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D Hausser

Publications and source records attributed to D Hausser.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of campaigns for the prevention of AIDS in Switzerland in 1987].

Since 1985 the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the Swiss AIDS Foundation have been promoting AIDS prevention campaigns. A multi-media information campaign with the main slogan "STOP-AIDS" began in February 1987 and is still underway. Multiplying effects are stimulated. The evaluation of that strategy, based on 13 complementary studies, confirms its efficiency and feasibility. The evaluation process will continue in 1988. The campaign and its objectives reached the general population and the target groups. Noticeable changes in attitudes and behaviours are taking place in the way of better protection in various observed groups, moderately or strongly exposed to HIV infection. Condom sales have increased by nearly 60% in 1987 compared with 1986.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[Total plasma cholesterol and HDL in a Swiss population: what attitude and norms should be adopted?].

The reports on the effectiveness of blood lipid lowering in the primary prevention of ischaemic heart disease have promoted the development of statements and strategies for decreasing plasma cholesterol levels. As the risk of ischaemic heart disease gradually increases with the serum cholesterol level, a shift of the whole cholesterol distribution curve towards lower cholesterol values not exceeding 5.2 mmol/l is found to be desirable. The population survey conducted in the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg, as part of the MONICA-project, has yielded the data about the distribution of serum total and HDL-cholesterol for a representative sample of the population. 34% of men and 30% of women aged 25 to 74 have a blood cholesterol value exceeding 6.7 mmol/l, the percentage of people with high cholesterol levels increasing with age, especially in women. HDL-cholesterol levels, higher in women than in men, remain fairly constant according to the particular age group concerned. On application of the norms proposed by the US Consensus Conference on blood cholesterol, one finds that 32% of women and 37% of men have to be considered as 'high risk' and 18% of both sexes at 'moderate risk' concerning the development of coronary heart disease. The consequences of the application of such norms in Switzerland, as well as the current cholesterol values of the Swiss population as compared to those obtained earlier on in Switzerland and the USA have to be considered on a large scale in order to draw up a global strategy for health promotion and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Continuous evaluation of the general effect of the campaign against AIDS in Switzerland].

Since 1985 the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the Swiss AIDS Foundation are promoting AIDS prevention campaigns. A multimedia information campaign with the main slogan "STOP-AIDS" began in Feb. 1987 and is still under way. Multiplying effects are stimulated. An evaluation program is following continuously these campaigns, examines knowledge, attitude and behaviour changes in several groups of the population and analyses the conditions of these changes. The evaluation shows that the campaign and its objectives reached the general population and the target groups. Noticeable changes in attitudes and behaviors are taking place in the way of better protection in various observed groups, moderately or strongly exposed to HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Combining repeated blood pressure measurements to obtain prevalences of high blood pressure.

Blood pressure (BP) levels may be classified as normal, borderline, or high with respect to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, but most studies like the MONICA project require at least two BP measurements and must tackle the problem of combining the results of the different readings into a single value for classification. The Swiss MONICA project measured the blood pressure of 1872 individuals in the areas of Vaud and Fribourg. Second BP readings were, on average, lower than the first by 3.2 mmHg for systolic and 1.1 mmHg for diastolic BP. These differences, while trivial at the individual level, nevertheless generate significant effects on prevalences of high BP. The first reading, the second, the mean, and the lowest yield prevalences of 14%, 10%, 11% and 9% respectively. Therefore, any published prevalence of high blood pressure should specify the method of measurement, the number of readings taken, and the way results were combined.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Campaign against AIDS in Switzerland: evaluation of a nationwide educational programme.

The campaign against the spread of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Switzerland includes a nationwide educational programme. A booklet about AIDS was mailed to every Swiss household in March 1986, and in 1987 there has been a mass media campaign promoting the use of condoms. We evaluated the results of the first phase--the distribution of the booklet--using a separate sample pretest and post-test design. The pretest was carried out 15 days before the booklet was mailed (sample n = 1056) and the post-test two months after the booklet was mailed (n = 1278). Of the population aged 20-69, to whom the book was sent, 56% read the booklet. For those who read the booklet compared with those who did not the results showed an improvement in knowledge and a better understanding of the risks of specific behaviours and of exposed groups and thus less fear of becoming infected through daily activities. The mean indices of knowledge and beliefs were significantly different when tested by the Kruskal-Wallis method. Having better information does not imply that people will change their behaviour, but both the high reading rate and the increase in knowledge suggest that the Swiss educational programme reached its objectives. Moreover, the success of this campaign helps to support other campaigns that are being developed to promote the use of condoms.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

[Evaluation of national prevention campaigns against AIDS: analysis model].

The evaluation of the "Stop-Aids" campaign is based upon a model of behaviour modification (McAlister) which includes the communication theory of McGuire and the social learning theory of Bandura. Using this model, it is possible to define key variables that are used to measure the impact of the campaign. Process evaluation allows identification of multipliers that reinforce and confirm the initial message of prevention (source) thereby encouraging behaviour modifications that are likely to reduce the transmission of HIV (condom use, no sharing of injection material, monogamous relationship, etc.). Twelve studies performed by seven teams in the three linguistic areas contribute to the project. A synthesis of these results will be performed by the IUMSP.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

[AIDS: information as a means to prevention].

Objective information for the groups exposed to the disease and the public in general is the only step that is currently possible in the prevention of AIDS. A certain number of information and support actions have been developed as a consequence of the appearance of AIDS in Switzerland. The AIDS information hot-line at the CHUV is one of these actions with the aim of orienting the information according to demand and examining the utility of this means, we made a prospective evaluation of the calls (between 23 October 1985-inception of the line and 31 March 1986). Out of a total of 535 calls, 317 requests for appointments (tests, consultation) or written documentation, and 218 (41%) were transferred to the doctor; 39% of the calls came from people who were directly concerned (ill, with a positive test, exposed groups), 11% from health professionals, and 47% from the general public. 56% of the calls were concerned with transmission of the disease (sexual, blood, indirect), 22% with the meaning of the detection test, 22% referred to the symptoms of the disease. According to the doctor's estimate, although the standard of knowledge is satisfactory in 55% of the cases, a considerable number of false ideas, that generate irrational fear, still persist. This hot-line thus provides a sympathetic ear and individual support, particularly for the exposed groups, rather than information about the disease. The existence of this action, therefore, appears justified, but must be integrated into a global strategy of information promotion.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

[Skinfold measurement and body fat: precise assessment of excess weight in an epidemiologic survey?].

By definition, obesity corresponds to the presence of a mass of fatty tissue that is excessive with respect to the body mass. Body fat can be calculated in terms of age and sex by measuring the skinfold thickness in several different places. During the MONICA project, the survey of cardiovascular risk factor prevalence enabled us to measure the thickness of four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac) in 263 inhabitants of Lausanne (125 men, 138 women). In men aged 25-34, 21 +/- 5% of the body mass was composed of fat, in women 29 +/- 4%. The proportion of fat increases to 31 +/- 7% in men and 41 +/- 6% in women aged 55-64. A robust regression allows body fat to be simply expressed in terms of the body mass index. This allows us to confirm the validity of this index for evaluating the degree of obesity during an epidemiological study.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

[A traveling exhibit: "Protecting the hands at work"].

Information is an important and even essential step in the prevention process. An exhibition, which traditionally favours a visual approach, is a way of providing information for the public at large. The exhibition, the first to be produced under the auspices of the Claude Verdan foundation, tackles the issue in a general way. The aim is to: make people aware and encourage prevention in the work environment; situate the hand in a preventive context; show the importance of the hand as a work-tool; present the quantitative and qualitative extent of diseases and accidents of the hand; make the interest and difficulties in collecting information known (especially about professional diseases and workers not affiliated to the CNA); stimulate continuing search of information about prevention in the work environment. The exhibition presents certain aspects of the history of prevention in the working world, Swiss institutions involved, notions of epidemiology of professional diseases and accidents of the hand (obtained from the CNA files), as well as different types of available prevention. The material used is light (posters, slides, video) and thus transportable, and so can be widely used for the people concerned at their place of work....

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ambulatory medical practice in the French-speaking region of Switzerland (1981-1987). Preliminary results].

Between 1981 and 1987, population in the two "cantons" of Vaud and Fribourg increased by 4.5 percent (from 709200 to 740700) but private medical practitioners increased by 26.1 percent (from 971 to 1,224). How did the medical profession adjust itself to such a challenge? The average weekly number of visits reduced (e.g. from 118 to 109 in paediatrics, from 96 to 85 in internal medicine...). Nevertheless, the average duration of each visit did not significantly increase. Consequently, the weekly time devoted to contacts with patients in the office decreased in most specialities (e.g. from 33.9 hours to 31.1 hours in general practice). But the most salient feature was the reduction of time spent by private practitioners in institutions, hospitals or other "medical/social" organizations. The reduction was obvious among internists, surgeons, paediatricians... It was probably caused by the increased number of practitioners. However, "cohort effect" might have played a role in the matter: as the physicians aged, they were less attracted by activities outside their private office. It is noteworthy that all the above figures were observed among the same practitioners, in 1981 and 1987. Moreover, the proportion of patients invited to come back to the physician's office did not grow, the behaviour of the practitioners remaining unchanged during the period. The study also displayed data about a new group of physicians, who were surveyed for the first time in 1987.

Adult↗