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PubMedDate not supplied

Families of homosexual men: their knowledge and support regarding sexual orientation and HIV disease.

BACKGROUND: The number of homosexual men (gay) with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who will become ill in the next few years is expected to rise dramatically. Many will need and desire support from their families of origin. Understanding the history of family relationships can be crucial for the optimal care of these patients and their families. Little is known, however, about the relationship between gay men and their families of origin. METHODS: A convenience sample of gay men (n = 265) from three northern California cities was surveyed to determine family member knowledge of their sexual orientation and HIV status and perceived family supportiveness regarding issues of HIV disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fifty-five percent of the sample were HIV negative, 14 percent were HIV positive, 8 percent had received a diagnosis of AIDS, and 23 percent had not been tested. RESULTS: Approximately 70 percent of family members knew a son's or brother's sexual orientation. Fewer family members (50.9 percent) knew a son's or brother's HIV status than knew his sexual orientation. Untested gay men reported the least family knowledge of both sexual orientation and HIV status. There was, however, considerable variation in knowledge among members of the same family, with mothers and sisters knowing HIV status more frequently than fathers and brothers. The amount of supportiveness regarding issues of HIV disease within the family also varied considerably. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for the family physician caring for the gay male patient, his family, or both to understand that the pattern of knowledge and supportiveness among family members concerning sexual orientation and HIV status is selective, even within the same family. The physician needs to assess family members' knowledge and attitudes to plan an overall care strategy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS among staff of community-based health and social service organizations in the Southwest: implications for staff training.

To ascertain the specific AIDS training needs of staff from community-based organizations in the Southwest, a survey of knowledge and attitudes was conducted by the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) in the 5 Southwestern cities of Albuquerque, El Paso, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tucson. The responses of 1057 staff were examined according to staff position: managerial, direct service, clerical, and volunteer. Staff were 60.3% Hispanic/Latino and 28.4% white non-Hispanic. Staff responses were examined on 3 dimensions of AIDS-related knowledge and on 3 attitudinal dimensions. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) that controlled for 4 sources of group nonequivalence revealed generally that managers and direct service staff had higher knowledge and more favorable attitudes than did clerical and volunteer staff. Of greatest concern, however, was the number of specific knowledge items for which all staff obtained less than 80% correct answers. Disturbing knowledge deficits exist on important AIDS-related information across all levels of staff. Specific content and strategies are presented for corrective interventions by staff type.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of knowledge of leprosy on the attitude towards leprosy patients: a community study.

NLEP, through its survey-education-treatment (SET) pattern, attempts to educate the community members about the scientific facts of leprosy with the view to improve their knowledge leading to a more positive attitude towards the leprosy afflicted. This paper explores the impact of knowledge on the attitudes of 1199 community members drawn from two States, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, towards leprosy. The results show that, overall, a high knowledge level did not necessarily generate positive attitudes. There was a general negative attitude despite 35% to 50% of the respondents having high knowledge level. There were, however, situations in which a high level of knowledge helps to have positive attitudes. These situations differ in the two states studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Ontario dentists' knowledge and beliefs about selected aspects of diagnosis, prevention and restorative dentistry.

Based on the responses of 1,276 general dental practitioners in Ontario to a mail questionnaire, variations in certain aspects of the dentists' diagnostic, preventive and restorative knowledge and beliefs are examined. Despite recent practice recommendations and guidelines indicating that patient need and service selectivity, rather than traditional, routine prescriptions, should be the guiding principle of practice, many dentists seem to follow tradition in defining optimal intervals for dental examinations and prophylaxes, bitewing radiographs and topical fluoride applications. Although the respondents' knowledge and beliefs were correct and consistent with current evidence in many areas, some large deficiencies were identified. These include: a lack of awareness that professional prophylaxis prior to topical fluoride application is usually unnecessary and that sealant applications to certain teeth are not cost-effective; an over-estimation of the speed at which dental caries progress through the enamel; and, despite good knowledge about the opportunities for the remineralization of enamel lesions with fluorides, a tendency to restore enamel caries. In some instances, practitioner beliefs were shown to influence practice. For example, dentists who knew about the slow progression of approximal surface caries also reported more often that bitewing intervals should be longer, and that the placement of a restoration should be delayed until the caries penetrates the dentin. Similarly, correct knowledge about sealant effectiveness was positively associated with high sealant use. If dentists are to be expected to understand and follow emerging diagnostic, preventive and restorative practice recommendations and guidelines, continuing education is required to correct and update some of their knowledge and beliefs, as displayed in the responses to this questionnaire.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

An evaluation of parental knowledge of childhood asthma in a family practice setting.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To measure and evaluate parental knowledge of and misconceptions with regard to childhood asthma and its treatment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey. SETTING: A family practice in Mandalay, Mitchell's Plain, on the Cape Flats. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised all parents (N = 105) with an asthmatic child aged between 2 and 18 years attending the practice. The response rate was 95.2%. OUTCOME MEASURES: A semi-structured questionnaire which included a 55-item psychometrically validated asthma knowledge test. RESULTS: An average score of 72% was achieved. Parents were most knowledgeable about aetiology, symptomatology, pathophysiology, precipitants and environmental control. They were less informed about asthma therapy, asthma prognosis and general medical knowledge. In addition, numerous misconceptions were identified, which together with the knowledge deficiencies, could lead to inadvertent non-compliance. Parental concerns centred predominantly on their lack of confidence to manage acute asthma attacks, and fears about asthma prognosis. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the need for systematic asthma education, especially with regard to acute attack management and preventive medications. In addition, parents must acquire confidence and practical skills to cope with acute attacks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town.

OBJECTIVE: To audit staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in the interest of improved public sector primary care for diabetics. DESIGN: External audit using face-to-face, private, questionnaire-based interviews. SETTING: Twelve public sector ambulatory health centres in Cape Town. SUBJECTS: Non-specialist, principal staff members (N = 35)-12 doctors, 10 primary health care nurses (PHCNs), 7 registered nurses (RNs) and 6 staff nurses (SNs). RESULTS: Staff members were long-standing employees (mean-doctors 6 years, PHCNs 8 years, RNs 5 years, SNs 12 years). Few had post-basic training (doctors 25%, PHCNs 20%, RNs 26%, SNs 83%). Knowledge of chronic diabetic complications was adequate, e.g. diabetic eye disease was mentioned by 100% of staff. There were gaps in knowledge of pathophysiology and of signs and symptoms of diabetic emergencies, e.g. < 33% knew control of hypertension to be important in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Knowledge of appropriate care of patients with hypoglycaemia (94% mentioned glucose administration) was better than that of hyperglycaemia (69% mentioned intravenous fluids). Problems were reported in inter-staff communication within (approximately 50%) and between (approximately 75%) disciplines by doctors, PHCNs and RNs. Staff/patient communication problems were reported by approximately 75% of staff. Solutions suggested by staff included meetings between staff members and with management, in-service training programmes and appointment systems for patients. Despite logistic, organisational and communication-related problems, most staff enjoy and believe in the value of their work. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals deficiencies in in-service training with consequent gaps in knowledge and practice. Recommendations that would lead to improved quality of care and increased staff and patient satisfaction have been given.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

Sexual behaviour, and knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among out of school youth in Bahir Dar Town, northwest Ethiopia.

Intervention to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in out of school youth is under way in Bahir Dar Town. This survey was therefore conducted in April 1994 to provide baseline data on sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. A total of 1115 out of school young people from eight randomly selected kebeles of the town were interviewed. Fifty one (4.6%) respondents said they have never heard of AIDS. Mean number of sexual partners for those who practised sex was 3.9 +/- 2.5. Knowledge scores were better than attitude and practice scores. Age, sex, marital status, educational status and occupation were significantly related with knowledge, attitude and practice scores (p < 0.05). The association of knowledge scores with attitude and practice scores was not statistically significant; p = 0.056 and p = 0.07, respectively. In addition to improving knowledge, emphasis should be given to other measures such as making the services accessible to the youth. A similar survey is recommended after the intervention programme is over.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health promotion and early detection of cancer in older adults: assessing knowledge about cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify the knowledge level concerning cancer in older Canadian adults. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Urban community in Canada. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 513 adults over the age of 55 (72% female; 68% born in countries other than Canada). METHODS: A self-report questionnaire, the Cancer Knowledge Survey for Elders, was administered to participants in their native language (eight different language groups). Distribution was through community workers and public healthy nurses who worked with older adults. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Knowledge about cancer, language group, length of time living in the country. FINDINGS: The highest number of correct responses (87%) was for the item "Can some cancers be cured if they are discovered early?" The highest number of wrong answers (67%) was for the item "Can a bump or bruise to the body cause cancer?" Sixty-six percent did not consider age as a risk factor. For all but three items, the proportion of English language to non-English language individuals with correct answers was significantly different individuals whose native language was not English were less knowledgeable about cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study offers a basis for a large multicultural survey. Should the observations be confirmed in a larger sample, implications exist for public education about the risk factors and signs and symptoms of cancer, especially with individuals for whom English is not a native language. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, specific areas were identified in which knowledge about cancer was lacking. In particular, the increased risk of cancer with advancing age was not recognized by a significant portion of study participants.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward the management of cancer pain.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward the management of cancer pain and to identify, from the patients' perspectives, factors contributing to effective and ineffective pain relief. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational. SETTING: Ambulatory care oncology facility in Canada. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 42 patients receiving oral pain medication for chronic cancer-related pain. METHODS: Participants completed a modified version of the Patient Pain Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire and responded to two open-ended questions. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward cancer pain management and their perceptions of factors contributing to effective and ineffective pain relief. FINDINGS: Many patients locked knowledge of the principles involved in effective cancer pain management and had unrealistic concerns about taking pain medications. Significant negative relationships were found between pain intensity ratings and factors such as patients' knowledge of pain management, their level of satisfaction with pain relief, and their perception of the goal of pain management. Patients identified a number of impediments to effective pain relief, including concerns about addiction and various side effects to pain medications. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients have inadequate knowledge about the management of cancers pain and have unrealistic concerns about taking pain medications, both of which have been identified in the literature as barriers to effective cancer pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: A need exists for patient education that addresses patients' misconceptions and concerns about using pain medications and the principles involved in effective cancer pain management.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the change in the knowledge of community regarding infant dental care subsequent to intervention strategies through existing health manpower in rural areas of Haryana (India).

The knowledge about infant dental care (as a part of primary preventive programme) was delivered by the existing health team of CHC viz. medical doctors, multipurpose workers, health workers, Anganwadi workers (ICDS scheme), after due training from the dental experts, in the rural community of Raipur Rani (Haryana). The knowledge of community regarding infant dental care subsequent to intervention strategies when evaluated and compared to baseline values three years after intervention revealed that 72 percent of the community had the correct knowledge of prolonged breast/bottle feeding causing nursing bottle caries. 94 per cent had correct knowledge about harmful effects of thumb/finger sucking on teeth and jaw bones and 77 percent about harmful effects of mouth breathing. 98 percent of expecting mothers knew when to clean the gum pads and 62 percent how to clean the gum pads in an infant. 100 percent of the expecting mothers had the correct knowledge that pacifiers should not be used in small children.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[The HIV epidemic in Burkina Faso: current status and the knowledge level of the population about AIDS, 1994-1995].

BACKGROUND: It is important for HIV/AIDS control programmes to determine population knowledge on AIDS in order to develop appropriate Information, Education and Communication (IEC) messages. The objectives of our study were to determine the seroprevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women, female prostitutes and long-distance truck drivers and to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practice (KABP) with respect to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in these three groups in Burkina Faso. METHODS: We performed three cross-sectional serosurveys including face-to-face interviews on KABP between October 1994 and February 1995 in three population groups. RESULTS: Overall, 1,294 pregnant women, 236 long-distance truck drivers and 426 female prostitutes were recruited. HIV seroprevalence was 8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 6.6-9.6) among pregnant women, 18.6% (95% CI: 13.9-24.2) among long-distance truck drivers and 58.2% (95% CI: 53.4-62.9) in female prostitutes. The prevalence of syphilis was 2.5%, 9.3% and 15%, respectively. Most pregnant women (98%), long-distance truck drivers (96%) and female prostitutes (98%) had already heard of AIDS. However, the level of knowledge of HIV transmission routes, of risk factors for HIV transmission and of available preventive measures was very low. Consequently, 41% of pregnant women, 40% of long-distance truck drivers and an alarming 61% of female prostitutes reported that they did not feel themselves at risk for HIV. In each group, high levels of knowledge on AIDS were associated with increased awareness of AIDS risk and the adoption of preventive behaviours. Level of education was associated with knowledge of AIDS and condom use. However, in the 12 months preceding the surveys, condom use was very low among pregnant women (0.1%), long-distance truck drivers (18%) and among female prostitutes (42%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HIV is widespread in Burkina Faso and that there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate HIV prevention strategies in the general population and among core groups such as female prostitutes and long-distance truck drivers. Interventions must include information campaigns, condom promotion and distribution, and sexually transmitted diseases control.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

The impact of prostate cancer knowledge on cancer screening.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To test the effect of knowledge on participation in prostate cancer screening. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design; PRECEDE framework. SAMPLE: 319 men, 82% African American. METHODS: Prostate cancer knowledge was measured with a Prostate Cancer Knowledge Questionnaire prior to a community-based educational program. Men were referred to their personal physicians for a free prostate cancer screening. Results were sent to the Prostate Cancer Project. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Prostate cancer knowledge and participation in free prostate screening with a digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen. FINDINGS: Prostate cancer knowledge was a predictor in participation in screening (p = 0.05). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to target educational interventions for African American men, who have the highest incidence of and mortality rates for prostate cancer, to significantly reduce mortality rates. This study documented the importance of providing educational programs to increase participation in prostate cancer screening.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Parental drug use and the socialization of AIDS knowledge and attitudes in children.

Children aged 6 to 18 who had a parent enrolled in drug treatment were matched on the child's age, sex, and ethnicity and on the parent's level of education with children from a community sample. They were compared with respect to parents' knowledge of HIV transmission, parents' efforts to teach their children (ages 6 to 18) about HIV and AIDS, and children's knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDS. Children of drug-abusing parents had more direct and indirect experience with people affected by AIDS than other children, and they demonstrated more knowledge of HIV transmission, once other variables were controlled. Overall, however, few group differences in parents' knowledge and socialization efforts or in children's AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes were observed. Although children of drug abusers appear to be learning as much as other children about HIV and AIDS, they nonetheless deserve special attention as a group at risk for HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Knowledge of childhood asthma among medical students.

As future health care providers medical students should acquire an adequate knowledge of bronchial asthma before graduation from medical school. The aim of this study was to assess whether knowledge about childhood asthma increased during the medical course. The 590 medical students enrolled in the School of Medical Sciences, University of Science Malaysia during the 1995/96 session were studied utilizing a validated questionnaire. There was a significant increase in the mean total scores from 11 (95% CI 10.5-11.6) in Year 1 to 23.4 (95% CI 22.9-24) in Year 5. Questions about symptoms of asthma, pathogenesis of airway narrowing during acute exacerbations, preventive and reliever medications, side effects of steroids, addiction to asthma drugs and assessment of severity revealed a progressive increase in knowledge over the five years. Among 5th year medical students 44.6% named infection and 65.1% named exercise as two common triggers of childhood asthma; only 30.1% could name two prophylactic drugs for asthma. Although the asthma knowledge of medical students increased progressively during the five year curriculum, their knowledge regarding trigger factors and preventive medications were deficient. As childhood asthma affects some 10% of Malaysian children its importance requires greater emphasis in the medical curriculum.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Differences between knowledge and attitudes to AIDS in adolescents].

OBJECTIVES: To relate knowledge about AIDS to the worry and fear caused by normal everyday situations, in which someone seropositive or with AIDS is involved, but when the virus cannot be transmitted. To find the discrimination that exists towards HIV carriers and people with AIDS. DESIGN: A basically descriptive crossover observation study. SETTING: Educational centres in the city of Castellón. PARTICIPANTS: 628 adolescents found by multi-stage conglomerate sampling. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A self-filled questionnaire was used. The items involving behaviour through which the virus was not transmitted, and for which the knowledge, worry and fear generated were evaluated, were described analytically. Items concerning discriminatory attitudes were analysed. Although we detected a lack of knowledge, the worry and fear generated by each situation was greater. In over 75% of those polled we observed discriminatory attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: We detected important divergences between knowledge about paths of non-transmission, and the anxiety and fear generated. Perhaps the preventive campaigns have contributed knowledge about the paths of contagion, but it is clear that they have not helped to modify discriminatory attitudes towards people with HIV or AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

[Knowledge or wisdom for nursing science?].

Nursing Science is the knowledge content for nursing. The goal of nursing is to promote, maintain and restore people's health. To provide for the health needs of the South African society Nursing Science must generate the right kind of knowledge. The question of the article is whether Nursing Science needs knowledge or wisdom? The perspectives on knowledge of Maxwell (1988) and Rossouw (1993) are studied. The conclusion is that Nursing Science needs knowledge and wisdom. Arguments are given to support this conclusion.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

ReVisions in knowledge development: a passion for substance.

Members of the nursing community have been engaged in numerous debates, some of which are related to the roles of holism and particularism in the care of clients and in the development of nursing knowledge. Others center on most and least congruent methodologies for nursing research, These healthy debates have played a significant role in invigorating the discipline of nursing. If they continue without special attention to nursing's substance, however, they may detract from its knowledge development. By refocusing the debates on substance, that is, on the major phenomena and theoretical propositions considered central to nursing, progress in the development of nursing knowledge will be enhanced. Other reVisions include co-opting some existing methods in knowledge development that are congruent with feminist approaches and not limited to certain strata of populations or certain nations, thus highlighting international nursing as an arena for the generation of gender-sensitive and culture-sensitive theories. Finally, the commitment to reVisions in knowledge development means a personal commitment of nursing scholars to health care in general and to the discipline of nursing in particular.

Global Health↗
PubMed1998

Knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards AIDS among educated youth in Lahore, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding AIDS among educated young people in Lahore, Pakistan. METHODS: An anonymous survey of 733 males and 355 females was carried out using structured questionnaire among educated youth, selected randomly from non-medical educational institutions and work places. RESULTS: Knowledge on exsistance of AIDS in Pakistan was expressed by 698 (95.2%) males and 273 (76.9%) females, in, while only 189 (25.7%) males and 76 (21.4%) females knew its cause. Knowledge of the different modes of transmission was good, however 59%, 48%, 68% and 43% males; 28%, 45%, 59% and 35% females believed that it could be transmitted through sharing of utensils, mouth kissing, casual contact and mosquito bite, respectively. Ninety one percent males and 86% females believed that AIDS sufferers should be isolated. Extra marital sex was experienced by 6% subjects and only 5% used condoms. Generally, males had better knowledge than females except in attitudes towards monogamy and having sex with someone known. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed gaps in the knowledge of females regarding AIDS and its transmission. The results indicates an urgent need to include health education syllabi emphasising AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Curriculum of schools/colleges to convey the message adequately to the youth.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗