Spillover theory was designated as it is peculiar to QoL frameworks. Therefore, the derived theoretical framework indicated that an ‘exchange’ process occurs between tourism development and the residents of the host community. More specifically, social exchange arises between the perceived impacts of tourism and life domains in order to establish the QoL of residents in host communities. The second objective was to analyse tourism both as an industry and product in a host community through a review of existing literature. From the literature review, it can be seen that tourism is a growing industry and product, not only internationally but also in the South African context. Permanency as a characteristic was explored comprehensively to define a tourism product while maintaining the differentiation between a PTP and N-PTP. Residents of a host community are noted as important roleplayers in the tourism industry as tourism impacts affect them in PTP and in N-PTP. This importance is emphasised as residents of a host community: (1) influence the tourism experience; (2) determine the attractiveness of a destination and; (3) control the sustainability of tourism in a host community. The third objective was to analyse QoL and its relation to the residents of a host community, once more, through a literature review. From the review, it was observed that QoL has different definitions and views, some more intricate than others. For the purpose of the study, it was determined that QoL can be described appropriately through the Bottom-up Spillover theory. Therefore, QoL is determined through the collaboration of various life domains that, further, may be either objective or subjective in nature. When examining the relationship between tourism development and QoL, it was established that tourism, through tourism products, produces effects that will influence various life domains, consequently determining the QoL of residents in a host community. As with tourism impacts, the QoL of the host community’s residents will subsequently: (1) influence the tourism experience; (2) determine the attractiveness of a destination and; (3) ensure the sustainability of tourism in a community. The fourth objective was to analyse the influence of the economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL and to differentiate between a PTP and N-PTP by using an empirical study. Having in mind that the main goal of the study was to develop a model, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling were conducted on the data. The models, constructed separately for tourism impacts and QoL, were subsequently integrated to determine the influence of the perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL. The model with good model fit statistics and supportive of underlying theory was thereafter accepted for further analysis in order to attain comprehensively the main goal of the study. Thereafter, model development tested permanency of tourism products by specifically determining the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL in selected towns (PTP and N-PTP). From the latter exercise, no practically significant differences were found between a PTP and N-PTP. Therefore, the model constructed as Stage 3 was accepted as the final model of the study and was given the title of Root’s model of Community TourQoL (CTQ). Specifically, the model signified that positive economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts influence residents’ QoL, while negative environmental and social impacts do not influence residents’ QoL in host community. Furthermore, the model showed that no differences were found between a PTP and N-PTP regarding the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL. The fifth and final objective was to draw conclusions, indicate contributions, formulate recommendations and present limitations peculiar to the study. The greatest significance of the study is seen in the practical contributions of the study, specifically, the development of Root’s model of Community TourQoL (CTQ). Community and tourism planners and/management can implement the model in both PTP and N-PTP to enhance the positive impacts of tourism; while minimising negative impacts, in order to improve residents’ QoL. / Thesis (PhD (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Worldwide tourism has become one of the largest and fastest growing industries. Specifically in the South African context, this growth has been confirmed in recent statistics. However, the growth in the tourism industry does not occur without challenges. It brings both benefits and costs to the residents of a host community, consequently generating both positive and negative tourism impacts. Further, it is recognised that once a community becomes a tourism destination, the lives of the residents are influenced by that particular development; thus effecting their Quality of Life (QoL). Only minimal research has, however, been conducted to determine the influence of the perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL, especially in the South African context. A number of theoretical frameworks have been developed in tourism to signify how the perception of or reactions towards tourism of residents in a host community are influenced at any particular stage of development. Pertaining to QoL, various theoretical models have also been created to describe the functioning of the construct. Although theoretical frameworks have been developed that are distinct to tourism and QoL; to date an integrated approach does not exist that explores the influence of tourism on residents’ QoL. In addition to the lack of an integrated approach in literature, the permanency of tourism products too have not yet been examined in literature. Further, permanency has not been examined in order to determine the influence of tourism impacts on residents’ QoL in selected towns, one being a permanent tourism product (PTP) and the other a nonpermanent tourism product (N-PTP). From the above, it can be seen that three theoretical and practical issues exist: (1) only a modest amount of research has been done to determine the influence of tourism impacts on residents’ QoL; (2) an integrated approach does not exist signifying the relationship between tourism impacts and QoL and; (3) permanency as a differentiation factor has not been investigated in host communities. By addressing these issues, a significant contribution will be made to literature, together with the ensuing practical contributions. Therefore, the main goal of the study was to develop a model to indicate the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL in selected towns; these having specific differentiation made between a PTP and N-PTP. In order to achieve the goal of the study, five objectives were formulated: The first objective was to analyse theoretical frameworks of tourism and QoL and to identify a particular theoretical framework for the study. Specifically, the Social Exchange Theory (SET) was selected from the theoretical frameworks of tourism, while the Bottom-up Spillover theory was designated as it is peculiar to QoL frameworks. Therefore, the derived theoretical framework indicated that an ‘exchange’ process occurs between tourism development and the residents of the host community. More specifically, social exchange arises between the perceived impacts of tourism and life domains in order to establish the QoL of residents in host communities. The second objective was to analyse tourism both as an industry and product in a host community through a review of existing literature. From the literature review, it can be seen that tourism is a growing industry and product, not only internationally but also in the South African context. Permanency as a characteristic was explored comprehensively to define a tourism product while maintaining the differentiation between a PTP and N-PTP. Residents of a host community are noted as important roleplayers in the tourism industry as tourism impacts affect them in PTP and in N-PTP. This importance is emphasised as residents of a host community: (1) influence the tourism experience; (2) determine the attractiveness of a destination and; (3) control the sustainability of tourism in a host community. The third objective was to analyse QoL and its relation to the residents of a host community, once more, through a literature review. From the review, it was observed that QoL has different definitions and views, some more intricate than others. For the purpose of the study, it was determined that QoL can be described appropriately through the Bottom-up Spillover theory. Therefore, QoL is determined through the collaboration of various life domains that, further, may be either objective or subjective in nature. When examining the relationship between tourism development and QoL, it was established that tourism, through tourism products, produces effects that will influence various life domains, consequently determining the QoL of residents in a host community. As with tourism impacts, the QoL of the host community’s residents will subsequently: (1) influence the tourism experience; (2) determine the attractiveness of a destination and; (3) ensure the sustainability of tourism in a community. The fourth objective was to analyse the influence of the economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL and to differentiate between a PTP and N-PTP by using an empirical study. Having in mind that the main goal of the study was to develop a model, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling were conducted on the data. The models, constructed separately for tourism impacts and QoL, were subsequently integrated to determine the influence of the perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL. The model with good model fit statistics and supportive of underlying theory was thereafter accepted for further analysis in order to attain comprehensively the main goal of the study. Thereafter, model development tested permanency of tourism products by specifically determining the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL in selected towns (PTP and N-PTP). From the latter exercise, no practically significant differences were found between a PTP and N-PTP. Therefore, the model constructed as Stage 3 was accepted as the final model of the study and was given the title of Root’s model of Community TourQoL (CTQ). Specifically, the model signified that positive economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts influence residents’ QoL, while negative environmental and social impacts do not influence residents’ QoL in host community. Furthermore, the model showed that no differences were found between a PTP and N-PTP regarding the influence of perceived impacts of tourism on residents’ QoL. The fifth and final objective was to draw conclusions, indicate contributions, formulate recommendations and present limitations peculiar to the study. The greatest significance of the study is seen in the practical contributions of the study, specifically, the development of Root’s model of Community TourQoL (CTQ). Community and tourism planners and/management can implement the model in both PTP and N-PTP to enhance the positive impacts of tourism; while minimising negative impacts, in order to improve residents’ QoL. / Thesis (PhD (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of orthodontic problems and quality of life in relation to orthodontic problems among adolescent children in the city of Chennai, India. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differences in the need for orthodontic treatment among children in the public and private schools; to analyze the need for orthodontic treatment among the various socioeconomic groups; to evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) among the children; to analyze the relationship between Quality of Life (QoL) and the need for orthodontic treatment. METHODS: 200 children participated in the study, out of which 100 were from the private school and 100 from the public school from the city of Chennai, India. Two sets of questionnaires were used for the study, one was filled by the children and the other was filled by the researchers and trained dental assistants after doing a thorough dental examination and asking questions from the participants. This was carried out according to the recommendations of WHO oral health assessment. Statistical data was collected, recorded and analyzed using the software SPSS 17.0 for Windows. RESULTS: The private school children had more orthodontic problems than the public school children (49% and 44% respectively). The need for Orthodontic Treatment was the highest in children under the rich category (56.4%), followed by the children under the poor category (45.3%) and is least among the children under the average category (44.4%). The Quality of Life was... [to full text] / TIKSLAS: Įvertinti ortodontinio problemas ir perspektyvas atsižvelgiant į ortodontinio problemas tarp paauglių vaikų mieste Chennai, Indija. TIKSLAI: Analizuoti skirtumus reikalingas Ortodontinis gydymas tarp vaikų, viešąsias ir privačias mokyklas; analizuoti kad ortodontinio gydymo tarp įvairių socialinių ir ekonominių grupių; vertinti gyvenimo kokybę (QoL) tarp vaikų; išanalizuoti ryšį tarp gyvenimo kokybę (QoL) ir ortodontinio gydymo poreikį. METODAI: 200 vaikai dalyvavo tyrime, iš kurių 100 buvo privati mokykla ir 100 iš viešųjų mokyklų iš miesto Chennai, Indija. Vienų, ir klausimynų buvo naudojami tyrimo, vienas buvo užpildyti vaikų ir kitų buvo užpildyti mokslininkų ir apmokyti dantų padėjėjai po daro dantų nuodugniai ir užduoti klausimus iš dalyvių. Tai buvo daroma pagal PSO burnos sveikatos vertinimo rekomendacijas. Statistiniai duomenys buvo renkami, įrašytos ir analizuoti naudojant SPSS 17,0 programinė įranga Windows. REZULTATAI: Privačios mokyklos vaikai turėjo daugiau ortodontinio problemų nei valstybinių mokyklų vaikai (atitinkamai 49 % ir 44 %). Ortodontinio gydymo poreikis buvo didžiausias vaikams pagal turtingas kategorija (56.4 %), po to vaikai iki prastos kategorija (45.3 %) ir kas tarp vaikų iki vidutinės kategorijos (44.4 %). Gyvenimo kokybė buvo nustatyta, kad geriau tarp vaikų, privačios mokyklos nei valstybinėse mokyklose (90,6 % ir 89.0 % atitinkamai). Vaikams, kurie neturėjo nei gera gyvenimo kokybė turėjo mažai arba visai nėra ortodontinio kai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis investigates how perceptions of military opportunities affect the intentions of racial/ethnic minorities to remain in the U.S. Navy. The study uses responses of Navy personnel on the 1996 Armed Forces Equal Opportunity Survey to assess minority perceptions of equal opportunity. Logistic regression models are developed for male and female enlisted personnel and officers to determine the relationship between perceptions that opportunities are better in the military and the decision to stay on active duty or leave the Navy. The results of the quantitative analysis show that the positive perceptions about training opportunities and quality of life were significant most often, across all racial/ethnic groups and models. Further, the results show that, among racial/ethnic groups, blacks were most strongly influenced by perceptions in their retention plans. It is recommended that further research examine the relationship between racial/ethnic group and job assignments, or selection, along with the corresponding impact on perceptions and the effect of visible versus non-visible minority status on views of equal opportunity in the military. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-11T17:34:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AdrianaSa.pdf: 2916509 bytes, checksum: 3033cc9567acb688711d2738c53dc7e8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-11T17:34:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AdrianaSa.pdf: 2916509 bytes, checksum: 3033cc9567acb688711d2738c53dc7e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / Acromegaly is a rare disease, often caused by a pituitary tumor that secretes excess growth hormone and is associated with enlarged extremities, multiple organ dysfunction, physical limitations, decreased daily productivity, social isolation and worsening of quality Of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with quality of life and to verify the association between psychopathological symptoms and quality of life in patients with acromegaly accompanied in the only reference service of neuroendocrinology in the State of Maranhão - Northeast Brazil. The Acro-Qol questionnaire, the inventories of Beck's anxiety and depression, and the cronbach alpha were calculated. In order to identify independently associated factors, multivariate linear regression was adjusted and to verify the relationship between the factors associated with psychopathological symptoms, Student's t test and calculated the pearson correlation coefficientto to verify the correlation between quality of life and levels of anxiety and depression. Values of p <0.05 were considered significant. The study sample is composed of 57 patients. Cronbach's alpha was observed from 0.7 in all domains of Acro-Qol. There was a predominance of female patients (63.2%), with a mean age of 53.52 ± 12.2 years, with a monthly income of 3.51 + 3.9 minimum wages, with a macroadenoma (72%) and undergoing surgery (59.6%). In the multivariate linear regression, there was a positive association of income with quality of life scores in all domains; (Β = 0.372, p = 0.004), physical (β = 0.988, p = 0.001), psychological (β = 0.342, p = 0.008) P = 0.012) and in those that were inserted in the labor market in the total domains (β = 0.288, p = 0.003), psychological (β = 0.291, p = 0.032) and personal relations (β = 0.314, p = 0.019). In Pearson's correlation, there was a negative association between quality of life scores and anxiety levels in all domains; (R = - 0.442, p = 0.001), physical (r = - 0.532, p = <0.001), psychological (r = - 0.357, p = 0.006) (R = -0.370, p = 0.005) and in depression levels also in all domains; (R = -0.421, p = 0.001), physical (r = -0.645, p = <0.001), psychological (r = -0.543, p = <0.001) And personal relationships (r = - 0.541, p = <0.001). In this population of acromegaly patients, coming from one of the less developed regions of Brazil, being in the labor market and having a higher income were related to better QoL and the more intense symptoms of anxiety and depression were related to worse quality of life. Patients who have a tumor in the pituitary even reaching control of the disease are subject to a premature increase of health risks. The challenge for the future is how to improve the outcome of pituitary patients, so they can be closer to the concept of achieving a better quality of life. / Acromegalia é uma doença rara, frequentemente causada por um tumor na pituitária que secreta excesso de hormônio do crescimento e está associada com aumento das extremidades, disfunção de múltiplos órgãos, limitações físicas, diminuição da produtividade diária, isolamento social e piora na qualidade de vida (QV). O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores associados à qualidade de vida e verificar a associação entre os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão e a qualidade de vida em portadores de acromegalia acompanhados no único serviço de referência de neuroendocrinologia do Estado do Maranhão - Nordeste do Brasil. Foi utilizado o questionário Acro-Qol, os inventários de ansiedade e depressão de Beck e calculado o alpha de cronbach. Para identificar fatores associados independentemente foi ajustado o modelo de regressão linear multivariado e para verificar a relação entre os fatores associados aos sintomas psicopatológicos foi realizado o teste t de student e calculado o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para verificar a correlação entre qualidade de vida e os níveis de ansiedade e depressão. Os valores de p<0.05 foram considerados significantes. A amostra do estudo é composta por 57 pacientes. Observou-se o alpha de Cronbach a partir de 0.7 em todos os domínios do Acro-Qol. Houve predomínio dos pacientes do sexo feminino (63.2%), com média de idade 53.52+12.2 anos, com renda mensal de 3.51+ 3.9 salários mínimos, portador de macroadenoma (72%) e submetidos à cirurgia (59.6%). Na regressão linear multivariada, houve associação positiva da renda com escores de qualidade de vida em todos os domínios; total (β 0.037, p= 0.003), físico (β= 0.988, p= 0.001), psicológico (β= 0.342, p= 0.008), aparência (β= 0.270, p=0.049) e relações pessoais (β= 0.315, p=0.012) e naqueles que estavam inseridos no mercado de trabalho nos domínios total (β= 0.288, p= 0.003), psicológico (β= 0.291, p=0.032) e relações pessoais (β= 0.314, p=0.019). Na correlação de Pearson, houve associação negativa dos escores de qualidade de vida e os níveis de ansiedade em todos os domínios; total (r= - 0.442, p= 0.001), físico (r= - 0.532, p= < 0.001), psicológico (r= -0.357, p= 0.006), aparência (r= - 0.270, p=0.042) e relações pessoais (r= - 0.370, p=0.005) e nos níveis de depressão também em todos os domínios; total (r= - 0.621, p= <0.001), físico (r= - 0.645, p= < 0.001), psicológico (r= - 0.543, p= <0.001), aparência (r= - 0.421, p=0.001) e relações pessoais (r= - 0.541, p= <0.001). Nesta população de portadores de acromegalia, proveniente de uma das regiões menos desenvolvidas do Brasil, estar inserido no mercado de trabalho e possuir maior renda estiveram relacionados com melhor QV e os sintomas mais intensos de ansiedade e depressão estiveram relacionados com piores níveis de qualidade de vida. Pacientes que possui tumor na pituitária mesmo alcançando o controle da doença estão sujeitos a um aumento prematuro de riscos para a saúde. O desafio para o futuro é como melhorar o resultado dos pacientes pituitários, para que eles possam estar mais perto do conceito de atingir uma melhor qualidade de vida.

A citricultura brasileira se destaca no mercado global de citros, apresentando altos valores de produção e produtividade. Dentre as diversas doenças que afetam a cultura, a podridão floral dos citros (PFC) vem ganhando destaque com o deslocamento de áreas produtoras para regiões mais favoráveis à ocorrência desta doença. A PFC, causada por espécies dos complexos Colletotrichum acutatum e C. gloeosporioides, é especialmente problemática em anos de temperaturas amenas e alta umidade. Os citricultores realizam pulverizações preventivas para o controle da PFC todos os anos, embora condições climáticas favoráveis à doença ocorram apenas ocasionalmente. Além do impacto econômico, as frequentes pulverizações com fungicidas aumentam a pressão de seleção sobre isolados resistentes, o que pode interferir na eficiência do controle químico. A utilização de sistemas de previsão de epidemias pode evitar que pulverizações desnecessárias de fungicidas sejam realizadas caso não haja condições favoráveis à ocorrência da doença. Para o desenvolvimento destes sistemas, é imprescindível determinar um limiar de ação para a aplicação de fungicidas nos pomares. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivos: (i) estabelecer um limiar de ação para a aplicação de fungicidas com base na germinação de conídios de C. acutatum que permita o controle a doença igualmente ou de forma mais eficiente do que o sistema de pulverização adotado pelos citricultores do sudoeste paulista; (ii) caracterizar a sensibilidade de isolados dos complexos C. gloeosporioides e C. acutatum à trifloxistrobina e ao tebuconazol in vitro e molecularmente, para identificar possíveis mudanças de sensibilidade das espécies a estes fungicidas. Para a definição do limiar de ação, tratamentos baseados em índices de risco foram comparados ao tratamento testemunha e ao calendário fixo de aplicações, usualmente adotado pelos produtores. A aplicação de fungicidas quando limiar de 15% de germinação de conídios era atingido, foi eficiente em controlar a doença e reduzir o número de aplicações de fungicidas. Nos ensaios de sensibilidade a fungicidas dois métodos foram utilizados para a determinação da CE50: o da diluição em gradiente espiral para trifloxistrobina e tebuconazol e o da inibição da germinação de conídios para a trifloxistrobina. Foram utilizados isolados coletados entre 1999 e 2016. A CE50 média da coleção de isolados de acordo com o método da diluição em gradiente espiral variou de 0,158 a 0,297 &mu;g/ml e 0,1 a 0,182 &mu;g/ml para trifloxistrobina e tebuconazol, respectivamente. Para a trifloxistrobina, de acordo com o método da inibição da germinação, a CE50 média foi de 0,002 &mu;g/ml. Não foram verificadas características moleculares nem valores de CE50 atrelados à mudança de sensibilidade dos isolados. / Brazilian citrus industry represents a significant share in the global citrus market. Amongst several diseases that affect the crop, postbloom fruit drop (PFD) has been gaining prominence in Sao Paulo with the displacement of citrus areas to regions in which weather conditions are more favorable to the occurrence of this disease. PFD, caused by species of the complexes Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides, is especially problematic in years of mild temperatures and high humidity. Citrus growers spray the orchards preventively for PFD control every year, although favorable climatic conditions do not occur regularly. In addition to the economic impact, this practice increases the selection pressure of fungicide resistant isolates, and may decrease the efficiency of chemical control in a long term. The use of disease forecasting systems is able to prevent unnecessary fungicide sprays. For the development of such systems, it is essential to determine an action threshold for the application of fungicides in the orchards. The objectives of this work were: (i) to establish an action threshold for fungicide sprays based on the germination of C. acutatum conidia; (ii) to characterize the sensitivity of C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum isolates to trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in vitro and molecularly. Regarding the definition of the action threshold, treatments based on risk indices were compared to the control treatments and calendar based sprays, usually adopted by growers. The 15% conidia germination threshold was efficient in controlling the disease and reducing the number of fungicide applications. In the fungicide sensitivity tests, two methods were used to determine the EC50, the spiral gradient dilution for trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole, and the method of conidial germination inhibition for trifloxystrobin. Isolates collected between 1999 and 2016 were used. The mean EC50 of the isolate collection determined by the spiral gradient dilution method ranged from 0.158 to 0.297 &mu;g/ml and from 0.1 to 0.182 &mu;g/ml for trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole, respectively. Mean EC50 of trifloxystrobin estimated by the conidial germination inhibition method was 0.002 &mu;g/ml. No mutations or EC50 values indicated shifts of fungicide sensitivity on the isolates.

<p>Validerat; 20101217 (root)</p>

<p>Det huvudsakliga syftet med studien var att genom en narrativ ansats försöka förstå hur människor med långvarig smärta förändrar sin livskvalitet genom en riktad intervention. Tre manliga deltagare har berättat om hur livet med smärtan sett ut före, under och efter smärtrehabiliteringsprogrammet. Berättelserna handlade om meningsskapande vid ohälsa, att lära sig leva med smärta och livskvalitet. Genom en narrativ analys kom jag fram till att alla tre erhållit en förändrad livskvalitet genom bland annat positivt tänkande, gemenskap och copingstrategier. De har lärt sig hantera smärtan, förbättrat sin fysiska förmåga och har idag mer fokus på sin hälsa.</p> / <p>The main purpose with this study was to try to understand how people with prolonged pain change their quality of life through an intended intervention with a narrative approach. Three male participants have narrated about how their life´s looked like before, during and after the pain rehabilitation program. The narratives are about meaning making during ill health, learning to live with pain and quality of life. Through a narrative analysis I found that all three received a changed quality of life through among other things positive thinking, fellowship and coping strategies. They have learned to handle their pain, improved their physical ability and today they got more focus on their health.</p>

Det huvudsakliga syftet med studien var att genom en narrativ ansats försöka förstå hur människor med långvarig smärta förändrar sin livskvalitet genom en riktad intervention. Tre manliga deltagare har berättat om hur livet med smärtan sett ut före, under och efter smärtrehabiliteringsprogrammet. Berättelserna handlade om meningsskapande vid ohälsa, att lära sig leva med smärta och livskvalitet. Genom en narrativ analys kom jag fram till att alla tre erhållit en förändrad livskvalitet genom bland annat positivt tänkande, gemenskap och copingstrategier. De har lärt sig hantera smärtan, förbättrat sin fysiska förmåga och har idag mer fokus på sin hälsa. / The main purpose with this study was to try to understand how people with prolonged pain change their quality of life through an intended intervention with a narrative approach. Three male participants have narrated about how their life´s looked like before, during and after the pain rehabilitation program. The narratives are about meaning making during ill health, learning to live with pain and quality of life. Through a narrative analysis I found that all three received a changed quality of life through among other things positive thinking, fellowship and coping strategies. They have learned to handle their pain, improved their physical ability and today they got more focus on their health.