Perceptions and Knowledge About the MenB Vaccine Among Parents of High School Students

Journal of Community Health - Serogroup B meningococcal disease (MenB) causes almost 60% of meningitis cases among adolescents and young adults. Yet, MenB vaccine coverage among adolescents remains...     

HPV-Related Risk Perceptions and HPV Vaccine Uptake Among a Sample of Young Rural Women

Appalachia Kentucky is recognized for increased cervical cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality and lower rates of Pap testing. Understanding the predictors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is warranted among this population. The purpose of this exploratory research is to determine associations between HPV-related risk perceptions and uptake of free Gardasil offered to rural Appalachian women ages 18–26 attending regional health clinics. Young women (N = 247) were recruited from health clinics in Southeastern, Kentucky from March 2008 through September 2009. After completing a brief interview assessing seven HPV-related risk perceptions, women received a HPV vaccine voucher which provided the entire three-dose vaccine series free of charge. Whether women redeemed the voucher for dose one of Gardasil served as the study outcome variable. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effects of each predictor variable on vaccine uptake. Less than 50% redeemed the voucher to receive dose one of the HPV vaccine. Five of the seven variables significantly predicted uptake. In a controlled analysis, only two predictors remained significant: “in general, vaccines are a good thing” (P = .02) and “I believe that getting the vaccine will be painful” (P = .03). The remaining three predictor variables (worry about having HPV [P = .07], HPV is serious enough for vaccination [P = .43], and not sure vaccine is safe [P = .22]) were not significant in the model. Health promotion programs designed for this population may enhance HPV vaccine uptake by creating more realistic perceptions about the inherent value of vaccines and by improving perceptions relative to injection pain.     

Perceptions of the Community Food Environment and Related Influences on Food Choice Among Midlife Women Residing in Rural and Urban Areas: A Qualitative Analysis

Introduction: Qualitative research on food choice has rarely focused on individuals' perceptions of the community food environment. Women remain gatekeepers of the family diet and food purchasing. Therefore we assessed midlife, Southern women's perceptions of the food environment. Related influences on food choices at work and at home were also examined.

Methods: We recruited 28 low- and moderate-income, midlife (37–67 years) women from rural and urban areas of southeastern North Carolina, using typical case and snowball sampling. They responded to questions about multilevel influences on food choice in semi-structured, in-depth interviews.

Results: Women perceived differences between urban and rural food environments, with rural areas having fewer supermarkets and fast food restaurants compared to urban areas, which had fewer produce stands. Workplace food choices were affected by the social environment (co-workers), personal health concerns, and the surrounding food environment. Food chosen at home was primarily influenced by family members, health concerns, and convenient food sources.

Discussion: While future studies should explore findings in more representative populations, potential intervention strategies can be inferred, including emphasizing healthful aspects of the food environment. Intervention and advocacy efforts are needed to improve aspects of the food environment that make healthy choices difficult.     

Rural Roadway Safety Perceptions Among Rural Teen Drivers Living in and Outside of Towns

Purpose : To compare perceptions about rural road and general driving behaviors between teens who live in‐ and out‐of‐town from rural communities in Iowa. Methods : A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 160 teens anticipating their Intermediate License within 3 months upon enrollment into this study. Self‐administered surveys were used to collect demographics and driving exposures (eg, frequency of driving, age when first drove unsupervised). Two Likert scales were included to measure agreement with safe driving behaviors on rural roads and general safe driving behaviors (eg, speeding, seat belt use). T‐tests were calculated comparing mean composite scores between in‐ and out‐of‐town teens, and between mean rural road and general driving safety attitude scores. A linear regression multivariable model was constructed to identify predictors of the rural road score. Results : While the majority of teens endorsed rural road and general safe driving behaviors, up to 40% did not. Thirty‐two percent did not believe the dangers of animals on rural roads, and 40% disagreed that exceeding the speed limit is dangerous. In‐town teens were less safety conscious about rural road hazards with a significantly lower mean composite score (4.4) than out‐of‐town teens (4.6); mean scores for general driving behaviors were similar. Living out‐of‐town and owning one's own car were significant predictors of increased rural road safety scores. Conclusion : Rural, in‐town teens have poorer safety attitudes about rural roadway hazards compared with out‐of‐town teens. Interventions that involve education, parental supervision, and practice on rural roads are critical for preventing teen crashes on rural roads.     

A Qualitative Study of Parental Perceptions of Baby Food Pouches: A Netnographic Analysis

Globally, a recent phenomenon in complementary feeding is the use of squeezable baby food pouches. However, some health agencies have raised concerns about their possible long-term health effects. The aim of this study was to describe parental perceptions of the use of baby food pouches during complementary feeding (i.e., the transition from an entirely milk-based diet to solid foods) using a netnographic analysis of discussions on publicly available forums. In this study, the community was parents of young children. Six parenting forums were identified through a Google search using defined selection criteria. Discussion threads relating to baby food pouches were collected and imported into NVivo12 for thematic analysis via inductive reasoning. Perceptions of baby food pouches fell within two broad categories—benefits and concerns. The most commonly reported themes related to benefits were: convenience, health, baby enjoys, variety, and cost; whereas the most common concerns reported were: health, cost, lack of dietary exposure, dependence, and waste. Many parents reported both benefits and concerns. Once research has determined the long-term effect of using pouches on infants’ health regarding eating habits, nutritional status, growth, and development, the findings of this study can inform educational strategies to either encourage or discourage their use.     

Perceptions of Hormonal Contraceptive Safety and Side Effects Among Low-Income Latina and Non-Latina Women

Objectives: We explored perceptions of the safety and side effects of oral and injectable hormonal contraceptives among low-income women at high risk of unintended pregnancy. Methods: Overall safety perceptions, specific health concerns, and the relationship between these safety perceptions and contraceptive choices were determined by focus groups and questionnaires obtained from white non-Latina (n = 19), English-speaking (n = 21), and Spanish-speaking Latina women (n = 19). Results: Uncertainty or ambivalence about the safety of oral and injectable contraceptives was reported by 41% and 70% of respondents respectively, while 20% considered these methods to be mostly harmful. Personal experiences and stories from social networks proved to be more salient than medical opinions in shaping safety perceptions. Side effects and concerns about long-term health effects were common themes. While white non-Latina women focused predominantly on physical side effects, emotional side effects also contributed to Latinas' decisions about contraceptive switching. Spanish-speaking Latinas differed from English-speaking Latinas in other attitudinal dimensions, contraceptive use prevalence, and access to contraceptive services. Conclusion: Low-income mothers lacked confidence in method safety and had many concerns about the side effects of oral and injectable contraceptives. Because such concerns can be a barrier to contraceptive use, these perceptions need to be corrected to encourage more effective use of hormonal methods and to prevent unintended pregnancies. Culturally appropriate interventions should focus on client–provider interactions, social networks, and access to care.     

深圳市儿童麻腮风三联疫苗免疫的成本-效益分析

目的 评估麻腮风三联疫苗在深圳市儿童中免疫成本-效益,为将该疫苗纳入国家免疫规划及控制相关传染病提供依据. 方法 分析深圳市2007年免疫监测的相关资料,对麻疹、风疹、腮腺炎病例进行回顾性调查,主要包括麻疹、风疹、腮腺炎相关疾病的直接和间接疾病负担,采用成本-效益分析方法分析麻腮风疫苗免疫的经济和社会效益.结果 深圳市2007年免疫监测结果显示,14周岁及以下儿童麻疹、腮腺炎及风疹的发病人数分别为3 795、1 413例和48例,分别占全市报告病例的66.7%、86.1%和31.2%.平均每例麻疹、风疹、腮腺炎造成的总经济负担(人民币)分别为1 063.9、935.5、759.1元,2007年深圳市三种传染病给国家和家庭造成的总经济损失为5 395 949.4元.若给这些患儿接种1剂次MMR,则成本-效益比为11.4:1;接种2剂次MMR,则成本-效益比为5.7:1. 结论麻疹、腮腺炎和风疹不仅消耗了大量的医疗资源,而且给家庭和个人带来沉重的经济负担,通过麻腮风三联疫苗可产生巨大的经济效益和社会效益.     

Older Adults' Perceptions of Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this study was to explore older adults' perceptions of participation in physical activity (PA) as it impacts productive ageing and informs occupational therapy (OT) practice. In this phenomenological study, 15 community‐dwelling older adults were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling at community locations. Data collection methods included two interviews and an observation. The primary finding was that older adults continue individual patterns of meaningful PA across their lifespan when they have support to adapt to age‐associated limitations, with a gradual decline in intensity during older years. Although this study's qualitative methodology limits broad generalizability, the findings provide applicability when situated in the context of community‐living older adults interested in health maintenance through PA participation. OT practitioners have an important role with community‐dwelling older adults to impact productive ageing by designing and promoting meaningful PA with adaptations that address unique, age‐associated concerns. There is a need for further experimental research taking an occupational performance and health perspective to enhance the contribution of OT for this population's health‐related quality of life through meaningful PA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Perceptions of the Personal and Professional Factors Influencing Social Workers in Saudi Hospitals: A Qualitative Analysis

The perceptions of 10 social workers regarding the personal and professional characteristics influencing their practice at Saudi hospitals were examined using semi-structured interviews. A qualitative analysis employing a thematic approach informed by grounded theory was undertaken and produced three broad interrelated themes: “skills upgrading,” “departmental support,” and “personal experience in the workplace,” which subsequently informed the development of the overarching theme of “personal and professional factors.” The discussion illustrates social work practitioners are inhibited from effectively performing their roles. These include: (a) Deficiencies related to job training and professional skills updating where there is a lack of efficient and accessible inservice training programs, especially in relation to practical issues. Further, these perceptions relate to a lack of long-term educational opportunities that impact on individual practitioner's currency of skills, techniques and pedagogy enabling/disenabling him/her to excel at his/her job, (b) Obvious bureaucracy within the controlling hierarchy and difficulty with the dissemination of information between the social workers were perceived to detrimentally impact on a practitioner's ability to attend to one's work demands, and (c) Personal day to day work experiences, including counterproductive emotional feelings (high stress), increased dissatisfaction with the job, and ineffective communication within the workplace were seen as limiting the social workers' professional potential. This article will focus on how these themes were addressed in terms of qualitative interview data.     

江西省崇仁县儿童伤害发生现状与认知情况

目的 了解江西省崇仁县儿童伤害发生现状及儿童看护人对伤害的认知情况,为制定伤害干预措施提供依据.方法 整群抽取崇仁县3个乡(镇),对所抽取乡(镇)3 784名0～6岁儿童伤害发生现状及2946名儿童看护人伤害认知情况进行调查.结果 0～6岁儿童非致死性伤害发生率为21.86%,男性发生率高于女性,伤害类型构成排在前3位的依次为跌伤(9.70%)、锐器伤(3.46%)和动物致伤(3.09%);7例致死性伤害中,溺水死亡5例,且均发生在村里的池塘和沟渠.被调查的儿童看护人只有24.30%听说过伤害.结论 农村6岁以下儿童伤害发生情况较为严重,看护人对伤害预防的相关知识非常缺乏.加强对儿童及看护人开展与儿童安全相关知识的健康教育与宣传很有必要.     

深圳市儿童含麻疹成分疫苗调查接种率分析

目的了解深圳市儿童含麻疹成分疫苗(Measles containing vaccine,MCV)接种情况,为制定预防控制策略提供依据。方法根据预防接种门诊地理位置分布按比例随机抽取123间门诊,进行入户调查,每间门诊调查不低于30名儿童,现场调查2010-01-01/2012-12-31出生的共3 696名儿童的MCV接种情况。结果调查儿童MCV初免接种率为99.5%,出生地、现住址及出生年龄等不同的儿童MCV初免接种率的差别均无统计学意义(P0.05)。MCV初免及时接种率和复种率分别为58.5%和92.9%,深圳市出生儿童初免及时接种率低于外地出生儿童(χ2=8.44,P=0.004),复种率高于市外出生儿童(χ2=10.54,P=0.001);原特区内儿童初免及时接种率和复种率均高于特区外,并且都随着出生月龄增大而升高(P0.01)。结论通过加强特区外流动儿童第2剂MCV复种和提高第1剂MCV及时接种率等措施,可以降低麻疹发病率。     

Consensual Non-Monogamy Relationship Rules Among Young Gay and Bisexual Men: A Dyadic Qualitative Analysis

Archives of Sexual Behavior - Consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationship rules, the boundaries and understandings partners have about acceptable behaviors related to their CNM relationship, are...