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PubMed2005

Female sex street workers and sexually transmitted infections: their knowledge and behaviour in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed knowledge and sexual behaviour regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex street workers in the area of Milan, Italy. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered covering socio-demographic characteristics; knowledge about STIs; sexual behaviour. RESULTS: A total of 241 female sex street workers were interviewed. A vast majority knew AIDS and syphilis, whereas the knowledge about other STIs was unsatisfactory. Only 11.7% knew that STIs are transmitted by sexual intercourse with HIV seropositive partners, by unprotected sexual intercourse, and that kissing was not a mode of transmission. This knowledge was significantly higher in female sex street workers with a higher number of years in sex work and among those who received information from physicians and associations about STIs. The mean score of fear for contracting STIs was 7.5 and being younger, practicing prostitution for shorter period of time, and requiring more information about STIs were significantly associated with this fear. 'Ever condom use' was 100% during anal intercourse with clients; whereas only one woman reported vaginal and oral intercourse without condom. Only 15.2, 16.7, and 30% of those engaged in vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse with a non-paying sexual partner used condoms all the times. Overall, 83.5% of female sex street workers used a condom every time with clients or non-paying partners and those with fewer clients and partners routinely were more likely to use it. CONCLUSION: Interventions for preventing STIs and for improving the level of knowledge of STIs among female sex street workers are strongly needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Adolescents' knowledge of and attitudes toward Minnesota laws concerning adolescent medical care.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare delivery to adolescents involves consent to care, confidentiality, and reimbursement in attendance to patients' medical problems. State laws address the medical care of minors with respect to privacy and autonomy. This study was conducted to determine adolescents' knowledge and attitudes toward the laws in their state, Minnesota, that influence their medical care. This information may guide health care providers in their education of adolescent patients, as well as advise future legislation on the healthcare of minors. METHODS: Written questionnaires were administered to 636 9(th) through 12(th) grade students in required classes at the three public high schools in Rochester, MN, providing a representative sample of approximately fifty participants from each of the four grades. Results from the sixteen-question, anonymous survey were compiled to calculate an overall median knowledge score. Median scores were also reported by individual question, policy category, gender, grade, and socioeconomic status. Adolescent opinion was scored on a system in which +1 signified a "good law," 0 "neither a good nor bad law," and -1 a "bad law." These opinion scores were used to determine adolescents' attitudes by category as well as an overall positive, negative, or neutral opinion toward the laws. RESULTS: 594(93.4%) students returned surveys. Adolescents obtained a median score of 31.3% (range, 0-100%) correct on a knowledge test. Opinion score was positive, with a median of + 0.38. 81.1% of adolescents reported that the laws in the survey had no effect on their lives. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that adolescents are not knowledgeable of Minnesota laws regarding their medical care. Overall opinion of the existing laws is positive, particularly of those laws that protect minor consent. Most adolescents feel that these laws have not affected their lives. Low knowledge and a lack of a sense of impact from these laws indicate a need for clinicians to educate patients and their families about the legal aspects of adolescent medical care. These results are particularly relevant at a time when changes to current minor health care legislation are under consideration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Working collaboratively in health care contexts: the influence of bioscientific knowledge on patient outcomes.

This paper explores work-based learning and collaborative working in health care by drawing on the findings of a completed study about the influence of nursing knowledge on patient outcomes. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of nurses in critical care settings. Interviews and analysis produced a descriptive and interpretive account of everyday working and learning for these specialist nurses. Findings showed that nursing knowledge influenced patient outcomes in a number of ways. Nurses draw on bio-scientific knowledge and experience in order to achieve patient outcomes. Moreover, they collaborated with other health professionals in everyday working and learning. The study findings are explored with reference to the literature about situated knowledge, clinical problem solving and work-based learning. The significance of the findings is that the kind of 'collaborative competence' identified here contributes to the achievement of the aims of the NHS plan and ' Working Together, Learning Together' [Department of Health, 2001. Working Together, Learning Together. Department of Health, London]. Despite the centrality of team working and the trend for more work-based learning in NHS contexts, there is a limited evidence base to date about the influence of team working or work-based learning on patient outcomes. The analysis and discussion in this paper adds to this body of knowledge.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Score in the Palmore's Aging Quiz, knowledge of community resources and working preferences of undergraduate nursing students toward the elderly in Hong Kong.

Health care professionals are the gate-keepers for elderly health information. Unfavorable attitude to the elderly posts an obstacle to health information delivery. Therefore, it is vital to identify the knowledge and attitude of nursing students toward working with the elderly. The present study aimed to examine the knowledge and working preferences toward the elderly among undergraduate nursing students in Hong Kong. Two hundred and sixty-nine students completed a questionnaire that incorporated 70 questions in the Palmore's Aging Quiz and 10 questions reflecting the knowledge on local community resources for the elderly. The results revealed that nursing students generally have a neutral to positive working preferences toward the elderly. 83% of them gained a mean Palmore's score of 40.90 out of 70 (SD=5.02) and good knowledge of the community resources (mean score=8.49, SD=1.85). Those who disliked working with the elderly had a significantly lower mean Palmore's score (F=7.73, p=0.001). Though the level of study had a positive correlation with the knowledge of community resources, it did not increase with Palmore's score. Further research on the study results and more detail examination of geriatric education for nursing students to refine their attitude toward the elderly are recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Oral cancer knowledge and awareness: primary and secondary effects of an information leaflet.

Information leaflets can be stored and read several times at the patient's own convenience and speed and, therefore, might contribute to increasing the long-term oral cancer knowledge and awareness. This hypothesis was investigated in a sample of adults living in a small central Italian town. The two groups of patients selected (Intervention, 100 subjects; Control, 84 subjects) were all aged 40 years and had never received oral cancer counselling or examination previously. Subjects completed a questionnaire (PRE) containing items regarding oral cancer epidemiology and prevention. Thereafter, the Intervention patients received the oral cancer information leaflet. One year later, patients from both groups were re-contacted and most (97 Intervention, 79 Control subjects, overall participation rate, 95.7%) completed the same questionnaire (POST). The POST questionnaire score, the score increment and the proportion of patients who sought an oral cancer examination during the year follow-up were used as markers of long-term knowledge, knowledge improvement and awareness, respectively. The between group differences in mean PRE score, POST score, score increment and proportion of subjects who had an examination were assessed by conventional statistical tests. The effect of leaflet corrected for confounders also was assessed using multiple regression analyses. No difference in PRE score and awareness was found. However, the mean POST score and the score increment were significantly higher in the Intervention group. The leaflet significantly increased knowledge but not awareness, with statistically significant effects from high educational level and younger age. It is concluded that the information leaflet had a significant effect in raising the long-term oral cancer knowledge in the general public. It also had a secondary effect on disease awareness in the locale.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Knowledge and attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among elementary school teachers.

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in child and adolescent psychiatry. ADHD children are at risk for academic and psychological difficulties. Lack of cooperation between schools, parents and therapeutic institutions inhibits a multimodal treatment program. This study surveys teachers' knowledge and attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. METHOD: One hundred and ninety six elementary school teachers in Shiraz, Iran, anonymously completed a self-report questionnaire on ADHD. RESULTS: Knowledge about ADHD was relatively low. 46.9% of respondents agreed that ADHD is due to biological and genetic vulnerabilities and causation. 53.1%of all the teachers considered ADHD to be the result of parental spoiling. The attitude score towards ADHD children was also low. 64.8% agree that the same disciplinary rules used for all students should also be applied to ADHD children. 77.6% believe that ADHD students experience difficulties in their relations with their classmates. There was a significant correlation between teachers' knowledge of ADHD and their attitude. The main sources of knowledge about ADHD were: Television and radio; friends and relatives; periodical, newspapers and magazines. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about ADHD was sound to be very low. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health and/or Educational Ministry should promote a special course on ADHD for teachers and education should be part of the curriculum in faculty training. Providing these educational programs on television and radio may be highly effective as they were the most common source of information.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Computer-based education for patients with chronic heart failure. A randomised, controlled, multicentre trial of the effects on knowledge, compliance and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a single-session, interactive computer-based educational program on knowledge, compliance and quality of life in heart failure patients with special emphasis on gender differences. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four patients, mean age 70 years, from five heart failure clinics were randomised to either receiving only standard education (n=72) or standard education and additional computer-based education (n=82). RESULTS: Knowledge was increased in both groups after 1 month with a trend towards higher knowledge (P=0.07) in the computer-based group. The increase in knowledge was significantly higher in the computer-based group after 6 months (P=0.03). No differences were found between the groups with regard to compliance with treatment and self-care or quality of life. The women had significantly lower quality of life and did not improve after 6 months as the men did (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Computer-based education gave increased knowledge about heart failure. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Computers can be a useful tool in heart failure education, but to improve compliance a single-session educational intervention is not sufficient. Gender differences in learning and quality of life should be further evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Informed decision making and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer: a randomised controlled trial exploring the impact of a brief patient decision aid on men's knowledge, attitudes and intention to be tested.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a brief patient decision aid (pDA) on men's knowledge, attitudes and intention to have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. To explore the important predictors of intention to be tested in men who received the brief pDA. METHODS: A brief pDA designed to facilitate informed decision-making for men considering PSA testing was developed for the NHS Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme. Men aged 40-75 years selected from 11 General Practices in England and Wales were randomised to receive either a mailed copy of the brief pDA and a questionnaire (intervention group), or a questionnaire alone (control group). The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, perceived risk and intention to have a PSA test and, for the intervention group, their perceptions of the brief pDA. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety of the men who were eligible for the study returned completed questionnaires (response rate=54%). Men who received the brief pDA had significantly higher knowledge scores (p<0.0001) and less positive attitudes (p<0.0001) regarding PSA testing than men in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in intention to be tested within the next 12 months. 87% of men found the brief pDA was easy to read, 94% considered it contained about the right amount of detail and 94% felt the information was presented in a balanced way. Multivariate analysis identified perceived risk (p<0.0001), perceived benefits of PSA testing (p<0.0001), knowledge (p=0.004), attitude (p=0.007) and age (p=0.01) as the most important independent predictors of intention to be tested amongst men in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The brief pDA was shown to dramatically increase men's knowledge of the benefits and risks of the PSA test. Men who received the brief pDA were significantly less positive about the PSA test, although there was no difference between the two groups regarding their intention to be tested within the next year. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This brief pDA could serve as an acceptable and low cost adjunct to counselling by the General Practitioner (GP), and should promote informed decision making regarding the PSA test. Further research is required to ascertain the utility of the decision aid during the consultation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Nursing students' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain.

The presence of pain is one of the main reasons why people seek health care, yet pain is often undertreated. Inadequate treatment has been linked to health care workers' failure to assess pain and to intervene appropriately. It may also result from the limited attention given to pain management in nursing curricula. This descriptive study explored nursing students' knowledge and attitudes about pain management. The Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain was used to collect data from clinical nursing students. The sample (n = 313) was obtained from approximately one fourth of the baccalaureate of science in nursing and associate degree in nursing programs in Louisiana. Data analysis revealed misconceptions about analgesic administration and duration, along with an exaggerated fear about the incidence of addiction among patients. Knowledge of pharmacology items was lower than that of nonpharmacology items. When faced with a clinical scenario that required an initial assessment of a patient's pain, most students responded appropriately. However, when the situation required reassessment based on the patient's response to the student's chosen intervention, a majority of them responded incorrectly. Overall, students in the baccalaureate degree programs scored significantly higher (65% correct) than students in the associate degree in nursing programs (60.8% correct) (t [311] = -3.321, p = .001). However, the combined mean score for both groups was 64%, indicating inadequate knowledge of pain management. Despite major initiatives by accrediting agencies, statewide Pain Initiatives, and professional organizations, knowledge of pain management is still inadequate. Nursing faculty need to critically review their curricula to determine whether students are being taught in-depth and up-to-date pain management information that incorporates evidence-based research and current standards of care.

Accreditation↗
PubMed2006

Knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the current status of knowledge, attitude and practice of patients with diabetes relating to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in an Indian community, and to determine perceptions about the use of CAM and factors influencing knowledge and usage. SETTING: Endocrine clinic of Swaroop Rani, Nehru Hospital, Allahabad, India. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with diabetes attending the clinic for the first time. SAMPLE SIZE: A sample of 493 study participants selected by systematic sampling from a population of 6094 patients with diabetes. STUDY VARIABLES: Age, socio-economic status, educational status, religion, family history of disease, knowledge and practice of CAM, reasons for using CAM, method of use and perceived relief. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Normal test of proportions, chi(2) test, Kolomogorov-Smirnov test. RESULTS: Awareness of CAM among patients was high (71%). High prevalence of CAM use was found (67.7%) among all participants, and 95% among participants aware of CAM, mostly using 'naturopathy' (97.3% among users). No significant gap (P>0.10) between knowledge and practice in different categories was observed. Desire for quick and additional relief was the most common perceived reason for using CAM (86.8%). Higher levels of education and socio-economic status were significant positive correlates of CAM use. Knowledge of CAM was gained mainly from friends and neighbours. About 30% of users adopted CAM without allopathic treatment earlier. Only 42.2% of users perceived some relief by using CAM. Lowering of blood sugar was the most common perceived relief. CAM, along with diet control and exercise, resulted in maximum degree of satisfaction (61.9%) experienced by users. No relief was experienced by 53.6% of users of 'naturopathy'. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: Use of CAM in diabetes is highly prevalent despite high levels of disappointment after its use. In this study, we suggest the need for health education relating to CAM and self-care in diabetes. Use of CAM should be explored with patients before clinical decisions are made.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Awareness and knowledge of epilepsy among students in a Malaysian university.

PURPOSE: University students represent a better-educated group of society and it is important that they possess the correct knowledge and attitude towards healthcare issues. The aim of this study was to determine the current level of awareness and knowledge of epilepsy among students at a public university in Malaysia. METHODS: A survey was conducted within the main campus of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia. Students were required to answer a series of questions on awareness and knowledge of epilepsy. The questionnaire was written in the Malay language. RESULTS: Over a one-week period, 289 students completed the self-administered questionnaire. It was found that 86.5% of students had heard or read about epilepsy, while 55.6% had observed an epileptic seizure. Only 30.7% said that they knew the cause of epilepsy and 5.3% thought epilepsy was caused by evil spirits. Epilepsy was considered hereditary by 66.9% of respondents, while 4.9% thought it was contagious. Furthermore, 60% of students did not think that epilepsy was a shameful illness. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a generally favorable level of awareness and knowledge of epilepsy among students at the university. Nevertheless, there is still a need to improve certain aspects of knowledge and understanding of epilepsy among university students.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Elementary school epilepsy survey (ESES): a new measure of elementary school students' knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: No peer-reviewed, published, psychometrically tested scales are available to assess elementary school students' general knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy. Such a scale is needed for evaluation of the effectiveness of classroom education programs. The purpose of this work was to develop and validate a brief, reliable scale for grades 4-6 to assess students' knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy and persons diagnosed with epilepsy. METHODS: Development of the 22-item Elementary School Epilepsy Survey (ESES) followed standard protocol for scale development. It includes a 12-item Knowledge subscale and a 10-item Attitudes subscale. The ESES was administered during regular classroom time given and repeated 1 week later. No educational intervention took place. RESULTS: Mean age of the 155 students was 11 years (range 9.8-13.9): grade 4, 56 students; grade 5, 36; and grade 6, 63 students. The ESES Total scale and Attitudes subscale had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.72 and 0.81, respectively). As expected, the Knowledge subscale had low internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.50). Test-retest scores indicated good reliability and strong discriminant validity, with significant increases noted in all ESES scores with increasing age and in those who knew someone with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: The ESES detects developmental and experiential trends in students' knowledge and attitude about epilepsy. It has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Could precolposcopy information and counseling reduce women's anxiety and improve knowledge and compliance to follow-up?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of precolposcopy counseling on women's anxiety, knowledge about colposcopy and compliance to follow-up. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty women referred for colposcopy for the first time were recruited. They attended precolposcopy sessions in which written and video information were given and subsequently were randomized to have either further explanation and discussion with an experienced colposcopic nurse (study group) or no further discussion (control group). Each subject completed a Chinese version of the state-anxiety questionnaire (STAI) and a knowledge questionnaire before and immediately after the precolposcopy sessions and also before the colposcopy examination. Women's concern and opinion on the programme were also assessed. Follow-up data was compared with those who did not attend the precolposcopy sessions. RESULTS: Women's knowledge about colposcopy significantly improved after the precolposcopy sessions. The improvement was more significant in the study group than in the control group immediately after the sessions (P = 0.003). The difference between the groups in knowledge scores remained statistically significant before colposcopic examination (P = 0.015) but the difference diminished between these two assessment points. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the anxiety scores at all assessment points. Women who attended the precolposcopy sessions had a significantly higher attendance rates and better compliance to follow-up than those who did not attend the sessions. CONCLUSION: Precolposcopy session with explanation and discussion improves women's knowledge about colposcopy, but has negligible effects on women's anxiety before colposcopy. Provision of written and video information at the precolposcopy sessions can improve compliance to follow-up after colposcopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Relationship of diabetes-specific knowledge to self-management activities, ambulatory preventive care, and metabolic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Educational interventions increase diabetes patients' knowledge and self-care activities, but their impact on the use of health services to prevent diabetes complications is unclear. We sought to determine the relationship of patients' diabetes-specific knowledge with self-management behaviors, use of ambulatory preventive care, and metabolic outcomes. METHODS: We surveyed 670 adults with diabetes from three managed care plans to assess diabetes knowledge (using an eight-item scale) and self-management activities. With chart review, we assessed five processes of care--retinal and foot examinations, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) testing, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, and urine microalbumin testing--and three metabolic outcomes--HbA1c < or = 9.5%, LDL-C <130 mg/dL (3.36 mmol/L), and last blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, a one-point increase on the knowledge scale was associated with following a diabetes diet (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38), blood glucose self-measurement (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.48), and regular exercise (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03-1.28) but not with processes of care or metabolic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledgeable patients were more likely to perform self-management activities but not to receive recommended ambulatory care or reach metabolic outcome goals. Providing patient education about diabetes care processes should be tested as a means of increasing ambulatory care to prevent diabetes complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Level of knowledge and attitude of primary care physicians in Eastern Anatolian cities in relation to child abuse and neglect.

BACKGROUND: Child abuse and neglect is not a new phenomenon. It has always existed in every nation and culture in one form or another. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitude toward child abuse and neglect of primary care physicians serving in eastern Turkish cities. METHODS: The study was done in four Eastern Turkish cities involving Elazig, Tunceli, Malatya, and Bingol. All the primary care physicians serving in these cities were contacted. Of 266 primary care physicians, 175 replied (65.8% reply rate) and participated in the study. RESULTS: Most of the participated primary care physicians did not have adequate knowledge about physical assessment of suspected child abuse and neglect. Those physicians serving in primary care centers had better knowledge than those serving in Mother-Child Health and Family Planning Centers. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that primary care physicians working in the eastern cities of Turkey do not have adequate knowledge and proper attitudes toward the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse. There is a need for educational programs to primary care physicians and other health personals working with child abuse and neglect to increase their knowledge and skills in detection, assessment, reporting, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Levels and correlates of knowledge about cancer risk factors among 13,293 public school students in Morelos, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Data on young people's knowledge about cancer prevention are not currently available for many populations, including Mexican young people, although cancer is the second most common cause of death among the Mexican population. METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to 13,293 public school students aged 11-24 years in Morelos, Mexico. A knowledge-based scale was constructed from survey answers about risk factors for cancer. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic multinomial models. RESULTS: Knowledge levels were low: 78% of male and 74% of female students had only wrong answers to questions about risk factors for cancer. A significant dose-response gradient was observed between age and knowledge of cancer risk factors (P < 0.001), with a higher prevalence in young women at all ages (female students OR 4.6, 95% CI 3.81-5.66). Students 18 years old and older knew more than 13-year-olds (OR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.89-3.01). Sexually active students (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.70-2.58), especially those who consistently used condoms (OR 2.84; 95% CI 1.00-8.07), knew more about cancer prevention. Tobacco smoking was the most frequently recognized cancer risk factor, and smokers also recognized this as an important cause of cancer (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.44-2.52). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal a poor level of knowledge about cancer prevention among adolescents. These data are the first step in the development of an intervention based on empirical findings that will be susceptible to evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Dietetics students' low knowledge, attitudes, and work preferences toward older adults indicate need for improved education about aging.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined students' knowledge and attitudes about aging and their interest in working with the older adult population in the United States. DESIGN: A 97-item questionnaire included demographic items, a ranking section on work preferences by age groups, and two validated scales: the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz, and the Oberleder Attitude Scale. SUBJECTS: Those surveyed were enrolled in the 10 largest universities in the 5 states with the largest population of older adults: California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Of 555 questionnaires that program directors requested for their class(es), 299 completed questionnaires were returned. This 54% return rate was affected by program directors requesting more questionnaires than needed. Of the 299 dietetics/nutrition students who completed the survey, 65% were in the 18 to 22 year age range, 91% were women, 81% were non-Hispanic white, and 81% were seniors in college. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Pearson's correlation was applied to test for relationships between knowledge and attitudes; t tests for differences in knowledge, attitudes, and work preferences by age, gender, and experience with older adults; and Tukey's multiple comparison test for differences in knowledge, attitudes, and work preferences by state. RESULTS: Students had low knowledge about aging (Palmore, mean percent correct +/- standard deviation = 40.1%+/-13.0%) and neutral attitudes toward older adults (Oberleder, mean score = 69.1+/-8.2). When asked which of 10 age groups they preferred to work with, respondents ranked the 3 oldest age groups (65 to 74, 75 to 84, 85 and older) lowest on average (6.0, 7.3, 8.6, respectively). APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: More didactic instruction about aging and more positive experiences with older adults through fieldwork may be needed to prepare future practitioners to provide nutrition services to this increasing population segment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of perceptions of nutrition knowledge and disease using a group interactive system: the Perception Analyzer.

Food labels can be used as a tool for nutrition education, but the information available is of little value to consumers who do not understand how to apply it. In an effort to assess nutrition knowledge and identify misconceptions, a group interactive system--the Perception Analyzer--was used as a lecture aid and data collection tool. The Perception Analyzer is composed of a laptop computer, an antenna, and handheld electronic handsets, or dials, that participants use to answer questions. Participants (N = 621) were surveyed on 14 multiple-choice questions concerning nutrition with 4 nutrition questions repeated at the end of a session as a posttest. A knowledge score was calculated by counting correct answers. Linear regression analyses were used to study the main effects of demographic variables on the knowledge score. Our study reports the following: although participants reported reading food labels, nrisconceptions about label content were identified; analyses of mean scores indicated that age, education, and race influenced the nutrition knowledge score; and participants found the Perception Analyzer to be enjoyable. The findings indicate that because the Perception Analyzer provides immediate and anonymous feedback to a discussion leader about audience's current knowledge, it is a promising tool for nutrition education by dietetic practitioners.

Adolescent↗