This study was designed to determine if the Deming approach to monitoring manufacturing processes could be successfully adapted to monitoring lifestyle processes. This study tested a new self-monitoring instrument that provides quick, accurate, personal feedback. The usability of this new instrument was tested. Validity of the instrument was established through review by experts in appropriate lifestyle management disciplines.The pilot test of this new instrument was done in a program with a convenience sample of 29 people who used the instrument for 28 days. A high percentage of the participants used the instrument and found the instrument to be helpful in developing a healthy lifestyle, although they desired a less cumbersome format. It is recommended that the instrument be adapted for use in lifestyle change programs. / Institute for Wellness

This study examined the relationships between student-environment fit and sense of competence and academic achievement of freshmen students in wellness residence hall environments. This study was conducted at a mid-sized, midwestern state university. Perceived and actual fit scores derived from Form R and Form I of the University Residence Environment Scale (URES) served as the independent measures. Two measures, sense of competence and academic achievement, served as the dependent variables. A Sense of Competence Scale, developed by Steve Janosik (1987), measured a student's level of interpersonal and intellectual competence Academic achievement was measured by accumulative grade point averages. Step-wise multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between these variables.All 571 freshmen residents living in one of six: wellness residence halls were asked to participate in this study. Of this number, 416 (72.7%) returned questionnaires and became the sample population.Freshmen residents living in the wellness residence halls reported that these environments were not as emotionally supportive nor were floor residents as involved with one another as residents would like. Further, a greater emphasis was needed in terms of academic and intellectual stimulation. Additionally, residents in the wellness residence hall environments desired more opportunities to influence their floor/hall and reported that these environments were too competitive.Significant differences existed between freshmen women and men. Women indicated that there was too much emphasis on traditional dating and other social activities and too much emphasis on competition. Women also indicated that their wellness residence hall environments did not provide them with the intellectual stimulation they wanted. Further, women rated the order and organization of these environments much lower than did men.The differences between student-environment fit and sense of competence and student-environment fit and academic achievement were not statistically significant.Actual discrepancy scores were a better measure of student-environment fit than perceived discrepancy scores. / Department of Educational Leadership

This is an ethnographic account of peer learning among a group of heroin 'addicts' in Delhi, India. This study responds to the limited attention given to 'naturalistic' or 'informal' peer learning patterns in the educational literature, and the lack of explicit exploration of the phenomenon among drug user populations. The study involved seven and a half months of fieldwork with the predominant use of participant observation and semi-structured interviews to generate data. Analysis was inductive and interpretive with the use of situated learning theory to 'tease out' patterns in the data. The participants were using and non-using addicts affiliated to SHARAN, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the religious marketplace of Yamuna Bazaar. The group included approximately 300-500 members, 20 of whom were main informants. Analysis of the group organization revealed community-based and masculinity-based characteristics that enabled the group to manage stigma, promote 'positive' ideals, and co-construct nonhegemonic masculinities. Peer-based outreach was identified as a form of 'institutional' peer learning in which peer educators performed the roles of 'doctor', 'role model', and 'counsellor' during interactions with 'clients' that had the effect of disempowering clients in many cases. The practice of poetry in which peers created couplets in alternating exchanges was identified as one form of naturalistic peer learning that entailed processes of legitimate peripheral participation, meaning negotiation, and reflective learning. Street 'doctory' in which peers provided medical care in the form of procedures, illness discussions, and health consultancy was identified as another naturalistic peer learning pattern involving processes of legitimate peripheral participation, meaning negotiation, and learning through teaching. These findings suggest that naturalistic peer learning involved co-participatory processes that manifested in a diversity of everyday practices. It is recommended that engaging these processes and practices would be useful for interventions, while further research should explore such patterns in other contexts.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-48). / viii, 48 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

There are estimated to be 840,000 people living with HIV in China (1) of whom 65% are estimated to be in the 16-29 year age group. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution and the opening of China to Western influence, traditional cultural norms have rapidly eroded and China is described as being in the middle of a sexual revolution (2). People are increasingly engaging in behaviours exposing them to the risk of contracting HIV which is spreading from the traditionally high risk populations to the general population via the heterosexual route (3). Comprehensive prevention strategies are necessary to prevent further spread (4). There is evidence that the observed increase in sexual activity is not accompanied by adequate knowledge of HIV transmission. 79% of 18-25 year olds know that HIV/AIDS can be transmitted by sexual intercourse, but a mere 30% know that correct and consistent condom use can protect against HIV transmission (5).<br /> <br /> This exploratory study investigated the factors that influence safe sexual practices amongst female Chinese university students, enabling or preventing them from taking responsibility for their reproductive health. The literature search revealed this to be a largely unexplored area. The study was undertaken amongst third year male and female students, recruited from the Department of Comparative Literature and Media Studies at the Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, China. Data was predominantly collected using two male and two female focus group discussions. Three key informant interviews supported and contextualised the findings. The study revealed that the factors influencing female students&rsquo / ability to adopt safe sexual practices are complex. The recognised shortcomings of sex education in China (6) are compounded by the taboo of sex and the pressure placed on students for the achievement of good grades.<br /> <br /> The university environment exerts a powerful influence. The ease with which mutually beneficial same sex friendships develop in the dormitory can be contrasted with the difficulties faced by couples attempting to conduct relationships. The restrictive university environment has the effect of driving relationships underground. Gender roles are deeply entrenched. The need to conform to the ideal pure, na&iuml / ve, and non-inquiring female stereotype affects a female student&rsquo / s ability to source sexual health information, negotiate safe sex, and to adopt safe sexual practices. Two distinct male stereotypes emerged: the traditional more gender equal male, and the liberal male who believes in an earlier age of sexual initiation and condones multiple sexual partners. All students are aware of HIV but have misconceptions about the specifics of HIV transmission, believing that HIV can be transmitted by kissing, from unclean baths and from doctors. Some students were of the belief that poor personal hygiene is an indicator of possible HIV positive status. Students were confused by condom quality issues. As they had received no formal condom training students relied on reading the package instructions or working it out for themselves.<br /> This small exploratory study resulted in the production of rich and surprising findings. These are incorporated into recommendations for future research and a comprehensive sex education programme at the university. Abstinence and mutual monogamy should be emphasised. Gender stereotypes that influence behaviour and choice of sex education materials should be acknowledged. Negotiation skills training should be incorporated together with condom and contraceptive advice. A sexual health page on the student website and a training programme for students to become peer-to-peer sex educators should be introduced.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1940.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1936.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1987.