Beliefs about contraceptive sterilization among low-income urban women

Among a group of low-income clinic patients planning to be sterilized, the vast majority--95 percent--reported believing that sterilization is the surest way to avoid getting pregnant and that it is safer than other contraceptive methods. Among a comparison group who also wanted no more children but did not plan to be sterilized, the majority also held these beliefs, but the proportion was lower (76-80 percent). In both groups, however, only between 64 and 70 percent knew that sterilization makes it impossible to have children in the future. Between 63 and 68 percent of the women in the sterilization group believed that having the operation would improve their family relationships, emotional state and other aspects of their lives, but only 35-58 percent of the comparison group held these beliefs. On the other hand, women in the comparison group were more likely than those in the sterilization group to believe that sterilization has negative health and psychological effects--for example, changes in menses (more bleeding or cramping) or defeminization. The beliefs held by both groups suggest that it is a conviction regarding the advantages of sterilization, rather than a relative unawareness of the disadvantages, that distinguishes women who plan to be sterilized from those who, although they want no more children, do not have similar plans. The study results have implications for family planning professionals: Counselors need to be aware that some women seeking sterilization may not understand its permanency or may have an unrealistic appraisal of its potential effect on their lives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

User-fees for family-planning methods: an analysis of payment behaviour among urban contraceptors in Bangladesh

The study was carried out to review the experience with the existing user-fee (pricing) strategies and examine the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with payment behaviour among contraceptors in urban Bangladesh for selected contraceptive methods, such as injectables, pill, and condom. Data for the study were drawn from a survey of more than 5,000 married women of reproductive age in Zone 3 of Dhaka city, Bangladesh, within the sample frame of the Urban Panel Survey of the ICDDR,B's former Urban MCH-FP Extension Project. The findings of the study showed that most (80%) urban contraceptors have been paying for selected family-planning services. This indicates the existence of a notable demand for contraceptives which suggests that there is scope for improved financial sustainability of the family-planning programme through charging appropriate user-fees for contraceptives with proper analyses of willingness-to-pay among the contraceptors and price elasticities of demand. Higher socioeconomic status of households, marked by higher levels of education and house rent, and location of residence in non-slum areas, is predictive of paying for contraception. Households having 1-3 living child(ren) are also more likely to make payment for the selected contraceptive services.     

Beliefs about treatment of mental health problems among Cambodian American children and parents

Beliefs about treatment of mental health problems are a critical area for examination among immigrant and refugee populations. Data on treatment of child problems have been conspicuously absent from the literature. This study examines explanatory models of treatment among 40 second-generation Cambodian children aged 8-18 and their parents in the US. Comparisons of perceptions of intervention for an externalizing problem (gang-related behavior) and an internalizing problem (depression) are made in a group of children who have received mental health services, their parents, and a matched community sample. A significant interaction between respondent and group membership was present in the perception that these problems could be helped, and contrary to past findings among Asian Americans, both children and parents generally endorsed the use of mental health services. Data about actual experiences with mental health services are used to help explain the findings and suggest implications for treatment of Cambodian-American youth.     

Beliefs about Causes and Consequences of Obesity among Women in Two Mexican Cities

Personal beliefs might be barriers to the prevention and treatment of obesity. To assess the beliefs about causes and consequences of and possible solutions to obesity among 18-40 years old women in two Mexican cities and to analyze the association with demographic variables, we developed a questionnaire and assessed the women''s weight status. The questionnaire was applied at two outpatient healthcare centres and assessed the responses by the Likert scale. Results were analyzed by demographics, using the chi-square and Spearman correlations. One thousand one hundred adult women participated in the study. Mean age was 27.8 years, and mean BMI (kg/m²) was 27.05. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 35% and 24% respectively. The most mentioned causes of obesity were eating oil and fat (4.1), fried foods (4.1), and eating too much (4.00). The most reported consequences were diseases (4.1), discrimination (3.9), and early death (3.7). The main solutions were physical activity (4.2), healthful eating (4.2), and personal motivation (4.1). Age of participants higher than 30 years, living with a partner, having more than 6 years of education, and having overweight and obesity were predictors of more knowledge about the causes, consequences, and solutions. These Mexican women from low SES had reasonably good knowledge about the causes and consequences of obesity. Although improving education might be beneficial to prevent obesity, changes in environmental contingencies are also necessary to prevent this epidemic.Key words: Beliefs, Causes, Consequences, Obesity, Treatment, Mexico     

Glycaemic responses to liquid food supplements among three Asian ethnic groups

Purpose

A limited number of studies have compared the glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic responses (GR) to solid foods between Caucasians and Asians. These studies have demonstrated that Asians have greater GI and GR values for solid foods than Caucasians. However, no study has compared the GI and GR to liquids among various Asian ethnic groups.

Methods

A total of forty-eight males and females (16 Chinese, 16 Indians, and 16 Malay) took part in this randomised, crossover study. Glycaemic response to the reference food (glucose beverage) was measured on three occasions, and GR to three liquids were measured on one occasion each. Liquids with different macronutrient ratio’s and carbohydrate types were chosen to be able to evaluate the response to products with different GIs. Blood glucose concentrations were measured in duplicate at baseline (?5 and 0 min) and once at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after the commencement of beverage consumption.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in GI and GR between the three liquids (P < 0.01 in all cases). However, there were no statistically significant differences in GI and GR for the liquids between the ethnic groups (Chinese vs. Indian vs. Malay).

Conclusion

The GR for three different types of liquid nutritional supplements did not differ between the three main ethnic groups in Asia. It appears that the GI of liquid food derived from one Asian ethnicity can be applicable to other Asian populations.

     

嘉峪关铁路辖区3种特种作业人员高血压患病情况

目的 了解嘉峪关铁路辖区特种作业人员高血压患病情况及职业因素对其的影响.方法 对具有共同特性的3种特种作业人员进行高血压流行病学调查.结果 特种作业人员高血压患病率为23.9％,电力工、熔接工和起重工其高血压患病率分别为21.2％、29.7％和21.0％,远高于2002年全国成年人高血压患病率.结论 熔接工血压更易受职业因素的影响而波动;特种作业人员高血压患病率随工龄的延长而升高,且各级别高血压检出率也随工龄的延长而增加.提示特种作业人员高血压患病情况严重,受职业因素影响明显,应给予更多的保健和预防.     

Beliefs about eating and eating disorders

Beliefs about foods and binge eating may influence the development and maintenance of eating disorders and the likelihood that people will seek treatment. We found that the majority of a random sample of members of a large health maintenance organization considered binge eating a problem for which there are effective treatments. Self-reported binge eaters, however, were significantly less likely to agree that there are effective treatments. Two thirds of the sample reported that certain foods are addictive and also believed that strict dieting is an effective means of reducing binge eating. Therapeutic implications of these attitudes are discussed.     

Age perceptions and physical activity among middle-aged men in three occupational groups

The aim of this study is to explore how middle-aged men in different socio-economic groups and with different work experiences, talk about ageing, and how they see age as a reason for pursuing or not pursuing physical activity. Data were collected in Oslo by interviews with 46 men (carpenters, engineers, drivers) aged 35-57 years, and workplace group discussions. The analysis explored similarities and differences in the men's interpretive repertoires on work, everyday activities, health and health-related habits. The data were discussed in relation to Bourdieu's theories on the production and conversion of physical capital. For the carpenters emerging themes related to the ageing body were worry about decline in strength, the feeling of uselessness, and an awareness of what the body can take. For the engineers, the themes were keeping the body in shape and the ability to tackle stress. In addition to these themes, the drivers focussed on leaving the body as it is/taking age as it comes. Men in all three occupational groups said that they were thinking more about health and disease with age. Even though many talked about becoming more sedate, there were also some who maintained physical activity or became more physically active with age. The emphasis and the reasons for being more physically active were different in the three groups, and involved aspects such as health, strength, pleasure, social milieu, and warding off personal problems. Age was therefore used as a reason both for being and not being physically active. In conclusion health workers should be aware of the different life experiences and views related to the body, health and physical activity that exist among men of different occupational groups. This is needed to tailor information to fit the interest areas of men belonging to different socio-economic groups.     

三种职业人群晶状体混浊检出率的比较

通过对电焊、三硝基甲苯(TNT)、放射性工作人员的职业健康体检发现,电焊、放射工作人员晶体病变为后囊皮质混浊,三硝基甲苯接触者为晶体周边部混浊,其检出率均随着工龄的增加而增高,提示毒物在体内的累积作用不容忽视。     

《中国工业医学杂志》苏南特约编辑部第三届编委会组成人员名单

2006年11月10-11日，《中国工业医学杂志》苏南特约编辑部编委换届暨学术研讨会在无锡召开。来自华东各地的编委、编辑部成员及有关领导出席了会议。会上宣布了《中国工业医学杂志》苏南特约编辑部第三届编委会组成人员名单，中国疾病预防控制中心职业卫生与中毒控制所周安寿副所长、北京大学第三医院赵金垣教授、     

Beliefs about informal payments in Albania

Informal payments for health care are a growing concern in Albania and other transitional economy countries. Recent international studies have shown that informal payments can have negative effects on health care access, equity and health status by causing people to forgo or delay seeking care, or sell assets to pay for care. Many countries are putting in place reforms meant to reduce informal payments. In order to be successful, such policies need to consider people's attitudes and beliefs about the practice. This study collected data from 222 citizens in Albania regarding intentions, past behaviours, attitudes and beliefs about informal payments. Comparing people who intend to make informal payments with people who do not intend to make payments, the study found differences in attitudes as well as beliefs about the consequences of making informal payments, in perceptions about what others think and in control beliefs, but no difference in moral beliefs or demographic characteristics. People who intend to make informal payments the next time they seek care are more likely to believe they will get faster and better quality care than non-intenders, but also think they must pay to receive any care at all. People who do not intend to make informal payments are more likely to report that they have connections with medical personnel, which may be substituting for informal payments. The study has implications for educational campaigns accompanying policy reforms. Campaigns which focus on anti-corruption messages are unlikely to be effective, as moral beliefs do not appear to influence intention.     

Beliefs about causes of autism and vaccine hesitancy among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Vaccine hesitancy may be more common among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined factors associated with ASD-specific vaccine hesitancy among caregivers of children with ASD who participated in the SPARK study (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge). 225 participants completed an online survey containing the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire (measure of vaccine hesitancy) and the Illness Perception Questionnaire revised for parents of children with ASD (IPQ-R-ASD; measure of parents’ views about ASD). 65 participants (28.8%) were vaccine hesitant (PACV score ≥ 50); children of vaccine-hesitant parents (VHPs) were less likely to be first born (n = 27, 41.5%), had greater ASD-symptom severity (mean Social Communication Questionnaire score = 23.9, SD = 6.9), and were more likely to have experienced developmental regression (n = 27, 50.9%) or plateau (n = 37, 69.8%). Compared to non-hesitant parents, VHPs significantly more often endorsed accident/injury, deterioration of the child’s immune system, diet, environmental pollution, general stress, parents’ negative views, parents’ behaviors/decisions, parents’ emotional state, and vaccines as causes for ASD. VHPs also had higher scores on the Personal Control, Treatment Control, Illness Coherence, and Emotional Representations subscales of the IPQ-R than did non-hesitant parents. In the final model, ASD-related vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with higher scores on the Emotional Representations subscale (OR = 1.13, p = 0.10), agreement with deterioration of the child’s immunity as a cause of ASD (OR = 12.47, p < 0.001), the child not having achieved fluent speech (OR = 2.67, p = 0.17), and the child experiencing a developmental plateau (OR = 3.89, p = 0.002). Findings suggest that a combination of child functioning and developmental history, as well as parents’ negative views about and their sense of control over ASD, influence vaccine hesitancy among parents of children with ASD.     

Beliefs of Orthodox Jewish girls about menstruation

A questionnaire about attitudes and beliefs concerning menstruationwas answered by 281 pupils at a boarding school for OrthodoxJewish girls in Israel. Nearly 90% of the girls expected toexperience pain with their periods. Half the girls thought theycould not go swimming during their periods. In connection withreligious beliefs, several girls thought they could not preparefood or wine during their period, 27% thought they could nothandle holy books or go to a cemetery, 9% thought that theycould not go to the synagogue. Attitudes of the Orthodox Jewishreligion to menstruation are discussed, along with the importanceof recognizing cultural differences in the school and the surgery.     

Beliefs about exercise: Relationship to eating psychopathology and core beliefs among young female exercisers

ObjectiveThis study had two objectives. First, to determine links between levels of eating psychopathology and beliefs about exercise among young women. Second, to determine the predictive effects of unhealthy core beliefs on exercise beliefs.MethodA convenience sample of 185 young female exercisers completed the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), the Exercise Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ) and the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ).ResultsThe participants' mean scores on the EDI were as follows: drive for thinness = 0.69 (SD = 0.82); body dissatisfaction = 1.30 (SD = 0.86); and bulimia = 0.33 (SD = 0.42). There were significant, positive correlations of all three EDI scales with EBQ social and EBQ appearance subscales. In addition, YSQ Defectiveness/Shame beliefs predicted EBQ social scores, while YSQ Unrelenting Standards predicted EBQ appearance scores.DiscussionThose women with relatively unhealthy eating attitudes are likely to believe that exercise will prevent negative social consequences, and are likely to be motivated to exercise in order to preserve or enhance their physical appearance. These same types of exercise belief (regarding social consequences and appearance) are predicted by feelings of defectiveness and shame and by unrelenting high personal standards.     

Beliefs and Attitudes about Obesity among Teachers and School Health Care Providers Working with Adolescents

The aim of the present study was to assess and describe obesity-related beliefs and attitudes among school staff. Mailed surveys were completed by 115 science, health, home economics, and physical education teachers, school nurses, and school social workers from all junior and senior high schools (n = 17) within a large urban school district (response rate = 66%). Over half of the respondents expressed the belief that obesity was largely caused by individual behaviors, such as overeating, poor eating, and lack of physical activity, yet also believed that biological factors contribute to obesity. Between 20% to 25% perceived obese persons as more emotional, less tidy, less likely to succeed at work, having “different personalities,” or having more family problems than nonobese persons. Beliefs and attitudes regarding overweight persons did not differ in accordance with personal weight variables of school staff such as Body Mass Index, body dissatisfaction, and weight loss practices. School staff holding stronger beliefs that obesity is under personal control were somewhat more likely to support school–based activities aimed at decreasing obesity. Since school staff have ongoing contact with many youth, they are in a unique position to help with obesity prevention efforts and to help overweight students feel better about themselves in a thin-oriented society. Staff training can be an important part of school–based programs aimed at the prevention of obesity and its psychosocial consequences. Effective staff training in this area needs to address issues of obesity prevention/treatment and issues related to weight stigmatization.     

Beliefs about rape and women's social roles

The hypothesis tested was that beliefs about rape that place women at a disadvantage are positively related to beliefs that restrict the rights and roles of women in our society. Two scales, the R scale and the W scale, based on a survey of beliefs about rape (Feild, 1978) and the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (Spence and Helmreich, 1972), were administered as a single instrument. Subjects included 432 female undergraduates, 140 male undergraduates, 114 employed women, and 76 employed men. The latter two groups were predominantly from managerial, technical, and professional occupations. Product moment correlations between responses on the R scale and responses on the W scale were calculated for total scores as well as for three factors: women's responsibility and causal role in rape; role of consent in rape; and rapist's role and motivation. Correlations consistently supported the hypothesis for all four groups.This article is an extended version of a paper presented at the Nineteenth Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., August 23, 1982.     

Beliefs about appropriate antibacterial therapy, California

To our knowledge, previous population-based surveys have not assessed misconceptions about antibacterial drug use over time. We documented a 26.3% decline in a key misconception in California women in 2003 compared to 2000; declines varied significantly by education level. Educational campaigns specifically designed to influence important subpopulations are needed.     

Beliefs about the role of parenting in feeding and childhood obesity among mothers of lower socioeconomic status

ObjectiveTo examine beliefs about the role of parenting in feeding and childhood obesity among mothers of lower socioeconomic status.MethodsIndividual semistructured, audiotaped interview with 91 mothers of preschool-aged children (49% of mothers obese, 21% of children obese) in the midwestern United States. Participant comments were transcribed and common themes were identified using the constant comparative method and NVivo software.ResultsMothers often described their parents’ feeding style as authoritarian or neglectful, and their own current style as comparatively indulgent and better. Mothers described parents of overweight children as inept or neglectful, but they never described their own parenting as such.Conclusions and ImplicationsEncouraging mothers to reflect on how they were fed as children, how it may influence their current parenting, and how the relationship between mothering and child obesity is complex are important nutrition education opportunities.