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PubMed1991

Attitudes and knowledge of nurses regarding organ procurement.

The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding organ procurement. Nurses in critical care areas completed a questionnaire designed to elicit their attitudes toward and knowledge of organ donation. Differences were found between the unit in which nurses worked and the extent to which they would participate in care of a patient for organ donation. Significant relationships were found between the fact that a nurse had previously cared for donors and the degree of comfort felt in obtaining consent, extent to which the nurse would participate in care, and knowledge of organ procurement procedures. The nurses' feelings regarding donation and their degree of comfort in obtaining consent were correlated positively with higher knowledge scores. Knowledge deficits were identified in all areas. Results indicated that although most nurses were supportive of organ procurement, there were aspects with which they were uncomfortable and others in which they lacked knowledge. The study revealed the need for additional awareness and education of nurses in all areas of the organ donation process.

Critical Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between knowledge of cardiovascular dietary risk and food shopping behaviors.

A 44-item knowledge and attitude questionnaire was administered to 176 randomly selected shoppers to determine their cardiovascular and nutrition knowledge and attitude toward the diet-heart relationship. An analysis of descriptive sales slips issued by the supermarket determined food purchasing behavior. Food items purchased were categorized according to their polyunsaturated-saturated (P/S) ratio less than 1 (PS0), P/S ratio greater than 1 (PS1), and high cholesterol (greater than 100 mg per serving) (HCHO). We also categorized purchases by cholesterol content per serving: high, moderate, low, and very low levels. We observed a significant (r = -.25, P = .0008) negative correlation between purchasing behavior of PS0 and knowledge. A partial correlation revealed a similar association when controlling for income (r = -.26, P = .0002), age (r = -.26, P = .0005) and education (r = -.22, P = .0038). Correlation for whites was significant and negative (r = -.29, P = .0003) and for blacks nonsignificant and positive (r = .02, P = .9069). Regression analysis found a significant negative slope (b = -.57, P = .0001) of PS0 on knowledge, a marginally significant positive slope (b = -.21, P = .0527) of PS1 on knowledge, and a significant negative slope (b = -.86, P = .0171) of HCHO on education. The interaction of race and knowledge was significant for PS0 (P = .0005).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

National Health Interview Survey data on adult knowledge of AIDS in the United States.

Information collected with the 1989 National Health Interview Survey of AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes from a nationally representative sample of 40,609 adults was examined to determine how knowledge about AIDS varied within demographic subgroups of the population. Most adults (83 percent) had seen or heard public service announcements about AIDS in the month prior to interview, and 51 percent had read an AIDS brochure in the past. Sixty-seven percent of adults responded correctly to at least 10 of 14 general AIDS knowledge questions. Knowledge levels were higher among those who were more educated and those who had seen or heard public service announcements or had read brochures. White adults responded correctly to these questions more often than their black counterparts; non-Hispanics responded correctly more often than Hispanics (for statistical purposes, the population is divided twice, in the first instance racially and in the second, ethnically--white and black, Hispanic and non-Hispanic). Even with relatively high information levels, misperceptions about casual transmission persisted, with one-third of adults answering more than half of the questions about casual transmission incorrectly. The same population groups that had less general AIDS knowledge had more misperceptions about transmission. More than 80 percent of adults recognized that use of condoms and a monogamous relationship between two uninfected persons were effective means of preventing the spread of the AIDS virus. Seventy-four percent of adults had heard of the HIV antibody test. The data demonstrate that while awareness about AIDS in general is high, certain population subgroups have more limited knowledge and more inappropriate concerns about AIDS, particularly those in certain racial-ethnic minorities and those less educated than the general population. Efforts must continue to develop culturally sensitive and easily understood educational programs and evaluation mechanisms for these programs

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Errors, gaps, and misconceptions in the disease-related knowledge of cystic fibrosis patients and their families.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 60 families with a child with cystic fibrosis to assess their medical knowledge of the illness. A 63-item, multiple-choice test with acceptable psychometric properties was administered to 60 mothers, 54 fathers, 29 siblings (aged 10 to 23 years), and 18 patients (aged 9 to 22 years). Parents and patients correctly answered approximately three quarters and siblings two thirds of all items. Family members were most knowledgeable about general cystic fibrosis facts, physiotherapy, gastrointestinal symptomatology and treatment, and anatomy. They were less well-informed about respiratory symptomatology and treatment and nutrition. Parental knowledge of genetics and reproductive risks was mediocre, and that of patients and siblings was poor. Knowledge of terminology was uniformly low. Social class was a significant predictor of parental knowledge. If left uncorrected the misconceptions, gaps, and errors in family members' knowledge of cystic fibrosis identified in this study could result in inadverent noncompliance in treatment of the patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validity and reliability of a breast cancer knowledge test.

A study was made to develop and test a tool to measure a subject's knowledge about breast cancer screening in order to implement effective strategies for prevention and early detection. The Breast Cancer Knowledge Test measures a subject's knowledge about detection and screening practices. The instrument is an expansion of Stillman's Knowledge Questionnaire. A 30-item test was designed and pretested. Four nationally recognized experts in cancer control determined content validity. Reliability testing then was done with a sample of 101 women 50 years of age and older. The complete posttested 18-item instrument is reported here. Correlational analyses were done between the total scores on the Breast Cancer Knowledge test and subjects' practice of screening behaviors. Findings indicate that more knowledge of breast cancer screening is associated with use of mammography and obtaining a professional examination, but not with the practice of breast self-examination.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Education, knowledge and metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes.

We studied thirty diabetic patients and we evaluated their knowledge of main topics of diabetes mellitus. The level of the knowledge was evaluated by multiple choice questionnaires. On the basis of score obtained the patients were divided into two groups: Group A, with high knowledge level, Group B, with low knowledge level. All the patients were followed-up for a 12 months period after a careful education. At the end of follow-up, we compared the Group A patients with another group of 14 diabetic children, who have followed an educational programme from the diagnosis of the disease (Group C). We assessed the knowledge score and the principal metabolic parameters in the three groups of patients; during the follow-up, we found a significant increase of these parameters in Group A and B patients, more evident in Group A patients. At the end of follow-up, the Group C patients showed a higher knowledge score and metabolic parameters than the Group A children. This study shows that education of disease is important for the increase of metabolic parameters and its usefulness is higher if is carried out from the onset of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The multicultural knowledge of registered dental hygienists: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: In a 1990 report to the nation (Healthy People 2000), the United States Public Health Service identified members of certain racial and ethnic minority groups as experiencing above average incidences of caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. To help improve healthcare offered these populations, it is now recommended that it be planned and presented in a manner that is compatible with their existing cultural values and beliefs. The purpose of this study was to examine (1) dental hygienists' knowledge of the values, beliefs, lifestyles, and health practices of four ethnic minority groups--African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans; and (2) the effects of dental hygienists' age, education, and amount of professional experience level on such knowledge. METHODS: A total of 30 registered dental hygienists completed a 20-item Knowledge of Cultures Test and a demographic questionnaire during the summer of 1991. The data were analyzed by means of the independent t-test. RESULTS: The findings indicate that the respondents possess a low level of multicultural knowledge of the values, beliefs, lifestyles, and health practices of ethnic minority groups. The dental hygienists' age, education, and amount of professional experience had no significant effects on the level of multicultural knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that curricula within dental hygiene programs need to be planned and taught from a transcultural perspective to help students develop the knowledge necessary to plan beneficial care for clients from ethnic minority groups.

Culture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among women attending a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.

We interviewed 1,716 women attending a family planning clinic in Nairobi between January 1990 and May 1991 about their knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). When participants in the study were asked to name spontaneously the STDs they knew, more than 90% of the women named gonorrhea and AIDS, and 75.0% named syphilis; 65.4% could name two or more signs of AIDS; and 96.9%, 66.5%, and 58.3% mentioned sexual transmission, transmission via blood transfusion, and perinatal transmission, respectively, as routes of transmission of AIDS. Knowledge of most symptoms and routes of transmission of AIDS, as well as knowledge of gonorrhea and syphilis, was significantly positively associated with level of education. Unmarried women were significantly less likely to know symptoms and routes of transmission of AIDS than were married women. Level of knowledge of gonorrhea and syphilis was significantly positively associated with number of lifetime sexual partners. Although awareness of AIDS was very high, detailed knowledge of signs of AIDS and routes of transmission was deficient, particularly among less educated women. This positive association of detailed AIDS knowledge with level of education suggests a need to design AIDS prevention activities that are more accessible to, and better understood by, women who have little education.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Impact of pharmacist counseling on medication knowledge and compliance.

The impact of discharge counseling was measured in a veteran patient population in a large tertiary-care government medical center. Upon discharge, seventy patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group received verbal medication counseling from a pharmacist, the other group did not. Medication knowledge and compliance were assessed by interviewing each patient approximately 6 weeks after discharge. Sixty patients (31 counseled, 29 uncounseled) completed the study. Forty-five patients were from our rehabilitation division (housing psychiatric, intermediate, and long-term care patients), and 15 patients were from our acute-care division. Overall, counseled patients were no more knowledgeable or compliant than uncounseled patients. However, among those patients discharged from our acute-care division, counseled patients were more knowledgeable and compliant than uncounseled patients. In all patients, medication knowledge and compliance decreased as their number of medications increased. Our discharge counseling program had little impact when examining all study patients. But in acute-care patients, discharge counseling did increase both medication knowledge and compliance. Our study also showed that, in both counseled and uncounseled patients, medication knowledge and compliance decreased as the number of discharge medications increased, and additional pharmacist counseling would likely prove beneficial to those patients discharged on multiple medications.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The knowledge and attitudes of experience oncology nurses regarding the management of cancer-related pain.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the knowledge and attitudes of North Carolina nurses toward the management of cancer-related pain. The analysis focused on knowledge, attitude, and perception of barriers to pain management. DESIGN: Exploratory, descriptive. SETTING: North Carolina. SAMPLE: A survey of 1,400 RNs were stratified by educational background and Area Health Education Center regions of the state; the response rate was 24%. METHODS: An adapted version of The Wisconsin Pain Initiative Survey mailed to participants. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and perception of perceived barriers to managing cancer-related pain. FINDINGS: Nurses who have cared for patients with cancer are more knowledgeable and have more liberal attitudes toward pain management from nurses who have not cared for patients with cancer. North Carolina nurses report knowledge and perception of barriers to pain management similar to those of Wisconsin nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of caring for patients who have cancer and pain influences nurses to report more liberal attitudes toward pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Although nurses report increased knowledge of pain management in general, deficits continue to exist. Further research is needed to more fully understand the effect of educational and experience on practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

AIDS knowledge, teaching comfort, and support for AIDS education among school teachers: a statewide survey.

With development of an effective HIV vaccine still elusive (Blower & McLean 1994; McLean & Blower 1993), the control of HIV infection may depend on our ability to successfully educate diverse groups of adolescents in different communities about homosexuality and other sensitive subject matter. A statewide survey of California teachers (n = 835) indicated that teachers generally were knowledgeable about AIDS, felt comfortable presenting AIDS prevention information to students, and supported AIDS education in schools. Nevertheless, teachers' level of AIDS knowledge, comfort, and support varied by grade and other background characteristics. Elementary teachers were less knowledgeable (p < .001), felt less comfortable teaching (p < .001), and were less supportive of school-based AIDS education (p < .01). Teachers in urban schools (p < .05) and nonwhite teachers (p < .01) also had lower AIDS knowledge relative to other teachers. However, in comparison to surveys conducted in other states, California teachers appeared more knowledgeable of and progressive about AIDS education in the schools. As new school-based HIV and AIDS policies and prevention programs are formulated in the 1990s, teacher input will be critical to effective program development and implementation. To achieve success, it is important that differences in teachers' knowledge, comfort, and support be taken into consideration during both the development and implementation phases of these programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

[Changes in nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDS in Mie Prefecture, Japan].

In 1990, we conducted a questionnaire survey showing that many nurses had incorrect knowledge of AIDS resulting in inappropriate attitudes toward AIDS patients. Following the first survey conducted in 1990, nurses were given various forms of AIDS education. The effectiveness of the AIDS education requires assessment. Therefore a second questionnaire survey was performed in 1993 to assess changes in nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDS. The same questionnaire as used in the first survey was sent to a random sample of nurses working at general hospitals in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The questionnaire covered knowledge of AIDS, psychological responses, attitudes and conduct around infected persons and measures against AIDS. Results of both questionnaire surveys showed that the majority of nurses acquired their knowledge predominantly from the mass media, and a large number of nurses worried that AIDS would spread in Japan. Almost half of the nurses were worried that they might be infected with AIDS. The second survey showed that nurses who acquired knowledge of AIDS from printed material, pamphlets and other educational resources, including lectures had increased. In 1993, many more nurses had accurate knowledge compared to the number in the first survey. In 1993 the number of nurses who discriminated against AIDS patients and HIV-infected persons had decreased.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Knowledge of medical-legal issues. Survey of Ontario family medicine residents.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain how much family medicine residents know about medical-legal issues and what their attitudes toward medical-legal training are. DESIGN: Survey using multiple-choice questions to assess knowledge of typical legal scenarios and attitudes to training. Responses to questions were assessed using a Likert scale. SETTING: University of Ottawa's Family Medicine Program, including the Northeastern Ontario Family Medicine Program and the Melrose and Elizabeth Bruyere Family Medicine Centres. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five family medicine residents in the University of Ottawa's Family Medicine Program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic information and answers to questions assessing respondents' knowledge of and attitudes toward medical-legal issues. RESULTS: Mean score for correct responses was 8.6 out of 16 possible correct responses. Resident's knowledge about certain issues was excellent, such as knowing that comments can be constructed as sexual abuse and that they should report patients whose medical conditions make it dangerous for them to operate motor vehicles. On other issues, such as how to treat incompetent individuals and how to treat minors when parents refuse consent for treatment, residents' knowledge seemed poor. Although residents thought knowledge of medical-legal issues was important for providing good-quality care to patients and avoiding litigation, they felt inadequately trained in and uncomfortable about dealing with these issues. CONCLUSIONS: Residents are somewhat confused about medical-legal issues. They seem very interested in learning medical-legal principles. These findings should encourage educators to provide opportunity for residents to gain knowledge in these areas.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality in adolescents and their association with the family and other factors.

Family structure and function and their association with knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were studied in 918 students and 312 adolescents working in factories. Unmarried workers reported higher rates of sexual activity than did students (30.9% vs. 21.8%, p = .04 for males; 12.9% vs. 6.0%, p = .005 for females). Among sexually active males, 33.3% of students and 30.7% of workers used contraception, compared with 27.5% of female students and 9.5% of female workers. Workers were from larger families than students, and the male and female workers had lower scores for knowledge on sexuality, contraception, and STD than did students. Multiple stepwise regression showed that age and schooling of the parents were associated with knowledge and attitudes in the students. In workers, the position of the child in the family was a negative regressor for attitudes and knowledge on sexuality in males, and for knowledge on contraception and STD in females. In regard to family function, the significant factors were compromise between the parents, positive affective response, communication within the family, problem solution, and control of behavior. It was concluded that female workers are at higher risk for unwanted pregnancies and STD. The factors associated with knowledge and attitudes were age, schooling of the parents, mother working out of home, position of the adolescent in the family, and the diverse aspects of family function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

African-American males and prostate cancer: assessing knowledge levels in the community.

Although the available evidence indicates that African-American males are at risk for developing prostate cancer, little is known about the level of awareness among African Americans about prostate cancer or how receptive they are to screening. This study examined the level of knowledge African-American males have about prostate cancer and the factors affecting knowledge levels. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among a sample of African-American males older than 25 years. All respondents were asked if they knew what prostate cancer was (N = 897), and those older than age 40 (N = 556) answered a series of seven questions related to prostate cancer. An index was created that reflected respondents level of knowledge about prostate cancer. Slightly more than 19% of the sample scored relatively high on the index related to prostate cancer knowledge, but 30% answered three or fewer questions correctly. Income, marital status, education, and type of insurance were significantly related to a respondent's level of knowledge. Having a regular physician and discussing prostate screening with a physician were both positively related to a respondent's level of understanding. This study indicates that African-American men do not have adequate knowledge about prostate cancer. Although many African Americans may be getting the prostate cancer message, educational efforts need to be strengthened to reach the less affluent and the less educated. These findings also raise questions about why more African-American men are not being screened and why more primary care physicians are not discussing prostate cancer with their African-American patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Smoking behavior, knowledge and attitudes of freshmen students].

A questionnaire on smoking behavior, knowledge of smoking-related diseases and attitudes toward the passive exposure to smoking was administered and results analyzed for differences in (1) region, (2) major area of study in the university, (3) grade and (4) date of survey on smoking behavior, knowledge and attitude of the freshmen students. (1) 294 urban and 217 provincial university students, (2) 138 freshmen at the Department of Pharmacology and 156 freshmen at the Department of Technology, (3) 136 freshmen of Y. University and 158 freshmen in senior high school of Yamaguchi prefecture, and (4) 217 freshmen surveyed in 1990 and 136 freshmen surveyed in 1995 were the subjects. The results were as follows; 1) The percentage who had smoked once ranged from 0 to 3% among the senior high school girls and female students at minor universities. However, the percentage for male students ranged from 26% to 44% in each survey. There were clear gender differences in smoking behavior. 2) The proportion of students who admitted that they had smoked cigarettes was 30.9% for urban students and 38.6% for provincial university students, but was not a significant difference. There were no significant differences between urban and provincial students regarding knowledge of smoking-related diseases or attitudes toward passive smoke. 3) The proportion of students who admitted that they had smoked cigarettes was 44.0% for the Department of Pharmacology and 26.2% for the Department of Technology, a significant difference. There were no significant differences between pharmaceutical and engineering students in knowledge of smoking-related diseases or attitudes toward passive smoke. 4) The proportion of students who admitted that they had smoked cigarettes was 27.4% for university freshmen and 1.6% for senior high school freshmen. There was a significant difference between the two. The percentage who replied that the smoker must be considerate to non-smokers tended to be higher in the senior high school students than the university students. However, there was no significant differences between the two groups of students in knowledge of smoking-related diseases or attitudes toward passive smoke. 5) Although the proportion of students who admitted that they had smoked cigarettes was 38.6% in the 1990 survey and 27.4% in the 1995 survey, this was not a significant difference. The percentage of students in the 1990 survey who indicated an awareness of the relationship between smoking and coronary heart diseases was significantly greater than the percentage of students who indicated a similar awareness in the 1995 survey. These results suggest that the differences in the grade and the department of the university (or the nature of school) must be considered when surveying smoking behavior. It does not appear to be necessary, however, to consider regional differences or the date of survey, if students were surveyed relatively recently, concerning smoking behavior, knowledge of smoking-related diseases and attitudes toward the effect of passive exposure to smoking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Carers' knowledge of dementia, their coping strategies and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: The main hypothesis was that carers of dementia sufferers who have a higher level of knowledge on the subject of dementia have lower rates of physical and psychological morbidity. We also wanted to examine whether a carer's level of knowledge bears any relation to their attributional style and coping mechanisms. DESIGN: Informal carers, caring for patients who fulfilled the CAMDEX criteria for mild or moderate dementia, were approached to participate in the study. SETTING: Old age psychiatry services in the West Midlands and Bristol. PARTICIPANTS: Informal carers, caring for relatives with dementia. MEASURES: Trained researchers administered the Geriatric Mental State Schedule, the Dementia Knowledge Questionnaire, the Pennebaker Inventory of Limbic-Languidness (an inventory of common physical symptoms) and the Carer Stress Scale. RESULTS: More knowledgeable carers experienced significantly lower levels of depression but also higher rates of anxiety. Carers' level of knowledge on the subject of dementia showed no association with their physical health. More knowledgeable carers were more likely to have 'reduced expectations' of their dependants' abilities and make 'positive comparisons'; they were also more likely to feel competent and confident as carergivers. CONCLUSION: The findings support the main hypothesis when considering carers' rates of depression but not when considering rates of anxiety or physical ill-health.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Physical restraints in geriatric care. Knowledge, attitudes and use.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of physical restraints in institutional elder care and staff knowledge about and attitudes toward the use of these restraints. Poor knowledge and negative attitudes toward the use of restraints were found among staff. Significant differences between various staff categories were found concerning knowledge about the use of restraints; nurse aids had the lowest and physicians the highest scores on the knowledge test. Nurse aids demonstrated the least negative attitudes (were most prone to use restraints) and physicians the most negative. Furthermore, there was a significant relation between attitudes and knowledge, i.e. staff with poor knowledge also demonstrated the least negative attitudes toward the use of restraints. Despite these negative attitudes among staff, we found a large proportion of restrained patients in the institutions investigated. Twenty-nine percent of the patients at the investigated clinics were physically restrained. The most common reason given was that restraints were used to prevent falls. No documentation of the observed use of restraints was found in any of the restrained patients' hospital records.

Adult↗