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Biomedical subjects

Patricia A Sharpe

Publications and source records attributed to Patricia A Sharpe.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Perceived exercise barriers, enablers, and benefits among exercising and nonexercising adults with arthritis: results from a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Rates of participation in regular exercise are lower among individuals with arthritis than those without arthritis. This study examined perceived exercise barriers, benefits, and enablers in exercising and nonexercising adults with arthritis. METHODS: Twelve focus groups were conducted with 68 adults with arthritis. Groups were segmented by exercise status, socioeconomic status, and race. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded. NVivo software was used to extract themes for exercisers and nonexercisers. RESULTS: A wide range of physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors were perceived to influence exercise. Some of these factors were similar to those in general adult samples, whereas others were unique to individuals with chronic disease. Symptoms of arthritis were barriers to exercise, yet improvements in these outcomes were also seen as potential benefits of and motivations for exercise. Exercisers had experienced these benefits and were more likely to have adapted their exercise to accommodate the disease, whereas nonexercisers desired these benefits and were more likely to have stopped exercising since developing arthritis. Health care providers' advice to exercise and the availability of arthritis-specific programs were identified as needs. CONCLUSION: This study has implications for how to market exercise to individuals with arthritis and how communities and health care professionals can facilitate the uptake of exercise. These implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Preferences for sources of information about abnormal Pap tests and HPV in women tested for HPV.

BACKGROUND: Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is important because of its association with cervical cancer. There has been a recent upsurge of coverage in the media concerning HPV, but little research exists on women's preferences and opinions regarding sources of information and education on HPV and abnormal Pap tests. The purpose of this paper is to describe women's preferences and opinions about various sources/channels of information on abnormal Pap test results and HPV. METHODS: Forty-four in-depth, in-person interviews were conducted with low-income, high-risk HPV positive women. Women responded to open-ended questions addressing their preferences for sources of health and medical information related to HPV and abnormal Pap tests. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed for content themes related to provision of information and education. RESULTS: Women preferred sources that were trustworthy, accessible, and convenient, could be viewed in a private location, and were written in easily understood language. Women also preferred obtaining information from other women with HPV. The most trusted source was face-to-face interaction with the health care provider; however, the nature of this interaction had both strengths and weaknesses. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of channel, women want information that they can understand about abnormal Pap tests and HPV.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Availability of weight-loss supplements: Results of an audit of retail outlets in a southeastern city.

The sale of nonprescription weight-loss products accounts for millions of dollars spent by Americans trying to lose weight, yet there is little evidence for effectiveness and there are multiple safety concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine what products, and ingredients within products, were available at retail outlets in a metropolitan area. A purposive sampling strategy identified 73 retail outlets. An audit form was used to collect information from product labels. The audit identified 402 products containing 4,053 separate ingredients. The mean number of ingredients per product was 9.9+/-8.96 (range = 1 to 96). A database search was conducted regarding evidence for effectiveness, safety precautions, and side effects for the 10 ingredients that appeared most often across products. Modest evidence of effectiveness exists for green tea (Camellia sinensis), chromium picolinate, and ma huang (Ephedra major). For the remaining seven (ginger root [Zingiber officinale], guarana [Paullinia cupana], hydroxycitric acid [Garcinia cambogia], white willow [Salix alba], Siberian ginseng [Eleutherococcus senticosus], cayenne [Capsicum annuum], and bitter orange/zhi shi [Citrus aurantium]), inadequate or negative evidence exists. Although precautions and contraindications were found for all 10 ingredients, the strongest concerns in the literature appear for ma huang, bitter orange, and guarana. Our audit revealed numerous weight-loss products available to consumers, yet there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of the top 10 ingredients identified and many potential adverse reactions; therefore, food and nutrition professionals should discuss dietary supplement use with their clients.

Anti-Obesity Agents↗
PubMed2005

Using focus groups in the consumer research phase of a social marketing program to promote moderate-intensity physical activity and walking trail use in Sumter County, South Carolina.

INTRODUCTION: The use of social marketing approaches in public health practice is increasing. Using marketing concepts such as the "four Ps" (product, price, place, and promotion), social marketing borrows from the principles of commercial marketing but promotes beneficial health behaviors. Consumer research is used to segment the population and develop a strategy based on those marketing concepts. In a community-based participatory research study, 17 focus groups were used in consumer research to develop a social marketing program to promote walking and other moderate-intensity physical activities. METHODS: Two phases of focus groups were conducted. Phase 1 groups, which included both men and women, were asked to respond to questions that would guide the development of a social marketing program based on social marketing concepts. Phase 1 also determined the intervention's target audience, which was irregularly active women aged 35 to 54. Phase 2 groups, composed of members of the target audience, were asked to further define the product and discuss specific promotion strategies. RESULTS: Phase 1 participants determined that the program product, or target behavior, should be walking. In addition, they identified price, place, and promotion strategies. Phase 2 participants determined that moderate-intensity physical activity is best promoted using the term exercise and offered suggestions for marketing walking, or exercise, to the target audience. CONCLUSION: There have been few published studies of social marketing campaigns to promote physical activity. In this study, focus groups were key to understanding the target audience in a way that would not have been accomplished with quantitative data alone. The group discussions generated important insights into values and motivations that affect consumers' decisions to adopt a product or behavior. The focus group results guided the development of a social marketing program to promote physical activity in the target audience in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Development and use of a tool for assessing sidewalk maintenance as an environmental support of physical activity.

The importance of regular physical activity is well documented, yet according to epidemiological surveillance data, physical inactivity among all age groups persists. Past attempts to promote physical activity focused on individual-level changes; current approaches focus on environmental changes that will provide opportunities for whole communities to be active. The current ecological focus has led to an increase in funding and research regarding environmental supports of physical activity. As this is a new area of research, much work needs to be done to improve the ability to assess environmental features that support physical activity. This article describes a partnership between researchers and community members to develop and test an objective tool to measure sidewalk maintenance. Community members used data collected with the tool to increase awareness about sidewalk maintenance issues among local policy makers. Collaboration between researchers and community partners was critical for the success of this study.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge and beliefs about abnormal pap test results and HPV among women with high-risk HPV: results from in-depth interviews.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore women's knowledge and understanding of abnormal Pap tests and HPV. Forty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with low-income, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) positive women (ages 18-64 years). Major themes regarding abnormal Pap test results were: (a) getting cancer; (b) need for repeat Pap testing; (c) need for additional tests/treatment; (d) low concern; (e) variety of causes; (f) sexual transmission; and (g) connection to HPV/other sexually transmitted disease (STD). Major themes related to HPV were: (a) getting follow-up care and (b) association of HPV with cancer. Findings indicate a need for clear, consistent educational messages.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Environmental measures of physical activity supports: perception versus reality.

BACKGROUND: Perceptions of the environment and physical activity have been associated using survey methods, yet little is known about the validity of environmental surveys. In this study, perceptions of the environment at neighborhood and community levels were assessed (1) to determine validity by comparing respondent perceptions to objective measures and (2) to determine test-retest reliability of the survey. METHODS: A telephone survey was administered to a stratified sample of Sumter County, South Carolina adults. Respondents' home addresses were mapped using a geographic information system (GIS) (n =1112). As an indicator of validity, kappa statistics were used to measure agreement between perceptions and objective measures identified at neighborhood and community levels using GIS. A second survey in an independent sample (n=408) assessed test-retest reliability. RESULTS: When assessing perceptions of environmental and physical activity in a defined geographic area, validity and reliability for neighborhood survey items were kappa= -0.02 to 0.37 and rho=0.42 to 0.74, and for community survey items were kappa= -0.07 to 0.25 and rho=0.28 to 0.56. CONCLUSIONS: Although causality between perception of access and safety and actual physical activity level cannot be assumed, those meeting national physical activity guidelines or reporting some physical activity demonstrated greatest agreement with access to recreation facilities, while those not meeting the guidelines demonstrated greater agreement with safety of recreation facilities. Factors such as distance and behavior may explain differences in perceptions at neighborhood and community levels. Using local environments with short distances in survey methods improves validity and reliability of results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of environmental factors to meeting physical activity recommendations in two South Carolina counties.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine associations between environment and policy factors and physical activity. DESIGN: A random-digit-dialed, cross-sectional telephone survey was administered. SETTING: The setting was a two-county area of eastern South Carolina. SUBJECTS: Before weighting, the sample included 1936 adults; 36.9% African-American, 63.1% white, and 60.1% women. The age group distribution was 28.8% 55+ years, 39.3% 35-54 years, and 31.9% 18-34 years of age. The response rate was 62.9%. MEASURES: Six physical activity questions (2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey [BRFSS]) were used to create a dischotomous variable, "meets/does not meet recommendation for moderate or vigorous physical activity." Self-report items assessed knowledge, presence, and use of recreational facilities; presence of environmental and worksite supports; perceived safety; condition of sidewalks; and quality of street lighting. RESULTS: Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Unadjusted odds for meeting the recommendation were significantly greater for well-maintained sidewalks (OR = 1.90); safe areas for walking/jogging (OR = 1.39); knowledge of routes for bicycling (OR = 1.38) and walking/jogging (OR = 1.32); and worksites with sports teams (OR = 1.53), exercise facilities (OR = 1.33), flexible time for exercise (OR = 1.33), and preventive checkups (OR = 1.26). Among persons who met the recommendation, means were greater for number of known walking/jogging routes (p = .04); number of known bicycling routes (p < .01); number of days per month uses tracks, trails, routes, pathways (p < .01); and number of days per month uses outdoor recreation areas (p < .01). CONCLUSION: The results support an association between level of physical activity and environmental and policy factors in two southeastern counties in South Carolina. Limitations of the study include self-reported data and cross-sectional design.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of body mass index to meeting physical activity recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between BMI and physical activity based on the CDC-ACSM recommendation and a more demanding standard consistent with the IOM recommendation. METHODS: A random-digit-dialed survey (n=1810) used 2001 BRFSS questions to measure physical activity. RESULTS: Data revealed a monotonic association between BMI and physical activity level. Lower odds of meeting both recommendations were associated with higher BMI. The proportion meeting the CDC-ACSM recommendation was at least 3 times that of persons meeting the IOM-based recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting either recommendation was associated with BMI; however, a larger proportion of persons were meeting the less demanding CDC-ACSM recommendation.

Adult↗