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PubMed1993

Fertility awareness as a component of sexuality education. Preliminary research findings with adolescents.

Fertility awareness refers to the observation and interpretation of cervical mucus, often called vaginal discharge. A woman's cervical-mucus pattern indicates the time of ovulation and differentiates the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle from each other. Fertility awareness enables a woman to know when pregnancy can and cannot occur on a daily basis during each menstrual cycle. There has been, to date, almost no exploration of the appropriateness of fertility-awareness instruction for adolescents. A review of the literature on adolescent cognitive development, sexual activity, knowledge of fertility and contraceptive risk-taking behavior is presented. Based on the literature review, a theoretical rationale for fertility-awareness instruction as a unique sex-education curriculum for adolescents is proposed. The content and teaching techniques of a fertility-awareness presentation for teenagers is described. Directions for future research in fertility-awareness instruction for teenagers, and the need for long-term follow-up to assess the effects of such education on teenagers' sexual activity and contraceptive use are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Awareness and general anaesthesia.

A state exists after the induction of anaesthesia in which patients may be aware of their surroundings yet unable to communicate. This problem of awareness and recall during general anaesthesia is a recent one in the relatively short history of anaesthesia. Prior to the introduction of muscle relaxants in 1942 by Griffith and Johnson, it was felt that "light anaesthesia" would be signified by violent movements. Today, the concepts of anaesthetic depth, awareness, and recall have become more complicated with the addition of numerous newer, shorter-acting, intravenous anaesthetic agents with varying effects on the conscious state. Several methods have been described to detect awareness. None has yet been found to be totally reliable and numerous reports of awareness can be found in the literature. Light inhalation and total intravenous anaesthesia have been blamed for the majority of these case reports. However, awareness during total intravenous anaesthesia is avoidable with the proper use of a combination of a hypnotic and an analgesic such as midazolam and alfentanil for general anaesthesia.

Alfentanil↗
PubMed2006

Racial and geographic differences in awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension: the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke mortality is higher in the "Stroke Belt" and among blacks in the United States. Because hypertension is the leading risk factor for stroke, hypertension management (raising awareness, increasing treatment, and improving control) may reduce these disparities. METHODS: Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control were measured in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study, a national population-based cohort of black and white participants >45 years of age. At the time of this report, 11,701 had been enrolled. Racial differences and geographic differences (between the Stroke Belt and other regions of the United States) were described. RESULTS: Black participants were more aware than whites of their hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.59) and more likely to be on treatment if aware of their diagnosis (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.40 to 2.05), but among those treated for hypertension, they were less likely than whites to have their blood pressure controlled (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.83). There was no evidence of a difference between the Stroke Belt and other regions in awareness of hypertension (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.14), but there was a trend for better treatment (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.37) and control (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.30) in the Stroke Belt region. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that interventions to improve blood pressure control among blacks are promising to reduce the racial disparity in stroke mortality. The lack of substantial geographic differences in hypertension awareness and the trend toward better treatment and control in the Stroke Belt suggest that differences in hypertension management may not be a major contributor to the geographic disparity in stroke mortality.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1999

Impact of a sun awareness curriculum on medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Physicians teach sun awareness to their patients, but frequently have no formal training in this area. A week-long dermatology curriculum during Sun Awareness Week that included skin cancer and sun awareness education to first-year medical students was introduced in May 1998 at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the baseline knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of the first-year medical students towards sun awareness before and after the new curriculum. METHOD: This study used a pre- and post-test design to determine the impact of the curriculum on the medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and intent to change behaviour. It also reports any influence of demographic variables on these parameters. RESULTS: The students demonstrated a substantial improvement in their knowledge of sun-related topics despite some baseline knowledge. Many students reported unhealthy behaviour prior to the curriculum, but demonstrated an intent to adopt more healthy behaviour after the curriculum. Minor differences in knowledge and behaviour due to demographic characteristics disappeared upon completion of the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: An undergraduate medical curriculum with skin cancer and sun awareness education can improve the medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour towards sun awareness.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of arsenic exposure from drinking water and awareness of its health risks in a Bangladeshi population: results from a large population-based study.

We conducted a population-based prevalence survey in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to describe the distribution of arsenic exposure in a rural Bangladeshi population and to assess the population's awareness to this problem as well as to possible remediation options. Water samples from 5,967 contiguous tube wells in a defined geographic area were tested using laboratory-based methods. Additionally, for each well, the owner/caretaker (or a close relative) was interviewed regarding his or her awareness of the health consequences of As exposure. Arsenic exposure data and demographic characteristics for the 65,876 users of these wells were also collected from the 5,967 respondents. Among the 65,876 residents, more than half (54%) regularly consumed well water with an As concentration > or = 50 microg/L--above the acceptable government standard in Bangladesh. Respondents were 15-92 years of age, with an average age of 42 years, and 43% were male. Presence of awareness was significantly related to male sex, nonlabor head of household occupation, better housing, and having had the well tested for As concentration. Most respondents (92%) expressed a willingness to take steps to reduce their exposure, with switching to a safe well the most favored option (46.2%). Willingness to reduce exposure was positively related to awareness of the health risks of As. However, the association between awareness and switching to a safe well [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.54] was no stronger than the associations between awareness and using surface water (with or without treatments) (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.22-1.95) or using an existing well after treatment or increasing the depth (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.67). These findings suggest that health education programs may need to target individuals with lower socioeconomic status and that well switching should be encouraged with more appropriate health education. Increasing knowledge of the health consequences of As may be an important element in facilitating remediation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Body dissatisfaction, dieting awareness and the impact of parental influence in young children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the level of body dissatisfaction and dieting awareness in young children. METHOD: A sample of 135 children aged between 5 and 8 years old were individually interviewed. Body dissatisfaction was assessed by means of figure preference ratings, and dieting awareness by responses to a brief scenario. RESULTS: The difference between boys' ratings of current and ideal figures was not significant at any age; nor was that of 5-year-old girls. However, 6-, 7- and 8-year-old girls rated their ideal figure as significantly thinner than their current figure. For dieting awareness there was no significant gender effect, although level of dieting awareness increased with age. Multiple regression analyses showed that body dissatisfaction was predicted by gender and perception of mothers' body dissatisfaction, while age was the only significant predictor of dieting awareness. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of young children have internalized societal beliefs concerning the ideal body shape and are well aware of dieting as a means for achieving this ideal. In particular, the desire for thinness emerges in girls at around age 6.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Chronic kidney disease awareness, prevalence, and trends among U.S. adults, 1999 to 2000.

The incidence of kidney failure treatment in the United States increased 57% from 1991 to 2000. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence was 11% among U.S. adults surveyed in 1988 to 1994. The objective of this study was to estimate awareness of CKD in the U.S. population during 1999 to 2000 and to determine whether the prevalence of CKD in the United States increased compared with 1988 to 1994. Analysis was conducted of nationally representative samples of noninstitutionalized adults, aged 20 yr and older, in two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 1988 to 1994 (n = 15,488) and 1999 to 2000 (n = 4101) for prevalence +/- SE. Awareness of CKD is self-reported. Kidney function (GFR), kidney damage (microalbuminuria or greater), and stages of CKD (GFR and albuminuria) were estimated from calibrated serum creatinine, spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), age, gender, and race. GFR was estimated using the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Self-reported awareness of weak or failing kidneys in 1999 to 2000 was strongly associated with decreased kidney function and albuminuria but was low even in the presence of both conditions. Only 24.3 +/- 6.4% of patients at GFR 15 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and albuminuria were aware of CKD compared with 1.1 +/- 0.3% at GFR of 90 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) or greater and no microalbuminuria. At moderately decreased kidney function (GFR 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), awareness was much lower among women than men (2.9 +/- 1.6 versus 17.9 +/- 5.9%; P = 0.008). The prevalence of moderately or severely decreased kidney function (GFR 15 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) remained stable over the past decade (4.4 +/- 0.3% in 1988 to 1994 and 3.8 +/- 0.4% in 1999 to 2000; P = 0.23). At the same time, the prevalence of albuminuria (ACR >/= 30 mg/g) in single spot urine increased from 8.2 +/- 0.4% to 10.1 +/- 0.7% (P = 0.01). Overall CKD prevalence was similar in both surveys (9% using ACR > 30 mg/g for persistent microalbuminuria; 11% in 1988 to 1994 and 12% in 1999 to 2000 using gender-specific ACR cutoffs). Despite a high prevalence, CKD awareness in the U.S. population is low. In contrast to the dramatic increase in treated kidney failure, overall CKD prevalence in the U.S. population has been relatively stable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Team awareness, problem drinking, and drinking climate: workplace social health promotion in a policy context.

PURPOSE: (1) To determine the effectiveness of classroom health promotion/prevention training designed to improve work climate and alcohol outcomes; (2) to assess whether such training contributes to improvements in problem drinking beyond standard workplace alcohol policies. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey assessed employee problem drinking across three time periods. This was followed by a prevention intervention study; work groups were randomly assigned to an 8-hour training course in workplace social health promotion (Team Awareness), a 4-hour informational training course, or a control group. Surveys were administered 2 to 4 weeks before and after training and 6 months after posttest. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Employees were surveyed from work departments in a large municipality of 3000 workers at three points in time (year, sample, and response rates are shown): (1) 1992, n = 1081, 95%; (2) 1995, n = 856, 97%; and (3) 1999, n = 587, 73%. Employees in the 1999 survey were recruited from safety-sensitive departments and were randomly assigned to receive the psychosocial (n = 201), informational (n = 192), or control (n = 194) condition. INTERVENTION: The psychosocial program (Team Awareness) provided skills training in peer referral, team building, and stress management. Informational training used a didactic review of policy, employee assistance, and drug testing. MEASURES: Self-reports measured alcohol use (frequency, drunkenness, hangovers, and problems) and work drinking climate (enabling, responsiveness, drinking norms, stigma, and drink with co-workers). RESULTS: Employees receiving Team Awareness reduced problem drinking from 20% to 11% and working with or missing work because of a hangover from 16% to 6%. Information-trained workers also reduced problem drinking from 18% to 10%. These rates of change contrast with changes in problem drinking seen from 1992 (24%) to 1999 (17%). Team Awareness improvements differed significantly from control subjects, which showed no change at 13%. Employees receiving Team Awareness also showed significant improvements in drinking climate. For example, scores on the measure of coworker enabling decreased from pretest (mean = 2.19) to posttest (mean = 2.05) and follow up (mean = 1.94). Posttest measures of drinking climate also predicted alcohol outcomes at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Employers should consider the use of prevention programming as an enhancement to standard drug-free workplace efforts. Team Awareness training targets work group social health, aligns with employee assistance efforts, and contributes to reductions in problem drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Awareness about scabies among general medical practitioners (GPs) of Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of general medical practitioners (GPs) about scabies and to evaluate the differences in awareness, if any, between general medical practitioners graduated recently (last 10 years) and more than 10 years practicing in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A pre-tested questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 GPs through a cross-sectional study design and a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Present study showed that a substantial number of GPs have inadequate knowledge regarding causative organism of scabies. If responding correctly to 75% of questions asked, is taken as the criterion for satisfactory awareness, only 36% of GPs had a satisfactory level of awareness. There was no effect of increasing age or years of experience on the level of awareness. CONCLUSION: There is a general lack of knowledge regarding various aspects of scabies among GPs. Therefore, active intervention is required to improve their awareness.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A pilot study on awareness of diabetic retinopathy among non-medical persons in South India. The challenge for eye care programmes in the region.

This study was conducted to determine awareness and practices relating to diabetic retinopathy among non-medical persons in a south Indian population. In this population-based cross-sectional study, trained social workers conducted face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire with 200 randomly selected paramedical personnel and 204 persons randomly selected from the community. Responses were graded on a five-point scale. Over half of respondents were not aware of risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. Only one-fifth of paramedics and one-tenth of persons from the community were aware that uncontrolled diabetes was a risk factor for retinopathy. Over 75% of respondents were not aware of either laser or surgery as an intervention for retinopathy. Although 80% of respondents from the community felt that yearly eye examinations were essential, only 43.5% had ever visited an ophthalmologist. Nearly three-fourths of paramedical personnel did not have any material related to diabetes for health education. It is evident that considerable effort is required to improve awareness of diabetic retinopathy, and to translate this improved awareness to actual utilisation of services.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of tobacco use and awareness of risks among school children in Jaipur.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and tobacco use is a major public health issue in developing countries. We performed an epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of smoking and tobacco-use and awareness of risks of tobacco use among school children. METHODS: Students in randomly selected schools in Jaipur were studied. Students in classes 9-12 (age 13-18 years, boys 2866, girls 939) were enrolled. Medical social workers filled in information regarding presence of smoking and other forms of tobacco use among these children. Details of presence of tobacco use among family members, awareness of harms of tobacco and proactive role of children were also inquired. RESULTS: Fifty nine boys (2.1%, 95% confidence interval 1.5% to 2.6%) and 16 girls (1.7%, 0.9% to 2.5%) agreed to current tobacco use. Smoking cigarettes or bidis was present in 43 boys (1.5%, 72.8% of users) and 8 girls (0.8%, 50.0% of users). Smoking or tobacco use was present in immediate family of 1208 boys (42.1%) and 304 girls (32.4%) (p<0.001) but was significantly more in family of children who used tobacco (boys 51/59, 86.4%, girls 11/16, 68.8%). 2842 boys (99.2%) boys and 934 girls (99.5%) were aware that tobacco use is harmful and similar proportions disliked it. More than 90% students were aware of its importance in causing respiratory diseases and the majority of boys and girls, respectively, knew of its potential to cause general debility (55.7%, 54.1%), heart disease (56.8%, 58.3%), cancer (64.6%, 64.6%), impotence (40.9%, 23.2%), ulcer of stomach (48.1%, 46.4%) and death (68.2%, 68.1%). 76.4% boys and 75.7% girls considered quitting to smoke beneficial and 77.1% boys and 75.8% girls knew that passive smoking is bad. 75.7% boys and 75.0% girls would insist that no-one smokes in their presence. 1592 boys (55.5%) and 507 girls (54.0%) remembered seeing tobacco related advertisement in news-paper and could recall name of the brand. 57.2% boys and 62.4% girls agreed to participate in a tobacco-awareness and cessation program, however only 5.2% of the students had attempted tobacco-control among family or peers. CONCLUSIONS: There is low prevalence of smoking and tobacco use in school children in Jaipur. Awareness of harmful effects of tobacco is high.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Screening guidelines for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Evaluating physician awareness, agreement, and use.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether physicians were aware of, agreed with, and followed the "1989 Canadian Guidelines for Screening for Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection "as they applied to screening asymptomatic women. DESIGN: A survey consisting of direct questions and case scenarios was scored according to the responses given in the guidelines. SETTING: Six hospital family practice teaching units in downtown Toronto. PARTICIPANTS: Of 153 staff physicians and residents surveyed (all staff and residents registered with the Department of Family and Community Medicine of the University of Toronto for the 1990-1991 academic year), a volunteer sample of 118 responded to a questionnaire through the mail. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reported awareness, agreement, and use of C trachomatis guidelines for screening asymptomatic women were analyzed using frequency distributions and cross-tabulations. RESULTS: Most (69%) respondents were unaware of the guidelines. Of those who were aware, 46% agreed with the guidelines and 39% claimed to follow the guidelines. Staff physicians appeared to be more aware of guidelines than family medicine residents (P = 0.0175, psi 2 = 11.98); P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. There was no statistically significant association between total scores and physicians' reported awareness of guidelines (P = 0.2287, psi 2 = 4.321). CONCLUSIONS: Most physicians in the sample were unaware of the guidelines. Of physicians who reported awareness of the guidelines, less than half agreed with or routinely followed them. Better methods of influencing physician behaviour must be developed before more guidelines are designed and distributed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Retiree awareness of levels of blood pressure and cholesterol.

PURPOSE: Determine the level of awareness of cholesterol and blood pressure in a retiree population; assess factors indicating a higher risk for lack of awareness. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a random sample of 9.5% of the 7,400 retiree households served by an Army community hospital. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and t test for continuous data and chi-square for categorical data. RESULTS: Response rate was 71.4%. Overall, 45.8 and 37.9% of the respondents have accurate knowledge of the levels of their blood pressure and cholesterol, respectively. For those with documented hypertension and hyperlipidemia, the correct awareness levels are 78.5 and 63.4%, respectively. The only sociodemographic factor associated with correct awareness is age with cholesterol knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: This population meets the objectives set by Healthy People 2000 for cholesterol awareness, but not for blood pressure. The overall levels of awareness compare favorably to results from other studied populations. Physicians are not using all opportunities to educate patients about modifiable risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Awareness about tuberculosis among nurses working in a tuberculosis hospital and in a general hospital in Delhi, India.

SETTING: A tuberculosis institute and a general hospital in Delhi, India. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of nurses about tuberculosis and to evaluate the differences in awareness, if any, between nurses working in tuberculosis and those in a general hospital. DESIGN: A pretested questionnaire survey was performed on 213 nurses. RESULTS: The present study showed that a substantial number of nurses have inadequate knowledge regarding causative factors, the importance of sputum examination, correct doses of routinely used short-course chemotherapy drugs, the minimum duration of short-course chemotherapy, instructions at discharge, and health education for patients and family members. If responding correctly to 75% of the questions asked is taken as the criterion for satisfactory awareness, only 40.2% of tuberculosis nurses and 10.7% of general hospital nurses had a satisfactory level of awareness. There was no effect of increasing age or years of experience on the level of awareness. CONCLUSIONS: There is a general lack of knowledge regarding various aspects of tuberculosis among nurses. Active interventions are required to improve awareness for a better implementation of the revised national tuberculosis control programme in India.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Families' awareness of and response to dying.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore how family care-givers develop and respond to an awareness that their relative is dying. DESIGN: Qualitative, interpretive. SETTINGS: Four major providers of cancer services in Brisbane, Australia, including a hospital, hospice, homecare nursing service, and oncologist's office. SAMPLE: 20 recently bereaved adult family caregivers (mean age = 48.5): 11 females, 9 males--16 spouses, 2 daughters, and 2 mothers of adults. METHODS: Semistructured interviews transcribed verbatim and content analyzed. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLE: Developing and responding to an awareness of dying. FINDINGS: Five major themes emerged from the analysis. Two core categories, Being Uncertain and Agonizing, depict the emotional struggles that characterize the process of developing an awareness of dying. Three additional categories-Hoping, Pretending, and Preparing-represent strategies used by family caregivers to manage these emotional struggles. CONCLUSIONS: Developing an awareness of dying is a gradual process for family caregivers. Uncertainty and anguish characterize this process. Several factors contribute to this uncertainty and agony, including interactions with healthcare providers. Family caregivers attempt to manage this developing awareness by hoping, pretending, and preparing for death. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to identify processes to ensure that family caregivers' needs for information and support are given high priority and that supportive interventions identified are based on a sensitive understanding of the experience of the family caregiver. The processes may include assisting family caregivers to maintain hope, sustain social relationships, and make preparations for the death. Further research into how family caregivers use these strategies for managing their developing awareness of dying is required.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

'Imi Hale -- the Native Hawaiian cancer awareness, research, and training network: second-year status report.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to describe 'Imi Hale, a program developed and managed by Native Hawaiians to increase cancer awareness and research capacity among Native Hawaiians. This US subgroup of indigenous people of the Hawaiian islands has disproportionately high rates of cancer mortality and low rates of participation in health and research careers. METHODS: As a community-based research project, 'Imi Hale spent its first year gathering data from Native Hawaiians about their cancer awareness and research priorities. These findings guide 'Imi Hale's community and scientific advisors, a community-based Institutional Review Board, Na Liko Noelo (budding researchers), and staff in developing and carrying out projects that address these priority areas. Emphasis is placed on transferring skills and resources to Native Hawaiians through training, technical assistance, and mentorship. A biennial survey assesses the extent to which community-based participatory research principles are being followed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By the end of the school year, statewide and island-specific awareness plans were produced, and 9 funded awareness projects are supporting the development and dissemination of Hawaiian health education materials. Research accomplishments include the enrollment of 42 Native Hawaiian Na Liko Noelo (budding researchers), 22 of which are involved in 14 funded research projects. The biennial evaluation survey found that 92% of our advisors felt that 'Imi Hale was promoting scientifically rigorous research that was culturally appropriate and respectful of Native Hawaiian beliefs, and 96% felt that 'Imi Hale was following its own principles of community-based participatory research. CONCLUSION: 'Imi Hale's community-based approach to promoting cancer awareness will result in a sustainable infrastructure for reducing the cancer burden on Native Hawaiians.

Awareness↗
PubMed2003

The influence of puberty and ethnicity on awareness and internalization of the thin ideal.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of puberty and ethnicity on awareness and internalization of the thin ideal. METHOD: Fourth and fifth-grade girls (N = 67) and their parents (N = 67) completed questionnaires assessing demographic variables, eating pathology, pubertal development, and awareness and internalization of the thin ideal. RESULTS: Girls in pre/early puberty did not differ significantly from girls in mid/late puberty on awareness of the thin ideal; however, more developed girls had significantly greater internalization of the thin ideal. Caucasian and non-Caucasian girls also did not differ on awareness of the thin ideal, but non-Caucasian girls reported greater internalization. No significant interactions between race and puberty existed on the dependent variables. DISCUSSION: Factors specifically related to puberty seem to be key to girls' development of disordered eating attitudes. The effect of puberty on increased internalization of the thin ideal cannot be explained by increased age or awareness of the thin ideal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Working memory span and phonological awareness tasks as predictors of early reading ability.

Relationships between complex memory span, simple memory span, phonological awareness tasks, and beginning reading were investigated. Seven-year-olds were administered two complex span tasks, two simple span tasks, and four phonological awareness tasks. Relationships between the tasks were assessed, as well as their predictive importance with regard to reading accuracy, reading comprehension, and arithmetic. Correlations revealed that three of the four phonological awareness tasks were highly correlated with one another and with both of the complex span tasks. Regression analyses showed that the phonological awareness and reading-related complex span scores accounted for unique and shared portions of the variance in all three cognitive abilities, while the arithmetic-related complex span scores only made a significant unique contribution to the variance in arithmetic. Finally, simple memory span scores only explained significant portions of the variance in any of the cognitive abilities when entered first into the regression equations. The results suggested that phonological awareness and complex span tasks make a shared and a unique contribution to the variance in all three cognitive abilities, questioning Daneman and Carpenter's (1980, 1983) domain-specific hypothesis.

Awareness↗