Predicting vitamin E and C consumption intentions and behaviors among factory workers based on protection motivation theory

Background

Study of antioxidant vitamin consumption behavior, especially in high-risk groups with high exposure to toxic metals to reduce metal toxicity, is emphasized. This study aims to examine the structural relationships between knowledge, protection motivation theory constructs, and vitamin E and C consumption behavior among cement factory workers.

Methods

Protection motivation theory and food frequency questionnaires were completed by 420 factory workers. Data were subjected to structural equation modeling to examine associations between knowledge, protection motivation theory constructs, and vitamin E and C consumption behavior. Efficacy of current recommended models was also explored.

Results

Structural equation modeling showed high explained variance within the constructs of protection motivation theory for vitamin E and C consumption behavior and intention (56–76%). The overall fit of the structural models was acceptable for both vitamin E and C behavior. Knowledge, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and perceived vulnerability predicted intention, which in turn predicted vitamin consumption behavior. Significant relationships between knowledge and self-efficacy, response efficacy, perceived vulnerability, and perceived severity were also found, while self-efficacy and response efficacy showed significant relationships with vitamin E and C consumption behavior.

Conclusions

Considering that response efficacy, self-efficacy, and intention showed as strong predictors of vitamin E and C consumption behavior, specific attention should be paid to coping appraisals and intention when designing intervention plans. Additionally, establishing the predicting role of knowledge for protection motivation theory constructs and protective behaviors should be integrated into intervention programs.

     

„Ich brauch’s nicht, ich rauch nicht“

Background

Structure content, implementation and results of a 3-year smoker prevention project are presented. Based on the social cognitive model of health behaviour, factors of influence are specified. The development and processing of data of an accompanying questionnaire are shown.

Results

The positive effects that could be obtained are a reduced decrease of the rate of non-smokers, an improved tobacco-specific knowledge and a more stable rejection of the positive effects of cigarette consumption. What the project results show as well is a weakening of the intention not to smoke in the future, of the estimate of the negative consequences of smoking, of a critical attitude towards cigarette consumption and of the positive assessment of measures to protect non-smokers.

Conclusion

The smoke-specific self-efficacy proves to be the most stable influence variable over time.     

Relationship of parental health-related behaviours and physical fitness in girls and boys

Aim

Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are known to be closely connected. Various environmental and biological constraints have been shown to influence children’s PA with parents being among strong determinants of their children’s PA behaviour. However, little is known about parental influence on PF in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the influence of parental health-related behaviours and attitudes on PF in boys and girls.

Subjects and methods

Baseline data of 1,875 primary school children (7.1?±?0.6 years; 50 % male) were included in the analyses. Lateral jumping performance was used as a proxy for whole-body coordination and the 6-min run for cardiovascular fitness. Parental health-related behaviours, attitudes and sociodemographic variables were assessed via questionnaire. Regression analyses, adjusting for age and BMI, were performed separately for boys and girls.

Results

The final models of the regression analyses showed that children’s age and BMI are significantly related to PF. Mothers’ self-efficacy to encourage their children to be active is significantly associated with boys’ coordination and cardiovascular fitness and girls’ coordination. Mothers’ PA affects PF in boys, not in girls. Maternal smoking has a significantly negative effect on both boys’ and girls’ cardiovascular fitness.

Conclusion

This study shows that parental health-related behaviours and self-efficacy to encourage their children to be active affect children’s PF. Influencing factors, however, differ in girls and boys, and mothers seem especially influential.     

A Prospective Examination of Physical Activity Predictors in Pregnant Women with Normal Weight and Overweight/Obesity

Background

Scant research has examined the relationship between exercise behavior and weight status in pregnant women.

Early adulthood: an overlooked age group in national sodium reduction initiatives in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

South Korean''s sodium consumption level is more than twice the upper limit level suggested by the WHO. Steep increases in the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Korea necessitate more effective sodium reduction programs. This study was conducted in order to compare sodium intake-related eating behaviors and key psychosocial factors according to age group and gender.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Using an online survey, a total of 1,564 adults (20-59 years old) considered to be geographically representative of South Korea were recruited and surveyed. The major outcomes were perceived behaviors, knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy related to sodium intake.

RESULTS

The results show that perceived behavior and level of self-efficacy related to low sodium consumption differed by age and gender. Female participants showed better behavior and intention towards low sodium intake than male counterparts. Young participants in their 20s showed the lowest intention to change their current sodium intake as well as lowest self-efficacy measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Future sodium reduction interventions should be developed with tailored messages targeting different age and gender groups. Specifically, interventions can be planned and implemented at the college level or for workers in their early career to increase their intention and self-efficacy as a means of preventing future health complications associated with high sodium intake.     

Determinants of quality of life in Spanish transsexuals attending a gender unit before genital sex reassignment surgery

Purpose

To evaluate the self-reported perceived quality of life (QoL) in transsexuals attending a Spanish gender identity unit before genital sex reassignment surgery, and to identify possible determinants that likely contribute to their QoL.

Methods

A sample of 119 male-to-female (MF) and 74 female-to-male (FM) transsexuals were included in the study. The WHOQOL-BREF scale was used to evaluate self-reported QoL. Possible determinants included age, sex, education, employment, partnership status, undergoing cross-sex hormonal therapy, receiving at least one non-genital sex reassignment surgery, and family support (assessed with the family APGAR questionnaire).

Results

Mean scores of all QoL domains ranged from 55.44 to 63.51. Linear regression analyses revealed that undergoing cross-sex hormonal treatment, having family support, and having an occupation were associated with a better QoL for all transsexuals. FM transsexuals have higher social domain QoL scores than MF transsexuals. The model accounts for 20.6 % of the variance in the physical, 32.5 % in the psychological, 21.9 % in the social, and 20.1 % in the environment domains, and 22.9 % in the global QoL factor.

Conclusions

Cross-sex hormonal treatment, family support, and working or studying are linked to a better self-reported QoL in transsexuals. Healthcare providers should consider these factors when planning interventions to promote the health-related QoL of transsexuals.     

Ten-year quality of life outcomes among patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder II. Predictive value of psychosocial factors

Purpose

To identify psychosocial predictors of change in health-related quality of life among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and schizoaffective (SA) disorders over a 10-year period.

Methods

In a naturalistic longitudinal design, 108 patients with SZ/SA disorders completed a comprehensive rating scale battery including self-reported quality of life, emotional distress symptoms, coping styles, sense of self-efficacy, and social support, as well as observer-rated psychopathology, medication side effects, and general functioning at 2?time points, baseline and 10?years later.

Results

Regression models revealed that reduction in self-reported symptoms of depression, sensitivity or anxiety along with increase in self-efficacy, social support, and emotion-oriented coping scores predicted improvement in domain-specific perceived quality of life. Adjustment of the psychosocial models for the effects of disorder-related factors (psychopathology, functioning, and medication side effects) confirmed the above findings and amplified their statistical power.

Conclusions

In the long-term course of severe mental disorders (SZ/SA), changes in the psychosocial factors are stronger predictors of subjective quality of life outcome than disorder-related changes. The findings enable better understanding of the combined effects of psychopathology and psychosocial factors on quality of life outcome over a 10-year period.     

Effekte von universellen und selektiven Pr?ventionsma?nahmen im Glücksspielbereich

Objective

In Germany, the issue of preventing pathological gambling has recently gained importance. The literature analysis at hand shall constitute an empirical contribution to the current discussion in the expert community.

Methods

Results of evaluation studies are compiled, focusing on universal and selective prevention measures. The literature analysis is based mainly on articles (N=26) in peer-reviewed journals (as of 1999).

Results

As for school-based prevention measures, considerably positive effects can be found regarding the knowledge and attitude of students. Furthermore, a number of studies point to effective prevention measures in the fields of online gambling and gambling machines. Last but not least, the analysis shows that media campaigns can contribute to raising awareness of potential risks of gambling among the general population.

Conclusion

The empirical findings of this analysis should be considered in the discussion of the expert community and in the process of a rational policymaking aimed at the prevention of pathological gambling. However, as for a number of prevention measures, long-term studies are needed to provide evidence of their effects on the middle- and long-term gambling behavior of various target groups.     

Körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit und Gesundheit bei älteren Arbeitnehmern

Introduction

German executives are becoming increasingly aware of the growing significance of employee health for the future viability of their companies. For the practical implementation of health promotion in a business setting, it is imperative to identify the central determinants of health, so that targeted measures can be initiated.

Method

In the present article, results from a cross-sectional study in a German company are presented (n?=?160; mean?=?55.1 years; SD?=?3.61 years). The aim of the study was to empirically analyze whether physical fitness has a stronger association with subjective health and state of physical ailments than the determinants physical activity, BMI and smoker/non-smoker status. In order to address these questions, we calculated hierarchical regressions.

Results

The results show that fitness is the strongest determinant of subjective health perception with a Beta weight of 0.447 (T?=?5.502; p?<?0.001). The evaluation of the associational factors of the state of physical ailments also showed that the state of fitness is a highly significant predictor of physical ailments (β?=???0.498; T?=???5.838; p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

In the light of this, health promotion measures focusing on physical activity and particularly the physical fitness should be given a larger role in occupational practice.     

The association between social capital measures and self-reported health among Muslim majority nations

Objectives

Much evidence suggests that social capital (e.g. networks, trust, organizational memberships) has a significant effect on self-reported health. Previous research, however, has focused primarily on Western countries. The current research seeks to remedy this problem by investigating the association between multiple social capital indicators and subjective health in a novel empirical setting.

Methods

The data come from the Comparative Values Survey of Islamic Countries (1999–2006) which consists of probabilistic samples from Muslim majority nations. Three-way multilevel analysis is used to examine the social determinants of health.

Results

Statistical results from hierarchical linear modeling shows that frequent contact with strong and intermediate ties (i.e. family members and friends, respectively) is significant, while interaction with weak ties (coworkers) has no association. General trust and trust in the central government are also significantly related to subjective health, as is trust in religious authority, albeit in an inverse way.

Conclusions

This study calls for a more contingent view of the relationship between social capital and self-reported health. Future research needs to take this into consideration in hypothesizing and testing the potential health benefits of social capital.     

Potential impact of a pilot training program on smoking cessation intervention for tuberculosis DOTS providers in Malaysia

Background

The association between tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco smoking is becoming increasingly important. Smoking cessation may yield substantial positive effects on TB treatment outcomes, relapse, and future lung disease. Thus, TB directly observed therapy, short-course (TB DOTS) providers are uniquely positioned to intervene with those TB patients who are smokers. Unfortunately, most health care professionals are inadequately trained to provide such service.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a customized training program related to the delivery of an integrated smoking cessation intervention (SCI) for TB DOTS providers and to evaluate its potential impact on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competence.

Method

We developed and delivered a structured training program and materials about treating tobacco use and dependence in TB settings. The training was offered to DOTS providers from six chest clinics in Penang and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur health districts, Malaysia, who were planned to be involved in a larger project, known as the SCIDOTS Project. A pretest-posttest survey of a single group was conducted. Changes in scores before and after the training program in knowledge and attitude were measured.

Results

Ten DOTS providers participated in the program and completed both the pretest and posttest survey questionnaire. The trainees’ median scores in knowledge of health risks of tobacco and tobacco-related diseases, the association between TB and tobacco, and overall knowledge significantly increased compared to the baseline (p?<?0.05). Upon completion of the program, the majority of the trainees (70–100%) believed that they were competent and confident in performing most SCI activities.

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggests that a customized in-service training program on SCI designed for and delivered to TB DOTS providers could significantly improve their knowledge, attitude, and practice related to SCI. It has also highlighted the gap related to SCI in nursing education and calls for urgent curricula reforms.     

Interviewer BMI effects on under- and over-reporting of restrained eating: evidence from a national Dutch face-to-face survey and a postal follow-up

Objectives

To determine the effect of interviewer BMI on self-reported restrained eating in a face-to-face survey and to examine under- and over-reporting using the face-to face study and a postal follow-up.

Methods

A sample of 1,212 Dutch adults was assigned to 98 interviewers with different BMI who administered an eating questionnaire. To further evaluate misreporting a mail follow-up was conducted among 504 participants. Data were analyzed using two-level hierarchical models.

Results

Interviewer BMI had a positive effect on restrained eating. Normal weight and pre-obese interviewers obtained valid responses, underweight interviewers stimulated under-reporting whereas obese interviewers triggered over-reporting.

Conclusion

In face-to-face interviews self-reported dietary restraint is distorted by interviewer BMI. This result has implications for public health surveys, the more so given the expanding obesity epidemic.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among barbers and their knowledge,attitude and practices in the district of Sukkur,Sindh

Objectives

Several occupations in developing countries lag behind in ensuring the safety of their workers in occupational settings. Lack of implementation of safety guidelines at workplaces can expose workers to health risks. In Pakistan, barbers are one of the un-regulated occupational groups. Low literacy, increased frequency of direct skin contact and blade/razors use can expose barbers to body fluids including blood of the customers. We conducted this study in order to determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in a peri-urban district of Sindh.

Material and Methods

Three hundred eighty-five barbers from the Sukkur district were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBsAg. A scale was built to determine the proportions of responses to knowledge, attitude and practice items.

Results

The prevalence of HBV among barbers was 2.1%. The barbers’ knowledge on HBV and its transmission routes was poor. The response to attitude items was good, except that only 35.1% of the participants agreed to have vaccination against HBV. The overall performance on the knowledge and practice scales was poor compared to the attitude scale on which 80% of the barbers performed well.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HBV among barbers was lower compared to the available national figures for the prevalence among the general population.     

A comparison of the accuracy of self-reported intake with measured intake of a laboratory overeating episode in overweight and obese women with and without binge eating disorder

Purpose

Research has demonstrated significant underreporting of food intake in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder (BED). An improved understanding of the accuracy of self-reported food intake is central to diagnosis of eating disorders and monitoring response to treatment. The purpose was to: (1) confirm those with BED consume significantly more kilocalories (kcal) than overweight/obese controls when instructed to overeat in the laboratory and (2) compare dietary recall data with measured intake.

Methods

Fifteen women fulfilling BED criteria and 17 controls participated in an overeating episode and completed a 24-h dietary recall.

Results

BED participants consumed significantly more kilocalories according to both methodologies. The BED group self-reported 90% of the measured intake compared to 98% for the control group. Mean differences between the methods indicated that on average both groups underreported intake; however, the mean difference between methods was significantly greater in the BED group.

Conclusions

Findings confirm that those with BED consume significantly more than controls during a laboratory binge and controls tended to be more accurate in recalling their intake 24 h later.     

Self-reported rate of eating is associated with higher circulating ALT activity in middle-aged apparently healthy Japanese men

Purpose

Elevated circulating activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a marker for liver injury, and the lifestyle of a higher rate of eating in healthy and preclinical subjects are associated with increased risk of obesity and diabetes. In this study, we examined the associations between self-reported rate of eating and circulating ALT activity in middle-aged apparently healthy Japanese men.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 3,929 apparently healthy men aged 40–59 years (mean ± SD age, 49.2 ± 5.8 years; BMI, 23.5 ± 2.8 kg/m²) who participated in health checkups in Japan. We analyzed their clinical serum parameters and lifestyle factors, including self-reported rate of eating. Associations between self-reported rate of eating and liver injury markers [ALT, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GTP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], other clinical parameters or lifestyle factors were determined using analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses (MLRA) were performed with ALT activity as the dependent variable and independent variables that included self-reported rate of eating.

Results

MLRA showed that ALT activity showed trends for higher self-reported rate of eating after adjustment for age, energy intake, and smoking status. The association between ALT activity and self-reported rate of eating disappeared after adjustment for BMI.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that ALT activity is positively associated with self-reported rate of eating in middle-aged apparently healthy Japanese men.     

Retrospective examination of injuries and physical fitness during Federal Bureau of Investigation new agent training

Background

A retrospective examination was conducted of injuries, physical fitness, and their association among Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) new agent trainees.

Methods

Injuries and activities associated with injuries were obtained from a review of medical records in the medical clinic that served the new agents. A physical fitness test (PFT) was administered at Weeks 1, 7 and 14 of the 17-week new agent training course. The PFT consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a 300-meter sprint, and a 1.5-mile run. Injury data were available from 2000 to 2008 and fitness data were available from 2004 to early 2009.

Results

During the survey period, 37% of men and 44% of women experienced one or more injuries during the new agent training course (risk ratio (women/men) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.31). The most common injury diagnoses were musculoskeletal pain (not otherwise specified) (27%), strains (11%), sprains (10%), contusions (9%), and abrasions/lacerations (9%). Activities associated with injury included defensive tactics training (48%), physical fitness training (26%), physical fitness testing (6%), and firearms training (6%). Over a 6-year period, there was little difference in performance of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, or the 300-meter sprint; 1.5-mile run performance was higher in recent years. Among both men and women, higher injury incidence was associated with lower performance on any of the physical fitness measures.

Conclusion

This investigation documented injury diagnoses, activities associated with injury, and changes in physical fitness, and demonstrated that higher levels of physical fitness were associated with lower injury risk.     

A Randomized Controlled Study of a Group Intervention Program to Enhance Mental Health of Children of Illegal Migrant Workers

Background

The social–ecological environment of undocumented children of migrant workers includes varying levels of risk factors. Growing up in these conditions compromises children’s development on all levels. Many of these children are in need of psychotherapy, however, due to limited resources, only a few of them receive mental health aid.

Objective

The present research undertook to construct and examine the effectiveness of a specialized group intervention program to enhance children’s self-efficacy and mental health.

Methods

Participants were 70 children aged 8–12 of illegal migrant workers in Israel. The repeated measures design included completion of a self-efficacy scale and emotional, behavioral and social difficulties child-report and teacher-report measures. Children were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group.

Results

The first hypotheses predicting a greater improvement in self-efficacy between the pre-test and post-test for children in the intervention as opposed to control group was confirmed. The second hypothesis predicting a greater reduction in the self- and teacher-reports of emotional, social and behavioral difficulties was confirmed. The third hypothesis predicting a moderating relation between self-efficacy, group type and time on the dependent variables was confirmed only for children’s self-report of their difficulties.

Conclusions

Findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of this short term playful intervention program for this group of disadvantaged children, suggesting its application to other at-risk groups of children.