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Biomedical subjects

C N D'Onofrio

Publications and source records attributed to C N D'Onofrio.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Quality of data in multiethnic health surveys.

OBJECTIVE: There has been insufficient research on the influence of ethno-cultural and language differences in public health surveys. Using data from three independent studies, the authors examine methods to assess data quality and to identify causes of problematic survey questions. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this exploratory study, including secondary analyses of data from three baseline surveys (conducted in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese). Collection of additional data included interviews with investigators and interviewers; observations of item development; focus groups; think-aloud interviews; a test-retest assessment survey; and a pilot test of alternatively worded questions. RESULTS: The authors identify underlying causes for the 12 most problematic variables in three multiethnic surveys and describe them in terms of ethnic differences in reliability, validity, and cognitive processes (interpretation, memory retrieval, judgment formation, and response editing), and differences with regard to cultural appropriateness and translation problems. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple complex elements affect measurement in a multiethnic survey, many of which are neither readily observed nor understood through standard tests of data quality. Multiethnic survey questions are best evaluated using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods that reveal different types and causes of problems.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2001

Hospice quality improvement programs: an initial examination.

Recognizing that little is known about use of quality improvement (QI) processes to enhance care of the dying, 11 large hospices exchanged information about their QI programs. These hospices reported monitoring from 3 to 50 outcomes measured by various indicators and methods. Agencies that related QI to their organization's mission, goals, and strategic plan were more likely to have dedicated QI staff; a more intense, comprehensive, and participatory QI program; and more QI projects resulting in performance enhancement. Both accomplishments and difficulties were identified in several areas, including establishing benchmarks, involving staff, and using computer technology to manage and analyze QI data.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1998

Hospice quality improvement programs: an initial examination.

Recognizing that little is known about use of quality improvement (QI) processes to enhance care of the dying, 11 large hospices exchanged information about their QI programs. These hospices reported monitoring from 3 to 50 outcomes measured by various indicators and methods. Agencies that related QI to their organization's mission, goals, and strategic plan were more likely to have dedicated QI staff; a more intense, comprehensive, and participatory QI program; and more QI projects resulting in performance enhancement. Both accomplishments and difficulties were identified in several areas, including establishing benchmarks, involving staff, and using computer technology to manage and analyze QI data.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed1992

Theory and the empowerment of health education practitioners.

Both the nature of theory and the way it is taught can overpower health education practitioners. As a consequence, myths which maintain theory and practice in separate realms may develop. This paper argues that to remedy this situation, practitioners must be helped to gain greater control of theory. Specific suggestions for accomplishing this goal are offered in a three-part prescription. First, concepts and teaching methods are introduced to dismantle myths about theory and to help practitioners understand its origins, nature, and functions. Second, health educators are encouraged to acknowledge limitations in theories currently guiding their practice. Third, they are shown ways they can exert leadership in developing theory to fill these gaps and build a more adequate knowledge base for confronting contemporary practice problems. Through this exercise of power, health educators will gain control over theory and expand the boundaries of practice, while also enhancing their professional status.

Choice Behavior↗
PubMed1989

Making the case for cancer prevention in the schools.

Advances in scientific research indicate school-based cancer prevention programs could substantially reduce the risk that children and youth will develop cancer in later life. Nevertheless, scientific evidence alone cannot make a winning case for cancer prevention in schools. This programmatic emphasis must be justified in relation to the school's role in achieving national health objectives and concepts of comprehensive health education. Problems in implementing school health education also must be addressed, but this will require confronting fundamental value conflicts concerning the mission of schools in American society. After examining these issues, the author concludes that the case for school-based cancer prevention can best be advanced through collaboration with others who share a commitment to children and youth, but who differ in their specific concerns and agendas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Marketing smokeless tobacco in California communities: implications for health education.

In the first phase of a 5-year research project aimed at curtailing smokeless tobacco use among youth, we examined the marketing of smokeless tobacco within California. Observational data were collected from almost 200 retail stores located near high schools and colleges in 14 California counties. Interviews were conducted with over 100 school personnel and youth leaders in 13 counties and with seven retailers from 4 counties. Overall, 81% of the stores in the sample carried smokeless tobacco, and even in urban areas most stores (71%) had these products for sale. Urban stores were more likely to have materials promoting them (e.g., posters, displays, coupon offers). Almost all (98%) stores that carried smokeless tobacco sold moist snuff. Most (78%) school personnel and youth leaders, especially in urban areas, were aware of advertisements for it, particularly on television and in magazines. Rogers' theory regarding the diffusion of innovations was the basis of the discussion of our results. The implications of marketing for the development of health education programs are examined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Unplanned nutrition education in the schools: sugar in elementary reading texts.

Analysis of food content in 1,666 readers, prereaders and reading workbooks for grades K-3 revealed an undue emphasis upon sweets in both words and pictures. Cake alone accounted for one of every 12 food appearances. While fruits and vegetables were pictured slightly more often than sugar-rich foods, they were related to actual food consumption far less frequently than sweets. By publisher, other food groups accounted for 10% or less of all food pictures and 15% or less of all food words. Snacks, treats and parties appeared more often as occasions for eating than regular meals, excluding picnics. Families were rarely presented eating together and little attention was devoted to the nutritional value of food. Knowledge children acquire from the media and other sources before attending school has been identified as a force counteracting nutrition education, but unintended messages conveyed in K-3 readers also may work against the promotion of healthy eating habits. Reading texts should be screened for nutritional content before adoption and revised to reduce the appearance of sweets in accord with national dietary goals. Nutrition education must extend beyond teaching the basic four food groups to help children recognize how their food choices are affected by environmental influences, inside as well as outside of school.

Books↗