Construction of a scale of attitude toward death in adolescence and its validity and reliability

The purpose of this paper was to construct a scale that measures the multidimensional attitude toward death in adolescence. Based on preliminary open-ended format survey, a scale of attitude toward death consisting of 67 items was constructed. This scale was administered to 1,071 adolescents. Factor analysis with varimax rotation indicated 6 subscales: "fear of death", "intention to live out own life", "meaning of death for life", "underrating of death", "belief in existence of afterlife", "choice of death-of-body/death-of-mind". For these subscales, the coefficients of alpha ranged from .60 to .84, and the coefficients of test-retest reliability with a three-week interval ranged from .68 to .93. The validity of the subscales was investigated through the relations with Templer's Death Anxiety Scale and several developmental indices.     

Refining a socio-economic status scale for use in community-based health research in India

Objective:

Socio economic status is an important determinant of health and disease in population. Various scales for measuring the same exist in modern Indian society each with it''s own limitations. Present study was done to abridge the existing and latest available Aggarwal Scale.

Study Design:

Cross Sectional Study.

Material and methods:

All relevant information pertaining to Aggarwal et al scale was collected for 197 households and analyzed in SPSS 16. Data reduction was done using Factor Analysis (FA) under which Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was used.

Results:

Four components were selected based on criteria Eigen value of more than one and elbowing in scree plot. All the 22 items of Aggarwal et al were divided among these 4 components. Based on factor loadings four reduced scales were constructed. Percentage agreement of reduced scales with original scale increased as we increased the number of items in the scale. Analysis narrowed down the 22 items of Aggarwal et al scale to six items e.g. locality, education of husband/wife, occupation of husband/wife, family possessions, caste and monthly per capita income. These 6 items together accounted for 49% of the variation and can be taken as a surrogate measure of SES of the family.

Conclusion:

We have presented reduced versions of Aggarwal et al scale along with degree of agreement with the original scale. Authors propose the use of these scales to measure SES to overcome the time constraint in practicing research.KEY WORDS: Scale, research, socio-economic, factor analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), aggarwal     

重庆市城区农民工HIV/AIDS防治知识和态度调查

目的了解重庆市主城区农民工HIV/AIDS防治知识和态度,为防治艾滋病提供科学依据。方法随机选取重庆市主城区3个区9个建筑工地的农民工,每个区400人,共1200人,由经过培训的专业人员进行问卷调查,内容包括基本情况、艾滋病知识与态度、获得艾滋病知识途径等。结果发放问卷1260份,有效问卷1243份。8个HIV/AIDS防治知识问题中回答正确范围为33.95%～80.13%,全部回答正确的占15.12%。10种获得艾滋病知识途径中处于前三位的分别是电视（53.50%）、广播（37.01%）、免费宣传材料（31.62%）。结论重庆市主城区农民工对艾滋病防治知识有所了解,但存在歧视。建议对农民工这一特殊群体加强健康教育宣传,以降低艾滋病在这部分人群中的传播危险。     

Development and psychometric evaluation of a condom use self-efficacy measure in Spanish and English

Background: Condom self-efficacy is an important construct for HIV/STI prevention and intervention. A psychometrically sound measure of the self-efficacy for using condoms that has been designed for Hispanic women to respond in Spanish or English is needed.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a brief self-report measure of condom use self-efficacy.

Methods: We developed a 15-item measure of condom use self-efficacy based on expert knowledge of measurement and HIV/STI prevention with Hispanic women using a translation-back translation approach. Participants were 320 Hispanic women from the Southeastern US.

Results: Internal consistency of the full measure was 92. A short form of the instrument with a subset of five items also had acceptable internal consistency, alpha = .80, and was significantly correlated with the full scale, r_s = .93, p < .001. A single latent factor explained 9–48% of the variation in these items. Evidence of construct validity of the short form was provided by correlations of the scale with two self-report measures of condom use: r_s = .34** with condom use, r_s = .37** with condom use during vaginal sex.

Conclusions: Either the full measure or the five-item measure could be used in studies where condom use is an important behavioral outcome, such as evaluating prevention interventions, with Hispanic women. Future studies should examine the performance of this measure with other groups, including Hispanic men and members of other ethnic and language groups.     

Attitudes toward condom use and AIDS among patients from an urban family practice center

As part of an effort to better educate patients about using condoms, a survey was done to assess the sexual practices, attitudes toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and condom use by patients who visit an urban family practice center. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 126 patients of whom the majority were black and single. Seventeen percent indicated they had sex with more than one person in the 3 months before the survey. Within the last 5 years, 10% had sex with an intravenous drug abuser, and 6% with someone of the same sex. Fifty percent believed that condoms decrease sexual pleasure for men and 31% thought condoms made sex inconvenient. Twenty-seven percent of those surveyed believed that a man's penis may be too large for a condom and 18% believed that uncircumcised men could not use condoms. Forty-five percent believed they should be screened for human immune deficiency virus exposure. The results highlight attitudes and beliefs that may function as barriers to condom use and should be addressed when encouraging condom use with this population.     

Development of a scale to measure African American attitudes toward organ donation

African American attitudes toward organ donation differ from other racial and ethnic groups. However, existing measures of organ donation attitudes do not adequately address ethnic identity and cultural factors. We examined the psychometric properties of a new 18-item organ donation scale among 1225 members of 21 African American churches in Southeast Michigan. We identified three factors: (1) Barriers; (2) Family/Race Benefits; and (3) Altruism. More positive donation attitudes on each subscale were observed for individuals who reported being enrolled as a donor. Among individuals not enrolled, higher scores were observed on scales two and three for those with stronger intentions to enroll.     

从“富士康事件”谈我国企业外来工的工作倦怠

2010年上半年,在富士康集团所属的深圳一家工厂,一家口碑还不错的台资企业,在5个月之内发生12起员工跳楼事件,造成10死2伤.相对于全厂数十万员工的巨大基数,这一自杀率虽然不算高,低于我国的平均自杀率,但在这么短的时间内,在同一企业的同一个员工群体,在同一地点密集发生自杀事件,无疑属非正常社会心理现象,很有必要予以关注和研究.另一方面,在我国特殊的社会转型时期,对发生在企业外来工群体的这一现象的研究可能更具社会现实意义.     

Knowledge,use and attitude toward eHealth among patients with chronic lung diseases

BackgroundDespite high expectations and numerous initiatives in the area of eHealth, implementation and use of eHealth applications on a national level is no common practice yet. There is no full understanding of patients’ attitude on eHealth yet. Aim of this study is to gain insight into the level of knowledge and experiences with eHealth of people with chronic lung diseases.MethodA telephone survey among 400 people with a medical diagnosis of asthma or COPD was conducted. All patients participated in the larger research program National Panel of people with Chronic diseases or Disabilities (NPCD) conducted by NIVEL.ResultsEight percent of the asthma and COPD patients knew of the term eHealth. Knowledge of specific eHealth applications (e.g. electronic medical record, electronic consultations, monitoring from a distance) was higher and ranged from 21 to 88%. Most available applications were used by less than 20% of the patients, although figures differ by age and educational level. People who have used applications were in general rather positive about their use. Non-users did not see clear advantages of using eHealth applications. A majority thought that eHealth decreases human contact in health care and will not contribute to a higher quality of care. On the contrary, almost half of the patients considered eHealth as a possibility to take more responsibility in their own care. Asthma and COPD patients were unanimous that the use of eHealth should always be a free choice.ConclusionAlthough most asthma and COPD patient know of one or more eHealth applications, actual use remains low. Patients who do have experience with the use of eHealth are on the whole positive. However, patients without experience have no clear ideas about the advantages. They should be convinced first, and stressing the possibilities for more personal control might be an important argument to persuade them.     

Personality correlates of attitude toward death

Examined the interrelationships of two scales of attitudes toward death with four measures of personality: the Manifest Anxiety Scale, the Novelty Experiencing scale, the Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and the Internal-External Orientation Scale. Ss were 142 volunteer males enrolled in introductory psychology courses. A correlation of 0.72 was found between the Death Concern Scale and the Death Anxiety Scale. In addition, both scales showed the same pattern of correlations with the four personality measures. The highest correlations were found between death attitude and the manifest anxiety scores and the external-internal orientation scores. The importance of including these factors when one is interpreting death attitude scores was stressed, as well as the need for research to establish that these scales measure an anxiety or concern above and beyond general anxiety.     

Factor structure of the dysfunctional attitude scale in a student population

The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale-Form A (DAS-A) was completed by 664 university students and the results were factor-analyzed. Approximately 61% of the variance was accounted for by two factors, labelled Performance Evaluation and Approval by Others. Analyses conducted on two subsamples indicated that the obtained factor solution was stable. The present results are discussed with respect to personality subtypes hypothesized to be vulnerable to depression.     

Stages of change and decisional balance for condom use with a romantic partner

This article examines the relationship between decisional balance and stages of change for consistent condom use with a current romantic heterosexual partner. The sample consisted of 619 undergraduate students (35.1% males; mean of age = 20.31). The results show that the pros and cons of using condoms were significantly related to the stages of change for condom use, but that the pros were more strongly related. Therefore, campaigns for preventing the transmission of the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases should attempt to maximize the perceived advantages of condom use, rather than refuting the cons.     

Knowledge,attitudes & barriers to condom use among female sex workers and truck drivers in Uganda: a mixed-methods study

Background

There is limited documentation on knowledge, attitudes and barriers to condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) and truck drivers (truckers).

Objective

To explore knowledge, attitudes and barriers to condom use among FSWs and truckers operating along major transport corridors in Uganda

Methods

Structured questionnaires were administered to explore FSWs'' and truckers'' knowledge of and attitudes towards condom use among 259 FSWs and 261 truckers. Qualitative data were collected on barriers to condom use using focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS while qualitative data were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Results

Condom knowledge was high with 97% of FSWs and 95% of truckers agreeing with the statement, “using condoms properly and consistently reduces risk of HIV infection”. Attitudes towards condom use were generally favorable with 91% of FSWs and 82% of truckers agreeing with the statement, “condom use is the best method of HIV prevention”. Qualitative findings show that poverty, refusal to use condoms by male partners, alcohol use before sex and beliefs that condoms ‘kill the mood for sex’ remain key barriers to consistent condom use.

Conclusions

Consistent condom use among FSWs and truckers is still hampered by economic and relationship factors.     

农民工抑郁症状的潜在转变分析

目的:探索农民工抑郁症状的分类及转变,检验人口学变量对抑郁症状的作用及抑郁症状与工作满意度的关系。方法:筛选完整填答2016年(T1)和2018年(T2)中国家庭追踪调查数据库(CFPS)相关量表的1993名农民工,对流调中心用抑郁简版量表(CES-D 8)、工作满意度量表(WSS)填答情况进行潜在转变分析(LTA)。结果:根据CES-D8条目得分将农民工分为低抑郁症状组、积极预期过渡组、消极预期过渡组、高抑郁症状组4组。农民工在T2仍处于T1组的概率依次为38.6%、64.4%、47.3%、47.5%;从T1到T2,低抑郁症状组、积极预期过渡组有39.1%和18.4%的概率向消极预期过渡组转变;高抑郁症状组有25.0%的概率向积极预期过渡组转变。年龄、性别与子女数作为协变量时,处于或转变为消极预期过渡组与高抑郁症状组的发生比(OR)为1.03～2.38;老人数作用下,处于或转变为高抑郁症状组的发生比(OR)为0.59～0.99。方差分析结果发现,抑郁症状越严重组,WSS得分越低。结论:农民工抑郁症状分为4组且多处于或易转变为中高抑郁症状组;高龄、女性、子女数多与老人数少的农民工抑郁症...     

Attitudes toward using condoms and condom use: difference between sexually abused and nonabused African American female adolescents

Rates of many sexually transmitted diseases remain higher among adolescents than among any other age group. The associations between abuse experiences and risky sexual behaviors suggest that exploring the relationships between adolescents' abuse history and condom use beliefs and behaviors is warranted. Females (N = 725) attending an adolescent clinic reported demographic characteristics, beliefs about condom use, sexual behaviors, and sexual abuse or molestation history. Those reporting sexual abuse or molestation (23%) were more likely to think condoms interfered with sexual pleasure and less likely to think condoms were important to partners. They also reported more unprotected vaginal sex and more lifetime sex partners. Beliefs were correlated with condom use consistency, number of lifetime partners, and number of unprotected sex experiences. The greater levels of behavioral risk among those reporting abuse suggest greater risk for acquisition and transmission in abused female adolescents. The authors discuss hypotheses to inform future research and intervention.     

Pesticide exposure and neuropsychological impairment in migrant farm workers.

The chronic, long-term effects from exposure to many frequently used pesticides have yet to be fully documented. Migrant Hispanic farm workers who are the frequent victims of such exposures are rarely studied. A neuropsychological test battery was administered to 21 migrant farm workers acutely exposed to Phosdrin, Lannate and Maneb on two occasions, and to 11 controls matched for age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. Results revealed that two years after the pesticide exposures, the exposed group was significantly more impaired than controls on tests of psychomotor speed, dexterity, and visuospatial memory. Disturbing emotional symptoms were reported with significantly greater frequency by the exposed group in comparison to controls. Results are consistent with the previously reported constellation of symptoms and neuropsychological deficits associated with pesticide exposure.     

Social capital and community participation among migrant workers in China

In China, rapid development has prompted massive migration from rural to urban areas. Migrants' participation in Urban Residents Committees (URCs) and other community organizations offers opportunities for the development of social capital and democracy in contemporary China. We use 2006 survey data from a stratified convenience sample of 3,024 migrant workers in 7 Chinese cities to examine individual and community social capital and their relation to 3 types of community participation: (a) amount of contact with community organizations, (b) frequency of help sought from community organizations, and (c) the rate of participation in URC meetings. Multiple regressions yield, among 12 measures of individual and community‐focused social capital, only neighborhood interaction and organizational social capital as consistently and significantly associated for all 3 types of participation. Other measures were associated with certain types of participation, or were nonsignificant. Implications for migration policy, community participation, and social capital in China are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

AIDS-related perceptions and condom use of prostitutes in Korea

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes of prostitutes on condom use from diverse 'sex markers' in Korea. The data were collected by interviewers at five different 'sex markets'. During March 1993, research assistants at the Institute of Health Services Research interviewed 371 prostitutes visiting sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Multiple regression method was used in identifying the determinants of condom use. The level of condom use was regressed on personal characteristics of prostitutes, AIDS-related perceptions, and market type. Prostitutes' level of condom use turned out to be different across the markets featuring diverse types of services and fees. Neither perceived vulnerability nor perceived seriousness of AIDS had significant effects on condom use. Our findings suggested that the many AIDS-preventive educational efforts by STD clinics are ineffective. Hence, individual STD clinics need to develop AIDS-preventive education programs which are suitable for the unique circumstances of their respective 'sex markets'.