bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C and injecting drug use: The realities of stigmatisation and discrimination
Authors: Habib Shah E. , Adorjany Lester V. 
Published: March 2007

Objective To examine the extent of discrimination and stigmatisation related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as experienced by injecting drug users in Sydney, Australia. Design Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from injecting drug users (IDUs). Questions included basic demo- graphics, injecting and sexual history, HCV knowledge, risk practices, self-reported HCV diagnosis, and experiences of discrimination and o stigmatisation, as well as harm reduction services provided by needle and syringe programmes (NSPs). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from IDUs. Setting Questionnaires were distributed to clients of NSPs in the Sydney metropolitan area. Method Ten NSPs and one methadone clinic were selected. Questionnaires were distributed to all of these outlets and a total of 274 persons were recruited. The staff at the selected sites asked clients to fill out the questionnaire while distributing injecting equipment. Results Most HCV related discrimination against drug users was reported in health care settings. Fifty-two per cent of the participants experienced this as a result of being HCV positive. In addition, more than half of the sample (65 per cent) reported that such discrimination was actually as a result of being a drug user. Females were more likely than males to experience discrimination because of their HCV status. Conclusion The level of discrimination and stigmatisation was widespread in health care settings, resulting from the stereotyping of IDUs. The barriers to IDUs accessing health services need to be identified and removed. Implementation of an awareness campaign among health professionals would be a feasible way to address this issue.
Towards a new model for health promotion? An analysis of complementary and alternative medicine and models of health promotion
Authors: Hill Faith J. 
Published: March 2007

Objective This paper examines the professional interface between health promotion and complementary and alternative medicine from the perspective of five different health promotion models. The objective of this paper is to move forward the current debate concerning collaboration between health promotion and complementary medicine. Design The paper offers a conceptual analysis of the issues involves in health promotion/complementary medicine collaboration. The views of professionals from either side of the interface are reported under three broad headings: medical and behavioural change models; education and empowerment models; and social change models. Setting The discussion is grounded in research conducted primarily in the UK, but also in the USA and Eastern Europe. Methods The study was based on the principles and practices of contemporary ethnography and involved in-depth interviews with over fifty key professional from either side of the interface. Results Health promoters and complementary therapists mostly reject 'medical model' approaches to health promotion and health care. They come closest when employing educational and empowerment models of practice. Health promoters committed to social action are the least likely to work with complementary medicine. Conclusion The paper concludes that the level of future collaboration between health promotion and complementary medicine will depend partly on which health promotion models dominate the 21st century. Depending on the response of health promotion to recent policy initiatives, future collaboration between the two areas may offer a new model of practice.
'Breakfast, lunch and dinner': Attitudes to infant feeding amongst children in a Scottish primary school. A qualitative focus group study
Authors: Russell Bridie , Richards Helen , Jones Anni , Hoddinott Pat 
Published: March 2007

Objective To describe the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about infant feeding in one primary school in Scotland. Design Qualitative focus group study. Setting A single primary school which serves a mixed socioeconomic area in the north of Scotland. Method Parents gave demographic details about their family and information about whether their children had been breastfed. Twenty- three children, aged 6, took part in three focus groups which were conducted by two facilitators, according to a predetermined topic guide. Focus group data were supplemented with analyses of children's drawings and with fieldnotes. Results Children generally spoke of and drew pictures of bottle-feeding. Their lack of everyday language for breastfeeding suggested that breastfeeding was not a'taken-for-granted' activity. The repeated reference to adult meal patterns and to equipment suggested that the children have a mechanistic and confused idea of what breastfeeding involves. Their difficulties conceptualising night feeds and feeding in public places suggested that the children viewed breastfeeding as a private activity, permissible only in certain contexts. Children had vivid recall of TV images of infant feeding. Conclusions Despite the observation that breastfeeding was not generally perceived as a natural activity, our findings suggest that primary school children are interested in infant feeding and that they can be engaged in and educated about it as young as six years old. Larger studies are needed to further explore attitudes to infant feeding.
A multidisciplinary osteoporosis service-based action research study
Authors: Whitehead Dean , Keast John , Montgomery Val , Hayman Sue 
Published: March 2007

Objective To investigate an existing Trust-based osteoporosis service's preventative activity, determine any issues and problems and use this data to reorganise the service, as part of a National Health Service Executive/Regional Office-commissioned and funded study. Setting A UK Hospital Trust's Osteoporosis Service. Design & Method A Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology was adopted, using PAR group sessions and reflective journals to collect and analyse qualitative data. Results The service was investigated and found to be lacking in preventative osteoporosis-related activity. Subsequently, the research participants identified and implemented a range of preventative activities. Conclusion Osteoporosis is a preventable disease that is known to place both a huge economic and social burden on societies worldwide. Despite this, evidence suggests that preventative osteoporosis activity is afforded a low priority within health services. This was the case with the osteoporosis service at the beginning of this study, but demonstrates how a service can be reorientated to accommodate a programme of preventative activity.
Widening participation for black and ethnic minority women: A pilot educational intervention using action research
Authors: Gregory Pat , Lester Carolyn , O'Neill Martin , Gray Louise 
Published: March 2007

Objective The project's objective was to provide a course in community and career development to enable women with a diversity of educational and ethnic backgrounds to move into appropriate employment or to enter mainstream education or training. Design The course was developed using action research with continuous feedback from participants. Setting The course took place in an ethnically mixed and disadvantaged inner city area. Method Women were recruited by the course leaders via existing community networks. Both leaders had wide experience of working with women in the area where learning took place. The course was developed collaboratively with participants and course leaders. Results Action research provided an appropriate framework for developing the course to meet the needs of participants. Half the participants achieved accreditation and half had gained related paid employment by the end of the course. Conclusion Collaborative development resulted in a course that was more appropriate to participants' expressed needs and provided the foundation for future work with 'widening participation' students. The movement of women from ethnic minority communities into appropriate work is likely to have positive health impacts on the wider community.
The snacking habits of adolescents: Is snack food necessary to meet dietary recommendations?
Authors: Howard Susan , Reeves Sue 
Published: March 2007

Objective To investigate the role of snack foods in the diets of adolescents in relation to recommendations. Design A quantitative study whereby the food intakes of 28 adolescents aged 11-14 years were recorded for three consecutive days. Setting A secondary school in South West London. Methods Food intake was recorded using food diaries and the computer package CompEat-5.ANOVA and T-tests were used to identify significant differences. Results Snack foods made significant ( p<0.001) contributions to all nutrients. However increased saturated fat intakes were beyond acceptable levels. Boys had higher intakes of all nutrients, with the exception of calcium, and significantly ( p<0.01) greater intakes of iron and zinc. Conclusion Without compromising the benefits of snack foods, health promotion strategies need to be designed to reduce adolescent intakes of fat and sugar.
Policies for improving oral health in Europe
Authors: Blinkhorn Anthony S. , Downer Martin C. , Drugan Caroline S. 
Published: March 2007

Background and Objective The main purpose of this review was to rehearse the available evidence of good practice in dental public health in order to define policies that could improve oral health in the enlarged European Union and associated countries. Secondary objectives were to describe the basic principles of health service organisation and management, to examine available data on current oral health in Europe and some of its likely determinants - together with a brief overview of the organisation of dental services in the constituent countries - and to discuss aspects of policy related to the task of delivering oral health care, including organisational frameworks and resources, strategies and operations, management and the workforce, and monetary and other motivating incentives. Methods Relevant literature was reviewed selectively and synthesised. Data were abstracted from appropriate papers and reports, and collated and analysed. Results The information gained was used to suggest a series of strategies to help inform decision makers and those formulating oral health service policy in Europe. Conclusions The review concludes with a list of suggestions and recommendations that are not intended to be prescriptive but which should point the way toward future progress.
Complementary therapy services for mental health service users: Results of a consultation project
Authors: Walton Patricia , Latham Nicola 
Published: March 2007

Objective The aim of this paper is to report on the findings of a consultation project exploring demand for mental health related complementary therapy services in the local area. The project and findings are reported with reference to historical context and the literature from service user, healthcare policy and complementary therapy fields. Design The consultation was commissioned by a voluntary sector mental health organisation to establish whether a case could be made for the development of a mental health related complementary therapy service, and what form such a service might take. The researchers sought breadth and balance by seeking views from four standpoints: mental health service users, informal carers, health and social care professionals, and complementary therapy providers. Setting The consultation activities took place in statutory and voluntary sector settings in Liverpool and surrounding areas. The Merseyside region is an area of long term social disadvantage and environmental neglect, currently subject to extensive regeneration activity with significant UK and EU funding. Method Service user views were captured through a combination of focus groups, in mental health centres, and questionnaires, completed at these events or distributed through mental health groups. Health and social care professionals' views were elicited through group meetings, questionnaires or interviews based on the questionnaire structure. Complementary therapy providers completed questionnaires or were interviewed using the questionnaire structure. Results The consultations discovered a high level of interest and confidence in holistic forms of therapy amongst service users, carers and professionals, together with interest and expertise in helping with mental health related problems amongst the therapists. Conclusion This main contribution to knowledge is in the wealth of detail about potential therapeutic applications and suggested organisational principles for complementary therapy services in the mental health field. The findings are inconclusive on the macro question of service design.
Health education and the school curriculum
Authors: Finch Janet , Clayton Susan , Clements John 
Published: March 2007

THIS article considers the kind of issues which are raised by the possibility of including one par ticular topic, that of infant feed ing, set within the general context of parenthood educa tion. The intention is to draw out some more general issues about the inclusion of this kind of health education 'topic' within the school curriculum: issues about what can be in cluded, how it can be included, and the implications for other aspects of the school's work. The argument is: firstly, that there is a case for including education for infant feeding in the school curriculum; secondly, that the case for its inclusion implies the adoption of certain models of health education, and the rejection of others; thirdly, that these models have implica tions for how the topic is taught, when and by whom; and fourthly, that there are further implications for consistency of teaching methods and for the general ethos of the school.
Can school health education be more effective?
Authors: Reid Donald , Massey Doreen E. 
Published: March 2007

THIS paper reviews the evidence for the effects of health education on health-related behaviour, with special reference to NHS support for schools. It is concluded that effectiveness in these terms has considerably increased, especially in relation to smoking, dental health, rubella immunisation, sex education, and even family health as a whole. Schools may also have a significant role to play in education concerning nutrition and exercise, but positive results from alcohol and drug abuse pro grammes remain hard to find. Further improvements are possible if greater attention is paid to in-service training; support from peers; co-operation with available services; parental involvement; timing of appropriate lessons; school policies; and teacher attitudes to health education. Of these seven factors, particular importance is attached to co-operation between schools and local services, and to timing, especially in relation to bet ter provision for the 11-14 age group. Finally, health programmes for teachers themselves might prove a particularly valuable investment of scarce resources.
Youth Unemployment and Health Effects
Authors: Kieselbach Thomas 
Published: March 2007

Psychological and sociomedical unemployment research have become an important feature of public concern in the industrialised world. This paper focusses on research into youth unemployment and health effects from an international perspective and investigates more closely the following areas: Unemployment and health: research and the political public Youth unemployment: extent and societal coping Young and unemployed—a special problem? a. Skill utilization and social support b. Psychiatric morbidity c. Vulnerability and age d. "Americanization" of youth The demand for a "social guarantee"
Psychiatric Foster Care for Adult Patients: Results of a Study in the Netherlands
Authors: Haveman M.J. , Maaskant M.A. 
Published: March 2007

Since the 1920s psychiatric foster care has been considered as an important alter native to psychiatric hospitalization in the Netherlands. About one percent of the men tal hospital patients are actually living with contracted families. These patients have their meals with their foster families, and stay there at night and at the weekends. Foster families can obtain support from hospital staff. Day-programmes, treatment and work rehabilitation, however, are usually undertaken in the grounds of the men tal hospital. Some data will be presented on the characteristics, skills, social integration and consumer satisfaction of all 188 patients staying with 162 foster families. A comparison is made with a random-sample of hospital inpatients (N=381), patients in sheltered homes (N=179) and in day-centres (N=86).
Inpatient Sociodemographic and Diagnostic Study from a Psychiatric Hospital in Libya
Authors: Avasthi Ajit , Khan M.K.R. , Elroey Ali M. 
Published: March 2007

Sociodemographic and diagnostic characteristics of 1009 patients admitted to the Psychiatry Hospital, Benghazi (Libya) in one calendar year are reported. Five hundred and four (50%) were 'first admission' cases. There were an average of 2.05 admissions for each 'readmission' case. Eighty nine percent of patients were of Libyan origin, of whom 62% were males; 66% were between 15-34 years of age, 37% were married, 28% were unemployed and 16% were in military service. ICD-9 schizophrenic psychosis was the commonest diagnosis (39%), followed by affective psychosis (17%), neurotic disorders (12%), organic psychosis (8%) and acute psychosis (7%). Neurotic depression was the commonest type of neurotic disorder and antisocial personality was the commonest among personality disorders. Relationship of sociodemographic variables with major diagnostic categories was studied in Libyan patients. Sociodemographic profiles of 'first admission' and 'readmission' cases of Libyan origin were also compared. These findings are discussed in relation to the sociocultural context.
Networking Consumers' Participation in a Community Mental Health Service: Mutual Support Groups, 'Citizenship' and Coping Strategies
Authors: Mezzina Roberto , Mazzuia Pierpaolo , Vidoni Daniela , Impagnatiello Matteo 
Published: March 2007

Consumers' and family members' involvement was indispensable to create social support networks promoted by the comprehensive mental health services resulting from the closure and subsequent complete reconversion of the mental hospital in Trieste. Despite long term consumers' disabilities and the families' heavy burden the individuals' positive skills and resources can be, and indeed are, 'valorized'. Mutual help groups, social clubs and solidarity initiatives in the community were the outcome of the individual consumer's active daily involvement in the service therapeutic programmes and of stimulation of social and communication skills. The service considers these forms of supported self-organisation of consumers and family members as new instruments for further deinstitutionalisation and demedicalisation of therapeutic and rehabilitative practices, for the overcoming of social isolation and learning of coping strategies from the mutual experience.
DSM-III Mental Disorders in General Medical Sector: Predictors of Outcome
Authors: Ceroni Francesco Berti , Gherardi Stefano , Rucci Paola 
Published: March 2007

In 1987, a multicentric research was carried out in Emilia-Romagna, an adminis trative area in northern Italy. Nine hundred and forty one people in the general medical sector were contacted to enter a two-stage procedure to identify DSM-III cases. Cases were recontacted for 3-month, 1-year and 2-year follow-ups. Eighty cases completing at least the one-year follow-up were analysed. The sample was split into "still-cases" and "no longer-cases" depending on the persistence of a DSM-III diagnosis at the last follow-up. Both clinical and social features proved to be predictors of the outcome. A disorder lasting one year or longer, past recurrences, Axis I comorbidity, older age, being married and having children were the features which at the first assessment predicted an unfavourable outcome. Having children and past episodes proved to be the best predictors of remaining a case in a stratified logistic regression model. The persistence of major difficulties during the follow-up period was also correlated to a "still-case" status.
Non-Compliance With Treatment in Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia: a Study To Evaluate Possible Contributing Factors
Authors: Agarwal Manoj R. , Sharma Vimal K. , K.V. Kishore Kumar , Lowe Derek 
Published: March 2007

Background. Various factors have been associated with non-compliance with treatment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine this association using standardised measures. Method. Compliance was determined and socio-demographic and illness variables recorded. Insight, subjective response to medication and relatives' knowledge and attitude about schizophrenia were measured. Results. Non-compliant patients were younger, had shorter durations of illness, had an episodic course of illness, reported side-effects less frequently, made incorrect attributions to current positive symptoms more frequently and had a more negative subjective response to medication. Key relatives of non-compliant patients were more often employed. Conclusions. Patients need to experience for themselves the merits of taking medication before accepting the need to take them long-term. Psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioural interventions need to be targeted at changing attribu tions to current positive symptoms. The presence of a key person in the community is crucial to improve compliance.
Toward a Theory of Organization Communication: Consideration in Channel Selection
Authors: Melcher Arlyn J. , Beller Ronald 
Published: March 2007

The primary purpose of this paper is to facilitate a more systematic approach to develop ment of a single theory of ad ministration from the present formal and informal theories. It limits its focus to deter mining when the use of formal communication channels, infor mal channels or some combina tion thereof contributes to the effectiveness of the administra tor and when verbal, written or some combination of these methods facilitate an admini strator's effectiveness when using the formal and informal networks. Clarification of the alternatives available to the ad ministrator is attained by the specification of channels and methods of using them. This article appeared in the March 1967 Journal of the Academy of Management. It is reprinted by permission.
A Proposed Communication Certification Program
Authors: Mongan Thomas R. , Wolf Morris Philip 
Published: March 2007

The authors present the results of a number of studies which show the need for improving communication skills among university students. They pre sent a survey of the communi cations offerings at the Univer sity of Houston College of Business Administration and conclude with an outline of a proposed communication certi fication program. This paper was presented to the ABCA Southwestern Regional Convention, meeting as the Business Communications Sec tion of the Southwestern Social Science Association at Dallas, Texas, April 12, 1968.