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PubMedDate not supplied

Highly symptom-aware children were heavily infected with urinary schistosomiasis in southern Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between the infection status of children and their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) related to urinary schistosomiasis. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey. SETTING: Nine schools in eight rural communities (total population: 4,636) in Ga and South Akuapem Districts, Ghana. SUBJECTS: Four hundred and six children attending primary and secondary schools. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Schistosoma haematobium infection status of children and their KABP. RESULTS: Of 354 children who responded and also submitted their urine samples, 297 (83.9%) tested positive for S. haematobium and the intensity of infection was 90 (95% CI: 74 to 110) eggs per 10 ml urine. General knowledge variables such as the knowledge of symptoms (p < 0.001), and knowledge of swimming or bathing in the river as a transmission route (p < 0.001) showed significant association for higher prevalence and intensity of infection. Treatment-seeking behaviour was not associated with the lower prevalence or intensity of infection. Practice variables such as washing clothes in the stream (p < 0.001) and fishing in the stream (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with both higher prevalence and higher intensity of infection. Children who knew of contact with river water as a transmission route reported more water contact activities (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that highly symptom-aware people were heavily infected, and people frequently exposed to infested water were heavily infected. Moreover, highly symptom-aware people never constituted a group whose exposure was slight. Why was awareness of disease symptoms and general knowledge of the disease not linked to low infectivity? Why didn't awareness result in avoidance of infested water sources? This report highlights the urgent need to address these important questions in future research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Oral cancer awareness and prevalence of risk behaviours among dental patients in South-western Nigeria.

The present study, based in a tertiary hospital in South western Nigeria, assessed cancer awareness among patients seeking dental treatment. A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect information on the knowledge, beliefs and habits of those attending the dental hospital within a designated period of the year. Almost 61% of the respondents had post-secondary education. The level of oral cancer awareness was remarkably high (72%), but this was low compared to awareness about occurrence of cancer in other parts of the body (89.9%). Awareness was found to be closely associated with educational status. The study also revealed that 50% had previous information on oral cancers from mass media as against 20.1% who were informed through health care professionals. Almost half of the study sample recalled episodes of previous oral ulceration and of these, greater than 50% indulged in either self medication (38.1%) or no medication at all (18.4%). The prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking habits among the respondents was low being, 16.3% and 4.2% respectively. The lack of association, in this study, between oral cancer incidence and the known risk behaviours, is an obvious indication for investigation into other predisposing factors such as nutrients, genetic predisposition and the role of chronic infections. Perhaps one or more of these might be more relevant in this environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Awareness of stroke warning signs--17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2001.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of disabilities among adults. Since 1900, the number of stroke deaths has declined, and substantial advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke during the previous decade; however, the proportion of deaths that occur before patients are transported to hospitals has increased to nearly half of all stroke deaths. One of the national health objectives for 2010 is to increase the proportion of persons who are aware of the early warning symptoms and signs of stroke (objective no. 12.8). To assess public awareness and knowledge of the proper emergency response, CDC analyzed 2001 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that public awareness of several stroke signs is high, but the ability to recognize the five major warning signs is low. Education campaigns are needed to increase public awareness of stroke signs and the necessity of calling 911 when persons are suffering a possible stroke.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System↗
PubMed2004

Knowledge and awareness of pregnant women about ultrasounsd scanning and prenatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Antenatal screening and ultrasound scan has become an integral part of the antenatal care in the present time. The aim of this study is to accurately describe the background knowledge and awareness of pregnant women about ultrasound scan and prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: It is a clinic based cross sectional study. Four hundred women, attending the antenatal clinics, were asked to fill in a pre tested structured questionnaire. Different variables of interest were collected. Statistical Program for the social sciences (SPSS) was used for the data management. RESULTS: Over 93.5% of the women were aware that ultrasound examination is an important investigation. They believed that it should be performed at least twice during pregnancy but were not sure about the timing of the test. Most of them felt that it was to check the growth of the baby and 97% of women considered ultrasound to be safe. However, only 26% of women had any knowledge about Down's syndrome or its screening. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women in our set-up are aware of importance of ultrasound examination during pregnancy. However, there is a need to improve public awareness of problems like Down's syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Disparities in screening for and awareness of high blood cholesterol--United States, 1999-2002.

High blood cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Two national health objectives for 2010 are to reduce to 17% the proportion of adults with high total blood cholesterol levels and to increase to 80% the proportion of adults who had their blood cholesterol checked during the preceding 5 years. In addition, an overall national health objective is to eliminate racial/ethnic and other disparities in all health outcomes. During 1960-1994, total blood cholesterol levels among the overall U.S. population declined; however, levels have changed little since then, despite increases in cholesterol screening and awareness. To assess racial/ethnic and other disparities among persons who were screened for high blood cholesterol during the preceding 5 years and among persons who were aware of their high blood cholesterol, CDC analyzed data from the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that Mexican Americans, blacks, and younger adults were less likely to be screened for high blood cholesterol, and persons in those populations who had high cholesterol were less likely to be aware of their condition. Efforts are needed to encourage persons, especially among these populations, to seek screening and gain awareness of high blood cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Acceptability and effectiveness of a breast health awareness programme for rural women in India.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer being one of the leading cancers among women in developing countries, prevention or identification of the disease at an early stage is of paramount importance in saving as well as improving the quality of life. Breast health awareness appears to be a pragmatic method for this. OBJECTIVE: To determine the acceptability and effectiveness of an educational intervention programme on breast health awareness for rural women by trained female health workers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Community based non-randomised educational intervention study carried out over a period of 1 year. Three hundred and sixty rural women in the age group 30--59 years were randomly selected (and age-wise stratified), from a coastal village in Southern India. METHODS: Women were educated on breast health and breast self-examination by specifically trained health workers and their awareness and proficiency levels were evaluated at the end of 1 and 3 months post-intervention. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: This was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 10. RESULTS: Following the educational intervention, a significant increase in overall awareness regarding breast cancer (z=-15.807; P< 0.001) as well as in the performance of self-examination of the breast 321/342 (93%) was observed. Forgetfulness or being too busy appeared to be the two most frequently perceived barriers. CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows that a community oriented educational intervention programme emphasizing on proper technique can bring about the desirable behavioural change among women.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of awareness level on tobacco and smoking habits as risk factors for cancer among lung and laryngeal cancer patients in Kolkata--a case control study.

The burden of tobacco related cancers is increasing alarmingly throughout the world; therefore tobacco control merits the highest priority in the fight against cancer worldwide. The present report concerns a case control study of males with cancers of lung and larynx, to assess tobacco use, level of exposure and the awareness of risk of tobacco as a main cause of cancer. A total of 217 new patients with cancer of lung and larynx registered at Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute were recruited for the study, along with 200 healthy male (age, religion and residential status matched ) visiting controls. Information on socio-demographic parameters, details of the disease, tobacco use, and awareness about effects of tobacco were obtained through a standardized questionnaire. Smokers were at a higher risk of disease than nonsmokers, with a direct correlation between duration and number of smoking, monthly income, family size and education level. Adjusted ORs observed for smokers for duration more than 40 years of smoking and smoking more than 40 beedi/cigarettes per day were 4.3 and 3.9, respectively. Awareness level towards tobacco chewing, active and passive smoking revealed poor response among the subjects. Thus improved health education for antismoking and awareness generation of tobacco hazards should be strongly recommended as a preventive measure.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Awareness of and attitudes towards HIV among pregnant women at the Antenatal Clinic, Port Moresby General Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) among pregnant women in Port Moresby has increased tenfold, from 0.08% in 1994 to 0.8% in 2002. To stop a further epidemic spread as seen in sub-Saharan Africa it is urgent to identify and intervene to reduce risk behaviours. In order to do so it is important to evaluate current awareness of and attitude towards HIV. METHODS: Interviews with 122 pregnant women were conducted at the Antenatal Clinic, Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea. We assessed the women's HIV awareness and relate the results to education and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: 4 out of 122 women did not know about HIV. 97% knew that HIV is spread by sexual contacts, 96% knew about mother-to-child transmission and 69% knew about infection through breastfeeding. However, there were many misconceptions; 36% believed that HIV can be spread by mosquitoes and 17% believed that caring for an AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) patient is a risk. Among the women with no education or primary school education only, 51% knew for sure that HIV is not spread by caring for an AIDS patient, compared to 86% for the women with higher education. 47% of the women received their first information about HIV through the media. CONCLUSIONS: The AIDS campaigns have been successful in making almost all the women aware of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease. However, the high frequency of misconceptions makes it probable that patients are stigmatized. This is particularly true for the lower educated women. To more effectively fight the HIV epidemic it is important to improve the general level of education of both men and women, to encourage women to be more in charge of their own sexuality and to increase their status in society. It is also important to make men aware of their responsibility to practise safe sex.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of educational status on AIDS awareness and attitude: a micro study of Krishnanagar City.

The study was carried out at Krishnanagar city of Nadia District, West Bengal on aims to focus the HIV/AIDS related awareness and attitudes. A total of 400 samples divided into illiterate, primary, secondary and higher educated people (100 from each group) were surveyed using "5-point Likert Scale" consisting of two parts-Part-I for measuring attitude and Part-II for measuring awareness. The data were collected at the end of 1999 and analyzed using SPSS computer programme. Results revealed subjects of any categories of people in general were not aware and shows negative attitude towards AIDS. Significant differences were existed among the categories except between illiterate & primary and secondary & higher educated group of people about awareness and attitude towards AIDS.

Educational Status↗
PubMed2006

Increased awareness of intimate partner abuse after training: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner abuse is very common among female patients in family practice. In general, doctors overlook the possibility of partner abuse. AIM: To investigate whether awareness of intimate partner abuse, as well as active questioning, increase after attending focus group and training, or focus group only. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised controlled trial in a stratified sample. SETTING: Family practices in Rotterdam and surrounding areas. METHOD: A full-training group (n = 23), a group attending focus group discussions alone (n = 14), and a control group (n = 17) were formed. Data were collected with incident reporting of every female patient (aged >18 years) that was suspected of, or presented, partner abuse during a period of 6 months. The primary outcome measure was the number of reported patients; the secondary outcome measure was the number of patients with whom the GP had non-obvious reasons to suspect/discuss abuse. RESULTS: Comparison of the full-training group (n = 87 patients) versus the control group (n = 14 patients) resulted in a rate ratio of 4.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55 to 8.09, P <0.001); the focus group only group (n = 30 cases) versus control group: rate ratio of 2.2 (95% CI = 1.14 to 4.26, P = 0.019); full-training versus the focus group only group: rate ratio of 2.19 (95% CI = 1.36 to 3.52, P = 0.001). Comparison of the fulltraining group with the untrained groups for awareness of partner abuse in case of non-obvious signs resulted in: odds ratio 5.92 (95% CI = 2.25 to 15.62, P <0.01) all corrected for sex, district, practice setting, working part/full-time, experience, and age of the doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Training was the most significant determinant to improve awareness and identification of intimate partner abuse. Active questioning increased, especially where there were non-obvious signs. The focus group on its own doubled the awareness of partner abuse.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Occupational differences in disability awards, benefit application, and awareness of the Social Security Administration Disability Program.

Previous studies have identified occupational differences in disabling illness among recipients of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability awards. Interpreting such differences as evidence of excess risk, however, assumes that medical factors are the primary criteria for receipt of benefits. The present study examined the influence of demographic, occupational, and medical factors on awareness, application, and receipt of SSA disability benefits. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that awareness, benefit application, and receipt of awards were not well predicted by demographic, health-related, or occupation variables. Occupation explained less than 1% of the variance in awareness, benefit application, and disability awards among severely disabled persons. The results suggest that occupational differences in disabling illnesses among SSA disability beneficiaries are not merely reflections of differences in awareness of the SSA benefit program or less frequent application for benefits.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in blood cholesterol awareness: final results from the South Carolina Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Project.

We examined changes in five indicators of blood cholesterol awareness in two comparable biracial communities in South Carolina. One community received three years of cholesterol education and intervention activities implemented by a state health department and the other served as a comparison. Cross-sectional, interviewer-administered, random digit-dialed telephone surveys of 11,070 adults 18 years and older were conducted in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1991. Changes in community levels of knowledge, preventive behavior, risk awareness, and treatment were assessed and compared between the two communities with analysis of covariance techniques that adjusted for age, race, and sex. Significant increases in knowledge, behavior, and risk awareness were observed for most groups defined by race, sex, or age in both communities. Significant net intervention increases between 1987 and 1991 were seen for knowledge of good cholesterol level (+16.4%, P < .001); behavioral action of ever having blood cholesterol checked (+18.6%, P < .001); and knowledge of personal level of blood cholesterol (+16.0%, P < .01). These results suggest that a community-wide blood cholesterol screening and education program can be effective in increasing blood cholesterol knowledge, risk awareness, and preventive behavior, thus serving as part of a public health strategy to lower and treat high blood cholesterol levels in a community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Conscious awareness and memory during general anesthesia.

Conscious awareness is an infrequent complication of general anesthesia. All methods of anesthesia have been implicated, and no method guarantees amnesia. This article examines implicit and explicit memory and discusses factors associated with awareness. Common methods of detection are unreliable, and symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder may result if awareness goes unrecognized and untreated. Patients who experience awareness may sue on grounds of malpractice, breach of contract, and lack of consent. Overhearing negative stimuli may affect patient outcome, because learning and language comprehension can occur during what appears to be clinically adequate anesthesia. Strategies to block threatening auditory stimuli include use of earphones, music tapes, white noise, reassuring statements, or positive suggestion. Behavioral anesthesia decreases patient stress to enhance recovery. Evidence of patient benefit resulting from therapeutic suggestion is inconclusive.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1993

Awareness of diarrheal disease control in rural and urban areas of Bihar.

Awareness regarding different aspects of prevention and treatment of diarrheal diseases among parents in rural and urban areas of Patna district were studied. Survey was done in 245 households from 30 villages of Bihta block and about 275 households from 30 different mohallas of Patna town. All aspects were poorly known to the rural community, particularly the illiterates and a large segment of literates of Bihta block. Rural people were significantly less aware than their urban counterparts regarding value of prolonged breast feeding, spoon feeding rather than bottle feeding, using hand pump and tap water for drinking and using latrine for nightsoil disposal in preventing diarrhea. Utility of measles immunization in prevention of diarrhea was unknown to the community. Generally parents thought antidiarrheal drugs a must for treatment. Knowledge regarding ORS and its use in diarrhea and vomiting was very poor and significant difference (p < 0.001) in awareness was observed between educated and illiterates. Majority parents did not know the correct method of preparation and uses of ORS and SSS. Due to high literacy rate and health consciousness, the educated and majority of literate parents of Patna town were better aware, more factual and had rational view regarding causes, method of prevention, fundamentals of use of ORS and home management of diarrhea in children, although certain aspects are yet to be cleared to them.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1993

[Intraoperative awareness: a true or false problem?].

The authors base their remark on a few cases of awareness which have been reported in their hospital and on the history a patient who experienced intraoperative awareness during cesarean section. Attention is focused on the ethical, social and medico-legal aspects of this phenomenon. Awareness may severely affect the patient's psychic equilibrium with the consequent onset of severe neuroses leading to the possibility of legal action and claims for compensation. Clinical experience has shown that the use of halogenate anesthetics, even in low concentrations, may help to avoid this phenomenon. Correct relations between the anesthetist and patient before and after surgery may also, even in the event of awareness, reduce the incidence and severity of consequent psychological sequelae.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1996

Promoting sun awareness: evaluation of an educational children's book.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of early childhood education as a means of increasing awareness and knowledge about the sun and related skin disease(s). METHODS: A children's book promoting sun awareness and protection was developed. The next was incorporated into the health education curriculum of two third-grade classrooms (n = 82). The students completed a questionnaire before, immediately after, and 6 weeks after reading the text. Student sun awareness knowledge was compared using descriptive statistics and paired T-tests. RESULTS: Behaviors and attitudes that resulted in over-exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light were common among third-graders. Primary test areas included the sun's effect on skin, effective sunscreens, skin type, and skin cancer. Test scores showed a marked improvement (40% compared with baseline) in knowledge of sun protection at both posttests. Parents represented the greatest source of information for children (28 of 82) before this study, while doctors and teachers each accounted for only 1 of 82. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive measures in childhood have the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of sunrelated skin diseases; however, education to date has been directed primarily at presents. This study demonstrated that an educational book for elementary school students can be an effective tool to increase sun awareness and knowledge. The multifaceted approach to prevention recommended here is similar to that of the highly successful dental care campaign, consisting of direct education of children by physicians, teachers, parents, and the media.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among African Americans in the 1990s: estimates from the Maywood Cardiovascular Survey.

During the last decade, the decline in cardiovascular disease mortality slowed among African Americans, compared to the general population. Hypertension control is likely to play an important role in determining these trends. The Maywood Cardiovascular Survey provides estimates of the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among African Americans. Between 1991 and 1993, we conducted a cardiovascular disease survey among 1,524 African Americans living in the Chicago suburb of Maywood, Illinois. Estimates of the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (defined as blood pressure [BP] > or = 140/90 mm Hg or self-reported taking of antihypertensive medications) were calculated and compared to U.S. population estimates for African Americans from NHANES II and III. The prevalence of hypertension in our sample was 32.7% (30.3, 35.1). After age-adjustment to the U.S. population, prevalence was 29.9% (27.9, 31.9), which is nonsignificantly lower than that reported for African Americans in NHANES III (32.4% [30.2, 34.6]). Awareness, pharmacologic treatment, and control on pharmacologic treatment were 81%, 56%, and 55%, respectively. These estimates are, respectively, 15%, 27%, and 42% higher than NHANES II and 7%, 9%, and 11% higher than NHANES III. Nonpharmacologic treatment alone may have accounted for up to 34% of hypertension control overall. Among previously diagnosed hypertensive subjects, risk factors for being untreated were male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 5.3 [1.3, 21.3]) and age < 45 years (OR = 3.8 [1.1, 12.8]), and for being uncontrolled was age > or = 65 years (OR = 1.9 [1.1, 3.0]). Rates of hypertension awareness, pharmacologic treatment, and control on pharmacologic treatment are higher in this sample of African Americans than among African Americans in NHANES II and are comparable to those in NHANES III. The impact of nonpharmacologic treatments on control needs further consideration. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): hypertension, nonpharmacologic treatment, African-American males.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Coping with stress and self-awareness in idiopathic sudden deafness].

In the work presented here patterns of stress management and self awareness of patients with sudden hearing loss (n = 50) are studied and compared to a control group. Private self awareness is conceived as a moderator of stress management. Data analysis was performed with special consideration given to gender specificity of patterns investigated. The profile of stress management in patients with sudden hearing loss differs from control groups. As for stress management, gender specific data analysis reveals for male as well as for female patients significant differences when compared to control groups. Beyond that, profiles of stress management differ between males and females. Furthermore, private self awareness in patients with sudden hearing loss exhibit significant differences in mean values when compared to control groups, which is interpreted as a reflection of a lower prevalence of private self awareness. However, gender specific analysis supports this initially significant result only to have tendentious character. With respect to preventive treatment and prophylaxis of relapse, our results suggest that training in stress management should be completed by bodily oriented procedures suited to enhance the perception of body signals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗