SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Many of the commonest diseases in the economically more developed communities are characteristic of modern Western culture. Evidence is presented suggesting that they represent a failure of adaptation to the dramatic changes in diet that have been associated with the emergence of modern Western culture. Dietary changes aimed at the alleviation and prevention of these diseases are discussed and recommended.
Large-scale, integrated programs--as distinct from multiple and widespread replications of small-scale programs--require for their planning, implementation and evaluation a qualitatively different set of concepts, methods, and procedures. They are not merely the sum of the parts making up numerous applications of the same health education messages and objectives in various organizations or communities. This review of theory, research and the experience of national and community-based studies in mass media and community development for health, family planning and cardiovascular risk reduction identifies some distinctions between micro- and macrointerventions, as well as between the uses of mass media in commercial marketing and those in health promotion.
To meet the informational needs of health care practitioners and trainees in a four-county rural area of northwestern North Carolina, the eleven-member UNIFOUR Consortium was founded as a two-year experimental project from 1978 to 1980. The consortium has several unique features: (1) it is an organization of institutions, not libraries; (2) it employs its own professional librarian who manages a central library, coordinates consortium programs, and makes regular circuit visits to all affiliated institutions; (3) the central library, where the circuit is based, is a developing community hospital library, not an established academic medical center library; and (4) it is ultimately tied to the Northwest Area Health Education Center and that organization's emerging learning resources network, which includes the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Library, two other subregional libraries, and the libraries of all member institutions. At the end of the experimental period in 1980, member institutions voted unanimously to continue the program and assume their share of the costs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
This study examines the impact of contraceptive service availability on contraceptive use in Korea, Mexico, and Bangladesh. Using World Fertility Survey Data on once-married females and their communities of residence, the multivariate analysis finds that the community level of contraceptive availability directly affects the likelihood of current use, net of the effects of community development, education, parity, and marital duration. The results are supportive of the recent policy emphasis on maximizing the geographic availability of contraceptive services.
Two hundred and sixty respondents were interviewed to know the causes of ten common childhood illnesses, in one community development block in rural Haryana. Chickenpox, measles and marasmus were attributed to supernatural causes by 27%, 28%, and 50% respondents respectively. Furthermore older age groups, illiterates, schedule caste and people living more than 5 km from a Government health post believe more in supernatural causation of disease. By and large, Registered Indigenous Medicine Practitioners (RIMP's) and traditional birth attendants were utilised for curative medicine and obstetric care.
This article examines strategies and methodologic issues for researchers to consider when conducting community-based research within a racial/ethnic minority community. Members of minority communities have considerable skepticism about the health care system and researchers who work under its auspices. To facilitate quality research, it is necessary to build a mutually beneficial partnership between the community and researchers. Suggested strategies for accomplishing this goal, such as seeking out information on the social and political forces shaping the community and developing the community's capacity to undertake research of this type, are described. Methodologic issues include the importance of community input in defining the minority population group and its leadership, the benefits and limitations of conducting comparative analysis, and the need for measurement tools and techniques that are culturally and socially appropriate. Minority and nonminority researchers must make a concerted effort to gain knowledge of and respect for a community whose culture, values, and beliefs may differ from their own.
The effects on early childhood mortality of birth order, age of the mother at the time of the child's birth, mother's education, as well as infant mortality risk in the province, urban/rural residence, the presence of schools and other facilities and health care services, were examined using data from the 1988 Vietnam Demographic and Health Survey and the 1990 Study of Accessibility of Contraceptives in Vietnam. A total of 4137 urban and rural children born between 1983 and 1988 to the 4172 women interviewed in the Demographic and Health Survey were included in the hazard model analysis of maternal and child characteristics. However, since the Accessibility of Contraceptives Study included only rural respondents, the hazard model analysis of community development characteristics and health services effects on early childhood mortality was based on a subsample of 3314 rural children. Rural children in birth orders five and higher had the greatest risk of early childhood death, birth order one an intermediate risk and orders 2-4 the lowest risk of early childhood death. Rural children residing in communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants were at significantly greater risk of early childhood death than children from larger communes. Neither age nor education of the mother nor gender of the child, had a significant impact on early childhood survivorship independent of other variables. Risk of infant mortality in the child's province was of borderline significance.
Health visitors' interactions with clients from a small-scale study are used as a basis for analysing how professionals can influence and improve health when the causes of ill health lie outside their control. The author argues that individual solution will always be partial and suggests drawing on community development and group work skills as a way forward.
A cross-sectional epidemiologic survey was undertaken in slums in the catchment areas of two health centers in Bangkok. Two hundred and sixty representative households were randomly selected. All adults (993) aged 20 years and over who lived in the households were asked to participate. The results were, however, based on 809 subjects (89%) who responded and whose data were completed. It was found that prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure > or = 160/95 mmHg) was 14 per cent with a 95 per cent confidence interval of 11.8 and 16.4 per cent. Nearly half of the hypertensives were found to be mild cases (diastolic blood pressure = 95-105 mmHg). Less than half of the hypertensives were aware of their condition. Even a lower proportion was under treatment and had their blood pressure controlled. The results confirmed earlier studies that slum inhabitants seem to be at high risk of hypertension. Furthermore, the status of hypertensives in terms of awareness, treatment and control was unacceptably poor. This prompts a need to develop community programmes to cope with the problems.
During 1993/94, a study was done through a mailed self-administered questionnaire to identify specific hospital management needs. Out of 73 hospitals, 29 (39.7%) were covered in the study. Of the 29 medical directors, 16 (55.2%) were general practitioners and 25 (86.2%) did not have any formal training in hospital management. Lack of financial resource, shortage of medical supplies and equipment and low motivation of health personnel were considered top problems. The need for improving hospitals by providing appropriate training, involving communities, developing strong supervision and control are suggested.
When conflict erupts or natural disasters strike, UNICEF's challenge is to provide for the emergency needs of civilians, especially women and children, who are caught in the crossfire or plagued by the drought or swept away by the flood. When emergency situations arise, threatening to derail UNICEF's ongoing work in a country, the challenge is to adapt programmes to better address the changing needs of the affected population. UNICEF's goal in all countries undergoing emergencies is to build on the work already done to lay the foundation for long-term peace and progress. In most emergency cases, certain core interventions are applied to meet basic needs, including health (UNICEF's largest activity in emergencies), water supply and sanitation, education, nutrition, community development, advocacy and initiatives addressing the special needs of women and children. Specific programmes for unaccompanied children, women's reproductive health, child soldiers, land-mine awareness and child prisoners are also employed in many emergency situations. UNICEF works towards the day when children and women no longer face acute threats to their survival and development; but until such time as natural disasters and man-made conflict no longer pose threats to them, UNICEF remains committed to the range of activities required to ensure their protection and well-being.
This study was conducted in a community development block of a district in Haryana to evaluate the compliance of secondary prophylaxis for controlling rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The patients were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule at home. Currently 110 patients are registered in RF/RHD registry of which 53 (48.2%) are males. Mean age of patients was 18.4 +/- 8.6 years, ranging from 6 to 50 years with majority (48, 43.7%) of patients in the age groups of 6-15 and 16-25 years. Out of 110 patients, more than 90 percent had taken 11 out of the 12 due doses of secondary prophylaxis every year in the last eight years of the programme except in 1995 when 92 (83.6%) patients took the prophylactic doses. Only one patient reported recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever after irregular secondary prophylaxis. Eighteen (16.4%) patients were defaulters at the time of interview and were motivated to take secondary prophylaxis regularly. Ninety-seven (88.2%) patients were satisfied with the ongoing programme. In developing countries, it is possible to successfully apply a secondary prevention programme for control of RF/RHD by using existing health infrastructure.
OBJECTIVES: To describe sexual risk for HIV infection among adult night school students in São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the effect of an HIV/AIDS prevention workshop to reduce sexual risk. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted among four demographically similar public night schools in the inner city of São Paulo. Schools were randomized into intervention and control conditions. Of 394 young adults who took part in the baseline survey, 304 (77%) completed a postintervention questionnaire. INTERVENTIONS: In a workshop consisting of four sessions of 3 h each, the students discussed AIDS symbolism, the impact of AIDS on their lives, risk perception, the way in which sexual norms shape knowledge and attitudes, AIDS-related knowledge, reproduction and sexual pleasure, and condom use negotiation. We fostered community-building through AIDS training courses for teachers in the schools, peer support programs and public events. RESULTS: At baseline, 87% had been sexually active at some time and 76% had had sex in the past 6 months. Among those who reported vaginal intercourse and/or anal intercourse, condom use was low. The workshops were positively process-evaluated and supported by the community, the students, their teachers and their parents. We obtained statistically significant effects from the workshops for females only, who reported improved communication with partners about sex and AIDS and less unprotected sex with non-monogamous partners after the intervention. CONCLUSION: These data show that the sexual risk of HIV infection can be lowered when Brazilian disenfranchized communities support AIDS prevention workshops. Even more impressive results may be achieved if the need to address socioeconomic obstacles and gendered sexual roles is emphasized through further long-term community development programs.
PURPOSE: In the context of a community development project related to adolescent sexual health, this study was carried out at Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) in Amherst, Nova Scotia, to assess students' sexual health knowledge, gender differences in knowledge, and associations between knowledge and sexual behaviours. METHODS: A 29-item scale assessed knowledge in five areas of sexual health. Gender differences in correct responses to questions were compared. Overall knowledge scores were compared by gender, grade, and sexual activity, and tested for association with sexual behaviours. RESULTS: Of 796 students, 80% participated. Sexual health knowledge scores were highest for sexually active females. Higher score was associated with oral contraceptive use and later sexual debut. Knowledge was highest for HIV/AIDS. Students were insufficiently aware of their right to patient confidentiality. CONCLUSIONS: ARHS students lack knowledge in some sexual health areas. School programs should consider these findings, and work to improve school-based sexual health education.
Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient. Surveys of Se status showed that Serbia is a low Se area. To increase the Se concentration, we supplemented Se to domestic animals and humans. The latest results showed that increasing Se content in domestic animals and humans induces a small increase in mean Se level. Exceptions were residents of urban, economically developed communities in which an increase in Se level were significant. The soil-plant system is the main natural source of Se for animals and humans. We used field treatments to raise the Se level in plants to the desired level. Foliar application of Se as Na2SeO3 was tested on cereals growing on different soil types. The influence of different growth factors on the uptake and distribution of Se in plants was tested and discussed. The foliar application of 6 g Se/ha is sufficient to raise the native Se content in whole wheat to levels of 42 to 67 microg/kg and in corn to levels of 19 to 36 microg/kg. The application of 12 g Se/ha is sufficient to raise Se levels in wheat to 65 to 180 microg/kg and in corn to 31 to 46 microg/kg.
Disorganized urbanization in Latin America has led to masses of impoverished people to become squatters in the larger urban areas. Using a community development network in the outskirts of Tijuana, in Northern Mexico, this investigation assessed the dental health situation, aiming to establish the underlying behavioral causes of poor oral health in these slums. Using quantitative and qualitative tools, fifty-six mothers (mean age 30.1 +/- 7.2) with their accompanying children (n = 56; mean age 6.1 +/- 3.3; 46.4 percent female) were interviewed and examined. Dental health was poor and characterized by vast unmet treatment needs in adults and children. 22.2 percent of children under three years of age suffered from Early Childhood Caries, strongly linked to inappropriate patterns of bottle use. Dietary patterns for the overall child population included many cariogenic snacks and beverages. A straightforward model to explain behavioral structures incorporates these findings against the background of living in a highly-deprived environment, whereby the allure of more affordable gratifications for self and family is often translated in the form of tokens such as junk food.
The discovery of chronic renal failure in a child, and the meaning of this experience from the perspective of the child's family caregivers have previously not been described in the literature on aboriginal health. During the summer of 1995, a phenomenological approach was used to explore this phenomena with 10 urban aboriginal family caregivers. These caregivers were providing care for their children who were receiving health care services at the outpatient children's clinic or the transplant unit at one urban tertiary care hospital. The findings of this research have helped create the beginning of a nursing data base of knowledge about aboriginal family caregivers of children who have chronic renal failure. In this paper, three of the main themes: surviving; relocation; enhancing power; and five sub-themes: providing nutrition; getting involved; educating the caregivers; educating the community; and returning to traditional ways are described. Implications of the findings for health care providers of children who have renal failure and their family caregivers are discussed. Issues that need to be addressed to help meet the needs of aboriginal family caregivers are identified. These issues include communication strategies, culturally appropriate teaching methods, access to resources, and community development initiatives.